NHL Playoffs 09. Drop The Puck.

Leebo33 · Post by **Leebo33** » Mon Jun 01, 2009 6:23 am

10spro wrote:Zetterberg is amazing

Zetterberg is amazing and clearly the second best goalie in the series with a nice glove save in game 1 and drawing the puck towards himself in the crease to smother the puck in game 2.

HipE · Post by **HipE** » Mon Jun 01, 2009 8:49 am

I think I felt better after the first two games last year, where Detroit totally outclassed Pittsburgh. This year, Pittsburgh looks to be very even with Detroit, but they just cannot buy a break. It is still very possible that Pittsburgh can win the next two at home and get right back into this, and I'm not giving up any hope yet. But the way the bounces have gone the first two games, it is looking like the Wings are destined to raise the cup again this year. I can't really complain if they do though, they are missing their best player and still playing a desperate and determined game at all times. I think the play where Sid was denied twice in front in the 2nd epitomizes that, with what seemed like every Detroit player diving into crease to keep the puck out.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Mon Jun 01, 2009 9:09 am

Detroit's determination was evident even on Pittsburgh's lone goal last night. Brad Stuart practically was making snow angels in the crease, doing anything he could to keep that puck out.

Ironically, that persistence ended up kicking the puck in the net!

Take care,
PK

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Mon Jun 01, 2009 10:29 am

Leebo33 wrote:
10spro wrote:Zetterberg is amazing
Zetterberg is amazing and clearly the second best goalie in the series with a nice glove save in game 1 and drawing the puck towards himself in the crease to smother the puck in game 2.

That's one of the breaks Pens did not get. In game one I thought he covered the puck with his glove and that should have been a penalty shot. Wings just seem to find that extra push whenever they go for it, that key goal with good bounces and all and so far lady luck hasn's been on Pens' side.

Take game one when Scutari and Gill were dog tired during an impressive push by DET where they ice the puck two times and on the second icing, Bylsma calls for a time out half way through the second period. Right call IMO but he still gets burned as DET scores with fresh legs.

Go back to yesterday' game, a similar icing situation and this time Bylsma doesn't call time out (he's got to be thinking, it's still early in the game, I am not going to waste it this time with this team) and boom it backfires on him, DET scores.

But Malkin is definitely getting frustrated with Zetterberg overshadowing him and I don't think DET has played their A game yet from what I've seen this weekend.

XXXIV · Post by **XXXIV** » Mon Jun 01, 2009 11:08 am

HipE wrote:I think I felt better after the first two games last year, where Detroit totally outclassed Pittsburgh. This year, Pittsburgh looks to be very even with Detroit, but they just cannot buy a break. It is still very possible that Pittsburgh can win the next two at home and get right back into this, . .

Excatly how I have seen it. Pittsburgh has been right there.

My only worry is that if Detroit gets the first goal in game 3 that they might lose the will it takes to play with the Wings.

Feanor · Post by **Feanor** » Mon Jun 01, 2009 11:50 am

If Detroit do win, are people gonna start talking about Chris Osgood being a hall of fame goalie?

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Mon Jun 01, 2009 12:01 pm

Feanor wrote:If Detroit do win, are people gonna start talking about Chris Osgood being a hall of fame goalie?

He woud get my vote without a question. How's he raises his game at this time of the year is legendary. He's average during the regular season yet his mental game during the playoffs outshines the most athletic, most youthful and steaky goalie out there. He's got three rings already, yet people don't talk much about him. I guess he just likes it that way.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Mon Jun 01, 2009 12:12 pm

Feanor wrote:If Detroit do win, are people gonna start talking about Chris Osgood being a hall of fame goalie?

Ozzie is a Hall of Fame goalie.

I thought the taped interview with Ozzie between periods was very revealing since he admitted that Grant Fuhr was his idol. They're both very similar goalies. Both had somewhat high GAA's while playing for powerful teams but always made the crucial two or three saves in a game, and both always were clutch in the postseason.

Cocoa was more spectacular and athletic than Ozzie. But otherwise Ozzie is this decade's version of Fuhr.

Fuhr is in the Hall; Osgood should follow.

