Franzen - datsyuk - who cares?
Filppula - zetterberg - who cares?
who cares? - who cares? - who cares?
who cares? - who cares? - who cares?
lidstrom - who cares?
who cares? - who cares?
who cares? - who cares?
jimmy
who cares?
that should be good enough for the first round.
after that it really doesnt matter at all because this line up is not strong enough for the second round.
With Conner being called up, I see him breaking the lineup immediately. I don't think they will throw in Sheahan into a playoff situation with only one NHL game under his belt.
Any official reports on Helm? Apparently he'll be back for Game 2?
So, Game 1:
Nyquist - Datsyuk - Franzen
Filppula - Zetterberg - Hudler
Conner - Abdelkader - Bertuzzi
Miller - Cleary - Holmstrom (Cleary can take faceoffs, and it's basically made up of PP and PK specialists)
Emmerton/Sheahan/Mursak
Lidstrom - Ericsson
Kronwall - Stuart
Quincey - White (the suicide, , pairing)
Kindl/Smith
Holmstrom is a big reason that this team is scoring lately. He's been involved in a lot of the goals Detroit has scored lately. I hate to admit it, but he's been good lately.
He should be bench, he's a power player specialist and the PP sucks. 3 goals since the middle of January, only forward who was a minus player on the team....and by a vast margin. And with his limited icetime managed to rack up 20 minor penalties.
Can't have watched too closely as of late if you think Homer should see the press box. He's been one of the few bottom forwards being able to win board battles and hanging on to the puck. His hockey sense compared to his 4th line pals is astronomical. 3g2a last 7 games. Net presence will be one of the keys against the Preds, aswell.
I would want to see(Helmer included):
Fil-Z-Hudler
Mule-Pav-Nyquist
Cleary-Helm-Bert
Homer-Abdelkader-Miller
Gives us two legit scoring lines(on paper) and a responsible 3rd line. 4th line will be a questionmark no matter what, but that one shouldn't be too bad.
Let's be honest, Bert can play on the 3rd line and still be an asset. His game doesn't change no matter where he plays. Nyquist on the other hand is a skill player, every time he's bumped into the top6 he looks like thrice the player compared to when he plays on the 3rd or 4th line. He also has chemistry with Mule, who he played with in the pre-season aswell. He's not a north-south player, but he is willing to drive to the net and he can keep up with the cycle game. Is he ready for NHL playoff hockey? That's up in the air, but I think we need his skill in our line-up to make a splash in the playoffs. If he doesn't crack the top6, I would rather see Conner.
Can't have watched too closely as of late if you think Homer should see the press box. He's been one of the few bottom forwards being able to win board battles and hanging on to the puck. His hockey sense compared to his 4th line pals is astronomical. 3g2a last 7 games. Net presence will be one of the keys against the Preds, aswell.
The only reason I suggested the Wings might take him out is if they're ever in a situation looking for extra speed, of if they're just looking for fresh blood. In which case, Conner > Holmstrom.
The only reason I suggested the Wings might take him out is if they're ever in a situation looking for extra speed, of if they're just looking for fresh blood. In which case, Conner > Holmstrom.
I don't see it happening, but you never know.
I want Conner to get in somehow, too, I just can't find a spot for him. In order for that he would need to play above Emmerton and Mursak(plausible but not certain), but also one of Cleary/Abdelkader/Homer/Miller. I can't really see that happening.
So my suggestion would be to maybe play him on a 4th line with Homer and Abdelkader, but that's only if Nyquist sits and Bert plays on a line with Pavel. I'm torn about Nyquist, I think he can work on a skill line but is too weak for a checking line. I have a feeling Babs will use him no matter what though.
*I'd rather not see much of Quincey, although he has been better the last few games; but his inability to avoid random stupid penalties would be a huge liability in this series, with the Pred's power play prowess.
Last edited by Hakan2Holland: 04-09-2012 at 12:02 PM.
