DET vs PIT
Posted on May 27, 2008 12:12 AM | Permalink
Burgess Meredith was a tougher penguin than the ones who showed up for the first two games of the Stanley Cup final. Burgess, at least, always got the better of the first episode before getting bamboozled by Batman in the finale.
This is just what Gary Bettman didn't want. His league's brightest, most telegenic young star so far has as many points through 120 minutes as do you, dear reader. How do you sell your product to a skeptical American public, that it's higher-scoring and more exciting, with those numbers?
"The Best Final Ever" so far certainly is not. Game 2 was another one-sided rout on the scoreboard. But at least the Penguins looked a little ticked off about things this time. Maybe the most refreshing
thing about the second straight shutout for the Penguins, the thing that makes you think they might still have a puncher's chance in this series, was the collective nastiness toward Detroit's best forwards.
The Red Wings won again, but at least their top guys might have a few aches and pains on the flight to Pittsburgh, where Game 3 happens Wednesday night. At least the Penguins showed a little emotion. As threads of hope go for the Penguins, however, that might be the equivalent of hanging from the mountaintop with a piece of dental floss.
The Red Wings are doing to the Penguins exactly what they've done to everybody else all year long: quick breakouts with flawless outlet passing from the peerless Nick Lidstrom and the steal of the century, Brian Rafalski. Then, games of keep-away between Henrik Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk, often times ending up with the puck in the net.
Nothing is bigger proof that Lou Lamoriello has lost a few marbles in New Jersey than his foolish decision to let Rafalski skate as a free agent last summer. Rafalski is one of the few players in the league who could be mentioned in the same breath with Lidstrom as a puck-moving defenseman, and while he might not have Lidstrom's
all-around defensive skill, he makes it even easier for Lidstrom to play in his own end – which he already made look easy without Rafalski around.
But penny-pinching Lou finally outsmarted himself, letting go the exact type of player you don't want to let go in the post-lockout NHL. He should get a piece of the Red Wings' Stanley Cup-winning share when the series is over.
Ozzie for Conn?
Henrik Zetterberg is probably the leader in the clubhouse right now for the Conn Smythe Trophy – along with Johan Franzen, who looked great in his return from a concussion. But a case can certainly be made for Chris Osgood. The Wings goalie came into Game 2 with a 1.48 goals-against average and .935 save percentage.
He has always been tagged with the label of a goalie playing on a great team, but there is no question Osgood has been a major contributor in the playoffs. People forget, too, he didn't play the first four games of the playoffs, but was pressed into duty early in Game 4 of the first round against Nashville. It's not the easiest thing to jump into a series as a goalie and be expected to turn things around, but that's exactly what Osgood has done.
After his second straight shutout, Osgood deflected the attention coming his way.
"We played solid tonight. They played a solid game, but we just buried some early chances," he said. "When I was younger, I probably would have over-thought (the shutout streak). Right now, it's just about winning games. I'm just trying to enjoy it right now."
Babcock bravado
One thing about Mike Babcock: he doesn't lack for confidence. With his jutted chin and air of certitude about everything, Babcock can sometimes be a handful for reporters who ask something he doesn't like. He had a somewhat sarcastic teta-a-tete with a reporter who asked whether he disagreed with the disallowed goal of Tomas Holmstrom in Game 1, and he can be ornery after a loss.
Even after another dominant performance in Game 2, Babcock bristled when asked if his team could be any better right now.
"We're going to play better. We've been a good road team all year. We're going to have a real good game in Pittsburgh," Babcock said. "And we're excited to get on the road. Sometimes at home, when you're matching all the time, it disrupts your flow a little bit. We can get to Pittsburgh and let the guys just go, let them go out the door and
play hard.
"And we feel we can be better. We thought when we got up 2-0, we kind of got a little cautious, instead of staying and going after them. But we'll be better next game."
Malkin: Zeros all around
So much for Michel Therrien's heart-to-heart with Evgeni Malkin prior to Game 2. Geno was all zeros again for Pittsburgh, and the media heat will only get hotter heading back to the Steel City. Malkin had no shots on net and might have been Pittsburgh's worst player, although Marian Hossa gave him stiff competition.
