Wings vs Ducks

On paper this is a dream matchup for the Detroit Red Wings, but common sense tells me that any 8 seed that can win a series against the 1 seed will be no easy matchup. Contradictory to that statement, I do believe that the Ducks are the least likely of all the teams to beat the Wings. Here is a look at position by position to see who has the edge.


Forwards -

Detroit: As we all know, Detroit is the most talented team in the NHL, which gives them an edge in forwards for sure. The first line of Pavel Datsyuk, Marian Hossa, and Tomas Holmstrom combined for 10 points in the first round (Hossa and Holmstrom 4 each, Datsyuk with only two, but was a crucial part of the defense and the forecheck). Our second line of Franzen, Zetterberg, and Cleary combined for a total of 15 points (top 3 scorers on team). When firing on all cylinders, our top two lines are the best in the NHL.

Ducks: Although I am not completely familiar with the Ducks first line, I know that it involves one of the best player in this years playoffs so far, and that is the 6'4" 221 lb center Ryan Getzlaf. Getzlaf is a lot like Rick Nash, big body, great shot, and a team leader, the glaring difference is Getzlaf's supporting cast. This cast includes rookie Bobby Ryan (4 goals 0 assist) and youngster Corey Perry (3 goals 1 assist). I do believe that is their first line, and that line is great, very productive, but how will they do against the best D-Man of all time in Nicklas Lidstrom? Just ask Rick Nash.

Edge: Red Wings


Defense:

Detroit: While the Wings have had some issues defensively throughout the season, it seemed to be a loss of interest more than a loss of talent. Throughout 3 games the Wings only allowed 2 goals, and the main reason the Jackets scored 5 on us in game 4 was because Osgood was injured. As I mentioned earlier, Nicklas Lidstrom is the best D-Man in the NHL, quite possibly of all time. He will be in charge of slowing down Getzlaf and Ryan with his linemate Brian Rafalski. This line combined for 7 points and a +9 in the first series. Behind them we have the gritty line of Kronwall and Stuart, who can forget the hit Brad Stuart put on R.J. Umberger in the first round...well maybe Umberger forgot...but not me. This line also combined for 7 points and a +2.

Anaheim: It is hard to argue that Anaheim is not talented on the blue line. With aging veterans Scott Neidermeyer and Chris Pronger patroling that area it can be a fearful place to go for some forwards. The top D-Line had 9 points in 6 games with an amazing +9 (thank Jonas Hiller). This line is great and all, but what about after the first line? Well they traded away for Ryan Whitney and he is solid (4 points +2)but after him the D-Men get a lot weaker (James Wisniewski, Francois Beauchemin...c'mon now) The first line is stellar, although old, but our depth will wear this aging defense down.

Edge: Slight to Detroit


Goalies:

Detroit: Ozzie played great in the first 3 games of the series, but a mysterious leg/groin injury hampered his play a great deal for game 4. It is uncertain which Osgood will show up and we can only hope for the best, because he is one of the best playoff goalies I have ever watched. He still posted solid numbers with a 1.75 GAA and a .936 save percentage. Let's hope he is fully healed for this series though.

Anaheim: What can I say about Jonas Hiller that Barry Melrose hasn't already said. I think that the Ducks prayed to the hockey gods to get this kind of play out of an untested rookie goaltender. Hiller has been by all accounts the best goalie in the playoffs so far and the only knock about him is that he hasn't seen that many shots from the Sharks. He posted a 1.64 GAA and a .957 save percentage with 2 shutouts in the first series. If the Ducks have a chance of winning, it's this fella. Anaheim, pray to the hockey gods once more.

Edge: Anaheim


Depth:

Detroit: Detroit got plenty of scoring out of their 3rd line in the first round with Hudler, Samuelsson, and Filppula (9 points). Our 4th line played gritty and did their job quite well, but are not there to score. Our depth is what sets Detroit away from many of the other upper echelon teams in the NHL and so we must play that way.

Anaheim: If you take out the 2nd line for the Ducks, (Sellane, Niedemeyer, Miller) all that you have left are role players. Ryan Carter is decent (2 points) but they just don't have the kind of depth that the Wings do.

Edge: Wings by a landslide.