2007 Playoffs Round 2 - Wings vs. Sharks

Here's the Round 2 schedule:

• Gm 1: Thursday at Detroit, 7:30, Versus
• Gm 2: Saturday at Detroit, 3 p.m., NBC
• Gm 3: Monday at San Jose, 10 p.m., Versus
• Gm 4: Wednesday, May 2 at San Jose, 10 p.m., Versus
• Gm 5: Saturday, May 5 at Detroit, 2 p.m., NBC
• Gm 6: Monday, May 7 at San Jose, TBD, Versus
• Gm 7: Wednesday, May 9 at Detroit, TBD, Versus

So, it is all decided. Dallas would not oblige and got kicked out of this year's playoffs leaving Detroit to face the dreaded Sharks. Wings struggled against Sharks this year, especially on penalty kill. They will have to stay out of the penalty box to have a chance in this one. Most of the sports writers don't give Detroit a snowball's chance in hell of beating the San Jose team. But I think it is the same as it was in the first round. Now we know they can do it, and the Wings know it as well. They are through the first round proving that they can be just as physical as the other team, maybe even more so.

Other things to ponder. Looks like we may be getting this series going without Holmstrom (eye injury) and Lebda (knee + concussion) in addition to Kronwall who went down even before the playoffs began. Quincy, who was called up for the final Calgary game, didn't look out of place and logged quite a bit of ice time.

If Holmstrom can't go, we'll have Hudler and Calder both in the lineup for game 1 since one of them was scratched in the past couple of games.
This is going to be a very tough series.

Go WINGS!!!

I think Joey MacDonald played goal in one of those blowout games.

I'm not scared of those punks. The Winged Wheel is starting to roll.

If I remember correctly Hasek was in during that 9-4 beatdown. We shouldn't be scared, just need to stay out of penalty box and keep up the same physical play we've held against Calgary. I am worried more about this being a long physical series and Anaheim having somewhat easier time with Vancouver. At least SJ is not a dirty team like Nashville and Calgary, although quite as physical.

Here's the Round 2 schedule:
Gm 1: Thursday at Detroit, 7:30, Versus
Gm 2: Saturday at Detroit, 3 p.m., NBC
Gm 3: Monday at San Jose, 10 p.m., Versus
Gm 4: Wednesday, May 2 at San Jose, 10 p.m., Versus
Gm 5: Saturday, May 5 at Detroit, 2 p.m., NBC
Gm 6: Monday, May 7 at San Jose, TBD, Versus Gm 7: Wednesday, May 9 at Detroit, TBD, Versus

PREDICTIONS FROM NBC'S NHL BROADCASTERS:

We know how close they came on their first round predictions. So take it for whatever it's worth.

Nabokov had pretty strong round 1 and they believe that he is their #1 goaltender. That guy is not soft, it's just that SJ hasn't had much success against the Wings in the regular season in their history until this year. They, however, beat us in the playoffs, long time ago when Larionov was still with them.

5 Sharks to watch

FACEOFF: JOHN NIYO SCOUTS WINGS-SHARKS SERIES

I don't think that's what Wings were hoping for - being 2:0 with only 10 minutes gone in the 1st. Timeout by Babcock.

Our penalty killing is atrocious. That's the only thing that kept Calgary in the series, and now SJ scores on their first power play. Wings have all the talent in the world. Why can't they kill penalties? Anything to do with coaching? I love Babcock, but this?

This is going to be a tough hole to climb out of. They need to play better than this game ( if that's even possible). Lang needs to step up, not sure what's wrong with that guy. We miss Holmstrom, and SJ is just very big, skilled, and fast. Where did all the offense go? This series is far from over, but it will be tough and I'm not sure that Wings can get it done at this point.

LET'S GO MIGHTY MIGHTY WINGS!