96warrior 11 Report post Posted June 2, 2009 http://redwingscorner.blogspot.com/ No Samuelsson at Wings' morning skate Mikael Samuelsson wasn't on the ice this morning. Kris Draper was practicing as though he was going to play. Here are the lines they worked out of ... Franzen-Zetterberg-Hudler Holmstrom-Filppula-Hossa Draper-Helm-Cleary Leino-Abdelkader-Maltby Lidstrom-Rafalski Kronwall-Stuart Ericsson-Lebda Osgood Conklin Hudler is back up on Zetterberg's line. Perhaps they're anticipating not nearly as much Crosby time for that line and thus a defensive droppoff from Cleary to Hudler is palatable. The fourth and second lines remain intact. The new third line with Draper and Cleary on the wings is a pretty good checking unit if they're out for much time against Malkin or Crosby. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
StevieY9802 6 Report post Posted June 2, 2009 Hmm that's interesting. He's been playing well I wonder what's up. Happy for Drapes to be in but at the expensive of an injured Sammy? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Redwingsfan18 1 Report post Posted June 2, 2009 Very odd. I wonder whats up with Sammy I guess this ends any speculation of Pavs playing in game 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Firehawk 305 Report post Posted June 2, 2009 The offensive loss is big if they do swap those 2 players...but the speed is an improvement. That, and Draper is hungry to get in the lineup and do something I think. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
b.shanafan14 733 Report post Posted June 2, 2009 Franzen-Zetterberg-Hudler Holmstrom-Filppula-Hossa Leino-Helm-Cleary Draper-Abdelkader-Maltby Lidstrom-Rafalski Kronwall-Stuart Ericsson-Lebda Osgood Conklin Please and Thanks. Or Abdelkader on the 3rd line. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NHLrules? 32 Report post Posted June 2, 2009 Sammy is horrible defensive liability. That was actually painfully apparent last game. Im thinking Babs wantes to have better defenders out there and not run the risk of having Sammy out there with Crosbo and Milky. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
StevieY9802 6 Report post Posted June 2, 2009 (edited) Please and Thanks. Or Abdelkader on the 3rd line. Why break up a line that's working? Sammy is horrible defensive liability. That was actually painfully apparent last game. Im thinking Babs wantes to have better defenders out there and not run the risk of having Sammy out there with Crosbo and Milky. He would still be out there even if he was gonna be a scratch though Edited June 2, 2009 by StevieY9802 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ilmickeyli 40 Report post Posted June 2, 2009 (edited) Sammy was shoken up near the end of game 2, wasnt he? Edited June 2, 2009 by ilmickeyli Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
zata20 4 Report post Posted June 2, 2009 You would have to think that Sammy is injured, because I do't believe Babcock would just take him out. I'm ok with the drapes playin over sammy if thats the case. We then have more defensive minded players out there to defend against Crosby and Malkin. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zion 93 Report post Posted June 2, 2009 Samuelsson, like Hudler, has been just terrible this series. Hopefully Huddles picks up his game playing on the top line. I like the defensive forwards spread out. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HankZetty 0 Report post Posted June 2, 2009 Samy has good games and bad games...somtimes i love him and sometimes i hate him. He is just not that reliable. and Drapes adds a great centermen/faceoff man to the lineup. Now I wasn't to impressed with Holmer so maybe moving him around is also going to make him better. He just seemed slow I donno if he's playing hurt or if it was just cuz pavel wasn't there. I don't wanna say it and we need Pav but I'm pretty sure he's done for the playoffs. That is a HUGE loose for us and when we win the Cup we will once again have proven our depth. GO WINGS!!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Firehawk 305 Report post Posted June 2, 2009 Samuelsson, like Hudler, has been just terrible this series. Hopefully Huddles picks up his game playing on the top line. I like the defensive forwards spread out. While that may be true, they both have a knack of scoring big goals out of nowhere. Draper is not very good offensively. He rarely even hits the damn net with his shots. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LivoniaGrinder 37 Report post Posted June 2, 2009 Drapes will help us win more face-offs and thus help buy time to counter the pen(i)s last line change advantage. Plus Draper is a legend, the pen(i)s isn't going to want to see him out there. His Selke-winning style will only help shut down crosbaby and milkin as has been previously mentioned. I've been holding off on wearing my Draper jersey since he hasn't been playing. Now I have another shirt to add to the superstition rotatioN! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
