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Have you watched the past two games? I suggest you do and watch only Tatar and Abby the entire game. Tatar has been too weak on the puck the past two games, and he needs to improve his positioning away from the puck. I don't think Babcock is wrong here in saying that Tatar needs to work on his defensive game before he can be used against other top-6 players like Toews, Kane, Thornton, etc. Tatar is a good offensive talent that will improve defensively with time. I would have preferred Andersson be sent down and Tatar kept since Helm should return soon. IMO Andersson needs to work on his giveaways and he needs to be more physical. I think he is more talented than Emmerton, but he needs to bring more energy before he overtakes Emmerton on the depth chart.

For the entire game, the lines were Brunner- Z- Cleary and Abby- Dats- Mule. They didn't start well, but the lines did look good in the third. IMO the last two games against Columbus were lost because the Wings couldn't match the intensity of CBJ. With lines that soft, it is difficult to be effective when you cannot win on skill alone. The top-6 needs some type of grit to be effective in the corners, on D, and in front of the net. To give you an idea of the above lineup, Abby has more hits than Tatar, Andersson, Dats, Z, Brunner and Flip combined. Mule would be the only player in that top-6 to average at least one hit per game.

That line wouldn't be strong enough defensively IMO. Brunner has improved his backchecking and puck strength since entering the NHL, but he still has some work to do. Tatar has had some defensive struggle, but he has been good enough. Tootoo has been alright in the Wings zone, but he hasn't been put in key defensive situations often. The bigger problem with that line is faceoffs. None of those players are centers, and I'm not sure how any of them would do in the faceoff circle. Another note: In OT tonight Babs put Abby out with Dats for a faceoff in the Wings' zone. Abby went to the bench after the faceoff was won for Brunner, but it shows Babs doesn't trust Brunner to take faceoffs (if Dats was thrown out) and/or defensively in key situations.

Yes.

Flyers-Sabers is very good. The Saber turned as Simmonds was hitting him- I hope he is okay but that isn't on Simmonds. Great fight by Simmonds too. I would love a player like Simmonds on the Wings, and Clowe should be available.

The lines were changed today.

New lines looked good that period.

Good to see Smith stand up for himself. I've been wondering when he would get his first fighting major this season.

Smith!

Mule!

He has missed passes, dekes, etc. It's not just his linemates. He swapped Cleary for Mule and looks worse than he did the five previous games.

They need someone to center the second line and Mule isn't the best center defensively.

Kindl!

Dats with a rough start.

LGW!

Babcock did (finally) change the top 2 lines last game. It became Dats-Z-Abby and Brunner-Mule-Cleary.

Because the PP needs a net front player and Abby is the Wings best new front player with Bert out.

These refs must hate Abby. Should have drawn two penalties on that PP.

Lines have been changed.

That line has been the Wings' best defensive line tonight.

Looked like the pass didn't come off Dats' stick like he wanted- his passes are usually much more crisp and on target.

Tatar got bailed out there.

LGW!

Couldn't make it to the game today, but I should be able to watch most of it. Hopefully the Wings' D keep playing well.

Mindfly. What do I win?