WorkingOvertime

Great period. Wings need to keep this up.

Bert was looking to nail someone. Really? Another pk?

Cool Jovo. That cage is pretty tough.

I was upset that he got 20 min worth of misconduct penalties in the Isles last game for chirping, but I'm glad to see someone top 300 min. Konopka has a lot of heart and brings it every night.

I don't grow much of one myself- I'll be making mine a mustache after it gets to that point. I've been lucky enough to have other friends who like hockey, so we've gotten to enjoy the terribleness of our beards together.

I don't think it should be a suspension- the hit is the definition of a 2 min elbowing penalty to me (although they aren't called anymore). Abby's elbow was not raised about his shoulder and it looked like Seabrook stopped just as Abby went to hit him. Also, notice that Seabrook tried to sell the call. He labored to the bench and went out on the next shift. I thought there was a 15 min mandatory 'silent room' after a hit to the head?

I wouldn't be so sure. Should have been a 2 min and nothing more. I could see the league giving one game- I'd give it 50/50 chance of nothing or one game.

I bet the Dallas fans are going crazy right now. I'm happy if the Wings keep playing like they did in the second, but these refs are just terrible. Can't a linesmen make the high-sticking call after the whistle?

He was pointing out your statement because it won't happen. The Wings are very unlikely to have a player (Smith) play their first NHL game (after one season of AHL) in the playoffs. This is especially true when you factor in Janik and Meech from GR, and the seven defensemen the Wings are already carrying.

I don't like that the league implements rules (or non-existent ones) when they like. I can understand giving 10's if players punch from the ground, after the refs come in, etc. but that situation is over the line IMO.

The officiating is terrible. Gillies and Godard fought- win Gillies- but the refs felt the need to give them both a ten min misconduct on top of the 5 min for fighting. Konopka and Asham fought in a draw. Somehow Konopka got the instigator despite Asham challenging him. The second period was quite. I expect Godard to want Gillies again, and I'm surprised nobody has gone after Haley (who was called for clipping on a hip check). EDIT- Somehow this warranted a 10 min misconduct on top of the 5 for fighting.

Really? EDIT- Tardif is definitely a better/more willing fighter than Abby. I don't think you will find many of the fights fans here will say otherwise. Also, Tardif plays a solid game. I don't think he would be out of place playing with any fourth line in the league. With that said, I don't think anyone (certainly not me) was saying he should play above Miller, Eaves, Mursak, etc. IMO he deserves the black ace experience because of his dedication to the team. Also, if somehow (I hope this doesn't happen) a spot on the fourth needs to be filled- meaning Mursak, Draper, Miller, Emmerton have been used- than I might prefer Tardif to Tatar. While Tatar certainly is more skilled, Tardif may be a better fit for a fourth line role on the Wings.

Abby has 5 points in 21 playoff games- not bad for a fourth liner. Also, Abby has scored this season when put with skilled players. He was hot with Cleary and Modano, and he is now hot with Bert and Franzen. Abby has what the team lacks- physical play. Your example of top pairing not being used against Abby/Franzen/Bert is evidence for the line to stay together. If they will play against the third pairing d, than the line should definitely be successful.

Tardif should be up, but I don't think he'll play (or should). He's been great (and patient) with the organization and should be a black ace to practice with the team and enjoy the atmosphere. This organization treats its players well, and Tardif has paid his dues.

FWIW weren't most of those line disrupted due to injury, or the need to get other players going? Until the line stops producing, why not ride if as long as it doesn't disrupt the other lines? I think Abby should be in the regular lineup for the start of the playoffs. After that, play obviously determines who is in but there is no reason he hasn't earned it, especially with his recent play. IMO the Wings need his hitting and physical play in the playoffs.

In the Rags/Isles game Prust and Gillies were given 10 min misconducts for talking before a faceoff. Just after, Dubby and Martin dropped their gloves (but not punches thrown) and the refs break them up and throw them both out. I understand this is one team is going after another team's players, but these incidents are almost always mutual. Why does the NHL feel the need to throw these willing players out of the game?

I was at the Blues/CBJ game tonight and this happened again. Dorsett and Crombeem were ready to fight, but the refs stepped in. They talked on the way back to the bench- but there was not contact- and the refs gave them both 10 minute misconducts. This kept them out for the rest of the game.

Prust has had an amazing season this year- I hope that most on here would want a player like him on the Wings. Rosehill is on pace for ~10 points (over 82 games) which is better than most of the enforcers in the league. Skill-wise, he is better than most heavyweights, although he isn't a true heavyweight himself. Why didn't you like the timing of the first fight? I thought it was a good stand against the 'bullying' the Preds usually employ against the Wings. While it didn't have a direct impact on the score immediately, I think it helped assert the physical push-back the Wings had throughout the game.

What is SOB doing before the second fight? The Nashville feed has a good angle of him skating toward Bert- who has his gloves off- while awkwardly keeping his on. It's at the ~25 second mark.

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I figured I'd just copy and paste this post since it addresses your post, and you seem to have ignored one of the main points I was making (about Rosehill).

As a player, I believe the fights motivated the team. Does that mean the weren't motivated before? No. Does that somehow make the players better scorers? No. But there is an amount of energy that comes from seeing your teammate drop the gloves- this can't always be traced to the scoreboard. Previously the Pred's bullied the Wings, and the fights were a statement that the Wings were going to push back. I believe this was significant part of the Wings' comeback.

He can keep up as well or better than Bert and Homer IMO.

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Babcock and Cleary both said the fights ignited the team in their post-game interviews. Is that enough proof for you?