b.shanafan14

Nyquist has flourished on the 3rd line with a strong center in Andersson and a complimentary winger in Brunner. The match-ups work for him. The chemistry is definitely there. As good as he is, I still think (at least right now) you start next season with that line intact. Tatar will be working in somewhere in the top 9 hopefully, so I don't know who you promote to the Top 6, potentially Brunner like we saw at the beginning of this season with Tatar replacing his role on the 3rd line. I see things working out like this: Franzen-Datsyuk-Abdelkader Brunner-Zetterberg-(UFA scorer) Tatar-Andersson-Nyquist Eaves-Emmerton-Miller (Tootoo) Abdelkader will be better than he was this past season, acclimating himself to the Top 6 role. Filppula sounds like he'll get his paycheck elsewhere. Hopefully Brunner resigns for reasonable buck, same with RFAs Andersson and Nyquist. I've always thought Miller was a good fit, so I'd like him to stay, especially since Emmerton has improved and they've had plenty of good looks with Eaves forming the 4th line. I think Nyquist could easily play Top 6 and in much the same way as Abdelkader, forcing him to adapt to that role now may be a good idea in the long run. However, if we can land another legitimate Top 6 to replace Filppula, and rotate Nyquist, Brunner, and Tatar into the second line winger slot as fortunes dictate, I would love to see that 3rd unit continue to grow together and cash in against easier match-ups.

Well said. Game 5 was expected. Game 6 was a significant collapse, with Smith earning the majority of the heat along with a pretty horrendous penalty shot call that, indicative of the screwy officiating, ended up the game-winner. The Wings are in a tough spot in Game 7, but last time I checked, the Hawks are also one loss away from a long summer. They've earned the 7th game at home, the Wings need to keep pushing. The team is growing more than many of us could have imagined. The 3rd and 4th lines are meshing to give us the depth we thought we were missing all season. Our back-end is learning hard lessons, lessons you unfortunately only learn when the puck ends up in your net. If there have been any huge disappointments, its been some of the guys on the front end, like Franzen, and yes, Filppula (with to former getting chances with no effort, and the latter showing effort with no chances). The future is bright for the 7th seeded Wings. Tomorrow they'll play for a chance to keep learning hard playoff lessons. Let's Go Wings!

Filppula was much better last game. Still playing too much on the edge, but so is half the team. At least the guy is moving his feet, trying to create and battle, even if he isn't doing it the best way possible. Speaking of sloppy, lazy, perimeter players: when is our "favorite" playoff beast Franzen due back from vacation?

Appreciate and agree with the sentiment's of the OP. Great series, as it should be for the last conference meeting between the Wings and Hawks. Game 7 should be a nail-biter. Let's just hope they let the players decide it. Things have been pretty strange at times both ways, but as Z Winged Dangler said, until last night, the team that won had been full value for the win. The NHL's standard of officiating has always been inconsistent, you just hope that a penalty on one team is the same on the other team, or a penalty in one period is a penalty in the next. Last night scoring started on an interference penalty that was then let go on the other side numerous times as the game progressed. At other points of the night, obscene amounts of clutching, grabbing, and tugging was let go. Several stick-breaking slashes went unpenalized. And then a slight wack on the stick of Frolik and the wheels are off. The Hawks deserve credit for cashing in on Red Wings mistakes, and taking advantage of the opportunities given to them on the PP and penalty shot. That's about all you can do, whether they are legitimate or not. Hopefully things are more consistent in the 7th game. LGRW!

Absolutely solid win tonight last night. This team has been unbelievable the last 3 games. They have played with impressive poise and hustle, its amazing to watch this team grow before our eyes. One game we are getting top to bottom scoring, the next we get one of, if not the best complete-team shut down efforts I've personally ever seen out of any Red Wings team. The future is now, and the future is bright! Not over until the handshake, can't take this Blackhawks team lightly, no matter what the hole is. Stick to it. Match desperation. End this in 5. LGRW!

I've noticed with the NBC brand covering every game this post-season, they have had to delude their commentary squads to cover them all. So far, most (if not all, only saw one or two) of the Hawks games have been sans Edzo, often opting for his Chicago/Crosby-loving proxy Pierre to take over. I hope this trend continues, but I wouldn't hold my breath. With the field cut in half, I wouldn't be surprised to see Edzo (the Hawk's Mickey) calling Wings-Hawks games more often. I would suggest you just learn to love hearing the cause of every Wings goal being a "SUBTLE hook/hold/slash/pick on the Wings", spoken with a tone of complete emotional devastation. No matter who it is calling the games, there is going to be plenty of Blackhawk love. They've earned it with their season and NBC latches onto anything that is young and hip, just like Gary and Co. tell them to. There is no tolerating it. Just have to tune it out.

Love the kid line. Solid game from Jimmy after looking shaky early. Hopefully THIS team shows up in Anaheim. Keep them on their heels, Hiller will break eventually, especially when his own guys tackle him out of position. Best of three. Go Wings!

Here we go. Perry gets his own stick in the face.

No more let downs. No more f*** ups.

Datsyuk shelf!

Why is Sammy on the ice?

Ugh.... And it's all for not...

Keep it up, boys! No more rushes the other way, keep pressuring their D.

Turning over pucks like crazy now. Get back in the driver's seat.

Beauchemin taking liberties

About time the Wings get one! Pour on the shots but watch for shorties.

Need to keep the foot on the gas. Don't let up

Ducks score all the goals!

Anderson!!

A true revelation. Holland does it again!

Huge shot discrepancy, and yet all I can think is "Ducks could be up 3-0".

Rebound and crash the net. Gotta get stick on it, but they are there.

Datsyuk creating while getting hooked and held big time.

Cleary getting mugged and no holding call. Shock.

Bout time Howard stands tall! Way to go, Jimmy! Time to wake up and score boys.