Let me tell you, I was ecstatic that the Wings didn’t matchup against Nashville in round 1 this year. Trotz’ system is bulletproof and so is their 6’5″ goalie, Pekka Rinne. The Wings have also only won two of six against them this year. Sounds like a recipe for a six game defeat if you ask me. But with the Wings’ win today, Nashville matches up against arguable the hottest team in the NHL, the Anaheim Ducks, who won 14 of their last 19 games to push all the way to home ice advantage in round 1
Every season they’re predicted to finish out of the playoffs, and every year they’re somehow in the mix albeit an anemic offense and a roster of players no one has heard of. And every year it seems that they either finish fifth and face a powerhouse or against the team that ends up in the Finals. Take a look at their playoff history since their induction into the league and you won’t really question why they’ve never won a series:
2004: Lost to Detroit, who lead the league with 109 points
2006: Lost to San Jose, who had 99 points
2007: Lost to San Jose, who had 107 points
2008: Lost to Detroit, who lead the league with 115 points and won the Stanley Cup
2010: Lost to Chicago, who won the Stanley Cup