Take care,
PK

XXXIV · Post by **XXXIV** » Mon Jun 01, 2009 12:24 pm

Jaque Martin in as Habs new coach...

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Mon Jun 01, 2009 1:05 pm

XXXIV wrote:Jaque Martin in as Habs new coach...

Politics aside, chatting quickly with my Habs' friends, I am sure that Jacques will bring more accountability to the players but in terms of gameplay which style will he implode? The conservative, neutral zone trap he preached while in OTT or a more up-tempo style? If it's the latter, Gainey better start getting him some players with so many UFA's in MON.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Mon Jun 01, 2009 1:55 pm

I understand the politics of Quebec somewhat, but to me it's stupid that the Canadiens NEVER look outside the pool of coaches of French-Canadian decent or coaches like Bowman, Berry or Gainey, who are either a Montreal native and bilingual or a former Habs' legend.

Surely there must be a better candidate out there than Jacques Martin. What the hell have Martin-coached teams won in the playoffs? It sure seems he rose to the top of the pecking order more for his heritage and his native tongue than his resume.

If top English football clubs can find success with Spanish coaches, why can't the Habs do the same with a coach who was born in southern Ontario or one of the Western provinces?

If you're a Francophone with a pulse and a plus-.500 record during the regular season, you're automatically a leading candidate for the Habs' job these days, regardless of your performance in the postseason.

That's sad, especially for such a storied franchise.

Take care,
PK

wco81 · Post by **wco81** » Tue Jun 02, 2009 12:29 am

A self-admitted Pittsburgh homer rants on his podcast that the Red Wings are getting away with interference and New Jersey Devils style "clutch and grab" in the neutral zone with their "soulless" trap as soon as they get a goal lead.

He's not blaming only that for the Pens being down 0-2 but also the "Flower."[/img]

Leebo33 · Post by **Leebo33** » Tue Jun 02, 2009 3:41 pm

Crosby a finalist for NHL Leadership award:

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09153/974444-100.stm

Not bad for a player that some (certainly not any players or Penguins' fans) question should be wearing the "C" and everyone outside of Pittsburgh seems to hate.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Tue Jun 02, 2009 3:58 pm

As much as I hate Calgary, Iginla should be a lock for this award. He has represented the Flames with class and skill since Crosby was playing in Mites in Cole Harbour.

Iginla is the closest thing to Messier in the NHL right now, in terms of leadership, skill and tenacity.

Take care,
PK

XXXIV · Post by **XXXIV** » Tue Jun 02, 2009 4:30 pm

Leebo33 wrote:Crosby a finalist for NHL Leadership award:

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09153/974444-100.stm

Not bad for a player that some (certainly not any players or Penguins' fans) question should be wearing the "C" and everyone outside of Pittsburgh seems to hate.

Not everyone

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Tue Jun 02, 2009 11:18 pm

What I liked about the Pens' win tonight is that they played a very patient and disciplined game. Even when DET tied things up, even when they where absolutely owned in the second period, the home team never panicked and kept hitting. They needed the blue collar guys to show up and did they ever. Led by Talbot, Kunitz and M. Cooke, they kept going after DET's best players. Good win, good momentum shift.

About the 'Leadership Award' I think it will go to Z. Chara this year although I agree also with PK's assessment of Iggy. Chara had a more consistent year though.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Wed Jun 03, 2009 12:20 am

One of the reasons the Penguins won this game was secondary scoring by Talbot, which is so vital when Zetterberg is putting the clamps on Crosby.

But the main reasons the Pens returned to this series were board play and tighter defense around the crease in the third.

Detroit is a savage team along the wall, winning so many battles for loose pucks. Helm is a relentless animal on the boards, and big, strong forwards like Frantzen are tough to remove from the puck in tight quarters. Even highly skilled players like Zetterberg and Hossa are very adept in winning pucks along the boards.

But Pittsburgh started to win all of those grinding battles along the wall in the third, mainly because the Pens started to hit more, as 10spro said.

I was astounded at how easily Pittsburgh allowed Detroit's forwards to screen Fleury in the first and second periods, even during even-strength situations. Nobody was clearing Detroit's forwards away from the crease while the puck was in play, even the big guys like Gill and Scuderi.

