Pick 'em: Coyotes vs. Red Wings
by Dominik on Apr 14, 2010 2:53 PM EDT
in This, That & What-Not
Email
PrintOT item: Don Waddell finally moves out of the GM chair in Atlanta, and it's a promotion to focus on the business side. Remind anyone of Milbury's exit? They also completely wiped out the coaching staff, likely so Rick Dudley can leave his mark.
* * *
Phoenix is a nice story and all, but I'm just happy there's another Western time zone team in the playoffs. That makes addictive playoff watching from dusk 'till dawn more plentiful. Plus, if your eye is on summer free agents for the Islanders, the Coyotes have one worth watching in defenseman Zbynek Michalek.
I'm putting these mini-previews and polls up before each playoff series starts -- partly as a forum to talk about any of the series you want and partly to suss out if any of you have secret or not-so-secret rooting interests. My other rooting interest is the Blues -- so yeah, it's been a rough decade. Other polls are here (NJ-Ph) and here (Pit-Ott)
| Wednesday, April 14 | at Phoenix, 10:00 p.m. | TSN, VERSUS | |
| Friday, April 16 | at Phoenix, 10:00 p.m. | TSN, VERSUS | |
| Sunday, April 18 | at Detroit, 3:00 p.m. | NBC, TSN | |
| Tuesday, April 20 | at Detroit, 6:30 p.m. | TSN | |
| *Friday, April 23 | at Phoenix, 10:00 p.m. | TSN, VERSUS | |
| *Sunday, April 25 | at Detroit, 2:00 p.m. | NBC, TSN | |
| *Tuesday, April 27 | at Phoenix, TBD | TSN | |
What a great story for the Coyotes this season, a mammoth effort (with a healthy dose of shootout luck) from Dave Tippett and his squad. And what horrible luck to draw, after all that, the resurgent and healthy Red Wings. At least they probably get three home games out of the deal, no matter what. Unfortunately, the Wings bandwagon is strong and widespread, so even games in Glendale will have their share of obnoxious front-runners in red.
The Wings are experienced, tested, rested. It just doesn't look good for desert dogs. The teams split the season series, but the two Coyotes wins were in OT and none of the meetings were after January.
Despite the growing praise, Jimmy Howard is still an unknown in my book. For all we know he could be a mid-90s Osgood, which is adequate but also quite capable of implosion.
Reasons to Root for Phoenix: "Underdog" favorite, tough-luck story for players and fans...the whiteout is cool...the #throwthesnake thing is a silly but welcome answer to Detroit's tired octopus. On the eve of their first playoffs since Keith Tkachuk had hair, the 'Yotes may have a new owner, even if the process appeared shady to the end.
Reasons to Root for Detroit: ...what, have you no soul? The Wings do play an impressive game; Mike Babcock is a great coach. If you're purely into hockey and unaffected by the subjective whims that fuel most fans, I guess you gotta respect that.
Reasons to Pick Phoenix: Ilya Bryzgalov is capable of putting multiple show-stopping performances together.
Reasons to Pick Detroit: Uh, well, the Wings do play an impressive game; Mike Babcock is a great coach. When they're healthy, this series should be a challenge, but one the Wings have had no trouble tackling the past few years.
My Picks, So I Don't Hide Behind My Poll
Head Says: Red Wings in five, though I really don't want that to happen. Heart Says: How cool would it be to see the Coyotes win Game 7 at home?
14 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Damn
I meant to include that as a "reason: A win brings bob closer to a payoff. I’m sorry though, I will not be able to support such madness if they get to the final stages.
Lighthouse Hockey: Playing the NHL Lotto
This series has the potential to be the biggest of the 1st round. Hopefully it turns out that way. I have the Wings in 6. However if the desert dogs pull this one out I will not be heartbroken. Give another team a chance already will ya? We don’t need the Buffalo Bills of the NHL…with the exception that they actually won before last year.
Please let Roloson and Biron be the guest announcers on some Chicago playoff broadcasts...please hockey Gods!
Sorry albeezle. That was the most prolific reference that I can think of. Somehow it felt wront to compare the Red Wings to the Sharks in terms of choking. Didn’t mean to offend you, sorry about that.
I’m a Jets fans so everytime I make fun of the Bills one of my friends is sure to point out that they have been to the superbowl more than the Jets…of which I really can’t argue with him.
Please let Roloson and Biron be the guest announcers on some Chicago playoff broadcasts...please hockey Gods!
by metalcoconut on Apr 14, 2010 4:41 PM EDT up reply actions
The Bills?
For better or worse, lately Detroit’s more like the Cowboys – they win a lot. They have the most Stanley Cups since the Oilers dynasty ended. Sadly, it’s the Bruins who have been the most Buffalo-like NHL team, losing all five of their finals from 1974-1990.
I know I’m being a minor jerk by pointing it out, I’m sorry. I actually have a soft spot for the Wings. Stevie Y was always an incredible and classy player, they’ve got Nik Lidstrom, they really don’t have any jerks or stooges over there. And of course Bill Torrey’s right-hand man, Jim Devellano, helped build the team.
Of course I'm an expert, I've seen Slap Shot eleven times!