According to Khan, Helm said he will not play in game 1 but expects to play in games 2
I like Sheahan in a 4th line center type role, but not thrilled with the lines. Unless mule plays like he can so pavel doesn't have to carry his lazy ass
I like Sheahan in a 4th line center type role, but not thrilled with the lines. Unless mule plays like he can so pavel doesn't have to carry his lazy ass
I don't think you'll have to worry about that, Franzen is a hard worker when he wants to be (ala the playoffs), he'll be good. Just hope Bertuzzi is healthy (and Cleary for that matter, if he isn't doing much better I'd rather not see him at all). Wonder if we'll see that Zetterberg/Datsyuk/Nyquist line reemerge ever? That was interesting...
I don't think you'll have to worry about that, Franzen is a hard worker when he wants to be (ala the playoffs), he'll be good. Just hope Bertuzzi is healthy (and Cleary for that matter, if he isn't doing much better I'd rather not see him at all). Wonder if we'll see that Zetterberg/Datsyuk/Nyquist line reemerge ever? That was interesting...
That line would be very interesting to see! From the shifts they had they were dynamic! Three skill guys like that could absolutely dominate and take over a series
I'm not going to speculate what they will be, that's near impossible given Babcock's unpredictability and our lack of scoring the past few games. I'll just name the lines I'd like to see that I think we have a realistic shot of seeing.
Franzen and Nyquist can interchange as necessary. There really are two Franzens. The one we saw the last game against Chicago where he was busting his ass, skating like crazy and the one we've seen much of this season who doesn't feel like working hard at all. If he doesn't bring it like everyone else in the postseason, fourth line his ass. If Babs has melon sized balls he could even healthy scratch him. I'd honestly take someone who will grind it out on the 4th line than trying to shoe-horn the square peg (Mule) into the round hole (grit line). The Flip/Z/Huds line has proven to be dominant. Connor/Helm/Miller is pure speed and tenacity and I can't see that line doing poorly. They're a nightmare. Fourth line is the fourth line, whatever. The Franzen/Nyquist thing makes this so tough.
As for D...
Lidstrom/E
Kronwall/Stu
White/Smith
Kindl
Depending on the opponent, switch up as necessary. If E is too used to playing second/third line guys and is getting beaten by superior offensive players, switch it up to...
Lidstrom/White
Kronner/Stu
E/Smith
Kindl
Goalies
Howard
Hulk Hogan, cause if we lose Jimmy we're gonna need the power of Hulkamania to save our *****.
I'm not going to speculate what they will be, that's near impossible given Babcock's unpredictability and our lack of scoring the past few games. I'll just name the lines I'd like to see that I think we have a realistic shot of seeing.
nyquist on the 4th line is worthless. he needs to at least play on the 3rd line if he's going to play. I wish cleary would play on the 4th line (if babcock is deadset on him playing for sure)
Clearly, Babcock is extremely anxious to get Helm back.
“We need to get our third and fourth lines going,'' Babcock said. “That’s why we need Helm back. He seems to be the key to the bottom six. He plugs into the three hole and (Justin Abdelkader) in the four hole. Then, suddenly, we’re a different hockey club depth-wise.''
Using a term "hole" on the 4th line means that center position.
Mule - Dats - Bert
Flip - Zeta - Huds
Miller - Helm - Cleary/Conner
Nyquist - AKader - Homer
Lidstrom - Ericsson
Kronwall - Stuart
Quincey - White
Ericsson has been really good with Lidstrom. I think his play has picked up lately because (especially) when he's on the ice with Lidstrom he doesn't need to be caring the puck or making the first pass. Ericsson really only gets into trouble when he gets overly pressured with the puck (just as Quincey and White do). In this pairing Ericsson has to use his skating and his size (which has been doing a lot more of lately) and chase down pucks.
People putting Nyquist on the 3rd and 4th lines are crazy. He's to weak for that role. He can't play it. He needs to be top 6 only. He gets hit and falls down every time
, 
pairing)
I only see two Nyquist's.
