GDT: Round 1 | Game 3 | Red Wings @ Flames Tuesday 10:00 PM EDT

[TOPGUN]

This Is The Stanley Cup! You Do What You Have To Do To Win!
Are You Ready!

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Regular Season Matchups:
Nov. 1: Calgary 2 at Detroit 3
Nov. 17: Detroit 1 at Calgary 4
Feb. 11: Calgary 4 at Detroit 7
March 20: Detroit 1 at Calgary 2

Series Schedule:
GM 1: Thu, April 12 Flames 1 @ Red Wings 4
GM 2: Sat, April 15 Flames 1 @ Red Wings 3
GM 3: Tue, April 17 Red Wings @ Flames 10pm ET
GM 4: Thu, April 19 Red Wings @ Flames TBD
*GM 5: Sat, April 21 Flames @ Red Wings 3pm ET
*GM 6: Sun, April 22 Red Wings @ Flames TBD
*GM 7: Tue, April 24 Flames @ Red Wings TBD
*if necessary

Game 1 Coverage:
GM 1: Thu, April 12 Flames 1 @ Red Wings 4
Video Game 1: Flames @ Red Wings 1 - 4
Video Game 1 Report: Flames @ Red Wings Report
Video Game 1 Report: Disappointing Flames Opener
Audio Game 1: Mike Babcock on Game 1

Game 2 Coverage:
GM 2: Sat, April 15 Flames 1 @ Red Wings 3
Video Game 2: Flames @ Red Wings 1 - 3
Video Game 2 Report: Flames @ Red Wings Report
Video Game 2 Report: Star Shift
Video Game 2 Report: Postgame Report Pierre McGuire

Detroit Red Wings Game Breakers:


Pavel Datsyuk: The Russian playmaker was recently rewarded with a seven-year, $46.9 million contract extension, a deal that was most likely engineered behind his regular-season play, versus what he’s done in the playoffs. Datsyuk led the Red Wings in scoring this season with 27 goals and 87 points and is one of the more dangerous attackers in the game. But in the playoffs, Datsyuk has not had that same kind of production with three goals in 42 career playoff games. He won a Cup in 2002 with the Wings, but if they are going to raise it again this spring, he’s going to have to find the net more than he ever has.


Nicklas Lidstrom: The rock the Red Wings lean on, especially in the playoffs. So far, the 36-year old has won three Cups in Detroit and he’s not showing any signs of slowing down. This season Lidstrom averaged a team-high 27:29 of ice per night, played in every phase of the game and scored 62 points, third on the team. In the playoffs, he’s always been just as effective, scoring 118 points in 174 career playoff games, all while mostly being matched against the opposition’s most dangerous forwards.


Dominik Hasek: The last time “The Dominator” played in the playoffs, he walked off with the Stanley Cup, backstopping the Red Wings to their last championship in 2002. This spring, Hasek returns to the tournament and he returns wearing the uniform of the only team he ever won it all with. Hasek has a 53-39 record in 97 playoff games and will be a finalist for the Vezina this year as one of the elite goalies in the game. His 2.05 goals-against were second in the league. Not bad for a 42-year-old.

Calgary Flames Game Breakers:


Jarome Iginla: Any discussion of the Flames begins and ends with Iginla. He is coming off a strong regular season and the whole atmosphere of the playoffs fits him perfectly. A prototypical power forward, Iginla can take a hit, a punch or just about anything else and still make the play.


Kristian Huselius: The Swede's cover is blown for good now. Previously a productive but quiet – very, very quiet – winger with the Florida Panthers and Flames, Huselius enjoyed a breakthrough season in 2006-07 with 34 goals and 43 assists. No more runs under the radar for him.


Daymond Langkow: The speedy, hard-nosed center is coming off a career season that saw him surpass the 30-goal mark and the 40-assist plateau. After NHL stops with Tampa Bay, Philadelphia and Phoenix, Langkow has been a perfect fit in Calgary.

X Factors:


Todd Bertuzzi: This is the reason why the Red Wings rolled the dice and traded for him at the deadline. He can be the force that gets Detroit over the top this year. The only question is, “Can he do it?” Bertuzzi only played in eight games with the Wings after missing most of the year with a back injury before the trade deadline. When healthy, Bertuzzi is the elite power forward in the game, a player capable of dominating a series. In 24 career playoff games, Bert has six goals and 14 points.


