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What is the difference between this year and the last?

DeYarmond Edison

DeYarmond Edison

drinkingpinkrabbits
Apr 10, 2011
7,260
598
Bored in the USA
It's a simple question and I'm eager to hear opinions on the matter.

Last year against the Predators we looked like we didn't stand a chance. The team didn't perform nor did it look like they even wanted to.

In my opinion, I feel like our veterans have gotten a huge boost from seeing the heart that our rookies have played with. Minus the Lashoff show, our young guys stepped up all series. Andersson being quietly effective, to Brunner playing strong, to Nyquist making moves all over the ice.

What do you guys think? What is different about this team? Is it luck?
 
Besides the our teams play.

The opponents defense. Don't get me wrong, Ducks played great defense, very good positioning, but they made mistakes. Nashville didn't make mistakes last year.
 
Call me crazy but its because they have a new captain.

Don't get me wrong, Lidstrom was an unreal captain, but his "style" didn't really coincide well with a struggling veteran team. Lidstrom was a laid back simple-minded captain who just did what he had to do. There was never any sign of urgency, any hard-nosed hard-working effort that uplifted the team. Lidstrom was a perfect captain for a contending team.

Zetterberg on the other hand shows his captaincy on the ice with his hard-working, won't-be-denied attitude. His "style" really rubbed off on the team and you could tell by the effort and the sense of urgency from the entire team. Zetterberg was clutch and when the team relied on him he showed up big time. He is a better "style" captain for an underdog team with a lot of youngsters (though he would be a great captain for any type of team).

Hopefully I explained that well, it was a struggle :laugh:

I'd say another HUGE aspect was the kids, especially the third line. Andersson, Nyquist, Brunner and Kindl were some of our best players and they really brought a new dimension of energy and hard-work that we were missing with Helm out. Andersson has been unbelievable these playoffs considering where he was at the starting of the year - he is one of the most reliable forwards on the team behind D and Z.

Its obvious the youth movement has rubbed off on Babs as he was ecstatic about the third line's effort all series (via post-series interview). He trusts the kids now and it appears he's dealing with their mistakes instead of the knee-jerk reactions (IE benching them).

This team just plain wants it more than I've seen in a long time.
 
Two words: (no not Nyquist explosion or playoff warrior)
Goal Tending.

Rinne was ridiculous against us last playoffs. This series Jimmy outplayed Hiller.

Also going against Suter with Weber was truly some tough sledding. This year minus Suter Nashville doesn't make the post-season.

There must be other factors too. Last year the Predators wanted so bad to beat us, for them it was a mini-cup win. This 1st round the Ducks were not as used to traveling as much as the Red Wings do. Poor Boudreau looked really worn out.
 
Some voices told me that we would sink deep without Nicklas Lidström (you can't replace the best player of his era).

Same voices were heard after we lost Vladdy (you will never win anything again), after the salary cap was brought (you can't buy anymore cups), after Yzerman retired (you can't replace that leadership).

And we are still rolling. Gotta love our organization. It reborns all the time. :yo:

I also love so much of the fact that our kids learned something about winning. There could be bad bounces and bab moments in series, but doing the things on a right way, on a Wings way, you'll turn the series over. This was huge win for our future. Andersson, Nyquist, Brunner, Kindl, Smith, etc. those guys learned something. They became better. Zetterberg and Datsyuk shoved the path and the kids followed. After few years, it's their turn to lead the new kids, but you can't lead if you don't get the experience and example first from your great captain.

When these kids with leading experience will lead our second wave of superb prospects (Jurco, Järnkrok, Frk, Ouellet, Sproul etc.) to future playoffs, we will be a damn tough team to beat.
 
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imo, the main reasons are that datsyuk and lidstrom were injured in playoffs, and howard was also a lot better vs anaheim than nashville.

DRW had a bad record after they got injured. before their injuries, particularly datsyuk's, DRW had one of the best records in the NHL. datsyuk's level of play did not fall off a lot until a week or two later, but his level of play from february through WC was not close to his level of play in december and january.

without datsyuk: 3-7-1
without lidstrom: 3-6-2
with datsyuk, but without lidstrom: 0-1-1
with lidstrom, but without datsyuk: 0-1-1
without either: 3-4

after datsyuk missed games: 7-11-4
before datsyuk missed games: 41-17-2



howard's playoff SV%
2012: .888
2013: .911


braille said:
luck
Click to expand...
always important

The Nose said:
Call me crazy but its because they have a new captain.

Don't get me wrong, Lidstrom was an unreal captain, but his "style" didn't really coincide well with a struggling veteran team. Lidstrom was a laid back simple-minded captain who just did what he had to do. There was never any sign of urgency, any hard-nosed hard-working effort that uplifted the team. Lidstrom was a perfect captain for a contending team.

