When all is lost...the journey must start again

First and foremost, I would like to congratulate the Pittsburgh Penguins on their 3rd Stanley Cup. Enjoy the win.

I am not going to concentrate on what went wrong in the series; we all know injuries were a part of the cause besides a better and more hungry Pittsburgh team. Instead, I am going to concentrate on the more positive things that our team, the Detroit Red Wings, gave us.

The Detroit Red Wings gave us one great season of hockey. Through the ups and downs they gave the state of Michigan some hope and something to be proud of. This is why I thank the Detroit Red Wings. You boys gave us fans something to cheer about, believe in and be proud of. Thank you for that.

Every team has their MVP's and Detroit has many. As a reflect back on the season I have came up with my own MVP's and honorable mentions.


Regular Season MVP: Pavel Datsyuk

During the regular season, Datsyuk put up good numbers (32 Goals, 65 Assists, 97 Points) while showing other players on the ice why fans call him Houdini at times. There are reasons why Datsyuk is nominated for the Lady Byng, Selke, Hart and the Lester B. Pearson.

Honorable mentions: Marian Hossa, Ty Conklin

Playoff MVP: Chris Osgood

Despite his not so steller regular season performance, Chris Osgood made sure to shut up his non-believers once the playoffs started. He truly made a difference in the playoffs for this team. If it wasn't for Osgood playing his best hockey yet, Detroit's playoff run would of ended a lot sooner. Osgood once again, showed us why he is a #1 goaltender.

Honorable mentions: Henrik Zetterberg, Johan Franzen, Daniel Cleary

Rookie MVP: Darren Helm

The minute Darren Helm was called up from Grand Rapids he made a difference on the ice for the Detroit Red Wings. Once the playoffs began, he played with so much heart while showing many why he should be (and will) on the team next season. He amazed us with his amazing penalty kill skills, his hard hits and his ability to score goals. He has a bright future with this team and I look forward to seeing more of him.

Honorable mentions: Jonathan Ericsson and Justin Adblerkader

One last thing, to the amazing team of the Detroit Red Wings, be proud on how far you have gotten this season. Hold your hear up high, you all are still amazing players. Rest up, enjoy time with family and friends and next season we can once again begin that journey for the Stanley Cup.

LET'S GO RED WINGS!!!

Round 3 Game 4 Highlights; Chicago Vs. Detroit

Well, what I said before game 4 turned out to be true. Chicago lost their composure and showed their age. 56 Penalty minutes...WOW! Chicago had the best chance to beat Detroit with Lidstrom, Datsyuk and Draper out of the line up but they concentrated a little too much on the hit that Havlet received from Kronwall. They will learn from their mistakes and improve from them however.

Round 3 Game 4; Chicago Vs. Detroit

Today I am not doing a highlight post. Instead how about a post of motivation.

Detroit, we all have heard and read the threats from Campbell for retaliation. We know that if that is the game that Chicago wants to play, let them. We came into this series to play hockey and to win and move on to the next round. We know how to stay classy and play hockey. Let Chicago try and retaliate; let them take the penalties. We'll just answer on the power play and score goals. In the end, what matters most is the end score of the game than who has the most penalty minutes in the game (which looks to be Chicago's game plan today). So, Detroit Red Wings, go out there and play a strong game of hockey and come out big where it matters most, the score board!!

LET'S GO RED WINGS!!!

Round 3 Game 3 Highlights; Chicago Vs. Detroit

Sorry for the lack of updating, just been busy and have some things going on.




Kronwall's hit was CLEAN and LEGAL!




Game 3 loss doesn't get Detroit down, especially when they came back and gave the Blackhawks a challenge by tying the game up and forcing OT. Wings will come out strong in game 4. Be prepared Blackhawks.

Round 3 Game 2 Preview; Chicago Vs. Anaheim

DETROIT (AP) - Patrick Kane glanced at the scoresheet and noticed he was one of three Chicago Blackhawks held without a shot by the Detroit Red Wings after Game 1 of the Western Conference finals.

"This isn't good," Kane recalled saying.

No, that isn't what you're looking for if you play, coach or root for the Blackhawks.

The defending Stanley Cup champion Red Wings have been winning without getting goals from usually reliable scorers Pavel Datsyuk, Marian Hossa and Tomas Holmstrom.

Kane, though, acknowledged Chicago can't be successful if he's held without a point as he was in Detroit's 5-2 win Sunday.

"That's why I was brought in here as a draft pick," Kane, the first overall selection in 2007, said Monday. "I'm not out there to be blocking shots and fighting guys."

The reigning NHL Rookie of the Year scored eight goals over the first two rounds against Calgary and Vancouver, but quickly found out his crafty moves and soft hands can be negated by Detroit.

