Jersey Wing

Interesting response in that same TSN article from a representative of Gonchar: The National Hockey League has ruled out the notion of supplemental discipline which has prompted reaction from Gonchar's representative, JP Barry. ''We now have Exhibit A of the extreme double-standard that exists in the NHL's approach to discipline. Alex clearly cuts back with his knee after missing his check with devastating results. But of course, because it's Alex, its all Sergei's fault,'' Barry told TSN. ''It was a extremely negligent hit and if anyone else in this league does the same we all know they will face serious discipline,'' Barry continued. ''Part of being 'great' means playing with respect. He is wreckless and this isn't the first or last time he will get a free pass from the NHL, and the best part is he knows it.''

Gonchar most likely done for the season Sources tell TSN Pittsburgh defenceman Sergei Gonchar suffered an apparent knee injury and will miss the next several weeks, perhaps the remainder of the season. Gonchar was injured following a knee-on-knee collision with Capitals star Alex Ovechkin, who received a minor penalty on the play. During a Washington power play in the first period of Game 4, Gonchar skated out from behind the Pittsburgh net and Ovechkin appeared to stick out his right knee a moment before the two collided. The Penguins defenceman was unable to put any weight on his right leg and was helped off the ice.

Well great, Abdelkader it is. Babcock knows what he's doing. I'm certainly not getting paid to make that decision. The line change call certainly worked out. I was just voicing my opinion on who I'd play. I was just worried about an over-eager penalty. I hope Abdelkader runs the Ducks defense through the glass. If Wisniewski plays I hope Helm and Abdelkader keep dumping the puck in his corner and make him pay every time he plays it.

That was my thinking by suggesting Leino play. We don't need the second coming of Gerard Gallant, a guy who would take horrible penalties at the worst possible times. A young and highly motivated Abdelkader bless his Spartan heart might get to running around a touch. The margin for error in a game 5 tied at 2-2 is razor thin to begin with...

I think Leino might be a tad more polished of a two way player as the Finnish system is more of a defense first kinda thing. The Wings aren't lacking for hitting with Helm going crazy and even though Datsyuk isn't lighting the lamp he's hitting. Stuart and Kronwall are providing the hits on the back end. . The thought of this team in 2-3 years with Abdelkader, Leino, Helm, Kindl, and Ericsson all playing huge supporting roles to Datsyuk, Zetterberg, Franzen and perhaps Hossa (or Hudler and Samuelsson if Hossa can't be resigned) is very heartwarming....

This is just my speculation but his knee did an awkward thing on the play where Ericsson hit him on the play here Perry scored their second goal. I don't know if it was Filppula's hit, but then again, I'm normally wrong....

Kopecky DID take Beauchemin off for FIVE crucial minutes and for that he is to be commended. WHO Lost their heads thier in the heat of physical play? Not the Wings. If Kopecky can't go, in a perfect world Draper would be coming in, but if Draper still can't go, would you prefer Abdelkader, Leino or Meech?

I'm thinking Babcock made the right call with these line changes

I heard from a buddy who knows a guy that heard from some dude he knows that talked with Ken Holland and said it's diphtheria

A bruised lung? Are you kidding me? Back in MY day.......

Crosby is upset he only got ONE threat on forums across North America whereas Ovechkin got hundreds

Anything that could potentially embarrass the Penguins franchise or Penguins fans MUST be investigated

Now Carlyle has to go with 4 Defensemen, keep plugging away Wings, keep working

I'd move Helm up to Datsyuk and Hossa's line

Look, the greatest fear going into the playoffs, Osgood has been answered in spades. Datsyuk and Hossa will get going and once they do it'll make the Ducks make changes which may well free up Zetterberg and Franzen. If the Hudler-Filppula-Sammy line could pot one it'd be gravy.

I wonder if Pronger is injured as I can't imagine not getting your legs back after such a long game for a whole period. I liked Zetterberg's energy, Helm looked good as did Stuart and Kronwall. They're only down a goal, it's a one shot game. No need for panic. The Wings are still rolling 4 lines while the Ducks are prety much still only playing 3. Little by little, bit by bit the Ducks will wear down. The Wings would do well to corral the outlet passes, they'd have 3 or 4 odd man rushes if they'd stop worrying about a hit that may or may not be coming...

Mark Ozzie's save on that shorthanded 2 on 1 down. Something is WRONG with Pronger. He's not skating well, he's looked like he's not got his 'sea legs' or something causing him to be a half step slow all night long. He's looking around and hesitating before skating the puck in the Wings zone. A couple times a puck was free heading towards the blueline and I thought he'd get to it easily, instead it's like he's measuring whether or not he wants to try and get it and not get caught. Something is off with him and that bodes well for the Wings

Hey Wang, it's a parking lot, what's with the pictures?!

It's why game 2 is SO key. Should Detroit win and get a travel day off while forcing the Ducks to win 4 of 5 without key contributors like Rafalsi and Draper and Lilja, once the do come back, the Wings are that much stronger....It also means there is no need to rush anybody back

You could do a lot worse than have somebody with Chelios' credentials and abilities and THINKING back there. Imagine if you had to toss in say a Martin Skoula or Jay Leach or god forbid Ryan O'Byrne. Too bad Rafalski can't go, Chelios is a more than adequete #7

Maybe in some small way his mere presence on the ice tomorrow will drive the Wings just that much harder. I love the Wings vs Bettman meme that also seems to spur them on. You know they know about it, Babcock asked if the Wings were even on TV in the first round, Osgood made mention of that ridonculous NHL Center Ice ad where it's nothing but Penguins highlights like they somehow won last year. One more reason to pick yourself up off the ice and play harder..

Was Hudler admiring his work? Yes Should he keep his head up? Yes Two things are apparent, Brown took a long run at him and #2 it was a head shot where a body shot would have done. According to the NHL rulebook Hudler is under no obligation to be 6 feet tall. That must be taken into consideration before the hit. It's funny the Ducks of all teams who along with their fans revel in their borderline dirty reputation then complain when somebody starts calling them for such plays. Sometimes reputations get you called in this league, it's always been that way. Carlyle was crying about Detroit before the series even started trying to minimize the Wings getting anywhere near the Ducks netminder. Now he cries about Franzen and Brown. Wanna know why the Ducks and their fans are really upset? Unlike San Jose the Red Wings can make Anaheim pay for running around like they do. Once Detroit clicks on a few more powerplays the Ducks will be forced to play a style of game they're neither familiar with nor good at and that's what Carlyle fears most.

I was worried myself about this game, rust, no Rafalski, still no Draper, Hiller being so hot, I really felt this could be a Ducks win. All afternoon I kinda had a strange feeling about it. Missing Rafalski probably hurt the Wings 5 on 5 some but they still scored 2 PP goals anyhoo, the rust doesn't matter if you get the win and I have no doubt they'll be better Sunday. Win game 2 and that wonderful math equation says they then have to beat you 4 out of 5. It's simple, if the Wings get a couple more PP goals Sunday it forces Anaheim to play a completely different style they're not comfortable with which opens them up to odd man rushes. Sunday is SO key

Very interesting observation. I didn't notice that but he didn't seem like his assertive self at points. You may be on to something