Kind of quick, slap-and-dash post here, since I’m at home for lunch, but I need to run back in time for a 1pm meeting.

For the first time in 10 years, the Red Wings are starting the playoffs on the road, rather than in the friendly confines of the Joe Louis Arena.  Instead they’ll be at Jobing.com Arena (winner of the worst arena name possible) in Phoenix.

But we all know that in Phoenix, when the Wings come to town, it might as well be a home game.  I know there are some calling for Wings fans to “stay away” but they can shove it.  I’ll be looking for Serven, Bingo Bango Jessie, and Sullyosis to be proudly sporting the red and carrying the flag for the Wings tonight.

Starting on the road will not be the only difference this year.  Last year we all wondered if the Wings, specifically Chris Osgood, could flip the switch and play like the team that won 2 years ago.  This year the Wings had a monster post-Olympic season, and are on a roll.  They haven’t relaxed, sitting pretty on top of the division, resting their stars in preparation.  They’ve been pushing their way up the standings, fighting for their playoff lives, and playing what are essentially Game 7 situations every night.  I like it.  I like that they’re ready for what’s to come, and that they’ve had a certain level of intensity up to this point.  I like that they won’t have to flip the switch from completely dark to on.  They should be warmed up, and ready to gun it tonight when the puck drops.

James Tiberius Howard has never seen a second of Stanley Cup Playoff ice time in his life.  He will be up against Ilya Bryzgaloz, who has played 16 career SCP games with the Ducks in 06 and 07.  I’ll freely admit that I’m more worried about Bryzgalov than I would have been about the Wings facing Luongo.  I think he could steal a few games if the Wings aren’t careful, don’t drive the net, and aren’t all over him with Homer’s ass parked directly in front.

Going back to the Golden Boy for a moment, he’s exhibited remarkable poise this season.  I know, I know, he’s 25, but he’s still a rookie, especially when it comes to post-season play.  Can he keep up his solid play and not have a crisis or a meltdown under the pressure?  I’m interested to see what sort of leeway Babcock gives him if he does.  Osgood, afterall, has been relegated to a statboy, more or less, charting faceoffs more than he actually sees minutes on the ice.  This is Howard’s time to become the Red Wings goaltender, and make it his team.

Other players I’m looking at to have a strong series:
Pavel Datsyuk, after something of a disappearance last year due to injury.
Johan Franzen for his absolutely clutch playoff performances.
Tomas Holmstrom will be key in terms of getting to his office and driving Bryzgalov nuts.
Todd Bertuzzi, please remind us why Ken Holland thought it was a good idea to sign you.

The Wings will need secondary scoring IN ADDITION to production from the top lines with Datsyuk and Zetterberg.  Clearly, this is stating the obvious, but guys who are being paid to chip in a few goals need to actually do that.  These include Williams, Bertuzzi, Filppula, Cleary, and maybe Eaves.

Also?  Big Rig Jonathan Ericsson.  Everyone gushed over him after his playoff performance last year, and he’s had a rocky regular season.  I want to see him channel some of that awesomeness and play like the defenseman we saw back then.

Ultimately, I just want to see a cohesive team, where the parts all work together smoothly rather than a bunch of jumbled lines and parts and pieces doing things on their own.  Bring it, boys.

Let’s Go Red Wings.

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