Kane was held without a shot after getting blanked in the column just three times during the regular season, including once last month against the Red Wings.

When Kane has the puck, he has to deal with six-time Norris Trophy winning defenseman Nick Lidstrom in his face and a slew of backchecking forwards.

"Every time I got the puck, it seemed like two or three guys were collapsing on me," Kane said.

Canucks/Blackhawks Playoff Gear Jonathan Toews knows the feeling.

The Blackhawks' other young star also discovered playing the Flames or Canucks isn't quite like facing Detroit as he was held to three shots and no points in the series opener.

"It's a different game now," said Toews, who contributed a combined 10 points in the first two rounds. "Everything is a little tighter.

"We didn't play well enough against their best players. But we can play looser because it's not going to get worse than that."

Actually, it might.

When Detroit wants to shut down a star or two, it usually can.

During the Stanley Cup finals last year, Pittsburgh's Sidney Crosby was held without a point in the first two games of the series and scored in just one of the six games while teammate Evgeni Malkin went four games without a point and scored only in the finale.

Detroit's Henrik Zetterberg was named MVP of the playoffs in part for his play at the defensive end against the Penguins.

His best play might've been when he clamped down on Crosby's stick near the net, denying him during a Pittsburgh 5-on-3 power play to seal one of Detroit's victories.

"Scoring goals is probably is a little bit more fun," Zetterberg said. "But the chance to play against good players and keep them from scoring is fun, too."

Zetterberg insisted he didn't know Kane had as many shots as the fans in the stands Sunday, but said the fact was misleading.

"I thought he was dangerous a few times," Zetterberg said. "When you give him time and space, he will create something out of nothing. I don't think he played as bad as everyone says."

The Red Wings are saying much of the same about Datsyuk, Hossa and Holmstrom.

Datsyuk, an MVP finalist, hasn't scored in the last 10 games of the playoffs. Hossa, who had a team-high 40 goals in the regular season, has scored in just two of 12 games this postseason. Holmstrom hasn't contributed a point in the eight games since he had two goals and two assists in the first-round sweep against Columbus.

"As long as we're winning," Detroit coach Mike Babcock said, "I'm not concerned."

Detroit has rarely had to worry about its top stars carrying the team because of its depth as Chicago coach Joel Quenneville has seen up close four times in the playoffs since 1997.

The Red Wings have eliminated Quenneville-coached teams in each of their last four championship seasons, sending him home three times when he led St. Louis and last year as he led Colorado.

Quenneville said the salary cap created after the lockout did nothing to diminish Detroit's ability to get scoring from all four lines.

"There hasn't been any drop-off over the different teams they've had," Quenneville said. "Not too many teams in the league have as many guys that can make plays.

"That's a compliment to the organization. But at the same time I'm not dishing out compliments here, we want to beat them."

http://www.nhl.com/ice/preview.htm?id=2008030322

Round 3 Game 1 Highlights; Chicago Vs. Detroit

Round 3 Game 1 Preview: Chicago Vs. Detroit

I unfortunately can't watch this game because I have to work and I'll be showing my Wings support by being decked out in Wings gear. I better come home to a wonderful score and a Wings win tho. I won't settle for anything less, lol. LET'S GO RED WINGS!!!

DETROIT (AP) - Henrik Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk had a chance to develop slowly, playing behind and learning from Detroit Red Wings stars such as Steve Yzerman.

"It helped me when I got here, right away I played with good players," Zetterberg said Saturday. "They kind of just eased me in."

The Chicago Blackhawks couldn't afford to do the same with Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews, banking on them to contribute when they made their NHL debuts last season as teenagers.

In their second season, it paid off for the proud-again franchise.

Kane and Toews led Chicago to the playoffs for the first time since 2002 - second in 11 seasons - and into the Western Conference finals for the first time since 1995.

"Just to be a part of the resurgence of the franchise the past couple years, it's been a hell of a ride," Kane said after arriving in Detroit, the site of Game 1 on Sunday afternoon.

Zetterberg and Datsyuk were late-round picks, drafted 210th and 171st overall respectively, and were groomed to be stars of the future.

Datsyuk was a third-line center under coach Scotty Bowman, now a consultant for the Blackhawks, as a 23-year-old rookie when the Red Wings won the Stanley Cup seven years ago. Zetterberg's production as a 22-year-old rookie the next season, scoring 22 goals, was simply a bonus.

"You saw the next generation coming in, blooming right in front of you and growing up and turning into great hockey players," Detroit forward Kris Draper recalled. "These guys turned into dominant, two-way hockey players."

