Top 5 Questions Facing Wings as they open postseason play
With the playoffs kicking off for Detroit tonight as they face the Nashville Predators, here are five questions I have and will update as the series progresses.
5. How will Brad Stuart perform for the Wings? Stuart has only played 9 games for Detroit. He’s been out of the lineup for the past 8 games but has been skating with the team and the rumor is that he’s good to go for tonight’s game. I suspect the Wings are going to keep his job simple and just ask him to be physical and play more of a defensive defenseman role. He’ll be paired with Niklas Kronwall who ranks 13th in the NHL in plus/minus so things will hopefully go smoothly.
4. How will the younger forwards look? There’s a good chance Darren Helm and Justin Abdelkader will get ice time for the Wings. It’s even been suggested Abdelkader could play on the third line with Kris Draper and Jiri Hudler. Both players have plenty of experience in high pressure situations as Abdelkader was a key player on a Michigan State team that had two long NCAA playoff runs over the past two seasons. And Helm was a key player on a Medicine Hat team that had impressive runs during the WHL playoffs and in the Memorial Cup.
3. Who will provide scoring depth for Detroit? Last night Calgary got two goals from Stephane Yelle, who only tallied three goals all season. Gary Roberts was also a lightweight scorer during the season [partially due to missing half the season] who chipped in two goals for the Pens. Those are the kind of contributions that are the lifeblood of a long playoff run. The equivalent for Detroit would be having Dallas Drake or Mark Hartigan have a two-goal game.
2. Will the Wings solve Dan Ellis? The difference with this Red Wings team from the ones coached by Dave Lewis is they have a much better mix of skill and grit. Gritty play in the form of forechecking and getting guys like Homer, Dan Cleary and Mule to the front of the net is going to likely be the key to scoring goals against the Predators. If the Wings revert to solely taking weak shots from the perimeter they will likely make Ellis look unbeatable.
1. Will Dom play like the Dominator? The Red Wings won the Jennings trophy, but that was due nearly as much to the defensive play in front of their netminders. Hasek has had some rough starts and has battled the injury bug on and off all season long. Will he be able to play well enough during the playoffs to give Detroit a shot to win?
Matt over at On the Wings is great about providing updates as they become available from practice. Here are some other Wings-related links.
Abel to Yzerman
Behind the Jersey
Red Wings Corner
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