This was a man's game. Nothing was pretty. Every player on Pittsburgh committed to the body, which was the key to their wins in Games 3 and 4. When I saw Petr Sykora drop to block a shot and throw a few body checks, I knew every player on the Pens was all in tonight.
Pittsburgh also succeeded because it dominated the possession tussles along the boards, just as it did in Games 3 and 4.
McGuire and Olcyzk were correct: Brooks Orpik should have been one of the three stars tonight. He should have been the first star if not for the giveaway that led to the Cleary breakaway late in the third. Otherwise, Orpik played as sound a game defensively that I've seen in these playoffs. He did so many things away from the puck, such as seal Zetterberg away from a juicy rebound late in the third, that often go unnoticed.
Fleury was excellent, but Osgood was even better. As many of us have said in here, the dude makes the big saves. And he was forced to make a lot of them tonight. He kept Detroit afloat tonight.
What's odd is that Crosby remained quiet tonight. Could the guy finally have a breakout game in Game 7? And what about Hossa? Right now, he is on the Finals' equivalent of a milk carton -- missing.
The key for Pittsburgh Friday night is discipline. The Pens were very composed in the first two periods, with no penalties. They ground away along the wall and hit every Wings' player in sight without infractions. They weren't baited into much sword play and pushing after the whistles.
In other words, Pittsburgh looked a lot like Detroit in the first two periods. A mature, composed team.
But Pittsburgh started to fray a bit in the third, committing some undisciplined penalties. The Pens also were caught scrambling under the weight of Detroit's pressure late in the game.
The Pens must play all three periods Friday like the first two tonight -- disciplined, physical, simple hockey -- if they are to have a chance to hoist the mug. Otherwise, Detroit wins the Cup.
Roll on Game 7!
Take care,
PK
