Over on Puck Daddy's blog today they pose the question about the shootout becoming an "all-star" affair. The idea is that fans don't want to see the 3rd and 4th line grinders participating in the shootout, instead they want to see the Crosby's, Ovechkin's, Malkin's, and Heatley's of the world shooting round after round. While I think that this would be interesting for fans of purely unabashed scoring and flashy stick work, I think that there is a much better, strategic approach that could be employed. So without further adieu here is my proposed changes to the shootout format.
Why do I think that this would be helpful?
First, a 5 round shootout is better than a 3 round shootout from a fan's perspective (Ideally, I would like to see no shootout at all and just a 10 minute 4-on-4 overtime period and then a tie if no winner prevails). Second, setting the roster before each game forces coaches to play strategy against each other much like in baseball; it makes no sense to have your superstar center shooting against a goaltender he's absolutely terrible against. Third, coaches can use it as incentive for their younger players or call-ups to play hard to make the "shootout roster". Think about the hype that comes when Ovechkin or Malkin or Crosby or Nash score an amazing shootout goal, now think about how important that publicity would be to a young future star who wants to solidify their position on the starting roster for the season. Finally, it would be nice for fan's to know who was going to be in the shootout before each game that way they could make signs or trash-talk each other.
"As they seemingly do every year, as the days grow long and the air warms, the Red Wings offer an example of excellence from the city, a whip smart, powerfully efficient winning organization in a region too often criticized (often unfairly) for being just the opposite."
http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/news;_ylt=AmVuVG3z1Im5SGXKSp6pc885nYcB?slug=dw-wi...
A nice little piece about the best post-season team in all of sports. When people who don't know much about hockey ask me about the Red Wings I always compare them to the New England Patriots in the sense that they know how to develop players and play by the salary cap rules to fill in as much talent as possible. I think it is also a great testament to the franchise that you can go from a HoF coach like Scotty Bowman to Mike Babcock and still have just as much success.
Detroit Red Wings playoff history
Playoff Appearances: 58 Overall Playoff Record: 289-254-1 Stanley Cup Championships: 2008, 2002, 1998, 1997, 1955, 1954, 1952, 1950, 1943, 1937, 1936 2009 -- defeated Columbus, 4-0, Western Conf. quarterfinals vs. Anaheim in Western Conf. semifinals 2008 -- defeated Nashville, 4-2, Western Conf. quarterfinals defeated Colorado, 4-0, Western Conf. semifinals defeated Dallas, 4-2, Western Conf. finals defeated Pittsburgh, 4-2, Stanley Cup Finals 2007 -- defeated Calgary, 4-2, Western Conf. quarterfinals defeated San Jose, 4-2, Western Conf. semifinals lost to Anaheim, 4-2, Western Conf. finals 2006 -- lost to Edmonton, 4-2, Western Conf. quarterfinals 2004 -- defeated Nashville, 4-2, Western Conf. quarterfinals -- lost to Calgary, 4-2, Western Conf. semifinals 2003 -- lost to Anaheim, 4-0, Western Conf. quarterfinals 2002 -- defeated Vancouver, 4-2, Western Conf. quarterfinals defeated St. Louis, 4-1, Western Conf. semifinals defeated Colorado, 4-3, Western Conf. finals defeated Carolina, 4-1, Stanley Cup Finals 2001 -- lost to Los Angeles, 4-2, Western Conf. quarterfinals 2000 -- defeated Los Angeles, 4-0, Western Conf. quarterfinals lost to Colorado, 4-1, Western Conf. semifinals 1999 -- defeated Anaheim, 4-0, Western Conf. quarterfinals lost to Colorado, 4-2, Western Conf. semifinals 1998 -- defeated Phoenix, 4-2, Western Conf. quarterfinals defeated St. Louis, 4-2, Western Conf. semifinals defeated Dallas, 4-2, Western Conf. finals defeated Washington, 4-0, Stanley Cup Finals 1997 -- defeated St. Louis, 4-2, Western Conf. quarterfinals defeated Anaheim, 4-0, Western Conf. semifinals defeated Colorado, 4-2, Western Conf. finals defeated Philadelphia, 4-0, Stanley Cup Finals 1996 -- defeated Winnipeg, 4-2, Western Conf. quarterfinals defeated St. Louis, 4-3, Western Conf. semifinals lost to Colorado, 4-2, Western Conf. finals 1995 -- defeated Dallas, 4-0, Western Conf. quarterfinals defeated San Jose, 4-1, Western Conf. semifinals defeated Chicago, 4-1, Western Conf. finals lost to New Jersey, 4-0, Stanley Cup Finals 1994 -- lost to San Jose, 4-3, Western Conf. quarterfinals 1993 -- lost to Toronto, 4-3, Western Conf. quarterfinals 1992 -- defeated Minnesota, 4-3, Norris Division semifinals lost to Chicago, 4-0, Norris Division finals 1991 -- lost to St. Louis, 4-3, Norris Division semifinals 1989 -- lost to Chicago, 4-2, Norris Division semifinals 1988 -- defeated Toronto, 4-2, Norris Division semifinals defeated St. Louis, 4-1, Norris Division finals lost to Edmonton, 4-1, Campbell