GoWings1905

To be quite honest, I don't right now at all. That third line has clicked so well together. Breaking them up just doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me. Again, I think Brunner would get exposed defensively playing in the top-six against Chicago.

You basically explained why Brunner has been successful. He's playing against other third liners, instead of top-six forwards where he went in a major slump before. Cleary is much more responsible defensively too. I don't want Brunner out there for significant minutes against Toews or Kane.

I don't really put any stock into that at all. I trust Mike Babcock's judgment more than a fanbase that chants "Detroit Sucks" at every chance. I actually wouldn't be opposed to Eaves either. Remember though, Cleary is actually putting up points at a decent clip in the playoffs despite the barrage of critcism. The physical part of Cleary's game has completely deteriorated, but he's still solid defensively and goes into the tough areas of the ice to retrieve pucks for his linemates. Going to the net and having pucks hit you isn't flukey either. Somebody has to do it and Cleary, along with Abdelkader, are really the only two forwards on the team willing to accept that responsibility on a consistent basis. Eaves is more of a perimeter forward that utilizes his strong shot. If Cleary is with Z and Fil and you remove him from that line, who is that presence down low then? I'm not defending Cleary because I think he is in 2009 form still. For most of the season, he was downright useless. However, in the playoffs he has battled and done just fine in the role he has been asked to play. He can't skate anymore, nor pass, but there are positives to his game that seem to consistently get overlooked lately. Again, not advocating for a new contract with the Wings this summer. The bashing of Cleary though is relentless here.

The Red Wings obviously need a top-six winger this summer (have for years). I won't dispute that at all. However, right now what other option does Babcock have really to replace Cleary? "Anyone else" doesn't work either as a response because that's simply the easy way out and ignoring what Cleary has provided relative to the alternatives. - Breaking up the third line isn't a viable solution. Brunner has thrived on the third line getting away from other highly skilled players. There's too much speed/chemistry there now and all three members have clicked playing together. - Bertuzzi? I would agree here for sure had he not missed the entire season. Not his fault, but he looks slow and it would be a mistake to throw him into situations with more minutes during the playoffs. - Samuelsson? Completely ineffective when he is healthy, which thankfully hasn't been often. - Miller or Eaves? Both are 4th liners that are effective on the PK and forecheck/skate hard. Neither produces enough offensively to play in a top-six role for an extended period of time. - Tatar? Everyone's wish, but not happening.

I don't remember any specific plays that were blatant penalties by the Wings that got overlooked. If you have the puck and are controlling play more, the less likely you are to commit infractions. Toews should know this on a puck possession team. This was just one team being far better than the other. The refs influence outcomes all too often in the NHL these days, but it's silly to claim a little physical play prevented Chicago from winning. Toews doesn't care that Shaw skates around like an idiot though nearly every shift?

Toews whining today would be as silly as if Z had done so (not that he would) after Game 1. Your team got outplayed for 60 minutes there captain. The refs had no bearing on the beat down.

This group just continues to impress the hell out of me. The resiliency they constantly have shown is unreal. A dominating performance on the road against the best team in hockey to get the series even. Mike Babcock is the Jack Adams winner -- nobody has done a better coaching job between the injuries, offseason losses and incorporating a ton of youth all at once. I don't know the Red Wings will win this series, but I have no doubts they will compete and give the Blackhawks everything they can handle. The Joe is going to be nuts on Monday!

Nice play by Fil to finish there! Z's determination is just insane. First star of this game easily.

Mule with a snipe! He's practically unstoppable when he shoots the puck from there. Beautiful pass by E too. He is so dependable back there now.

You're kidding right? That game went to OT when it should have been over if Filppula doesn't make that pass to Etem, which cut the lead to one. How many games has Cleary cost the Red Wings in the playoffs? His every mistake gets pointed out, but I don't remember him making one yet as costly as Filppula's miscue. The Wings won Game 7 because of Henrik Zetterberg, not Filppula firing a blind backhander on net. Where is the evidence of this solid offensive play too? I haven't noticed Filppula creating any scoring chances.

Really strong period. The Wings are skating way harder today, especially the third line. Much easier to negate the Hawks attack when you have the puck more and can get out of your own zone cleaner. Henrik Zetterberg is playing exceptional at both ends. 20 more minutes like that and this series is even.

Yet, Dan Cleary has more points than Val Filppula in the playoffs. Filppula has been completely invisible besides two plays against Anaheim. Not sure the goal in Game 7 really qualifies as sick either. Z made the play entirely and Fil threw a backhander on net.

Yes, but what has Filppula provided that Cleary hasn't? Both are nonexistent. I suppose it's just easier to single out the scapegoat for everything.

That third line is beyond impressive in these playoffs. The second group on the PP is terrible. I hate that penalty. Like he really meant to put it in the stands.

Not a bad period really. Just poor individual performances by the usual suspects that are hurting the team. Put 40-13-8 back together. Z can't do much with Filppula and Cleary on his wings.

Ditto for Filppula. Both should be gone this summer.

Haha good, Shaw takes another stupid penalty. Let's get it back here.

Is Val Filppula even on the team? I haven't noticed him once this series.

Nice play defensively by Ericsson and the puck still ended up right on Kane's stick. Lady Byng scores.

Hossa is a joke. Call him one time for embellishment and that stops.

That call was way late.

Bertuzzi just doesn't fit on the 4th line. I like Miller there for speed and on the PK. Next season will ideally be even better with Andersson replacing Emmerton at center there and Helm returning.

More little brother syndrome. The entire existence of the Blackhawks organization suffers from it.

I think the Red Wings will definitely be better today. Question still remains is their high-end game enough to overcome Chicago's skill and depth? This is practically a must-win because winning four of five otherwise will be near impossible against the Hawks. Clear the zone! Go Wings!

Abby was great again. The list of positives ends there besides Jimmy. I am not going to miss Chicago at all next season. Their fans, Chelsea Dagger and Eddie O fan boy broadcasting is beyond obnoxious. Just an annoying little brother that cares more about chanting Detroit Sucks than cheering their own team. Hope the Wings come out with a much better effort on Saturday.