If Datsyuk is back, what are the lines you want?

[SouthernWingsFan 854]

I know you got to worry about matching up with Crosby and Malkin on separate lines in all likelihood, but I'd put Zetterberg and Datsyuk back together, to match up with either line accordingly.

Datsyuk-Zetterberg-Cleary/Holmstrom

Franzen-Filppula-Hossa

Hudler-Helm-Samuelsson

Maltby-Draper-Cleary/Holmstrom

I know it looks lame to put Cleary on a 4th line when he's scored a good bit this postseason, but he's one of the better 2-way players the Wings have, can easily go into a defensive role if needed.

If Datsyuk/Zetterberg split up...

Franzen-Zetterberg-Cleary

Hossa-Datsyuk-Holmstrom (I know they've been ragged on together/not that successful lately, but not much else has worked the past 2 games)

Hudler-Filppula-Samuelsson

Helm-Draper-Maltby

[GMRwings1983 8,803]

This is probably not the answer you're looking for, but it honestly doesn't matter.

If this team comes out with hunger and passion, they should be able to win with just about any variation of line combos.

If they play like they don't care about the Cup, (like they have at multiple times in this series), no amount of coaching or cleverly formed line combos will help them win. It's not Babcock's fault if this team doesn't care.

[eva unit zero 271]

Datsyuk/Zetterberg/Holmstrom

Franzen/Hudler/Hossa

Cleary/Filppula/Samuelsson

Maltby/Draper/Helm

Edited June 6, 2009 by eva unit zero

[j.hoop 64]

Datsyuk/Zetterberg/Holmstrom

Franzen/Hudler/Hossa

Cleary/Filppula/Samuelsson

Maltby/Draper/Helm

ill take it

[Drake_Marcus 890]

If Malkin and Crosby are playing together:

Datsyuk-Zetterberg-Holmstrom (switch for Cleary if Holmer doesn't get a 'boost' from this)

Hossa-Filppula-Franzen

Hudler-Helm-Cleary

Abdelkader-Draper-Samuelsson (I know, I'm advocating dropping Leino, who I like, but Abs will come out harder after the sit)

Lidstrom-Rafalski (possibly switch for Ericsson if Rafalski isn't playing like himself)

Kronwall-Stuart

Ericsson-Lebda

Or, if Malkin and Crosby are split and Babs feels like some more adventurous D pairings:

Franzen-Zetterberg-Cleary

Hossa-Datsyuk-Filppula

Hudler-Helm-Samuelsson

Abdelkader-Draper-Holmstrom (a very defensively unbalanced line, but we have last change, so shouldn't be too killer)

Lidstrom-Stuart

Kronwall-Ericsson

Rafalski-Lebda (the tiny pairing, but again- last change)

Those defensive pairings are odd, but maybe keeping Lids and Stewie together all game will make them more comfortable on the PK, it's not like the PK can get worse!

[Drake_Marcus 890]

Datsyuk/Zetterberg/Holmstrom

Franzen/Hudler/Hossa

Cleary/Filppula/Samuelsson

Maltby/Draper/Helm

Much more balanced, but I'd keep Filppula as the second line centre to help stay competitive on face-offs, same goes with keeping Helm on the third:

Datsyuk/Zetterberg/Holmstrom

Franzen/Filppula/Hossa

Cleary/Helm/Hudler

Maltby/Draper/Samuelsson

[FunkedUp 29]

This is probably not the answer you're looking for, but it honestly doesn't matter.

If this team comes out with hunger and passion, they should be able to win with just about any variation of line combos.

If they play like they don't care about the Cup, (like they have at multiple times in this series), no amount of coaching or cleverly formed line combos will help them win. It's not Babcock's fault if this team doesn't care.

I totally agree. Babs could probably pick names from a hat and it would end up being okay. However, I wouldn't mind seeing...

Datsyuk-Zetterberg-Cleary

Hossa-Fil-Franzen

Sammy-Helm-Huds

Maltby-Draper-Homer

I know this would never happen because I'm sure they'll be splitting Z and Dats up, but I think a Fil, Franzen, Hossa has a tremendous defensive and offensive upside and could compete with Malkins line.

We will see tomorrow though.

[Kronthewall55 14]

my worry isnt where dats is on the line up, but how healthy he is going to be. if he is 100% that takes 50% of the load off hanks shoulders. if he's not... then who knows.

[eva unit zero 271]

Much more balanced, but I'd keep Filppula as the second line centre to help stay competitive on face-offs, same goes with keeping Helm on the third:

Datsyuk/Zetterberg/Holmstrom

Franzen/Filppula/Hossa

Cleary/Helm/Hudler

Maltby/Draper/Samuelsson

The problem then is, because of home ice advantage:

Z's line is matched against Crosby and Flip's against Malkin, so Cleary/Helm/Hudler and/or Maltby/Draper/Samuelsson are expected to do the scoring. If you have the second line of Franzen/Hudler/Hossa and the third line of Cleary/Flip/Samuelsson, Flip's line will still play against Malkin, but now Hudler's line is MUCH more dangerous. Hudler between Franzen and Hossa is a #1 scoring line on more than 20 teams in the league, and is capable defensively if necessary. But as they would likely be matched against the Pens' 4th line if Babs has his way, it gives Detroit a major advantage.

