NHL 08 Playoffs

Naples39 · Post by **Naples39** » Sun May 25, 2008 10:24 am

The Pens are gonna have to raise their game or this will in fact be a short series. Looks to me like the Pens game is almost entirely dependent on having the lead after 1.

Also, anybody else notice the announcer for the ceremonial faceoff announce the Pens captain as Steven Crosby? Really?

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Sun May 25, 2008 9:42 pm

Naples39 wrote: Also, anybody else notice the announcer for the ceremonial faceoff announce the Pens captain as Steven Crosby? Really?

Yep, pretty pathetic.

Sudz · Post by **Sudz** » Mon May 26, 2008 7:06 pm

i called the series...wings in 4.

of course...espn is making comparison to wayne's first run in the playoffs...

Sudz · Post by **Sudz** » Mon May 26, 2008 7:06 pm

Naples39 wrote:
Also, anybody else notice the announcer for the ceremonial faceoff announce the Pens captain as Steven Crosby? Really?

my wife and I heard that too... wtf?

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Mon May 26, 2008 8:38 pm

DET's speed is just too much for PIT to handle. With eight minutes left the Pens are yet to have a shot on Ozzie. That will change now with a PP, but you gotta shoot to score. Malkin is just floating so far in this series.

Jackdog · Post by **Jackdog** » Mon May 26, 2008 8:56 pm

10spro wrote:DET's speed is just too much for PIT to handle. With eight minutes left the Pens are yet to have a shot on Ozzie. That will change now with a PP, but you gotta shoot to score. Malkin is just floating so far in this series.

Pens look bad. They are frustrated and picking up stupid penalties. They are overmatched right now. I hope it continues.

Inuyasha · Post by **Inuyasha** » Mon May 26, 2008 8:58 pm

JackDog wrote:
10spro wrote:DET's speed is just too much for PIT to handle. With eight minutes left the Pens are yet to have a shot on Ozzie. That will change now with a PP, but you gotta shoot to score. Malkin is just floating so far in this series.
Pens look bad. They are frustrated and picking up stupid penalties. They are overmatched right now. I hope it continues.

and Bettman cries.

HipE · Post by **HipE** » Mon May 26, 2008 9:05 pm

Most frustrating period of the series for me so far. The first game the Pens made tons of mistakes, but this period I thought they played hard and still got whipped. They just can't get control of the puck in the offensive zone, Detroit just clogs the neutral ice and Pit is unable to dump the puck and chase it. Anytime the Pens do turn it over at center ice, Detroit counters in a split second. And I've never seen a team that can manage to hold in every clearing attempt on the PP. Unreal team, I'm definitely impressed.

Need a lucky bounce or something, Pens need something to get them going or this is going to be a quick series. What the hell happened to Malkin, ever since Philly knocked him around its like he doesn't even try anymore.

Jackdog · Post by **Jackdog** » Mon May 26, 2008 9:09 pm

HipE wrote:Most frustrating period of the series for me so far. The first game the Pens made tons of mistakes, but this period I thought they played hard and still got whipped. They just can't get control of the puck in the offensive zone, Detroit just clogs the neutral ice and Pit is unable to dump the puck and chase it. Anytime the Pens do turn it over at center ice, Detroit counters in a split second. And I've never seen a team that can manage to hold in every clearing attempt on the PP. Unreal team, I'm definitely impressed.

Need a lucky bounce or something, Pens need something to get them going or this is going to be a quick series. What the hell happened to Malkin, ever since Philly knocked him around its like he doesn't even try anymore.

Good take on Malkin Hip. He doesn't look right. I wonder if he's hurt?

HipE · Post by **HipE** » Mon May 26, 2008 9:48 pm

I don't think he's hurt, I just think he isn't really trying. He claims to be tired, but he's done this disappearing act in the past.

Much better period for Pittsburgh, I have hope for them yet, even if they do end up losing this game, which it looks like they will. It is going to be pretty hard to compete though if they don't manage to score a goal this series

They finally got the break I've been waiting for when the Detroit dman fell, but of course they didn't manage to score yet again.

XXXIV · Post by **XXXIV** » Mon May 26, 2008 10:07 pm

HipE wrote:I don't think he's hurt, I just think he isn't really trying. He claims to be tired, but he's done this disappearing act in the past.

.

Thats how I see him too...He looks frustrated.

Jackdog · Post by **Jackdog** » Mon May 26, 2008 10:32 pm

WINGS
PENS -O

2 to go!!!!!

PS. Whitney is a s***.

XXXIV · Post by **XXXIV** » Mon May 26, 2008 10:42 pm

JackDog wrote: WINGS
PENS -O

2 to go!!!!!

Total Wings domination so far...

Maybe a return home will turn things around for the Penguins.

One thing for sure. They need to figure out a way to get through center ice...and get some step/jump into those skates.

HipE · Post by **HipE** » Mon May 26, 2008 10:45 pm

I'm not even worried about them winning at home, I just want to see them score a goal this series.

XXXIV · Post by **XXXIV** » Mon May 26, 2008 10:47 pm

HipE wrote:I'm not even worried about them winning at home, I just want to see them score a goal this series.