Therrien is still trying to stay supportive of Malkin, but clearly it's getting a little tougher.
"I thought his intention was there tonight. We've got to keep supporting him, and eventually, players like this, usually they find ways," Therrien said.
An Oscar for Ozzie?
Forget about a Conn Smythe, Therrien believes Osgood deserves an Oscar for a couple of his Game 2 collisions where he hit the deck. Therrien definitely has a case with the goalie interference penalty assessed to Ryan Malone in the third period, with Pittsburgh on the power play in a 2-0 game.
Osgood actually was the one who jumped at Malone and shoved him in the crease. But Osgood fell down after his
own shove, and Malone got the penalty – even though he didn't do anything against Osgood.
"He's a good actor. He goes to players, and he's diving," Therrien said. "(He) took away our power play. We've got to get focused. I know our players are frustrated right now. It's tough to play the game. But Osgood did the same thing against Dallas under [Mike] Ribeiro.
"It's really tough to generate offense against that team. They're good on obstruction. It's going to be tough to generate any type of offence, if the rules remain the same. So it's the first time we're facing a team that the obstruction is there, and we're having a hard time skating to take away ice."
Comments
Wasn't the same thing said about Larry Murphy after Toronto booed him out of town-with similar results ?
Posted by: ChrisHolden Thailand | May 27, 2008 01:49 AM
Detroit is going to win and nobody cares. Everyone said it's going to be great Stanley Cup final., yeah....if you enjoy watching paint dry!
Posted by: Chris Morris | May 27, 2008 09:00 AM
No question that Rafalski was a heist, and one that has received zero attention from the media. Also no question Lomoriello had a major senior's moment when he "misplaced him". Conventional punditry has it that New Jersey's slide is the result of losing Niedermayer, but it was Rafalkski's presence that gave the Devils exactly what he's giving the Wings - a second puck moving defenseman who can score, particularly on the power play.
One of the highlights of these playoffs has been watching Pavel Datsyuk. Here's a little exercise that will illustrate the point. Whenever he's on the ice, just watch him. Ignore the other 11 players, don't even watch the puck. You don't have to because sooner or later it will come to him, or he'll just go get it.
This guy is so slick that you barely notice what he's doing out there until you look at the scoresheet after the game. Watch him out- muscle a guy who has 20 pounds on him in the corner. Watch him put a 10 foot pass through traffic right on Zetterberg's stick, or a 40 footer through a seam back to Lidstrom WITHOUT LOOKING. He does not turn the puck over, steals it regularly and he views the defensive side of the game as simply a part of playing effective offense. He was +41 this past season, and that's not a typo.
It's high time that he be recognized as the best player in the league, if not the world. Crosby, Ovechkin, Malkin et al garner the ink and dominate the highlight reels, but Datsyuk's skills are so subtle that only the guys he's playing against really get it. I'd love to here someone ask Crosby what he thinks of Datsyuk. You can bet he's been noticing.
Posted by: Douglas Allen Winnipeg | May 27, 2008 09:16 AM
Osgood has nothing on Franzen with that ridiculous performance after Robert's love-tap. Wings may be the better team but I'd be wearing a bag if I had to support them.
Posted by: Robert Manley Aurora | May 27, 2008 09:17 AM
The two things that stand out when you look at these two teams are the huge gap in the talent level between the two sets of d-men, and the fact that Dat-Zet, and Cros-Malk are top ten scorers in the league, but Dat-Zet are Selke finalists and Cros-Malk don't even kill penalties for their team. The addition of Rafalski last year and then Stuart at the deadline is clearly the difference between a good playoff run last year and probably a cup this year.
Posted by: Keith Ontario | May 27, 2008 12:25 PM
Why dose the leauge feel the need to expand at such a crazy rate. what they should be doing is axeing bad American teams who can't fill their stadiums and re distribute the good players to other teams. this will increase the level of play all around the leauge. If your city never sees snow. you don't need a hockey team!
PS. Gary Bettman is the worst thing to happent to hockey... ever
Posted by: Mike Calgary | May 27, 2008 12:30 PM
#1-Are you serious? and #2-Can I get a bit of what you're smoking? Every columnist and commentator I've seen or read has called Robert's sucker-punch on Franzen gutless, and deserving of a suspension.
