Abdelkader back at center for Sat. game

[bigbear150otd 7]

Here are the lines they plan on using at the start of the game, at least:

Zetterberg-Datsyuk-Cleary

Filppula-Franzen-Hudler

Bertuzzi-Helm-Eaves

Miller-Abdelkader-Holmstrom

Emmerton and Brunnstrom will be scratched.

No changes on defense:

Lidstrom-White

Kronwall-Stuart

Ericsson-Kindl

[hooon 1,089]

I like the shakeup in the bottom 6, but Pav and Z really need to get to scoring.

[newfy 695]

Yeah put Abdelkader at center where hes proven hes not effective and cant play his game at all

[GoWings1905 2,694]

Yeah put Abdelkader at center where hes proven hes not effective and cant play his game at all

No kidding. The only thing I like about this move is Eaves back with Helm.

[WorkingOvertime 536]

Yeah put Abdelkader at center where hes proven hes not effective and cant play his game at all

I agree. This is a bad move for the bottom-six. The line of Abby- Helm- Bert was consistently good. Abby is less effective at center, and his minutes will decrease. I'm surprised at the move since Abby was essential in many (most?) of the chances against CBJ.

[St. Michael (the Red Wing) 422]

I don't like Abby on the fourth line at all. Being paired with Miller and Homer as wingers just isn't an effective line.

[brett 1,029]

I really liked the abs helm bert line the first few games. they went out there with speed and hit everyone.

first line really needs to start producing

[PrairieDawg 52]

I don't know why they keep putting abby at center. Everytime hes been amazing hes been on LW. He can do alright, but he can't really handle the responsibility it takes. He needs more free roam.

[Scott Stevens 44]

Bertuzzi and Holmstrom need to ride the pine or be scratched. That's the bottom line. We're too slow and have no 5 on 5 game. That needs to change.

[eva unit zero 271]

It makes sense for Abby to be used at center.

Why?

When Mursak's back, you move Bertuzzi to Miller's spot; Mursak/Emmerton/Eaves/Miller rotate on the wing with Helm.

Abby would be better used on a physical, offense-oriented line than a checking line. Trying to combine his game and Helm's game works effectively, but it doesn't bring out their best. Abs with Bert and Homer would be a gritty, grinding, physical scoring line and Mursak/Helm/Eaves or whatever combination would be an effective two-way combination.

The other option is to move Bert to the top six and drop Cleary down to play with Helm. Eaves is the ideal third man for this line, but any of Eaves, Abs, Mursak, Emmerton, or Miller would fit. Homer either be scratched, or he would be on the fourth line with one of Abs or Emmerton and another winger.