Kane and Toews were taken first and third overall in the 2007 and 2006 drafts, respectively, and were leaned on right away.

"They're handling it pretty good," Draper joked. "With Toews being named captain, it's a credit to his character. And look at what Kane did with a chance to eliminate a hockey team, he scored three goals against Vancouver.

"In these playoffs, they've made huge steps and that's when you get the label of a great hockey player."

Datsyuk struggled to find success early in his career in the playoffs, going without a goal in the 2003, '04 and '06 playoffs leading to Detroit's early exits, but scored 18 times in the previous two postseasons.

A sensational regular season this year led to him being a finalist for the league's MVP, top defensive forward and sportsmanship trophies. But the Russian's jaw-dropping plays are become a distant memory because he hasn't scored in the past nine games.

"It's a little bit to worry about," Datsyuk said. "But we win."

Zetterberg was the MVP of the 2008 playoffs after tying a franchise record with 13 goals and helping Detroit hoist the Stanley Cup. The Swede has approached that pace by scoring six times in 11 postseason games.

Kane of Buffalo, N.Y., was the NHL's Rookie of the Year last season and Toews of Winnipeg, Manitoba, finished third in voting for the Calder Trophy.

Both avoided a sophomore slump.

Toews had a team-high 34 goals during the regular season and has 10 points in 12 postseason games. The 5-foot-10, 175-pound Kane had 70 points this season and has eight goals in the playoffs.

"There's nothing similar about them at all," Detroit coach Mike Babcock said. "Toews is the guy you need for your franchise because he's a guy that's gonna play two ways. He's the guy that's going to will your team to success.

"Kane is the guy who can stick handle in a phone booth."

Kane, though, knows it will be difficult to make dazzling plays with the puck dancing on both sides of his stick against Detroit.

The Red Wings' defense is led by six-time Norris Trophy winner Nicklas Lidstrom, who taught Kane a thing or two early in his career.

"I remember I had a shift where I was coming down, tried to chip it by him, he knocked it out the air," Kane recalled. "I got the puck the same shift again, tried to chip it by him again, he knocked it out of the air again."

While experience is clearly on the Red Wings' side, they're not the only team that likes its chances in the Western Conference finals.

"There's an honor to play against a team like that and hopefully be the team that knocks them off," Toews said. "It's a huge challenge and a huge opportunity that we're excited about.

"In a lot of ways, pressure is on them. We're just going to go out there and play and have fun and let loose."

http://www.nhl.com/ice/preview.htm?id=2008030321

Round 3 Predictions- Conference Finals

Last round I got 2 out of the 4 right. Better than nothing right? Now on to the Conference Finals predictions


Eastern Conference
Vs. (Pittsburgh Wins)
Monday, May 18 at Pittsburgh, 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, May 21 at Pittsburgh, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, May 23 at Carolina, 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, May 26 at Carolina, 7:30 p.m.
* Friday, May 29 at Pittsburgh, 7:30 p.m.
* Sunday, May 31 at Carolina, 7:30 p.m.
* Tuesday, June 2 at Pittsburgh, 7:30 p.m.


Western Conference
Vs. (Detroit Wins)
Sunday, May 17 at Detroit, 3:00 p.m.
Tuesday, May 19 at Detroit, 7:30 p.m.
Friday, May 22 at Chicago, 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, May 24 at Chicago, 3:00 p.m.
* Wednesday, May 27 at Detroit, 7:30 p.m.
* Saturday, May 30 at Chicago, 8:00 p.m.
* Monday, June 1 at Detroit, 7:30 p.m.


I am really looking forward to the Original Six match up. It's going to be a fun, exciting series to watch. Both Chicago and Detroit play great hockey however, I think experience will win over youth.

Round 2 Game 7 Highlights; Anaheim Vs Detroit

DETROIT BEATS THE ANAHEIM DUCKS IN 7 GAMES OF THE SEMI-WESTERN CONFERENCE!!! Congrats to the Wings! Now onto the Blackhawks.

Ducks- Thanks for the exciting series. It was fun to watch. I wish you luck in the off-season and in the next season :)

Round 2 Game 7 Preview: Anaheim vs. Detroit

I am way too anxious for this game to start and let alone post a blog. In exactly 1 hour I will be placed in front of the TV with my beer cheering on my boys. LET'S GO RED WINGS!!!

ROMULUS, Mich. (AP) - The previous two Stanley Cup champions are meeting in the playoffs for the third time since the NHL expanded four decades ago.

Perhaps fittingly, a Game 7 is necessary.

The Detroit Red Wings and Anaheim Ducks have pushed their Western Conference semifinal series to the limit just as Edmonton and Calgary did in 1991 and Montreal and Boston did in 1971 in the last two matchups of Cup winners.