But Pittsburgh did a much better job making the crease a no-fly zone during the third, which preserved the fragile 3-2 lead.

Thank God we have a series again. Very little of the hockey in this series has been pretty, but it has been fast, frenetic and enjoyable.

Take care,
PK

Naples39 · Post by **Naples39** » Wed Jun 03, 2009 10:27 am

GMs again veto rule against headshots.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=4225752

Campbell also dismissed the notion that a poll of players revealed that 70 percent would welcome a rule against shots to the head.

The NHLPA is expected to present another proposal calling for the new penalty to be adopted.

"I'd like to ask all the players myself and I'd like to show these hits," Campbell said. "Seventy percent of those players might say that, but each hit involved two players -- one delivering it and one taking it. That's 50 percent right there. Maybe the guy who took it didn't like it, but the guy who delivered it thought it was legal."

Oooooookay Colin. You never cease to amaze with your forceful logic.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Wed Jun 03, 2009 11:38 am

It's going to take another generation of executives to change the NHL since the thinking of old-school rockheads like Campbell, Brian Burke and Bill Daly still prevails.

This Neanderthal culture will prevail until recently retired players-turned-execs such as Yzerman, Lindros and Nieuwendyk replace the dinosaurs as the conscience and arbiters of the game.

There's really no difference between the NHL headquarters in New York and the La Brea Tar Pits.

Take care,
PK

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Wed Jun 03, 2009 11:52 am

pk500 wrote:There's really no difference between the NHL headquarters in New York and the La Brea Tar Pits.

And as Bettman continues to cozy up with the old school of governors and owners of the current regime, key decisions as to why the league has teams losing money year after year in markets like PHO, ATL or TPA will continue to linger.

Although it's before the courts, I hope Balsillie will get his team one day. The moment he put the offer forward I signed a petition and if you agree that we should get another team in Canada, check:

http://makeitseven.com/

The NHL needs some new blood, desperately.

GTHobbes · Post by **GTHobbes** » Wed Jun 03, 2009 12:21 pm

pk500 wrote:Thank God we have a series again. Very little of the hockey in this series has been pretty, but it has been fast, frenetic and enjoyable.

It sure has been a fun series to watch thus far, and it was great seeing Bryan Trottier in the house again last night. Hopefully the Pens can find a way to win tomorrow night...a 2-2 series heading back to Detroit on Saturday would be totally awesome.

Let's Go Pens!

Feanor · Post by **Feanor** » Wed Jun 03, 2009 12:33 pm

Naples39 wrote:GMs again veto rule against headshots.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=4225752

Campbell also dismissed the notion that a poll of players revealed that 70 percent would welcome a rule against shots to the head.

The NHLPA is expected to present another proposal calling for the new penalty to be adopted.

"I'd like to ask all the players myself and I'd like to show these hits," Campbell said. "Seventy percent of those players might say that, but each hit involved two players -- one delivering it and one taking it. That's 50 percent right there. Maybe the guy who took it didn't like it, but the guy who delivered it thought it was legal."
Oooooookay Colin. You never cease to amaze with your forceful logic.

His stupidity is breathtaking.

Apparently the refs missed the Pens using a 6th skater for almost half a minute last night:

http://nhl.fanhouse.com/2009/06/03/coun ... officials/

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Wed Jun 03, 2009 12:53 pm

Feanor wrote:His stupidity is breathtaking.

Apparently the refs missed the Pens using a 6th skater for almost half a minute last night:

http://nhl.fanhouse.com/2009/06/03/coun ... officials/

No doubt. Eddie O was having an aneurysm on the broadcast, all but jumping out of the booth to grab the ref's arm and raise it to call the penalty.

Amazing that a broadcaster can notice it but eight eyes on the ice -- whose job is rules enforcement -- can blow such a non-subjective call.

Take care,
PK

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Wed Jun 03, 2009 2:26 pm

It was in response to Pens' fans claiming that they weren't getting any breaks.

That was bad.

Naples39 · Post by **Naples39** » Wed Jun 03, 2009 3:14 pm

Sources Say Flyers likely to sign Emery

Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo