Game 4 Status: Datsyuk, Draper

[TCbrizz 2]

Great news about Pav, but the Rafalski thing has me REALLYY worried.

From MacLeod:

Babcock said that Holmstrom and Rafalski are available for Game 4 and just took the day off to rest. The practice was officially optional.

You guys need to chill out!

[Theophany 110]

Although abby has scored 2 big goals i think i would want leino because he can hold the put down in the zone very effectively and cause the pens to play defense and become tired.

I disagree, Abdelkader is a much more physical player, and that is a huge benefit on the forecheck (since that's mainly what line 4 is used for).

Abdelkader would be my personal choice, because he's one of the guys like Helm that gets in your face and skates his ass off on the forecheck.

Then again, were my name Babcock, I wouldn't be posting here right now.

[dat's sick 1,002]

Before Datsyuk went out he was averaging a little more than .5 points per game. Babcock had better hope Datsyuk is healthy and effective enough to play because your whole ability to skate depends on the strength of your feet and your ability to move side to side and create things. Datsyuk hasnt played in about 3 weeks and while he is still a very very good player he could end up being very rusty out there and end up turning the puck over on more then one occasion that could lead to numerous scoring chances for the Penguins... !

There's a reason Pavel won the Selke last year and is a favorite to win it this year as well.

Even if he's only 70-80% healthy, he's not going to be turning pucks over left and right and be a defensive liability. That's just not who he is.

What he will do is make things more difficult for Malkin. I wouldn't say Datsyuk as good as Zetterberg when it comes to shutting down star players, but he is not an easy guy to play against.

[dat's sick 1,002]

Although abby has scored 2 big goals i think i would want leino because he can hold the put down in the zone very effectively and cause the pens to play defense and become tired.

Wait, if both Draper and Datsyuk play, wouldn't both Leino and Abdelkader be out? If Maltby doesn't sit for one of them that is?

[Nightfall 871]

Before Datsyuk went out he was averaging a little more than .5 points per game. Babcock had better hope Datsyuk is healthy and effective enough to play because your whole ability to skate depends on the strength of your feet and your ability to move side to side and create things. Datsyuk hasnt played in about 3 weeks and while he is still a very very good player he could end up being very rusty out there and end up turning the puck over on more then one occasion that could lead to numerous scoring chances for the Penguins... !

I am hoping his lack of production was a direct result from his injury and his time away from the game has helped him heal up. Still, having Datsyuk in the lineup is better than having a 4th liner like Leino or Maltby thats for sure. If not for his offensive ability, but his defensive ability as well. Datsyuk backchecks like a fiend and he is a +4 with only having 1 goal and 6 assists.

I can also hope that he comes back and has a lot of energy. He also breaks out of his offensive slump and really provides a spark to this team. I am also hopeful that he comes back in Game 4.

[Nightfall 871]

Wait, if both Draper and Datsyuk play, wouldn't both Leino and Abdelkader be out? If Maltby doesn't sit for one of them that is?

I doubt they will sit Abdelkader. He has 2 huge goals so far in this finals series. If anyone sits, it will probably be Leino and Maltby. Unless Babcock feels the need to have a better penalty killer in so he does sit Abs and keep Maltby in.

[Mike 0]

Wait, if both Draper and Datsyuk play, wouldn't both Leino and Abdelkader be out? If Maltby doesn't sit for one of them that is?

Yes. Abs came in when Draper went down and Leino came in when Dats went down. If both Dats and Draps are back, then Abs and Leino do not play.

[87to71 0]

He could.. but when have you ever seen Datsyuk come off an injury and turn the puck over countless numbers of times? You don't. Datsyuk is one of the best players in the league. If Crosby were injured, I'd expect him to be able to pick his game back up as well.

Datsyuk hasn't been putting up points - that's true. But he has been a solid play maker in the games he's been in. A good portion of Detroit's scoring chances came directly from plays he made.

