Datsyuk a game-time decision, Draper out

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

I think Datsyuk is a better player than Havlat, but in these playoffs it would be a wash between those players.

What I'm saying is that not having Datsyuk shouldn't give the Wings any excuses as long as Chicago also doesn't have Havlat.

[Outsider 42]

I think Datsyuk is a better player than Havlat, but in these playoffs it would be a wash between those players.

What I'm saying is that not having Datsyuk shouldn't give the Wings any excuses as long as Chicago also doesn't have Havlat.

Unfortunately, the Hawks appear to be playing like every shift could be their last. They've been balls to the wall, shift after shift, from the drop of the puck, every game. And that INCLUDES the 4:23 span last night when the Wings scored three goals.

The Wings have failed to show up in a first period UNTIL they were down by a goal. Sometimes more.

And it's not just this Series. It's all Post Season long.

Again, the Hawks are playing desperate, desperate hockey. The Wings aren't.

You know, as well as I do, that the "best" Team does NOT always Win.

[Drake_Marcus 890]

On the Datsyuk injury:

F. M. L.

[kozac 10]

I'm more inclined to think that Datsyuk has been playing with a fractured foot since sometime towards the end of the Columbus series and has now aggravated it to the point of not being able to play. Think about it. His stops on a dime, quick bursts, quick sneaking up from behind just haven't been there. Hopefully I'm wrong and it really is just a big bruise. I've gotten big bruises on my feet from blocking shots and I was fine after 4-5 days though. We will find out after the playoffs are over, I am sure.

[Hiei 192]

I say we need some direction.

1. CLEAR THE NET IN FRONT OF OZ. Chicago players were buzzing around him like a cloud of gnats.

2. DUMB PENALTIES ARE DUMB. That's why they're called DumB Penalties with a capital B!

3. HOSSA should be Czech for SHOOT THE GODDAMN PUCK.

We've beat the Hawks at the United airplane hangar before, we can do it again.

[kylee 727]

i really miss Datsyuk... he seems to be right on the cusp of getting right back on the scoresheet.

[Stiffy 0]

Someone help me understand that in the age of the mysterious "lower body injury" why we would give the exact location of our super star's injury? Or is it misinformation? Man, I can't keep up with all this!

I miss Datsyuk and if we think we aren't missing anything because of his slump in offensive production, think "Selke." We need him bad.

[sixer 37]

Get better Dats, don't come back too soon!

[chrisdetroit 189]

Unfortunately, the Hawks appear to be playing like every shift could be their last. They've been balls to the wall, shift after shift, from the drop of the puck, every game. And that INCLUDES the 4:23 span last night when the Wings scored three goals.

The Wings have failed to show up in a first period UNTIL they were down by a goal. Sometimes more.

And it's not just this Series. It's all Post Season long.

Again, the Hawks are playing desperate, desperate hockey. The Wings aren't.

You know, as well as I do, that the "best" Team does NOT always Win.

I don't agree with you on that. There were large portions of each of the 3 games that it looked like the Hawks were just standing around. In part of game 2 every time a Hawk touched the puck he got smothered.

The Hawks have had moments when they outplayed the Wings but there have also been times when the Wings were absolutely dominant.

I expect that most of todays game will feature domination by the Wings and a big win. You think Huet will step up? - I'm betting not....

[chrisdetroit 189]

Someone help me understand that in the age of the mysterious "lower body injury" why we would give the exact location of our super star's injury? Or is it misinformation? Man, I can't keep up with all this!

I miss Datsyuk and if we think we aren't missing anything because of his slump in offensive production, think "Selke." We need him bad.

Because it is a foot injury. There is no way the other team can benefit from knowing that his foot is sore. What are they going to do with this info - try to hit him in the foot again? If it was a groin, leg, arm, shoulder or something like that they could target that but it's pretty hard to target a foot.

[chrisdetroit 189]

I am in no way, shape, or form worried about this series. I feel that any uninjured or ejected for no reason players will Step it up in game 4. I'm expecting franzen/hank/hossa to come up big for some reason. In fact our forwards need to stop leaving all the goals to the Defense like last game....all three goals came from the D. While thats all fine, we need the guys paid to score...to well, score.

