Update (3:13 PM): Ansar Khan and Helene St James report on probable line changes for tonight after watching the morning skate. Looks like Babs is going to keep Sammy in the lineup, but he and Calder will be demoted to the fourth line – centered by Valterri Filppula. Meanwhile, Todd Bertuzzi and Johan Franzen will play on the second line with Robert Lang. I had hoped he was going to put Bert back with Lang, but I always figured (and kind fo hoped) that he’d just take Sammy out and insert Bert in his place. I still think I’d rather have Jiri Hudler playing over Samuelsson, but overall I think the moves make sense. This gives the guys who are struggling a chance for a fresh start. Hopefully it works. – Sarah
Update (2:38 PM): Via Paul, commenting on this Abel to Yzerman post: Here’s the Ken Kal interview clip (MP3) from the Big Show on 1270 WXYT today. They have some general talk about the game, but the most important part is at the start.
Almost right off the bat, Kal says he believes there will be a change in the lineup and goes so far as to suggest that that Jiri Hudler could be in for Kyle Calder, who “hasn’t really had a splendid series so far.” No argument there, but does Babcock really want to take out an energy guy like Calder when he has an option like Mikael Samuelsson? I would hope not.
Kal expects any roster change to be a game-time decision.
Also, be sure to check out Paul’s comment comparing Robert Lang and Rhett Warrener. - Matt
Update (2:28 PM): John Niyo reports that Calgary’s Robyn Regehr (knee) will not play tonight after not skating today. He doesn’t have anything on the Wings, but writes, “stay tuned.” - Matt
Update (1:05 PM): Looks like Wes McCauley and Brad Watson are the referees tonight, with Dan Schachte and Steve Miller manning the lines. (via NHL Media) - Matt
Update (11: 35 AM): IwoCPO’s got some gameday comments posted. I like the line combos, Iwo. Hopefully Babcock’s thinking the same way. - Matt
Update (10:50 AM): Megan left a great comment below and I wanted to highlight the first part of it:
Lidstrom really needs to come out today and be the leader of the team. He needs to be responsible with the puck (which I have no doubt he will be) and he needs to be active on the bench (even though he’s rarely there). …
Exactly. Couldn’t agree more. He had a subpar (for him) game Tuesday and, while his leadership is not in doubt, tonight’s a great opportunity to show the kind of leader he really is. - Matt
Tonight is the fourth game of the Wings’ Western Conference Quarterfinal series with the Calgary Flames. They lead the series 2-1, having won the first two games (4-1, 3-1). The Flames took the first game in Calgary on Tuesday, 3-2. Game 5 is on Saturday at 3:00 ET in Detroit and Game 6, if necessary, is Sunday in Calgary, though the time has not yet been announced.
Tonight is a huge game for the Flames, who face the prospect of going down 3-1 in the series as it heads back to Detroit. Essentially, they have to win tonight. Some keys to the game:
- Big start. They didn’t come out with the promised shock attack in Game 3 and they’d do well to come out harder tonight and steal momentum out of the gates.
- Power play success. Four of their five goals have been scored on the power play this series and that needs to continue if they want a chance.
- Discipline. They can’t count on the Wings’ power play troubles continuing and they can’t count on getting away with committing penalties, either.
- Even strength play. They’ve not been able to do much when the teams are skating five a side so far this series. They can’t exclusively rely on controlling play while they have the man advantage.
Overall, I think they’re going to need to play better than they did in Game 3 if they want to win tonight. They caught some fortunate breaks in a game that could have gone either way and would probably prefer it not be so close this time. The best way to ensure that is to step it up.
This is a huge game for the Wings as well. While the series would not be over with a loss, their psychological edge would be gone and they’d be out of the driver’s seat. They need to steal a win tonight in Calgary to maintain control of the series. Some keys to the game:
- Special teams. They flat out have to be better here. They’re not getting the job done on the penalty kill or the power play and it’s time that changes. They need to make the Flames pay for the penalties they do take, and they need to kill off the penalties they take themselves. Ansar Khan reports that’s what they worked on in practice yesterday, which is good to hear. Still, I’m with Dave of Gorilla Crouch in saying that the best way for them to improve their defensive special teams is to stay out of the box. As for the offensive side, they have the tools and need to start using them.
- Fast start. We saw in Game 2 how the Flames can become unraveled when flustered and a fast start tonight could cause a repeat performance. Scoring a goal in the first five minutes would go a long way.
- 60 minutes. The Wings had their moments in Game 3, but there were also stretches where they looked lost. They need to play hard for more of the game tonight, from start to finish.
- The Dominator. Hasek has not factored much into this series, but you can be sure he’ll have more work tonight. He needs to be stellar and may even need to steal the game. Dom, this is why you’re in the Winged Wheel.