"It should be exciting," Red Wings coach Mike Babcock said Wednesday when the team plane landed in rain on a miserable evening that matched its mood following a 2-1 loss. "Game 7s are always a lot of fun.

"It's a good opportunity for us. We played all year to have home-ice advantage."

The second-seeded Red Wings will face the eighth-seeded Ducks on Thursday night at home, hoping to follow a trend.

Entering Wednesday's night's Pittsburgh-Washington finale, home teams have won 63 percent of Game 7s since 1939.

Two of the exceptions, though, happened when the Oilers defeated the Flames in overtime and the Canadiens beat the Bruins by two goals as road teams in matchups of previous champions.

This postseason, the Ducks have proven they can win anywhere and their confidence has grown.

"Everyone is believing we can beat this team," Anaheim star Ryan Getzlaf said.

Anaheim won Game 2 at Joe Louis Arena in triple overtime and opened the playoffs with two road wins against the top-seeded San Jose Sharks.

"Nobody expected us to beat San Jose," Ducks forward Todd Marchant said. "We're trying to ride the unexpected.

"Hopefully, we can pull another one off."

Ducks coach Randy Carlyle hopes his team turns the tide in shots on goal, but said that statistic isn't foolproof.

"They've gotten more shots than we have. So did San Jose," Carlyle said. "But where is San Jose?"

The Ducks avoided elimination with a 2-1 win Tuesday night, then Scott Niedermayer roughed up Detroit's Pavel Datsyuk, and Corey Perry pounded Detroit's Brian Rafalski.

"I felt that some guys took liberties on certain players unknown to fight," Red Wings forward Daniel Cleary said. "So, we just have to see Thursday."

With so much at stake, Red Wings star Henrik Zetterberg doesn't expect gloves to drop again.

"I think the feelings and emotions will carry over to Game 7, but I don't think the fighting will carry over," Zetterberg said on the eve of his first Game 7.

The winner will advance to play the Chicago Blackhawks in the Western Conference finals.

The loser will go home.

"I said a few words last night, and Babs said a few words," Detroit's soft-spoken captain Nicklas Lidstrom said. "We know what's on the line for us, and for them."

As experienced as Lidstrom is, with a franchise-record 224 games of postseason experience, he hasn't played in a Game 7 since Detroit beat Colorado 7-0 in the 2002 conference finale and he's been in just five in his career.

"Everything is on the line," Lidstrom said. "We have play with a sense of desperation from the start, and we have to do that for 60 minutes."

Early or late, Detroit simply needs Datsyuk to score.

The NHL MVP finalist is goalless in his last eight games and has just two assists against Anaheim.

Datsyuk was inches away from an overtime-forcing goal in the final seconds of Game 6.

"It's not like he's been void of chances," Carlyle said. "Even if stat-wise he hasn't had a huge impression, he still has quality chances and creates a lot."

Babcock is hoping for Datsyuk and the team, his scoring drought ends against Anaheim goaltender Jonas Hiller, whose first NHL postseason has been nothing short of sensational.

"Any time you're scorer and you haven't scored, no matter what anybody says, you always are squeezing a little bit," Babcock said. "The big thing for him, he's a real good, dominant player is to just play. Don't think too much.

"It would be a good time for him to break out."

http://www.nhl.com/ice/preview.htm?id=2008030237

Round 2 Game 6 Preview: Anaheim Vs. Detroit

Tonight's game 6 is win or go home (stay home) for the Ducks. Last two games the Ducks have looked tired. They were bound to tire out tho because they have been playing hard solid hockey since the puck first dropped in round 1. Detroit is full of momentum from the past two games that the Ducks will never ever ounce of energy they have left.

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) - Facing playoff elimination, Anaheim coach Randy Carlyle decided to get creative as the Ducks prepare for Tuesday's Game 6 against the Detroit Red Wings.

As the Ducks took the ice for practice Monday, Carlyle had his players reverse the way in which they normally hold their hockey sticks. Righties became lefties and vice versa as multiple pucks where thrown into play for a series of scrimmages around the rink.

"I didn't think it was a day where you want to come to work and drag your knuckles and say here we go again," explained Carlyle, a Norris Trophy winning defenseman during his 18-year NHL career.

The plan was to take some playoff tension out of the air.

Capitals/Penguins Playoff Gear "You can see a lot of smiles on faces and a much lighter approach to practice," said Carlyle. "Turn the page and you start to feel good about being at the rink."

The Ducks certainly would like to forget about the last two games of the series as the defending champion Red Wings out scored Anaheim 10-4 and built a 78-45 shot advantage.