Conference finals 1987 -- defeated Chicago, 4-0, Norris Division semifinals defeated Toronto, 4-3, Norris Division finals lost to Edmonton, 4-1, Campbell Conference finals 1985 -- lost to Chicago, 3-0, Norris Division semifinals 1984 -- lost to St. Louis, 3-1, preliminary round 1978 -- defeated Atlanta, 2-0, preliminary round lost to Montreal, 4-1, quartefinals 1970 -- lost to Chicago, 4-0, quarterfinals 1966 -- defeated Chicago, 4-2, semifinals lost to Montreal, 4-2, Stanley Cup Finals 1965 -- lost to Chicago, 4-3, semifinals 1964 -- defeated Chicago, 4-3, semifinals lost to Toronto, 4-3, Stanley Cup Finals 1963 -- defeated Chicago, 4-2, semifinals lost to Toronto, 4-1, Stanley Cup Finals 1961 -- defeated Toronto, 4-1, semifinals lost to Chicago, 4-2, Stanley Cup Finals 1960 -- lost to Toronto, 4-2, semifinals 1958 -- lost to Montreal, 4-0, semifinals 1957 -- lost to Boston, 4-1, semifinals 1956 -- defeated Toronto, 4-1, semifinals lost to Montreal, 4-1, Stanley Cup Finals 1955 -- defeated Toronto, 4-0, semifinals defeated Montreal, 4-3, Stanley Cup Finals 1954 -- defeated Toronto, 4-1, semifinals defeated Montreal, 4-3, Stanley Cup Finals 1953 -- lost to Boston, 4-2, semifinals 1952 -- defeated Toronto, 4-0, semifinals defeated Montreal, 4-0, Stanley Cup Finals 1951 -- lost to Montreal, 4-2, semifinals 1950 -- defeated Toronto, 4-3, semifinals defeated N.Y. Rangers, 4-3, Stanley Cup Finals 1949 -- defeated Montreal, 4-3, semifinals lost to Toronto, 4-0, Stanley Cup Finals 1948 -- defeated N.Y. Rangers, 4-2, semifinals lost to Toronto, 4-0, Stanley Cup Finals 1947 -- lost to Toronto, 4-1 semifinals 1946 -- lost to Boston, 4-1, semifinals 1945 -- defeated Boston, 4-3, semifinals lost to Toronto, 4-3, Stanley Cup Finals 1944 -- lost to Chicago, 4-1, semifinals 1943 -- defeated Toronto, 4-2, semifinals defeated Boston, 4-0, Stanley Cup Finals 1942 -- defeated Boston, 2-0, quarterfinals defeated Montreal, 3-1, semifinals lost to Toronto, 4-3, Stanley Cup Finals 1941 -- defeated N.Y. Rangers, 2-1, quarterfinals defeated Chicago, 2-0, semifinals lost to Boston, 4-0, Stanley Cup Finals 1940 -- defeated N.Y. Americans, 2-1, quarterfinals lost to Toronto, 2-0, semifinals 1939 -- defeated Montreal, 2-1, quarterfinals lost to Toronto, 2-1, semifinals 1937 -- defeated Montreal, 3-2, semifinals defeated N.Y. Rangers, 3-2, Stanley Cup Finals 1936 -- defeated Montreal Maroons, 3-0, semifinals defeated Toronto, 3-1, Stanley Cup Finals 1934 -- defeated Toronto, 3-2, semifinals lost to Chicago, 3-1, Stanley Cup Finals 1933 -- defeated Montreal Maroons, 5-2, in total goals, quarterfinals lost to N.Y. Rangers, 6-3, in total goals, semifinals 1932 -- lost to Montreal Maroons, 3-1, in total goals, semifinals 1929 -- lost to Toronto, 7-2, in total goals, quarterfinals
A little Red Wings playoff history for those of you that need to brush up or for Ducks fans who need to be informed of what they're up against!
Big Dubya today for the Wings, it was good to see a little pep in their step throughout most of the game. And how about Helm, he's gonna be a superstar if he keeps this up! GO WINGS!
This is just incredible. Gotta love what the Google employees get as benefits, cool private concerts and fridges full of beer!
Wow, didn't see this one coming. I guess it's tough seeing your old team surging into the playoffs while you look across the locker room and see Sean Avery's glowing face. When he and Bertuzzi were in their prime the Canucks were a fun team to watch. Thanks for a good career Naslund, good luck on the golf course!
Favre to the Vikes? Shoulda happened last year instead of the whole Jets debacle but the Packers didn't want to compete against him in the division. I'm not sure if Sage Rosenfels is "the answer" at QB but i would take anybody over Tavaris Jackson and his all filler no killer attitude.
So when playoff season came rolling around (a.k.a my favorite time of the year) I was really hoping that we wouldn't have to play Anaheim in the opening round. They are a very good team and in a fairly competitive division, especially when compared to the inflated numbers that Caps were rolling into the playoffs with. And once again they proved to knock out the ever-reliable and o-so-consistent first round dropouts the Sharks.
But this second round matchup is going to be an interesting one. Once again it all comes down to defense and goaltending. Osgood vs. Hiller, Rafalski vs. Pronger, Lidstrom vs. Niedermeyer. We all know these two teams can score goals, I mean c'mon they're riddled with future hall of famer's but it should be interesting to see who jumps out of the gate and sets the tone with regards to physicality and time of possession. My Red Wing's are going to have to get under Pronger's skin and draw some misconduct-worthy penalties to expose some holes in that iron defensive wall.
We hold the lead in the regular season series but just ask the Sharks, this is the playoffs and anything can happen. I predict the winner of this series wins it all.
GO WINGS!
