Well, much have been said and compared between this final and the one in '83 when the Oilers were swept by the then mighty Isles, but I have yet to see the Pens prove they have anything in common with those great Oiler teams, such comparisons flattering them beyond reason thus far. At least if there's any type of consolation for Pens' fans, that Oiler team was down 0-2 while playing their first two games at home, and PIT has a really good record at home where they are unbeatable so they have a chance to get some momentum in the series.
Once the paging has reached the likes of Malkin and Sykora, Crosby and Staal solve the spider webs that DET has around them and M.A. Fleury play the way he's capable, then the comparisons may begin.
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The other obvious problem with 1983 Oilers comparison is that the Oilers didn't have 14 free agents to sign in the offseason. As long as the Pens have Malkin, Crosby, Staal and Fleury they'll contend for years, but even next year's version of the Penguins could look substantially different on paper. As such, it's not a given that this team can afford to let this finals slip away because they can't be sure when they'll be back like the Oilers.
You are rcorrect. There are NO guarantees...especially with free agency.Naples39 wrote:The other obvious problem with 1983 Oilers comparison is that the Oilers didn't have 14 free agents to sign in the offseason. As long as the Pens have Malkin, Crosby, Staal and Fleury they'll contend for years, but even next year's version of the Penguins could look substantially different on paper. As such, it's not a given that this team can afford to let this finals slip away because they can't be sure when they'll be back like the Oilers.
Plus...
I remember that Oiler team very well...This team does not remind me of them at all...
Sure they do have some great young players but as a team I dont see it.
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pk500
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Surprisingly in-depth analysis of the first two games of the Stanley Cup Finals from ... Chris Pronger:
http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-spw-pr ... 5338.story
Pronger always has seemed to be a well-spoken, smart guy who knows the subtleties of the game as well as he knows the brutality. But yes, I still despise him for leaving Edmonton.
Take care,
PK
http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-spw-pr ... 5338.story
Pronger always has seemed to be a well-spoken, smart guy who knows the subtleties of the game as well as he knows the brutality. But yes, I still despise him for leaving Edmonton.
Take care,
PK
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"First on the throttle, last on the brakes." - @MotoGP Twitter signature
XBL Gamertag: pk4425
Reading that article, the opening lines jumped out at me;pk500 wrote:Surprisingly in-depth analysis of the first two games of the Stanley Cup Finals from ... Chris Pronger:
http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-spw-pr ... 5338.story
Pronger always has seemed to be a well-spoken, smart guy who knows the subtleties of the game as well as he knows the brutality. But yes, I still despise him for leaving Edmonton.
Take care,
PK
That is word for word how I would've described the Penguins after the Flyers series. Maybe that means if the Pens can manage to score first tonight we'll have a real series.You want to get off to that good first start, and Detroit is a much different team when it scores first. The Red Wings play so well defensively, which you saw Monday night in their 3-0 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup finals.
The Red Wings are primarily talked about as being this great offensive dynamo, and what I think most people don't understand is that they're mostly a defensive team.
On other hand, it may also mean that for all the glitz and glamour of this matchup, both teams in this series like to sit back on leads, and even if the Pens get back in the series we could be in for some real trapping snoozefests as we saw in the NHL circa 1999.
I think we'll see a much different PIT team today. If they're smart enough they'll simplify their game, no more fancy cross passes and they must enforce their forecheck. If DET takes game three, despite all the comparisons (which I don't get) with he Oilers of the 80's, this series maybe more reminiscent of the DET-PHI final back in '97 when everyone expected a great clash with the big E as in E. Lindros at his peak.
Instead DET won it in four and PHI scored only six goals in that series.
Guess who leads DET in bodychecks? None other than Pavel Datsyuk.
This team has depth.
Instead DET won it in four and PHI scored only six goals in that series.
Guess who leads DET in bodychecks? None other than Pavel Datsyuk.
This team has depth.
Man, awesome stretch of action from about 13 minutes left until 7 minutes left in the third period, probably the best I've seen all playoffs. Nonstop end to end scoring chances and huge hits, including 4 by Orpik in about a ten second span.
Better wait on making those parade plans in Detroit, we might have a series finally.
Better wait on making those parade plans in Detroit, we might have a series finally.
My buddy said the same exact thing to me after game 1. Of course I had to defend the Flyers honor by pointing out that in game 1 and 2 of that series the Flyers actually played pretty well, but were done in by poor goaltending. Once the series went back to DET it was all over.10spro wrote:If DET takes game three, despite all the comparisons (which I don't get) with he Oilers of the 80's, this series maybe more reminiscent of the DET-PHI final back in '97 when everyone expected a great clash with the big E as in E. Lindros at his peak.
Instead DET won it in four and PHI scored only six goals in that series.
I missed tonight's game, but now it looks like game 4 will be worth checking out.
That third period was wild. Best action in a while indeed. Players were taking only one minute shifts, both benches were busy. Pens played much better as they enforced their forechecks, guys like G. Roberts and Talbot were throwing bodies all around. Fleury finally played to his standards. Great game.HipE wrote:Man, awesome stretch of action from about 13 minutes left until 7 minutes left in the third period, probably the best I've seen all playoffs. Nonstop end to end scoring chances and huge hits, including 4 by Orpik in about a ten second span.
Better wait on making those parade plans in Detroit, we might have a series finally.
I think game three was indicative of what all puck heads thought this series would turn up to be. High-tempo play, skilled players doing their things, utility players banging and forechecking in your face, all at a crazy speed that the third period showed us. Hope game four turns out to be a beauty as well.
F ucking useless seems more appropriate.
The term 'nightmare' does not seem to do justice in describing the type of game Malkin had tonight.
That was it. H. Zetterberg was awesome again, I swear he was a one man show in that PK. He stood at the right place by reading the play that saved a sure S. Crosby goal, Ozzie was also solid again but this game just didn't have the same spark and intensity that game three had. PIT appeared to me nonchalant considering the circumstances and all that hitting and forecheck was missing. Instead DET dished them out and they may just wrap things at home.XXXIV wrote:Big 5 on 3 kill gives the Wings the 3-1 series lead.
Though Im not calling it over...Im sure the Penguins will throw everything they have at the Red Wings in game 5...Its going to take something special.