Craig Conroy: Rescued from a sour season in Los Angeles, Conroy is back in Calgary, where he was an important player during Calgary's run to the 2004 Stanley Cup Final. Since returning to the Flames in deal with the Kings, Conroy has looked like his old self again, meaning the Flames have another solid playmaker.

Five Fast Facts:
1. Old Man Hockey:
Chris Chelios is the oldest defenseman to ever play in the playoffs at 45. The oldest player to ever dress in the postseason is Gordie Howe, who played in the playoffs as a 52-year-old. In 23 seasons, Chelios has played in 228 playoff games and won Stanley Cups with Montreal in 1986 and Detroit in 2002.

2. Sixteen and counting:
The Red Wings have qualified for the playoffs 16-straight years and has accumulated over 100 points in the regular season for seven-consecutive seasons. Detroit finished with the best record in the Western Conference this year, fended off the Nashville Predators for the Central Division crown, and amassed 113 points.

3. Marathon Man:
During the regular season, sophomore defenseman Dion Phaneuf led all Flames players in ice time, averaging over 25 minutes per game.

4. Trade A Plus:
Brad Stuart went from being a minus-22 player with the Boston Bruins to a plus-12 player with the Flames.

5. Home not so sweet:
The Calgary Flames, who advanced to Game 7 of the 2004 Cup Final, own the record for the most home losses in one playoff year with seven defeats that spring. The Flames dropped two games in the first round to Vancouver on home ice, one to Detroit in the second round, and two more each in the third and fourth rounds to San Jose and Tampa.

Crystal Ball:
Detroit will win if:
Hasek plays like he always has in the playoffs. If Hasek can outplay Kiprusoff, the Flames have no chance. But the Wings are also going to have to find a way to crack Calgary’s stingy defense, and the only way they win this series is if the Detroit attackers like Datsyuk, Holmstrom and Bertuzzi can operate around the Flames’ net. Look for Lidstrom to be matched against Calgary’s big guns like Jarome Iginla, a match up that dramatically favors the Red Wings.

Calgary will win if:
Miikka Kiprusoff once again rises to the occasion in the Flames' net. The Calgary defense will play a key role here as they need to keep Detroit's physical forwards away from the front of the net in order to give "Kipper" a chance at seeing shots.Up front, the Flames need to make their shots count. Dominik Hasek has a reputation of being hard to beat once he gets rolling in a game, so striking early and often will be important for Calgary. Jarome Iginla will be in Detroit's sights, so it will be important for Alex Tanguay and Daymond Langkow to strike at every possible opportunity.

(Source: NHL.com )

Detroit Red Wings:
Website: www.detroitredwings.com

Team Leaders (Regular Season):
Goals Henrik Zetterberg 33
Assists Pavel Datsyuk 60
Points Pavel Datsyuk 87
Plus/Minus Nicklas Lidstrom 40
PP Goals Tomas Holmstrom 13
Wins Dominik Hasek 38
GAA Chris Osgood 2.38
Save PCT Dominik Hasek .913`

Team Injuries:
Nicklas Kronwall, Out
Todd Bertuzzi, Probable

Top Stories:
Wings hotter than Kiprusoff
Bertuzzi's status for Game 3 still uncertain
Hasek credits defense
Fourth line's mojo working
Babcock to Wings: Keep pedal to the metal
Schneider 'banks' on goals
Video: Todd Bertuzzi, he feels he is ready!
Video: Don Cherry on Pavel Datsyuk(5 min in the clip)

