10/10 GDT: Capitals, 2 at Red Wings, 3

[VM1138 1,921]

Pasha just owned AO in this game. Watching AO getting pissed off and slamming his stick (due the back checking against him) against the back of the Wing's goal was priceless. Pasha is just the better round player period.

This seems to be the story no matter who Datsyuk plays against. Nobody better in the league. It's a shame he's not racking up the points like Ovechkin and Crosby and Malkin, because nobody deserves it more. It is just simply impossible to do anything to the Wings when Datsyuk is on the ice, it seems.

There were a few instances where Datsyuk made Ovechkin look a bit silly (not many, but they were there). I really like the rivalry between Datsyuk and Ovechkin I keep hearing about. At least Ovechkin seems to acknowledge that Datsyuk is one of the best.

And Filpulla! I think he may just step it up like everyone hoped for. The guy is playing possessed. He's making everythign happen out there, even throwing the body around and fighting for the puck. I think he's completely transformed from the last few seasons into a totally new player.

[solnyshko 8]

Just got back from the game! We ended up getting really good seats (4th row, to the side of the goal), so we got to see 2 of the 3 goals right there. Also.. during a commercial break, Ozzie skated over and handed a puck to 2 little kids who were sitting by the little hole in the glass. It was amazing.

And then.. right before the start of the 3rd period, when they were skating around Ovechkin threw his GUM through the hole at us. Classy.

[sharomyga 6]

Dats stepped up huge. Way to go Pavel. As for Ovi I had a couple of not very pleasant episodes with him at NHL awards, nothing big or tragic or anything like that but rather frustrating for the star player of his caliber, however I'll keep them to myself.

Edited October 11, 2009 by sharomyga

[The Mule 0]

Dats stepped up huge. Way to go Pavel. As for Ovi I had a couple of not very pleasant episodes with him at NHL awards, nothing big or tragic or anything like that but rather frustrating for the star player of his caliber, however I'll keep them to myself.

You can't say something like that and then not share them.

[Richard88 0]

The Datsyuk-Zetterberg-Bertuzzi line is the best looking line ive seen since 2008 Datsyuk-Zetterberg-Homer.

The sad part is that the second someone gets healthy Babcock will split them, even though tonight showed that the team plays better with the Twins together.

Flip was ready to be a second line center LAST season, wasted talent on the third line.

[puckbags 863]

....everything appears to be okay with the Redwings....

When wasnt it? Did I miss something? Big deal we lost 2 games to start the year !

[RedWingsRox 614]

At least Ovechkin seems to acknowledge that Datsyuk is one of the best.

Russian respect.

It will be scary to see when they are on the same team in the Olympics.

[Richard88 0]

Datsyuk will be playing a third line checking role, thats how deep team Russia is this year.

[13dangledangle 968]

I like what I see from these lines...what will happen the mule returns

Z-Dats-Bert

Leino-Flip-Franzen

Cleary-Helm-Williams/Homer

Eaves/Maltby-Draper-May

Looks damn fine to me, And constant rotation is key to fresh playoff Legs this year!! redemption is looking better and better!

[Buppy 1,720]

Datsyuk will be playing a third line checking role, thats how deep team Russia is this year.

Heh, not that deep. Pav will be centering the 2nd line, probably with Kovalchuk and either Frolov or Kovalev. Just sick for a 2nd line. Russia definitely has the best top 6. But I digress.

Solid game all around tonight. All the line combos looked fine. My highlight was Flip coming out on top in a collision with OV. 40 lbs lighter and much less aggressive but still leave the exchange with the puck and the other guy on his ass. Attaboy Flip.

And even though Nick and Rafi were solid again tonight, I have to say I think Stuart and Kronwall have been our best defense pair thus far this season. They seem to be at playoff level right now. Let's hope they keep it up, we need it.

[Drake_Marcus 890]

The puck really does seem to follow Leino around doesn't it? Being a Red Wings he's probably going to learn Datsyuk's stick checking tricks and whatnot. Then what? He'll be the only one playing with the puck when he's on the ice?

I can't really look at the Franzen injury as a blessing. More like a silver lining. Franzen gone for four months is a pretty big and gray cloud.

Oh yeah, but that's a trait he's had since the call-up last year... I'm really glad that it wasn't a fluke thing where he was playing over and above his average ability. But he's yet to disappoint, so I guess we can all be happy about him after all. He's tied for the lead in goals among rookies while only playing an average of 12:47 a night, which is huge. At this point he's being plugged into Hudler's role and he's filled it perfectly. The bonus is he seems more adept defensively and he plays a rugged game similar to Z's where he doesn't get pushed around or out battled for pucks. I've been big on this kid since they brought him in last year so I'm really hoping he makes me look smart.

[hankzet40 233]

Another solid win for the Wings against another quality opponent. It's encouraging that they did it with two things that killed them last year, namely goaltending and the PK.

[Drake_Marcus 890]

Datsyuk will be playing a third line checking role, thats how deep team Russia is this year.

Oh really? The third highest scoring Russian, and second highest scoring Russian centre is going to be on the third line of the Russian team? Who's the best defensive forward in the NHL? Same guy, eh? Wow. I guess it seems retarded to put your best all around centre, best passer and hands down the second best scoring centre on the third line, doesn't it?