Zetterberg on the other hand shows his captaincy on the ice with his hard-working, won't-be-denied attitude. His "style" really rubbed off on the team and you could tell by the effort and the sense of urgency from the entire team. Zetterberg was clutch and when the team relied on him he showed up big time. He is a better "style" captain for an underdog team with a lot of youngsters (though he would be a great captain for any type of team).

Hopefully I explained that well, it was a struggle :laugh:

I'd say another HUGE aspect was the kids, especially the third line. Andersson, Nyquist, Brunner and Kindl were some of our best players and they really brought a new dimension of energy and hard-work that we were missing with Helm out. Andersson has been unbelievable these playoffs considering where he was at the starting of the year - he is one of the most reliable forwards on the team behind D and Z.

Its obvious the youth movement has rubbed off on Babs as he was ecstatic about the third line's effort all series (via post-series interview). He trusts the kids now and it appears he's dealing with their mistakes instead of the knee-jerk reactions (IE benching them).

This team just plain wants it more than I've seen in a long time.
Click to expand...
i think you're crazy.
 
Better match-up. The 2012 Predators were "all in" with their roster and designed to give teams like Detroit fits.

Also combine that they've had more puck luck and Jimmy Howard showed up big. The Wings continue to throw tons of rubber on net, and against the Ducks, shots kept finding their way through. Against the Preds, it felt like there was a bubble around the crease.

Finally, while this roster isn't "better" it certainly has more to prove. There are guys, especially on the blueline and 3rd line, putting their heart into every shift. Veterans like Cleary and Zetterberg are also going all out. It's a total team effort top to bottom, and it's great to see, so hopefully the Wings can spoil some of Chicago's fun.
 
Pretty interesting that Getzlaf and Perry looked like super-warriors in the start of the year (in a contract year) and before their extensions Anaheim won 75% of their games (22/29).

After their extensions (when the "I want my big money" -overachieving phase was over) their winning percentage was 42% (11/26).

Now they are handcuffed with those 17 millions, for those "leaders" and "great" examples for the future kids, how to hunt big money and turn immediately lazy and comfortable of your quality of life, forgetting hockey and winning. Go to World Championships and spoil Canada's chances and everything crap like that. They are not team players, like our superstar leaders are.

But that's not our problem. Congratulations, Anaheim organization.
 
nik jr said:
imo, the main reasons are that datsyuk and lidstrom were injured in playoffs, and howard was also a lot better vs anaheim than nashville.

DRW had a bad record after they got injured. before their injuries, particularly datsyuk's, DRW had one of the best records in the NHL. datsyuk's level of play did not fall off a lot until a week or two later, but his level of play from february through WC was not close to his level of play in december and january.

without datsyuk: 3-7-1
without lidstrom: 3-6-2
with datsyuk, but without lidstrom: 0-1-1
with lidstrom, but without datsyuk: 0-1-1
without either: 3-4

after datsyuk missed games: 7-11-4
before datsyuk missed games: 41-17-2



howard's playoff SV%
2012: .888
2013: .911
.
Click to expand...

This. Hands down. Dats is fit and Z looks good at least since game 6, looked pretty banged up before and couldn't catch a break. But he fought through it.

This team can get over everything but injuries to Dats, Z, Howie and Kroner. As soon as they are even remotely 100% we are fine.

And for the captaincy-theory: You do not need a C to lead by example. Z could lead the team and "rub his stuff off" last year just as good. I think the role of a captain in the locker room is widely exagerrated. You can have one guy talking to the refs and another one without any letter leading the team on and off the ice. Great example were my team here, the Krefeld Penguins, this season. We had our homegrown guy Christian Ehrhoff play here in the lockout. He was THE leader in all situations. He took the team to the best season of basically all time. And he wasn't even an "A". The other players were great, the Captain led as well, other go to guys perforemd. But Christian changed a so-so season to a legendary one.

So, no, I don't believe in any kind of "captain-conspiracy". Especially not if one of the greater captains of all times and the most regarded player of his era is the one to be replaced. Thats ridiculous!
 
The team looks hungry.feisty, and playing with tenacity. I haven't seen that from the Wings in years. Z looks like a warrior out there just battling for pucks and leading by example. Pasha and Z are playing with fire in there eyes again. I really am liking the youth we have on this team and the competitiveness we have shown in the series as underdogs. Our last gift to the West should be to knock out the unstoppable Hawks and help keep coach Q streaks against the Redwings alive.
 
