Tonight we begin what will hopefully turn out to be a long and deep run in the playoffs. I say that every year, of course. And Dee-troit's run has been deep indeed these last two years, with a Cup in 2008 and a SCF loss in seven games to an undeserving team last year. This year marks the Wings' 19th consecutive appearance in the playoffs... the longest such streak in professional sports... and the first time since 1991 that the Wings open the playoffs on the road.
We're hopeful again this year, what with the Wings being the league's hottest team since the Olympics break... going 16-3-2. But... our first round opponent is the league's second hottest team since the Olympics... the Phoenix Desert Dogs (13-4-2). And strange things happen in the playoffs, especially when the Wings run into a team with a hot goalie. We don't wanna even think about a first round exit. So we won't.
That said, nearly everyone predicts a first-round win for the Wings. Here's what the ESPN guys think:
And the homer columnists in Dee-troit all agree, Detroit will prevail in the first round. After the first round? The Freep sports guys are strangely pessimistic, with Albom predicting a second round exit, Sharp and Rosenberg predicting a loss in the West Final, Sipple with a loss in the SCF, and the eternally-optimistic Helene St. James (bless her heart!) predicting Detroit's 12th Stanley Cup. I'll go on the record as Wings in five. Me and Buccigross.
As for tonight? We will be in front of the teevee over at Buck's house this evening precisely at 2000 hrs (MDT), wearing our Wings jersey with beer in hand. And that might be the BEST part of these 2010 playoffs... Buck and I will get to see at least two games together this year. Good stuff.
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