...They will score but they are reminding of those scoring slumps I get into playing NHL

...The ones where you start thinking you have forgotten how and may never again...

Inuyasha · Post by **Inuyasha** » Mon May 26, 2008 10:50 pm

XXXIV wrote:
HipE wrote:I'm not even worried about them winning at home, I just want to see them score a goal this series.
...They will score but they are reminding of those scoring slumps I get into playing NHL ...The ones where you start thinking you have forgotten how and may never again...

yes i know what you're talking about. We should play online one day.

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Tue May 27, 2008 12:08 am

The Wings seem to have a blanket all over the Pens. I think E. Malkin is just floating, S. Crosby has been trying but he's got no company around and every time he's on the ice, the best two way forward in the league H. Zetterberg just seems to be a step ahead of him. J. Staal is also trying hard but again, no one seems to accompany his plays.

PIT tried the physical stuff in the end (G. Roberts what are you thinking) to try to intimidate DET, but this is a very experienced and well coached team, they are not going to make too many dumb penalties. Two games played and so far the Pens are getting schooled, they are outplayed, out coached and Ozzie could play in the moon if he wanted too. What a goal by Filppula.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Tue May 27, 2008 9:16 am

Gangrel wrote:My brain says that the Red Wings win in 5, teaching the Pens another lesson on the road to becoming a dynasty (as much as yuo can these days), a la the first time the Oil faced the Isles for the Cup.

Gang:

Your assessment is spot-on. This series is oddly reminiscent of when the Oilers first made it to the Finals with all sorts of bravado in 1983 and were swept by the experienced, deep Islanders.

The Penguins might try to shoot the puck and jam the net. That's a strategy that has worked wonders for Detroit, along with the Wings' abundant skill. The Pens need to stop trying to play so cute. They are showing zero willingness to get dirty, other than cheap shots at the end of a game.

I thought Kronwall's big hit on Ruutu last night was symbolic, as the Wings are winning all the battles, even against the Pens' agitators and tough guys.

This series is over, five games tops. Aim the fork for the Penguins' midsection and stick it in.

Take care,
PK

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Tue May 27, 2008 9:20 am

10spro wrote:What a goal by Filppula.

Indeed. But Stuart's goal was the wonder goal for me because of the little things, the subtlety.

Like Eddie Olcyzk pointed out, that would have been a harmless one-time wrister or inaccurate slapper if Stuart didn't have the sixth hockey sense to skate slightly backward from the puck so he could get full vision, windup and extension on the slapper. Not an easy task, since Stuart's butt was pretty close to the boards to start.

Not a lot of defensemen in this league would have made the smart decision like that. And the scary thing is, Stuart is one of four defensemen on the Wings who would have made that play instinctively every time, the others being Lidstrom, Rafalski and Kronwall.

Take care,
PK

Jimmydeicide · Post by **Jimmydeicide** » Tue May 27, 2008 10:55 am

Yeh, and all those subtleties just bought time for his forwards to crash the net.

Naples39 · Post by **Naples39** » Tue May 27, 2008 10:55 am

This series is turning into quite a letdown after the hype.

I don't expect any kind of turnaround, but maybe the Pens can win game 3 at home to make this series have some interest. Everyone knows the Pens are undefeated at home, but Malkin has generally been much better at home too so perhaps he will stop sleepwalking for game 3.

Leebo33 · Post by **Leebo33** » Tue May 27, 2008 11:28 am

As a Pens fan, at this point I'd just be happy if they don't embarrass themselves further....and I'm not talking about getting shutout. I'm particularly appauled by the actions of Roberts in Game 2 and the pitiful excuses offered by their coach after the game. Detroit is a fine hockey club and the Pens had a fine run through inferior Eastern Conference opponents. I don't want to see cheap shots and excuses ruin a great season. Hell, I'm pretty pleased they are playing in late May. The "deer in the headlights" look from some of the kids was expected, but the failure to work hard and mental lapses from some of the veterans is what's most disappointing.

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Tue May 27, 2008 11:52 am

Conventional wisdom says you're not in trouble in a playoff series until you lose a home game, but the way the Pens are playing especially some of their veterans, that same wisdom is pretty much a moot point the way DET has outplayed them so far. PIT has to take it one shift at a time, yes they need a must win in game three to gather any momentum, but first they need to concentrate on breaking the goose egg on Ozzie.

It's no secret and everyone knows that the Western conference is much tougher and competitive than the Eastern conference as Penguins are finding out the hard way, but they must stop making excuses (ahem coach Therrien and CO) and play the way they are capable of.

If you wonder why DET at times seem to have the puck so long in the opponent's blue zone is because the Pens D-men (mainly Gill and Scuderi) can't seem to clear the puck as quick as the DET's top D-men.

Looking at history only one team came back from an 0-2 deficit in the finals and unless they score first and win the next game, things look bleak for PIT.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Tue May 27, 2008 12:13 pm

David Staples of the Edmonton Journal agrees with Gangrel:

http://communities.canada.com/edmontonj ... ay-27.aspx

Take care,
PK

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Tue May 27, 2008 12:20 pm

An objective Pittsburgh columnist agrees with Leebo:

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsbu ... 69549.html

Take care,
PK