Red Wings vs. Coyotes; Game 1 Preview

This time last year, another young team surprisingly qualified for the playoffs and met a much more experienced Detroit team in the first round. The result was not good for Columbus, as they were comprehensively swept in one of the more lop-sided series' in recent memory.

Fast-forward 12 months and Detroit's team, whilst having to wear some significant losses to free agency, seems just as dangerous as the one that swept the Blue Jackets, but this time it's the 'Yotes.

The season series with the Coyotes was split down the middle, with Detroit's wins being in regulation and both Phoenix's in overtime. Both teams took a win at home and on the road.

Phoenix has probably been the biggest shock of the season, finishing 3rd overall in points in the West, and taking full advantage of the much-criticized shootout, with 14 of their 50 wins this season coming after a 65-minute stalemate.

Luckily for Detroit, there are no shootouts in the playoffs. Despite the obvious talent on the roster, the Wings had a very difficult time getting the extra point after OT and will be happy to have seen the last of them for now, particularly given Phoenix's dominance in that category.

The goaltending for both teams have been probably the most consistent positive of the season, with both Ilya Bryzgalov and Jimmy Howard both making the strongest cases for MVP of their respective clubs.