I really couldn’t stand the Wings back when they were the Russians but as of the new millenium I have changed that opinion. I don’t love them but I am forced to admire their scouting, training and entire system for that matter. They build the core of their team with great scouting, great coaching and usually great results. The fact that they were playing Pitt for the cup the last two years has helped me along that path and I will admit that I admire their team.
However, it is time that someone else gets a crack at the cup…and anyone that can take Pitt out is my favoritist for the playoff season. This year I am hoping that it is Washington. I would say Ottawa but we are still too soon out of Ottawa’s era of domination over the Isles. I am not ready to pull for them yet…although I wouldn’t mind seeing Sutton lay a few Pens out here and there.
Please let Roloson and Biron be the guest announcers on some Chicago playoff broadcasts...please hockey Gods!
by metalcoconut on Apr 14, 2010 4:48 PM EDT up reply actions
There's always one of you... :)
No, you’re absolutely right…and I hate it. The same Sabres fan who will be commandeering my couch for their playoff run is the same one who always points out how the Wings have done so many things right. I try to hate, he tries to diffuse.
I’d say Bertuzzi qualifies as a stooge, and Maltby, but beyond that if I’m honest I can’t rip them. Love Holland and Babcock (and Jimmy D). Which makes it worse, of course.
Lighthouse Hockey: Playing the NHL Lotto
ah, foozball
I forgot Bert played for them now. OK, one stooge. Maltby barely plays anymore, so I’ll give him a pass. :)
Of course I'm an expert, I've seen Slap Shot eleven times!
OK, it's not football season, stop busting on my team, man!
Coyotes in 6.
team has composure, talent, and a solid mixture of new and old. I’m a closet Shane Doan fan since he was drafted, and I have always liked the angle of the wily vet riding the wave of sweet vindication, call it a case of “just desserts”.
I cannot wait for Rakh-tober.
Can't bear it
if a Don Baloney-led team wins. Nice job on the regular season and all, and I love an underdog, but enough is enough.
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
Featured Stories
Islanders Schedule
In Association With
Latest Puck Daddy - NHL from Yahoo! Sports
- Kings vs. Coyotes Game 5; Pierre McGuire on Tortorella/DeBoer argument (Playoff Puck Previews)
- Behold, the incredible playoff beards of Radko Gudas and AHL’s Norfolk Admirals
- Coyotes vs. the road warriors: Can Phoenix end LA Kings’ road domination?
- Coyotes, Kings Game 5 preview; Claude Giroux has fun; PK Subban on the ladies (Puck Headlines)
- Stanley Cup Final schedule released; Game 1 on May 30, Game 7 would be June 13
Latest stories and headlines from NHL.com
- McKegg breaks scoring drought to lift London
- Tokarski, Admirals blank IceCaps 4-0; Norfolk wins AHL's Eastern Conference
- Norfolk advances to Calder Cup Finals
- Oilers president Lowe says vacant coaching job not discussed with Sutter
- Eastern Conference champ to host Game 1 of Stanley Cup final on May 30
SBNation.com Recent Stories
1979-80
Source: Uploaded by user via NYIslanders on Pinterest
May 24, 1980: Tonelli to Nystrom. At long last, the steady build of the New York Islanders from expansion doormat to surprise semifinalist to annual contender reaches the promised land: Buoyed by a late season trade for Butch Goring that gave the team the depth up the middle GM Bill Torrey had been seeking, the Islanders knock off the Philadelphia Flyers in six games.
The victory justified the faith in coach Al Arbour who guided them from their second season to their first Stanley Cup seven seasons later. The Islanders would not be the first expansion team to win the Stanley Cup, but they would be the only one capable of a dynasty.
1980-81
Source: Uploaded by user via NYIslanders on Pinterest
May 21, 1981: This time it was much easier. After falling to "only" 91 points in the 1979-80 season, the Islanders returned to their division title tradition, piling up 110 points -- a whole 13 points over second-place Philadelphia.
Between the quarterfinals (where they beat the upstart Oilers in six games) and the finals, the Islanders reeled off eight consecutive wins -- with a four-game sweep of archrival Rangers in between. As they defeated the Minnesota North Stars in five games for their second Cup, their goal difference in the final was a combined +10.
1981-82
Source: Uploaded by user via NYIslanders on Pinterest
May 16, 1982: Another year, another landslide title. The Islanders won the Patrick Division by a whopping 26 points over the second-place Rangers, and were seven points clear of their nearest competition for the President's Trophy, the still-not-quite-ripe Edmonton Oilers.
A first-round scare against the Pittsburgh Penguins turned in the Isles' favor thanks to John Tonelli's heroics, and a true dynasty was on its way: Past the Rangers in six games, then an eight-game sweep of the Quebec Nordiques and Vancouver Canucks to run away with the Stanley Cup.
1982-83
Source: Uploaded by user via NYIslanders on Pinterest
May 17, 1983: Not so fast, whipper-snappers. The Edmonton Oilers' steadily rising challenge for league supremacy took them all the way to the finals for the first time, where the New York Islanders summarily dispatched them in a four-game sweep. For the Islanders, the Dynasty was secured. For the Oilers, it was a powerful lesson in where talent ends and the demands of playoff hockey begin.
Four years, four Cups, 16 consecutive playoff series wins (a record that would grow to 19 until the rematch with the Oilers the following year). Mike Bossy scored 60 goals yet again, and Wayne Gretzky became acquainted with Billy Smith's crease.
