What the Hell Is Happening with the Red Wings?

Look up Jimmy Howard's performance last night against the Oilers. Conveniently, the Pensblog added commentary.

I took the liberty of looking up some stats for the Wings, thinking they couldn't be as bad as their 4-7 record. However, it looks like they are. Osgood and Howard rank 30th or worse in the league in both GAA and SP. Detroit has given up 41 goals, good for tying for 2nd worst in the league, although Edmonton has played one more game. LA is one of the worse teams with 42 GA, but they've played 3 more than the Red Wings. Toronto is... Toronto.

If the Wings can't play D well, what can they do? Score? They're in the middle of scoring prowess, but they're out Filpulla (broken wrist) and Johan Franzen (Bear AIDS). Combined with the players they lost abroad and to free agency last season, where are the goals to counterbalance the shoddy goaltending/defense going to come from? I believe the Wings make the playoffs every year until proven otherwise, but seeing them without home ice in the first round would be incredibly weird.

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This is something that's been discussed in Pittsburgh lately: the talk of being like the '84 Oilers. Winning the Cup has already accomplished at least the superficial portion of the comparison. But the alternate theory seems far more credible - the Penguins are the new Red Wings.

Under Bylsma, individual talents have still been able to succeed, but if you don't think the new Pens are all about team play and getting the win, no matter how dirty, you're delusional. Tight-checking, swarming, (during the playoffs, especially with Gill) borderline interfering style of play? Check. Reliable goaltender with an excellent defense around him? Check. 1 or 2 year rentals alongside stars with long term contracts? Check again. Stanley Cup season followed by regular season dominance? Check and mate.

And while Pens fans hate the Red Wings, is there a team you'd rather be in the modern NHL? The Devils always do better than expected in the regular season, then fold under pressure in the playoffs. The Avs haven't been a threat for like 8 years, though they're off to a great start in this one. The Ducks are a mess right now. Those are the only 3 teams that even approached dynasty in the last 15 years. Red Wings after the lockout:

05-06: Lost in 1st round to 8th seeded Edmonton
06-07: Lost in conference finals to eventual champion Anaheim
07-08: Won Stanley Cup
08-09: Lost in Stanley Cup finals

That's 9 playoff round wins in 4 years. The Penguins have 7, the Hurricanes have 6, the Ducks have 5, and Buffalo has 4. Those are the only other playoff teams even worth mentioning since the lockout. Teams could do far worse than being the Red Wings.

- Matt