Red Wings 1st round

With only four games left in the regular season one question comes to mind, who will the Wings play in the 1st round: St. Louis, Anaheim or Nashville?

One team raises more concern then any other, Anaheim. The Ducks have always given the Wings a hard time and if Detroit faces them, things are likely to get ruff.

The Ducks have a defensive pair that matches Detroit’s very own Nicklas Lidstrom and Brain Rafalski; they have Chris Pronger and Scott Niedermayer.

Pronger is a powerhouse when it comes to defense. He has the muscle and stamina of a 20 year old and plays his heart out every night. Pronger has earned the A on his chest and it skills show. He has 48 points this season and is showing no signs of slowing down.

Pronger is dangerous he was a key in not only a key player in Anaheim’s playoff run but in Edmonton’s. He plays his “A game” when playoffs start, Pronger plays physical.

The other problem that Anaheim has is its captain, Scott Niedermayer. He came in when the Ducks needed him most. Anaheim lost a majority of its 2003 Stanley Cup Final team and needed a fresh team, a new captain.

That is when Niedermayer came and his presence was felt. He became the face of the franchise and was a key player in helping Anaheim win its first Stanley Cup.

Niedermayer is a team player; he has the experience and skills to back it. It is a little ironic that he is playing for the team that he narrowly beat in 2003, but none the less, he is dangerous. Niedermayer is not afraid of putting his body in front of the puck and not many 35 year olds can still do that.

The last issue Anaheim provides is its goalie, Jean-Sebastien Giguere. Red Wing fans have not forgotten the trouble he caused back in 2003. His skills are amazing and although his 2009 GAA is 3.12, he is still a good goalie.

Will the Wings offensive be able to get past Anaheim’s defense? Will Osgood be able to lead the team to another Stanley Cup, only time will tell but, hopefully, things will not end up like they did in 2003, in defeat?