Official Western Conferencence finals thread: Ducks vs. Wings thoughts

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Haven't seen much talk on the forum on this series yet. Just looking for some thoughts on these two teams. I've seen a lot more of the Ducks this postseason than I have the Red Wings, but I've been thoroughly impressed with the Anaheimers.

See BetJam has Ducks +100 for a series price, and I like that. Not a disrespect of Detroit by any means, they're a very, very solid hockey club. These are gonna be two great series, probably the four best teams in the NHL left this year, and that's pretty rare. Some great hockey ahead in the next month or so.

The Wings were on the ropes a couple times against SJ. They lost Game 1, were down a pair of goals in Game 2 before rallying to win at home. They lose that game they're toast. They lose Game 3 on the road, then again are down two goals in Game 4, staring down a 3-1 deficit, before rallying to win in OT, winning Games 5 and 6 to advance, and I'd say more or less convincing after the fourth game.

Ducks meanwhile have completely dominated two solid clubs in their first two rounds. There has been one game - Game 4 in Minnesota, where they more or less didn't show up, and for us Wild fans that was merely a tease. Game 5 back in California was the same brand of ass-beating as the first three games were. First three games of that series were probably the three most misleading one-goal games in the history of the playoffs (only a slight exeggeration).

My take is this: Both the Wild and Canucks would have been completely embarassed in their series if not for their goaltending. Niklas Backstrom was spectacular for Minny, and was their only hope of winning any of those one-goal games. Roberto Luongo, same deal. As well as he was playing, those two teams could still be playing Game 5 if not for his brain fart on the OT winner in Game 5. I just don't see an over-the hill Hasek doing these things against the Ducks.

What I'm saying is I've got a million reasons in my head to bet Anaheim, I'm looking for a devil's advocate. I'm not clarevoyant, but Ducks even money looks beautiful to me.

GL to you whatever you decide to do. My pick is......

Ducks +100 series
 

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1 reason is enough for me. The breaks are going the Wings way. I think this series is very close, and will go the full 7 games. Home-ice advantge should be enough for the Wings to win in 7.

Go Wings!

Good luck:toast:
 

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Home ice gives the Wings the edge. Anaheim was fortunate to
steal one down 2-0 in the 3rd, & have played weaker teams.

Wings have had to make more comebacks than the Ducks have in the playoffs, and with Schneider out DET is really hurting on defense. Home ice is worth something but not enough imo. ANA-OTT Final!
 

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One thing has surprised me during this Stanley Cup playoff this year is that teams have trouble scoring.

Whatever the reason, I'll just assume a knee-jerk reaction that there is a lack of scoring talent, and/or the older players the forwards have lost a step and are not great offensive players they once were.

This may bore some of you, but myself being a Leafs fan, too many times during February & March, I thought only if the Leafs had a forward who could score, the Leafs would be in good shape to make the playoffs. When watching the games this playoffs, the same thought could be applied to several teams. In fact, for all those teams elminated, the thought would apply in all likelyhood.

Therefore, whoever you think can score consistently from now to the end, probably is the team to go with.

All four teams that remain are somewhat different in style and philosophy of how to build the winning Cup team.

Buffalo - adequate defensemen but they can score like nuts, three lines a real and constant threat, can attack in waves.

Ottawa - a trap team defense first team, with one big line

Detroit - old defensemen but scoring forwards in their prime in Datsyk & Zettleberg & Burtuzzi if he gets rolling, if the Wings win it all, that would make it a proven formula to follow, experience on the blue line able to move the puck to their young or in their prime scoring forwards

Aanheim - I like the look of this team because they are old school ... how did the NY Islanders win 4 straight Cups? One top scoring line, a good second that score, good defense like Denny Potvin, and Billy Smith. Love or hate 'em, the Islanders won 4 Cups. The Canadiens of the 70's used the same formula. The Might Ducks, one top line, #15 Gustav on a solid 2nd line, and good checking line that scores a goal now and then, good defensemen, good goalie, old school!

Detroit were a beaten team against the San Jose Sharks. But they got the big goals when there were down. When the Sharks were down, they were too tired and no one score in their elmination game.

Ottawa Buffalo have to give the edge to the team with three scoring lines compared to just one big line.

Anaheim Detroit I think it is a coin flip. After game 1 or 2, maybe we can see an edge either way concerning the line matchups. A lot of variables on the Detroit side that will be developing as the series progresses, like Burtuzzi I think he is the best power forward in the entire league, and Hasek as last time Buffalo made it to the finals guess who was in goal.

Should be interesting, should be good!

:smoker2: :nopityA:
 

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One thing has surprised me during this Stanley Cup playoff this year is that teams have trouble scoring.


Should be interesting, should be good!

:smoker2: :nopityA:

That is correct, so far.

It's about to change though. You will see a lot of scoring in the Ottawa/Buffalo series.

Emery will have a very sore neck, trying to figure out how another puck got through again. :missingte :missingte :nohead:
 
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Wings have had to make more comebacks than the Ducks have in the playoffs, and with Schneider out DET is really hurting on defense. Home ice is worth something but not enough imo. ANA-OTT Final!

Playing the devil's advocate again, as requested, i don't think having
to make more comebacks is necessarily a sign of weakness. It might
show that they are not willing to throw in the towel after getting
down and have the firepower to recover against a top notch team.
Of course the Wings have been a shutdown squad on D all season,
so Anaheim may have a lot of trouble scoring more than 1-2 a game,
especially since they are not exactly loaded up front. I think Detroit
may have the more balanced lineup & experience of the two.
 
