Wings fan coming in peace, should be a good game tonight. Injuries aren't that big of a concern, the only significant one is Big E. Samuelsson being out just makes space for our top prospect and will actually give our 2nd line some speed. Cola will be replaced by Lashoff or Huskins if he can play tonight, and fingers crossed that Jimmy doesn't get hurt cause if Mccollum is in net........
Also I didn't know Brendan Smith's brother was on the roster this year, what line is he on?
So Eakin could get on the 2nd line, but it probably won't start that way:
Excited to see Eakin up there. Quick question, it seems like Reilly Smith has kind of flown under the radar for me. Everyone here seems to sing his praises but I really haven't seen him do anything better than Garbutt, who actually always has me taking notice, just because of how hard he plays. What have I been missing?
Also I didn't know Brendan Smith's brother was on the roster this year, what line is he on?
He's been playing on the "fourth line" with Eakin and Garbutt. Eakin may get moved up to center the second line tonight so you might see Wandell centering Smith and Garbutt.
Excited to see Eakin up there. Quick question, it seems like Reilly Smith has kind of flown under the radar for me. Everyone here seems to sing his praises but I really haven't seen him do anything better than Garbutt, who actually always has me taking notice, just because of how hard he plays. What have I been missing?
He's the most flat out skilled prospect in the Stars' system. Just a matter of time until he's allowed to show it off. He's not a 4th liner.
Heika also just posted this, hope it helps. Here's the lines:
Loui Eriksson-Derek Roy-Jaromir Jagr
Ray Whitney-Tom Wandell-Michael Ryder
Brenden Morrow-Vern Fiddler-Eric Nystrom
Ryan Garbutt-Cody Eakin-Reilly Smith
Alex Goligoski-Stephane Robidas
Jordie Benn-Trevor Daley
Brenden Dillon-Philip Larsen
Kari Lehtonen
VS
Pavel Datsyuk-Henrik Zetterberg-Damien Brunner
Johan Franzen-Valtteri Filppula-Gustav Nyquist
Daniel Cleary-Justin Abdelkader-Drew Miller
Patrick Eaves-Cory Emmerton-Jordin Tootoo
Niklas Kronwall-Brian Lashoff
Kyle Quincey-Brendan Smith
Kent Huskins-Ian White
Excited to see Eakin up there. Quick question, it seems like Reilly Smith has kind of flown under the radar for me. Everyone here seems to sing his praises but I really haven't seen him do anything better than Garbutt, who actually always has me taking notice, just because of how hard he plays. What have I been missing?
All the praise is coming from his performance in the AHL. After about a 10 game adjustment, he took off and was hands down Texas' best forward.
He's getting some PP opportunity right now, but that won't last. Unless injuries hit, as soon as Benn is back he's likely the one pushed off the PP.
Garbutt is a nice player, but he's 27 years old. He's not a prospect, and he's likely reached the peak of his career. He is what he is which is a speedy 4th liner with a nonstop motor.
At 21, Reilly has load of potential, and it's a matter of him adjusting to the NHL. without 1 or 2 wingers missing significant time in the Top 6, Reilly Smith may not get a shot until next year to play full time on a scoring line. Right now, his defensive game is polished to the point he can still excel in a Bottom 6 role and on the PK.
“We’ll probably start the same way, but we may shuffle things around,” Gulutzan said. “Cody Eakin is in the forefront of our mind. All of those young guys are, because they give us energy.”
Maybe we could see a few shifts of Whitney-Eakin-Smith. Heika also said double shifting Roy isn't out of the question.
Dallas will need to be on their best game tonight to walk away with the points. Even with some players missing due to injury, Detroit's roster is clearly deeper and more talented than either of the other teams we've played so far. I hope that Lehtonen gives a good performance in net and the day off gives the Stars the edge, but it's difficult for me to see the Stars winning in regulation.
