NHL playoff picks: Freep writers split on Red Wings-Lightning – Detroit Free Press
Five Free Press sports writers make their predictions for the Red Wings and the NHL playoffs:
Mitch Albom
Will the Wings win this series? No. It’s great the streak continued, but it doesn’t bode well that the last two regular-season games were losses, even when the Wings were determined to win. The Lightning without Stamkos is still pretty tough and has muscle memory from last year’s Cup final.
How far will the Wings go? Six games, and a learning experience for Jeff Blashill and the young guns.
Cup finals pick: Capitals over Stars in six.
Jeff Seidel
Will the Wings win this series? Yes. It was a fascinating, tight series last year. This time, the Lightning has too many injuries. Wings in seven.
How far will the Wings go? The Wings’ season will end in the second round because this team just has too many flaws. Good-bye, Pavel.
Cup finals pick: Capitals over Blues in six.
Drew Sharp
Will the Wings win this series? Yes. They win in six. They’re due for an early-series win, especially considering Tampa Bay won’t have Steven Stamkos and Anton Stralman. Lose this series and the Wings have some truly serious issues.
How far will the Wings go? They fall in the second round, keeping alive another streak — seven straight years without advancing beyond the second round.
Cup finals pick: Stars over Penguins in five.
George Sipple
Will the Wings win this series? No. It wouldn’t be a shocker if the Wings advanced to the next round, given that the Lightning is without Steven Stamkos. But the Wings’ recent play doesn’t inspire much confidence.
How far will the Wings go? They’ll be lucky to push the Lightning to seven games. This series likely will be remembered as Pavel Datsyuk’s last run with the Wings.
Cup finals pick: Ducks over Penguins in six.
Helene St. James
Will the Wings win this series? Yes, if they play to their abilities and take care of the puck. The Lightning has significant injuries, and it’s on the Wings to use that to their advantage.
How far will the Wings go? A second round against the Panthers or Islanders would be winnable by the Wings. I don’t see them getting past a conference final.
Cup finals pick: I picked Anaheim in October and am sticking with the Ducks over the Capitals.
Download our Red Wings Xtra app on Apple and Android!
More Red Wings playoff coverage