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It seems that in recent head to head matchups the home team
has dominated. Detroit is 4-0 and Anaheim 4-1-1. So home ice
advantage looks big, and Anaheim will have to find a way to
take at least one game on the road, or they are toast.

http://stats.therx.com/NHL/matchups/matchup.aspx?GameId=19832

FWIW Detroit has also outshot Anaheim nearly every time.
 

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Wings have had to make more comebacks than the Ducks have in the playoffs, and with Schneider out DET is really hurting on defense. Home ice is worth something but not enough imo. ANA-OTT Final!

They are still 5-1 at home while 3-3 away.
 

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Playing the devil's advocate again, as requested, i don't think having
to make more comebacks is necessarily a sign of weakness. It might
show that they are not willing to throw in the towel after getting
down and have the firepower to recover against a top notch team.
Of course the Wings have been a shutdown squad on D all season,
so Anaheim may have a lot of trouble scoring more than 1-2 a game,
especially since they are not exactly loaded up front. I think Detroit
may have the more balanced lineup & experience of the two.

Not really meaning to say all those comebacks are a sign of weakness necessarily. And the Sharks are probably a tougher team than either Minnesota or Vancouver, but not by a ton. Just meant to contrast the Wings' fates these playoffs so far against Anaheim's utter dominance.

Minnesota's strength is its defense, and the Ducks owned them. Again three one-goal affairs to start that series not indicative of the gap in play, but I watched them all intently, and was at the Xcel for both Games 3 and 4, and for all but one game, I never felt the Wild were ever in the series. I watched the Wild a lot this season, and they were not pushovers, but they played like it against Anaheim. Same story for what I consider to be a very good Canucks team.

The Ducks have three sure hall of famers on their lineup, and two of the top three defensemen in the entire world (the third being Niklas Lidstrom, of course). And Hasek circa 2007 (age 42) is not the same goalie as he was in 1999 when the Sabres last made the finals (when he was 34). He certainly hasn't played poorly, but he is a non-factor for me in determining whether or not I bet against the Wings. I'll take Giguere or Byzgalov over a geriatric Dominator.

I honestly thought the Ducks would have been favored in this series, and there's nothing I've heard to change my mind. GL to you all.
 
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I honestly thought the Ducks would have been favored in this series, and there's nothing I've heard to change my mind. GL to you all.

I wouldn't be surprised to see Anaheim win or even sweep this series.
A lot of 2-1 type games won't shock me either. GL with your wagers.
 

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I cant believe so many people think this will be a short series.:think2: These teams are very evenly matched, and like you said every game is gonna be a 2-1 type game.
 

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I cant believe so many people think this will be a short series.:think2: These teams are very evenly matched, and like you said every game is gonna be a 2-1 type game.

It will be a short series. The only difference is, Detroit will be the winner.

:money8: :103631605
 

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It will be a short series. The only difference is, Detroit will be the winner.

:money8: :103631605


Easy there. I'm not saying that. This goes 6 or 7 games. I still like the wings though. It just baffles me that a lot of people think that the Ducks were gonna come in and sweep them.

At least Mauneau733 gave an honest answer and good analysis. I cant say the same for a few others in this forum who are just plain touts. Noone in this thread though.
 

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Easy there. I'm not saying that. This goes 6 or 7 games. I still like the wings though. It just baffles me that a lot of people think that the Ducks were gonna come in and sweep them.

At least Mauneau733 gave an honest answer and good analysis. I cant say the same for a few others in this forum who are just plain touts. Noone in this thread though.

I still think The Ducks are way over-rated. I will be shocked if this series goes to 7 games.
 

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I wouldn't say the Ducks are way over-rated. The Ducks were the more dominate team in game 1. One lucky goal was the only difference. I don't see how you could be shocked to see a game 7.
 

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I wouldn't say the Ducks are way over-rated. The Ducks were the more dominate team in game 1. One lucky goal was the only difference. I don't see how you could be shocked to see a game 7.

This series will be over after 5 games. :103631605 The Ducks showed their true colours in game 3.

Besides, as long as Burke is managing the Ducks, you will be assured that they will never make it to the dance. The Dude is a loser, period.

:money8:
 

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I thought all along this would be a long series and I still have a feeling the Ducks win tomorrow. I'm not betting it though. If the wings win tomorrow, it's over in 5 though.
 

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I thought all along this would be a long series and I still have a feeling the Ducks win tomorrow. I'm not betting it though. If the wings win tomorrow, it's over in 5 though.

M, you feel the Ducks tomorrow man ?

I just look at the line on Pinny and ducks -152 and that's with Pronger out!

Total is still tight at 4.5...what you think bro ? I do think the Ducks will grind out a win tomorrow, back to Motown for Game 5 with the Wings and then Detroit to close it out in Game 6, just like the Calgary series.

Thoughts ?
 

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M, you feel the Ducks tomorrow man ?

I just look at the line on Pinny and ducks -152 and that's with Pronger out!

Total is still tight at 4.5...what you think bro ? I do think the Ducks will grind out a win tomorrow, back to Motown for Game 5 with the Wings and then Detroit to close it out in Game 6, just like the Calgary series.

Thoughts ?

It will be tough to replace Pronger's 30+ minutes a night, especially on special teams. However, I think the Ducks will definately not be taking as many stupid penalties tomorrow and wont dig themselves an early grave. Expect some lineup shuffles and Giguere to be much better. I'm laying off it but I could def see the Ducks winning a tight one like game 1 in reverse.

If I had a gun to my head, Ducks and the under.

I like your forecast though for games 5 and 6:toast:
 

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