OT: Red Wings/Ducks - time for vengeance
So basically, I want the Ducks to suffer. I'm still steamed about the WCFs two years ago, and I still believe the Ducks hoisted the Cup that should've been the Red Wings'. This time around the Wings are deeper, more experienced, and healthier. After their first line, the Ducks don't have as much firepower, while the Wings have three legitimate scoring lines.
Two years ago, the Wings' blueline was Lidstrom/Lilja/Lebda/Chelios/Quincey/Markov, with Schneider and Kronwall both out injured. This year it's Lidstrom/Rafalski/Kronwall/Stuart/Ericsson/Lebda. That's basically night and day. And Osgood, while not elite by any means, isn't going to be a trainwreck like Hasek was (knock on wood). Watching Hasek flail all over the place in Game 6 in Anaheim two years ago was brutal.
Another thing different from two years ago: rest. The Wings had two brutal six-game cross country series against Calgary and San Jose in 07, while the Ducks took care of Minnesota and Vancouver in five games each. They had four extra days of rest leading up to the WCFs two years ago. Tables are turned this time. Assuming Game 1's on Friday, the Wings will have been off for over a week, while the Ducks just finished San Jose earlier tonight.
So, in case you can't tell...I'm pumped for this. Inexplicably, I hate the Ducks almost as much as I hated the Avalanche back in the day. Can't wait for this series to start. Wings in six.
Thoughts?
Yes, the hatred is up there. Not quite Avalanche level, but close. And I would even argue this is a good matchup to keep Detroit hungry. "Revenge is a dish best served cold." The Ducks should motivate the Wings that extra bit. Look for Holmstrom to be the difference-maker on a mission to disrupt out front.
Go Wings!
This is a big time revenge series. I was rooting for the Ducks against San Jose just so the Wings would get to pound them out of the playoffs. Dan, I'm with you... Holmer and Franzen posting up in front of the net causing havoc should be the difference.
...my only bone of contention is that Osgood isn't "elite." His statistics would suggest otherwise. He is one of the most decorated goaltenders of all time. The argument that he became that decorated because of the team he plays for is irrelevant - it's what players do with their opportunities that is relevant. And, Osgood loves Detroit, came back here after being shipped out, and comes through when Detroit needs it.
I've had enough of the "Osgood is okay" angle. He's one of the best of all time. And no, I'm not related to him.
Listen, I love Osgood as much as the next guy. He is probably the second greatest goalie in Detroit's history behind Sawchuk. Still, try to find a goalie who has played behind more HOF and All-Star caliber defensemen. The list for Osgood is pretty amazing:
Lidstrom
Chelios
Murphy
Coffee
Fetisov
Konstantinov
McInnis
Pronger
The thing I love most about Osgood is that the Wings have replaced him twice and won Stanley Cups (Vernon and Hasek) but both times Osgood has come back to help Detroit to another Cup. Most goalies would have been on their way out of town, never to return, the first time they were replaced. Osgood is just a different kind of guy.
He might be the reason for my receding hairline, but coddammit I love that guy.
Anyone who saw the interview after Game 1 of the CBJ series should know exactly what I mean. I loved it when he politely tore John Keating (who might be the worst sports reporter of all time) a new a-hole.
April 28th, 2009 at 10:15 AM ^
...of defensemen in front of me. It also was a different time period when teams were more offense-driven. However, I'd argue that Ozzie is better than Grant Fuhr and Fuhr had multiple Hall of Famers in front of him. And I consider Fuhr to be a very good big game goalie.
And, I don't count the St. Louis players when talking about Ozzie. That time in his career didn't happen, just like when Gretzky played in St. Louis (how strange was that?)
I don't think Osgood is necessarily "elite." I think an elite goalie is the kind that will succeed regardless of the system he plays in. Osgood wasn't very good when he played for the Islanders or Blues, simply because they played systems that aren't suited to his style. He's not a goalie that will have long-term success when facing 30-35 shots a game. But in Detroit's system, where he faces 20-25 shots a game, he excels - and this is much harder than people think.
He should be in the Hall of Fame. He'll likely finish his career with 400+ wins, 50+ shutouts, and at least 3 rings. Not to mention getting utterly screwed out of a Vezina back in 1995-96 (Jim Carey? Seriously?). In that vein, he's pretty elite. But if I'm drafting a team to make a one-season run to a Cup, I'm not entirely convinced that he'd be one of the top 5 goalies I'd pick.
I hate the Niedermayers and that goon Pronger.
agreed. Pronger, Getzlaf, and Perry are probably all in my top 5 most hated NHL players.
If it hadn't been for him the Red Wings would have won in six or less.
I think the reason so many dog Osgood (and I've been one of those people) is that he's not the kind of goalie who's going to steal many games by doing the proverbial standing on his head deal with one fantastic save after another. He's steady, pretty reliable, and when he's on his game doesn't give up bad goals.
I was astounded to learn he's now fourth all-time in playoff shutouts. I would have lost that bar bet.
April 28th, 2009 at 10:05 AM ^
Revenge for the 2007 WCF!?!?!
Please, I'm still bitter and want blood after Giguere stood on his head and eliminated the Wings in the first round back in 2003!!
Hoepfully, they excise both demons.
Should be a great series....and physical.
Both Western semis are intriguing and there will be a killer late night hockey game virtually every night.
April 28th, 2009 at 10:43 AM ^
to LA after graduation and was in the stands for that series loss. And that was when anaheim was really coming out of nowhere. it was a terrible shock and embarrassment. The stands were at least 30% redwing fans and I had tickets against the glass for like 70 bucks. That series sucked. But I think detroit can take them this year. It should be a good, tough matchup. I'm picking wings in 6.
April 28th, 2009 at 10:49 AM ^
Although I'm rooting for Detroit, I have a hard time believing that Wings fans have any right to wish for vengeance. Is four championships in the past 15 years not enough?
If there's anyone who *deserves* a win right now, it's my Capitals. (And yes, I'm still bitter about the sweep in '98)
April 28th, 2009 at 12:05 PM ^
...it's 4 cups in the past 11 seasons (strike year not counted).
April 28th, 2009 at 11:37 AM ^
The Ducks scare the hell out of me, probably moreso than any other team that's left in the playoffs.
April 28th, 2009 at 11:42 AM ^
They're strong right now and as of yet, the Wings have been untested. At no point in round one did it feel like the CBJ's were close to winning a game, even in game 4.
April 28th, 2009 at 11:51 AM ^
What happened to him? I admittedly don't pay any attention to hockey except for the Wings and Blackhawks, but I was shocked to learn that he's not the starting goalie anymore for the Ducks. Is the new guy THAT good?
And yes, he was THE reason why the Ducks beat us in the playoffs that year. He got on one of the hottest stoppage streaks I have ever seen. It's amazing how far he carried that team.
April 28th, 2009 at 12:09 PM ^
The NHL finally outlawed his gigantic equipment.
His pads were ridiculously large.
April 28th, 2009 at 11:58 AM ^
All this Ozzie talk, and no one brings up the time in '98 when he owned Patrick Roy, I'll never forget that.
if by 'owned' you mean 'took 17 punches to the face, then fell on top of' then yes. I'm Ozzie's biggest fan (i had 2 posters of him in my room at home), but he lost that fight.
The team formerly known as the Disney Ducks? Hell yes I hate them. The team name itself was product placement! Still, Disney did sell the team, and the current owners dropped the "Mighty" (probably as a term of the sale, I would imagine).