No limit on how high Red Wings can soar in post-season
MATT DURR
Sports Writer
For the 19th straight season the Detroit Red Wings will compete in the Stanley Cup playoffs. But for the first time in quite a while the team is not one of the top-seeded teams in its conference, and will be starting the playoffs away from Joe Louis Arena.
However, it’s not all bad news. The Wings have recorded the best record in hockey since the players returned from the Olympic Games in Vancouver.
Fans worry about the team’s struggles offensively early on in the season, and their lack of overall consistency. Yet since Johan Franzen’s return from a torn ACL, the Wings have returned to the form that has led them to consecutive Stanley Cup Finals appearances. And the play of Pavel Datsyuk has clearly improved since Franzen’s return and will be one of the key factors if the Wings are to make a deep run in the playoffs.
The biggest key, however, will be how Henrik Zetterberg handles another two months of playing against the opposing teams’ top line. Head coach Mike Babcock has relied on Zetterberg for the past two playoffs to keep the other teams’ top player in check—and still contribute in the offensive zone. If he can do that, the Wings should once again skate well into May or June.
One major question mark will be how rookie goalie Jimmy Howard handles the pressure of his first postseason. Howard has asserted himself as the number one net-minder, and will be the starting goalie heading into the first round. Should he stumble, back-up Chris Osgood may be needed to steady the ship one more time. He’s the guy who has backstopped the Wings to back-to-back Finals—and he owns three championship rings.
Barring another string of injuries, the Wings have everything they need to compete with the best teams in hockey. With all their experience and skill there is no reason why the Wings should not make another deep run—and maybe even win it all.
Almost two decades have passed since the last time the Detroit Red Wings didn’t make the playoffs. Since the 1990-91 season, Detroit has reached the playoffs every season. The longest current NHL postseason streak is on the verge of ending.
With 21 games remaining, following the Olympic break, the Wings find themselves on the outside looking in. Detroit is tied with the Dallas Stars at 68 points, and one behind eighth-place Calgary Flames. For Detroit to make the playoffs, it’ll have to go about 14-7 the rest of the way. That would give them at least 96 points, almost certainly putting them in the playoffs.
Seven Wings will have to suit up in the Olympics. Brian Rafalski for the United States, Nickalos Lidstrom, Henrik Zetterberg, Niklas Kronwall and Johan Franzen for Sweden, Pavel Datsyuk for Russia and Valtteri Flippula for Finland will all represent their respective countries.
If it’ll take 14 wins, the Wings will have to win all the “should win” and “toss up” games. Realistically, Detroit most likely won’t be able to win every “should win” game. Beating the Flames twice will be key as the Wings chase them, as well as stealing some of the “tough win” games. With 12 of the remaining games at home the Wings will have to dominate on their own ice and find a way to prevail in at least a few games on the road. And they’ll have plenty of opportunities down the stretch: Seven of their last eight games will be played away from The Joe.
Prediction: For years, Wings fans yawn during the regular season and say, “Wake me up for the playoffs.” This spring, they can sleep in. Detroit misses the playoffs for just the second time in 25 years.
Here’s a list of the remaining games; we’ll see how achievable 14 wins will be.
