A little love for the Wings?

[MoTown]

I know that the NHL is considered the Red-Headed Step Child here on WTF, but there have to be a few guys like me who watch most of the Wings games. So, it's time for a Red Wings Appreciation Thread.

These guys are great this year. This is the best team they have had since 2002. They were a damn good team last year, and probably would have won the Cup if not for a bunch of injuries. This year's team is even better:

- We're not even 2/3 of the way through the season, and the next closest team in points is Ottowa, and they have 16 less points.

- The Wings have the most goals scored in the league, and the least goals against.

- Second best PP% in the league.

- They have the best scoring duo in the league with Hank and Pavel.

- Babcock is a hell of a coach.

- Rafalski has been the best pickup of the offseason on any team.

- There is a lot of young talent on this team as well.

- Lidstrom with once again win the Norris.

Playoff time should be fun this year. I fully understand that this thread just jinxed them, but they deserve some love. This team is fun to watch. This is the best chance they have to win the Cup since '02, so enjoy this run.

[MoTown]

I forgot to add the best statistic. Here are the leaders for the NHL in +/-:

1. Nick Lidstrom (DET) 46
2. Pavel Datsyuk (DET) 37
3. Danny Heatley (OTT) 31
4. Hank Zetterberg (DET) 27
5. Brian Rafalski (DET) 23
6. Dan Cleary (DET) 21
7t. Jason Spezza (OTT) 20
7t. Ryan Getzlaf (ANH) 20
9. V. Fillpula (DET) 19
10. D. Alfredsson (OTT) 18

That's fucking domination.

(Lidstrom at +46 with 1/3 of the season still to play is just sick.)
(Kronwall is also in the top 20 of +/-)

[Glenn]

Not to go all negative, but with that kind of domination are we looking at a Patriots-esque disappointment if they don't win the cup?

[MoTown]

I agree with you, but that's the point of this thread. I'm not talking about how great they look in the regular season, these guys are a playoff equipped team. Like I said, they were the best team in the league last year, but got hit hard by the injury bug. It should be a long run as long as the injury bug doesn't return this April.

Stop being so fucking negative. I don't want any constructive critisizm out of you, just play the game and say "WOW THE WINGS ARE SO GOOD!"


I kid.

[Timone]

I agree. I am a HUGE Red Wings fan.

My eyes will be glued to the TV when they get to the Finals this year.

[MoTown]

I made this thread for you, Mailman.

[Timone]

Thanks MoTown.

"The Mailman's Red Wings Thread"??

As I always say though: ain't no thang without them rangs!

[Timone]

My goal here is to get the Red Wings to the level where we actually start OGT threads for them, where someone will do the PBP for those of us without VS (when the game isn't on FSN).

And I won't stop until that happens.

[Jethro34]

I think OST's are certainly order for playoff series. But for many that's when Red Wings season starts.

[WTFchris]

I've watched every game on Versus, NBC or against the avs this year. I really enjoy watching this team (always have, but even moreso now that the young guys have gotten the reins fully). I think they'll make a deep run too, because both Ozzie and Hasek are playing very well, and Detroit has the best group of defenseman by far in the NHL.