Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204 Report post Posted April 12, 2008 NBC brought up a great point during the game. Detroits first line (Zetterberg-Datsyuk-Holmstrom-Lidstrom-Rafalski) is probably the best 2-way line in the league. I have to say, the way they've handled the Arnott line, it's like there a shutdown line, but can generate so much offence. If you look at it, you have a Norris trophy winner year after year, can handle anyone in the league. Did it last year with Iginla and Thornton, and has done it to Arnott so far. Then you have 2 selke forwards who were both in the top 10 in scoring. It's just amazing the way Datsyuk plays and Zetterberg is one of the smartest players in the game. Rafalski, top 5 in defence points, has played great with Nick this year. Finally, you got the net presence. Tomas Holmstrom, goes to the dirty areas, I believe his prensence really has made Z and Dats tougher, grittier players. He's the physical presence, plus, great playoff player. People will say that The Malkin line in Pittsburgh, and the Spezza line in Ottawa, but those lines are just not as good 2-way as ours. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Reds4Life 51 Report post Posted April 12, 2008 I was really pleasantly surprised with Homer's play..he was hitting like a Swedish Machine, he was awesome in front of the net as usually..sound defensively. Awesome performance. Pavel is blessed player, some of his moves are just awesome, I am so happy we have such a player in our team. He and Zata are best 2-way forwards in the game, along with maybe Alfredsson. Zata was a beast today, he deserved a goal, but he will get some laters The best line in hockey for sure Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Uncle Danny 155 Report post Posted April 12, 2008 I dunno, guys. That Z-D-Franzen line gave these fellows a run for their money while they were together Was great to see Dats throwing the body a little today! Always an unexpected treat. Think this hurts his Byng aspirations? hehe... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kira 451 Report post Posted April 12, 2008 Like he really cares. I think he'd settle for that trophy at the end over anything else. Pasha goes out every night and does his job. Flies under a lot of people's radar, but at the end of the night, he usually has a goal or a helper, or he helped set up a goal without getting credit. If he doesn't get the Selke, I think that would be an injustice. This is a great line, and has been ever since they were put together. Injuries may have shuffled the players in and out, but Pasha's been the steady presence, and there are a lot of guys who say they feel blessed to play on the line with him. I know Dan Cleary does, Val does, and so has Johan. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Majsheppard 203 Report post Posted April 12, 2008 I am not going to crown any line better then any other until the big ones go against each other. However they obviously play every aspect of hockey to a very good level. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
norrisnick 1 Report post Posted April 12, 2008 I guess injustice is one way to put it... "Zetterberg, to me, is probably the no. 1 candidate for the Selke." - Barry Trotz "So I asked the coaches to pick the best Selke candidate from their conference only (the truth is coaches will be the first to tell you they know little or nothing of the other conference). In the West, Detroit's Henrik Zetterberg more or less ran away with it," - Bob McKenzie of TSN Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
akustyk 84 Report post Posted April 12, 2008 I loved Datsyuk today. too bad Flip was a little bit unlucky because Dats basically gave him two legit shots on goal. but that was incredible what I like the most is that all of them D, Z and H are not shy from physical contact and Pavel is quite often on the giving side. they've been excellent against Arnott. the series moves to Nashville and Trotz will have an opportunity to free his 1st line of ZDH shadow. we'll see how our other lines succeed in closing this line. ZDH were outstanding Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DaKineMaui 8 Report post Posted April 12, 2008 and there are a lot of guys who say they feel blessed to play on the line with him. I know Dan Cleary does, Val does, and so has Johan. ........ask Hull. I think he got about 70 pts in his final year with Detroit by yelling "I'm open! I'm open!" Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
irishtemper14+25 11 Report post Posted April 12, 2008 ........ask Hull. I think he got about 70 pts in his final year with Detroit by yelling "I'm open! I'm open!" that line was perfect...two guys who love to pass and one man who loves to shoot, i wish i could have seen that line when they were all in their prime Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
norrisnick 1 Report post Posted April 13, 2008 that line was perfect...two guys who love to pass and one man who loves to shoot, i wish i could have seen that line when they were all in their prime Hull & Oates had a couple hits back in the day. '90 Hull 72G Oates 79A '91 Hull 86G Oates 90A '92 Hull 70G Oates 59A Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Real1 2 Report post Posted April 13, 2008 I have watched hockey forever and this IS easily the best line in hockey. All they need is a goalie who can stand up.(last bit is sarcasm). Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
