Updated throughout the day with quick takes from staff.
For the Detroit Red Wings, it isn't an idle question.
Consider this: Thanks to recent schedule change, the Red Wings, who clinched their series with the Blackhawks on Wednesday, would have to turn around and face the Penguins in Detroit in Games 1 and 2 of the finals on Saturday and Sunday. They have two days to rest and recover before playing back-to-back games, and that might not be enough for a team that saw Pavel Datsyuk, Nicklas Lidstrom and Kris Draper all miss Game 4 against Chicago -- a 6-1 Red Wings victory -- with injuries.
Lidstrom and Datsyuk did not play in Wednesday's Game 5. Draper is nursing a groin pull. And on Wednesday, defenseman Jonathan Ericsson had his appendix removed.
Meanwhile, after seeing Pittsburgh's efficient 4-1 defeat of Carolina on Tuesday, it's pretty clear the Penguins are riding a wave, and are as healthy as they can reasonably expect to be through three rounds of the playoffs. If they get to enjoy an advantage, it's clear that they've earned it.
Then again, the Red Wings entered Wednesday's game knowing they would play Saturday night — the question was, who would be their opponent? Had they lost Game 5, they would have returned to Chicago for Game 6 of the Western finals.
All things considered, something tells me that the Red Wings would rather have had the Blackhawks out of the way, injuries or not.
This post originally appeared on the Sporting Blog. For more, see The Sporting Blog Archives.
12 comments
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Here it comes, the Bettman conspirists will begin to flood comments about how he wants the Pens to win….he’s secretly phoning the networks (because we all know what kind of clout he has) telling them to delay the games, as well as the refs to make sure that Detroit/Chicago go 7 so the Wings are whooped….
by hockey_eh_721 on May 27, 2009 4:10 PM EDT reply actions
It does not matter- Cindy and the pens touched the Eastern Conf championship trophy- thats a no no- You only touch the Stanley Cup. Watch when the Wings clinch. All kidding aside- I know that betteman does not want to compete with the NBA finals—- but- a Sat /Sun 1st and 2nd game?? Dumb move
by Kwame on May 27, 2009 6:18 PM EDT reply actions
oh my dear lord, they touched the eastern conference trophy. smite them now..
by npcPronk29 on May 27, 2009 7:29 PM EDT reply actions
I hate Bettman
looking forward to a good series
Go Wings!
by Bedheadpimp on May 27, 2009 10:57 PM EDT reply actions
"That would give the Red Wings just two days to rest and recover before playing back-to-back games". Gimme a freakin’ break. This is why the whole world hates the wings and their fans.
by srvadt on May 27, 2009 11:40 PM EDT reply actions
hockey_eh_721 you are exactly right. I was going to write the same thing. I’m sure there will be tons of those idiots complaining about it.
by ACDClivewire on May 28, 2009 12:01 AM EDT reply actions
I don’t think I’m the only one who feels that Dats and Lidstrom were scratched only after the Wings dismantled the Hawks 6-1 without them in the lineup. Why not give them the extra rest, when it’s clear the Hawks are not going to be able to stand in the way of the team, all-stars or no. The Wings injured stars will be ready to go on Saturday, I’d be willing to wager.
by skapanza on May 28, 2009 12:25 AM EDT reply actions
srvadt
QQ
by Bedheadpimp on May 28, 2009 1:41 AM EDT reply actions
Hey srvadt, let me get this straight. The "whole world hates the wings and their fans" because Eric McErlain published this article on SportingNews.com? Help me to understand your thoughts.By the way, I, too, hate Bettman, but I don’t think there is a conspiracy. He’s just not smart enough.
by Sexy Pete on May 28, 2009 2:58 AM EDT reply actions
bettman was just trying to maximize games on NBC… typical weasel Bettman stuff
the pens only have one more day of rest before going into the back-to-back, so they’re not exactly sitting on a beach somewhere sipping mai tais while the wings were going through a 7 game war…
also, the wings have shown they have tons of depth… so injuries to key players like datsyuk and lidstrom (draper too) might be crippling to some teams, but not so to DET when they can just slot someone like valteri filppula into datsyuk’s spot and keep things humming
I definitely think Lidstrom plays game 1, not sure about Datsyuk, but i wouldn’t be surprised if he’s back in either.
Should be a great series… just like last year
by msgg139 on May 28, 2009 10:06 AM EDT reply actions
Wings in 5, Franzen outscores Malkin and Crosby and the Conn Smythe goes to Henrik Zetterberg
by a-roid on May 28, 2009 10:58 AM EDT reply actions
Over/under for the guy being back on the ice playing full speed after his appendix is taken out… 1 game. This goes to 2 weeks if the guy is European and not Canadian.
by L'etat, c'est moi on May 29, 2009 12:12 AM EDT reply actions
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