Okay a couple of guidelines before we start this experiment
- I’m going with the theory that we want the Red Wings to make the playoffs. As a fan I want my team to make the playoffs and have a chance at the Cup. I understand there is an argument to be made that it is better for the Wings if the streak ends and they get a good draft pick and sell off some pieces and make the team better for years to come instead of trying to sneak into the playoffs, but I will be writing this with the assumption that it is better the Wings make the playoffs instead of missing them.
- Some basic rules that I won’t elaborate much on… -Western Conference always over Eastern – I’m looking for the easiest way to the playoffs, not home ice or winning the Presidents’ trophy, just looking for a shot at the Cup. I will focus on 2nd or 3rd in the Atlantic as well as the final wild card spot.
- I will list the games in an order of what I think are the most crucial for the Wings
- Some of this will be subjective. If a team is on a hot streak I might think it is more important that they lose and come back to Earth.
- Three point games are bad, very bad.
The Weekend – 1/20-1/22
Wings schedule: Detroit @ Buffalo 1/20 – NY Rangers @ Detroit 1/22
Chicago @ Boston 1/20 – West always over the East, plus Boston is in one of the spots that Detroit can reach.
Boston @ Pittsburgh 1/22 – Red Wings are chasing Boston. Pittsburgh has a comfortable spot.
Columbus @ Ottawa 1/22 – Columbus disappointed on Thursday. Wings need them to beat Ottawa in the rematch.
Pittsburgh @ Carolina 1/20 – Carolina is in the wild card hunt while Pittsburgh is comfortably in the playoffs.
Carolina @ Columbus 1/21 – Carolina is in the wild card hunt while Columbus is comfortably in the playoffs.
Montreal @ New Jersey 1/20 – Montreal is way ahead of Detroit, New Jersey is hanging around for the playoffs.
Ottawa @ Toronto 1/21 – No OT! Barley giving the edge to Ottawa. My thinking is it’s better for Toronto to drop points and they can emerge as a clear target for Detroit.
Philadelphia @ NY Islanders 1/22 – Philadelphia is battling for the wild card, Islanders are near the bottom of the conference right now but do have a lot of games left to play.
New Jersey @ Philadelphia 1/21 – Close to a toss up. But Philadelphia is higher in the standings so I’m going with New Jersey.
Tampa Bay @ Arizona 1/21 – West over the East forever.
Florida @ Vancouver 1/20 – West over the East forever.
Los Angeles @ NY Islanders 1/21 – West over the East forever.
Buffalo @ Montreal 1/21 – Montreal is far ahead of Detroit. Better to keep Buffalo out of contention.
Washington @ Dallas 1/21 – I think you get it by now.
Best case scenario:
2nd Atlantic: Ottawa: 45 GP – 54 PTS
3rd Atlantic: Boston: 50 GP – 52 PTS
2nd Wild Card: Toronto: 44 GP – 50 PTS
In the Hunt
Detroit: 47 GP – 50 PTS
Philadelphia: 48 GP – 50 PTS
Carolina: 46 GP – 49 PTS
Thoughts?
I really enjoyed it when Pride of Detroit would do this once a week for the NFL so I thought I could give it a shot for the Wings. The idea would be to do this twice a week. One would focus on Friday-Sunday and the other Monday-Thursday. But before I commit to this, a few questions. Was this information useful or interesting? Anything I should add, change or remove? Was reading this a complete waste of time? Any comments, questions, snide remarks welcome.