Like the Flames, the Wings are going to need to do better tonight if they want to win. The biggest thing is special teams, obviously, but they also need to be as physical and confident with the puck as they were in Games 1 and 2.
Believe me, I’m confident the Wings can do what it takes to win tonight, whether it’s on the back of Dominik Hasek, a standout forward taking the lead, or an overall team effort. Of course, whether they will is another question. Personally, I think they will, but we’ll just have to wait and see.
One thing I did not mention above is the Wings’ roster. Babcock is still playing this close to the vest on the whole “extra man” situation and wouldn’t tell Helene St. James whether or not he’d take out Mikael Samuelsson and put Jiri Hudler back into the lineup. I hope very much that he does, but we won’t know more about that until later today.
Lidstrom really needs to come out today and be the leader of the team. He needs to be responsible with the puck (which I have no doubt he will be) and he needs to be active on the bench (even though he’s rarely there). It is his job to take out Iginla, and he needs to do this effectively. This is for two reasons. First, Iginla is really the biggest scoring threat the Flames have. Second, this needs to be an example to the team so that they respond and each do their own job to the best of the ability. The Wings are not facing elimination, not even close. But if they come out playing like they are, and take that energy to once again totally dominate the Flames, the series will be over.
About that fast start the Wings need. If Babcock doesn’t start the Draper/Maltby/Cleary line and play them half of the first 10 minutes, I’m going to scream.
Paul,
That would about do it, I think. I wouldn’t be surprised if that’s part of Babcock’s game plan. There are few things he likes more than hard work and those three exemplify that. It’d be a great way to get the team going.
I wonder about the Hudler / Samuelsson exchange because of Sammy’s new role as point man on the PP. Obviously we could fill the void on the blue line during PP’s, but Sammy is a big guy and seems deceptively strong. Against the Flames, this is a positive down low or anywhere on the ice for that matter. But I just like Hudler’s spunky play in front of the net and his ability to make timely passes. His skating ability was the big question during camp, but he appears to be quite an aggressive (not fast) skater right now. Those young guns have come up huge for us. I think we should re-insert him, pull Sammy, and put Bert on the Lang/Calder line. Matt, do you think it would be interesting to scratch Lang in favor of Hudler? I am not necessarily a Lang hater, but I don’t see him as a viable center in the Wings’ system. Lang has been rather uninspired, lazy on the puck, and makes poor passes (most of the time these occur on the offensive blue line leading to odd-man rushes). I, too, was pretty pissed when I saw Lang put in after pulling Draper on the final face-off. Go Wings! Btw, Matt thanks for a great site. I was sick of getting most of my Wings news from TSN.
-Jordan
I would have loved to see Lang get scratched over Hudler. Even though the team as a whole played well in the first two games, it was clear after the second game that Lang was not bringing his ‘A’ game. However, I can see why Babcock would opt to keep him in the lineup. I think that the reason that Babcock keeps him around is because his potential for contributing is too great. He was one of the few to produce offense in the last two playoffs and he clearly has the ability to score goals. The trick is figuring out how to motivate him. I think that as long as Babcock believes he has a chance of getting Lang going, he’ll keep him in the lineup. He knows that if he does succeed, the results will be well worth it. I think that the line changes are evidence that Babcock realizes that Lang isn’t going to break out of this on his own. I also think it is just what Lang needs. I guess we’ll see how it works tonight. Cross your fingers.
It’s nice to see a site that doesn’t thrive on bashing the opponent. Thanks! (From a Flames Fan)
Jordan,
That’s been my wish since Game 1, but for the reasons Sarah outlined, it’s just not going to happen. I can understand why, since they need to get that second line rolling and Lang is the most talented player on that line. Babcock is showing a lot of faith in Robert, as evidenced by his decision to put him out there for that final faceoff Tuesday night.
It seems to me that the new look to the second line should be what Lang needs, so hopefully we’ll see some improvement tonight.
With Lang, we’re just going to have to get as much out of him as possible in the remainder of his time here. He’s never going to be the most productive forward in this system, as its defensive emphasis goes against much of his training. It’s just a matter of putting him with responsible linemates, I suppose.
Anna,
You’re welcome!
Paul,
Looks like you’re getting your wish: Maltby, Cleary, and Draper are out there during the national anthem, with Lilja and Schneider.
Well, my thoughts on the opening period:
Bert is a force. He’s using his size very well, throwing people around, and that goal was a thing of beauty. This is the Todd Holland traded for.
Lilja did all he could to prevent the opening goal. Where was Chelios? And that unsportsmanlike to Hasek was bull, Iginla elbowed him in the head.
Speaking of the men in stripes, they’ve been brutal. I’ve counted at least 5 times a Red Wing has been interfered with, and how about on that one dump in where a Flames player cross-checked a Red Wing three times in a row?
