Round 2: Detroit/SJ: Who you got?

[Qwikflipz]

sharks in 5, is my guess wings aren't even close to being good enought

Nabakov will be fine, and everyone will step it up:P

You don't want a Hawks/Wings match-up again? Well fine!

[cnshockey]

Haha you would say Windsor Spitfire in 4, anyone against the Sharks

I would take Windsor over the Sharks. Taylor Hall would score 5 a game on nabby

[Qwikflipz]

Barrie beat me to it, but I'm also calling Sharks in 6.

I don't trust rookie goalies in the playoffs.... even if they're up against team of choke artists. Detroit has looked old at many points this season.... and as Barrie pointed out - inconsistent against the Coyotes.

The Sharks needed a few games to get warmed up, but played very well, IMO, in the last couple of games vs Colorado. If Heatly / Thornton / Marleau get going (and I have to think they will eventually) they should be able to win this series.

Old? Old enough to win a Cup and be in the last two SCF?

I do not trust rookie goalies either, the reason I am not TOO worried is that Howard got through the pressure of the playoffs and a game 7. He is 2-0-1 (I believe) against the Sharks, and that was with the Grand Rapid Red Wings (so many injuries). I think Detroit could be the favorite, but Howard is a big question mark.

[duwal]

Sharks in 7, Detroit shouldn't have struggled so much in trying to get past the Coyotes

[Rayzorsports]

Sharks in 7, Detroit shouldn't have struggled so much in trying to get past the Coyotes

But the Sharks should have never went to game 6 with Colorado!! Detroit would prob have SWEPT them!! Det in 6!!!

[Brodeur_fan666]

Detroit in 6 ..... where are Heatley Marleau Thornthon when the playoffs begins ?

They're lucky to have Pavelski

[Brodeur_fan666]

I would take Windsor over the Sharks. Taylor Hall would score 5 a game on nabby

Just like Samuelsson on Quick

[Drifter2000]

But the Sharks should have never went to game 6 with Colorado!! Detroit would prob have SWEPT them!! Det in 6!!!

Quoted for emphasis.

It makes me sad to see people compare Colorado to Phoenix here. The Coyotes played a very structured system of hockey all season long. They didn't finish with home ice advantage by accident people. You don't fluke out and finish with over 100 points in the West; it just doesn't happen.

By comparison the Avalanche really struggled down the stretch, after a strong start.

Jimmy Howard is a rookie, Nabby is a veteran without a very stellar performance in "clutch" situations. There's question marks all over the goaltending in this series.

Not to take anything away from any teams I've mentioned here. San Jose just has a lot to prove. They didn't dominate a series against an inexperienced team; when they really should have given the personnel they have. The Red Wings had a hard time playing against a structured team that was consistent all season.

Factor in Detroit's experience, players with proven playoff records, amd players who sat out injured so they're rested; I'm giving the edge to Detroit here. Maybe I'm wrong though; I did pick Buffalo over Boston lol.

[mugatu471]

Drifter couldn't have said it better.

[Qwikflipz]

I think people look at stats way too much. Just because Detroit is the 5th seed doesn't mean anything. If there was one team Detroit wanted to meet in the first round, it was SJ, because the match-ups. You won't see SJ get 50 shots on Howard, 30 maybe. Is Pittsburgh the fourth best team in the East? NO! They are probably the best in the East because they match-up well come playoff time. There is a reason why these two things have won the last two Cups against each other. If Detroit loses this series, it will be because of Howard.