It is almost halfway through the 2011-12 NHL season. One of the big questions, do the Detroit Red Wings have another Stanley Cup run in them. They certainly have all the tools. Anyone who knows anything about hockey understands how grueling the Stanley Cup playoffs are. That is the reason why the trophy is the most coveted trophy in sports.

The Detroit Red Wings have all the tools for a long playoff run. They have one of the top goaltenders in the league, playmakers that can put the goal in the back of the net, and a solid defensive core. Everyone knows that you can ride a hot goalie for a long way, much as Anaheim did a few years ago with Giguere. I think that Jimmy Howard has learned a lot over the last two years and is capable of giving them that deep run. He looks very comfortable in goal and has kept them in many games this year.

I think the biggest reason why Detroit could be knocked out of the playoffs before they reach the Stanley Cup, is their defense. In the past, a bigger team has been able to push Detroit around. Mike Commodore will help a little bit since he is 6’5″ and 228lbs. The defense has to do a much better job of clearing the puck out of their zone and stop turning it over allowing odd man rushes.

Detroit’s forwards are good and very capable of scoring many goals. They are getting a little long in the tooth and cannot afford any major injuries. When you have players like Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg, you have a chance for something special. The rookies need to play like veterans. They have to provide five or six good minutes each game and not make any huge mistakes.

So far this season the Detroit Red Wings have not been very good on the road. To win the Stanley Cup you have to win on the road. The most likely scenario will have Detroit playing in at least one series where they do not have home ice advantage. Because Detroit is in the Western Conference, they are going to get a lot of traveling under their belt. These types of road trips can take a toll on older teams like Detroit.

For Detroit to bring the cup back to Hockey Town, they are going to need some luck. The puck needs to bounce their way, they cannot have major injuries, and Howard has to stay hot. The playoffs will be fun to watch.