2009 Stanley Cup Playoffs Blog - Conference Finals

Historically, the playoffs are Tomas Holmstrom’s time to shine, but it appears his time is running out.

Saturday, as the Detroit Red Wings practised for the last time in preparation for Sunday’s Western Conference final opener at Joe Louis Arena against the Chicago Blackhawks, veteran winger Holmstrom was dropped to the fourth line by Detroit coach Mike Babcock.

“He’s got to do his job, he’s got to find a way to contribute,” Babcock said of Holmstrom, who was pointless during Detroit’s seven-game second-round verdict over the Anaheim Ducks. “He was growly today, so that’s usually a good sign.”

Holmstrom skated with Darren Helm and Kris Draper, while rookie Justin Abdelkader, with just three games of Stanley Cup experience on his resume, was inserted on the second line alongside Pavel Datsyuk and Marian Hossa.

“I’m just excited about the opportunity,” Abdelkader said. “They’re two of the best players in the world. I just want to finish my checks, go to the net hard. They’re going to be handling the puck most of the time, especially Pav, so I’ll just try to find open areas and play well defensively.”

Holmstrom, who has 38 career playoff goals in 140 games, wasn’t in much of a mood to discuss his demotion.

“I have no idea [which line],” Holmstrom said. “I don’t know.”

The other lines consisted of Henrik Zetterberg between Dan Cleary and Johan Franzen and Valtteri Filppula with Jiri Hudler and Mikael Samuelsson, leaving Kirk Maltby as the odd man out, as he was for Game 7 against the Ducks. Defence pairings were Nicklas Lidstrom-Brian Rafalski, Brad Stuart-Niklas Kronwall and Jonathan Ericsson-Brett Lebda.

Hawk talk

The Blackhawks look to be staying with the same lines that worked for them in the second round against the Vancouver Canucks:

Patrick Sharp-Jonathan Toews-Patrick Kane; Andrew Ladd-Dave Bolland-Martin Havlat; Kris Versteeg-Sammy Pahlsson-Dustin Byfuglien; Ben Eager-Adam Burish-Troy Brouwer.

Defence pairings were also unchanged: Duncan Keith-Brent Seabrook; Niklas Hjalmarsson-Brian Campbell; Cam Barker-Matt Walker.

Shaving grace?

Datsyuk is another Wing who is slumping offensively. The Hart Trophy finalist has gone nine games without a goal and is tied for 73rd in playoff scoring with 1-4-5 totals. “I miss a couple of good chances [against Anaheim] and don’t score, but I’m happy that we win,” Datsyuk said.

Babcock seemed to suggest that it was time for Datsyuk and Holmstrom to count their blessings and step up.

“When you go through a whole series and you’re normally a guy who scores, when it doesn’t happen for you, you’re fortunate you’re on a good team,” Babcock said. “If they were on different teams, they wouldn’t be playing in the playoffs anymore.”

Perhaps seeking a change of luck, Datsyuk showed up for work Saturday minus the traditional playoff beard.

“I don’t know what happened,” Datsyuk said. “I put my face in the mirror this morning and it’s gone.”

Long wait

This is the first playoff series between the Wings and Blackhawks since the 1995 Western Conference final. Back then, current Chicago stars Toews was seven and Kane was six, still probably watching Sesame Street while the Wings were schooling the Blackhawks in a five-game set.

On the other hand, Detroit checking-line centre Kris Draper was in his second season with the Wings.

“Yeah, thanks for bringing that up,” said Draper, who turns 38 May 24. “Those young kids have come a long way, haven’t they?

“I remember that series clear as day. That was my first experience in the Western Conference finals and winning that and going into the Stanley Cup final.

“It’s nice that I’ve been able to stick around for another Detroit-Chicago series.”

Old friends

The first time Toews and Detroit’s Darren Helm met on opposite sides of the ice, not as much was at stake.

“We played against each other a couple of times when we were really young back in Winnipeg,” Toews said. “I think I was 10 and he was 11.”

In 2007, they teamed up to help Canada take the world junior title.

“That was the year he had the three shootout goals against the U.S. in the semifinals,” Helm recalled of Toews. “He can beat you with skill or with heart.”

Now, the two Manitobans - Toews is from Winnipeg and Helm from St. Andrews - battle for the right to move on and play for hockey’s greatest prize.

“From what I’ve seen of him the past couple of series, he hasn’t changed much,” Toews said of Helm. “I think everyone knows him as a great skater. It’s fun to watch him take off. He was he same player back then for us, an energy guy.

“It’s kind of cool to see him come this far and find a way to be successful and make a difference in the post season on a team like Detroit. It will be a lot of fun to go up against him.”

Not his kind of town

Back in 1997, the Blackhawks made Cleary the 13th overall selection in the National Hockey League entry draft. He played a mere 41 games for Chicago before his was dealt to the Edmonton Oilers, but the Detroit right-winger bears no grudge toward his first NHL home.

“It was a cup of coffee at best,” Cleary said of his Chicago tenure. “I didn’t really have much of an opportunity or a chance. I got traded when I was 19. The reason why is I just wasn’t ready to be in the NHL. I didn’t have the required maturity on the ice, or off the ice.

“Bob Murray was the GM. I still speak with him every time I see him, He’s a good man. To be honest, [getting traded] it’s probably the best thing that ever happened to me.”