Last time Detroit was in Chicago...

by Casey Richey on Dec 20, 2009 11:49 AM CST in News

The last time Detroit came to Chicago for a regular season, the line-up was DRASTICALLY different. Let's take a quick, meaningless look at the difference between the line-up from April 12 and December 20th.

I don't exactly remember the lines for that game but they probably looked something like this:

April 12, Blackhawks 3-Red Wings 0

Starters: Chelios, Cleary, Datsyuk, Ericsson, Filppula, Franzen, Holmstrom, Hudler, Kopecky, Kronwall, Lebda, Maltby, Meech, Rafalski, Samuelsson, Stuart, Zetterberg, Osgood

Out: Lidstrom, Draper, Hossa, Lilja

Players that started on April 12 and will start today: Datsyuk, Holmstrom, Lebda, Maltby, Meech, Rafalski, Stuart, and Osgood. Total of 8 including the starting goalie. Holy crap.

December 20th

Starters that didn't play last year's game: Lidstrom (scratched), Bertuzzi (in Calgary), Helm (AHL), Abdelkader (AHL), Leino (AHL), Kris Newbury (AHL), May (Toronto), Eaves (Carolina), Janik (AHL), Draper (Groin), Miller (Anaheim). Total of 11, 5 in AHL last year.

Players not in lineup today from April 12: Chelios (AHL), Cleary (Shoulder), Ericsson (Knee), Filppula (Wrist), Franzen (Knee), Hudler (KHL, comrade), Kopecky (Chicago), Kronwall (Knee), Samuelsson (Vancouver), Zetterberg (Shoulder), Lilja (Concussion). Total of 11, 7 from injury.

Out: Cleary, Ericsson, Filppula, Franzen, Kronwall, Lilja, Williams, Zetterberg. Total of 8.

Oddly enough, Detroit has as many starters out today as they had left from the last regular season game in Chicago. That's pretty ridiculous.

So pretty much the line-up, if it were built on the players that player in last year's game in Chicago (which, thankfully it is not), would look like this:

Holmstrom-Datsyuk-Maltby
Stuart-Rafalski
Extras: Lebda-Meech
Osgood

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Good........gravy.........

by Elfuego51 on Dec 20, 2009 12:43 PM CST reply actions

I've been looking forward to this game...

…but now it’s like the Hawks against our AHL affiliate. The Griffins are good, but this is absurd. It sucks too, as this would be a huge chance to make up some ground.

by Brobz on Dec 20, 2009 3:35 PM CST reply actions

That’s why I’ve been calling the Wings the augmented Griffins. Not entirely AHL, but a hybrid with a substantial infusion of inexperienced.

How often can you match up Chicago and Detroit and arguably have Chicago be the more experienced team? Should be an interesting experience.

"While there's life, there's hope." --Cicero

by Baroque on Dec 20, 2009 5:08 PM CST up reply actions

Funny thing is, everybody here in Chicago fails to see that, they’re just like ‘excuses excuses’, when 7 of our best players are out to injuries…

by DieselBoyPunker on Dec 21, 2009 11:41 AM CST up reply actions

Yeah it’s pretty rough being here in Chicago and seeing the Red Wings so injured and hurt. You can tell they’re not the standard team, as the passing is off, but one thing to look at here is that, this will give these kids experience, and a chance to step op when needed most, hopefully they turn into something great, and won’t hinder the salary cap much. Hopefully Wednesdays game will be better.

by DieselBoyPunker on Dec 21, 2009 11:40 AM CST reply actions