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Bench said:
Better match-up. The 2012 Predators were "all in" with their roster and designed to give teams like Detroit fits.

Also combine that they've had more puck luck and Jimmy Howard showed up big. The Wings continue to throw tons of rubber on net, and against the Ducks, shots kept finding their way through. Against the Preds, it felt like there was a bubble around the crease.

Finally, while this roster isn't "better" it certainly has more to prove. There are guys, especially on the blueline and 3rd line, putting their heart into every shift. Veterans like Cleary and Zetterberg are also going all out. It's a total team effort top to bottom, and it's great to see, so hopefully the Wings can spoil some of Chicago's fun.
Click to expand...

Basically, it's what Benchy said. The 2012 Preds were designed, basically, to beat the Red Wings. Notice how they did when they had to go play the Coyotes in Round 2.

The 2012-13 roster features a lot more guys playing for their next contracts. Cleary, for example, is playing for his NHL life. Filppula, for as worthless as he can be, is trying to prove to a team that he's worth $5 million+. (And failing miserably, I might add.)

Plus, this team is playing like they want the Cup more than last year's team did.

Not having to face Pekka Rinne was a big help too.
 
Crymson said:
Determination and hard work rather than pure skill.
Click to expand...

I agree, that and they seem to want it this year. They are playing defense and offense by commitee, rather that always relying on Datsyuk and Zetterberg. This is an exciting playoff year, for sure!
 
2012 Detroit Red Wings

Franzen - Datsyuk - Bertuzzi
Filppula - Zetterberg - Hudler
Cleary- Helm - Abdelkader
Holmstrom - Emmerton - Miller

Lidstrom - White
Kronwall - Stuart
Ericsson - Quincey

Howard
Conklin


Compared to

Zetterberg - Datsyuk - Abdelkader
Franzen - Filppula - Cleary
Nyquist - Andersson - Brunner
Bertuzzi - Emmerton - Samuelsson

Kronwall - Ericsson
Quincey - Smith
Kindl - Colaiacovo

Howard
Gustavsson

I don't know, on paper I'm just looking at this and going...

FapsifT.gif


Chemistry does things, man. Our Bottom 6 has way more going for them than the bottom 6 of the 2012 team ever did. We played a shaky Jonas Hiller instead of Pekka Rinne in the first round as well. This team can score when trailing, the 2012 team couldn't when it mattered. The 2012 team likely would've lost 1 or both of those OT games where Anaheim came back and tied it. They had a tendency to get knocked down, and not get up again. (and you're never gonna keep me down). :sarcasm:
 
We have absolutely nothing to lose this year. No pressure on a 7th seed who is just trying to find a rhythm after losing one of the best Dmen of all time to retirement. I think that has to be a contributing factor.
 
The Wings willed their way through this series...definitely could've rolled over and died with the blown leads throughout. The team last year didn't play with as much guts as this year. This team is developing some mental toughness through making that run in the final week to make the playoffs and rallying from 3-2 down and winning a Game 7 on the road. Hank is showing himself to be a very worthy captain for this team.

I almost think everyone thinking they don't have a chance against Chicago is exactly what they want...it's not going to be easy for the Blackhawks but I'd be stunned if they don't win this series. The Blackhawks have a better defense and better finishers in their top 6...they've got just as much or more speed than the Ducks. This is a tough matchup but the Wings are making a habit out of proving people wrong.
 
1). We have a dangerous 3rd line this year while last year Helm left early in the NSH series and crippled our depth.
2). Goaltending
3). This team looks hungrier and WON games going into the playoffs unlike the way we stumbled over ourselves leading into the 11-12 postseason.
 
VladTheImpaler said:
1). We have a dangerous 3rd line this year while last year Helm left early in the NSH series and crippled our depth.
2). Goaltending
3). This team looks hungrier and WON games going into the playoffs unlike the way we stumbled over ourselves leading into the 11-12 postseason.
Click to expand...


Three great bullet points...forgot about the loss of Helm early in that series. The emergence of Nyquist-Andersson-Brunner has been great to see for this team going forward. Just wish DD didn't get hurt and thankfully that injury didn't have the adverse effect like the Helm injury had in last year's first round.
 
braille said:
luck
Click to expand...

All this analysis is fun and fine, but honestly "luck" is the right answer.

Last season, 3 of the Preds wins were by one goal. This season, all of the Wings wins were by one goal, 3 in OT. A bounce, a blown call, an injury or a fluke error (Z throws a puck into the stands?!) can literally be the difference in so many of these series.

Just one or two small changes this year and these boards would be blasting Holland, Babcock and Fil/Cleary/Smith/Q for their horrible choices... well, ok, they still will. :laugh:
 
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