50 replies to this topic

[YzerFan19]

Just three days after wrapping up their second-round series with the Anaheim Ducks, the Detroit Red Wings kick off their Western Conference Finals matchup with the Chicago Blackhawks.

The two teams haven't met in the playoffs since the 1995 WCF, which Detroit won in five games, three of which went to overtime.

Detroit coach Mike Babcock experimented with a set of updated lines in Sunday's practice, shifting rookie Justin Abdelkader to the top line with Pavel Datsyuk and Tomas Holmstrom while Holmstrom moved down to the fourth line with Kris Draper and Darren Helm.

Draper returned to the Wings' lineup for Game Seven of the series against the Ducks, after having missed the entire playoffs to that point. He replaced Kirk Maltby, who is expected to remain out for Game One.

[SYfanSD]

Youth meets experience... Two and a half hours till the puck drops!

[YzerFan19]

Hawks with pressure early. Wings looking a little tired.

[YzerFan19]

Oh Jesus Christ. You are f*cking kidding me.

[YzerFan19]

That was all Ericsson with a stupid pass.

[YzerFan19]

Cleary says "Don't you wish you still had me now, bitches?!"

[Mathieu_Datsyuk132351]

I am excited that Cleary got the (Wing's) first goal of the game. That's a good sign, considering how they started out sloppy.


(+Wings )

[YzerFan19]

I am excited that Cleary got the first goal of the game. That's a good sign, considering how they started out sloppy.

I assume you mean first Wings goal. 'Cause that great shot just makes up for the clusterf*ck that put the Wings behind in the first place.

[Mathieu_Datsyuk132351]

Yes. Baaaah. I am terrible at multi tasking. Thanks for pointing that mistake out!

I think they look a little better now. At least it doesn't take two whole periods to catch up like when they were playing the Ducks. I forgot to say that, too

[YzerFan19]

Power play, could be big.

[YzerFan19]

Well that didn't work. Pace is insane right now.

[YzerFan19]

Wings obviously got off to a bad start but turned it around pretty well. Definitely a better first period than I expected after last round.

[Mathieu_Datsyuk132351]

It's nice not feeling uneasy the whole period. Hahaha.

It would be cool if the Wings swept the Hawks, but I doubt that will happen.

[drwmike33]

It's funny how much quicker the games are when you're not playing a team that stands around waiting for you to come by so they can cross check you...that and not playing a team whose goalie would hold the puck even if it was on fire and pretend he hit his head on the net and is paralyzed.

[YzerFan19]

Yeah, I definitely like the style of play this game compared to last round.

[YzerFan19]

Wow. Khabibulin came up huge there.

[Mathieu_Datsyuk132351]

that and not playing a team whose goalie would hold the puck even if it was on fire and pretend he hit his head on the net and is paralyzed.

That is classic

Hopefully they can score on this powerplay? They are certainly getting some chances. And you can only tell because of the NBC announcers extreme change of volume in their voices.

[SYfanSD]

Wow. Khabibulin came up huge there.

For once he looks like the "Bulin Wall"

[catmandu]

Five-hole is not Khabibulin's weakness, guys. Gotta change it up.

[YzerFan19]

Franzen! Wings in front!