Downey's double play

[Guest Canadian Wings]

"It was an opportunity," said Downey. "I tried to shove it on my backhand and I went into the net. There was just a little opportunity to give Leclaire a little jab with my left hand. I think that really bothered him a little bit. He hit me with his blocker. I think Jody Shelley saw me hit him, so Shelley he lost it. He came in and sucker-punched me. As soon as Shelley hit me a second time, I knew there'd be a second penalty. I just tried to keep my composure and get back to the bench.

http://redwingscorner.blogspot.com/2007/11...ouble-play.html

[skacore 2]

if that backhand went in would it be considered a triple play? here's a better question, if Downey scores on that play... do we still get the 5 on 3? I really doubt it... we would be lucky to get a 5 on 4 I'd think

[Flip-check 6]

if that backhand went in would it be considered a triple play? here's a better question, if Downey scores on that play... do we still get the 5 on 3? I really doubt it... we would be lucky to get a 5 on 4 I'd think

If we got the 5-on-3 and Downey got the goal, then the ref also gets a NHL-sponsored drug test for calling a goal after the net's been knocked off.

[SwedeLundin77 460]

Downey needs to stay in the lineup FULL-TIME! It's obvious that he brings great things to our team. He reminds me of a smart and level-headed Sean Avery. I hope he gets rewarded for a great game here and they keep giving him time. Drake needs to either start playing harder and tougher or he'll be benched far more often. Downey > Drake. I don't know, maybe it's the face shield screwing with him. I also would like to see Ellis play way more.

[irishtemper14+25 11]

that was awesome last night

[Opie 308]

First off not here to bash Downey, he is playing his role great and is having a better impact than I thought he would. Here is my worry with making him a full timer and the issue I had in the offseason with him in the winged wheel.

He will not log ice time in the Post season, these type of guys usually don't nothing against him.

However, how does this impact line's chemistry in the post season? It will be imperative that the wings roll 4 lines, and based on the wings record with him in the game it will be imperative for him to suit up in the regular season.

Is it better to have a fourth line that grabs about 5 minutes a game, with chemistry and energy, or a 4th line that could have some potential to score be on the ice.

I guess if Dats and Z are on a tear still and the second line continues to progress there is really no reason to sit him in the playoffs.

Could Downey log 50-60 games, he hasn't done it in the NHL, maybe in other levels, but that is a lot of time for a guy as the season is winding down.

As I said I think he gives them a ton of energy, and I was one of his staunchest proponents, but credit where credit is due.

Just thinking out loud here, but I will say he is doing what he has done in the past, play limited minutes, doing the dirty work.

Any other thoughts?

[rick zombo 3,739]

I think Downey adds alot to the Wings line-up. Last night was a perfect game from him. Great stuff.

But I'd like to add, that people have been talking twice as much about Downey's play than about Datsyuk's goal. Which was clutch and beautiful. I dunno, maybe people are used to Datsyuk's brilliance. But maybe it also speaks to the hockey mentality of some LGWers that they would get more excited about Downey's play than Datsyuk's.

[PROBIE4PREZ 58]

I think Downey adds alot to the Wings line-up. Last night was a perfect game from him. Great stuff.

But I'd like to add, that people have been talking twice as much about Downey's play than about Datsyuk's goal. Which was clutch and beautiful. I dunno, maybe people are used to Datsyuk's brilliance. But maybe it also speaks to the hockey mentality of some LGWers that they would get more excited about Downey's play than Datsyuk's.

Not only was it a clutch goal ,but the EMOTION he showed after scoring .. havent seen him like that since last year in the playoffs. it was a great feeling even for me seeing him with a wide open smile on his face ..

[12Newf 0]

in my mind a big part of that win last night was due to downey. leclaire was so pissed off that he had to be pulled to have a chat with hitchcock. lets not forget downey also ran him earlier in the game and even though he took a penalty that resulted in a PPG he sure got leclaire pissed off. i think that this type of play will be really useful as the season goes on.

[Guest GordieSid&Ted]

in my mind a big part of that win last night was due to downey. leclaire was so pissed off that he had to be pulled to have a chat with hitchcock. lets not forget downey also ran him earlier in the game and even though he took a penalty that resulted in a PPG he sure got leclaire pissed off. i think that this type of play will be really useful as the season goes on.

Leclair's been one of the top 3 goalies this season and Downey got him off his game. And yes, he took a bad penalty earlier but then made amends by getting Leclair and Shelley to take bad penalties.

That's Downey's game and he's playing it perfectly right now. I still haven't seen him do anything to be a goat or cost us a game. He's logged as much as 7-8 minutes in a game I believe so I know he can play with that energy for as long as we ask him to in a game, playoffs as well.

I think its just going to come down to who Babs feels best rounds out the roster. I'll guarantee that when the playoffs are done, there will be many a Red Wing forward with zero goals scored or very minimal points scored. Given that highly probable stat, what difference would it be to have Downey in their as opposed to somebody else? The answer for Babs is going to be is what Downey brings to the lineup going to be more valuable than the next guy, given that scoring will likely not be a benefit from any of the players looking at that last forward slot.

IMO, playoffs are no joke. You can't have somebody out there who could cost you the game. However, Downey has done nothing to cost us any games and he's providing a style and a toughness that pretty much is lacking throughout the rest of the roster. This is mucho important considering we will not face a single team that is physically smaller, weaker or nastier than us. I for one don't want to go into the playoff "wars" without at least one cannon.

[haroldsnepsts 4,826]

Leclair's been one of the top 3 goalies this season and Downey got him off his game. And yes, he took a bad penalty earlier but then made amends by getting Leclair and Shelley to take bad penalties.

