Game 6

[Andy Pred 48 337]

This is not an over reaction from game 5 but I feel that we need to freshen it up a bit.

We have gone cold on the scoring front, our 2 stars are checking more than they should.

Cheli has been found wanting again and a bad change by the vet resulted in the GWG.

DMac isn't getting it done I'm afraid, and Babs 3+mins he gave him highlighted the fact.

So, I honestly believe that Babs will make some changes for the game in Dallas Monday.

Does he re-vamp the lines or just tinker with them? I doubt we will see Mule back this series.

So what can he do with what he has in reserve? My choice's would be as;

Sit Cheli and put in a pumped up raring to go Lilja. Bigger body, good pen kill and fresher legs.

Abdelkader comes in for DMac. Same size, plenty of grit and energy with that more speed plus.

I just feel that a 4th line of Hudler Helm and Abdelkader could be the key to us winning this series.

Get us thru to the Finals and then Babs can re-think what he should do from then on. If he stays as

he is I have a bad vibe about us progressing any further.

[Yzermania 156]

yah I agree something needs to change just to shake things up

ya know, I originally didn't think franzen being out would damage us so much, but we NEED the Mule, our second line is lost without him. I don't know if clears could score on an empty net right now, just having a lot of bad luck, it's not even that he's playing bad or anything, he's just not hitting the net. Yeah Mac isn't really neccessary, he's not providing tons of grit(dally is doing just fine in that dept.) and he doesn't score, so I think abdelkader might be a good choice as well. Cheli I can go either way on, because Llls has his advantages but sometimes he makes the DUMBEST plays that can cost a series, so I don't know, I'd think about putting meech in there before both of them, I think that guy's awesome.

[VM1138 1,921]

yah I agree something needs to change just to shake things up

ya know, I originally didn't think franzen being out would damage us so much, but we NEED the Mule, our second line is lost without him. I don't know if clears could score on an empty net right now, just having a lot of bad luck, it's not even that he's playing bad or anything, he's just not hitting the net. Yeah Mac isn't really neccessary, he's not providing tons of grit(dally is doing just fine in that dept.) and he doesn't score, so I think abdelkader might be a good choice as well. Cheli I can go either way on, because Llls has his advantages but sometimes he makes the DUMBEST plays that can cost a series, so I don't know, I'd think about putting meech in there before both of them, I think that guy's awesome.

Cleary has been gold defensively.

Maybe that's the problem though. A little too much defense and not enough offense?

I'm not panicking. The Wings have what it takes and will get it together. But I do think something does need to change, just to mix things up. We do need secondary scoring. I think it comes down to giving certain players different amounts of ice time. We won't alter Sammy's playing time, but that's the biggest necessary change.

[Chaldean 0]

Dan Cleary has been the most disapointing but the sad part is we don't have anybody efficent enough to replace him in the second line

[uk_redwing 495]

Downey in for Dmac...

I say that because as much as I love Dmac, as everyone does, he just isnt doing much anymore...Downey hasnt had a chance in these playoffs at all. I miss him.

Lilja in for Chelios...

As much as people hate Lilja, his average performance is much better than Chelios current form

2nd Line - Hudler - Flip - Sammy

Cleary has been as invisible in these playoffs as hes ever been...

so 3rd and 4th lines become:

Cleary-Draper-Maltby

Drake-Helm-Downey

Yay for me

[Zeke 5]

This is not an over reaction from game 5 but I feel that we need to freshen it up a bit.

We have gone cold on the scoring front, our 2 stars are checking more than they should.

Cheli has been found wanting again and a bad change by the vet resulted in the GWG.

DMac isn't getting it done I'm afraid, and Babs 3+mins he gave him highlighted the fact.

So, I honestly believe that Babs will make some changes for the game in Dallas Monday.

Does he re-vamp the lines or just tinker with them? I doubt we will see Mule back this series.

So what can he do with what he has in reserve? My choice's would be as;

Sit Cheli and put in a pumped up raring to go Lilja. Bigger body, good pen kill and fresher legs.

Abdelkader comes in for DMac. Same size, plenty of grit and energy with that more speed plus.

I just feel that a 4th line of Hudler Helm and Abdelkader could be the key to us winning this series.

Get us thru to the Finals and then Babs can re-think what he should do from then on. If he stays as

he is I have a bad vibe about us progressing any further.

Chelios needs a rest...a long one.

Give Lils a shot again,or put in Meech,he's faster and can join the rush...we've been missing that the last 2 games.

Mac has lost his adrenaline,but I don't think Downey is the answer right now...go with Abdelkader.

The second line is dead,and Homer can't score with a pocket full of hundreds in a red light district.

Put Cleary on a defensive line,and move up Hudler with the skill guys...I'd also move up Helm with Hudler on the second line...he can really move,and he' s smart.

Cleary and Samuelson on the third line with Abdelkader.