Detroit can now advance to the conference finals for the third consecutive season with one more win. The powerhouse Red Wings have been able to close out eight consecutive playoff series on the road.

"I think we play maybe more relaxed than the other team, we know its their last chance and take advantage of that," Detroit center Henrik Zetterberg said.

But the Ducks also have shown an ability to handle pressure games in the playoffs.

Anaheim fought back from a 3-2 series deficit to take a Game 7 win over Calgary in 2006 and avoided home-ice elimination with a Game 5 victory against Dallas last season.

"This group has shown it can handle these type of situations," Anaheim goalie Jonas Hiller said. "At the end of the regular season we pretty much had to win every game to make the playoffs. We are used to the situation."

One of the most pressing challenges for Hiller and the Ducks will be shutting down Red Wings forward Johan Franzen, who has become a prolific goal scorer in the postseason.

Franzen leads the Red Wings with seven playoff goals, including three in the last two games. He had 13 playoff goals last year.

"Playoff hockey fits me maybe a little better than the regular season," Franzen said. "I can use my size a little bit more to get to the hard areas where you find loose pucks."

Although the Red Wings have peppered Hiller with considerable pressure throughout the series, Detroit's current advantage followed two very brief defensive lapses by Anaheim in the last two games.

Marian Hossa scored twice during a 3:02 span in the second period of Game 4 and Franzen and Jiri Hudler each scored within a 39-second span of the second period in Game 5.

"We're optimistic we can play a better game of hockey," Ducks center Todd Marchant said. "We won two games in this series for a reason. We have to get back to things we did in those games to be successful."

Aside from momentum in the series and a demonstrated history of being able to close out opponents on the road, Detroit could also have the added boost of defenseman Brian Rafalski returning to the lineup Tuesday.

Rafalski practiced with the Red Wings Monday afternoon after initially skating on Sunday. He has been sidelined throughout the series with an "upper body" injury.

"Obviously if the coaches and myself feel I can contribute in any way, there's a good chance I'll play," Rafalski said after the Red Wings practiced Monday.

"He looked good skating around the rink," Zetterberg said. "For sure that would be a help if he could come back and play."

While Rafalski maybe returning, Red Wings coach Mike Babcock indicated that center Kris Draper will not be available for Game 6.

http://www.nhl.com/ice/preview.htm?id=2008030236

Round 2 Game 5 Highlights- Anaheim vs. Detroit

Wow! Detroit played one heck of a game today. They completely dominated the Ducks. The Ducks looked flat from the get go. Hopefully the Wings can close this series out on Tuesday.

Round2 Game 4 Preview- Anaheim Vs. Detroit

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) - It is rare for the Detroit Red Wings to lose three straight in the postseason, but when it happens it is usually at the hands of the Anaheim Ducks.

The Ducks took their first lead over the Red Wings in the Western Conference semifinal series on Tuesday night with a 2-1 victory in Game 3. Anaheim could take control against the defending Stanley Cup champions on Thursday night if they win again on home ice. That would give the Ducks a 3-1 edge before the series shifts back to Detroit for Game 5.

Detroit hasn't lost three straight playoff games since 2007 when the Ducks did it to them in the conference finals en route to their Cup championship. Anaheim also swept Detroit in a first-round series in 2003.

A slow start on Thursday could put the second-seeded Red Wings into a deep hole against surging Anaheim. The Ducks are gaining confidence daily as they build off their first-round elimination of the Presidents' Trophy-winning San Jose Sharks.

Capitals/Penguins Playoff Gear "We have stay out of the penalty box early on against them and we have to get our legs going early in the game," Detroit captain Nicklas Lidstrom said. "They've had some power plays early on that have given them some momentum, whether they score or not."

Red Wings coach Mike Babcock would also like to see more early spark from his team. Detroit is trying to become the first NHL team to repeat as Cup champion since the Red Wings did it in 1998.

"We have to get started on time," he said. "The last two games, if I'm not mistaken, we had a power play right at the start of the game, both power plays I thought we were uneasy."

Detroit has outshot the Ducks 80-34 in the third period and overtime, but the Red Wings have scored only twice against stingy goalie Jonas Hiller during that time.

"We did lots of good stuff, we just have to keep going and keep grinding," said Detroit forward Marian Hossa, whose potential tying goal with 1:09 left Tuesday was waved off because the referee lost sight of the puck. "There are lots of loose pucks and rebounds. We just have to keep after them. Sooner or later a rebound will come to us and we'll put it in."