[Richard88 0]

Oh really? The third highest scoring Russian, and second highest scoring Russian centre is going to be on the third line of the Russian team? Who's the best defensive forward in the NHL? Same guy, eh? Wow. I guess it seems retarded to put your best all around centre, best passer and hands down the second best scoring centre on the third line, doesn't it?

Oh right, I forgot.. Drake Marcus knows all..

Russia already has two lines with amazing chemistry that they won't touch. And they haven't won squat with the Kovalchuk-Datsyuk-Kovalev line. Team Russia is looking to play a team game and that means Datsyuk will be facing the other team's top lines in a shut down role.

But feel free to disagree to disagree. One of many people on this site that believes your own personal opinion is fact without any substantial rational.

[Reds4Life 51]

Oh right, I forgot.. Drake Marcus knows all..

Russia already has two lines with amazing chemistry that they won't touch. And they haven't won squat with the Kovalchuk-Datsyuk-Kovalev line. Team Russia is looking to play a team game and that means Datsyuk will be facing the other team's top lines in a shut down role.

But feel free to disagree to disagree. One of many people on this site that believes your own personal opinion is fact without any substantial rational.

So whos gonna center the second line?

Ovechkin Malkin Semin

Kovalchuk X X

X Datsyuk X

X X X

Please tell me.

[Richard88 0]

So whos gonna center the second line?

Ovechkin Malkin Semin

Kovalchuk X X

X Datsyuk X

X X X

Please tell me.

Kovalchuk-Fedorov-Frolov

Same line they've been using in the World Championships since the last Olympics.

Morozov-Zinovjev-Zaripov will be the fourth line. And of course there are a few guys like Radulov and Yashin that could be on the team also.

[RusDRW 155]

Kovalchuk-Fedorov-Frolov

Same line they've been using in the World Championships since the last Olympics.

Morozov-Zinovjev-Zaripov will be the fourth line. And of course there are a few guys like Radulov and Yashin that could be on the team also.

a bit different. Ovechkin-Fedorov-Semin had a lot of chemistry against Canada in Quebeck. So it'll be more like

Oveckkin-Fedorov-Semin

Kovalchuk-Malkin-Kovalev

Radulov-Datsyk-Frolov

Morozov-Zinovjev-Zaripov

I would say that 3rd line would be a nightmare to play against. Two outstanding defensive forwards with a lot of offensive upside plus a guy who is built to play around the net much like Ovechkin. I would go that far saying that Russia has the best top 12 in terms of both pure skill and chemistry. Nevetheless, Sweden will take the gold.

Edited October 11, 2009 by RusDRW

[P. Marlowe 748]

Just got back from the game! We ended up getting really good seats (4th row, to the side of the goal), so we got to see 2 of the 3 goals right there. Also.. during a commercial break, Ozzie skated over and handed a puck to 2 little kids who were sitting by the little hole in the glass. It was amazing.

And then.. right before the start of the 3rd period, when they were skating around Ovechkin threw his GUM through the hole at us. Classy.

That's cool. I've always wondered about the holes in the glass. Aren't they really dangerous for players? You would think that a player getting checked into the glass could easily get caught in one of those holes and hurt himself.

[dat's sick 1,002]

I would say that 3rd line would be a nightmare to play against. Two outstanding defensive forwards with a lot of offensive upside plus a guy who is built to play around the net much like Ovechkin. I would go that far saying that Russia has the best top 12 in terms of both pure skill and chemistry. Nevetheless, Sweden will take the gold.

If Franzen misses the Olympics, which is very likely, I doubt Sweden will have anything to do with the gold.

[Heroes of Hockeytown 694]

That's cool. I've always wondered about the holes in the glass. Aren't they really dangerous for players? You would think that a player getting checked into the glass could easily get caught in one of those holes and hurt himself.

I've never seen any player get hurt by them. Sometime last season I remember Kovalev got his stick caught up in the hole and lost a tug of war for it with a Bs fan on the other side.

If you don't know, they're used for photographers to put their cameras through.

[cusimano_brothers 1,655]

I am anyone and I can really see; after all, it's only Washington.

[Grateful Gadsby 10]

Filppula looks likes a ******* beast out there, anyone notice how physical he's being? Not just hitting (which he is doing), but he's using the body to get a great position on the puck and protecting it well. First star.

How 'bout that hit on AO when both were going for the puck. Flip not only didn't back down, but he sent Alex into the boards. Awesome.

[P. Marlowe 748]

I've never seen any player get hurt by them. Sometime last season I remember Kovalev got his stick caught up in the hole and lost a tug of war for it with a Bs fan on the other side.

If you don't know, they're used for photographers to put their cameras through.

I knew the purpose of the holes. If I hadn't I would've been very puzzled as everything inside the rink has been built and designed to be as safe as possible (at least that's the idea). I don't think other leagues have those holes. If there are any brains behind them the holes must be small enough for the puck not to fit through.

I remember the Kovalev incident, but I thought that the fan somehow got it over the glass.

[Heroes of Hockeytown 694]

If there are any brains behind them the holes must be small enough for the puck not to fit through.

It can, I've read about some goalies having pregame rituals and stuff that involve staying on the ice at the end of practice until they shoot a puck through the hole and that sort of thing.

I remember the Kovalev incident, but I thought that the fan somehow got it over the glass.

No, it was through the hole. Relive the silliness.

[edicius 3,269]

I loved all the Datsyuk/Ovechkin battles last night. And Ovechkin was DANGEROUS every time he's on the ice. Such an exciting player to watch.