Though the anti digger suggests different lines

Here’s a look at possible lines for the Red Wings against Nashville ...
Datsyuk-Zetterberg-Holmstrom
Filppula-Franzen-Cleary
Hudler-Draper-Samuelsson
Drake-Hartigan-Downey

Who to believe who to believe.

Digger captain says McCarty is playing
Anti Digger says Downey is playing…

Posted by solo16 on 04/09/08 at 12:33 PM ET

I will not be happy if Abdelkader sits.  Even for William Tell.

Posted by Jeff from Loveland, CO on 04/09/08 at 12:40 PM ET

My bet is McCarty gets the nod first game.  Don’t have anything to back that up, which is why it’s a bet, so it could be just wishful thinking.

Posted by AndrewB from TN on 04/09/08 at 12:48 PM ET

Babcock said “he just told me if it was up to him he wants to play. But my kid wants to play for us tomorrow, too. He’s one of those guys that’ll skate again tomorrow and we’ll see how he reacts.”

Does he mean William Tell/Dancing Bear/Sammy or his kid?

Posted by YzermanZetterberg on 04/09/08 at 01:00 PM ET

This is the playoffs, right.  Stress.  Only answer to stress is crazy.  A healthy dose of batsh*t crazy.

Despite their lack of the oh-so-necessary playoff XP, throw Meech and HomeKeyz into the fire.  I think the kids could pull it off. 

Put Slammin’ Sammy in, I guess - keep him away from Cleary though. 

Replace Hartigan with HomeKeyz.  They like to say chemistry is important.  I fail to see what Hartigan brings to the mix except Warm Bodiness - and lukewarm, at that.  The guy isn’t a Wing, and never will be.  Homekeyz has shown, I think, that he wants this, wants to be on this team.  He took a permanent marker and drew a winged wheel across his forehead, while grinning.  Hartigan’s just looking for a way into the league.  He might catch fire somewhere, but not in Detroit.  Just a feeling I have.

Pair Meech with Chelios just because if the kid steps out of line, Cheli’s likely to clock him back into shape - quickly.  Plus, it pairs a defensive defenseman with an offensive defensive - like the other two lines.  Throw Lilja and Lebda to the wolves - especially if Stuart decides to stay and Chelios has a year or two left in him.  Lids-Raf, Kron-Stu, and Cheli-Meech - could do worse.

Mac or Downey.  That’s tough.  Mac is the Hometown Hero, but Downey’s put in his time here and has done pretty well in his role.  Mac’s chomping at the bit, and Downey’s feelings probably wouldn’t be hurt.  But.  Hate to shaft a guy who does his job with little or no complaint.  I say switch the two - let them bloody the other team, rest a game, and so on.  That way, Mac can prove himself again, and Downey gets to join in the fun.

Don’t ask me for lines based on that though.  If I had to, I’d say split Dat and Z.

Flipper-Z-Homer
Fran-Dat-Cleary

If Fran can keep up his Homer imitation, it’d work pretty well, I think.  ‘Course, that can be changed in-game if needed since Dat and Z have played on the same line for much of the season. 

I wouldn’t change the third line if Sammy is in, but replace Hartigan with HomeKeyz on the fourth.  I think he’d be a good compliment on an enforcer line with Drake and Downey/Mac.  He just seems to have that sort of frenzied, ZOMFG!!11!!1ISTHISREALLYHAPPENING?!?!1 energy that could very well turn a game around.

OK.  Yeah.  Less drinking.  28.5 hours!

Posted by jrl123 on 04/09/08 at 01:28 PM ET

It’s the playoffs, so therefore Babcock has to play mind games with the media and Bubba. Homer and Stewie questionable? Hardly. If both feel good and are ready to play, then they’ll play, regardless of what Mike thinks. Sammy? I hope he sits another game, I don’t think he’s 100%. Sitting Homer would give the Preds an advantage that I don’t think Mike wants to deal with.

My guess: Gator sits and Hartigan centers the 4th line with Mac and Drake. The 4th line will be the interchangeable parts line, we might see 4 different combos in this series alone.

Z-D-H
Flip-Fran-Buckets
Huds-Drapes-Sammy
Drake-Hartigan-Mac

Nick-Raffy
Kronner-Stewie
Cheli-Lilja

I have a feeling we’ll see Downey in Game 2 replacing Drake. Just a feeling. Take a deep breath tonight everyone and watch the games, and enjoy the last day of somewhat stress-free hockey. The Stress Train is filling quickly, and is departing soon. Hop on, relax, have some drinks and watch some hockey…until the ride gets bumpy.

Posted by Jeremy on 04/09/08 at 01:40 PM ET

Both Abdelkader and McCarty should play, if Sunday’s game is any indication.  Both showed more grit, fire, determination, and were closer to the puck, than Downey or Drake.  Of course I’m not running practices with them or anything.

Posted by TDeters on 04/09/08 at 02:14 PM ET

I say switch the two - let them bloody the other team, rest a game, and so on.  That way, Mac can prove himself again, and Downey gets to join in the fun.

I say play McCarty every night, and put Downey in for the away games, while sitting Hudler when we don’t have the last change.

Posted by PaulinMiamiBeach on 04/09/08 at 02:29 PM ET

I say play McCarty every night, and put Downey in for the away games, while sitting Hudler when we don’t have the last change.

I’d rather see an enforcement line every night if we can get away with having, basically, 3 lines per game - home or away.  Especially against a team like Bubba that has absolutely nothing to lose.

But that’s the downside of being first in the league.  You’re supposed to knock out your first-round opponent with relative ease.  Unless they break your legs.  This is Bubba.  I’m having nightmares of Z or Dat playing a staring role in Deliverance.  Likely, I’m listening to the Professionalized Broadcasters of Motown Dewm too much.  I mean, I bet Don Cherry is real peacock when he’s not on TV.  And with a name like Pierre…well.

Don’t get me wrong, I’d love to see Mac back to his old ways.  Being physical when necessary, picking up slack when necessary, scoring when necessary.  The guy could get a Gordie Howe Hat Trick every night - or something.  I just think a HomeKeyz-Drake-Mac/Downey line would have more of an impact.  Plus, I’d like Mac to have played an entire season somewhere.  As is, he’s played, I think, 24 games between the Flint Generals and the GR Griffins, and a few with the Wings - after 32 games with Calgary in the 2006-07 season.  Eh, I want his return to be grand.  I’d hate to see him come back and fizzle.  I mean, that’s no way to remember the guy who wiped the Joe’s ice with Lepuke’s face.

Posted by jrl123 on 04/09/08 at 03:13 PM ET

Eh…if my thoughts on Hartigan weren’t clear:  The guy should IR’ed until he quits.

Posted by jrl123 on 04/09/08 at 03:19 PM ET

I agree with jri123.  Meech and Home Keyz should play.  I say Mac too. Lilja’s going to shit the bed at least once this series.

Posted by TDeters from Washington, DC on 04/09/08 at 08:51 PM ET