Babcock Begins To Reveal Playoff Lines

[alienanxiety 23]

Dats - Hank - Homer

Franzen - Fil - Hossa

Cleary - Drapes - Leino

Hudler - Helm - Sammy

Lidstrom-Rafalski

Kronwall-Ericcson

Lilja-Stuart

Conklin

Osbad

[Captain_Yzerman19 1]

Samuelsson will play. He's scored some clutch playoff goals that we can always use.

[dat's sick 1,002]

Dats - Hank - Homer

Hudler - Filppula - Hossa

Cleary - Draper - Franzen

Leino/Kopecky - Helm - Sammy

Believe.

[Chunkylover 26]

Dats - Hank - Homer

Hudler - Filppula - Hossa

Cleary - Draper - Franzen

Leino/Kopecky - Helm - Sammy

Believe.

I think the problem with your line combos is they demote Franzen and Sammy. Franzen will produce more on the second line than Hudler because he can better compete against the opponents top defensemen. Sammy will provide the same benefit on the third line that Franzen will. Hudler will make Helm and whoever else is on that line put up respectable fourth line points.

Who knows what Babs will do though.

[stormboy 47]

Close, but...

Dats - Hank - Homer

Franzen - Fil - Hossa

Cleary - Drapes - Sammy

Hudler - Helm - Kopecky

(Leino/Maltby)

i've got to give this setup my stamp of approval, given the way each particular player is going right now, although leino is going to be tough to sit, and malts has been playing better lately too, IMO.

thing is, though, it's unlikely to me that EVERYone is going to be healthy for very many playoff games. this will all get jumbled up if injuries present themselves which, unfortunately, they likely will. fortunately, babs has got mad options to work with, as long as everyone is actually playing well. right now, i'm fine with kopy on either of the bottom two lines, cleary and huds on any line on the team, and helm on any of the bottom three lines.

[Datsyerberger 279]

Most likely 1st line options: Datsyuk, Zetterberg, Hossa, Holmstrom

Most likely 2nd line options: Zetterberg, Hossa, Franzen, Filppula

Most likely 3rd line options: Cleary, Draper, Samuelsson

Most likely 4th line options: Hudler, Leino, Helm, Maltby, Kopecky

Possible extras: Leino, Helm, Maltby, Kopecky, Downey, McCarty

Most likelly PKers: Zetterberg*, Datsyuk*, Hossa*, Filppula*, Draper*, Cleary*, Franzen*, Maltby, Kopecky, Helm (* = lock)

Most likelly PPers: Datsyuk*, Hossa*, Zetterberg*, Hudler*, Franzen*, Holmstrom*, Samuelsson*, Filppula, Cleary, Leino (* = lock)

Defensive pairs: 1, Lidstrom and Rafalski; 2, Kronwall and Stuart/Ericsson; 3, Lilja and Stuart/Ericsson; Spares (in order): Lebda, Chelios, Meech

My thoughts and predictions:

-- Hudler gets shuffled to various lines depending on situation, and sees extensive PP time.

-- Downey sees a game in the finals, should we get there.

-- Cleary - Draper - Sammy was a very effective 3rd line in the playoffs last year, with Sammy putting shots into the net off of Cleary and Draper's various body parts. Their defense was excellent. I wouldn't be surprised to see that line again.

-- Flip was very solid as 2nd line center last year in the playoffs, shutting down important forwards will putting up respectable points. I think it's very likely 2nd line center is his to lose, and we may even see the Flip-Datsyuk combination in a few situations.

-- Kronwall destroys people

-- Lidstrom sees massive icetime again, particularly ES and PK.

-- Ericsson makes a big impact, and allows the rotation of 3 defensive pairs on the PP (my thoughts: Rafalski - Lidstrom, Sammy- Kronwall, Rafalski - Ericsson)

-- Babcock decides on who goes on a PK shift by drawing tickets out of a fedora.

-- Leino isn't used much unless someone under-performs, likely Maltby or Kopecky. He is the first player into the line-up in this case, however.

-- Helm isn't used as a 'permanent replacement' as in the case of Leino (unless one is needed), but sees a handful of games replacing tired or injured players.

-- Maltby will be on the starting lineup.

-- Kopecky will be on the starting lineup.

