Wings-Sharks forward line match ups

[4th line grinder 0]

I am interested to see which lines you think Babcock and team will match against the Sharks lines, especially the forth line.

Ron Wilson went with the following forward line combos to start the last couple of games against the Preds.

1. Michalek-Thornton-Cheechoo HT/WT 6.2/225 6.4/235 6.1/230

2. Guerin-Pavelski-Marleau 6.2/210 5.11/195 6.2/220

3. Grier-Brown-Rissmiller 6.1/225 60/195 6.4/215

4. Bernier-Goc-Clowe 6.2/235 6.1/205 6.2/215

The Sharks finished periods 2 and 3 of game 5 with Marleau, Thornton and Guerin on line 1 because Cheechoo was not at 100% and he struggled. Marleau scored the tying and winning goals set up by Guerin and Thornton respectively. Perhaps we will see this line up again. That being said, the Wings will likely see the aforementioned line combos to start game 1.

4. This line will likely prove to be the difference maker in this series and the reason the Sharks will give Detroit all they can handle. This is why RW can role 4 lines. They accounted for 3 goals against the Preds. They are big and physical and draw many holding and hooking penalties. I am very curious to see who the Wings will match up against them?

3. This is the line up that typically plays against the opponent’s top line. They have pretty much played together all year. Grier was stellar against the Preds.

2. Has seen some significant juggling all year. Mark Bell started the Preds series on this line and was pulled for game 3 and replaced by Pavelski. Pavelski responded by scoring and Bell has been left off the ice since. Guerin and Marleau have not really gelled yet and Guerin did not score a goal against the Preds. Still this is a pretty solid line 2. Marleau looks to be regaining his scoring touch. He struggled early in the series as did the line. But he ended up scoring the winning goal in game 4 on a tip in and as already mentioned the game tying and series winning goals in game 5.

1. Thornton has lead the league in assists two straight years and counted 6 assists against the Preds. His contribution cannot just be measured by points scored. He can dominate games. I have seen him do it a lot over the last two seasons. He is the reason the Sharks are where they are. CheeChoo, the Sharks leading goal scorer struggled because of a knee on knee injury suffered by Hartnell in game 1 and did not score in the series. Michalek scored 4 goals. If CheeChoo is healthy and productive this line should stand.

Which forward lines will the Wings match up against the Sharks and why?

[Kp-Wings 3]

I'm getting feelings that Mark Bell may be an insert on those lines, give or take that someone like Pavelski will be out. He's physical, and givin the sterotyping that goes around with the Wings these days, Ron Wilson thinks he might get away with something here.

Of course, this is only if he does it. I have no proof he plans to do this at all. I make the assumption though, since Bell is a physical player, and according to the hockey "experts", will hurt the Wings.

Now for the lines: The top line will of Thornton - Cheechoo - Michalek will definitly be countered with Lidstrom, and either the Wings top line, or the Cleary - Draper - Maltby line. Whichever line is not used to shut that line down will be used to shut the Marleau line down.

[HockeyCrazy3033 168]

Woah.. why isn't Bell in the line up? Don't tell me he's a healthy scratch?!

[corvette80 1]

I would like to see our lidstrom/marhkov with cleray-draper-maltby line against there top line, I think they could give them real good stress and they won't take stupid penalties against them. Also that line can turn a turnover into something really nice on the scoreboard for us.

[Kp-Wings 3]

Woah.. why isn't Bell in the line up? Don't tell me he's a healthy scratch?!

He has been lately. Joe Pavelski has outplayed him, from what I've heard.

Ron Wilson takes advantage of having a guy like Bell on his team. I would drool over the thought of Bell in a Red Wings jersey. We'd have a guy who can fight and do other things, and not be a hinder to the team like Norton was.

[4th line grinder 0]

Woah.. why isn't Bell in the line up? Don't tell me he's a healthy scratch?!

He is a healthy scratch. He has had a horrible year and absoutely played awful against the Preds.

Who will the Wings throw on the 4th line?

[4th line grinder 0]

I'm getting feelings that Mark Bell may be an insert on those lines, give or take that someone like Pavelski will be out. He's physical, and givin the sterotyping that goes around with the Wings these days, Ron Wilson thinks he might get away with something here.

Of course, this is only if he does it. I have no proof he plans to do this at all. I make the assumption though, since Bell is a physical player, and according to the hockey "experts", will hurt the Wings.

