Expecting anyone to step up?

[JoeBuddy 10]

I'm just curious as to if anyone on the boards here thinks that we will see one player step up their game significantly in the goal scoring category for this series. To me, I can see Cleary finally bringing back the scoring power that he had during the regular season and giving us a real boost to help us out.

I would however, would like to see Nick get some more goals off of rockets on the power play.

And also to be honest, it wouldn't surprise me if all of our guys just raised their level of play one giant step as a whole. This is the closest that many have ever been to winning the Stanley Cup, and I don't think anyone on the Red Wings wants to see this golden opportunity skip away.

[shoe 165]

Im expecting Holmstrom to get into Fleurys young mind

I would also like to see a few shots from the defence find their way into the net. From blue line blasts or tip ins from those shots.

[DYags 0]

I'm just curious as to if anyone on the boards here thinks that we will see one player step up their game significantly in the goal scoring category for this series. To me, I can see Cleary finally bringing back the scoring power that he had during the regular season and giving us a real boost to help us out.

I would however, would like to see Nick get some more goals off of rockets on the power play.

And also to be honest, it wouldn't surprise me if all of our guys just raised their level of play one giant step as a whole. This is the closest that many have ever been to winning the Stanley Cup, and I don't think anyone on the Red Wings wants to see this golden opportunity skip away.

Thats really what I'm expecting. I think the guys will be flying out there and nearly everyones game will be stepped up. As for goal scorers, I think if Hudler sees more 3rd line time with some skill guys he'll put in some goals for sure. I don't expect the Pens to playing a very physical game which will suit Hudler.

[DYags 0]

Im expecting Holmstrom to get into Fleurys young mind

Thats something I don't think has been talked about too much. I don't think Fleury has seen anywhere near as much traffic and shots as the Wings will dish out on him. He's young and is bound to get aggitated by the '96' that will be parked infront of him all night

[Pavel Bure 0]

Thats something I don't think has been talked about too much. I don't think Fleury has seen anywhere near as much traffic and shots as the Wings will dish out on him. He's young and is bound to get aggitated by the '96' that will be parked infront of him all night

The lack of traffic is because Gill and Orpik have been killing people that try and get in the crease.

[Saran 1]

as long as franzen comes back i think we will be fine, everyone is hustling out there 110% maybe not getting the puck in the net but they are certainly doing a good job on preventing the opposing team from scoring.

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

Cleary and Homer.

[10 Minute Misconduct 104]

if nobody steps up we don't win.

[DYags 0]

The lack of traffic is because Gill and Orpik have been killing people that try and get in the crease.

We'll see how they do against Homer If you've watched a lot of our games you'd see typically the more you try to get rid of Homer the more problems you make for yourselves because it just creates more traffic and distractions right infront of your goalie.

Here's hoping Franzen is back for this reason as well. He's built just the same and is tough to move in there, just like Homer

[Datsyerberger 279]

I'm expecting Homer's buttcheeks to step up this series, but I'm also especially expecting some of the older vets to step up for this SCF. Drake is going to be really hungry for a cup before retiring, Chelios retiring doesn't ever seem a possibility but you know he's going to be hungry for another cup as well before finally hanging them up. I would say Draper, but he seems to always play with such a strong work ethic it'd be harder for him to step up any more (unless he's stepping up to the net to deflect more pucks into the net with his beard). I wouldn't be surprised to see Helm with another goal and some good plays, he's been working his ass off out there to secure a roster spot next year it looks like, and obviously to win this year.

Other possibilities are Cleary (I thought he did well in the Dallas series, mostly with a run of bad luck as much as anything else limiting his scoring), and perhaps Lebda. I've been relatively impressed with his play lately.. it looks like he's finally using his speed regularly in the proper situations to gain an advantage.

[j.hoop 64]

saturday is so long away

[Yellowknife Redwing 57]

I'm expecting a huge series from Jiri Hudler. He's had a great playoffs so far, but I've got this feeling about the finals...

[Izzy24 44]

I expect Drake to continue his play from game 6. Lots of big hits, his usual awesomeness on the PK, maybe even a goal or two.

[FunkedUp 29]

I expect monster hits from Drake and Kronwall...

[poxer 0]

Honestly, I expect Hudler, Drake, Draper, Homer, and Filp/Helm to step up their game. Hudler has really started to prove himself in the playoffs. Drake is playing amazing hockey right now along with Draper. Its been awhile since Homer has done something spectacular, so he should be stepping up. And I say Filp or Helm because they both have scored and both of them have potential to do something great but something is stopping them. I expect the SCF will take care of that road block.

[P. Marlowe 748]

(...) perhaps Lebda. I've been relatively impressed with his play lately.. it looks like he's finally using his speed regularly in the proper situations to gain an advantage.

