Who would you want to play in the first round?

The Red Wings went through a few years after the 2002 Cup playing teams they were better than in the playoffs, only to come up against stone walls in the likes of Mika Kiprusoff, and Dwayne Roloson, the year the Oilers went to the SCF (which seems so bizarre to type, given how far they’ve fallen).

Even if, matchup wise, Vancouver might be the best team for Detroit to face, I’d almost rather see Chicago early, before the Blackhawks get their playoff legs under them, while they’re still wondering if Huet or Niemi has what it takes to take them anywhere in the playoffs.

Any of these teams are a formidable foe, but all are teams the wings can beat, the team that scares me the most would be Phoenix , they just may be a team of destiny, my pick for the Wings to play is Chicago, not as much travel and i feel the Wings can beat them in 6!

San Jose…they’re scared.
Chicago…us knocking them out in the first round would almost be sweeter than winning it all (and they would say the same, the honest ones, anyway)
Vancouver…hardly any grit, fire at Bobby Lou’s glove and reap the benefits
Phoenix…held on better than Colorado, but still is just a bunch of kids living on borrowed time

but preferably the Nucks or Yotes

Either way, I would think the Wings could pull off the “upset”?

Another question. Given how the year has gone, what is acceptable for the playoffs? I say losing in the first round would make me legitimately angry, whereas a loss in the conference finals or SCF would be a disappointment, but I wouldn’t feel like they failed.

Less travel between games, the Hawks D is a little unstable with out Campbell, and their is a HUGE question mark in net.

I would have to go with nucks or hawks… preferably the hawks… start out with less travel. You know no matter what they say and how good the hawks are, they will still be scared to shit to play us first round.

I feel like Bryzgalov and Luongo are worse goalies to face than Huet and Nabokov. I’m more afraid of Vancouver than San Jose and Chicago. Phoenix has the playoff inexperience of last year’s Columbus, but I don’t want to face Bryzgalov. Chicago would be great when considering travel time, but the Wings have done really well against San Jose this season. Of course we all know that doesn’t necessarily translate into playoff success, but I wouldn’t mind if the Wings dropped down to the 7th or 8th seed. I’m just happy we’re making the playoffs after this crazy season.

i voted for chicago, though i feel our best option would either be the nucks or sharks.

BUT lately it really annoys me how much shit talking chicago fans do. they havent won the division for 17 straight seasons and now that they win something the feel they need to be arrogant. and i would really like to settle it as soon as possible. if either one of us lose before we can face each other im sure there will be talks about how lucky the other team is they didnt face each other blah blah blah so lets throw down in the 1st round. whoever wins the series in my opinion will win lord stanley, i think detroit PLAYOFF hockey is better than any other team besides possibly chicago.

No doubt Chicago.

1. Less travel
2. The injury to Campbell leaves the Blackhawks surprisingly thin on the blueline.
3. The Niemi/Huet issue
4. The Wings own Queneville.
5. Cmon who doesnt want this series to happen.

Hawerchuk at Behind The Net has done some good stuff showing how PHX is not that good. Certainly better than anyone predicted, but not as good as their point total suggests – they’re propped up by a ridiculous OT/SO record, as well as some other unsustainably good numbers in terms of save percentage, particularly from their backup goalie. PHX is a lot closer to being an 8th seed than a 1st seed, no matter what their point total says. If the Wings draw PHX in round 1, it will be a much easier path to the second round.

I’d like to play Phoenix. Yes they are dangerous, but think about it. The Wings ALWAYS get the team that’s “just happy to be here”. Phoenix is that team. We had to face Steve Mason in the first round last year and ended up sweeping Columbus.

I don’t want to face Chicago though, even with their shaky goal tending, they scare me.

“chicago has the best chance of eliminating detroit. otherwise, the sharks have a date with the ghost of terry sawchuk if they make it into the second round.” that had a ring to it haha

As we learned from our Cujo days, you can have a great regular season, but if he collapses in the playoffs, you don’t stand a chance. Also as mentioned by someone above, Chicago is the most attractive opponent geographically. Fewer PDT games, the better…….cough cough move us to the East cough cough

But playoffs make me jumpy and paranoid in general.

I think if Phoenix was in Chicago that would be ideal, because there would be less travel and the Coyotes have a phenomenal shootout record, so they might be expected to have a little more trouble in the playoffs. Also less experience might possibly make them easier to take advantage of – maybe.

But since that isn’t a possibility, I think Chicago, just for the quick trips back and forth and only one time zone off, because it will be an emotionally exhausting series and it would be nice to avoid the physical exhaustion too.

After reading their classless posts on Second City I’d love to put Chicago out agian. Yes Chicago AGAIN. Add the billboard in downtown Chicago with Toews next to the cup and I think they are doomed. There is also the Hossa jinx and Huet. Bring em on.

I’m leaning hard to Chicago – two reasons:

1. Travel – it’d be nice to not have to go the left coast for another 1st round…
2. The Wings own Q

Smitty