While Babcock indicated the Red Wings will not make any lineup changes for Game 4, the Ducks could be without James Wisniewski. The defenseman was hospitalized Tuesday night because of a bruised lung. Wisniewski was struck in the chest by Pavel Datsyuk's slap shot during the second period and was taken off the ice on a stretcher.

Wisniewski has meshed with the Ducks' veteran defensemen since being acquired from Chicago in a March 4 trade.

"He stepped in and played an important role for the team since he got here," said Ducks captain Scott Niedermayer, who will likely increase his already heavy workload if Wisniewski sits out. "He was a guy who was out killing penalties and on the power play. He plays in all situations."

Anaheim could look to add to the lineup a young defenseman such as Brendan Mikkelson, Brett Festerling or Brian Salcido. Veteran Bret Hedican remains sidelined with a back injury.

"We'll have to make adjustments and find a way to get it done," Niedermayer said.

The Ducks were also angered by Tomas Holmstrom's elbow to Wisniewski's head just seconds after Wisniewski was hurt by Datsyuk's shot.

"What would you think if you were doubled over and gasping for air and someone gives you an elbow in the side of the head. How would you feel," Ducks coach Randy Carlyle said.

Niedermayer was careful not to unload his feelings about the hit.

"I have a couple answers, but I'll stick with a boring one," he said. "Everyone is definitely responsible for what they are doing out there. You make decisions about how you are going to act and carry yourself. I haven't seen what happened, but if that is what happened, you be the judge."

Holmstrom denied intentionally nailing Wisniewski with his elbow.

"I had no idea I hit him," Holmstrom said. "I didn't see him, I had no idea he was behind me."

Babcock also downplayed the hit.

"From my perspective when I'm watching this series, come on, it's like a rodeo after every whistle," he said. "Every whistle could be a penalty. I don't know how one play would be anything."

http://www.nhl.com/ice/preview.htm?id=2008030234

This game is game on or game over for the Wings. They need to play a full 60 minute of hockey and crash the net hard. Whoever wins this game tonight, will win the series. Some good news tho for Wings fans, Brad Watson is not in the line up for the Ducks tonight ;)

LET'S GO RED WINGS!!!

Round 2 Game 3 Highlights- Anaheim Vs. Detroit

Now that I am calmed down about this game I shall post the highlight video. I am not commenting on the disallowed goal.

Round 2 Game 3 Preview- Anaheim Vs Detroit

Sorry, it's late but better than never. LET'S GO RED WINGS!!!

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) - An overtime win seems to be part of the Anaheim Ducks flight plan when leaving Detroit during the playoffs.

After a triple-overtime victory over the Red Wings in Game 2 of the Western Conference semifinals on Sunday the Ducks devoted Monday to getting plenty of rest as the series shifted west for the next two contests.

Todd Marchant's goal 1:15 into the third extra session and a 59-save effort by Jonas Hiller helped the Ducks get even in the series after the Red Wings won the opener 3-2.

Game 3 is Tuesday night.

Anaheim beat the Red Wings in the Western Conference finals two seasons ago in six games, including overtime wins in Games 2 and 5 of the series at Detroit.

"You go through those long games and it can be a lot more tiring on you if you lose on the road and have to come home," said Ryan Getzlaf, who has led the Ducks with a goal and four assists against the Red Wings. "It was definitely big to get that win."

The Ducks have won four of the last five playoff games between the teams.

Anaheim coach Randy Carlyle gave his players the option of skating Monday morning, and about half the team hit the ice. Others took advantage of the chance to rest and rehydrate after five-plus periods of hockey Sunday.

"We talk about it all the time. Rest and nutrition are as important as going out on the ice," said Marchant, who won Game 2 with a wrist shot past goalie Chris Osgood.

Hiller was also in a recharging mode after his extended workload.

"I feel pretty good," said the 28-year Swiss goalie who has won five of his first eight NHL playoff games. "I kind of take a little rest and do my regular stuff to recover well. I'll be ready for (Tuesday)."

While the Ducks were looking to secure some rest Monday, the Red Wings were focusing on waking up some key players.

Anaheim has been able to keep two of the defending champions' top goal scorers, Marian Hossa (40 regular-season goals) and Pavel Datsyuk (32), off the scoreboard for more than the eight periods of hockey played in the first two games of the series.

"We've had chances, not as many as usual, but we have had chances," Datsyuk said. "We need to score."

Hossa echoed his linemate's concern.

"Obviously we would like to be more productive, but we are facing a really hard opponent," said Hossa, who had nine shots on goal in Game 2. "We just have to grind and adjust some things. We are doing some things well and it's going to be a long series."

The Ducks have matched Marchant and defenseman Scott Niedermayer against Datsyuk and Hossa and will be in better position to do so at home.

