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it's hockey playoff time!


Cheech

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If experience and defense wins championships, the Red Wings will raise the Stanley Cup again in June.

THE BIG WHY: Only one team has Nicklas Lidstrom, easily the most experienced and arguably still, at 41, the most superior defenseman in the NHL. Only one team has Pavel Datsyuk, perhaps the slickest two-way centerman in the game. Only one team has Henrik Zetterberg, a bulldog pivot with offensive flair and outstanding defensive instincts.

The Red Wings play a style that -- when they're healthy and working together -- is nearly impossible to stop. As NHL Network analyst Craig Button told NHL.com, they don't dump the puck in so their forwards can forecheck and pound; they dump the puck in because it's one of the best ways to start their offense.

Detroit is a puck-possession team. The depth it has in two-way forwards is remarkable and its defense corps is full of guys who can move the puck and take the body. The Red Wings don't need to pound you because they wear you down with passing and puck retrieval.

THE BIG UH-OH: Health could be a concern. The Wings are the NHL's oldest team with an average age of 31.8. Datsyuk, Mike Modano, Brian Rafalski, Chris Osgood and Brad Stuart have all missed significant time this season with injuries, and Zetterberg might not be ready for the start of the playoffs.

FINAL ARGUMENT: Is it the destiny of Lidstrom and Modano to go on one final championship run before they entertain job offers off the ice? Was losing in the second round last season and having their first extended offseason since 2007 the best thing to happen to these Red Wings?

The answers to these questions are, unequivocally, yes. The Red Wings are back and they have the defense and experience to go all the way again.

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If experience and defense wins championships, the Red Wings will raise the Stanley Cup again in June.

THE BIG WHY: Only one team has Nicklas Lidstrom, easily the most experienced and arguably still, at 41, the most superior defenseman in the NHL. Only one team has Pavel Datsyuk, perhaps the slickest two-way centerman in the game. Only one team has Henrik Zetterberg, a bulldog pivot with offensive flair and outstanding defensive instincts.

The Red Wings play a style that -- when they're healthy and working together -- is nearly impossible to stop. As NHL Network analyst Craig Button told NHL.com, they don't dump the puck in so their forwards can forecheck and pound; they dump the puck in because it's one of the best ways to start their offense.

Detroit is a puck-possession team. The depth it has in two-way forwards is remarkable and its defense corps is full of guys who can move the puck and take the body. The Red Wings don't need to pound you because they wear you down with passing and puck retrieval.

THE BIG UH-OH: Health could be a concern. The Wings are the NHL's oldest team with an average age of 31.8. Datsyuk, Mike Modano, Brian Rafalski, Chris Osgood and Brad Stuart have all missed significant time this season with injuries, and Zetterberg might not be ready for the start of the playoffs.

FINAL ARGUMENT: Is it the destiny of Lidstrom and Modano to go on one final championship run before they entertain job offers off the ice? Was losing in the second round last season and having their first extended offseason since 2007 the best thing to happen to these Red Wings?

The answers to these questions are, unequivocally, yes. The Red Wings are back and they have the defense and experience to go all the way again.

Now.... a post not bashing The Penguins. :eek:

Nicely stated. Good luck in the West. Hope to see in the Finals!

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Now.... a post not bashing The Penguins. :eek:

Nicely stated. Good luck in the West. Hope to see in the Finals!

oh don't get me wrong, I still hate the Pens... :D but it's only because they beat us by one goal in the waning seconds of a 7th game final... it's hard to know you were so close to #12 and to loose like that.. Memorable, and probably the best final series I've seen in 20 yrs... But, I still hate the Pens..almost as much as I hate the Ducks!!;)

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  • 2 weeks later...

pens lost. good.

habs lost. bad.

rangers lost. bad.

flyers won. good.

van > nash

wings = sharks

van > wings/sharks

caps > tampa

flyers=bruins

caps > flyers/bruins

caps over canucks in 6. Luongo will have another meltdown. jmho.

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well the rangers and the penguins are home nursing their wounded... looks like it's up to the WINGS to get it done... oh and by the way.... WAY TO GO Tampa Bay!!! :p

Really don't think they will get pasted Vancouver to the Finals.

And all you Pittsburgh haters..... Suck it..

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Really don't think they will get pasted Vancouver to the Finals.

And all you Pittsburgh haters..... Suck it..

always next year ... if crosby can come back from his injury...;) meanwhile....What's the difference between the Jackets and the Penguins??? About a week and a half.... BWHAAA HAAA HAAA HAAA:D
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  • 2 weeks later...
...

van > nash correct

wings = sharks correct

van > wings/sharks tbd

caps > tampa wrong

flyers=bruins wrong

caps > flyers/bruins wrong

caps over canucks in 6. Luongo will have another meltdown. jmho.

tampa > bruins | van > sharks...if Luongo plays well, and if the Sedins do something. Kesler can't carry the team. Well, he did in the second round.

Luongo get an assist on that? Stay in your f*cking net, or leave it behind for Hamhuis. Damn Brodeur wanna-be. :nono:

:moose: Moose - sorry 'bout your Wings. Sort of. :D

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  • 2 weeks later...
vancouver-canucks.png

We'll be waiting for you Cheech and the outcome will be different than '94.

The Sedin twins and Luongo > the rest!!! Bring on the best post season in sports!

Way to go Canucks!!!!!! Time to finally excise those demons from '94!!!!

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