Aussie_Wing

Clear the puck Kronwall.

Enter Zetterberg.

Good, maybe our PK can spark us.

Man Salei is ordinary.

Good shift by the 3rd line.

I agree, really don't like the look of the lines, I see lots of juggling.

With Zetterberg out, it's a question of who is our second line centre. With Filppula recently slumping, Abdelkader has often found himself centering the second line, but I noticed that he and Flip rotated in and out of that spot in our final regular season game against Chicago. I think Cleary is a must with Filppula because Cleary's energy is infectious, and when Flip is playing hard and using the body, that’s when he plays his best hockey. The third line on Sunday started as Huds/Flip/Miller, before Flip took shifts on the second with Cleary and Bert. Flip assisted on Miller’s goal, and he was on the ice for Cleary’s GWG. I think come Wednesday Babcock will go safety first and have Flip on the second line. So the other question is which wing plays on which line? I can’t see any other choice but to put Holmstrom on the top line with Dats. And then there’s the question of who is our last forward. With Zetternerg injured we have 13 fit forwards, so one must sit. I think it’s between Modano, Miller and Draper. Personally I thought Miller was terrific against Chicago, in fact the last two games against Chicago he was one of our better players so he gets rewarded with a spot in Game 1. I think Draper makes that effective fourth line with Helm and Eaves, so he gets that final forward spot, meaning Modano watches on. I know in reality Modano won’t sit, we wouldn’t sit a guy we signed almost especially for this very situation, but nothing about his play suggests he deserves a spot. I’d actually have Mursak on the 4th line with Helm and Eaves, think of the speed and energy, but that’s a long shot, at least until others stink it up we’ve got little choice. So this is how I see it, along with Salei as the 6th defenceman instead of Kindl (another one I’m not verly happy about): Franzen – Datsyuk – Holmstrom Cleary – Filppula – Bertuzzi Hudler – Abdelkader – Miller Draper – Helm – Eaves Modano, Mursak

VAN/CHI: 4-2 SJS/LAK: 4-1 DET/PHX: 4-2 ANA/NSH: 4-3 WAS/NYR: 4-2 PHI/BUF: 4-3 BOS/MTL: 4-2 PIT/TBL: 4-2 WC Champion: Vancouver EC Champion: Philadelphia SCF Champion: Vancouver ----- I can't believe I'm picking all the higher seeds to win, that's not going to end well. Thanks Mac!

Seems a bit ridiculous. I would've thought: Mursak, Tatar, Emmerton, Smith, Lashoff, maybe Andersson too.

I'm not going overboard when I say that over the past 10 weeks, I don't think I'd have a 20% strike rate on my x2 game. It's cost me big time, it's an easy way to get an extra point, and I virtually threw it away every week.

Gee, some monster scores this week! And here I was thinking my 15 was a good score, turns out it’s on the lower end of the scale! I went for a few risks such as Chicago the double up today as I figured we’d lose AND no one would’ve gone against Detroit. Glad to get that one wrong though! I really slipped down the standings over the past few weeks, I was inside the top 10 for most of the season and I dropped down to 17th! Not good! Huge thankyou to kook, I know how much time and effort this game takes, so thankyou for all your hard work throughout the season. And thanks to DB, who again chipped in, plus anyone else who helped out over the course of the season. The results always got posted in quick fashion and the neatly formatted standings were a great addition. And lastly, congrats hoon, you were so consistent all season, thoroughly deserved win! Look at your final three weeks, 16, 16, 18, massive finish!

Brendan Smith, our first choice (27th overall) in the 2007 draft is off to a good start to his NCAA career. He has 2 points in his first 2 games and I found this interesting: Link Great prospect we have on our hands.

I think we're one and done either way. Not enough hunger, or even skill, in this team.

How is this great news? I want him back in some capacity, but not playing.

He should retire regardless of our progress. Washed up.

7/10 I believe, good start!!

Mursak should be in. Speed, energy, intensity. Modano should be benched. Salei will stay in the line-up, but my goodness he was beyond awful tonight.

Haha yeah, cause the play of this team since the New Year has been such confidence filling stuff.

UTTER GARBAGE.

Pretty disappointing really. Lets hope he can go +2 both games.

Friday, April 8 Pittsburgh at NY Islanders Philadelphia at Buffalo Chicago at Detroit Florida at Tampa Bay Carolina at Atlanta Columbus at Nashville Minnesota at Edmonton Dallas at Colorado San Jose at Phoenix Los Angeles at Anaheim Saturday, April 9 New Jersey at NY Rangers Ottawa at Boston Tampa Bay at Carolina NY Islanders at Philadelphia Montreal at Toronto Washington at Florida Buffalo at Columbus Nashville at St. Louis Vancouver at Calgary Anaheim at Los Angeles Phoenix at San Jose Sunday, April 10 Detroit at Chicago (x2) Boston at New Jersey Edmonton at Colorado Pittsburgh at Atlanta Dallas at Minnesota Thanks a million kook!!!!!!

Me too, I'd love to know what it is that makes people confidence about this years version of the Red Wings.

Uhhh, I realise that mate. It's the same every post with hero Crymson, he'll attack any poster who says anything remotely negative aboout the team. And then after every loss he'll have the same, "Oh we suck, Howard needs to go, Lidstrom needs to retire" ect sarcasm post, and a dig at anyone who has legitimate concerns over the state of this team.

Awesome post dude. Really addressing the issues, certainly absolutely nothing to worry about with this team, they'll stop playing mediocre which they've done for months, just because it's playoffs time. And who cares about our opponent, and no matter how hungry they are, because they'll be no match for our boys.

Good post man, couldn't agree more. No suprise to check in and see Crymson at his best again.