That's Downey's game and he's playing it perfectly right now. I still haven't seen him do anything to be a goat or cost us a game. He's logged as much as 7-8 minutes in a game I believe so I know he can play with that energy for as long as we ask him to in a game, playoffs as well.

I think its just going to come down to who Babs feels best rounds out the roster. I'll guarantee that when the playoffs are done, there will be many a Red Wing forward with zero goals scored or very minimal points scored. Given that highly probable stat, what difference would it be to have Downey in their as opposed to somebody else? The answer for Babs is going to be is what Downey brings to the lineup going to be more valuable than the next guy, given that scoring will likely not be a benefit from any of the players looking at that last forward slot.

IMO, playoffs are no joke. You can't have somebody out there who could cost you the game. However, Downey has done nothing to cost us any games and he's providing a style and a toughness that pretty much is lacking throughout the rest of the roster. This is mucho important considering we will not face a single team that is physically smaller, weaker or nastier than us. I for one don't want to go into the playoff "wars" without at least one cannon.

The thing is, how will you know which Wings forward is going to finish with zero goals scored or minimal points? It'd only be in hindsight you could say it would've been better to have Downey in there.

He's been averaging a little over 4 minutes a game. Right where he should be in my opinion.

I also hope that next time someone takes a pop at Hasek or Ozzy, they remember Downey's play and how they felt about it. It happens and it's part of the game. It doesn't necessarily make some player a dirtbag cheapshot artist.

[RedWingBelle 0]

Not only was it a clutch goal ,but the EMOTION he showed after scoring .. havent seen him like that since last year in the playoffs. it was a great feeling even for me seeing him with a wide open smile on his face ..

That was the first thing we said after his goal last night - he was sooooo pumped! It's great to see Dats get excited after his goals. On a different note, the interview he had with John Keating was interesting. Perhaps Pavel is finally coming out of his shell. Or, more likely, he's just now getting really comfortable and we finally get to see the REAL Datsyuk. Either way, he is simply awesome to watch.

~Belle~

[Flip-check 6]

I also hope that next time someone takes a pop at Hasek or Ozzy, they remember Downey's play and how they felt about it. It happens and it's part of the game. It doesn't necessarily make some player a dirtbag cheapshot artist.

Right. I think also though the fact of someone on the team like Downey standing up to this however, will quiet the people who don't understand this -- that it's part of the game.

Plus I think the fans who've grown used to the "classy" Detroit Red Wings also have gotten -unused- to the idea of deliberately bending the rules to get under a guy's skin. Other cities? They still know, they haven't gotten the idea of hockey being a gentleman's sport -- which it can be, but just not the way some people would like to think. This is what hockey should be... and it's more exciting to see that edge in the game, but again the general fans who praise Detroit's Lady Byng quality probably are the ones who forget quickest that it's part of the exciting undercurrent of an adrenaline-filled match. It sells tickets.

And on that point actually, I don't remember for sure with that Buffalo/Ottawa blowup last season harold, but I think the next game after that fight sold out pretty quick I hear.

But again on people taking liberties on our guys, the clamor here was much greater last season when all you (as a fan) can do is take it. Now that we have -something- to respond with? Not as much. It's one step out of eight or nine in the right direction, imo.

I'm just tossing those observations out there however, even though they aren't directly related to the topic at hand.

[Mors 201]

I'd rather see more Downey and less Drake at this point, at least until Drake gets the visor off...right now he isn't doing anything.

[Draperfan 104]

I also like Downeys interviews,at the end of the 1st period he was asked if he was going to mix it up with Shelley,he said no i would rather have HIM on the ice

[Grittzkey 1]

Downey is the Pwntagonist. Its all he does is pwn dewds. and i love it.

Downey and Drake should be fun to watch, they could be like the Bash Brothers, but our version will me called Double D@@@

Oh Boi Oh Boi!!!!

[esteef 2,679]

I also like Downeys interviews,at the end of the 1st period he was asked if he was going to mix it up with Shelley,he said no i would rather have HIM on the ice

Brilliant!

esteef

[Kp-Wings 3]

Downey brings that one element this team has lacked over the years. I really think he should be rewarded for his good play, and stay in full-time instead of Drake. Drake has sucked badly ever since he got the face-shield on. If Drake can't fight, there is no point in having him in the lineup.

Hopefully he get's back in on Wednesday, especially because it's against St. Louis. I'm tired of guys like Jackman tacking liberties against our players, and nobody doing anything about it.

[SouthernWingsFan 854]

I definitely like the presence Downey brings, but he's doing his job as a 4th-liner with limited minutes like he is supposed to do. Nothing more, nothing less, which is why I'm not going to get overly ga-ga over him because OMG HE FIGHTS AND HE'S TOUGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Again, he's doing what is asked of him.

Do you give him a little more PT based on what he's done so far to a possible 3rd line role? Perhaps at most, but everybody here knows that he's probably just going to be reserved to the role that he is playing, so I'm not going to throw a hissy fit if he doesn't get more than 6-7 minutes a game or whenever he gets scratched again, because it is to be expected.

[Z and D for the C 712]

That was the first thing we said after his goal last night - he was sooooo pumped! It's great to see Dats get excited after his goals.

I thought the exact same. Usually after he scored a goal he's blank faced and seems as though it's not really a big deal to him, but seeming him obviously happy about it made it that much better. Hopefully we see more of both Datsyuk scoring gorgeous goals like that and him being as excited as the fans.

As for the topic, I love seeing Downey play. He has our guys' back when opponents get too comfortable and once more, he is a relatively responsible player on the ice and doesn't give up stupid plays. I like seeing him and Ellis play and on the same line as they always are working hard get on the other teams D very well.