20 Consecutive Years in the Playoffs

For the 20^th consecutive year the Detroit Red Wings have made it into the post-season to fight back for what they have been working for all year, The Stanley Cup.  This is Detroit’s 25^th time in 27 years to enter the playoffs.   This year the Wings controlled the Western Central division coming in 1^st place, their 19^th time to do so.  They came in 3^rd place in the Western Conference with 104 points behind, San Jose 105 points, and Vancouver 117 points who finished 1^st overall in the NHL.  Out of the 30 teams in the NHL Detroit came in 6^th place behind San Jose Sharks, Pittsburgh Penguins, Philadelphia Flyers, Washington Capitals, and Vancouver Canucks, respectively.

In the first round of the playoffs the Wings took the 6^th seed to face off against the 3^rd seed, Phoenix Coyotes.  With home ice advantage for the Wings they took the first two games with ease and then the next two at Phoenix to end the series in a sweep of the seven game series 4-0. Since the Wings did a tremendous job beating the Coyotes they have been taking the past week off resting, practicing and waiting for another series to finish.

The other series the Wings are waiting on is Vancouver vs. Chicago which is going into a game seven on 4/26/11 at 10 p.m. EST.  Now this doesn’t mean we will be playing either of those.  We are just waiting on the seeds to be rearranged to find out who our next opponent is.

This is how it looks for the Wings: If Vancouver loses we play Nashville Predators.  If Chicago wins we play the San Jose Sharks.  As much as it burns to say this, I would like to see Chicago come out on top in this game. Remember, if Vancouver loses the Wings play Nashville and this is an easier opponent then the Sharks.  Nashville ended up 10^th overall in the NHL while the Sharks finished 5^th overall, one spot ahead of the Wings.  I am only saying it would be easier to beat them then Vancouver, but I know the Wings will beat both of them.  It may not be in a four game sweep like we did to Phoenix, but with no doubt or hesitation in my mind will the Wings lose the series to either of these teams.     

Wings Sweep Series 4-0

              

  POTENTIAL 2^nd ROUND MATCH-UPS