Echolalia

I'm not expecting him to be a goal scorer when he comes back, and I don't think Babs is either. All I want from him is to effectively neutralize Malkin, and Zetterberg to get back on track against Crosby. Helm and Franzen and Stuart and Ericsson can continue to create scoring chances. Also, I wonder if the Wings are being extra cautious with Dats because he's such a big part of our team. I wouldn't put it past Holland to wait until Dats is 100% (or at least make sure he's completely healthy enough to play) before throwing him in with the lions. If he were to get hurt at 50%, it might drastically affect his career, and thus the Wings' future. Everybody was surprised that he couldn't play yesterday, despite reports saying that he felt fine and looked fine and was skating effectively. But I'm also delusional, and this is the Finals, so what do I know?

If I was of the opinion that there was a Bettman Conspiracy, definitely. However, you obviously have me mixed up with someone else on the forum, as I haven't stated that there is a conspiracy against the Wings.

If Zetterberg and Datsyuk effectively shut down Crosby and Malkin, the game turns into "who has the best third and fourth lines". Because half of our scoring is coming from the third and fourth lines, we should win the series no problem, but it all falls back on shutting down their offense.

I'm of the opinion that the Pens won the past two games due to a s***ty performance on special teams by the Wings (and I'm definitely not alone in this matter). Normally our even strength play combined with keeping Crosby off the board is enough to overcome Malkin's fury, however the Wings had a sloppy second period yesterday and essentially handed your team scoring chance after scoring chance, which your team capitalized on (and kudos is given where deserved). If Datsyuk is in the lineup, Malkin is suddenly going to have a lot less free ice to play on, and the Pens are going to have to rely on their third and fourth lines even more, thus exploiting the Pens lack of depth (at least relative to the Wings).

you must be good at pokemon snap

yes

bahahaha that was worse that Osgood's dives okayokayokay I guess Crosby is the best at something

We want Roy!

Red Sox crushed us.

Good call, Flinstone Cicarelli. I forgot all about Pootie Tang, but I think Sinatra retired...

Hmm tough match up, but I'd take Casey Borer over any of them in a heart beat. Boogaard definitely deserves mad props, but putting Krys Barch behind Riley Cote and Jared Boll is just crazy

We absolutely need him to shut down Malkin. I'm still not worried about Crosby and with those two effectively neutralized it'll look a lot like last year. But moreso than shutting down Malkin, the Wings NEED to get their PP and PK in order. If they do practice between now and the game, it better be an all special teams practice.

you guys are all way off base

Casey Borer Bryan Allen Dennis Gauthier Chris Kelly Mikkel Boedker

I used to be an nhl coach and I say Abby on the top line!!! Sorry Homer

I wouldn't say they're old. The Wings' average age is about 31 years old, which is right around the peak age in terms of skill (good balance of youthful energy + veteran experience). You also need to keep in mind a 47 yr old Chelios runs that number up a bit, and he's not even playing. I will agree that they are tired as they've had to go without Rafalski, Draper, Lilja, Datsyuk, Lidstrom, and Kopecky for long stints throughout the postseason as well as a shortened break after taking on an energetic Chicago team, however, I disagree that its the reason the Wings lost the past two games. Again, if the Wings fix up their special teams woes (which I'm optimistic Datsyuk's return can inspire) the Pens lose their one advantage over us, and their primary source of offense.

bologna this-or-that game or the-person-below-me game

My concern is special teams. The Pens have five even strength goals over four games, right now, and a couple of those came in the "s***ty second". Forget the horrible powerplay; If we had a stronger PK alone, this series would already be over.

I can deal with everyone's problems to an extent except Holmstrom's. Every single time he had the puck I winced, as sure enough, he would turn it over with the greatest of awkwardness. Seeing as how the Pens collapse in front of the net, Holmstrom's game is essentially useless at this point. The Wings already have the screen, and guys like Cleary and Franzen and Helm are strong enough to fight for rebounds. I wish with all my heart right now that Homer sits out the next game.

Do you post at letsgopens? I've been trying to get in there to have some good discussions but the admin hasn't accepted my request. Put in a good word for 'echolalia'?

I can if there's no dip. If there's dip, my body is in for some trouble. The person below me wants it to be eight hours from now.

Malkin, mostly because Z is tied up against Crosby, so the Pens' top scorer is relatively free right now. That's why I want Dats to return tonight, so they'll be able to slow Geno down a bit.

"Q. Can you tell us how you feel? DATSYUK: I feel much better today. I think I'll go in the pregame skates and make a decision for sure. But it's more better. Can you put a percentage on it? Percentage? ... I don't give a percentage. Why did you skate so long this morning? I just feel it, more confidence. I don't skate for two weeks and I needed to pick up more ice, feel it. Just do more dangle, shoot it. I just tried to. Are you encouraged? Yeah, yeah. I don't skate two weeks, it was a little bit hard for me. Are you going to play? I don't know. Not sure. I just go for sure in the pregame skate and then make a decision from there. Has coach told you it's up to you to make the decision? Yeah. You skated so long to test it? Yeah. During the game, it's longer [skating], so I wanted to feel more like it's going to be [skating] a little bit longer. You skated a little extra yesterday. How did it respond? It's better. Better in the morning. But it's one long practice. I needed more. I feel more confidence now. How is your conditioning? Condition? Eh, it's close. It's a different condition off ice than on ice. It's different, especially when it's the Final and you're on the ice with a good team. It's a little bit tough for starting. What problems are you still having with it? I don't score for like 12 games. This is problems. (Laughter) No, with the foot. Foot, OK. It's more better. Can more turn. What I need is quick turn, give and go. Has there been improvement, even from yesterday? Yeah. Every day, better, better and better. Today, much better. More [feeling] now. More smile, more happy. Still a little bit sore, but it's fine. If you play, will you have a more limited role on the ice? It depends how I feel. Like I said yesterday: If the game is 60 minutes, I want to play 60 minutes. I try to keep every shift short. Was there any other injury besides the foot? Yeah, I don't score 12 games and it hurt me. (Laughter) Has there been any indication on who wouldn't play if you play? I don't know. No idea. Any beer last night? No game. No beer. You only drink when there's a game? Honest, yes. (Laughs) No." taken from puckdaddy

I wouldn't be comfortable with our top two defensive forwards on the same line, especially because Crosby has been effectively neutralized to this point thus eliminating the need for added defense, and Malkin is currently on a tear thus requiring greater defense. I'm content with: Zetterberg Franzen Cleary Hossa Datsyuk Filppulla Hudler Samuelsson Holmstrom Draper Maltby/Abdelkader Helm

The NHL rulebook also states that a team will be assessed a too-many-men penalty for having six skaters and a goalie on the ice.