We're Underdogs! (Or Screw ESPN)
So perusing the internet this morning, I decided to check out some "expert" picks on our series. For whatever reason I ended up on ESPN.com and saw this:
Notice anything similar between every one of those picks? Yeah, according to every one of the experts, Detroit's season is going to be over in seven straight games.
We're underdogs boys and girls, and I love that.
Hit the jump for more:
It's not just ESPN. For example, the Bleacher Report has us losing in seven as well.
This will be a battle, but I think Nashville is set to win its first playoff series against Detroit. Look for it to take this matchup in seven.
Moving to Hockeywriters.com, we finally get someone who believes in Detroit.What this series will probably come down to is experience, which the Red Wings are loaded on.
Finally, Greg over at Puck Daddy has his initial thoughts out there and he picks the Wings as well:The narrative for this series has already been written. The Red Wings are old and busted; the Predators are new hotness. The Red Wings are been there/done that; the Predators broke their maiden last postseason and have been loaded up for a conference title run. Lidstrom/Babcock/Howard out; Weber/Trotz/Rinne in. And so forth. I'm not entirely convinced I'm buying that line, but it's going to take a few days to really suss out this series. Leaning: Red Wings.
It's still early, so only a few sites have these predictions up. But I really just wanted to get that ESPN pick up there, because that's rediculous. Bertuzzi is not pleased.
Credit supermegafauna.
If you pick a series to go seven games just say push... or like PD say you are leaning one way. I would dare say every fan is nervous and scared when that puck drops to start a game seven because they know that anything can happen. All it takes is a ref missing a puck hitting the netting and bouncing into the goal or some other freak occurance to change the course of the game.
I would also like to add: Most of us have probably watched close to all 82 games this year. Many of these experts only watch highlight reels, there just isn't the time in the day. We have seen Detroit able to take over a game, no matter who it is against, and roll lines 1, 2, and 3 without giving up center ice for 5 minute stretches. I might have only seen 20 games with Nashville, but I have never seen them be able to do that. If Howard is hot, I do not think they have it in them to put the constant pressure on required to break him like we can with Rinne.
@Jay Argentina If the experts only saw highlights then they probably saw games in which Detroit took over a game, rolled three or even four lines and cruise to wins. They've also seen the Wings ground out some wins. But they've probably ALSO seen those games where Detroit crumbled in front of teams that should've been beaten in a cake walk. The big problem Detroit faces in the playoffs is consistency, in that they haven't shown in much in the regular season -home winning streak notwithstanding- and they're going to NEED to have it in the playoffs.
http://diylol.com/meme-generator/i-dont-always-make-the-playoffs/memes/i-dont-always-make-the-playoffs-oh-wait-yes-i-do--2 and good article brandic1313 thanks for the link
3 Like
I found a pretty good article written by someone who seems like they have a brain in their head. http://thehockeywriters.com/predators-overhyped-underdog-red-wings-will-take-series/
1 Like
@brandic1313 So this guy knows more jsut because he picked the Wings? Nevermind that he ignored that Nashville has much better PP and PK numbers and that Detroit's PP is so bad that they're third in the league in most short handed goals allowed. But yeah, it's the intangibles, like experience, that are going to make the difference. The way Detroit's experience pushed them over the top against San Jose the last two years or how Detroit's experience is what made them repeat as Cup champions againt the Pens in 2009. I'll take the "experience" of a 50% healthy Dan Cleary over Paul Gaustad or Alexander Radulov.I think the Wings can definitely win this, but how about we take a step back and stop whining about how nobody's giving the Wings any credit even though everyone who is picking the Preds is picking them to win in SEVEN games, which means they're essentially calling the series as dead even and flipping a coin to pick the winner.
2 Like
I never said he knows more. I said he has a brain in his head. By that, I meant someone who is capable of independent thought, acutally put effort into their article, came from a realistic point of view and isn't going to just assume Nashville is going to win because they made some noise at the trade deadline and because they have Rinne as a goalie. Apparently, you did not read the article very thoroughly because you stated the author ignored Nashville's PP and PK numbers. In fact, he did not ignore that. He did talk about it and did say that it could be dangerous for Detroit. As far as "whining" about how no one is giving Detroit any credit? Chris (who wrote the article) stated , "We're the underdog boys and girls, and I love that." I wouldn't call that whining.
You speak ze truth Frau Brandi1313. Some people feed on aggression und misplacing vat they are truly angry about, like ze schwanz needs blood for an erection.