Now for the lines: The top line will of Thornton - Cheechoo - Michalek will definitly be countered with Lidstrom, and either the Wings top line, or the Cleary - Draper - Maltby line. Whichever line is not used to shut that line down will be used to shut the Marleau line down.

How about the 4th line? Who gets rolled out against Bernier, Clowe and Goc? Clowe makes up for not having Bell in the line up. Clowe can take care of the rough stuff. He made TooToo turtle pretty good after a Tootoo sucker punch.

[Kp-Wings 3]

How about the 4th line? Who gets rolled out against Bernier, Clowe and Goc? Clowe makes up for not having Bell in the line up. Clowe can take care of the rough stuff. He made TooToo turtle pretty good after a Tootoo sucker punch.

If Bertuzzi continues to take shape, like he's been, then put him out against that line. He can beat around Bernier and Goc, and is big enough to handle Clowe. As long as he can keep up, he should be fine.

[Kind Herb 0]

He has been lately. Joe Pavelski has outplayed him, from what I've heard.

Ron Wilson takes advantage of having a guy like Bell on his team. I would drool over the thought of Bell in a Red Wings jersey. We'd have a guy who can fight and do other things, and not be a hinder to the team like Norton was.

Trust me, you don't want Bell on your team. He has been San Jose's whipping boy ever since he got a DUI in the off season. Look at his numbers, he had a horrible year. And yeah RW sat his ass, since he was the only one to not get a point in the Nashville series.

Actually if you want Bell please take him! Trust me if DW could have gotten anything for him, even a bag of pucks, he would have been traded quicker then Enron stock on D-Day.

Don't expect to see Bell in this series, or any other series barring injury.

[Kp-Wings 3]

Trust me, you don't want Bell on your team. He has been San Jose's whipping boy ever since he got a DUI in the off season. Look at his numbers, he had a horrible year. And yeah RW sat his ass, since he was the only one to not get a point in the Nashville series.

Actually if you want Bell please take him! Trust me if DW could have gotten anything for him, even a bag of pucks, he would have been traded quicker then Enron stock on D-Day.

Don't expect to see Bell in this series, or any other series barring injury.

He used to be great in Chicago. Obviously something happened, probably the DUI, that ruined him in San Jose.

No matter. Bring him here for a change of scenery. I know how Bell plays, and I'd still take him despite his bad point totals. He's physical and he fights, and that's something that the Wings could always use more of. He has also put up good offensive numbers in Chicago too, so it shows he can be a versitile player. Despite the season he's had in San Jose, I'd still take him here.

Edited April 25, 2007 by Kp-Wings

[puckbags 863]

I'm not so sure the Wing's will be terribly concerned about matching forward lines... I think we will be more concerned about matching our defence pairs against their big lines... if our d can't handle their big lines alone then I think we will move to matching 5 man units against them!!

[norrisnick 1]

Which forward lines will the Wings match up against the Sharks and why?

If I were to hazard a guess it'll be Datsyuk - Zetterberg - Holmstrom (whoever replaces him for now) + Lidstrom/Markov squaring off against Thornton's line. Force Joe to play defense. Beyond that, Babcock will probably just roll the lines.

Lebda and Holmstrom are more than likely missing game 1.

[HockeyCrazy3033 168]

He is a healthy scratch. He has had a horrible year and absoutely played awful against the Preds.

Who will the Wings throw on the 4th line?

I gotta say I'm in shock. I kept wanting to the Wings to acquire him. The guy was becoming a phenomenal all around player. What the heck happend? Yikes.

[Guest REDWINGS4LYFE]

Man we are gonna miss Holmstrom! He how do i become a member of the LNC

[EasyMark 8]

I gotta say I'm in shock. I kept wanting to the Wings to acquire him. The guy was becoming a phenomenal all around player. What the heck happend? Yikes.

He had a terrible year. He had the DUI before the season started. Whether that was a factor or he didn't mesh with the Sharks' system or something else is a big mystery. He was touted as the power forward who would be the perfect fit to play with Thornton and Cheechoo. Sharks fans were tolerant, very tolerant, hoping that he would find himself in the second half of the season. The Sharks were doing well in the standings so the team could afford to be patient. He even got the start in the playoffs -- second season and all. Didn't help. Wilson finally replaced him with Pavelski, a talented rookie with a knack for being around the puck. (Pavelski scored the goal winner against the Wings with a few seconds to play.) Pavelski scored in his first playoff game afte replacing Bell.