Crosby was injured remember last year with a broken ankle and it took him weeks before he was able to play at near 100 percent and be as effective as he normally is. Now I know Datsyuk's injury is not as severe as Crosby's ankle was last season. But for people on here expecting him to just come back and play against a guy like Malkin right away and be Superman is just not realistic. But my point is and this is just my opinion while having Datsyuk back Im sure will give the Red Wings a good boost, I dont think he will be that much of a factor tomorrow night if he plays in determining the outcome of the game.

[Cern 0]

Before Datsyuk went out he was averaging a little more than .5 points per game. Babcock had better hope Datsyuk is healthy and effective enough to play because your whole ability to skate depends on the strength of your feet and your ability to move side to side and create things. Datsyuk hasnt played in about 3 weeks and while he is still a very very good player he could end up being very rusty out there and end up turning the puck over on more then one occasion that could lead to numerous scoring chances for the Penguins... !

I get the stuff about him possibly being rusty, but I wouldn't take the .5 points a game thing lightly. Pittsburgh's top defensive players can't simply ignore Datsyuk, otherwise he IS going to start lighting the lamp. Merely having him in the lineup is huge, now those bottom defensive pairings are even more snakebitten against Detroit's second and third lines. To say nothing of his role on the penalty kill.

[Mike 0]

"'This is not fun to watch. I take in lots of beer,' Datsyuk said."

[Mike 0]

Crosby was injured remember last year with a broken ankle and it took him weeks before he was able to play at near 100 percent and be as effective as he normally is. Now I know Datsyuk's injury is not as severe as Crosby's ankle was last season. But for people on here expecting him to just come back and play against a guy like Malkin right away and be Superman is just not realistic. But my point is and this is just my opinion while having Datsyuk back Im sure will give the Red Wings a good boost, I dont think he will be that much of a factor tomorrow night if he plays in determining the outcome of the game.

Crosby was playing with that injury though while Datsyuk has not been playing. Datsyuk will be rusty for a shift or two, but after that, sorry Pens.

Edited June 3, 2009 by Mike

[87to71 0]

All fair points. I don't suspect his rustiness would lead to turnovers, but his foot affecting his skating to the point where it's creating problems in the defensive zone is an obvious concern.

As for Pavel averaging .5 P/gm--yeah, Wings fans would like him to score more, but I don't think many would mind at this point if he came back healthy enough to help our anemic PK and take some weight off Zetterberg defensively to allow that line the chance to produce more.

Well it doesn't change how the Pens will play. Even if he's 100%...the Penguins need to continue to get shots on net, play physical, and work hard just like they've been doing all playoffs.

[87to71 0]

Crosby was playing with that injury though while Datsyuk has not been playing. Datsyuk will be rusty for a s*** or two, but after that, sorry Pens.

Well good hopefully he is rusty on a shift against our best line so far this series speaking of the Malkin, Talbot, Fedotenko line early on in the game and turns the puck over and it leads to a goal.

[Esquire 324]

Crosby was injured remember last year with a broken ankle and it took him weeks before he was able to play at near 100 percent and be as effective as he normally is. Now I know Datsyuk's injury is not as severe as Crosby's ankle was last season. But for people on here expecting him to just come back and play against a guy like Malkin right away and be Superman is just not realistic. But my point is and this is just my opinion while having Datsyuk back Im sure will give the Red Wings a good boost, I dont think he will be that much of a factor tomorrow night if he plays in determining the outcome of the game.

:looney:

Yes. I'm sure out Pavel Datsyuk won't be a huge factor. In fact, we should probably just let him sit this series out.

[Mike 0]

Well good hopefully he is rusty on a shift against our best line so far this series speaking of the Malkin, Talbot, Fedotenko line early on in the game and turns the puck over and it leads to a goal.

When I say rusty I mean Lidstrom rusty. A rusty Lidstrom is still better than every single one of the Pens' defensemen. Keep dreaming if you think Dats is going to turn over the puck like that.

[Mike 0]

:looney:

Yes. I'm sure out Pavel Datsyuk won't be a huge factor. In fact, we should probably just let him sit this series out.

We should not have even resigned him he is so bad.