1 Like
@garth @Josh Howard @brandic1313
Yeah you brought logic and a whole lot of cunt. You're a fair-weather fucking fan garth, and you're ruining my mental image of Garth Algar. I don't think you can express a single opinion without acting like a cunt, which is illogical, because the goal of expressing one's opinion ultimately lies in seeking the approval and adoption of the opinion as to possibly sway the minds of those with different opinions, or at least make them think in your direction; rarely is it ever the case that an opinion is expressed for nothing. Thing is, you want a reaction, whereas most people here want a valid exchange of ideologies. Well, here is a reaction for you to get off on: Do you really expect anyone to agree with you? Your conversational skills are akin to a palsy victim doing brain surgery with a hammer. Oh and I like your tactic of twisting everyone's words around; definitely seems like you read and understand only what you want to see, and that is really logical. Tell you what, I'm gonna go ahead and be a dick for a second, (you know, think like you do?), and speak for a lot of people who post here. I found you somewhere where your heavy-handed, charming personality might be a little more welcome.
http://www.ontheforecheck.com/
If you don't like that one, find another one, I'm sure Olczyk has a blog you can join.
@Josh Howard @brandic1313 My apologies for bringing logic and stats into the conversation when we could instead be talking about things like "experience" which hasn't helped them since 2009. I guess the experience of losing to San Jose twice in a row is what is preparing the Wings for success.
@brandic1313 It's okay. He just is making himself look foolish. Garth is fine, but don't get him going on something... he'll just keep going.
4 Like
From reading your other posts and opinions, it has become obvious to me (and probably others) that you are a person who likes to argue and stir things up. As I was writing my response to your criticism of my initial post, I knew that you were going retaliate with something even more scathing and derogatory. Lo and behold, you did. The beauty of the internet, is that everyone is entitled to their opinion. I personally don't care what you think of me or what I write, just as I'm sure you feel the same way. The difference is that I can view my opinions without being patronizing or condescending. Seeing since you know nothing about me, I will clear up the query at the end of your post. If Detroit was the heavy favorite among "experts", yes, I would be saying the same thing about them. If someone has a statement they are willing to defend, they need to prove to me why they made that claim by backing it up with facts. I'm not saying I'll agree with them, but I will have respect for them.
@brandic1313 @garth I see. Nice of you to just assume that since people picked Nashville they mustn' have a brain in their heads. Isn't it great to compare an ARTICLE to a WORD on a chart?
And my point about the PP and PK is the he brought it up and then dismissed it because Detroit has experience. When you push aside actual stats in favour of ridiculous intangibles that have no basis in reality (ie. if "experience" was that important then Detroit would be gunning for their, what, 10th straight Cup, since that's how long they've been the oldest team in the league?), that is akin to ignoring the PP and PK numbers.
I wonder if you would be saying none of them had a brain in their heads if they all chose Detroit without any explanation attached to it.
It's not just ESPN, predictions are all over the NHL site as well. No one expects Detroit to win against Nashville!
1 Like
ESPN doesn't even have the right to have an opinion when it comes to hockey. They never talk about it on air unless its about the Cup winning team or Sidney Crysby. After the Rangers-Devils line brawl a few weeks ago, they branded hockey as the 'bad little brother of sports.'... How many rapes/drug charges/gun charges has the NHL had over the past..well, ever? Pretty sure one single Duke Lacross team has more rape charges than our league has in its entire existence. When it comes to Hockey, ESPN is a fucking joke. I'd almost rather watch a game on Versus.
1 Like
To be fair ESPN calls Melrose and "expert" let them stick to baseball and women's pool tournaments
1 Like
ESPN really stands for Everything Stupid Pathetic Nonsense. I listen to these guys' opinions like I listen to telemarketers. They couldn't tell a hockey game from a pool party. I'm not concerned with the Wings' performance in the playoffs, the Preds will keep trying to 'goon us out' but will wind up sitting hurt in the pressbox while we wipe the mother-lovin' floor with their ugly back-ups and substitutes. Goons don't win cups, goals, hardwork, determination, positivity, class, and Lidstrom, that wins cups. So once we kick Nashville to Country Music Hall and back they can finally sob into their Red Solo Cup while the Wings win the more important silver one.
I'm not worried. Man for man, we got this. We just have to beat Rinne. ESPN also barely predicts any upsets at all. Clearly, no one there actually watches hockey.
@ChrissyKraceva Couldn't agree more. I get nervous when I think about this series, but I think if we can crack Rinne, we've got this. I think Babcock has some stuff up his sleeve that we haven't seen during the regular season.
It's so obvious they know nothing about hockey. Just look at all the series they have going to 7 in general...not just the Wings. A couple of them think all 4 western conference series will go to 7 games. And the one guy who thinks Vancouver will beat LA in 5?? Yeah right.
@Lauren H My boyfriend actually made note that that guy actually knows nothing about hockey and has never reported on it.
4 Like
ESPN- Confident that Nashville is SOOO GOOD!.... but... it'll take 7 games for them to win. Lame... such a cop out prediction.
@Josh Howard Yeah, every opinion is a copout if it doesn't agree with yours. What about the ESPN pundits who picked the Wings? Are those copouts too, or well-reasoned picks? You know, based on the zero explanation that any of them give.
1 Like
Ok, they also think every series is going to go to at least 6 games.... Plus when I want to read about hockey, ESPN is basically the last place I go to do so.
