After a full month of struggling, the Detroit Red Wings third line has finally looked great.
But with a new face.
The line of Jiri Hudler, Mike Modano and Dan Cleary was supposed to be the best third line in all of the NHL.
But that looked unlikely after a horrific October. The line combined for a total of only seven points in 11 games with a minus-16 rating.
Something needed to be done, and something was done.
Justin Abdelkader was ready to be put into the lineup for the last game in October against the Nashville Predators.
Someone had to go.
The first two lines weren't going to be touched. The fourth has been a great shutdown line.
Who would be sitting?
Jiri Hudler became the odd man out.
The third line in the Nashville game had Modano, Cleary and now Abdelkader.
After playing a great game defensively against the Predators, Detroit headed out west in Canada and Justin Abdelkader was to stay in the lineup, with Hudler missing his second straight game. Cleary grabbed an assist in that game—his first point since opening night.
The fina ...
Read Full Article at Bleacher Report - NHL
Article written by Chris Minniti
Detroit Red Wings: 3rd Line Looking Great in Red Wings’ Last 2 Games
November 6th, 2010 by Chris Minniti Leave a reply »
Advertisement