Roster:
Forwards:
Player P # HT WT SH Age Born Draft RND/PK DraftTeam DraftYear RookieYear
Todd Bertuzzi RW 44 6-3 245 L 32 Sudbury, ON 1/23 NYI 1993 1995
Kyle Calder LW 17 5-11 180 L 28 Mannville, AB 5/130 CHI 1997 2000
Daniel Cleary RW 11 6-0 211 L 28 Carbonear, NL 1/13 CHI 1997 1998
Pavel Datsyuk C 13 5-11 185 L 28 Sverdlovsk, USSR 6/171 DET 1998 2001
Kris Draper C 33 5-10 190 L 35 Toronto, ON 3/62 WPG 1989 1992
Valtteri Filppula C 51 5-11 202 L 23 Vantaa, FI 3/95 DET 2002 2006
Johan Franzen C 93 6-2 210 L 27 Vetlanda, SE 3/97 DET 2004 2005
Tomas Holmstrom LW 96 5-11 185 L 34 Pitea, SE 10/257 DET 1994 1996
Jiri Hudler C 26 5-9 178 L 23 Olomouc, CSSR 2/58 DET 2002 2006
Robert Lang C 20 6-3 217 R 36 Teplice, CSSR 7/133 LA 1990 1993
Josh Langfeld RW 15 6-3 214 R 29 Fridley, MN 3/66 OTT 1997 -
Kirk Maltby LW 18 6-0 190 R 34 Guelph, ON 3/65 EDM 1992 1993
Mikael Samuelsson RW 37 6-2 211 L 30 Mariefred, SE 5/145 SJ 1998 2001
Henrik Zetterberg LW 40 6-0 190 L 26 Njurunda, SE 7/210 DET 1999 2002

Defense:
Player P # HT WT SH Age Born Draft RND/PK DraftTeam DraftYear RookieYear
Chris Chelios D 24 6-1 190 R 45 Chicago, IL 2/40 MON 1981 1985
Niklas Kronwall D 55 6-0 185 L 26 Stockholm, SE 1/29 DET 2000 2005
Brett Lebda D 22 5-10 195 L 25 Buffalo Grove, IL - - - 2005
Nicklas Lidstrom D 5 6-1 190 L 36 Vasteras, SE 3/53 DET 1989 1991
Andreas Lilja D 3 6-3 228 L 31 Helsinborg, SE 2/54 LA 2000 -
Danny Markov D 95 6-1 190 L 30 Moscow, USSR 9/223 TOR 1995 1998
Kyle Quincey D 45 6-2 206 L 21 Kitchener, ON 4/132 DET 2003 2006
Mathieu Schneider D 23 6-0 191 L 37 New York, NY 3/44 MON 1987 1989

Goalies:
Player P # HT WT SH Age Born Draft RND/PK DraftTeam DraftYear RookieYear
Dominik Hasek G 39 5-11 177 L 42 Pardubice, CSSR 10/199 CHI 1983 1990
Chris Osgood G 30 5-10 181 L 34 Peace River, AB 3/54 DET 1991 1993

Calgary Flames:
website: www.calgaryflames.com

Team Leaders (Regular Season):
Goals Jarome Iginla 39
Assists Alex Tanguay 59
Points Jarome Iginla 94
Plus/Minus Robyn Regehr 27
PP Goals Kristian Huselius 14
Wins Miikka Kiprusoff 40
GAA Miikka Kiprusoff 2.46
Save PCT Miikka Kiprusoff .917

Team Injuries:
Richie Regehr, out
Robyn Regehr, Probable

Top Stories April 14:
Flames hoping Saddledome helps out
Invisible Iginla
Hasek expects heavier workload
Amidst rah-rah Flames press, Wings' game plan emerges
Calling for Playfair's head is getting old, Flames fans ... Sea of Red adopted ... Wings legends not forgotten
Video: Fire Jim Playfair!
Video: Still Believing
Video: Mathieu Lombardi


