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Reactions: Detroit/Los Angeles Users predict Detroit will fly past Kings toward crown
Posted: Monday April 24, 2000 05:25 PM
After last year's disappointing early exit form the playoffs, CNNSI.com user expect that as the prime motivator to get the Red Wings past the Kings in the first. But Los Angeles' young team may be just what it take for Detroit to relive that nightmare. A collection of some of the most interesting responses follows: With the Wizard of Oz, Yzerman and a veteran line with Stanley Cup experience, the Wings are on a prowl to regain the cup that belongs in the Motor City.
I think this series will be the most exciting one of round one. LA has something to prove and will have the tenacity of an underdog. The Wings will have their hands full and their big guns better be on their game.
The Kings are a good team, but the Wings have had a long time to think about their second round exit in last year's playoffs. I think the wings will come out of this series in five. Although, to have Detroit as a fourth place team after finishing with the second most points does not make any sense. They earned second in the conference and just because you lead your division does not mean you deserve to finish in a fixed spot. WINGS ALL THE WAY BABY!
The Detroit red wings are the best team in the NHL by all accounts. Even while battling injuries throughout the year to key role players (McCarty, Draper, Maltby, Gilchrist, etc.) the Wings played to the second best record in the league. The problem with the league's ranking system has relegated them to the fourth spot but don't worry, they'll still rampage through the playoffs. Most teams can't play with a healthy Wings team for one game, let alone a seven game series. While some critics have cited Osgood's shaky play as a chink in the wings' armor, one just has to point back to game 5 against the Dallas stars two years ago. Osgood is a proven playoff goaltender. The Kings are a good team in their own right, but they just can't play with the Wings. They'd be lucky to win one game in the series.
The only hump in the road for Detroit in the playoffs is St. Louis. That is not to say that Detroit will lose to them, but home ice advantage is huge in the playoffs. I think the Red Wings will return to their playoff form of two years ago, and play better than the disappointing sweep from Colorado last year. They have too much depth to lose this year, and the veterans are the key to Detroit's success. Detroit has four strong lines to battle any teams offense, and Detroit leads the league in goals this season. If ...and that is a confident "IF"... they get past St. Louis, Detroit will be the Stanley Cup Champions. Go Wings!
How can a team like L.A. defend against a full four-line team? Detroit will advance to the finals -- the only stumbling block may be the Blues. I can't help but think of the year Detroit won the President's trophy and was blown out in the early rounds because they were too tired. St. Louis will be in the same boat. Colorado will play tough but without Forsberg, the stand will be short (can a team ride a goalie all the way through the playoffs? I agree with your x factor being Verbeek. Pat is a "little ball of hate" when it comes to the playoffs.
Everyone around the league is so quick to count the Kings out in the first round, and I have yet to understand why. The Kings have played a solid brand of hockey all year and have gained respect for various teams around the league. Now I know that it isn't going to be a piece of cake for the Kings, but if anyone in the lower bracket of the Western Conference has a decent shot at toppling over the Red Wings, it's got to be the Kings. The Kings had a .500 season against the Wings and everyone seems to overlook that. The only person that seems to acknowledge that this will be a tough series for both teams is ironically the Red Wing captain himself, Steve Yzerman. I'm tired of the news media always sticking to the big guns. My opinion is Kings in six, and you can quote me on that!
It will be biggest upset of the playoffs. I know everybody will laugh at me, but I think Kings will pull it off.
I think Detroit is good but the Kings are a young hungry team who wants to win the cup!
So I just hope the Kings take them to the seventh game.
There is no stopping the Wings. They still are one of the deepest teams in the league and still have the best coach of all time (Bowman). They may not be getting any younger but their nucleus is still very solid. Maybe not winning the cup last year was a small wake-up call in the middle of their dynasty run.
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