Z and D for the C

Lines I'd like to see: Zetterberg Datsyuk Holmstrom Cleary Filppula Hudler Franzen Modano Eaves Abdelkader Helm Draper

Thank you for purposefully ignoring what I've said that answers your question. Oh, and reality too. After Filppula had 15 points in 16 games he was demoted down to the third line. Coincidentally (or not) when his "cold streak" started. And let me say again that Filppula had 16 points in 20 games playing with worse players when our team was full of injuries.

I won't disagree, but you don't have to make bad teammates great to score 70 points.

Filppula has the potential and the talent to play on the first line and put up a 70 point pace, maybe more. I find that undeniable. I don't see an argument there. The proof is there, just watch the games. The only argument that anyone can make is that he isn't consistent. The only argument anyone can make is that while he may be able to play like a star for a stretch of games, he will disappear for another stretch of games. I would disagree, but it's a legit argument. Sure, he has his off games like anyone else, but generally I find him one of the most consistent players, game in game out. He goes stretches without any point, but I think it's because of other reasons than Filppula's consistency. For example the past 11 games he was injured and demoted to less playing time with third liners. It's not like he was playing with the same teammates for the past 11 games. His on-ice plays has been at the level of incompetent.

Rub my nose in? It's not like I have a personal vendetta against him. Besides, we're not trying to win the Colorado series again. Everyone knows Franzen is a great goal scorer, I'm not saying he has sucked his whole career, I'm just saying he's been pretty bad overall this year, except for a few standout games. I simply see no effort out of him and Bertuzzi. They just float around in the offensive zone. Can anyone remember the last time Bertuzzi won a battle for the puck along the boards? Seriously, point it out to me.

So what do you have to say about all the stretches of games where he DID score at/around a 70 point pace? The 15 points in 16 games he just had. 6 points in 7 games to start the season. 7 points in 7 games of the first round of the playoffs last year. 16 points in 20 games/28 points in 30 games last season after his injury? And the bulk of that was playing with third/fourth liners (and even on the third line himself), by the way. If you want to argue that he isn't capable of sustaining the pace over an entire season, fine. But saying that when he is playing well, that he is just a third line player is just ridiculous, and counts out your entire opinion.

I'm pretty sure Franzen having 1 goal in his past 18 games is a pretty good measure that he is incompetent. Even when he is scoring goals he doesn't do anything to generate sustained offense. He has an insane awesome shot, but that is literally his one and only talent (in short, pretty much the anti-Filppula). If he isn't shooting the puck, he may as well not be on the ice.

Is that a serious question?

Filppula hasn't been very good the past 2 games, but before that his was playing well, even though he had nothing to show for it. His production didn't drop until he was demoted to the third line (after putting up almost a PPG pace over 16 games), however, so I'm sure that has something to do with it. Not to mention he was paired with Modano and Holmstrom, who he's never played with before. Even when he played on the second line, you can't blame him for having to play with Bertuzzi and Franzen. You're an idiot. If Filppula was ever given a legit chance in the top six with competent teammates (read: not Bertuzzi and Franzen) for an entire season, he would break 70, guaranteed.

Woah, that could have been really bad.

Man these goals are going to make it even more disappointing when we give up the lead again.

omg we scored a goal.

I freakin knew it. Okay, we have proof. Where do we go from here?

If the Wings have an fight in them, they will win this one decisively. Hopefully the new liens work well. Especially the third.

I won't disagree. He wasn't amazing, but he played well and was one of our best forwards. Again, that isn't saying much. Zetterberg had a better night than he has had in a while I thought. Helm wasn't that special other than his fluky goal.

His line didn't do very well, but that is because Franzen and Bertuzzi are pretty much the laziest players on the Wings. Filppula set Kronwall up on a glorious chance and he nearly scored a couple goals himself. Filppula was one of the best forwards tonight, albeit that's not saying much.

I'd say Fippula had a pretty good game considering he was the only player on his line.

With the longer video, you can totally see it's an accident. Teaches the ref for getting in the middle of fights.

Need to see a longer video.

What the deuce.

Ugh.

Datsyuk with the stick check check.

I'm beginning to think that Holland doesn't read LGW.

So close

Kick me when I'm down.