NHL Playoffs 09. Drop The Puck.

Feanor · Post by **Feanor** » Wed Jun 03, 2009 3:57 pm

Naples39 wrote:Sources Say Flyers likely to sign Emery

Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

FFS.

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Thu Jun 04, 2009 2:15 am

If there was ever a slight weakness in DET's play is their PK unit. They've allowed pretty much a goal every time PIT had a man advantage, but it's about to get much stronger as P. Datsyuk is said to be ready for game four. His fine two way play will be a huge boost for the Wings to say the least.

fletcher21 · Post by **fletcher21** » Thu Jun 04, 2009 7:21 pm

first goal tonight will decide the winner

XXXIV · Post by **XXXIV** » Thu Jun 04, 2009 10:49 pm

Pens are back.

Malkin and Crosby showed up in a big way.

This is getting good.

HipE · Post by **HipE** » Thu Jun 04, 2009 10:57 pm

That stretch where the Pens scored 3 goals in a little over 5 minutes may have been the most excited I have ever been watching a hockey game. Three absolutely beautiful goals! WOW!!!

GTHobbes · Post by **GTHobbes** » Thu Jun 04, 2009 10:59 pm

Don't want to get out in front of things, but a quick google shows that no city has ever won the Super Bowl and the Stanley Cup in the same year.

Can't wait until Saturday night...Let's Go Pens!

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Fri Jun 05, 2009 6:39 am

The second period was just wild, entertaining Hockey. Pens can smell blood like a hungry shark, DET needs Datsyuk back ASAP.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Fri Jun 05, 2009 9:41 am

Unless Datsyuk needs an amputation of his foot, I think it's a lock he'll be in the lineup for the Wings in Game 5. Detroit needs him badly, if only to give Zetterberg a few more shifts on the bench.

Z and the rest of the Wings were gassed last night. Pittsburgh is starting to overwhelm Detroit in all areas.

Take care,
PK

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Fri Jun 05, 2009 1:19 pm

I think the biggest factors behind Pittsburgh's resurgence have been their increased hitting and their ability to break out of their zone quickly.

Detroit was more physical than the Penguins in the first two games, and the Pens' sluggish breakout allowed the Wings to set up a quasi-trap in the neutral zone.

Now the Pens are breaking out so quickly that Detroit has no time to set up a trap. And when you have finishers like Crosby and Malkin, that makes the breakout extremely effective.

I'm also surprised at how Detroit's PK has floated into the septic tank. It's almost to the point where Pittsburgh can spot itself a 1-0 lead before the opening faceoff because the Pens have scored on the PP in three of the four games in this series.

Finally, from the Department of the Obvious: F*ck, Malkin is an amazing, dynamic player. He's playing at a level right now that only a few greats ever have achieved in NHL postseason history. Special, special player.

Take care,
PK

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Fri Jun 05, 2009 8:11 pm

pk500 wrote:Z and the rest of the Wings were gassed last night. Pittsburgh is starting to overwhelm Detroit in all areas.

The schedule has to affect the older Wings and yes Zetterberg at this point looks overworked. If Datsyuk plays tomorrow, the whole team should get re-energized but at least this is going to be a heck of a series the next few games, something I was doubting in the first two games.

toonarmy · Post by **toonarmy** » Fri Jun 05, 2009 10:47 pm

Like I said from before the playoffs started: watch out for the Pens, especially if Malkin gets going. These guys have finally gelled, due in large part to the excellent coaching of Bylsma. He's figured out where the chemistry is the best and how to rotate his lines for maximum result. Detroit is still going to be tough to overcome, but right now it looks like the Pens are going to give them a real go at things. Another reason the Pens have been doing better the past two games is that they have adjusted to the refs. The refs have been allowing a whole lot of stuff that had been called in the previous rounds. Detroit took advantage of that in games 1 and 2, while the Pens did not. The past two games the Pens turned things up a notch or two and started playing up to the boundary the refs would let them play without getting a lot of penalties. This has resulted in more possession for the Pens and more disruption of Detroit's lethal offense. This series has met all expectations so far, and I can assume it will only get better.

XXXIV · Post by **XXXIV** » Sat Jun 06, 2009 10:43 pm

That didnt go very well...

Here is hoping the Penguins can forget this one and come and play in game 6 the way they played in the first four.