I get it! You're channeling Don "Raisins" Cherry.
Posted by: Mike Schick Eastpointe | May 27, 2008 01:12 PM
Excellent observation about datsyuk, he has to be one of the smartest players in hockey, he has the uncanny ability to just eat up value seconds or minutes in an opposing teams zone, whenever a team is trailing detroit he has the ability to rag the the puck in the offesive zone,not allowing the opposong team to come out with the puck
Posted by: john ducharme | May 27, 2008 01:41 PM
Stealing Rafalski.......Holland ought be called Jesse James Jr. Isnt the first great robbery, and likely not to be the last.
He is good....very good. Wish the Jackets could pull a genie out of the bottle and see Holland with an office at Nationwide Arena.
Just sniffing the playoffs here would be nice.
Posted by: Mike F Columbus | May 27, 2008 02:06 PM
I would like to say that i enjoy watching hockey.and Sidney Crosby will win the cup.
Posted by: Raymond House Chisasibi | May 27, 2008 02:52 PM
"It's really tough to generate offense against that team. They're good on obstruction. It's going to be tough to generate any type of offence, if the rules remain the same. So it's the first time we're facing a team that the obstruction is there, and we're having a hard time skating to take away ice."
Sounds like he's just bitter his offense dosn't have an answer for Detroit's deffense so his only solution is to try to outlaw what Detroit is doing.
Posted by: Aaron | May 27, 2008 04:16 PM
Oh please coach Therrien - continue to cry us a river with your woe is me attitude.
Trotts, Quenville, Tippet: They were all able to guide their teams to score even a few goals against Detroit. They even collected a few wins. Or, are you suggesting the preds, avs, and stars all have more skill and firepower than the anointed pens?
I understand you have a young team and fear making back-to-back "worst game" statements. But really now, what leadership example are you setting by avoiding responsibility and blaming your opponent?
Sure, I suppose it's fair to say you've never taken any goalie interference penalties in the playoffs. Just as it's fair to say you've never been behind in a playoff series, and never been shutout in a playoff series.
Did Ozzie and Mule embellish? Yeah - a bit, I can admit that? Who knows, perhaps they learned that skill in film study preparing to play against your pens?
Posted by: Chuck Milwaukee | May 27, 2008 05:52 PM
"I would like to say that i enjoy watching hockey.and Sidney Crosby will win the cup."
I enjoy it too. Right now, I'm enjoying watching Detroit give 60 minute clinics to Pittsburgh. Yes, sid the kid will win the cup, just not this year.
Posted by: Seeing_Red | May 27, 2008 06:17 PM
Tell the Pens coach to stop crying because the Red Wings have learned to play under the new NHL rules than his team.
He and Bettman can go cry together.
Posted by: Mike Michigan | May 27, 2008 06:42 PM
It occurs to me that the NHL brand of hockey is fuelled by anger and meanness. There is very little grace or sportsmanship in the comments of players and coaches re. their opponent. What a brilliant, skillful team is Detroit, superior to Pittsburgh in every way (probably to any team in the world right now!); yet no one on the Pittsburgh side could say a word to honour the skills of a worthy opponent. And it hardly needs saying that the on-ice behaviour is often beyond the pale as well: eg. Roberts boxing Franzen in the head when the guy's just back from a concussion. I watch sports from all over the world and it is clear to me that NHL hockey players are the only professional 'team' athletes who show absolutely no respect or appreciation for their opponents.
Posted by: L. G. Eaglesham | May 27, 2008 07:05 PM
The Roberts punch on Franzen was absolutely gutless. He should be gone for the series, which will only last two more games. The Penguins have no shot at all of coming back. Crosby and Malkin two of the best in the world? I'll take any combo of Lidstrom, Datysuk, Zetterberg, and Franzen against them any day. (Though I do think that Ovechkin's the best overall).
Posted by: Bill Pittsburgh | May 27, 2008 07:29 PM
I agree, Lou screwed up big time letting Rafalski go. His arrogance - that the "system" is more important than players - was proven wrong. You need players too Lou!
Posted by: Hank | May 27, 2008 07:51 PM