Hasek didn’t look so good on the second goal. I know the puck deflected of Lebda’s stick, but he still should’ve had it.
After all the efensive gameplans, it looks like this may be a shootout lol. If that’s the case, the Flames will be in tough, even though they had more goals than the Wings during the season.
Alex,
I agree on Bertuzzi. Looks like moving him to the second line was a great idea.
As for Hasek, yes, Iginla made contact, but Dom has no business flopping like that, especially when the team is already on the penalty kill. That whole thing was a huge mistake and then he got burned Langkow on a shot he probably should have had right after Lilja made a great defensive play. I was not impressed.
On the second goal, the puck went off Lilja’s leg, and, yes, he probably should have had it, but I’m more upset with the whole sequence which led up to the first goal.
Yeah, this game looks like it could be a bit of a high scoring one. Things just seem to be about ready to come unglued.
I agree with you on Dom Matt, but I still think Iginla should’ve received a penalty, it should have been coincidental minors. After the goalie interference call on Calder in game 3, how could they not call that?
I think Dom will bounce back though, and come out strong for the crest of the game. Especially after Babcock likely reams him out during the intermission for flopping again lol.
Thanks for the correction on the second goal. I couldn’t remember for sure if it was Lebda’s stick or Lilja’s leg.
Alex,
Yes, just like the Calder incident should have resulted in penalties for both, so should have the Iginla thing. The contact made was about the same and the goalies had about the same reaction. Pretty inconsistent, but that’s NHL officiating for you, I guess.
I think Dom will rebound as well. As long as he focuses on stopping the puck, he’ll be great. He’s not going to draw many penalties any more, since he’s developing a reputation as a diver, if he hasn’t got one already.
That shot threaded the needle so much that had Conroy waited another tenth of a second, the puck would have gone off Lilja’s leg into the corner. Just lucky timing.
Alex, the Flames have done a great job setting “screens” to prevent Red Wings players from laying checks or getting to the puck. I agree it sucks but that’s never going to get called.
That second line is awesome. Franzen and Bert are loads and they should hopefully open up some ice for Lang. It looks like it’s the best way to get Lang to contribute. Calgary has no answer for that line right now. I’m really looking forward to see what they can do the rest of the game.
Hasek’s got to forget about Iggy and just play. He’s not going to get that call, so he might as well just deal with it and play his game.
You knew the PK was dead in the water when Cheli and Lids were both fumbling with the puck behind Hasek. Of course they can’t clear, Lidstrom takes an interference and Calgary scores.
A Detroit penalty is a guaranteed goal for the Flames.
Are you kidding me with these calls? Best not let your stick touch an opposing player, or you’ll get a hooking call.
Peter, I’m with you. This officiating is disgusting once again. And Dave, you’re exactly right.
The Wings had better get their rears in gear. They’re getting outplayed all over the ice and look lost more often than not. The power play is as ineffective as ever and a Wings team on the penalty kill is, like Dave wrote above, basically a guaranteed goal for Calgary. I have to say I’m a little worried as we head into the third, though I know they can bounce back in the third. It’s still a close game as far as the score goes, which is what matters.
One player that really is sticking out as having a subpar game is Henrik Zetterberg, as much as it pains me to say it. He needs to settle down and stop trying to do everything because he’s actually doing very little. Come on, Hank.
Damn it I can’t even watch this game. CBC is showing the Dallas @ Vancouver game nationally and the only place getting the Wings game is Windsor. I’ve seen parts of this game only when the DAL/VAN is in intermission.
What I’ve seen so far has been pretty bad. Officiating is sucky and our special teams are horrid. And Hasek has been weak too. 3 goals allowed on 15 shots? Come on…
The only good things so far are Bertuzzi getting 2 points and the fact that we’re still outplaying them at even strength.
My original prediction was Wings in 7 and it’s looking more and more liklely it’ll go that far.
Justin,
I picked the Wings in 7 too, but after the first two games I was hoping they could wrap things up quicker. Special teams are just killing them, though. At least on the road. Hopefully they can gut it out (on the PK) and pull out the win tonight.
This is the most biased officiated game I’ve ever seen. The Wings should just wave the white flag, because there is no way the refs are letting them leave the Saddledome with a victory.
Well looking back on the game, aside from the poor officiating, the Wings really didn’t play like a team that wanted a win. They only seemed to turn it on in the third.
I don’t know about the rest of you, but Bert just disappeared in the 2nd and 3rd in my opinion. He was all over the ice in the first, then that just kinda evaporated.
Our D really looked slow tonight. Chelios and Schneider especially. I hope both just had an off night, but some mental lapses by both led to two Flames goals.
I was really hoping the Wings would win tonight so they could wrap things up Saturday. No travel day before Game 6 is going to kill them, as it will the Flames.
Here’s hoping Jiri is in the line up Saturday!