Red Wings, D-Mac, and Playoff Hockey?

Is anyone doubtinng we're about to start the best 2 months of the year?





I'm a Red Wings fan, but even if you're just a fan of hockey in general, you've got to appreciate the perfect storm that's brewing.





Darren McCarty, who has contributed to some of the most epic of events in recent Red Wings history (see 1997 brawl with Colorado for one that'll get you oddly aroused), will be suiting up again for the Wings this Friday. His first time since 2004. I know he's a bit older and probably not as fit as before, but I'm dying to see the emotion he's going to bring.





We're a couple weeks out from the start of the greatest sporting event in the world (it's an opinion, so don't bother trying to convince me I'm wrong), PLAYOFF HOCKEY! Not only that, but it's very possible that the Wings will pull Colorado in the first round. And if you've been following this year, Colorado has been reaquiring some familiar faces from back in the heat of the rivalry.





WHO ELSE IS FEELING THIS?

Red Wings, D-Mac, and Playoff Hockey?
Can't agree with you more





Even if Mac doesn't bring goals, he'll bring emotion, and at a perfect time, right at the end of the season/start of the playoffs. I doubt he can do worse than Drake or Downey, and all of the Injury's they have are coming back right during the beginning of the playoffs (hopefully Holmstrom), I can't wait to see him out tommorrow. I think Wings will play better than ever now
Reply:I am feeling that I better get all my ducks in a row and make sure all my red underwear and red socks are clean so I don't jinx them by wearing the wrong color.
Reply:The rivalry will be more heated, but cannot come close to what it used to be...
Reply:It will be interesting to see what unfolds. I love Darren McCarty. I hope he has what it takes to contribute to the team - Ken Holland seems to think so - and he's done really very well in the IHL and AHL. We can't look at the past to predict how well he will do - but here's hoping.
Reply:Although I like McCarty, and I am glad he's getting a shot - and seeing one of the original Grind Lines together will be great - I'm only so-so about whether he';ll be a contributor. if he can play smart (not always his strongest trait) he can be helpful, but I am a little concerned he'll do some dumb things.





As to the Wings "needing" him to make a run - no, that's not the case. They think he can help, but I wouldn't consider him essential to the mix.





Essential (in no particular order):





Osgood (Hasek can't take the pace this year)


Kronwall (slump started when he left,ended when he returned)


Lidstrom


Datsyuk (best stick-handler in the NHL, bar none)


Zetterberg


Draper





One of these guys go down, the team suffers a lot. If they lose two or more, BIG trouble.
Reply:THE REDWINGS ARE AMAZING!!!! UNSTOPPABLE!!!!


THEY'RE WINNING THE STANLEY CUP!!!!!!!!!!!
Reply:Right here, Die hard wings fan. I know that McCarty is suiting up, he was supposed to play at the beggining of the season but had broken ribs. Also Thomas Holmstroms injury(what the trainers are calling a "sports hernia" is healing slowly unfortunatly and is said to most likely miss the rest of the season and some playoff games(possibly playoffs, unknown at the moment)


Right now were on a rollw with our last 10 games being 8-2-0.


We're on a roll which is great heading into the playoffs and with McCarty back against St. Louis is going to be a thriller to watch.


Hopefully they play him because I don't think they know if he can take checks and skate for long periods of time without having his ribs hurt.


Hopefully he'll be 100% which he has told the owner and trainer he is.


Which I figure for the cup it will be the Red Wings vs Montreal and we'll win in 7.
Reply:Im right there with you man. I loved the energy McCarty brought to the ice when he used to be with the Wings and they are in desperate need of that again. McCarty is going to be the spark that propels the Wings deep into the playoffs.
Reply:GO WINGS
Reply:Let the playoffs begin!





The Red Wings NEED McCarty if they want to make a serious run at the Stanley Cup. Chances are they'll face San Jose or Anaheim (or both) and they'll have to dish it out as well as they take it against the Ducks and the Sharks. The Wings demonstrated down the stretch last year that playing Euro-style speed hockey isn't enough. They need to come out hitting, and McCarty is one of the few Wings players that has the size and the tenacity to really lay it on. I'm secretly hoping that The Grind Line will be reunited.





Let's all hope they bench Hasek and go with Osgood for the playoffs. The Dumb-inator is past it -- he should have gotten out of the game permanently back in 2002. The Ozz-Man had a slump for a while, but now he's right back on top of his game. The Wings need a solid goaltender, not a snow-angel.





P.S.: Nashville is digging in and making a run at that Number Eight spot -- still too early to tell, but I wouldn't be surprised if Colorado gets bumped and the Predators face the Wings in the first round.





P.P.S.: Doesn't Moose have the coolest Avatar?