YoungGuns1340

Yes, you're right. But if we're handing out goodies to whoever helps out on the play, then we'd have to account for 3rd, 4th, even 5th assists, wouldn't we? Its not a precarious position at all, unless you think the NHL should create a stat for players who join in on the play, yet don't receive points for it. At any rate, I'm not really intent on doing anything. Anyone who watched the Wings this season knows that Datsyuk relied on no one in particular, and that he didn't see Hossa on his wing for the majority of the season. The stats from the website you offered show that.

No problem. He spent 699 shifts with Hank and Cleary, and he spent 605 shifts with Franzen and Holmstrom. Therefore, since Datsyuk averaged 25 shifts per game in the regular season, that means 28 games with Hank and Cleary, and 24 games with Mule and Holmstrom. In total, thats 52 games, or, 63.4% of the season. So, yeah, in short, in terms of "regular lines", Datsyuk spent only 36.6% of the season on Hossa's line. Last time I checked, 36.6% =/= 50%+. Although, now that I think of it, the stat on NHL.com that says Datsyuk played 25 shifts a game included PK and PP time. And the above numbers are for even strength shifts. So in reality, Datsyuk probably spent MORE than 52 games at even strength WITHOUT Hossa.

So what your saying is, when Hossa was on the ice with Datsyuk, he actually contributed to Datsyuk's production less than half of the time? Yeah that makes sense. As being on the ice doesn't mean getting it on the play.

You should probably check your stats a little better. Datsyuk saw 2086 even strength shifts with Hossa. He saw 2526 even strength shifts without Hossa. So yeah, Datsyuk spent more of his regular shifts without Hossa means, a majority without him on his line.

You know, I didn't think I'd miss Draper this much, but I really do. If anything, the guys faceoff skills are peerless. And at the very least he seems to set an example for his teammates. Especially not having played in the playoffs yet, getting a character guy like Draper back in the lineup would be huge for the team. As for who sits, it might as well be Kopecky. I think getting Draper back could get Maltby going again too, and our 4th line could really feed off one another. As for Rafalski - you really can't stress enough how much we need him back. Our transition game is suffering, and we need the opportunity to have fresh legs out there, with a 6th Dman that can actually play 16 minutes a night instead of 6. And the PP, well, that goes without saying.

So they can do what? Do nothing again? Hossa doesn't particularly work well with Zetterberg or Datsyuk. Having him on the 3rd line essentially gives us 3 2nd lines (consider Anaheim's 2nd line for a moment, and note that we could have 3 lines who are better than that in the offensive zone). Yes it spreads out the talent, but its not like stacking our lines has been best for us so far.

This thread is mostly crap up until this point. 1. I'm not a huge Hossa fan, but he's better than Sammy. 2. Datsyuk did NOT spend the majority of his season with Hossa 3. Datsyuk played better WITHOUT Hossa than with Hossa. Playing Hossa and Datsyuk together is equivalent to continually using Sammy on the point on the PP. In theory, its a great idea to unit an All-star playmaker with an All-star goal score. In practice, however, it simply isn't. As for the OP's question - its neither. Datsyuk and Hossa look no different together than they did against Columbus, which should be encouraging. Hossa didn't show up until Game 4. Datsyuk was only really noticeable in Game 1. Their line, as whole, has never been particularly noticeable outside of a few shifts here and there. Here's a more intersting question: How many times have Hossa and Datsyuk tallied a goal or an assist on the same play? Once. And it was on the powerplay. In short, Datsyuk and Hossa have yet to combine for an even strength goal through 6 playoff games. For that kind of talent, thats simply not acceptable and needs to be changed.

Yeah. And its not like people have been calling out Datsyuk either. Oh wait... Fail. If you're going to be a smartass, at least do it well. The reason we're talking about Hossa is because this thread was started by a PENGUINS fan. You know? That team that had Hossa on their playoff roster last year? Theres plenty of flack being received by Datsyuk by Wings fans and other fans alike, both on this board and others.

Is there anyway that the flu is going through the Wings lockerroom? I know Hank had it right before the start of the playoffs. Could make more sense as to why certain guys just look like they're running on half a tank out there..

We really need him back to help us breaking out of our zone. That skill gets underestimated, but without better breakouts through the neutral zone, that could be our undoing.

If you want to look at one of the (many) reasons we lost today, its because we're essentially playing with 5 Dman. Through 5+ periods of hockey today, Chelios played less than 7 minutes. That has repercussions on: 1. Energy - our other 5 guys need to be overplayed. 2. Line changes - 5 Dmen means constant changing of D pairings, which creates confusion at the bench. 3. Familiarity - Our Dmen constantly have to be aware of who they're playing with. Forget for a second that you're playing with Stuart, and not Lebda, and that play you're used to making with Lebda is no longer a natural move. This is like a bad nightmare. We're yet again without 2 very important Dmen on our blueline, and its taking its toll.

On the bright side, I'd hate the Wings to think that the effort they gave today was good enough for the series if they won tonight. They need to reflect hard on this tough loss, and look at what they're doing wrong. Theres a lot to look at, and it starts and ends with intensity.

Glad this thread is here. Any wings victory in OT would be a pleasant surprise. This team is abysmal in OT, and its almost ALWAYS characterized by our big offensive stars not working hard enough. Yay. 62 shots on goal? I didn't see any of the OT, but I can guess what 80% of the shots looked like. I wish we would've lost in regulation, honestly. Then Hiller would still be looking suspect.

The top line has performed like a 3rd line through the first 6 games. This isn't pannicking. This is fixing something that hasn't worked and has turned into a detriment to this team where it should be an advantage.

I've been saying it since the middle of the season, and I constantly got hammered for it, but HOSSA AND DATSYUK DO NOT WORK WELL TOGETHER. If you separate those 2, its a whole different game. In reality, it would probably work better to jumble up the lines for Game 3, considering we won't have the last change. Franzen - Datsyuk - Cleary - Zetterberg - Hossa - Filppula - Put Homer, Sammy, and Hudler anywhere you want.

I didn't get to watch the OT (and I'm glad I didn't) but what is the Wings record in playoff OT? I swear, every time it goes into OT, I subconsciously consider it a loss. It just seems inevitable with this team, no matter the names on the jersey.

Dammit. I can't believe I have to leave for OT. Hopefully I get some good news around 9pm when I'm home. I'm calling a goal by someone who's name starts with an H.

Oh my god. Hank. SHOOT.

Cleary is a BEAST in the playoffs.

Somebody called the Mule goal. Props.

MULE!!!!!!

While I agree with that, it bothers me to no end that we're relying on PPs to get us back in this game. That cannot be a crutch.

Really, with the way we're playing, the win is still within sight. That says a lot. At any rate, I'm just so ******* frustrated that EVERYTHING we did right against Columbus is gone. Why are we getting beaten to EVERY puck? To me, we'd be 10x better if we just hustled a little more.

We might be getting the calls going our way, but what do you expect? You have to play with the puck if you want the calls. Wings aren't going to get the looks if they're playing chase all day.

What the hell are the Wings doing? GET BACK TO RED WINGS HOCKEY! We cannot dump and chase, and we HAVE to be the first to the puck in the defensive zone.