Abel to Yzerman
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Line ‘em Up
by IwoCPO on 05/19/08 at 08:21 AM ET
Comments (30)
You know he’s tempted. He’s been there before, even caved a few times. The temptation of which I speak?
Break up the circus. Uncle Mike’s pondering it today, as we all are.
This Toby Peterson kid’s getting some pub. His minutes have gone from 10 in Game 1 to 22 in Game 5. Why? Because he’s shown a flair for defending Uncle Mike’s Circus line. So, the question on the message boards--where panic reigns supreme, a lot like here--is, do you split up Hank and Datsyuk?
Zetterberg had 7 shots in each of the first two games. 3 and 4 the last two, respectively.
Datsyuk had 8 shots last game, but only 2 in Game 4.
If you do split them up, maybe you scrap every lineup you’ve used and start from scratch. Throw some names in a beanie and see what you’ve got. Maybe you come up with something like, I don’t know, this:
Helm/Datsyuk/Cleary
Fast on the Wings, all of them sturdy on the puck. You get Cleary going because you know he’s going to get his chances. And, yeah, we need Buckets a lot more than we’ve discussed here. Franzen’s not coming back folks, not this series and I doubt the next one either. Cleary must catch fire because one thing is certain.
Samuelsson’s not gonna.
The 19 (ironic, eh?) shots that missed the net on Saturday? How many of those were Sam’s? Oh, I remember the putt he put on net in the third. Other than that when is the last damn time he’s put a puck within three feet of Turco, or 3/4 or even Ellis? Jesus.
Hudler/Zetterberg/Filppula
If there’s one guy who’s hot right now...lukewarm, actually...it may be the Oompa Loompa. Homer, though. Ahh, Homer. We need you big fella. But you’re hurting and we all know it. Gonna save you for the power play big boy. Oh, you’ll get your time even strength. Just not as much. Got some making up to do? I know. I know. You feel bad about the roughing penalty on Saturday. Too bad about that. Had the Wings won, that would have been a classic. We’d be giggling like school girls about that today. But they didn’t, it isn’t and we’re not. In all honesty, Homer missed more nets than Sam did on Saturday.
But we give Homer a break because he’s Homer and Sam’s Sam. Speaking of, ready to see him on one of our lines yet?
Too bad. Not yet. Maybe not ever again.
Drake/Draper/Maltby
Not touching that line. It’s been too good. Both Maltby and Drake had the game-tying goal on their sticks on Saturday. Naturally, neither scored, but the chances were there. Good ones. Mainly because of Draper’s work behind the net. I love this line. I loved Draper’s cross check to the face of Morrow--a player I respect greatly, one I’d take on the Wings any day. Oh, it probably hurt. Yeah, it was illegal and mean. I just liked it. Sorry.
Abbadabbafriggingdoo/Draper-Datsyuk-Zetterberg/Homer
Rotating centers, depending on everything: situation, tv timeouts, icing, breaks in play, who’s hot. And maybe a dose of McCarty from time to time when the situation calls for it. Homer on the 4th line, though. Limit his even strength time. Keep him starving for ice time, angry. Then with the man advantage, let the bull out of the shoot.
Bench Samuelsson. Bench his ass today and keep him there. He’s a disaster on the point with the second unit, can’t hit the largest of Dallas puck bunnies from five feet away and is wasting space. Yes, I know he’s effective on the forecheck. Got it.
Abbadabadoo brings youth, energy and a net-front presence. Depending on who his center is, he can find scoring chances. We all know, though, that Uncle Mike’s emotionallly attached to 37 for whatever reason. It’s his one fault, in my opinion.
If line changes are to be made, that’s what I’d do. It’s how I’d roll them, so to speak.
That’s if you think changes are required. That’s if you think Babcock should move away from the best line in hockey, the three that carried this team for practically the entire season. That’s if you think Uncle Mike is gonna cave to temptation. He may. We’ll see. And if he does, it won’t be permanent. It never is. Logic says that if Dallas has found a way to keep the Circus from moving freely through the neutral zone and into glory, then it might be time to break them apart.
