Love that line, chief.  Love it.  Don’t look now (knock on wood), we’ve got three dangerous lines again.

Oh, and one more thing.  The Detroit News sucks.  It just sucks.  Remember that interview they did with Devellano, Bowman, and Kenny about three months ago?  The audio was so screwed up you could barely hear it.  Ugh.

When is the last time the Wings took a kid 2 games out of college and started him in a playoff game?
Has this ever happened before in the NHL?
Credit Babcock with boldness!

I’ve no idea if there is a precedent.  I think to think, however, of Theo Fleury and how much he brought to Calgary’s last Stanley Cup drive.  I have absolutely no data to back this up, but I think having a powerful young forward like that gives a real good spark to the veteran team.  MacLeod’s numbers this morning show that Maltby, Drake, and Draper aren’t providing the team with a whole heck of a lot.  Maybe Home Keys’ presence provides that third and fourth line with a real spark.

WooHoo!!  I have really been impressed (not that it takes much to do so) with the Abdelkader kid.  Obviously, I am not the only one so impressed.  Big, Strong, fairly fast, Hard-Hitting.  What has impressed me most though, is the fact that he ALWAYS seems to be around the puck - or vice versa.  He’s a player for sure.  On a line with the defensive minded Draper, they should be able to carry Whoodler’s defensive water, and will likely be able to generate some decent chances on the counter-attack.

I wish The Highlander would have posted the other lines.  KHAN! has the defense pairings:

Defenseman Brad Stuart (broken finger) said he’ll play in Game 1 of the playoffs against Nashville on Thursday. It appears Brett Lebda will be the odd-man out, as Andreas Lilja practiced with Chris Chelios. Lilja has an edge over Lebda because of his size and physical play and his ability to kill penalties.

Lidstrom / Rafalski
Stuart / Kronwall
Lilja / Cheli

Stuart may have to take after the Hanson’s and wrap his finger in foil

BTW, Vegas has the Wings as favorite (check out the Forum), and Duthie at TSN predicts an Original 6 SCF, Wings v. Habs; just saying.

I think the reality of what one unproven player can provide in spark, mentality, and on-ice performance can be summed up in one word.

Kocur.

Stuart may have to take after the Hanson’s and wrap his finger in foil

I was thinking the other day they should have just cut it off.  Surely the incisions would heal faster than the bone.

The fun/nerve wracking thing about the playoffs is that you never know what player is going to show up and come out of the shadows and which ones are going to go into a funk.  I know Maltby hasn’t done much this season but I can remember some very key playoff goals from him in the past. With that said, I’m excited about Home Keys (no, not even trying to type that) playing with his spark and energy. BRING IT ON!!!

I’d be willing to be that Home Keys scores a goal in this series.  This kid has a nose for the puck.  He’ll get his.

That last post should read “willing to bet”

I was thinking the other day they should have just cut it off.

Depending on which finger on which hand it could negatively impact his passing and shot.

Codeword:  “11future”

Any ideas? 

Can we just shorten “Home Keys” to Keys and call it a day on this nickname thing?  The lazy among us will certainly appreciate the economy there.

I read that as ‘Kris Draper’s groin is definitely in the lineup...’

The groin would win every face off by default. Nobody would want to cross sticks and get down close and personal with Drapes’ disembodied groin.

Maltby, Drake, and Draper aren’t providing the team with a whole heck of a lot.

When you see Downey or McCarty killing a 5 on 3, be sure to point it out.

also,

be sure and post their faceoff %.

“your team is only as good as your fourth line”

Applies even more in the playoffs

For you Lilja bashers:

I will blame Babcock directly for any playoff losses that Lilja is a healthy scratch.  I like Stuart, but Lilja would get my endorsement over him.

i still like “Gator” over “Home Keys” or “Keys” or “Home Row.” Gator sounds badass.  ask the kid.

I can’t call him Home Keys because I can’t touch type…