I wouldnt be surprised to see Smith get inserted into the lineup at some point, but I'd feel better with Kindl playing over the useless turnover machine known as Salei.
Detroit in 6.
I don't know how a team like Phx gets into the playoffs with rubbish like Fiddler and Stempniak playing a key role.
They're obviously well-coached.
Detroit got the best possible draw here (except, maybe LA, without Kopitar).
That said, any team with Shane Doan as captain is going to make you earn it. Guys like Doan, Hanzal, Upshall and Pyatt are going to be handfuls and our defense better be ready to get hit.
Their D, meanwhile, has a pretty nice mix of vets and youngsters. Outside of Yandle, though, nobody is a big producer. Strange how far Adrian Aucoin's numbers have fallen.
Detroit in 6.
I don't know how a team like Phx gets into the playoffs with rubbish like Fiddler and Stempniak playing a key role.
They're obviously well-coached.
Detroit got the best possible draw here (except, maybe LA, without Kopitar).
That said, any team with Shane Doan as captain is going to make you earn it. Guys like Doan, Hanzal, Upshall and Pyatt are going to be handfuls and our defense better be ready to get hit.
Their D, meanwhile, has a pretty nice mix of vets and youngsters. Outside of Yandle, though, nobody is a big producer. Strange how far Adrian Aucoin's numbers have fallen.
You pretty much summed it up. I do not feel like there's more to say.
Good post.
Detroit in 6.
I don't know how a team like Phx gets into the playoffs with rubbish like Fiddler and Stempniak playing a key role.
They're obviously well-coached.
Detroit got the best possible draw here (except, maybe LA, without Kopitar).
That said, any team with Shane Doan as captain is going to make you earn it. Guys like Doan, Hanzal, Upshall and Pyatt are going to be handfuls and our defense better be ready to get hit.
Their D, meanwhile, has a pretty nice mix of vets and youngsters. Outside of Yandle, though, nobody is a big producer. Strange how far Adrian Aucoin's numbers have fallen.
Agreed on most accounts. Upshall is on Columbus now though.
I think Phoenix will be stingy but they're not as good as they were last year.
I think today confirmed that Salei will definitely get the nod over Kindl to begin to playoffs (assuming Kronwall returns.) With that being said, i could easily see Babcock making the switch after a loss or two.
As good as Datsyuk was today, his line was still on the ice for two goals against. Why? On Chicago's 2nd goal, Salei and Holmstrom failed to clear the puck. On their 3rd goal, Holmstrom lost his man in coverage. The common denomintor in both goals? Holmstrom. I don't question his effort and he can still bring value inside the offensive zone, but he is such a liability at times. Babcock removed him from the Datsyuk line after Chicago's 3rd goal and went to a 3 line rotation, sitting Holmstrom, Hudler, and Modano. Does Babcock continue to roll him out there on the top line? With Zetterberg likely out to begin the playoffs, we need Datsyuk to be the best player on the ice. I cringe at the thought of our best player playing with two guys who are not playing great hockey right now (Franzen included). It's tough because i can't imagine him touching the Cleary-Abdelkader-Bertuzzi line. They've looked very good in the playoff type games (against Nashville and today.)
I think today confirmed that Salei will definitely get the nod over Kindl to begin to playoffs (assuming Kronwall returns.) With that being said, i could easily see Babcock making the switch after a loss or two.
As good as Datsyuk was today, his line was still on the ice for two goals against. Why? On Chicago's 2nd goal, Salei and Holmstrom failed to clear the puck. On their 3rd goal, Holmstrom lost his man in coverage. The common denomintor in both goals? Holmstrom. I don't question his effort and he can still bring value inside the offensive zone, but he is such a liability at times. Babcock removed him from the Datsyuk line after Chicago's 3rd goal and went to a 3 line rotation, sitting Holmstrom, Hudler, and Modano. Does Babcock continue to roll him out there on the top line? With Zetterberg likely out to begin the playoffs, we need Datsyuk to be the best player on the ice. I cringe at the thought of our best player playing with two guys who are not playing great hockey right now (Franzen included). It's tough because i can't imagine him touching the Cleary-Abdelkader-Bertuzzi line. They've looked very good in the playoff type games (against Nashville and today.)
I was stunned that Homer was even on the ice so late in the game at even strength.
By the way, Bertuzzi had a very good game.
I was stunned that Homer was even on the ice so late in the game at even strength.
By the way, Bertuzzi had a very good game.
The way Bertuzzi has stepped up his play has been great. He is ap hysical force again its great to see. Hes been playing the toughest hockey Ive seen him play as a wing these past couple weeks since he has been with Abdelkader.
When hes physical he produces as well. Hopefully these 2 stay together come playoff time (keep your head up Yandle)
Welcome to the new and improved NHL. It is now almost impossible to handicap these games.
If they were healthy, Detroit would beat Phoenix handily. But they aren't healthy. They will be missing at least one of their best two forwards and one of their best 3 dmen to start the playoffs... or if either/both play they will be substantially limited. Not to mention whether or not Datsyuk's anywhere near full strength (I don't think he is).
Detroit's play over the past 6 weeks has been underwhelming to say the least, and I don't think there's a single player on the roster one could describe as 'on a roll' right now. The goalie play isn't particularly impressing me, and with the team at significantly less than full strength it's not like Howard will have much of a crutch to protect him.
Wings in 7... and it's going to be a tight, tight 7. 2 or 3 OT games, and at least one multi OT game.
And one more injury flips the series completely around.
I was stunned that Homer was even on the ice so late in the game at even strength.
I was too... but what were the options? Z and Eaves were out. Hudler isn't going to be out there. Modano was garbage the whole night. That only leaves 5 or 6 forwards the Wings could ordinarily trust, and I can't imagine Babcock shortening the bench to two forward lines late for a game that doesn't really mean anything to Detroit and risk another crushing injury.
That means some shaky-ass folks out there at ES late in the game, making me sweat.
If they were healthy, Detroit would beat Phoenix handily. But they aren't healthy. They will be missing at least one of their best two forwards and one of their best 3 dmen to start the playoffs... or if either/both play they will be substantially limited. Not to mention whether or not Datsyuk's anywhere near full strength (I don't think he is).
Ted Kulfan (Detroit News) is reporting Kronwall will return for the start of the series.
If Datsyuk is less than 100% he sure isn't playing like it imo.
I was too... but what were the options? Z and Eaves were out. Hudler isn't going to be out there. Modano was garbage the whole night. That only leaves 5 or 6 forwards the Wings could ordinarily trust, and I can't imagine Babcock shortening the bench to two forward lines late for a game that doesn't really mean anything to Detroit and risk another crushing injury.
That means some shaky-ass folks out there at ES late in the game, making me sweat.
Well, after the goal, he benched him and went with three lines..
It didn't really matter to the Wings, I guess. But I think that losing that game after being up 4-2 would have been a pretty dejecting way to end a season that started really well and ended on a down note.
Ted Kulfan (Detroit News) is reporting Kronwall will return for the start of the series.
If Datsyuk is less than 100% he sure isn't playing like it imo.
Datsyuk's hands are back to their magic hold selves. But his skating doesn't have that acceleration that makes him a really dangerous player in the neutral zone, when he can shift gears and catch defensemen sleeping.
in six