I don't want to start a new thread,but why didn't Babs mix up the lines in the third period? (especially the second line!)

[GMRwings1983 8,803]

yah I agree something needs to change just to shake things up

ya know, I originally didn't think franzen being out would damage us so much, but we NEED the Mule, our second line is lost without him. I don't know if clears could score on an empty net right now, just having a lot of bad luck, it's not even that he's playing bad or anything, he's just not hitting the net. Yeah Mac isn't really neccessary, he's not providing tons of grit(dally is doing just fine in that dept.) and he doesn't score, so I think abdelkader might be a good choice as well. Cheli I can go either way on, because Llls has his advantages but sometimes he makes the DUMBEST plays that can cost a series, so I don't know, I'd think about putting meech in there before both of them, I think that guy's awesome.

When has Lilja ever cost us a series?

I dare anyone here to show me one piece of video evidence as proof that Lilja has ever cost us a big playoff game.

[Reilly 24]

When has Lilja ever cost us a series?

I dare anyone here to show me one piece of video evidence as proof that Lilja has ever cost us a big playoff game.

His giveaways in Game 3 and 4 led to goals.

[Aeothe Kaear 0]

How about not playing that god-awful Chelios/Lebda pair with the fourth line every time? That group of five gets pinned in their own zone for the entire shift every other time out there.

[Z and D for the C 712]

Putting Downey in would be stupid. Abds would be a much better choice.

[ch777 0]

Hudler should be getting more ice time.

[Aussie_Wing 354]

Really, Abdelkader probably should be playing ahead of McCarty.

[Chaldean 0]

Dallas has succesfully shut our 1st line down. It wouldn't be too bad of an idea of splitting the twins just for game 6. Why you people focusing on McCarty, the guy gets 4 minutes a game, so his replacement wouldn't impact as much as some of you think.

Edited May 18, 2008 by Chaldean

[Yzrmn19 0]

How about not playing that god-awful Chelios/Lebda pair with the fourth line every time? That group of five gets pinned in their own zone for the entire shift every other time out there.

I agree with all the Cheli talk and certainly the Dallas fourth line has caused some problems the last two games, but I have actually been impressed with Lebda's play and don't see him as the problem in that pairing. I think he has done a good job as a 6th D-man and his play has certainly improved over the last part of the regular season. He has done a good job skating the puck out of the zone and has made some nice passes that led to good scoring chances. Today he joined the rush a few times and he is able to quickly get back because of his speed. There were a few times when Cheli tried to pinch in the Dallas zone and I found myself thanking God that he was paired with Lebda so atleast one of them would be able to get back.

Despite the fact that I think Cheli has been somewhat of a liability in the last few games, i'm not entirely convinced that Lilja is the right answer. When it comes to certain plays, Chelios has the advantage of experience over Lilja so I guess it's the better of two evils. I don't think its really going to matter though because I am fully expecting to see Cheli on the ice for game 6.

And also something...anything...needs to be done to get the second line going again.

[TimeBinder 28]

Sit Sammy He just plain sucks - doesn't back check - looks lost - shot is useless - coughs up the puck along the boards - why the hell is that idiot out there??? He just floats - why the hell is he even out there - always looking for the line change

[eva unit zero 271]

I'd like to see them try something like this:

Hudler/Zetterberg/Cleary

Holmstrom/Datsyuk/Samuelsson

Abdelkader/Drake/Filppula

Maltby/Draper/Helm

Lidstrom/Rafalski

Kronwall/Stuart

Lebda/Lilja/Chelios

[Drake_Marcus 890]

Sorry guys and gals- but Chelios's PK acumen is too great to give up. If Babs did sit Chelios I'd strongly, strongly, strongly suggest giving Ericsson a shot. He's so, so talented and showed in the regular season that he's capable of playing really well. Just fantastically so. We were all impressed by Quincey's play last post season. Imagine how impressive it'd be to see someone with real talent and a 6'4 frame do that. We're talking about third pairing minutes, but you're all crazy if you don't think Ericsson would play the best hockey of his life. Plus it'd get that extra fire into Chelios.

As far as realistic changes? I'd put Abdelkader in for D-Mac. Sorry D- you're just not doing it for me right now

Completely throw the second line in the blender.

Oh, and make the boys feel the gravity of the situation as much as possible. I'm sure they're well aware of it, but there's a reason why leadership and coaching is so important.

Good luck boys... if we don't win this series I fear I'll slip into a dark, dark place. I've never been so emotionally invested in something I have such little control of.

Edited May 18, 2008 by Drake_Marcus

[Matt 1,049]

Downey in for Dmac...

Downey would play less than McCarty does. If anyone outside of Franzen gets put in there I'd prefer that it be Abdelkader, extreme case of limited experience or not. I have a feeling Hartigan would be higher on the totem pole, though, unfortunately.

Lilja in for Chelios...

Won't happen. I would be very surprised to see Chelios as a healthy scratch, despite the egregious error from this afternoon.

