Bob Duff: Credit Howard for saving Wings' bacon Without Jimmy Howard's play down the stretch, Detroit would not be a playoff team.

I've got the wings taking 2 series in my pool. Don't let me down!

Me too. I think they win this series in 6 then the Panthers in 7 before losing to the Caps in 5.

Also, Howard did play pretty well down the stretch. That being said, he did lose our last two, must-win games...

Knowing what Mrazek can do, I start him 10/10 times.

Also, Howard did play pretty well down the stretch. That being said, he did lose our last two, must-win games...

Knowing what Mrazek can do, I start him 10/10 times.
- Paul_and_Wings

You can't fault him for the Boston loss the whole team didn't show up for that game and as far as the ranger game went it was a bad decicion on blashil to pull Howard when the Rangers had possession of the puck

Really? Winning two series? They looked horrible their last two games.

Really? Winning two series? They looked horrible their last two games.
- SolidGoldBricks

I agree, but the lighting didn't look much better. And with key injuries, I can see Detroit winning. NYI have their backup in, so they should lose rd. 1. And I don't know particularly why, but Florida's inexperience combined with the fact that Detroit will be giving it their all for Pavel, means I think Detroit could squeak out a 7 game series. Only to get dismantled by the Caps.

Am I crazy or does Howard's best efforts look just minimally better than mrazeks bad games? I think we should play mrazek first. He has series stealing upside. Jimmy doesn't

Really? Winning two series? They looked horrible their last two games.
- SolidGoldBricks

Some people don't realize they have the worst d core of all the playoff teams.

Am I crazy or does Howard's best efforts look just minimally better than mrazeks bad games? I think we should play mrazek first. He has series stealing upside. Jimmy doesn't
- datswho

Mrazek should play over Howard just for his ability to play the puck imo.

I don't like how Blashill as deployed Nyquist & Tatar all season. Abdelkader has had significantly more icetime than both, essentially 4 mins a TOI/GP than Tatar & 3 more than Nyquist. Abdelkader gets 1st line PP time Tatar & Nyquist primarily 2nd unit duty. This makes no sense to me.

I don't like how Blashill as deployed Nyquist & Tatar all season. Abdelkader has had significantly more icetime than both, essentially 4 mins a TOI/GP than Tatar & 3 more than Nyquist. Abdelkader gets 1st line PP time Tatar & Nyquist primarily 2nd unit duty. This makes no sense to me.
- striker777

Tatar was 10th in ice time per game for forwards and 1st in points per 60 for the regular players. Player usage has been one of this teams biggest issues.

wings win 1 series. Then they actually put up a fight in the second, but ultimately lose in 6

I don't see Detroit getting by TB with this line up formation. Everyone will be back come game 1 in TB but Stamkos & Stralman. TB has enough depth on offense with Drouin back with the team to replace Stamkos for the most part. Losing Stralman is devastating. TB has no other Dman on the team to replace Stralman's transitional game. His ability to make a clean 1st pass or skate the puck out of trouble will be sorely missed but baring injuries I think TB can beat Det.

Now if Blashill would twig the line up I would gladly back Detroit to advance.

Tatar, Datsyuk, Nyquist.
Larkin, Zetterberg, Abdelkader.
Helm, Sheahan, Richards.
4th line stays the same.

#1 PP. Datsyuk, Tatar, Larkin, Zetterberg & Kronwall.
#2 PP. Abdelkader, Nyquist, Sheahan, Richards & Green.

If these units don't work minor alterations. Larkin or Tatar could be replaced by Nyquist & Abdelkader. The other 3 players stay on each unit. Mesh the other 4 anyway you want.

I don't see Detroit getting by TB with this line up formation. Everyone will be back come game 1 in TB but Stamkos & Stralman. TB has enough depth on offense with Drouin back with the team to replace Stamkos for the most part. Losing Stralman is devastating. TB has no other Dman on the team to replace Stralman's transitional game. His ability to make a clean 1st pass or skate the puck out of trouble will be sorely missed but baring injuries I think TB can beat Det.

Now if Blashill would twig the line up I would gladly back Detroit to advance.

Tatar, Datsyuk, Nyquist.
Larkin, Zetterberg, Abdelkader.
Helm, Sheahan, Richards.
4th line stays the same.

#1 PP. Datsyuk, Tatar, Larkin, Zetterberg & Kronwall.
#2 PP. Abdelkader, Nyquist, Sheahan, Richards & Green.

If these units don't work minor alterations. Larkin or Tatar could be replaced by Nyquist & Abdelkader. The other 3 players stay on each unit. Mesh the other 4 anyway you want.
- striker777

Seriously? That 1st line gets 0 points being ragdolled with no forecheck or physical presence. That same 2nd line that was, what, a collective minus-50 over the last 20 regular season games? Do you want to see the Wings lose? Nyquist and Tatar have no business being on the same line. Nyquist has to be with Z and Tatar with Pav if this team wins anything. Those duos just work. Take advantage of matchups and put Larkin on the 3rd line with Richards and someone.

Nyquist-Zetterberg-Abdelkader
Tatar-Datsyuk-Helm
Larkin-Richards-Jurco
Athanasiou-Glendening-Sheahan

Seriously? That 1st line gets 0 points being ragdolled with no forecheck or physical presence. That same 2nd line that was, what, a collective minus-50 over the last 20 regular season games? Do you want to see the Wings lose? Nyquist and Tatar have no business being on the same line. Nyquist has to be with Z and Tatar with Pav if this team wins anything. Those duos just work. Take advantage of matchups and put Larkin on the 3rd line with Richards and someone.

Nyquist-Zetterberg-Abdelkader
Tatar-Datsyuk-Helm
Larkin-Richards-Jurco
Athanasiou-Glendening-Sheahan
- TwoPieceFeed

Those look lines look good. I cringe when ever Pav or Larkin get stuck between Helm and Richards.
If Pav and Zetterberg are going to be on a line together why not slot in Sheahan for a little experiment? Maybe even try AA with them?......