Game 1 morning skate
Mikael Samuelsson, Brad Stuart and Tomas Holmstrom are all in the line up Thursday for Game 1 against Nashville. The only decision coach Mike Babcock said he had was to decide between Darren McCarty and Aaron Downey for a spot on the fourth line. "I'll let you know after warm up," Babcock said. "That's the only decision I haven't made." Judging from some of Babcock's other comments, though, regarding McCarty and McCarty's progress in the last week to 10 days, it sounds as if McCarty might have an edge. "He has good hockey sense and we're optimistic he can help us. He knows how to play," Babcock said. Babcock was "shocked" when the Wings signed Babcock earlier in the season, not thinking McCarty could progress back to where he is today. Even watching McCarty play his first game, Babcock wasn't sure there would be a time McCarty could help at the NHL level. But Babcock said McCarty has put forth the effort and dedication to win back a spot in the NHL, and has made life altering decisions to get his career back. "We all deserve second chances when we're putting forth the effort," Babcock said.
