Hypothetically, if we make the playoffs, who would you rather play?

[Anchor Town*]

Jinx thread. Remember the healthy January thread? You people never learn.

Do you seriously believe in jinxes?

 

[DeYarmond Edison]

Do you seriously believe in jinxes?

I believe in everything come April.

 

[Frk It]

Boston is a big team with plenty of guys with sandpaper that wear you down physically.

Combine that with their defensive core and goaltending, and I think they could smother us. That would be the worst match up possible for is IMO.

 

[RedWingsForPresident]

It really just depends. Detroit has actually played pretty well against Boston this season, but Pittsburgh is obviously not as good.

If Detroit was able to frustrate the Penguins, they could easily win the series because the Penguins love to implode come playoff time. If Detroit isn't able to get under Pittsburgh's skin, then I'd rather play Boston

 

[Henkka]

Both these teams are easily better on paper.

But I'll pick Pittsburgh pretty easily. I think they are mentally weak, and can get rattled easily.

Plus I want nothing to do with Rask. And we could get Fleury in that stinky first-round form.

These are the major things. Goaltending.

Fleury could be destroyed mentally again, but series against Rask would pretty much be like last Pekka Rinne -series. Just no chance.

Tuukka is too good, we need one extra year to become a better team to challenge healthy Boston.

 

[Frk It]

These are the major things. Goaltending.

Fleury could be destroyed mentally again, but series against Rask would pretty much be like last Pekka Rinne -series. Just no chance.

Tuukka is too good, we need one extra year to become a better team to challenge healthy Boston.

Agree, I think it would pretty similar to that Nashville series a few years ago.

 

[Heaton]

Pittsburgh isn't built for the playoffs, they may beat the Wings if we play them, but they're fodder for Philly or Boston.

 

[drw02]

For sure Pens but their PP is ****ing scary....and the refs love to help out Crosby....

 

[Unfriendly Ghost]

I would love to see an entire series of Glendening vs Crosby.

 

[Number1RedWingsFan52]

Yeah I would go with Pittsburgh as well.

 

[Cyborg Yzerberg]

It really just depends. Detroit has actually played pretty well against Boston this season, but Pittsburgh is obviously not as good.

If Detroit was able to frustrate the Penguins, they could easily win the series because the Penguins love to implode come playoff time. If Detroit isn't able to get under Pittsburgh's skin, then I'd rather play Boston

Z's so good at pissing opponent's stars off. Hurry back, Z.

 

[rx7dryver]

There is a long way to go before they make the playoffs. I do not want to talk about this stuff IF they clinch.

 

[InjuredChoker]

Z's so good at pissing opponent's stars off. Hurry back, Z.

pun intended ?

 

[TheOtherOne]

In terms of our chances, I don't care who we play. We can beat any team... And more importantly, if we're going to win the cup we HAVE TO be able to beat any team. Bring on the best team in the league and let's make it a series.

In terms of entertainment I choose Pittsburgh because I live near there and wouldn't mind watching games with some pitt fans (wearing my datsyuk jersey of course). Should be fun.

 

[chances14]

pittsburgh.

though i think a series against the bruins would be closer than most people think

 

[kuick]

though i think a series against the bruins would be closer than most people think

Not in our current state. I guess we may get a sneak peek on Wednesday.

I think we could match them if we were closer to being healthy. Without Pavel or Hank, they would crush us in a series.

 

[sarcastro]

Boston would beat the living hell out of the Wings physically and the Pens are prone to ultra sloppy defensive play.

Not much of a decision IMO.

 

[Run the Jewels]

I went with Pittsburgh for a few reasons:

1. Blysma is on the hot seat.
2. They would likely feel the pressure if we stole an early one on their home ice.
3. Fleury is way over-rated.
4. Their playoff record hasn't been all that impressive lately.

Not saying we'd truck them or anything, just that I think they'd be a good matchup for us and we'd have absolutely nothing to lose and all the pressure would be on them.

 

[theYman]

Pittsburgh I because would love to have the satisfaction of knocking them out of the 1st round. Payback for 2009 SCF.

 

[theYman]

I would love to see an entire series of Glendening vs Crosby.

Could Zetterberg possibly return later in the series? Would be cool to have both those guys all over crybaby Crosby.

 

[Detroit Swed Wings]

Pens, even with #87 and #71. We would need Hank and/or Dats to make it through any series though.

 

[InjuredChoker]

 

[TheOtherOne]

In the future if you're going to post potentially interesting graphs could you do everyone a favor and define terms/abbreviations?

 

[InjuredChoker]

In the future if you're going to post potentially interesting graphs could you do everyone a favor and define terms/abbreviations?

ah, sorry.

that's their fenwick close graph. meaning all unblocked shot attempts, when the score is within one goal in 1st or 2nd period or tied in the 3rd. pretty good predictor of winning. almost all recent cup champs have had very good ratings there.

this means that pens basically live and die on their pp and pk. can't remember team recently winning the cup on pp as refs swallow their whistles post-season. their pk sv% (5on4) is 91%... some teams don't have as good 5on5. i wouldn't bet on that to continue. and it won't be enough if they can't solve the issues 5on5.

now malkin and crosby could overcome those numbers.. elite players, who can score influence sh% and score on less shots.

but still, that bottom 6 is bad, and with those numbers one would need elite level goaltending.

lot of question-marks. much more than the bruins have.

now, i think pens would be the favorites to win the red wings. but i'd easily take them over bruins and don't see them winning the cup.

calgary has had better possession numbers than pens since january.

 

[crashman]

Pittsburgh, without question. I was at game 7 of the SCF in 2009, and while beating them in the 1st round wouldn't quite be revenge, it would be a nice start.