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Ritola in for Williams in game 4?

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http://freep.com/article/20100505/SPORTS05/100505062/1320/Loose-Wings-might-sub-in-Ritola-for-Williams

It says that Babcock is contemplating this move. I for one am for it I think Williams has been bad this season for what he was supposed to be. We signed him to help replace some of the offense we lost but so far he has been anemic at best. <_<

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http://freep.com/article/20100505/SPORTS05/100505062/1320/Loose-Wings-might-sub-in-Ritola-for-Williams

It says that Babcock is contemplating this move. I for one am for it I think Williams has been bad this season for what he was supposed to be. We signed him to help replace some of the offense we lost but so far he has been anemic at best. <_<

After last night's performance by Williams. Missing the net constantly on the point and then the high wide shot in OT to top it off, it's a no brainer. If this was a rough series we would've gone with May but seeing how we need speed against the Sharks, Ritola is a nice upgrade, just like Lebda was chosen over Lilja for speed out of the zone.

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agreed his incredible point shot (miss) led directly to a 2 on 1 the other way Im not blaming him solely for the loss but its bad when I forget that he is even on the team at times.

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So, this means Eaves is still out? The fourth line probably will not play much, so it won't matter much there. The big issue will be special teams, where Stuart would be back on the power play point.

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They need some energy inserted into the lineup. It ain't like Williams will be missed in the lineup anyway. So really, anyone is at least equal to himation this point. Unfortunately Babcock won't sit Ericsson instead of Lebda if indeed Lilja is back in. At the least, Ericsson should sit Game 4 and refocus himself.

This is all moot though, if the officiating continues the way it has. No sourgrapes, just facts. I mean with Canadian media talks about us being next to the least penalized team all year, only to now get 10 penalties in playoff games, people ARE seeing it besides the fans.

And if Howard doesn't get his s*** together, lineup changes will not matter anyways. He has NO room for error now. For F sakes, if/when we get up by a couple of goals tomorrow, he can't fall apart when we need him to make the big save. I just don't know what else Howard can read see talk about or hear. Rookie means nothing - he NEEDS to give us a chance to win. I've been such a supporter of his ... geez I used to scream my ass off at Griffins games ... but I'm just disgusted with him right now.

We shall see.

Go WINGS!!!

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After last night's performance by Williams. Missing the net constantly on the point and then the high wide shot in OT to top it off, it's a no brainer.

It wasn't just the absurd, ridiculous shot. Check out the replay on Marleau's game winner and you'll see Williams lazily pull up/slow down just as Marleau tees up the shot. Unbelievable. Why isn't he lunging or doing anything and everything to break up the play? Because he sucks. His clueless, boneheaded plays were a major reason the Oilers shocked the Wings in '06, so there should be no surprise that history is repeating itself. The guy is toxic, pure and simple.

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Good idea. If I remember correctly, Ritola is out of options next year so it's either he's with the big club or they lose him to another team ala Quincey. Might as well get him some time in the playoffs now to see how he handles himself. Can't be any worse than J-Will.

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Yes, please. Apart from the obvious 'nothing' that Williams brings, he won't be back next year and Ritola will be, so yes.

Personally, I'd throw in May too, for Draper, who's doing nothing. Of course that won't happen.

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Sometimes it's good to have a sacrificial goat. We throw coaches under the bus all the time, routinely recycling them, and it often invigorates.

I just read an article that includes some updates on what's happening that might carry into game 4:

Shuffling the deck

Four Wings - defenceman Brian Rafalski, and forwards Dan Cleary, Darren Helm and Patrick Eaves - didn't practice Wednesday.

"Eaves won't play (Game 4)," Babcock said of the winger who's missed the last two games with an elbow injury. "The others are fine."

Babcock tried Mattias Ritola in Eaves' spot during practice, suggesting he might be looking to pull Jason Williams, who'd originally come in for Eaves.

"I haven't decided that," Babcock said. "I had a bunch of extra guys on the ice today, but I figure I didn't have to make any decisions until tomorrow."

He changed his defence up in Game 3, dropping Andreas Lilja for Brett Lebda, but Babcock was unsure which one would play Thursday.

"Lilja's not hurt," Babcock confirmed. "It's just a decision I made to go that way to generate more speed from the back. "I haven't decided what I'm going to do."

Lebda admitted it was tough to make his playoff debut in such a critical game. "I hadn't played in a long time, so it was hard," Lebda said. "I just tried to keep it simple, make simple plays and not put yourself in a position where you're in trouble."

If I had to bet, I'd say that Williams is more than likely going to miss game 4. I also wouldn't be surprised to see Lilja on the ice as well. Lots to prove, a lot of chances for everyone to make NHL history. Fresh blood to go along with a sacrificial Williams goat couldn't hurt.

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I say put May in. He's been there before, he's scored big playoff goals before, and if your a Sharks defenceman you better keep your head up when he's out there cuz your going into the 1st row. Williams hasnt done anything, it was a huge mistake bringing him back in the first place, but at the very least we can salvage that by benching him in the most important game of the series.

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should have happened 2 games ago. f*** you williams

i refuse to watch game 4 if williams is in. maybe even if ericsson is in instead of lilja. depends on my day

Edited by brett

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