HockeyIs it time for Red Wings to shadow Malkin, not Crosby?

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That wasn’t the case Thursday night. Exhausted and overwhelmed, several Red Wings stayed longer in scrums, risking bad penalties while the Penguins skated away. Brooks Orpik claimed he heard Detroit players snapping at one another, which was denied.

It was as if the two teams changed uniforms in what Rob Scuderi called “the biggest win in the four years I’ve been here.”

Henrik Zetterberg looks totally spent, not that the Penguins blame him. “I chase Sidney around for one practice, and I’m exhausted,” said defenceman Mark Eaton. “He’s been doing it four games.”

Penguins need Game 5 more than Wings do

It all sets up an enormous Game 5. And, no matter how rattled Detroit looked the other night, it would be a terrible mistake to assume Pittsburgh’s coronation. Truth is, the Penguins need Game 5 more than the Wings do.

“I expect Pittsburgh will be really fired up Saturday night,” said one NHL coach. “If they win, they have the chance to win the Stanley Cup on home ice. If they lose, then they know they have to win it on the road. The chance to win it at home is a huge motivator.”

Who would you bet on in a Game 7 at Joe Louis?

The schedule, which favoured the Penguins early in the series, helps Detroit at the end.

Battered and bruised much worse than they’re letting on, the Wings would be hugely helped by the two days off before Games 6 and 7. (Just ask the Rangers and Canucks about the extra day prior to Game 7 in 1994. Many players/coaches on both sides will tell you that extra 24 hours saved Mark Messier and co.)

'What scares me is if Malkin gets going'

However, the Wings do need to make some adjustments. Obviously, Pavel Datsyuk’s return really changes things.

“Mike’s found out what it’s like to be on the other side in this series,” said another coach. “For years, we had no answers for both Datsyuk and Zetterberg. Now, he’s finding out what it’s like to try and match up to two guys like that, because Filppula - while a good player - isn’t ready yet for this challenge.”

What I’m curious to see is this: does Babcock change his defensive focus from Crosby to Malkin? I’ll let coach number one explain.

“Crosby is always going to have a great game. He’s there every night. But what scares me is if Malkin gets going too. Because, if both of them are having great nights, it’s almost impossible to beat them - never mind if Staal’s playing like he did in Game 4.

"When we play them, our focus is to stop Malkin, because it’s hard to win with two superstars at their best.”

For example, in Game 6 of their first-round series against Philadelphia, it was Malkin’s fierce rush that led to the Penguins' first goal after trailing 3-0. Pittsburgh would score five in a row to win that game and close the series.

Crosby harder to neutralize

Number 71 also sleepwalked through Games 1 and 2 against Washington, and the Capitals led 2-0. When he exploded in Game 3, it changed the series.

The coach adds that Crosby’s style makes him harder to neutralize because he doesn’t occupy the puck much until he gets into your zone. Malkin likes to carry it up ice, giving a team more chances to disrupt his rhythm.

Babcock was asked about this prior to Game 4, and answered that he didn’t find Malkin as dangerous at even strength. We’ll see if that’s changed Saturday night.

The second adjustment must be a mental one. Our second coach was asked if he was surprised to see the Red Wings’ second-period meltdown the other night. His response?

Not really.

“Last year, I thought their defensive attitude was incredible for 82 games plus (the playoffs),” he said. “They were so determined at that end of the ice. They shut everyone down. Not so much this year, however. They’ve had times where they just haven’t been as focused at that end.”

We saw clear evidence of that Tuesday after some very strong commitment to transition protection from Games 1-3.

What’s interesting is that both coaches still think the Red Wings are going to win. It’s no disrespect to Pittsburgh, but more of an indication of how highly people across the NHL think of the Red Wings.

The Penguins elevated their game. Now, it’s Detroit’s turn to match.

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