Lines constantly in flux with Red Wings
DETROIT -- As the Detroit Red Wings return to full health, coach Mike Babcock soon will have some decisions to make when it comes to his lineup.
By as early as Tuesday, if no one else gets hurt, the Wings should have a locker room full of healthy skaters. That means some healthy scratches each night, more than likely Matt Ellis and Aaron Downey, and another chance for Babcock to juggle up his forward lines.
"I've got them all written down and I know what they are," Babcock said. "I've got a vision of what I want to do from (games) 40-60."
So far this season Babcock's vision has been right on as he's guided the Wings to the best record in the NHL (30-8-3), most goals scored (145) and fewest goals given up (89).
On Sunday, the Wings could get their second leading goal scorer, Tomas Holmstrom, back in the lineup from his knee bruise. On Tuesday, Kirk Maltby hopes to return from a back injury.
On Wednesday, Henrik Zetterberg returned after missing five games with a back injury.
Zetterberg didn't immediately get reunited with Pavel Datsyuk. Instead he was on a line with Mikael Samuelsson and Jiri Hudler.
"You play with whoever the coach puts you on a line with," Zetterberg said. "It doesn't matter who that is. For the media it's a big thing whether Pavel or I play together or not, but I don't think it's a big deal for the Red Wings.
"I don't think about it at all," Zetterberg added. "You just go out there and play with whoever you're out there with."
After Zetterberg returned, Datsyuk continued to center a line with Valtteri Filppula and Dan Cleary.
"I just play," Datsyuk said. "There's not much time to think, but lots of time to play. I just do what's better for the team."
The Wings third line has been made up of Kris Draper, Dallas Drake and Johan Franzen, while Tomas Kopecky, Matt Ellis and Aaron Downey make up the fourth line.
No one can discredit the amount of success Zetterberg, Datsyuk and Holmstrom have had playing together. However, when Holmstrom returns from his bone bruise, he's not a lock to be reunited with both of his scoring buddies. He's more likely to return skating with one.
One option would be Holmstrom and Datsyuk skating with Filppula, leaving Cleary as the odd man out. Zetterberg could continue skating with Samuelsson and Hudler or Cleary could replacement Hudler on the line.
"The good thing is everyone is playing really, really well," said Filppula, who has 13 goals and 13 assists this season. "We've got a room of real good players and it doesn't matter who you play with."
When Maltby returns he could find himself on the Wings' fourth line, while Draper continues to skate with Franzen and Drake or even Cleary. Or Maltby could be on the third line leaving a fourth line made up of Hudler, Kopecky and Drake.
Suffice to say, Babcock has nothing but a bunch of good options when it comes to making up his line combinations.
Homer can't wait, Maltby more patient
Holmstrom lobbied the coaching staff and trainers to let him play today against the Dallas Stars, but no one was listening.
"They don't want to let me play, I don't know why," Holmstrom said. "If I decide, I would play (today), but they don't like that so hopefully on Sunday. I understand (why they're not letting me play), but I'm ready."
Babcock wasn't as optimistic of Holmstrom returning on Sunday, but more likely him returning for Tuesday's home game against Colorado.
"We'll see, but that's Piet (Van Zant's) department," Babcock said.
Maltby, who has missed the last 16 games, just has to get back into "game shape".
"I've just got to get my wind back," said Maltby, who has been out since Nov. 28. "I'm shooting for Tuesday, but I've got to wait for coaches and trainers to weigh in on it.
"I'd love to say they're really missing me, but they've only loss a couple games in the last 15 or so," Maltby added. "This allows us to get back a little healthier than if we were on a losing streak."
Back with Hasek
Dominik Hasek returns between the pipes for Detroit against Dallas today and Chris Osgood will play Sunday in Chicago.
"Ozzie played last game, it's Dom's turn," Babcock said.
Babcock's old routine was the starting goalie was starting everyday unless he was told otherwise. Now, with two hot goalies, it's different.
"I've said to them just get ready to go every second (game), until we do anything different," Babcock said.
Stars coach Dave Tippett would not tip his hand on who'll be between the pipes for Dallas according to The Dallas Morning News. Marty Turco, who gave up three goals on seven shots before being pulled on Thursday against Minnesota, is 1-9-5 lifetime against the Wings.
