Who needs to be THE depth guy in the finals?

Question

We all expect the Datsyuk, Zetterberg, Hossa, Malkin and Crosby to do their part.

However, depth in a team's roster is going to be key now; this late in the playoffs, bodies are aching and guys are drained.

So, who needs to be the difference maker for each team? In other words, which NON-star needs to be/do you expect to be the difference maker for each team?

Answer 1

pittsburgh:

jordan staal

ryan whitney

tyler kennedy

gary roberts

detroit:

not going to win

Answer 2

Draper -- if he wins face-offs like he always has and chips in a couple goals or assists, the Wings can win it.

I've said for years that without Draper and Maltby the Wings don't all three of those cups since '97.  Now Maltby isn't as much of a factor any more, but Draper continues to be critical.

Who's have thought back in 1997 that 11 years later Draper, Maltby and Osgood (am I missing anyone, Lidstrom, but we knew he'd be around) would still (again) be in the Stanley Cup Finals with the Wings?  Imagine the odds you could have gotten in Vegas!!!!

Answer 3

Wings:  Hope Franzen is fit to play again before the end - his size and tenacity are an advantage in the lineup, even without his hot streak, which after a long rest like this, might have cooled off.  We won't know till he plays.

Cleary and Filpula are having good games, but I'd love to see them net a few goals apiece.

Depth?  Who expected Drake to score?  Come on, be honest!  Agree that the D needs to be on top of their game to help everyone shine.

Penguins - Ashamed to admit that I've not seen enough of their games to get much of a picture.  They all look pretty scary from here!   Has Mr Gonchar thought of taking up part time goaltending recently?

I feel a question coming on....

Answer 4

Staal and Holstrom. Not that I think they've played poorly, but like you said, someone has to carry the last legs.

Answer 5

Franzen probably has to be considered a star at this point, so for Detroit I'll go with Cleary and Draper.  For Pittsburgh probably Malone and Stall.   That's if you're just talking forwards.

Answer 6

i agree with your observation spaceboy on the d.

rafalski (underrated)

and

gonchar (underrated)

there are also a couple more. detroits blue line is full of them...and for the pens their depth guys have to be all the young guys who play huge minutes now due to cracking the lineup.

Answer 7

For Pittsburgh, Staal, Roberts, and Malone will be absolutely key to them. Detroit will put alot of defensive pressure on Crosby and Malkin (and they have the best defenseman in the league to do it).

For Detroit, Franzen, Hudler and Holmstrom will be important to their success. Although I think Datsuyk and Zetterberg will be more effective than Crosby and Malkin because Detroit is a much better defensive team.

Answer 8

chris mcpooey