PavelValerievichDatsyuk

This isn't going to be a very fun forum for the next few days.

Well that one is on you Brenden Smith. But we're in thanks to the Panthers.

f*** Yeah!!!!!!

Yeah, just turned it on and Goal!

Yeah, I was waiting for the GDT. I'm pumped up for this one - I think the team will be as well. I'm feeling like it's going to be a good game for Tatar. You know he wants 30.

It's been better. Better goaltending for sure. Still no complete games, but there's been some very good periods. And then there's been some definite periods they've taken off.

Kindl has kind of redeemed himself in the second half of the season when he's been in. And overall, 5 goals and 13 pts. in 34 games ain't bad. Best case scenario is that someone will take him for a low pick. But between the option of buying him out and letting him ride as a capable backup in the #7 spot, I think Holland will choose to keep him around. We don't have any pressing need for cap-room unless we pickup a UFA and he's only around for 2 more years. If we do want to create cap space Weiss is the one we would need to unload.

My predictions: Islanders: 100 pts W Pens L vs. BJs Wings: 100 pts. W vs. Canadiens OT L vs. Hurricanes (we'll rest Datsyuk if we win against Habs) Pens: 98 pts. OT L vs. Islanders W vs. Buffalo Bruins: 97 pts. W vs. Florida L vs. Lightning Ottawa: 98 pts. OT L vs. Rangers W vs. Flyers and.....Bruins out.

Yeah, Mule hasn't even practiced. You don't just come back from a concussion after so long. He would usually have to skate alone, then practice, maybe even a GR stint (though that probably wouldn't work at this point of the year). Would love Franzen back, but it seems very unlikely at this point. Too bad Cole - It would have been great to have him. To me, this means that Pulkinnen is with us for the playoffs and Weiss will need to play a larger role.

I like the idea of making every game 3 points. If a Regulation win gets you the full 3 then there's more motivation to get get it done before OT. When it's tied late in a game, you can see some teams play it safe to get it to OT so that they get at least 1 point. With 3 points, both teams would be pressing more and it might cut down on OT/shootout games.

Pavel had a great night, but he's obviously injured since he was a game-time decision. They were probably managing his minutes so that he didn't play too much. We've been pretty sloppy with turnovers and defensive lapses. Miller and Glendening are great on the defensive side. 1st line was full of injuries, 2nd line (Tats, Nyquist) have players that have caused a lot of recent turnovers. 3rd line wasn't great last night (though Weiss had that amazing setup to Z on the PP). With all that in mind, 4th line played basic, defensively sound hockey (what we've needed recently) and were really solid so they played more than usual.

Or Abby or Cole.

It would be interesting to see if Ericsson and Smith (maybe with 1 more piece) could get us that elusive RH offensive Dman. I like Quincey now - maybe more than big E. K- RH stud DD-Q Ouelette-Marchenko Kindl 2 rookie together wouldn't be the best. maybe switch Q and Marchenko or cycle in Kindl. I agree with Jimmy that the Smith-Z pairing isn't a good thing. I do really like Zidlicky, though. If we kept him around with my hypothetical trade, the 2nd and 3rd pair could be: DD-Marchenko Quincey-Zidlicky

Chara's day to day.

but we just did.

It's back-to-back for them

I especially like it because there are so many obvious nicknames that Tatar should get (Tats, Tatar Sauce, etc.) and yet some how they went with Tuna.

Didn't know where to put this, but I thought it was funny: Tatar seems to have acquired the nickname Tuna from Zetterberg http://www.mlive.com/redwings/index.ssf/2015/04/red_wings_henrik_zetterberg_go.html

Go Wings!!!!!!! GO Z!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Go Howie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Go Tatar!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Go Pens

He's leading the team in goals, but he's not a top six player? I really don't know how you could possibly believe that, but everyone's entitled to their opinion. He's been struggling recently (like most), but his play has spoken for itself. He's been beyond expectations for most of this season. He has 28 goals - 16th in the league - same as Toews, Carter, Malkin. Show me a single player around the 30 goal mark who's playing on the 3rd or 4th line. You can also go to fancy stats if you want to see how good Tatar is. Someone on the board pointed out that has very good possession numbers.

Babcock's pretty honest in his post game assessments. He often says things like "we weren't prepared and that's on the coaching staff" or "we flat out weren't good enough and we deserved to lose" when they're applicable. He just didn't see the game the way you do. And, I don't think you want honesty - you want someone to s*** on the team because you're frustrated (as we all have been.) That wouldn't be constructive and hence Tortarella and Ron Wilson are unemployed.

Not such a bad game. Looks like we're back to playing some pretty good hockey. Considering the that it was a back to back, it was a good effort. 1st wasn't so good and cost us. Mrazek was solid. Datsyuk makes such a difference. It's been a rough stretch, but these last 2 games have been encouraging that we're getting back into form. Some other thoughts: Nyquist and Tatar are struggling in their first full season. That should have been expect, I guess. They've been great at times, but it's hard to keep that up for 82. Time for the vets to take us down the final stretch (Z,D,K,Z, Helm, Abby, Howard, Cole) It would be big to get back Abby and Cole (I wish Mule as well, but isn't at all likely). Finally, I like Zidlicky more and more. I'm starting to think we need to sign him for next year.

No, no it wouldn't.

Zetterberg has been struggling. Yet, he's still leading the team in points so those saying he's done are just ridiculous. Him on wing is an interesting idea, though to give him some help. I think a part of his struggles has been the fact that he's played often with Nyquist who has been also slumping hard. Him, Abby and Cole were working, but he was relied upon to be the creative one there and he was adding to the assist column, but not goals. I still think that would be a good line if we get healthy. Zetterberg's always been streaky - Let hope this bad stretch is over with.

It's 6. his contract is up at the end of 20-21.