But we know our Uncle Mike’s not always about logic, and we dig that.
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Comments
Chief,
110% on board with 37 riding the pine.
Guarantee Uncle Mike & The Mastermind have been actively chatting for the last 48 hours, there’s a little Machevellian motivation needed.
I like idea of using ice time to light fires, worked well for The Mastermind for many many decades.
Get back to what got us here. Roll 4 lines, hard on the puck and make the smart play. Pucks out of the zone every chance & pucks deep & SHOTS ON TURKEY with white n red parked out front.
GO WINGS.
Posted by MOWingsfan19 on 05/19/08 at 08:15 AM ET
Yeah, good luck with convincing Babcock that his man-crush Sammy isn’t playing up top snuff and needs to sit.
Besides, if you don’t play a forward, you just know he’s going to do something stupid like dress and want to play Lilja instead to “spell Chelios"…
Posted by Primis on 05/19/08 at 08:38 AM ET
Well, Chief, (a) Babbles will never bench Sammy (the reason is summed up in two words: Man Love) and (b) I hope he doesn’t split up Hank and Pavel (they’re just so darn cute together).
As for Homer, he’s definitely in the doghouse after Saturday’s game, so we may see Clearly start out on the top line tonight, er, I mean, tonite. If not, then I like the idea of moving Happy up to play with Flip and Cleary. Sammy? He moves to the fourth line with Helm and Home Keys...a second checking line with scoring capability.
That leaves D-Mac the odd man out. Love the guy. Love his comeback story. Hate, absolutely hate, the way he can’t keep up with the pace of playoff hockey anymore. Sorry, Mac. I think the time has come to hang up the skates (at least for this year).
Having said all of this, my guess is that Babbles will split up The Flying Circus, he will not move Sammy off the second line or the power play and he will not bench D-Mac. And that means I’ll be moving out of the baggage car tonite (especially since Rumbear has offed both Biff and Spike with a couple of solid 9-iron shots) and I’ll be taking up residence in the Hasak along with every other A2Y member who won’t be able to make it through this night without massive amounts of alcohol.
Verfication word: 75ideas. 
Posted by OlderThanChelios from Grand Rapids on 05/19/08 at 08:41 AM ET
Babcock wasn’t outcoached in game 4, to be fair. He was massively outcoached in game 5, but not regarding personnel decisions, strategy, tactics, or anything like that. He simply didn’t prepare his team, and that is why they lost.
I think you have to keep Samuelsson in. Abadabbado in for Mac. He’s too slow to play against Dallas. And it might not hurt to give Chelios a seat.
Posted by Nathan from Jonny Ericsson's ice cream truck on 05/19/08 at 08:42 AM ET
Going out to Home Depot to buy a shovel, gonna dig a hole in the front yard to stick my head in until this series ends one way or the other. I can’t take this!
Posted by scheisskopf on 05/19/08 at 08:47 AM ET
And it might not hurt to give Chelios a seat.
and let Lilja play?!
Posted by PaulinMiamiBeach on 05/19/08 at 08:48 AM ET
and let Lilja play?!
Call me crazy, but I’ve been dying to see #52 out there… he didn’t look out of place in the games I saw, has decent wheels for his immense size and has a heavy, heavy shot. What the hell… it’s only game 6 of the conference finals.
Posted by TeamDub from The gratch. on 05/19/08 at 09:06 AM ET
Hmm… giving the dive a run for teh geh?
Trevor Daley, on his usual kiss of Marty Turco’s helmet after a victory: ”Marty got a little tongue out there.”
Posted by TeamDub from The gratch. on 05/19/08 at 09:20 AM ET
Lilja isn’t the only “depth” d-man.... I’ve liked Meech since he came up the first time last year. Not saying I’d put Meech in now but IF Cheli has a few more senior moments, there needs to be something done about it. Meech could take the point spot for Sammy too… but this game is about the mental prep, especially with a lot on the line tonight. Either the old dog remembers his old tricks or he doesn’t have the “edge” that’s kept him in the game all these years.