The Red Wings are some bad ass mother f***ers....Cheesers maybe

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Sat Jun 06, 2009 11:16 pm

It was a statement game for DET, one of those 'Don't mess with Papa' games. Interesting enough the game started with the Wings continuing to cough up the puck in the neutral zone where the younger Pens continued with their good momentum from the last couple fo games. Malkin's line was dominating and DET just couln't penetrate PIT's zone until Cleary's goal.

And how important is Datsyuk's role for the home team? He showed some rust but even at 80% his talent is obvious. Special teams was excellent and they have to go back to PIT with a lot of confidence now.

toonarmy · Post by **toonarmy** » Sun Jun 07, 2009 11:49 am

It didn't surprise me the Wings won at home, but I was incredibly shocked at the margin. The Pens totally lost their composure and ended up playing like a bunch of punks. Detroit might be old, but their experience really showed last night. One of the best statement games I have seen in a while.

Jimmydeicide · Post by **Jimmydeicide** » Sun Jun 07, 2009 12:22 pm

Like you said before the playoffs started, watch out for the pens.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Sun Jun 07, 2009 12:27 pm

Impressive performance by Detroit. But this series has seen way too many momentum shifts, way too many ebbs and flows, to call it over.

Hell, I thought the Pens were in control after Game 4. Wrong.

So I sure as hell don't think the Wings are in control after Game 5, especially since neither team has won on the road in this series.

Bring on Game 6.

Take care,
PK

XXXIV · Post by **XXXIV** » Sun Jun 07, 2009 12:36 pm

pk500 wrote: So I sure as hell don't think the Wings are in control after Game 5, especially since neither team has won on the road in this series.

I agree. Momentum seems to be only as good as your last shift.

But...Then again... they might be

Lets go game 6.

fletcher21 · Post by **fletcher21** » Sun Jun 07, 2009 12:45 pm

Jimmydeicide wrote:Like you said before the playoffs started, watch out for the pens.

LOL very well played

toonarmy · Post by **toonarmy** » Sun Jun 07, 2009 10:27 pm

Jimmydeicide wrote:Like you said before the playoffs started, watch out for the pens.

Yep. They are now in the finals, whereas before the playoffs started people were not exactly predicting much from them. In any case, the series is 3-2, with the next game in Pittsburgh. Don't count them out yet.

Jimmydeicide · Post by **Jimmydeicide** » Mon Jun 08, 2009 7:45 am

Never did.

fletcher21 · Post by **fletcher21** » Mon Jun 08, 2009 10:07 am

toonarmy wrote:
Jimmydeicide wrote:Like you said before the playoffs started, watch out for the pens.
Yep. They are now in the finals, whereas before the playoffs started people were not exactly predicting much from them. In any case, the series is 3-2, with the next game in Pittsburgh. Don't count them out yet.

You're a regular Nostradamus, man

toonarmy · Post by **toonarmy** » Mon Jun 08, 2009 2:16 pm

fletcher21 wrote:
toonarmy wrote:
Jimmydeicide wrote:Like you said before the playoffs started, watch out for the pens.
Yep. They are now in the finals, whereas before the playoffs started people were not exactly predicting much from them. In any case, the series is 3-2, with the next game in Pittsburgh. Don't count them out yet.
You're a regular Nostradamus, man

About as much as you are a race car driver

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Tue Jun 09, 2009 10:00 am

The only momentum that these two teams carried is when they both hosted at home, although the way Pens lost last time must be bittersweet. So I expect a desperate PIT team tonight and feed off their crowd, their big guns having a strong first period.

However, if they are unable to solve Ozzie, they may get frustrated and let DET's patient road game to take over. Duplicating their performance in game four would be ideal.

One guy that must step it up for the Wings is M. Hossa. Has anyone noticed him so far? Pens surely don't mind, but it would be ironic if he does his best game of the series tonight and take the Cup home with him. Having Pavel back, surely has helped the first two lines for DET and their special teams.

XXXIV · Post by **XXXIV** » Tue Jun 09, 2009 9:44 pm

Jordan Stahl classic tween period interview answer "Im not a passer. Im a shooter"

Should be a hell of a 3rd.

XXXIV · Post by **XXXIV** » Tue Jun 09, 2009 10:42 pm

What a finish!!!

Game 7 baby! Game 7!