Nice to see that someone else has noticed that Lebda has played rather well lately. He's used to be the target of criticism here, but I think he's solidified his spot as a number six fefenseman over Lilja. Him bringing the puck to the zone have resulted to couple of goals in the last two rounds.

I can't really say I'm expecting anyone to step up. I'm just eagerly waiting what happens when the games start. I'm happy with the way Red Wings are playing when they are motivated.

One of the few things that bother me is McCarty's unnecessary penalties. If Franzen doesn't come back McCarty will most likely still get time in the 4th line. I don't really mind that he can't skate as fast as others as he could balance that with playing smart. What I do mind is that he's taken penalties in each of the last four games and three in the last one. I don't think in any of those situations there were a threat of getting scored on and neither were they mistakes. He's been mostly harmful lately. In his first 11 playoff games this year he got only one minor penalty so he know's how to not take them too. Maybe he's getting tired.

It will be interesting to see if McCarty will get resigned as he's a fan favourite, but he has a hard time making the line-up. Of course it could be that this is only the beginning if his comeback. If he's motivated he could spend summer working really hard for the next season and continue on the 4th line.

[akustyk 84]

McCarty

Cleary

Flip

Rafalski

Mac has been unspectacular for most of the playoffs. he's done his job well

but I'd like to see last flash of his old scoring self and see him pot a strong

goal in Pens series

Cleary had brutal offseason having bad luck in bringing the puck into the net.

I hope it finally goes by and Danny scores some good goals.

I'd also like to see Raf having some long range shots landing in Fleury's net.

and finally there's Flip... I just have a feeling about him that he's gonna end

up with some big goal in this series

Nice to see that someone else has noticed that Lebda has played rather well lately. He's used to be the target of criticism here, but I think he's solidified his spot as a number six fefenseman over Lilja. Him bringing the puck to the zone have resulted to couple of goals in the last two rounds.

amen, brother. Lebda's been great this series and has raised his game

well above what he did last season. Lilja had outstanding playoffs last

year but this time with Drake, Mac and healthy Kronner he's not that much

of use. and Lebda has grown to be reliable and free of mistakes. and his

speed is big difference here.

Edited May 22, 2008 by akustyk

[Datsyerberger 279]

I suspect that more than anything else, D-Mac's troubles were a result of that temper of his being flared up a bit by a couple particular cheapshotting cowards on Dallas. They'd spear and slash but wouldn't take a fight with an enforcer (or even an ex-enforcer).

[PaVel DaTsYuK fan13 0]

Holmstrom will have a good series and give Fleury major problems.

I also expect Maltby to have a much better series than the past few.

[P. Marlowe 748]

I suspect that more than anything else, D-Mac's troubles were a result of that temper of his being flared up a bit by a couple particular cheapshotting cowards on Dallas. They'd spear and slash but wouldn't take a fight with an enforcer (or even an ex-enforcer).

Perhaps. I didn't notice much of cheapshotting though. Ribeiro slashing Osgood in game one and Morrow's late check on Lidstrom in game six were the only ones that I remember. Besides that there were smaller things coming from both teams. McCarty propably had a problem with his temper just like Holmstrom had. Players with their experience should know better. Luckily their penalties didn't decide the series.

I don't know how you can say Stars' players cowards. All I noticed that they played the game in the similar fashion that Red Wings did, just not as well.

[Datsyerberger 279]

Perhaps. I didn't notice much of cheapshotting though. Ribeiro slashing Osgood in game one and Morrow's late check on Lidstrom in game six were the only ones that I remember. Besides that there were smaller things coming from both teams. McCarty propably had a problem with his temper just like Holmstrom had. Players with their experience should know better. Luckily their penalties didn't decide the series.

I don't know how you can say Stars' players cowards. All I noticed that they played the game in the similar fashion that Red Wings did, just not as well.

I was referring mainly to Ott, and his spearing/other blatant penalties and cheap shots away from the play. That, and his constant going after Draper and avoiding D-Mac, like our all time favorite turtle. Cowardly.

I rather like most of the rest of the Dallas team, though I'm afraid I'll never get over that hilarious Ribs dive from a couple years ago.

[UKWING 8]

Nice to see that someone else has noticed that Lebda has played rather well lately. He's used to be the target of criticism here, but I think he's solidified his spot as a number six fefenseman over Lilja. Him bringing the puck to the zone have resulted to couple of goals in the last two rounds.

I can't really say I'm expecting anyone to step up. I'm just eagerly waiting what happens when the games start. I'm happy with the way Red Wings are playing when they are motivated.

One of the few things that bother me is McCarty's unnecessary penalties. If Franzen doesn't come back McCarty will most likely still get time in the 4th line. I don't really mind that he can't skate as fast as others as he could balance that with playing smart. What I do mind is that he's taken penalties in each of the last four games and three in the last one. I don't think in any of those situations there were a threat of getting scored on and neither were they mistakes. He's been mostly harmful lately. In his first 11 playoff games this year he got only one minor penalty so he know's how to not take them too. Maybe he's getting tired.

