Pros & Cons: Detroit Red Wings vs. Phoenix Coyotes
Our newest feature, Pros and Cons, holds a debate between two of our featured writers as they make an argument for each team in the series. We will continue this series throughout the playoffs as we delve deeper into how these two teams will interact.
Phoenix Coyotes by David Strehle
The Phoenix Coyotes overcame bankruptcy and ownership turmoil to have the best regular season in franchise history, setting new marks for wins (50) and points (107). Their 29 home wins were the second highest total in the league, so home-ice could be an advantage in their evenly matched first round series with Detroit.
The teams split four low-scoring contests during the season. In order for Phoenix to win this series, goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov must be at the top of his game. “Bryz” finished third among netminders with 42 wins, and was 2-2 against the Red Wings.
Scoring has historically been the team’s biggest shortcoming. With Shane Doan, Matthew Lombardi and Radim Vrbata leading the way, Phoenix had just enough offense to succeed.
But GM Don Maloney appears to have addressed that issue. At the trade deadline, the Coyotes added Lee Stempniak and Wojtek Wolski, and both have fit in nicely. As a matter of fact, Stempniak scored as many goals (14) in 18 games with Phoenix as he did in 62 with Toronto and was named the NHL’s “first star” for the month of March.
This additional offense bolsters a balanced attack and makes Phoenix a legitimate threat to knock off the red hot Red Wings.
Detroit Red Wings by Luca Vacca of LeafsWire
After starting the season off below standards, the Detroit Red Wings pushed very hard in the second half of the season, securing a playoff spot by locking down fifth place in the Western Conference. The main factor in the early season woes for Detroit was the sheer amount of injuries to key players they suffered. Throughout the season, they lost Johan Franzen,Tomas Holmstrom, Niklas Kronwall , Valtteri Filppula, and others to injury, and they were sorely missed. On the season, only two Wings (Henrik Zetterberg, Pavel Datsyuk) passed the 50 point mark (each with 70), while all other players produced less than 50.
In the past, Detroit has relied upon solid goaltending, strong defense and skilled forwards for success. This year, it’s a bit different. Their starting goaltender going into the playoffs will not be Chris Osgood, but rather Calder nominee Jimmy Howard (37-15-10, .924 SV%, 2.26 GAA). Howard has had an amazing season for the Wings and can be considered a big part of their late season surge and playoff push. However, he will require the Red Wing’s defense to be as strong as ever especially with the offensive shortcomings the wings have faced this year.
Niklas Lidstrom will lead his team into the playoff unknown, and they will have to battle each and every night, giving it their all because for the first time in a while, the Wings aren’t considered locks for the last dance.
