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Abel to Yzerman

Have A Happy And A Healthy

by IwoCPO on 03/05/08 at 10:54 AM ET
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Well, well, well.  Happy learned how to putt.  My second favorite line in that movie, only behind…

...“the price is wrong bitch.”

Few things make me laugh harder than one man calling the other “bitch.”  Of course, in many circles, that’s been replaced by the youthful “biotch,” which works for some, I guess.

Indiscriminate, irrelevant references to Happy Gilmore.  Nothing to do with the return of Rafalski, the imminent return of the captain and the grizzled veteran.  And, that, of course is the expected topic of conversation today.  Health. The value of it and the expectations that accompany it.  Thoughts on that, and more!...now.

Some of us are ass-uming that with the rested, rejuvenated and healthy comebacks of our blue line; that all will be well. That this losing streak, this frigging straw jammed up a nostril run of ineptitude, is going to just go away because the Swede will be back Sunday, and because Rafalski is back tonite.

Very possible.  But, unlikely, I think.  I wouldn’t be surprised to see a loss tonite, and another on Sunday.  And I can tell you that while those two events would make me sad?  Reality says that it’s going to take a few games to get back into the swing of things.  Look. I’m just trying to prepare you.  Don’t get all “defensive”. 

While we’re on the subject of reality, here’s one for you:  Denver’s not going to miss the playoffs.  There is no chance of that. 

I wrote that and then figured I’d better do a little research before I pull a Dater and end up looking like a lazy idiot.  I’ve looked at their remaining schedule and revise that previous statement to read: There’s a better than likely chance Denver will make the playoffs.  But, their schedule the rest of March is frigging brutal.

Next three: Anaheim, Dallas, Dallas.  Two easy ones with Atlanta and Edmonton, followed by another tough stretch with Jersey, Minnesota and Calgary.  Throw two more games with Edmonton in there then a final two weeks that features nothing but a diet of Flames, Canucks and Wild to close out the season.

That’s going to lead to one of two things: they’re either going to miss the playoffs altogether, or they’re going to weather that storm and be a tough team to beat in the first round, if they don’t move higher up the standings. 

Despite the bluster of MSMers/turned bloggers, either scenario should be readily accepted. If they miss the playoffs…well, you know the kind of fodder that will provide us for another calendar year.  If they make it, and end up our first-round opponent?  That’s great too, because that defense and that goaltending and that coaching…all add up to a Detroit victory.

But, but…Floppa.  Yes, I know.  And yes, I know the history and the level of his play in the playoffs generally, and against the Wings specifically.  But Forsberg isn’t enough to guarantee them the four goals per game they’d need to beat Detroit over a seven gamer.  Can he will that team to one, even two, wins? Yes.  With a healthy foot, yes he can.  But he can’t play defense, and unfortunately for Denver neither can Liles and his pals.

Legitimate question:  Why the continued focus on Denver here at A2Y? Two answers.  Because it’s March and we’re interested in who we’ll meet in the playoffs.  Oh, and also because I’m not fond of the franchise, the former Blues coach they have behind the bench, Cammie’s little bitch of a brother who stands next to him and rubs his tummy, or the “fans” who flock to the Ass Can (but not enough to fill it up on the night of Floppa’s miraculous return). 

What to do with the sixth dman?  Is it Lilja who will sacrifice himself blocking four shots per game, but could very well cost us a series through a boneheaded mistake that makes me curl, rock, suck the thumb and stay fetal for several hours?  Is it Lebda, who has so much speed but little else?  Or is it Meech?  How tempted is Uncle Mike to sit the big Swede and the Domer and let Meech open the hockey world’s eyes to just how much talent he has on hockey’s biggest stage?  Tempted, but he won’t do it.  Here’s your pairings:  Lidstrom/Rafalski.  Stuart/Kronwall.  Chelios/Lilja.

McCarty. What to do with McCarty.  Big deal in GR tonite for Mac’s final game, but…is he even playing?  I have no idea. Last I heard he was limping off the ice Monday night.

McCarty left Sunday’s game after taking a hit along the boards from Lake Erie’s Johnny Boychuk near the Griffins’ bench with about 12 minutes left in the game.

McCarty was helped to the locker room, but he returned to the ice for a couple more shifts with a few minutes remaining. He was held out of Tuesday’s practice as a precautionary move and to let him rest.

Haven’t seen anything else on that. You?

Let’s ass-ume he’s healthy.  Let’s further guess that he’s in a condition that would allow for eight to ten effective minutes per night.  Who you sitting Mike?

My guess? Kopecky.  Too much playoff experience in Drake.  Downey won’t see the ice in the playoffs unless one game gets out of hand and his presence is absolutely necessary the next, even with Mac and Drake in the lineup.  Kopecky just isn’t bringing much to the table and McCarty on the ice has too much upside to sit.  Lines I like:

Filppula-Datsyuk-Holmstrom
Franzen-Zetterberg-Cleary
Maltby-Draper-McCarty
Drake-Hudler-Samuelsson

Speaking of Cleary.  He’s skating, practicing with the team, wearing that big honker of a mask.  Projected return the last week in March? 

Not projected by me. If he’s practicing now, I say he’s in there by St. Patrick’s Day.

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Welcome to Abel to Yzerman, a Red Wing blog since 1977.  No other site on the internet has better-researched, fact-laden and better prepared discussions than A2Y.  Re-phrase: we do little research, find facts and stats highly overrated and claim little to no preparation.  There are 19 readers of A2Y. No more, no less. All of them, except maybe one, are juvenile in nature.  Reminding them of that in the comment section will only encourage them to prove that. Your suggestions and critiques are welcome: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

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