First Round Matchup

[markrucker]

As the forum from what I can tell is split, figured I would start up a poll.   After the Blues-Avs game tomorrow afternoon, we will know who our opponent will be.  Will it be the Team Up North (Detroit) or Vancouver?

[Nate]

I'd prefer Vancouver. 

[markrucker]

Can't tell we thought a like on the polls...

[Nate]

   Funny how that happens!

[CBJfan14]

i have mixed feeling on this one.   i went with vancouver... but there are reasons that i want both teams.

if we play Detroit, traveling is not a factor. we ALWAYS seem to play terrible when we travel out west... we woudlnt have to do that if we get Detroit. another reason detroit would be nice is not having to face LUONGO! that guy scares me.

Vancouver's offense is nowhere near Detroit's though... and that is big.

i dont think i will be disappointed either way. there are positives in both matchups.

[CHUNKBOX]

see im on the other side of that... i think the canucks are maybe a little more dangerous... with detroit you know if you can handle dats and zett and hossa theres only a few other guys usually who can hurt ya ...   

with the canucks theres the sedins sisters , sundin , burrows , and kesler... i dont know ( not to mention luongo ) who seems to be back to his old self ( yikes ) ...

i think both would be tough but if i were to pin our chances on one i would choose det

[firefly118]

The season was split overall between the two teams, actually we won against the Nucks, but if you look deeper.

We were 3-1 against the Nucks this year and 3-3 against the Wings.  We were 2-0 @ home and 1-1 away vs Vancover.  We went 2-1 @ home and 1-2 vs the Wings.  We outscored the Nucks, but only 14 to 12 and we got outscored by the Wings 17 to 18 and that included two games we went scoreless.  We went to O.T once against each team, and won both.  What does all that mean, who the heck knows, but after weighing it, one would think we would have a better shot against the Nucks.

Even though I have said Detroit would be a better match up, the numbers don't really show it!  I am not sure the #'s mean anything now, its the playoffs, lets just play hard

[jackets 4 life]

I think our d scares me more than detroit's o, in a bad way. We were awful last night.
I don't want us to have to travel across the country.
At any rate, our PK will have to be good and our guys can't take dumb penalties like last night.
I want Detroit!

[JacketsFan19]

One of our wins against Detroit (Nash's hat trick with the OT winner) was also when they were missing Lidstrom and another player (I think Datsyuk), due to suspension and Zetterberg got hurt in the first and missed the rest of the game, just FWIW.  I know from a goaltending standpoint, Vancouver >>>>>>>>>> Detroit, but just looking at their records on the year, their rosters overall, Detroit's playoff history, our record against both teams this year, etc, I'd rather take our chances with the Nucks than the Wings.

[markrucker]

My vote was already for Vancouver.  I like our chances better against Vancouver, plus there would still be a chance for home ice during the playoffs in the second round if upset happened all around.  Plus I wouldn't mind avoiding Chicago or Calgary for another round guaranteed.

[CBJfan14]

not sure why you want to avoid Chicago... of the 8 teams in the playoffs from the West, i think Chicago would be the team i would pick to play.

[markrucker]

not sure why you want to avoid Chicago... of the 8 teams in the playoffs from the West, i think Chicago would be the team i would pick to play.

Most likely we wouldn't see them till the final anyway, would rather pick them off last and let them get roughed up by Calgary and possibly Detroit(if they would win) before having to see us

[CBJfan14]

true...  but i'm just thinking more along the lines of an easier matchup for us early on.

[CBJfan14]

StL up 1-0 after 1.

[dharker]

1-0 after 2