Roster:
Forwards:
Player P # HT WT SH Age Born Draft RND/PK DraftTeam DraftYear RookieYear
Tony Amonte RW 10 6-0 202 L 36 Hingham, MA 4/68 NYR 1988 1991
Craig Conroy C 24 6-2 197 R 35 Potsdam, NY 6/123 MON 1990 1995
Jeff Friesen LW 16 6-1 212 L 30 Meadow Lake, SK 1/11 SJ 1994 1994
Eric Godard RW 17 6-4 221 R 27 Vernon, BC - - - 2003
Kristian Huselius LW 20 6-1 184 L 28 Osterhaninge, SE 2/47 FLA 1997 2001
Jarome Iginla RW 12 6-1 204 R 29 Edmonton, AB 1/11 DAL 1995 1996
Daymond Langkow C 22 5-10 179 L 30 Edmonton, AB 1/5 TB 1995 1996
Matthew Lombardi C 18 6-0 193 L 25 Montreal, QC 3/90 CGY 2002 2003
Darren McCarty RW 25 6-1 210 R 35 Burnaby, BC 2/46 DET 1992 1993
David Moss LW 58 6-3 203 L 23 Dearborn, MI 7/220 CGY 2001 2006
Marcus Nilson LW 26 6-2 193 R 29 Balsta, SE 1/20 FLA 1996 1999
Wayne Primeau C 19 6-4 230 L 30 Scarborough, ON 1/17 BUF 1994 1996
Byron Ritchie C 15 5-10 190 L 29 Burnaby, BC 7/165 HAR 1995 1999
Alex Tanguay LW 40 6-1 191 L 27 Ste-Justine, QC 1/12 COL 1998 1999
Stephane Yelle C 11 6-2 186 L 32 Ottawa, ON 8/186 NJ 1992 1995

Defense:
Player P # HT WT SH Age Born Draft RND/PK DraftTeam DraftYear RookieYear
Mark Giordano D 5 6-0 203 L 24 Toronto, ON - - - 2006
David Hale D 21 6-2 215 L 25 Colorado Springs, CO 1/22 NJ 2000 2003
Roman Hamrlik D 4 6-2 208 L 33 Zlin, CSSR 1/1 TB 1992 1992
Dion Phaneuf D 3 6-2 213 L 22 Edmonton, AB 1/9 CGY 2003 2005
Robyn Regehr D 28 6-3 225 L 26 Recife, BR 1/19 COL 1998 1999
Brad Stuart D 6 6-2 220 L 27 Rocky Mountain House, AB 1/3 SJ 1998 1999
Rhett Warrener D 44 6-1 208 R 31 Shaunavon, SK 2/27 FLA 1994 1995
Andrei Zyuzin D 7 6-1 210 L 29 Ufa, USSR 1/2 SJ 1996 1997

Goalies:
Player P # HT WT SH Age Born Draft RND/PK DraftTeam DraftYear RookieYear
Miikka Kiprusoff G 34 6-1 185 L 30 Turku, FI 5/116 SJ 1995 2002
Jamie McLennan G 29 6-0 190 L 35 Edmonton, AB 3/48 NYI 1991 1994

NorthWest Division:
Vancouver W49 L26 OT7 PTS105
Minnesota W48 L26 OT8 PTS104
Calgary W43 L29 OT10 PTS96
Colorado W44 L31 OT7 PTS95
Edmonton W32 L43 OT7 PTS71

Central Division:
Detroit W50 L19 OT13 PTS113
Nashville W51 L23 OT8 PTS110
St. Louis W34 L35 OT13 PTS81
Columbus W33 L42 OT7 PTS73
Chicago W31 L42 OT9 PTS71

Western Conference:
1. Detroit * W50 L19 OT13 PTS113
2. Anaheim * W48 L20 OT14 PTS110
3. Vancouver * W49 L26 OT7 PTS105
4. Nashville W51 L23 OT8 PTS110
5. San Jose W51 L26 OT5 PTS107
6. Dallas W50 L25 OT7 PTS107
7. Minnesota W48 L26 OT8 PTS104
8. Calgary W43 L29 OT10 PTS96


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We Believe!

[14ari13]

This game will be harder than the games at home in some different ways. Firstly the Flames won't be that bad at home as they were at the Joe. The refs called the "home" game at the Joe, so it is natural to assume they'll call the "home" game at the Saddledome as well and that's fine with me. But we have Hasek in net and the Flames might experience that outplaying the Wings is not enough. I think Dom will steal a game in Calgary no matter what. It will be good to finally see our goalie frustrate the opponent.
The Wings have to forecheck as they did at home and maybe even more in order to get the Flames off of their game. The Wings brought their game A at home in game 1. In game 2 the Wings did not have their A game, but I think it was A- or B+, much close to A-. While the Flames were nowhere close to their A game. The Flames will bring their A or A- game tonight. The Wings have to do the same.

And this is what we are going to see much more. They are going to play dirty, not tough, but dirty.


The Wings should start the game and make it very chippy, make it boring for their fans and take the energy from both their fans and players

[MotownMadman]

^Awful pic of Iginla. Is that from his Flashdance phase?