I really feel for the guy. He scored a winning goal against Phoenix, IIRC, and he displayed no joy at all. I hope the Sharks just write off this season and try again next year. Maybe a fresh start next year will let him return to form. If that doesn't work then look for the Sharks to move him.

[betterREDthandead 58]

Trust me, you don't want Bell on your team. He has been San Jose's whipping boy ever since he got a DUI in the off season. Look at his numbers, he had a horrible year. And yeah RW sat his ass, since he was the only one to not get a point in the Nashville series.

Actually if you want Bell please take him! Trust me if DW could have gotten anything for him, even a bag of pucks, he would have been traded quicker then Enron stock on D-Day.

Don't expect to see Bell in this series, or any other series barring injury.

Can you go back in time, say to about last June or July, and tell that to the legions of adoring Wings fans? There was a stretch last summer where Mark Bell was the guy, the it guy, that Holland just had to get or else he was a no-account goon.

OK, anyway the question. I gotta think that Lidstrom will be out there any and every time Thornton is. As NN said, the Wings' top line will be too, and having so much offense in one place might just nullify the scoring power of Thornton and Cheechoo and force them to play defense or get burned.

Against the second line, might either see the new Grind Line, and let the defensive abilities of that squad try and take care of Marleau and co. Either that or throw Bertuzzi out against them with Flip and Rex or Calder. The Marleau line looks like the smallest and maybe Bert can knock some heads. Lang's line has got to go against whichever is least offensively oriented. I don't want those guys to have to try and play defense.

[Henkka 0]

Cleary - Draper - Maltby against Michalek - Thornton - Cheechoo

Our checkin line shutting down Thornton.

Datsjuk - Zetterberg - Holmström against Pavelski - Marleau - Guerin

Selke-Zetterberg shutting down Marleau. Both lines are very probable to score.

Franzen - Lang - Bertuzzi against Clowe - Goc - Bernier

Our big guys line to score the goals against their weakest line.

Calder - Filppula - Samuelsson against Rismiller - Brown - Grier

Fourth line just to play 0-0 or maybe scoring against their checking line.

If Holmström is out, put Samuelsson there, and get Hudler to 4th line.

Edited April 25, 2007 by Henkka

[rick zombo 3,739]

Detroit's lines might look something like this (at least while Homer's out)

Datsyuk - Z - Franzen

Calder - Lang - Bert

Maltby - Draper - Cleary

Hudler - Flip - Sammy

[Covenant 0]

Detroit's lines might look something like this (at least while Homer's out)

Datsyuk - Z - Franzen

Calder - Lang - Bert

Maltby - Draper - Cleary

Hudler - Flip - Sammy

I like these lines! (prints to adjust in NHL 2K7)

*Note basically the complete lack of superstars (Dats/Z obviously, but..) on the forward side of things. I likey.

[Heaton 1]

Woah.. why isn't Bell in the line up? Don't tell me he's a healthy scratch?!

He won't play another game unless there's an injury. Mark Bell has been awful this year, Sharks fans would probably rather of kept Preissing.

[spaMgobLiN 0]

I doubt they're going to use bell, the guy is a liability and pavelski can finish better than bell can. Pavelski has a nose for the net and I think he will be a factor in this series (hopefully).

He won't play another game unless there's an injury. Mark Bell has been awful this year, Sharks fans would probably rather of kept Preissing.

Absolutely, this is actually the first trade the sharks have made that didnt work out, in fact flat out stunk.

Bell was a huge disappointment this year, while Preissing looks to have a very bright future.

[Zion 93]

Little Joe is a good young player, but San Jose has plenty of those.

Mark Bell has been just awful. All year.

[Wings_Dynasty 267]

The only thing you can count on in this series in terms of lineups is that Thornton, Marleau, and Cheechoo will be seeing Lidstrom a lot.

[murf 0]

Franzen - Lang - Bertuzzi against Clowe - Goc - Bernier

Our big guys line to score the goals against their weakest line.

Many would say that Clowe-Goc-Bernier have been the best line for the Sharks during the last few games of the regular season and the series against the Preds. Wilson has started this line on the first shift of each game and many 2nd and 3rd periods to set tempo and physicallity. They've been scoring too.

Until Pavelski what brought in, I thought the Marleau-Grier-Bell line was doing OK, but it wasn't because of the play of Bell. Little Joe has been a big improvement.

As for the Wings, I would think Bertuzzi would be used more against top line becuase of his size and scrappiness. Is his speed/mobility a problem for him against more potent lines?