Still Detroit coach Mike Babcock says he is not overly concerned about his top-line players getting on track, but there is little time in which to do it.

"It's show time, and they know that, too," he said. "They are some of the best players in the world.

"If I didn't know them, then I'd be concerned."

The Red Wings went through a full-squad practice for about 30 minutes Monday. Defenseman Brian Rafalski (upper body injury) didn't skate with the team and will miss his third straight game.

Babcock didn't rule out Rafalski for Game 4.

Carlyle was impressed with the play of forward Josh Green, who was able to jump back into the Ducks lineup for Game 3.

Green broke his leg in January while skating with the Ducks top minor league affiliate in Des Moines, Iowa. After a lengthy recovery process he was cleared to play last week.

"He was our best player in Iowa, he's worked extremely hard to get himself back," Carlyle said. "It's a tribute to the player when he hasn't played a game in the NHL (this season) and then steps into a playoff series against the defending champions and makes a positive contribution."

http://www.nhl.com/ice/preview.htm?id=2008030233

Round 2 Game 2 Highlights- Anaheim Vs. Detroit

Well, you can't win them all especially when overtime rolls around in the playoffs. The game winning goals in games that span over into 3 overtimes usually are a fluke and that was the case with today's game.

Helm, Stuart, Samuelsson and Osgood all had good games. The rest of the team, not so much. They seemed to be on cruise control. The Wings failed to crash the net in today's game which is unusual. Wings will take a game in Anaheim.

Round 2 Game 2 Preview- Anaheim vs Detroit

I am pumped for today's game, as I always am. I am ready for an exciting and hard played game today. LET'S GO RED WINGS!!!

DETROIT (AP) - Anaheim Ducks forward Ryan Getzlaf and Detroit Red Wings forward Johan Franzen seem to have some similarities.

They're both in their fourth NHL season.

The 6-foot-4, 216-pound Getzlaf is an inch taller and 4 pounds lighter than Franzen.

Getzlaf has 39 points in 50 playoff games in his career to Franzen's 35 points in 45 postseason games.

Red Wings coach Mike Babcock, though, said they're not the same type of player nor are they in the same class.

"Johan is a real good player," Babcock said. "Getzlaf is one of the best players in the world."

Getzlaf will get another chance to show what he can do Sunday in Game 2 of the Western Conference semifinal.

The Ducks need Getzlaf to deliver just as he did in Game 1 when he assisted on both of their goals in a 3-2 loss at Joe Louis Arena, giving him an NHL-high 10 points entering Saturday's games.

Getzlaf extended his points streak in the playoffs to five games.

"I'm just playing the same way I did during the regular season," Getzlaf said, shrugging his shoulders. "Obviously, I've had a little playoff experience since I've been here, so that helps."

Getzlaf played in 16 playoff games as a rookie in 2006, led the Ducks with 17 points the next season when they hoisted the Cup, then signed a five-year contract extension worth $26-plus million.

Last month, Franzen signed an 11-year contract worth $43.5 million in part because he likes blending in on a talent-laden roster.

"It's pretty comfortable to have it like that," Franzen said. "So many players in here can score goals, it takes the pressure off you a little bit."

If the 29-year-old Franzen, known as "Mule" in the Motor City, would've had some fodder for suitors if he chose to shop his skills.

Franzen proved he wasn't a one-postseason wonder during this past regular season after helping Detroit win the Stanley Cup with a franchise-record-tying 13 goals in a postseason. He set career highs this season with 34 goals, 59 points and a plus-minus rating of plus-21.

Franzen, Joe Sakic, Jarome Iginla, Martin St. Louis, Daniel Alfredsson, Mats Sundin, Jeremy Roenick and Mark Recchi are the only active players with at least 20 goals in their first 45 postseason games, according to STATS.

That kind of production is not what Detroit dreamed of when it drafted him 97th overall five years ago.

It would also be difficult to find somebody in Sweden who would've predicted it.

"People back home thought he was good, but he's gone to another level no one saw coming," teammate and countrymen Mikael Samuelsson said.

Getzlaf was projected to be good when the Ducks drafted him 19th overall in 2003 out of Regina, Saskatchewan, and he has surpassed expectations.

He's had 173 points during the past two regular seasons and was an All-Star each year. The 23-year-old Getzlaf ranked third in the league with 66 assists this season, setting a franchise record, and sixth with 91 points.

"All of the young guns - Alex Ovechkin, Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin - have great hands, but Getz has the best hands I've ever seen," 38-year-old teammate Teemu Selanne said. "I haven't seen a more dominant player than Getzlaf in the league."

Even though Selanne sounded overcome with hyperbole, Detroit goaltender Chris Osgood didn't think the boasts were outrageous.

