The Detroit Red Wings keep seeking to emphasize that the Stanley Cup playoffs are an entirely different animal and considering the way they limped to the finish line of the regular season, who can blame them?
“Obviously playoffs is a new season,… captain Henrik Zetterberg said. “Everyone just restarts but we know if we play the way we should we have a good chance and hopefully we can do that.…
In the Tampa Bay Lightning, the Wings face a familiar opponent, but one that they have not enjoyed much success against this season, winning just once in four meetings while going 1-2-1.
“We’ve played them a lot,… Zetterberg said. “It’s going to be a tough match-up for us. We’re looking forward to it.…
The Wings recognize that in the Lightning, they face a deep, albeit relatively inexperienced team when it comes to playoff hockey.
“They play solid defense,… Zetterberg said. “They play good in front of their goalie (Ben Bishop). Their goalie is good and when they get their chances they’re real effective.…
The Skinny So what’s it going to take for Detroit to emerge victorious in this series?
A little more consistency in their goaltending and their overall game would be a good start.
“I think we’ve got to stop turning the puck over in the neutral zone,… forward Daniel Cleary said. “We’ve got to get it through our heads that it’s playoff time. It’s getting behind their defense, it’s forechecking and playing inside the has marks.
“We’ve got a talented group that cares about each other. If we get to the net, get some greasing and grinding out there, we’ll be better off.…
While Detroit coach Mike Babcock indicated he intends to reveal who will start Game 1 in goal between Jimmy Howard and Petr Mrazek, he’s delighted that the series won’t get underway until Thursday in Tampa Bay.
“It’s great that we have an extra day just because the fact of the injuries on our team,… Babcock said. “We could use as much time before we start as possible and that’s a positive thing.…
Of paramount concern is the return of left-winger Justin Abdelkader (hand), who has missed the last three games. Already without Erik Cole (spinal contusion) for the remainder of the season and unlikely to see Johan Franzen (concussion) either, the Wings have taken a real hit when it comes to size along their forward lines.
“I’ve got no idea,… Babcock said as to whether Abdelkader would be good to go in the playoff opener. “That’s the great thing about four days (off).
“We need Abby back. We need the big bodies. With him and Cole and the Mule, those were big guys for us and suddenly we don’t have those guys.
“We’re a light team and the more of those guys in the lineup, the better.…
Babcock recognizes the challenges that the Lightning present to his team.
“They play a fast game, they’re up tight to you (defensively), they’re really good offensively, and they score like crazy,… Babcock said.
Zetterberg was blunt in what the Wings need to get going if they want to keep going in the playoffs.
“Going into a playoff these three things have to be good - goaltending, PK and power play,… Zetterberg said. “If you have that going and you have a little luck you will be there.…
It they don’t, it will be see you later.
Cross Another Off This will Detroit’s first playoff series against the Lightning, which will leave just five current NHL cities where the Wings have never played a Stanley Cup series.
In the Western Conference, the lone absentee is the Minnesota Wild. In the Eastern Conference, the Buffalo Sabres, New York Islanders, Ottawa Senators and Florida Panthers have yet to tangle with Detroit in the post season.
Technically, it can be argued that the Wings have never played the current Winnipeg Jets. It was the previous edition of the Jets who faced the Wings in the opening round of the 1996 playoffs, which was the last playoff series contested in Winnipeg prior to this spring. Follow me on Twitter @asktheduffer