You want changes? We got a whoooooole lot of changes this morning. Not a single forward line nor defensive pairing has remained intact. Jurco out, Pulkkinen in, power play units tinkered with. Will PulkkyMonkeyBaby finally die tonight? Let’s hope so.
LRT: It lives until he scores #Pulkkymonkeybaby pic.twitter.com/DlkjOSGuFw
— Winging It In Motown (@wingingitmotown) March 10, 2016
Interesting post-practice update, considering the Wings’ skate didn’t indicate this change, but here’s what Blashill told the diggers:
Jeff Blashill says Brendan Smith in, Alexey Marchenko out tonight.
— Helene St. James (@HeleneStJames) March 10, 2016
We’re guessing on the pairs with a straight Smith-for-Marchenko swap here based on how the line rushes in practice were, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see additional shakeups.
Line Combinations
Forwards
Justin Abdelkader | Henrik Zetterberg | Dylan Larkin |
Tomas Tatar | Pavel Datsyuk | Andreas Athanasiou |
Gustav Nyquist | Riley Sheahan | Teemu Pulkkinen |
Darren Helm | Luke Glendening | Brad Richards |
Defensemen
Danny DeKeyser | Kyle Quincey |
Niklas Kronwall | Mike Green |
Jonathan Ericsson | Brendan Smith |
Goaltenders
Petr Mrazek (starting) |
Jimmy Howard |
Power Play units:
- Nyquist-Zetterberg-Pulkkinen, Abdelkader (net front), Kronwall
- Tatar-Datsyuk-Helm (net front), Richards, Green
Jets Line Combinations
Forwards
Drew Stafford | Mark Scheifele | Blake Wheeler |
Alex Burmistrov | Mathieu Perreault | Marko Dano |
Chris Thorburn | Adam Lowry | Scott Kosmachuk |
Matt Halischuk | Andrew Copp | J.C. Lipon |
Defensemen
Toby Enstrom | Dustin Byfuglien |
Jacob Trouba | Tyler Myers |
Ben Chiarot | Paul Postma |
Goaltenders
Ondrej Pavelec (starting) |
Michael Hutchinson |
Key Matchups:
Red Wings offense versus Jets sieves in net
I know what you may be thinking: what Red Wings offense? While the Wings have certainly had trouble getting the biscuit in the basket, the Jets goalies… yikes. Both Pavelec and Hutchinson are sporting less-than-replacement-level numbers (.902 SV%, 2.84 GAA and .904 SV%, 2.99 GAA respectively). Detroit has to exploit the Jets’ biggest weakness.
The return of home ice advantage
The Wings have actually been playing well at home as of late, the last game against Chicago notwithstanding. Losing on the road has been the biggest problem over the last few weeks (eight out of their last ten games on the road have been losses), so a return to the Joe could give them the boost they’re looking for.
Killer instinct
I missed the last three games due to work and life, but what I heard about the two Chicago games was that the Wings held their own and gave themselves a decent chance to win, but collapsed when the Blackhawks scored late. The recent games against the Senators and Stars were sent to extra time because the Wings allowed late goals. The Wings need to get a lead and keep it, or even gasp extend it! Skate to throat, boys, and don’t let up.
Fun Facts!
- The Red Wings are 11-6-2 (W-L-OTL) all-time in the regular season against the Thrashers/Jets franchise.
- Last 10 Games: Detroit 3-5-2, Winnipeg 2-6-2
- Gustav Nyquist and Tomas Tatar each have 5 points in their last five games (both had 2g, 3a); Pavel Datsyuk has 1g and 1a in his last five; Dylan Larkin and Henrik Zetterberg are both on extended pointless streaks.