Anyway, I think that everyone expects this game to be perhaps the most difficult for Detroit. Calgary was great at home during the regular season and must be smarting after playing so poorly the first two games. They'll be pumped, but I think that the Wings can do them in by getting the early goal, taking the crowd out (or at least deflating them a little), and putting more pressure on Calgary to look good at home.

Easier said than done. I'll be happy if Detroit just plays like they did in the first 2 games and no one gets hurt. I feel confident that Detroit can capture one of the games in Calgary and at least split the next two.

GO WINGS!!!

[DRWR]

The Saddledome is insane. Theres's going to be so much energy there, but I'm confident we will steal one of the next two.

A must win for the Flames, for the most part. I expect to see a different Flames team than in games 1 & 2. Then again, that's what I said about game 2.

[Hensta]

This is a HUGE game tonight or should I say it is to me HUGE wake up at 5am.

Lets Go Wings!

3-0 series would be awesome!

oh and GO VALTTERI!

[Fugu]

Yup, this is the big one. First game in their barn. I wonder how many horns were parked around the Wings hotel last night? I'd be happy with a split there. The Flames will put everything they have into this one, so we'll see what they really do have.

Now... I have to stop playing and get some work done. 8snake knows what I'm talking about.

[Yzerman_for_Prez]

Let's Go Wings! Hopefully we can at least the the split...I think if we can do that we can come home for game 5 and wrap it up...if we don't split them we may be in a little bit of trouble. Hopefully Bert will play tonight...get rid of Samuelsson (wont happen). I'm curious to see who they'll sit if he can go.

I don't know if I can wait til 10...Go Wings!

[Goldark]

I think the Flames win this in a close, low-scoring game, 2-1 is my prediction.

You have to think they've been embarrassed enough the last 2 games to come out on fire + they're playing at home. If the flames win, it's a new series again.

[ALF AmericanLionsFan]

We need to come out with a split somehow otherwise we are in big trouble. I love ot games,but not when they start @ 10 and I've got to work early...so I'm requesting a 5 -3 Wings win in regulation!

[MetalMilitia]

I know the Wings won't lose any home games against the Flames, I'm just a little worried aboot playing in Calgary. Remember how badly the Wings play out west...now multiply that by 2 because the crowd will be that much more effective. If the Wings can get one in Calgary on Tuesday or Thursday, I'll be happy.
And if we do get past the Flames, we will then most likely play San Jose...Yeah, another team out west.

[jacK]

Thuesday? NO MAKING UP DAYS CUJO!!
going to be a good night, House at 9 followed by hockey at 10; fresh 12-pack in the fridge; new socks, old slippers... life is good.

lets keep the Saddledome silenced for the night and make things easy on ourselves, pot 2 in the first 5:00 again and let the frustration penalties keep on comin.

[GuloGulo]

Just win.

[14ari13]

That pic with Holmstorm on top of Kiprusoft is great. Can anyone post that pic of Franzen and Phaneuf? I still can't post it.

GO WINGS

[kira]

The first two games have been kinda like playing darts - specifically cricket. You throw for bullseyes and pray for fallout. They've been shelling Kiprusoff with shot after shot and they keep hoping that something goes in. So far, so good.

I'm not optomistic enough to think we're gonna win both of them out there. I'd be tickled pink if we did, but the practical side of my brain tells me that it's not gonna happen. A split would do well.

If it does turn out that Bertuzzi plays tonight, my vote to sit goes to Robert Lang. But I know that won't happen, so second choice is Sammy. I would not sit Jiri Hudler or Valtteri - no way. That's two thirds of a high energy line that's come out and really delivered. Reward them, and that doesn't mean rewarding them by making them sit.

I'm hoping that Pasha can keep scoring, and maybe, just maybe, someone else might wake up and throw one or two in the net as well. Henrik, Homer - are you listening?

GO WINGS!!!!!

[Fugu]

Bill at Abel to Yzerman, locally known as A2Y, just put this up:

Ken Kal just on WXYT. Wings take to the ice in about fifteen minutes for their morning skate. He feels there’s a good possibility Bertuzzi plays tonite on a line with Filpulla and Franzen. That has potential. More as we get it.