[Matt 1,049]

Plus, let's not forget we weren't blown out of our own barn today by a 4-1, 5-1, or whatever lopsided margin you want to give. Perhaps after settling down a few hours after the game I've been a bit more rational. YES, the Red Wings blew a fantastic opportunity to end this series, but games like this WILL happen.

The Red Wings weren't embarassed out there -- a couple of bounces go a bit different and we're watching Lidstrom avoid touching the Campbell Trophy like it was the plague. The Wings carried a majority of the play after the opening 10 minutes of the game, outshot Dallas by a near 2-1 marging and were ridiculous on the faceoffs again.

Were they a bit passive? Abso-friggin'-lutely. There's still much to improve upon, but there's no reason to get completely discouraged. They showed the urgency of a team with a 3-1 lead -- it didn't match the Stars.

I think you'll see a different team Monday night. There's some real bonafide pressure on this roster and on everyone to perform right now... it's gut-check time, and I think this team has played some of its best hockey when facing such situations.

[Love Lidstrom 0]

This is not an over reaction from game 5 but I feel that we need to freshen it up a bit.

We have gone cold on the scoring front, our 2 stars are checking more than they should.

Cheli has been found wanting again and a bad change by the vet resulted in the GWG.

DMac isn't getting it done I'm afraid, and Babs 3+mins he gave him highlighted the fact.

So, I honestly believe that Babs will make some changes for the game in Dallas Monday.

Does he re-vamp the lines or just tinker with them? I doubt we will see Mule back this series.

So what can he do with what he has in reserve? My choice's would be as;

Sit Cheli and put in a pumped up raring to go Lilja. Bigger body, good pen kill and fresher legs.

Abdelkader comes in for DMac. Same size, plenty of grit and energy with that more speed plus.

I just feel that a 4th line of Hudler Helm and Abdelkader could be the key to us winning this series.

Get us thru to the Finals and then Babs can re-think what he should do from then on. If he stays as

he is I have a bad vibe about us progressing any further.

I'm a little nervous. We need Franzen!!

I do agree we need to change something because obviously what we're doing isn't getting it done!

I wasn't too impressed w/ Chelios. He's made some dumb mistakes. He's cost us goals before this too!

Defense is great, but defense won't win games!

Remember - assuming we win this series - we still have to play even better in the final round to win the cup!

GO WINGS!

[hockeytown9 1]

All I can say is, as a Spartan, I would love to see Abdelkader in the game should Babs make that call. :beerbuddy:

[Xitium 272]

No Lilja.

No way.

Hes a parking cone with turnovers.

Maltz needs to play though. Sit Mac.

[Drake_Marcus 890]

I'd like to see them try something like this:

Hudler/Zetterberg/Cleary

Holmstrom/Datsyuk/Samuelsson

Abdelkader/Drake/Filppula

Maltby/Draper/Helm

Lidstrom/Rafalski

Kronwall/Stuart

Lebda/Lilja/Chelios

Woh, woh, woh! I'm a huge cleary fan but he's just not up to his old self and putting him up for 1st line minutes isn't likely a prudent idea!

Here's what I'd do:

Filppula/Datsyuk/Holmstrom

Hudler/Zetterberg/Samuelsson <--- these two lines are how they played split before

Cleary/Draper/Drake/

Maltby/Helm/Abdelkader

Lidstrom/Rafalski

Kronwall/Stuart

Lebda/Ericsson <-- this line be a horrible idea given the lack of experience between the two

Or, I'd go real nuts and do this:

Zetterberg/Datsyuk/Holmstrom

Filppula/Hudler/Helm

Cleary/Draper/Drake

Maltby/Abdelkader/Samuelsson <-- who knows how centre would work out with gator there

[Sergeiwasmyfav 0]

Perhaps making some changes to the line combinations or bringing in someone for McCarty or Chelios may help, but I think the biggest change that needs to be made for Game 6 is the Wings' level of intensity. As others have mentioned, they just didn't seem to be playing at the same level emotion-wise as Dallas was. They need to play Game 6 like they are the team on the brink of elimination, because if they don't, they will be that team along with Dallas the next game. That being said, Sammy really frustrated me today, even more than other games recently. He always seems to make one decent play, and then he just messes it up by doing something totally stupid a second later. He was absolutely not the only one who didn't play up to par today, but it was still frustrating to watch. I just hope the Wings come with a lot of intensity on Monday. If they do, they should be fine.

Edited May 18, 2008 by Sergeiwasmyfav

[FirstSamuel1745 0]

When has Lilja ever cost us a series?

I dare anyone here to show me one piece of video evidence as proof that Lilja has ever cost us a big playoff game.

Game 5, 2007 Western Conference Finals vs. Anaheim Ducks. Lilja coughs it up to Selanne right in front of the net in overtime, costing the Wings the game and ultimately the series. If that's not evidence, I'm not sure what is, with all due respect.