Z and D for the C

To be honest, you're the only critic of Filppula's offensive abilities. You get some people bitching about him, but they're mostly the kind of people on this site to hates everyone who isn't a superstar. You're pretty much the only one who doesn't think Filppula is a solid second line center. And you can (and do) talk all you want about how he gets his points, but the fact is, the proof is in the pudding. In the past 13 games, he has 11 points, and 12 points in his past 17 games. And in those 4 games that I didn't include in that first total, he was playing with 2 fourth liners and just came back from a 2 month injury. Now I'm sure he isn't going to continue his 70 point pace of his last 13 games for the rest of the season, but he is racking up the points and it's not just a coincidence. There is more than enough tangible evidence that he's more than you think of him. Damn well more tangible than your "he gets the most just-being-there assists in the nhl" argument. And no, of course he didn't make a great play on his second assist, but again, it's still not just a coincidence.

Regardless, it is important that Osgood gets at least 1 start every 5 or so games. Hopefully we can get in a groove where we don't need the absolute best goaltending we can get to wins games so we CAN fit Osgood in.

Filppula showing no signs of slowing down his production. (but man he's been bad on the faceoffs these past few games)

Howard proves Howard should be in goal for the wings....again. Incredibly strong tonight.

Oh so this it what it's like to win.

Hmm you can see the reflection of the rink in Hank's visor.

THANK GOD. 4-2

Please wings, don't stop playing.

Seems like that would be the first time this DECADE.

But Howard has got to stop those pucks from bouncing down in front of him.

Man I love Howard.

Now we really need another goal.

Flip having another really bad night on faceoffs.

OKAY NOW DON'T LET THEM SCORE

And OMG filppula didn't botch a play! Great PP shift from that second unit actually.

f***in sweet.

Howard, Lidstrom, Datsyuk. By far our best players on this team.

sullivan, Arnot and Dumont will probably all score in this game.

Stupid pistons.

^ Mlive reports that Stuart is in tonight, along with Bertuzzi (someone said he was out with a groin problem).

Zetterberg Datsyuk Cleary Bertuzzi Williams Miller Eaves Helm Draper Maltby filppula May Leino ?

He's better than Miller.

I think the first goal was s***ty last night. He plays way out of the net as if players can't change the angle, and then when they pass it down low osgood dived out towards him and left the net completely open. He's always done that s***. But like I said, give him the next 2 starts and see what happens, but this should be his last chance.

1. We are talking about the playoffs right? Datsyuk was playing when Babcock realized what he has realized before, we're a better team when Filppula is on the second line and Z & Pav are together. That was may 19th. Datsyuk then missed 6 or whatever games it and when he came back Babcock kept Filppula on the second line with Hossa and Franzen. I did forget about Pav's injury but Filppula was on the second line before his injury and after his injury so it's not relevant anyway. Look at the logs (notice ice time) http://www.nhl.com/ice/player.htm?id=84675...09&view=log http://www.nhl.com/ice/player.htm?id=84700...09&view=log 2. First, what does this have to do with Hudler? Second, it's not like I just picked 11 of his most productive games from the middle of nowhere like you're doing with Bertuzzi. It was the second half of the playoffs and the cutoff was when he was playing on the second line. And I'm not saying he's going to score 60 points immediately in the regular season, so you just need to take those numbers for what they are. It's like your blowing one small point way out of proportion and calling it my entire argument. 3. Yes, we have excellent depth. No sarcasm. A potential of Eaves Helm Draper as our fourth line is great depth. I'm not calling Filppula a bonafide first liner, I have no idea why you're pulling this random irrelevant bulls*** out of your ass. It's inconceivable to me to put your fourth best player as seventh on your depth chart. We have the depth to put Filppula in the top 6 so I think we should, especially if we can trade for a third line center which I think we should.