Lines for Tonight's Game

[40#1Fan 0]

From Bruce MacLeod of the Macomb Daily

http://redwingscorner.blogspot.com/

With Johan Franzen out for the next few weeks with a sprained MCL, Valtteri Filppula will skate on Pavel Datsyuk's wing for tonight's game against Edmonton. Matt Ellis moves into the lineup, centering a line. Here's a look at the probable lines for Detroit ...

Filppula-Datsyuk-Holmstrom

Hudler-Zetterberg-Samuelsson

Cleary-Draper-Drake

Kopecky-Ellis-Maltby

Lidstrom-Rafalski

Kronwall-Lilja

Lebda-Chelios

Hasek (starts)

Osgood

And the probable Edmonton lines ...

Penner-Horcoff-Hemsky

Torres-Stoll-Nilsson

Sanderson-Brodziak-Reasoner

Gagner-Cogliano-Pouliot

Pitkanen-Staios

Souray-Greene

Tarnstrom-Gilbert

Roloson

Garon

[uk_redwing 495]

f***s sake get Downey in the 4th line

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

f***s sake get Downey in the 4th line

Yeah, Downey on the 4th line......that's definitely going to make or break a win tonight.

[Mors 201]

Awesome...Ellis is in

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

What purpose does Ellis serve? Nothing. I'd like to get Downey in, this s*** is getting stupid.

Oh, and even better, Danny is stuck on the 3rd line tonight.

[Heaton 1]

What purpose does Ellis serve? Nothing.

Solid, hardworking, responsible shifts? Babcock knows he can put him out there and he'll work in the corners and get a cycle going in the offensive zone. Downey will play, but Ellis is first on the pecking order. I'd guess Downey will get about 3 games while Franzen is injured.

Regardless, Ellis or Downey, neither will be a factor in the outcome of the games.

Edited October 8, 2007 by Heaton

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

Solid, hardworking, responsible shifts? Babcock knows he can put him out there and he'll work in the corners and get a cycle going in the offensive zone. Downey will play, but Ellis is first on the pecking order. I'd guess Downey will get about 3 games while Franzen is injured.

Regardless, Ellis or Downey, neither will be a factor in the outcome of the games.

As long as he plays sometime, I'll be fine. Agaisnt Calgary would be good (Downey vs. Godard!)

[grsbmd 0]

I'm really happy to see Filppula getting a shot on the top line. He works well in all situations and really has great puck poise. I hope he does well.

[Yzermaniac192005 0]

I'm excited to see flipper on the top line.

I'll be there tonight btw go wings!

[RedWingsFanatic 4]

I think that's what the first line should look like, including instances when Franzen is in the line-up. I think Flip is due for an incredible break-out season, more so than Franzen, and I think he would be best utilized playing with Datsyuk and Holmstrom. Putting Franzen on a third line with Draper and Cleary makes much more sense.

I'm excited to see what Filppula/Datsyuk/Holmstrom can do tonight.

Edited October 8, 2007 by RedWingsFanatic

[CAredwingsfan91 28]

Eh I was hoping Downey would be in tonight I'd rather have him in esecially since edmonton usually runs us over, Downey should have got the start tonight over Ellis.

[SweWings 45]

I'm excited to see flipper on the top line.

Me too - hope he'll score a couple...

[Guest micah]

I'm excited to see what Filppula/Datsyuk/Holmstrom can do tonight.

Me too.

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

Wow, Ellis and Kopecky on the same line! I think the Oilers should forfeit this game with those bruisers out on the ice for us.

[BigTex 1]

It'll be nice to see them get some quality minutes. Go Wings!

[irishtemper14+25 11]

i like seeing val up there

[johnnyoski 0]

I guess I shouldn't be surprised that Ellis got the start over Downey.

The whole waiver thing should have pointed to this.

Glad to see Flip get a chance on the top line.

[RedWingsFanatic 4]

Putting Downey on waivers had nothing to do with how the Wings' brass looks at him. He was placed there only because it will make it easier to send him down and call him up as the season progresses. It was something that needed to be done. They risked the possibility of losing him, but I know they were pleased that he wasn't plucked.

[Son of a Wing 1,644]

Ellis deserves to play far more than Downey does. He is a tremendous worker who has worked through our organization and proven that he deserves a shot. Downey has not proven anything as he was just signed as a utility player and has not even played in a regular season game yet. Yes he deserves a shot, but not before Ellis.

[Grittzkey 1]

Downey Please. he's the next paul karyia.

[lets go pavel 2]

I like Flip on the top line, I think they'll have a lot of jump ... only issue is who's going to shoot the puck? Both Flip and Pavs seem to be pass-first playmakers, and with Homer set up in front of the net he won't be shooting first either ... c'mon boys, pull the trigger!

[johnnyoski 0]

Putting Downey on waivers had nothing to do with how the Wings' brass looks at him. He was placed there only because it will make it easier to send him down and call him up as the season progresses. It was something that needed to be done. They risked the possibility of losing him, but I know they were pleased that he wasn't plucked.

No. But it clearly shows that Ellis is above Downey on the depth chart. Otherwise why didn't they expose Ellis to waivers instead?

Edited October 8, 2007 by johnnyoski

[stevkrause 1,247]

Flip on a line with Dats... yes, yes, yes. I think this will be start of his true breakout season.

[skacore 2]

It's pretty sickening to hear some of you guys talk down to this team's players like you do, I want a fighter on the Wings as much (probably more) than anyone on here and I wish they would bring a regular in, but if the organization makes the decision to put in Matt Ellis, a workhorse and leader on the Griffins for the past few years who has only improved in every aspect of his game, over Aaron Downey, a recent UFA signing who will drop the gloves, I wish the best for Matt Ellis

Detroit #1 Fan, I remember you saying something like "Ellis and Downey, the two guys I wanted to make the team made it, yay!" now you are talking smack? You're like a Yakbak, you just repeat what everyone else says in a thread lol, you know you can have your OWN opinion dude

[Drake_Marcus 890]

What purpose does Ellis serve? Nothing. I'd like to get Downey in, this s*** is getting stupid.

Oh, and even better, Danny is stuck on the 3rd line tonight.

The Wings must want to give Ellis a chance to either prove himself or show something promising enough to make him some kind of trade-bait.

Otherwise I have to agree with you. When I read the lines for tonight my first thought was "why isn't Downey playing against a team like the Oilers? This is a waste."

Eh I was hoping Downey would be in tonight I'd rather have him in esecially since edmonton usually runs us over, Downey should have got the start tonight over Ellis.

Exactly what I was thinking. I've got no problem with Ellis, but this game seems like prime Downey territory.