We’ll need Cheli on the PK.
Posted by MOWingsfan19 on 05/19/08 at 09:27 AM ET
Pulled this Uncle Mike quote from ICECHIPS at TSN.ca:
Red Wings coach Mike Babcock hinted at some possible changes in line combinations and defensive pairings ahead of Monday’s Game 6 in the Western Conference finals at Dallas. “You always got to try to make adjustments to win,” Babcock said. “The same old, same old gives you the same result.” - Detroit News
The one adjustment I’d damn sure like to see the Wings make—how about scoring first!!
According to “The Highlander”:
Mike Babcock left Joe Louis Arena, Saturday, with his wife, Maureen, and his son, Michael. The Detroit Red Wings had just lost Game 5 of the Western Conference final to the Dallas Stars and the senior Babcock noted that his son acted as though “he got shot.”Babcock was told by his family that his hockey team looked flat.
“We were so far from flat it wasn’t even funny,” said Babcock. ”You want to win so bad, sometimes you get in the way of yourself. One of the greatest skills of a professional athlete or anybody is controlling activation level. Sometimes you’ve just got to take a deep breath.”
The team scoring first has won every game this series.
Just saying—
Posted by Jeff OKWingnut from Hockey Netherworld on 05/19/08 at 09:28 AM ET
I say break up the Circus for a few shifts. Let Tippett and the Stars think they aren’t going to have to deal with Datsyuk and Zetterberg at the same time. Then, when the time is right, put out the non-Datsyuk Zetterberg line, or the non-Zetterberg Datsyuk line...win the faceoff, a quick one-man change, and the Circus is back together. If they pull it off properly, it should surprise Dallas and give the Circus a chance to score.
Too tricky? Too shifty? Too complicated? I hope not. This is the top team in the NHL, with the Stanley Cup Playoffs one win away...they should be able to pull it off with ease.
Posted by PaulinMiamiBeach on 05/19/08 at 09:54 AM ET
Add me to the group of people that think that Sammy needs to be benched. I know he’s not the only guy that was missing the net on Saturday, but he’s consistently the guy doing it, and if I have to hear Mike Emrick say, “And Samuelsson’s shot gets the glass” one more time, I’m going to choke someone. I don’t know how I feel about breaking up the Circus, but maybe switching Buckets for Homer couldn’t hurt, God knows Dan need to get one up on the board. We need to get other guys scoring obviously, but we need to get the damn puck on net first.
Posted by Chris in Hockey Hell from COLUMBIA, TENNESSEE on 05/19/08 at 10:40 AM ET
I’ve been giving Sammy the benefit of the doubt way too long, I keep thinking, “This is the game that he will score.” and it doesn’t happen. Enough.
Posted by hockeychic from Denver, CO on 05/19/08 at 10:49 AM ET
I keep thinking, “This is the game that he will put a shot on net.”
fixt.
Posted by PaulinMiamiBeach on 05/19/08 at 10:55 AM ET
The skate is still on the throat. Problem is, when your offense only scores one goal per game… Ya cant quite push down hard enough on the throat to keep them from squirming.
Posted by cementslinger from the Hasek on 05/19/08 at 10:55 AM ET
Here’s a thought… Hey Wings, just go out and play the best damn game of this series. It will not make a difference what Bubba Sr. does if the Wings play their game. Possess the puck, outwork them in the corners and go to the net. Nothing else matters. Not Marty, not Morrow, not Ott. Not anybody on the whole friggin’ team. Not IF the Wings come out hard and impose their will. My biggest concern will be the weather in Dallas, projected to be around 95 today. It will be like skating on slurpee ice. First goal is the most important of the night. It will keep the crowd out of it and have Dallas looking for answers. If Dallas scores first the Flying Circus will have to put the team on their backs and show why they are who they are. Look for a big game from our captain tonite (yeah that’s how I spell it, you got a problem with that?). If he is to be the first euro to raise the Cup now is the time to shine. CARPE DIEM! motherfrickers.