"He's an underrated guy because he plays in Anaheim and doesn't get a lot of attention," Osgood said. "Obviously, he's one of the top five power forwards in the game."

http://www.nhl.com/ice/preview.htm?id=2008030232

Round 2 Game 1 Highlights-Anaheim Vs Detroit

Sorry that I didn't get the game preview up yesterday, was busy before the game. Well, here is the highlight video.

Detroit Leads Series 1-0 :) 5 down 11 more to go!! LET'S GO RED WINGS!!!

It's Duck hunting season!!!

It's official! The Detroit Red Wings will be facing the Anaheim Ducks in round 2 of the 2009 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Last night the Ducks beat the first place, San Jose Sharks, 4-1 in game 6 of round 1.

Let me tell you, I am ready for some Red Wings playoff hockey and some duck hunting. Haha! Once all series for the first round are over, I will post my results from the first round and make my picks for the second round. I will also post the schedule for round 2 when that becomes available.

DETROIT -- The Anaheim Ducks aren't the same team the Detroit Red Wings faced during the regular season.

They have a revamped defense, one of the best in the NHL. They have a different starting goaltender in Jonas Hiller, one of the hottest in the league.

Anaheim is the eighth seed in the Western Conference, but not a typical eighth seed, as the Presidents' Trophy-winning San Jose Sharks discovered.

The Ducks eliminated San Jose from the first round of the playoffs Monday with a 4-1 victory in Game 6.

It sets up a second-round matchup against the Red Wings in a battle between the past two Stanley Cup winners. The Red Wings anticipate Games 1 and 2 to take place Friday and Sunday at Joe Louis Arena.

"They were struggling a little bit in the regular season, that's why they ended up eighth, but they definitely are a higher-ranked team than that," Detroit center Henrik Zetterberg said. "It's always good games when we play each other."

The Red Wings won the season series 3-0-1, outscoring the Ducks 15-11.

But since the teams last met Feb. 20, a 5-2 victory for Detroit at home, the Ducks have made significant changes.

They added defensemen Ryan Whitney (from Pittsburgh for forward Chris Kunitz) and James Wisniewski (from Chicago for forward Samuel Pahlsson) via trades and welcomed back defenseman Francois Beauchemin, who missed most of the season with a torn knee ligament.

They join a pair of Norris Trophy winners -- the punishing, 6-foot-6 Chris Pronger and the speedy Scott Niedermayer -- to form a formidable top five.

"When you add Wisniewski, Beauchemin and Whitney to your blue line for the last 15 games, they're feeling better," Red Wings forward Dan Cleary said. "They got a great defense and Hiller's been great."

Hiller, in just his second season, snatched the starting job from 2003 playoff MVP Jean-Sebastien Giguere late in the season. Hiller posted a pair of shutouts in the first round.

"He's a big, butterfly guy," Red Wings coach Mike Babcock said. "He's on his knees all the time, but he's tall enough and he stays upright enough that he seems to be able to cover the net."

The Ducks have one of the most dominant lines in the league, with Ryan Getzlaf centering Corey Perry and rookie scoring leader Bobby Ryan.

"Their ability to cycle the puck -- they're big, strong, shoot it, pass it, they read each other well -- it's going to be a great challenge for us," Cleary said. "They play pretty edgy. The team that's more disciplined will win."

Perry was undisciplined on Monday, elbowing San Jose's Jonathan Cheechoo in the head in the first period, a hit that might earn him a suspension.

Zetterberg's line, with Johan Franzen and Cleary, most likely will be matched up against the Ducks' big line.

"I don't know if they're that big," Zetterberg said.

The Ducks are big, physical and fast (Teemu Selanne is on their second line), and Pronger is sure to renew acquaintances with his net-front nemesis Tomas Holmstrom. But they are not nearly as deep at forward as Detroit.

Anaheim has won the past two playoff meetings against the Red Wings, eliminating them in six games in the 2007 Western Conference finals and sweeping them in the first round in 2003.

"They have a great No. 1 line, one of the best lines in hockey," Red Wings goaltender Chris Osgood said. "They're a quicker team now. Since Beauchemin's been back, he's solidified their defense. Their goalie's playing great, but they're doing a good job of clearing guys up front. The battle's going to be won in the trenches, in front of our net and their net."

http://www.mlive.com/redwings/index.ssf/2009/04/red_wings_to_face_anaheim_duck.html

LET'S GO RED WINGS!!!

Round 1 Game 4 Highlights; Detroit vs. Columbus

Detroit sweeps Columbus with a 6-5 win. LET'S GO RED WINGS!!!