That guy cracks me up. Stillwuzzi and now Lesswuzzi... he comes up with some gems.


A Bert-Flip-Mule line? That could be pretty interesting actually. I like the way Franzen looked with the Eurotwins too, but he just works so hard, how can you not love the guy. I suppose if you're Cherry though...... So Z-Dats-Homer stay together if this is true, and you gotta think Hoodlum looks better with Calder and Lang. I know, I know...

[jacK]

Originally Posted by Fugu

A Bert-Flip-Mule line? That could be pretty interesting actually. I like the way Franzen looked with the Eurotwins too, but he just works so hard, how can you not love the guy. I suppose if you're Cherry though...... So Z-Dats-Homer stay together if this is true, and you gotta think Hoodlum looks better with Calder and Lang. I know, I know...

yeah... that's exactly what i think when i hear Babs has moved Bert to the kids' line. he's just paving the way for Huds on the 2nd line. ......sigh.
Babs has out-coached Playfair so badly this series it's not even funny, but if plopping Bert on our 2nd best line f's up the chemistry it falls on his shoulders when Calgary's back in the series.
dead horse here, but even thinking about benching Huds in favor of 2-3 other guys on this team is bad coaching.

[TOPGUN]

Originally Posted by jacK

Thuesday? NO MAKING UP DAYS CUJO!!
going to be a good night, House at 9 followed by hockey at 10; fresh 12-pack in the fridge; new socks, old slippers... life is good.

lets keep the Saddledome silenced for the night and make things easy on ourselves, pot 2 in the first 5:00 again and let the frustration penalties keep on comin.

come one jack, I made a new GDT and you pick me on Tuesday

[Fugu]

Is it just me.... or did the Oiler fans last year seem to have more spunk? Sure, they were pretty homerific, but they sure liked to talk about hockey! And they had a sense of humor too!

[14ari13]

Dom should definitely get some credit for making some big/huge saves in game 1 & 2. He faced just 35 shots, but nevertheless he made some very important saves.
Babcock has to keep them going and not let the Flames dictate the game. The Wings have to get out flying forcing the Flames to skate and get tired. The Wings can roll 4 lines and the Flames will be exhausted after a little while that they will just not be able to keep up and then the Wings have to push them. The pressure on their Dmen, forcheck hard with quick shifts and we should win this one. The Flames have been strong on the home ice, but they won a very few games at home late in the season.

GO WINGS!

[jacK]

Originally Posted by CuJo#31

come one jack, I made a new GDT and you pick me on Tuesday

it is a sexy GDT (make sure you post it on the Playoff Board, too!), but where's the Bond-themed gif that was at the top of the other ones? that thing was awesome.

[MikeyDangles]

I don't think the importance of this game can be underemphasized. We know that Calgary is a much different team at home and that they have a crazy fan base that will be all jacked up for this one. It is also important not to put 100% emphasis on this one because it would be foolish to be deflated while still holding a 2-1 series lead and home ice advantage.

I think the wings need to do exactly what they did in the first two games. Establish a forecheck early and force Calgary to turn the puck over and take undisciplined penalties. If the wings are effective in this regard they could definitely jump out to another early lead and take the crowd and the flames right out of this series.

Here is to hoping that exact scenario plays out.

Enjoy the game everyone.

[Gavin24]

whats Toddzilla's status?

[Shoalzie]

Originally Posted by Hotep

whats Toddzilla's status?

Gametime decision according to Ken Kal...Hudler would be the player that will be scratched.

[Nordic]

I never get a result right, but I´m predicting a 3-2 loss


Maltby & Datsyuk..

[14ari13]

http://www.kuklaskorner.com/index.ph...nts/lesswuzzi/

Ken Kal just on WXYT. Wings take to the ice in about fifteen minutes for their morning skate. He feels there’s a good possibility Bertuzzi plays tonite on a line with Filpulla and Franzen. That has potential.

There's at least 4-5 options:
1. The team is winning, there's no need to do anything with the lineup
2. Play him instead of Hudler
3. Play him instead of Samuelsson
4. Play him instead of Lang
5. Play him instead of Maltby

I can't make up my mind and at the moment I think I would go with the 1. wait the team is winning.