Posted by Mike from La-La Land on 05/19/08 at 11:04 AM ET
Bench Sammy!
(There isn’t a font size large enough for me to make more obvious how I feel about that idea.)
I’d love to see Ericsson in there on defense, much, MUCH more than Lilja. Bigger, handles the puck better, and a bit quicker.
If all Sammy brings is defensive responsibility, then Abdelkader brings that - he kicked butt defensively his entire college career, and the goal that won the NCAA championship for MSU was a product of him getting in hard checking and forcing the other team to cough up the puck.
Odd thing - yesterday I pulled out my portable DVD player that I loaned to a friend a while ago, and noticed it had a disc in it, so I started it playing instead of just pulling it out and putting it away. It was the 1996 game seven against the St. Louis Blues - the game that wound up 1-0 in double overtime on the goal by Yzerman that has been replayed over and over and over.
It was funny seeing what had and hadn’t changed in the last 12 years. Draper was killing the Blues on faceoffs, Lidstrom looked smooth as ever, and the Red Wings were outshooting the Blues by a large margin.
Fedorov and Yzerman were matched up against Hull and Gretzky, and man did Sergei ever make #99 look old and slow. 
The Blues uniforms were an eyesore of enormous proportions.
Primeau should have drawn about a dozen hooking/holding penalties, as he was skating with two guys hanging on him most of the time.
And Osgood was solid as a rock through all four-plus periods.
Just strange to see some of the same players, playing the same way, a dozen years later.
Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 05/19/08 at 11:14 AM ET
JESUS H. TAP-DANCING CHRIST…
I was getting through the day just fine. I really was. I’m stressed, but in a manageable way. We have two more chances to pull out a win. It’s not over. I was even able to channel that nervous energy into getting some work done.
But then…
(shaking fist in Bruce’s general direction)
Posted by Gabriel from San Diego, CA on 05/19/08 at 11:47 AM ET
Yes, I know about the 33 year thing but a few years back there was something about how the Canadians win the Cup every x number of years (memory fails me on the x) and that didn’t happen.
So I cling to hope. I also try to concentrate on work (failing). Baroque - I totally agree about Sammy. Love your review of that game. I really miss Fedorov in a Game 6 like this.
Posted by hockeychic from Denver, CO on 05/19/08 at 11:58 AM ET
The math only matters if the puck knows arithmetic - and it doesn’t. The rubber doesn’t care about history, and it doesn’t have a memmory. Only the people do.
Besides, who’s to say the Big Comeback won’t be reserved for the Stanley Cup Finals?
Hockeychic - It was also funny to see Mike Keenan with hair and hear Thorne and Clement talk about “the oldest team in the league” and it wasn’t the Wings! I had completely forgotten how the series went until they reviewed it during the game - the two teams were separated by 51 points in the final standings, Detroit won the first two, dropped the next three, won game six on the road and then won game seven in double-overtime to advance. Makes winning three games and then dropping the next two seem just a little less dramatic - especially since Osgood knew he had to get a shutout because of the saves the St. Louis goalie was making, and all that composure at just 23 years old.
And Brett Hull still looked a little chunky, even then.
Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 05/19/08 at 12:14 PM ET
Gonna be a nail-biter tonite. and I got no alky either, so I’ve got nothing to take the edge off.
I’m definitely in favour of benching Sammy. I’m tired of seeing himput dents in the glass and not the furkin Turkey. Put in Abdelkader, because hell, if we’re going with the old hockey cliches, how about “beginner’s luck”?
And I’d also give the old man a seat tonight. Put in Big crushing Swede with a monster shot #2 or the Oompa Loompa of defence.
And one more thing: my verification phrase: middle43. Darren Helm, make it happen!
Posted by Alex in Cambridge, Ontario (Canada EH!) on 05/19/08 at 12:35 PM ET
I think Brett Hull sold his neck to the devil for a slapshot.
