Well said my friend. Many chances the Pens just seem to not put away. There have been many times during these 1st 2 games where they dominated down low and in the offense zone but just don't come away with goals. They haven't drawn any penalties from an established forcheck either but it really seems like the refs have the put the whistle away for both of these game completely. Pens have a lot of positives to work on coming back. Reminds me of the Washington series of many missed opportunities.
Much better than last year.
Heres my two cents....
* Fleury hasnt stepped up all playoffs. A good game here or there yes, but his heads been in his ass all year. Letting goals like that 3rd one tonight is inexcusable and killed the whole team. That sucked the air out of them all. Osgood has put himself in postiion everyt time. Fleury looks lost at times.
* Hal Gill. Enough said. Needs scratched.
* Pens held Det shotless for 10+ minutes, outshot them tonight, and held them to 26 shots all game......and lost. Sad. That weak goal by Fleurball killed them.
* Pens get caught standing around watching at times while Detroit goes full throttle and gets the loose pucks etc....
Pens can win both games at home no doubt. I just dont think they can win 4 of 5 vs Detroit.
Heres my two cents....
* Fleury hasnt stepped up all playoffs. A good game here or there yes, but his heads been in his ass all year. Letting goals like that 3rd one tonight is inexcusable and killed the whole team. That sucked the air out of them all. Osgood has put himself in postiion everyt time. Fleury looks lost at times.
* Hal Gill. Enough said. Needs scratched.
* Pens held Det shotless for 10+ minutes, outshot them tonight, and held them to 26 shots all game......and lost. Sad. That weak goal by Fleurball killed them.
* Pens get caught standing around watching at times while Detroit goes full throttle and gets the loose pucks etc....
Pens can win both games at home no doubt. I just dont think they can win 4 of 5 vs Detroit.
These are the WORST 2 games the Wings have played the entire playoffs and they are still up 2-0. Pittsburgh hasn't even seen anything close to their best game yet. They've been able to shut down...for the most part....the Pens 2 star players and without them the series is as good as over. Fluery really needed to step up for them to have a chance and that didn't happen. Imagine if Hart and Selke candidate Pavel Datsyuk had played any of the games. Only the die hard Penguin fans are still holding out hope for their team. The rest of us know this is over.
Look for Sidney in another one of those commercials where he comes alive out of the photographs saying how much he never wants to be in this picture again.
Look for Sidney in another one of those commercials where he comes alive out of the photographs saying how much he never wants to be in this picture again.
I think the Pens deserved at least a split in the first two games. It's unfortunate they didn't get a better result, but they have really stayed with the Wings.
That being said, can anyone beat the Wings 4 out of 5, including at least one win on the road?
I know the Pens did it to Washington, but the Caps didn't have a top 6 of...
Lidstrom -- Rafalski
Stuart -- Kronwall
Ericsson -- Lebda
Still looks to be a very entertaining series. Nice to see Malkin get involved at the end, show some real emotion.
That being said, can anyone beat the Wings 4 out of 5, including at least one win on the road?
I know the Pens did it to Washington, but the Caps didn't have a top 6 of...
Lidstrom -- Rafalski
Stuart -- Kronwall
Ericsson -- Lebda
Still looks to be a very entertaining series. Nice to see Malkin get involved at the end, show some real emotion.
I personally don't believe he will be back. He supposedly blocked a shot early in the playoffs and then late in the Chicago series blocked another in the same exact spot. He's tried to skate on it quite a few times but is never allowed to reach the full contact level even during practice. You know how all they will disclose during the playoffs these days is if it's an upper body or lower body injury. I've suspected since about the 3rd or 4th day that it wouldn't surprise me at all if it was fractured and they are hiding it day by day so Pitt can not prepare, knowing he will simply not play at all. I've just never heard of a bruised foot taking this long to heel. I think it's been close to about 10 days now.
Then again, in todays world, I would think they'd have him froze up enough to play or in some "hyperbaric chamber" everyday to speed up the healing process. I guess since they keep winning without him, he's been allowed the extra time needed to heal.
There's no denying the fact that Detroit is the best team in the National Hockey League at this time. They have far and away too much depth for the other teams, meaning they have a fourth line that is as good as or better than any other team's third line. The Penguins can be most likely included in the list of the top five NHL teams after the Wings. It's important to remember that Pissburgh has had the benefit of a number of calls through the course of their first three rounds, questionable powerplays in their favor at the right time in a number of important games during their three series to this point.
The fact of the matter is that the Penguins have previously been involved in a number of games similar to the first two games with the Wings but they were given a few powerplays at very important intervals to bail them out in those games, whereas the powerplays todate against the Wings have been few and far between. I'm sure that scenario will change when they go to Pissburgh for games three and four. In fact it'll be very interesting to see the number of powerplays called against either club and more importantly when they're called in games three and four.
Now I don't and never have considered Chris Osgood to be one of the elite goaltenders in the game but he certainly holds his ground when needed. When a team like the Red Wings are two wins away from winning consecutive Stanley Cups with Osgood in nets, it definitely shows the calibre of team Detroit is when attempting to compare them with the other teams in the league.
There really is no comparison.