xtrememachine1 795 Report post Posted June 2, 2009 I think those are good lines for a road matchup. The third line may draw the Crosby line without Draper. With Draper, Cleary and Helm, we have three fast defensive forwards. My guess is that the Pens will use Crosby against our second line of Filp, Homer and Hossa. The 4th would be ideal for them, but they won't be out there enough to be effective. The thing is we have TONS of two way forwards, so Crosby thinking that he'll get away from being defended well at home is foolish. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
flip 5 Report post Posted June 2, 2009 Holmstrom and Maltby are the liabilities. When Datsyuk comes back for Game 4, hopefully it's Maltby who sits. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WingsNick5 0 Report post Posted June 2, 2009 I hate to be a buzz kill, but I'm very much OK with Sammy being out (although I do hope he's not injured). IMO Sammy is a liability most of the time he's on the ice. He gives the puck away too often. Yes, he does get some clutch goals, I'll give him that. But, he's fed pretty passes most of the time. He usually doesn't return that favor--even with open team mates. I don't like him on the pp but I understand why Babweenie puts him out there. I'm not usually a player "basher" but I feel that Drapes back in and Sammy out is a good thing. Drapes brings speed and face off wins on the penalty kill. We are in need of both. I think that Leino, Helm and Abs have been very strong on the ice. Actually, I think they are messing with the Pens just enough that the defense isn't sure who to concentrate on. That's why they are scoring. They are putting added pressure on the Pens defense and I LOVE it! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
egroen 384 Report post Posted June 2, 2009 Draper, like Maltby, usually responds well after he has been sat a game or two -- I think it is a pride thing, but I excpect good things out of him if we see him in tonight. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Canadian_Yzerman_Fan 7 Report post Posted June 2, 2009 (edited) Sammy took a big hit in game 2 that popped his helmet off. He didn't play another shift after that. If he's out it's because he's hurt, not because the coach wants to sit him for any poor defensive play. Edit: For anyone paying attention to defensive play this season, I do believe Draper had the team low for +/-. Edited June 2, 2009 by Canadian_Yzerman_Fan Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Finnish Wing 110 Report post Posted June 2, 2009 Please and Thanks. Or Abdelkader on the 3rd line. I agree. Leino <-> Draper Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GoWings1905 2,694 Report post Posted June 2, 2009 Holmstrom and Maltby are the liabilities. When Datsyuk comes back for Game 4, hopefully it's Maltby who sits. I'll agree with the Holmstrom portion, but Maltby has been great this series. I honestly don't know what more people want from Maltby. I think it's pretty evident that Babcock trust Maltby's defensive abilities because Malts was moved up to the second line with Filppula and Hossa at the conclusion of game two with the Red Wings protecting a lead. Maltby is also a useful penalty killer and he has fit in fine with Abdelkader and Leino on the 4th line. Quite honestly, I would take Maltby over Draper at this point. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Drake_Marcus 890 Report post Posted June 2, 2009 Looks like Babs is sorting the lines to provide the best mix of defensive skill on each of the top 3 lines... Maybe Sammy has one of those injuries that you can play on but you don't want to push it by practicing on? I hope we don't lose Sammy's offensive skill in the line-up, though. We need as much offensive depth as we can get. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
P. Marlowe 748 Report post Posted June 2, 2009 In the playoffs players are often shaken up and skip practise but will play. There's no official word on Samuelsson yet. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Drake_Marcus 890 Report post Posted June 2, 2009 Sammy took a big hit in game 2 that popped his helmet off. He didn't play another shift after that. If he's out it's because he's hurt, not because the coach wants to sit him for any poor defensive play. Edit: For anyone paying attention to defensive play this season, I do believe Draper had the team low for +/-. Good memory! I remember that now... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dat's sick 1,002 Report post Posted June 2, 2009 That 3rd line looks really solid defensively, which is needed if they're going to go up against Crosby or Malkin's line. Shame about Sammy, but when it comes to defense we have better players. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