[10 Minute Misconduct 104]

“He’s going to be a big boost for us if he comes back,†Zetterberg said. “Pav is really good on both ends of the ice and he plays a lot of minutes so he’ll help us all including me.â€

When asked if he would play as a winger rather than a center due to his injury, Datsyuk replied by saying, “I think at any center, defenseman, I want to play so bad. I don't want to watch this game again.â€

http://redwings.nhl.com/team/app/?service=...rticleid=424837

[Mike 0]

“He’s going to be a big boost for us if he comes back,†Zetterberg said. “Pav is really good on both ends of the ice and he plays a lot of minutes so he’ll help us all including me.â€

When asked if he would play as a winger rather than a center due to his injury, Datsyuk replied by saying, “I think at any center, defenseman, I want to play so bad. I don't want to watch this game again.â€

http://redwings.nhl.com/team/app/?service=...rticleid=424837

Dats is hungry and is going to be a beast when he comes back. I cannot wait.

Edited June 3, 2009 by Mike

[Esquire 324]

When asked if he would play as a winger rather than a center due to his injury, Datsyuk replied by saying, “I think at any center, defenseman, I want to play so bad. I don't want to watch this game again.â€

Oh man. I can just imagine Pavel saying that last part in his hybrid Russian/English accent and it gives me chills. Watching the Ducks defence suffocate his game was depressing but now that he's healthy, rested, and hungry...he's gonna run a f***ing TRAIN on that Swiss Cheese Penguin defense!

PAAAAAAASHHHAAAAA!!!!!

[Third Man In 2,091]

Dats is hungry and is going to be a beast when he comes back.

Unless he's hungover...

"'This is not fun to watch. I take in lots of beer,' Datsyuk said."

[Mike 0]

Unless he's hungover...

Dats is Russian, there is no way he gets hangovers.

[YoungGuns1340 1]

This is huge, and for two reasons in particular, among others:

1. The emotional factor. Everyone in Detroit's locker room knows that Datsyuk was their best player in the regular season. Everyone in that locker room knows what hes capable of defenisvely, as well as offensively. Everyone knows hes a quiet leader, a game-changer. I think this sends a boost of energy through the enter lineup.

2. The physical energy factor. I love Helm, Abdelkader, Maltby, Leino, Hudler, Homer, and even Sammy, but those guys can't log a ton of minutes without at some point becoming a liability. Draper can log more minutes than almost anyone in our current bottom six, and Datsyuk can log more minutes than anyone in our entire lineup when healthy. And when not at 100%, hes still going to be logging more minutes that over half of the guys on our roster. My favorite part about Drapes and Datsyuk getting back is that you have two rested bodies who are awesome defensively, and can keep the minutes down for the tired bodies.

My biggest concern for this series has always been whether or not we're going to have enough gas left in the tank, and with Datsyuk and Draper coming in as fresh bodies to take some of the weight off the other guys, I just can't help but feel stoked about our chances.

[esteef 2,679]

Crosby was playing with that injury though while Datsyuk has not been playing. Datsyuk will be rusty for a s*** or two, but after that, sorry Pens.

He'd better get his "s***s" out of the way before game time!

esteef

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

I'd be upset I agree that regardless of injury Homer's been ineffective these playoffs. That being said, he had two points in game 2, and I thought last night was one of his best games in a long time--he was much more effective with screens, deflections, and in the corners than he's been for a long while. I'd give him another game.

And I would definitely play Abdelkader over Leino for the reasons already stated. Heck, if the Wings had gotten him on the ice during the 3rd minute of the 3rd period yesterday, he might have gotten the go ahead goal.

I'll give you he was solid in Game 2, but we all can see something isn't right with him this playoff run. Yes, he's had a few plays here and there (I.E. Game 5 OT set-up to Helm) but if he's not going to be on the ice at the times he normally was (and was effective) the Wings aren't going to miss too much. I don't doubt his skill in front of the net, there's no one better in the NHL then he is...but something;s been off with him since midway through the regular season.

[theman19 47]

it must really suck to be a penguins fans. Just when your team finally shows some life,....we throw in two selke winners against a team that's already had trouble scoring.

If Datsyuk shuts malkin down this series is over.