The fact of the matter is that the Penguins have previously been involved in a number of games similar to the first two games with the Wings but they were given a few powerplays at very important intervals to bail them out in those games, whereas the powerplays todate against the Wings have been few and far between. I'm sure that scenario will change when they go to Pissburgh for games three and four. In fact it'll be very interesting to see the number of powerplays called against either club and more importantly when they're called in games three and four.
Now I don't and never have considered Chris Osgood to be one of the elite goaltenders in the game but he certainly holds his ground when needed. When a team like the Red Wings are two wins away from winning consecutive Stanley Cups with Osgood in nets, it definitely shows the calibre of team Detroit is when attempting to compare them with the other teams in the league.
There really is no comparison.
I think the biggest difference is that Detroit plays like a team, while Pitt plays like a squad dependent on a couple of players. Detroit also takes advantage of every break, or so it seems. I think Pitt has the players, but Detroit has the team, and teams win championships, for the most part. I certainly do not count Pitt out. The series does not start until someone looses at home, or we get to a game 7.
There's no denying the fact that Detroit is the best team in the National Hockey League at this time. They have far and away too much depth for the other teams, meaning they have a fourth line that is as good as or better than any other team's third line. The Penguins can be most likely included in the list of the top five NHL teams after the Wings. It's important to remember that Pissburgh has had the benefit of a number of calls through the course of their first three rounds, questionable powerplays in their favor at the right time in a number of important games during their three series to this point.
The fact of the matter is that the Penguins have previously been involved in a number of games similar to the first two games with the Wings but they were given a few powerplays at very important intervals to bail them out in those games, whereas the powerplays todate against the Wings have been few and far between. I'm sure that scenario will change when they go to Pissburgh for games three and four. In fact it'll be very interesting to see the number of powerplays called against either club and more importantly when they're called in games three and four.
Now I don't and never have considered Chris Osgood to be one of the elite goaltenders in the game but he certainly holds his ground when needed. When a team like the Red Wings are two wins away from winning consecutive Stanley Cups with Osgood in nets, it definitely shows the calibre of team Detroit is when attempting to compare them with the other teams in the league.
There really is no comparison.
Nice post Ivan. Now all you have to do is try and leave out the Pissburgh referrals and your on your way to a little respectability. Wouldn't that feel a little better than how your responded to on a daily basis?
Are the Pens getting favoritism for game 3 already before it starts?...
"Malkin (l) To Play In Game Three Despite Picking
Up Instigator Penalty Late In Game Two SPECIAL TREATMENT? In L.A., Helene Elliott notes Penguins C Evgeni Malkin received a fighting instigator penalty late in Game Two and writes, "When is a supposedly automatic suspension not automatic or a suspension?" Elliott: "When the NHL is involved and it's an act committed by a marquee player whose absence from Game 3 of the Stanley Cup finals might have pushed the league's showcase event further toward a rout that would have cut the already miniscule TV ratings" (L.A. TIMES, 6/1)."
http://www.therxforum.com/showpost.php?p=6726232&postcount=54
Pittsburgh must get great games from its 2 stars in order to have a chance to win. Detroit's 3ed and 4th lines have such a big edge over the Pens last two lines that if Pittsburgh's 2 stars are held in check or played even, they don't have a chance.
Also, unlike the Washington series, Crosby will not be allowed to stand outside the crease and get 4 or 5 whacks at the puck.
Also, unlike the Washington series, Crosby will not be allowed to stand outside the crease and get 4 or 5 whacks at the puck.
imo det is a complete team with 4 lines that can do damage and pit cant match up.. For pit to win fleury has to be great not good and their 2 top stars has to produce..Lidstrom is awesome and can stop any top line forward he goes against . I think pit will win one game and that's about it.
Dont take this the wrong way....but I dont understand this statement...I hear it all the time..."The Series Doesnt Start Until Someone Loses At Home"...Really? So we got a hell of a series if Pittsburgh loses game 3 at home? If that happens....its OVER! Not just starting....but OVER! LOL...the series will be over before it begins? Sorry...I just dont get that statement..orrrrr lets say everyone does win at home until game 6...Detroit wins game 6....the series doesnt start...its OVER! Maybe its me, I just dont understand the statement...like I said, this isnt geared toward you...I just hear it all the time on the radio and tv...it just makes no sense to me!
Gasm~
"The Red Wings are tired, beat up, and only two victories away from hoisting the Stanley Cup again....
"... said Chris Osgood, who made 31 saves. "We still believe we can play better and we know we'll have to in Pittsburgh.""
"...The Red Wings are closing in on their 12th title and fifth in 12 seasons despite the condensed schedule.
"It's hurt us. Don't kid yourself," Detroit coach Mike Babcock said. "I thought we were exhausted out there. It's amazing what will does for you.
"We found a way to win two games, but we haven't been as good as we're capable of being." "
http://www.cbssports.com/nhl/gamecenter/recap/NHL_20090531_PIT@DET
"Malkin was subject to a one-game suspension for being assessed in the final five minutes, but that punishment was quickly rescinded by league disciplinarian Colin Campbell.
"None of the criteria in this rule applied," Campbell said in a statement. "Suspensions are applied under this rule when a team attempts to send a message in the last five minutes by having a player instigate a fight. A suspension could also be applied when a player seeks retribution for a prior incident. Neither was the case here." "
http://www.cbssports.com/nhl/gamecenter/recap/NHL_20090531_PIT@DET