It will be interesting to see if McCarty will get resigned as he's a fan favourite, but he has a hard time making the line-up. Of course it could be that this is only the beginning if his comeback. If he's motivated he could spend summer working really hard for the next season and continue on the 4th line.

agree with all that. lebda's play has been a nice surprise and i would say that the debate now is who should partner him on the 3rd d-pairing.

as for mccarty - what makes his play even more annoying is that he is not even playing physical. atm he is a liability and even if franzen cannot come back i would rather see abdelkader, downey or hartigan playing instead of mac.

[Opie 308]

I'm expecting Homer's buttcheeks to step up this series, but I'm also especially expecting some of the older vets to step up for this SCF. Drake is going to be really hungry for a cup before retiring, Chelios retiring doesn't ever seem a possibility but you know he's going to be hungry for another cup as well before finally hanging them up. I would say Draper, but he seems to always play with such a strong work ethic it'd be harder for him to step up any more (unless he's stepping up to the net to deflect more pucks into the net with his beard). I wouldn't be surprised to see Helm with another goal and some good plays, he's been working his ass off out there to secure a roster spot next year it looks like, and obviously to win this year.

Other possibilities are Cleary (I thought he did well in the Dallas series, mostly with a run of bad luck as much as anything else limiting his scoring), and perhaps Lebda. I've been relatively impressed with his play lately.. it looks like he's finally using his speed regularly in the proper situations to gain an advantage.

I agree I see some of the Vets really turning it up!!!!!!

This is the list of Wings I see playing better than last series:

-Dats (I know you are saying How?, he will)

-Z (See above answer)

-Homer (Had Dats goal counted people wouldn't be saying he needs to step up, they would be talking about his near perfect screens)

-Draper (This man is Chuck Norris, D-mac said it best, and I paraphrase, but after Drapes scored with his chin, Darren said Kris doesn't care that he lost teeth or split his lip or tongue, only thing he cares about is that it went in!)

-Drake (He smells the cup, I think he can almost feel it on his lips as he takes a sip)

-Ralf (not offensively, he will step up by limiting his turnovers and playing monster D, no one on the top 2 lines is big enough to knock him or lids around, they will have a lot of space with the puck)

-Kronwall (only because he goes from being an assist machine to scoring 2 pp goals, not sure why I think that I just do)

-Cheli (Injured or not he is a proud man, he can not be happy with the mental lapses he made last series)

-Cleary (I think he gets it going in game 1, and it feeds him through the rest of the series)

I see lines 1 and 3 being damn near unstoppable at their games (that doesn't mean Drake and Draper are going to score as much as D and Z, but they will D the crap out of the 2nd Pens line), the first Pairing will have a lot of time and space due to the Pens lines that will be out their against them. Kronwall will be looking to hit anyone, Stuart will continue to play solid D.

The Det 2nd line I am not expecting big things out of, they will more than likely be facing Pit's best defensive line, Lines 1 and 2 for them will be met with Det's 1 and 3 respectively. Thus putting Pit's 3rd against Det's 2nd (at home at least).

I really expect the Ds to be the difference in this series, don't get me wrong Gonchar had a great year, but he is not Lids, nor am I really sure he is as good as Ralf, and then there is a steep drop off in talent.

I will say the same thing I have said about Turco and ThreeorFour, I think most of the goals scored for Detroit, especially against MAF, will NOT be his fault. They will be back door passes to an open man who shoots before MAF really has a chance to see where the shot is coming from.

MAF, Sid, Geni, and the other very young very talented Pens are going to learn a lot this series, not necessarily from the Wings, but by playing the Wings.

If the Pens lost in the SCF last year, I would be very very scared to play them this year, not that I don't think they can win, I just don't think they will.

But look out for them next season, IF they lose to the Wings you will be looking at an even more motivated group of very young very talented players. They are probably 2 players away from being as good as the Wings, 1 legit top pairing Defensive defenseman and a shut down forward for the third line.

[8 Legged RedWing 367]

I expect homer to cause trouble. If Franzen plays I expect him to cause even more. Other then that I think nobody is breaking out. Pav and Hank have INSANE series' this SCF.

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

Thats really what I'm expecting. I think the guys will be flying out there and nearly everyones game will be stepped up. As for goal scorers, I think if Hudler sees more 3rd line time with some skill guys he'll put in some goals for sure. I don't expect the Pens to playing a very physical game which will suit Hudler.

The Wings third line doesn't have "skill" guys. Its a shut down line that keys in on the oppositions top line.

Guys like Draper, Drake and Maltby are simply out there to stop the other team from scoring, and once in a decent while to chip in a goal.