wings-pens discussion

the rematch!

discuss.

Pens look strong, confidant, and aggressive... polar opposite from the shellshocked, deer in the headlights look they had for the first two games in Detroit. They actually outplayed the Wings in the second, despite Detroit pulling ahead at the end. I'm loving the officiating, this is what playoff hockey is all about. LET 'EM PLAY!!

It will be interesting to see how Detroit looks with Datsyuk back in the lineup. The guy is a gamebreaker, if he's even at 75% it could make a pretty big differance.

btw, good for you Sid. Haven't seen any of this yet in the game.

http://www.bpwtf.org/files/page0_blog_entry1_3.gif

Good convicing win by the defending champs. Pens are quite dangerous, and they are going to start making more chances and capitalizing on them the deeper they get into this series. They dominated the second, but that late period goal was a backbreaker. Then the Wings showed why they are the defending champs in the third... all without a Hart and Selke candidate. Pittsburgh has more fight in them, but I don't think they are ready for this type of animal after facing a tired and beat down Canes squad.

I think the Pens will take tomorrow and game three, while the Wings plus Datsyuk bring home game four.

Overall, good game and it lived up to the hype. Osgood looked real good.

the pens should have scored at least 3 or 4 goals in this game. they had a breakaway and two PPs and came away from those three opportunities with zero goals. thats a recipe for losing in the playoffs.

the red wings played a pretty good game, but i think they were very fortunate with some of the breaks they got.

it will be interesting to see how game 2 plays out. borderline must win for pitt. 4 out of 5 against the softy caps is one thing, but against the red wings...doubt it.

Good points. Pens had the chances, but they didn't capitalize. Which is out of character for that team. Detroit got some nice breaks, but you make your own luck in this game.

Looking over the stat sheet, it's surprising to see Detroit get outshot, and holy crap... over 70% on faceoffs? Pittsburgh is going to have to step it up in that department if they want to win a seven game series against a puck possession team.

yeah, the faceoff pct was sick for detroit. if they continue to dominate in that area the pens have little to no chance in this series, imo.

pretty good team D in this game from both sides. lots of shots and some scoring chances off of scrambles, but not a lot of clean passing plays in the offensive zone. a credit to both teams.

wow, the reffing in game 2 is really *fantastic*.

"subtle" interference on kronwall?!

missing a no brainer slash that leads to a goal. nice job, refs. which eye test do you have to fail to become an nhl official?

The officiating has been inconsistant at best. Despite the scores, the first two games could have gone either way. Game three should be pretty intense.

It will be interesting to hear Bettman's excuse as to why Malkin isn't suspended despite pulling an instigator in the final five minutes.

Ah... penalty rescinded by the league.

http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=424480

definitely the right move. the rule seems to be written up to give campbell a lot of leeway in these situations.

i'll have to look into that...

That was Bettman's call all the way. Not a chance was he going to allow one of the star players to sit out.

Though it somehow seemed alright to start the Finals early with Detroit's star player still injured. lol

Watching the replays, "subtle interference" was a joke of a non-call. The Hossa "slash" however wasn't... that was simply two guys fighting for a puck, and one new composite stick exploding as they often do these days. If one of those sticks has the slightest crack in it, all you have to do is look at it funny and it will break.


http://www.kuklaskorner.com/index.php/a2y/comments/more_fun_with_hockey_sticks/

Personally, I'm glad they're letting them play for the most part. I'm sure the officials have been 'pulled aside' and asked to let them 'get their hate on'.

Kudos to Malkin for taking the fight to Zetts...though he needs to watch that stick when he starts swinging. lol

I'm actually surprised Talbot got off so lightly.

I agree... it's much better watching borderline stuff go unnoticed and letting the skill and grit shine, as opposed to 20 PPs a game.

Yeah, Malkin and Zetty did alright considering neither is really a fighter.

I wonder if Osgood's embelishment had anothing to do with Talbot's slap on the wrist.. then again a spear is a spear.

I love the rough stuff and yes they did look silly trying to throw punches I love it.
It's hockey. I am a fan of the old time stuff.

I hate the pussy hockey that is played now.

Carefull, if Alexander Semin hears you say that he will come to your house and beat your ass!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_ydsUCzi2E

im just waiting for when the wings win.,..then i can laugh in all the faces of the people that picked pittsburgh here....(and collect my money both sim and real life)...

People made the same mistake during the NCAA tournament this year, picking against UNC. People always take for granted the most talented team

Slow down boys, the series isn't over. Games one and two could have gone either way.

Then again, I think Detroit is WAY too good to lose 4 out of 5 games.

stlblues wrote:

Then again, I think Detroit is WAY too good to lose 4 out of 5 games.

That's it in a nutshell. Even without the talent, Detroit is far too committed to going out and busting their collective asses on a nightly basis to lose games. Every playoff year it's the same thing...everyone remembers the Detroit of 'old' and figures they'll eventually get a reality check. They're too talented, they're too committed and too well coached to lose enough for Pittsburgh to come back.

If Dats and Drapes are back anytime soon, this one will end that much quicker. I think the Pens will take game three...but the Wings will settle down and remind Sid and Geno of their place in the ranks.

The two best players in the NHL do NOT play for Pittsburgh...I don't care how many points they put up.

I for one disagree... Malkin and Crosby are better then Zetterberg and Datsyuk. If they played for Detroit they'd make both of them look like second liners.

Disagree? That's fine, but remember it took years of training in the Wings farm system to develop the talent you see on the ice now. If Malkin and Crosby spent a year with Bowman and Babcock you'd see the same commitment to D but with that same explosive O.

crosby and malkin both are underrated defenders imo. didnt malkin lead the league in takeaways? i realize the guy isnt defensively responsible on the level with zetts and datsyuk, but but he does have a knack for forcing turnovers. not to mention, lets see how good of defensive players these guys are when they're 27+.

a guy like crosby didnt get drafted and then groomed in anyones system for a few years. when his name was called he stepped up to the podium and took the entire league on his shoulders.

Dev...2nd liners? Really, Dev?

Does that mean in Pittsburgh they'd be playing with Jordan "The Franchise" Staal?

Grooming, or no grooming...they are the players they are. I'm a good guitar player. I know other good guitar players that are better than me, and have had much training. So, sure...with training I could be as good as them. My technique would be better. For now, though, they're better than me.

I'm not trying to take anything away from either Sid or Malkin. Indeed, Geno has proven me wrong on many things...and he's answered the bell in the playoffs. But experience makes you a better player. When the two kids have that experience and are playing the way Pavs and Zetts are, then I'm more than happy to agree they're as good if not better players.

For now, all things the way they are, the two best players play for Detroit. Both of them are capable of putting up just as many points as the other two...but, like Yzerman, they sacrifice offense to become a more rounded player.

As for 'takeaways', Joe...you could be right on that, however much of that is just being in the passing lanes. Malkin's a smart player with good, quick hands and a long reach. When you're that talented and get that much ice time, your bound to be among the leaders in that category. Just like high minute defensemen usually lead the league in giveaways. Nature of the beast.