If we lose today, I'll be disappointed because we would have blown a 2 game lead which means that it will go 6 games. Worried? no. If this comes down to best of 3 with 2 at the Joe, I'm confidant that we can still own the Hawks.

[RusDRW 155]

i heard Dats is done for this series. Do not ask me where I get it but I believe to that guy. With the way we play every game in this post season I do not like our chances now.

[wingscapsfan 1]

if thats true that's ridicluous.. many players play on 1 foot in the playoffs.. Im hoping the wings medical staff will let him play because he really stabilizes our team and makes a big impact

i heard Dats is done for this series. Do not ask me where I get it but I believe to that guy. With the way we play every game in this post season I do not like our chances now.

[yzefan 2]

if thats true that's ridicluous.. many players play on 1 foot in the playoffs.. Im hoping the wings medical staff will let him play because he really stabilizes our team and makes a big impact

Remeber Cindy crosby last year ( or the year before that ) with the fracture in his foot?? Hopefully Pav's isnt dealing with the same issue. they say its just a bruise.. which could be an amputation for all we know!! We need him to be in.. way to effective on the puck.. regardless if he puts it in the net or not ...he sets up so much. Hopefully we have him back soon

[chrisdetroit 189]

i heard Dats is done for this series. Do not ask me where I get it but I believe to that guy. With the way we play every game in this post season I do not like our chances now.

GImme a break. You sound like a troll.

[Shaman 713]

This is no time for the panic button to be pressed, because, unlike most teams the Wings are known for extreme caution with their players especially their top players and the playoffs.

[dicksmack 33]

Maybe Pav will be back if we advance. My intuition tells me it's a mid-range injury in terms of seriousness. He came back to play after it happened so it's likely that it's either a bad bruise or hairline fracture. Actually I saw Pav take the shot off the foot and he didn't react all that much to it. What I do recall is him getting hit into the boards and the commentators said he looked injured coming to the bench.

[wingscapsfan 1]

Thats the problem its the playoffs, they have to toughen it out an play.. Oh well I know they can still win without him, but he gives us so many more options when hes in the lineup.. The PP did not look the same last game..

This is no time for the panic button to be pressed, because, unlike most teams the Wings are known for extreme caution with their players especially their top players and the playoffs.

[Aussie_Wing 354]

I gotta say, even though we're banged up and missing quality players, I love the look of that 4th line. Abdelkader will lift his game tonight IMO.

[RockyMountainWingGal 108]

3. HOSSA should be Czech for SHOOT THE GODDAMN PUCK.

Slovak.

[RusDRW 155]

GImme a break. You sound like a troll.

Did not think explanation was needed. Each and every period this post season we started like this is a regular season game. We do not start things we just respond to other teams. Very frequently it is too late to be successfull, however, our incredible depth ans skill at center (read Dats and Zetter) allowed us to win this way. Now with Dats done we have Zetterberg and that's all. The rest of centers are more or less role players. And this is exactly what bothers me now. Do not get me wrong I'm a huge Wings fan but taking all these things altogether (Dats' injury, officiating, and hungry Chicago team) I do not see us closing this series in 5 games. 6-7 games would kill any chances in SCF...

[eva unit zero 271]

What the Wings should do if Datsyuk and Draper are both out for Game 4?

Cleary/Zetterberg/Samuelsson

Franzen/Hudler/Hossa

Leino/Filppula/Holmstrom

Abdelkader/Helm/Maltby

Lidstrom/Rafalski

Kronwall/Stuart

Ericsson/Meech

Why Meech you ask? He's better offensively (and in general) than Lebda, and Lebda ended up having to play PP last game. I'd rather see Meech in that role if we get to that point where we are losing defensemen and have to go that far down the chart.

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

Lebda's been better then Ericsson since Raffys come back, no reason to take him out.

[KronwallCRUNCH 5]

Slovak.

Czechoslovakian

[Heroes of Hockeytown 694]

Lebda's been better then Ericsson since Raffys come back, no reason to take him out.

Seconded. No complaints on the Lebda front. Meech has never shown me anything to convince me that he's worthy of a regular season roster spot, let alone playoffs.