Posted by PaulinMiamiBeach on 05/19/08 at 12:35 PM ET
Must have been one hell of a neck to account for that slapshot.
Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 05/19/08 at 12:37 PM ET
The math also says that at this point, the Wings are five times as likely to win the series than the Stars.
Something in perparation has been lacking, and I’m not convinced it has anything to do with line combinations. I think it’s mental and has to do with winning nine straight in the playoffs with little resistance.
They’ve hit resistance for the first time in almost a month. These are the moments Babcock talks about. It’s time for him to prepare the team and get a quality response out of them.
We’ll find out tonight.
Posted by Nathan from Jonny Ericsson's ice cream truck on 05/19/08 at 12:50 PM ET
They’ve hit resistance for the first time in almost a month. These are the moments Babcock talks about. It’s time for him to prepare the team and get a quality response out of them.
and they couldn’t have picked a better time to hit some resistance and find a way to win through it. up 3-0 in the WCF is a much better time than down 1 (or 2) to 0 in the Stanley Cup Finals. much better for Dallas to give them a little challenge than for the Wings not to see a challenge in six weeks.
Posted by PaulinMiamiBeach on 05/19/08 at 12:58 PM ET
I asked my wife, a Dentist, and she pointed out that “9 out of 10 Dentists support the Wings”. We all know those nine are often quoted on a variety of things and never wrong. Ever. There’s your statistic....
Posted by Rumbear from Sandy Eggo on 05/19/08 at 01:07 PM ET
From the Babcock interview, it looks like the lines will be:
Pavel/Hank/Homer
Happy/Flip/Cleary
Drake/Draper/Sammy(ugh!)
Maltby/Helm/McCarty
Two quotes of interest:
The other thing I thought is Draper and Dallas Drake did a good job on the forecheck, turned a lot of pucks over. Maltby is on that line. Not quite as dangerous as a guy like Sammy, who really shoots the puck.
So far, the only one Sammy is dangerous to are the people sitting behind the net.
It gives my other group, with Maltby and Helm, two real good skaters, and McCarty.
Two “real good skaters, and McCarty”? How about replacing D-Mac with Home Keys and making that three good skaters, Babs?
Honestly, there’s no need for a “fighter” tonight. But I have a feeling there will be a need for three sets of strong legs on the fourth line. Tippett has been picking on that line a lot, hemming them in because Mac can’t get to the loose pucks. I’d hate to see this game lost because Mac can’t clear the zone again.
Posted by OlderThanChelios from Grand Rapids on 05/19/08 at 01:12 PM ET
Uh, Matt at OTW says Chelios out for tonight? Anyone??
Lilja in???
Ugh..................
Posted by Rumbear from Sandy Eggo on 05/19/08 at 01:15 PM ET
But then…
Bruce MacLeod does the math.
(shaking fist in Bruce’s general direction)
Well Gabe,
Bruce failed to point out that it is the exact same game that was played 33 years ago....
No rule changes
No expansion
No little gary
Posted by HockeyTownTodd from upset when blogs dont live up to my expectations on 05/19/08 at 01:24 PM ET
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Not bad lines, Uncle Mike needs to do something he’s been out coached two games in a row now, and he’s going to have a challenge in game 6. Here is what I’ve been thinking
Datsyuk / Zetterberg / Homer
Hudler / Filppula / Cleary (Zetterberg every-other)
Maltby / Draper / Drake
Abdelkader / Datsyuk / Helm
McCarty in the locker room
Sammy rides the pine.
I don’t think Stuart is being used effectively enough, the man can play the point on the power play, I like the way he shoots from the point. He doesn’t shoot hard, but he takes these soft wristers through high traffic that are very accurate, and very deflect-able. Plus he can pinch and drive to the net with his body… Something Samuelsson can do, but he opts for the shots to the shin pads of Dallas D men.
Posted by Jdunc from Flint, MI on 05/19/08 at 08:10 AM ET