OT: Datsyuk Out for Tonight's Game.
Yeah, that sucks.
That's gunna hurt without datsyuk detroit can't win this series...
Not true at all. I love me some Pavel, but he's been kinda MIA in the playoffs so far and we've done just fine. With the way guys like Cleary and Filppula are playing, now is a better time to have Datsyuk out (not that there's ever a good time, though).
We can beat Chicago without Pavel but not Pitt, our best chance is if Helm can fill the roll and add a third defender on the ice while still making plays offensively. Pavel is like a great WR (on the ice he attracts double teams allowing teammates to get open easy and score.) He might not have the stats on paper but he makes this team unbeatable.
...Detroit, with their creaky old bones only getting 2 days' rest, is 1/4 of the way there.....
how does that prove anything. I didn't say they couldn't win a game. IMO I don't they can win a series without Pavel.
....because:
(a) You said Detroit couldn't win a series without Pavel.
(b) I then said they were 1/4 of the way to proving you wrong.
(c) You then responded that "I didn't say they couldn't win a game."
There's a disconnect there.
By the way, Detroit is now 1/2 of the way to proving you wrong.
I think more important then Datsyuk's offense is the return of all the defense men. There is plenty of forwards to fill in the gaps. Our 4th line would pwn any other 4th line, so there is talent on the team to make up for missing Pavel. Babcock is masterful at matching lines as well. But getting Lidstrom and Ericsson in the lineup will hopefully shut down the penguin's offense.
Also, I'm starting to really miss Draper. He is one of the best guys in the league in winning face offs.
I don't think Pittsburgh ever plays it's 4th line.
Pittsburgh has had a tendency most of the playoffs to only use 11 forwards, so their "4th line" is basically two scrub wingers centered by either Malkin or Crosby. They play reasonably often, but only to allow one of the centers to double-shift.
Actually, they play the 4th line quite frequently. When Gonchar got hurt, Bylsma started using 7 defense men, leaving them a forward short. How did they deal with that? They've been double shifting Crosby and Malkin on their fourth line. Hell, with one of those two players on it, it's probably the best fourth line in the league.
Also, I think the wings will be fine without Pavel. It would help to have him healthy, but what are you going to do? Every team has beat up players if you make it into the finals.
Can't win without Pavel? This is Pittsburgh we're talking about right? Pavel's defense is important but, I think we'll be ok until he gets back.
The Red Wings are capable of picking up their play to match the Penguins. Besides, there is one man who could make all the difference. Chris Osgood.
Lets Go Redwings!
online feed, anyone? i live in sydney. so yeah. thx in advance.
Idk if you already found something, but if not, here's a Canadian feed:
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/puckyou
Great win tonight for the Wings. Getting Dats back will only help them and they now know they can take the Pens without Pavel. This bodes well for our chances. Tomorrow is going to be an intense game.
Crosby admits to "giving a whack" to Maltby after the game. Where's that poise and professionalism?
was busy shaking the winning goaltenders hands. The poise and professionalism was Maltby not destroying Crosby. Crosby better keeps his eyes open for Kronwall, Stuart, and Helm today, lest he get knocked flat into the boards.
Detroit won, but I certainly wasn't comfortable most of the game. After some initial jitters, Pittsburgh's forecheck was really frustrating and the Red Wings defensemen were out of position quite a bit. They're lucky Satan didn't put in that one right in front of the net or that some of those shots from the point weren't more appropriately placed on net.
If you factor out the first two goals, which in my opinion were the result of some fortunate bounces, Pittsburgh outplayed Detroit most of that game. I'm hoping Detroit comes out a little stronger tonight, because you can't count on lucky bounces every night.
....win games when they're outplayed. I've watched enough hockey with Detroit to really care less about who gets outplayed and just look at the scoreline, since Detroit outplays 95% of the teams they play and yet get bounced by inferior teams (Anaheim 2007, Calgary 2004) due to the situation we saw accrue to our benefit last night.
Having no Dats tonight will be another rough go. I pray that he is back in the lineup for Game 3. If the Wings can pull this out tonight then we are sitting pretty heading back to Pittsburgh.