-- Cheli sees a game in the finals, perhaps the first game at home.

-- No matter the combinations, our first 3 forward lines are all capable of shutting down the oppositions top scoring units -- And all capable of respectable offense.

-- We have the most dangerous 4th line in the playoffs.

My most likely lines:

Datsyuk - Zetterberg - Holmstrom

Franzen - Filppula - Hossa

Cleary - Draper - Sammy

Maltby - Hudler - Kopecky (Maltby- Kopecky would be a regular PK forward duo on some teams. Could Hudler actually get these 2 on a decent goalscoring pace as a bonus? I would NOT want to be on the 4th line going up against that line.)

Alternate 4th lines:

Leino - Hudler - Kopecky

Helm - Hudler - Kopecky

Maltby - Helm - Hudler

Leino - Helm - Hudler

If Downey plays a game:

Holmstrom - Datsyuk - Hossa

Franzen - Zetterberg - Sammy

Hudler - Flip - Cleary

Maltby - Draper - Downey

I suspect we'll see a lot of shuffling of the lines and a lot of interesting combinations regardless.

Yea. Options are nice.

Edited March 6, 2009 by Datsyerberger

[Chunkylover 26]

Defensive pairs: 1, Lidstrom and Rafalski; 2, Kronwall and Stuart/Ericsson; 3, Lilja and Stuart/Ericsson; Spares (in order): Lebda, Chelios, Meech

If Ericsson remains with the team in the playoffs, our defense looks real good. With the exception of the top pairing, everyone else brings a big physical presence that will be vital to post-season success.

Datsyuk - Zetterberg - Holmstrom

Franzen - Filppula - Hossa

Cleary - Draper - Sammy

Maltby - Hudler - Kopecky

It seems a lot of people want to see Hank and Pav paired up again. Can't say I disagree with the results of combining them, and we'll still have scoring depth with Hossa and Franzen on the second line, but I don't think we'll get as much out of Hossa on a line with Fil and Mule. Love to be proven wrong though.

[adtthosa 5]

Good lord we are stacked. When Helm and Leino are maybe's for starting in the playoffs, you know you're in good shape.

[Datsyerberger 279]

If Ericsson remains with the team in the playoffs, our defense looks real good. With the exception of the top pairing, everyone else brings a big physical presence that will be vital to post-season success.

It seems a lot of people want to see Hank and Pav paired up again. Can't say I disagree with the results of combining them, and we'll still have scoring depth with Hossa and Franzen on the second line, but I don't think we'll get as much out of Hossa on a line with Fil and Mule. Love to be proven wrong though.

Well, consider that Hossa is very much a player that can make something out of nothing on his own... that, and he'll be going against the teams second best shutdown line. Put Flip between two 6'3 guys that can drive the net and score goals and something good is gonna happen.

[Chunkylover 26]

Well, consider that Hossa is very much a player that can make something out of nothing on his own... that, and he'll be going against the teams second best shutdown line. Put Flip between two 6'3 guys that can drive the net and score goals and something good is gonna happen.

Yep, there really aren't too many bad configurations. I don't think Babs has given up on splitting D and Z. They, and Hoss, will get their points.

[Superman54 91]

Franzen is still proving that he can score goals, and to have him and Hossa as the wingers centered by Filppula means we probably have the best 2nd line in the league.

Edited March 7, 2009 by Superman54

[Never_Retire_Steve 35]

Looks like the lineup is leaning towards....

ZDH

Franzen - Flip - Hossa

Cleary - Draper - Maltby

Hudler - Kopecky - Sammy

Which means no Leino and Hudler on the fourth line.... wow this team's depth is sick.

[xBrave_Heartx 0]

Hossa - Dats - Homer

Franzen - Hank - Sammy

Filppula - Draper - Cleary

Kopecky - Helm - Hudler

Lids - Raff

Stuart - Kronner

Big Rig - Paintrain

Thats my guess.

[Guest CaliWingsNut]

I care about who's on the team during the playoffs, and who's in uniform. The rest doesn't matter.

Edited March 7, 2009 by CaliWingsNut

[Superman54 91]

I care about who's on the team during the playoffs, and who's in uniform. The rest doesn't matter.

OK, and the rest of will have some fun, good debates on how the lineups will look during the post season.