[bonan78 1]

Franzen-Zetterberg-Cleary

Filppula-Datsyuk-Hossa

Samuelsson-Helm-Hudler

Leino-Draper-Maltby

Based on overall play, Cleary deserves to be on the top line more than Hudler right now, having Filppula's energy on Datsyuk's wing should be a good thing, 3rd and 4th lines have some scoring potential and are solid defensively. I intentionally left out Holmstrom because at this point, he's a liability at both ends of the ice, and we can throw Franzen and Cleary on the PP to screen Fleury. I'd prefer that they dress Abdelkader over Maltby, but I doubt that will happen.

[Namingway 146]

Datsyuk/Zetterberg/Holmstrom

Franzen/Hudler/Hossa

Cleary/Filppula/Samuelsson

Maltby/Draper/Helm

nice, but I think I'd switch Flips and Huds.

[eva unit zero 271]

nice, but I think I'd switch Flips and Huds.

As stated before:

If Dats and Z are on the same line, Flips is matched against Malkin. If you use my lines, Flip is playing with Cleary and Sammy, who are capable defensively and it makes a decent defensive line to play against Malkin while highly skilled playmaker Hudler centers an offensive line with Franzen and Hossa that gets matched up against the Pens 4th line. If Flip centers the third line and Hudler is with Cleary and Sammy, then the offense of Franzen and Hossa is being sacrificed asa shutdown line against Malkin, and Hudler instead is setting up Cleary and Samuelsson as a scoring line. Or possibly, Franzen/Flip/Hossa is the scoring line, and Hudler is trying to shut down Malkin.

Which way would you go with it?

[Namingway 146]

Hmm yeah I see your point and stuff but Hudler hasn't really stood out much recently. I know he's more than capable of it and I'm really hoping to see that he'll show up but yeah, you're right, the third line could use Flips a lot more than the 2nd.

[10 Minute Misconduct 104]

Franzen - Zetterberg- Cleary

Datsyuk- Filppula - Hossa

Hudler - Helm - Samuelsson

Maltby- Draper - Holmstrom

[Manoir 70]

I don't know about the combos, but I'd take Draper and Holmstrom out and replce them with Abdelkader and Datsyuk. I think that the Wings have not taken advantage of the Pens biggest weakness-their extremely average defence. I would move Leino up the lineup and give him more minutes and let him utilize his offensive skills. Let Helm/Abdelkader pound their D with some hits. Let their D worry about the Wings fwds for a change- Wings should get a bit more proactive instead of reacting to everything the Pens are doing.

Draper/Maltby/Homlstrom-that ship has sailed, it's obvious the Pens have no worry about over 35 role players.

[10 Minute Misconduct 104]

Move Leino up? lol That guy is softer then a creme puff.

[thedisappearer 291]

Much more balanced, but I'd keep Filppula as the second line centre to help stay competitive on face-offs, same goes with keeping Helm on the third:

Datsyuk/Zetterberg/Holmstrom

Franzen/Filppula/Hossa

Cleary/Helm/Hudler

Maltby/Draper/Samuelsson

That's so awesome Bettman banned it.

[Casey 145]

Simple question.

Detroit was one of the highest scoring teams in the regular season. They're up there in the playoffs.

Why on earth are the Wings so worried about Malkin/Crosby? Why are they changing their game? Their game got them here, it can finish things.

To wit, I want:

Zetts-Dats-Holmstrom

Franzen-Filppula-Hossa

Cleary-Helm-Hudler

Abdelkader-Draper-Samuelsson (possible swap Maltby for Abdelkader)

[Manoir 70]

Franzen- Zetterberg-Cleary

Hossa-Datsyuk-Helm

Leino-Filppula-Samuelsson

Hudler- Abdelkader- Maltby

[Reds4Life 51]

Franzen Zetterberg Cleary

Helm Datsyuk Samuelsson

Hudler Filppula Hossa

Maltby Abdelkader Draper

[wingsdiehard13 33]

Cleary-Zetterberg-Hossa

Franzen-Datsyuk-Holmstrom

Hudler-Filppula-Helm

Abdelkader-Draper-Samuelsson

Rafalski-Lidstrom

Stuart-Kronwall

Lebda-Ericcson

Edit: Somehow I forgot Sammy.

Edited June 6, 2009 by wingsdiehard13

[Wings_Dynasty 267]

Franzen-Z-Cleary

Hossa-Dats-Homer

Sammy-Flip-Hudler

Abdelkader-Draper-Helm

[Paolino99 5]

Yzerman Yzerman Yzerman

Franzen-Zetterberg-Cleary

Holmstrom-Datsyuk-Hossa

Hudler-Filppula-Samuelsson

Helm-Draper-Maltby

Lidstrom-Rafalski

Kronwall-Stuart

Lebda-Ericsson

PowerPlay:

1)Dats Zata Hoss Nick Raffi

2)Huds Mule Homer Sammy Kronner

PK

1)Drap Hoss Nick Stuart

2)Helm Dats/Zata Kronner Raffi

i'll gonna be a coach!!!

2)

[Finnish Wing 110]

Franzen-Zetterberg-Cleary

Filppula-Datsyuk-Hossa

Samuelsson-Helm-Hudler

Leino-Draper-Maltby

Based on overall play, Cleary deserves to be on the top line more than Hudler right now, having Filppula's energy on Datsyuk's wing should be a good thing, 3rd and 4th lines have some scoring potential and are solid defensively. I intentionally left out Holmstrom because at this point, he's a liability at both ends of the ice, and we can throw Franzen and Cleary on the PP to screen Fleury. I'd prefer that they dress Abdelkader over Maltby, but I doubt that will happen.

Totally agree with these lines. Leino has been always great with Draper&Malts too.

[Finnish Wing 110]

Move Leino up? lol That guy is softer then a creme puff.

Harder than Huds anyway...