Hockey Night in Canada's Scott Morrison delivers his insights into the world of hockey, on and off the ice.
Penguins proving worth on big stage
Comments (14)
Monday, April 28, 2008 | 12:16 PM ET
By Scott Morrison
It is hardly breaking news, the revelation that the Pittsburgh Penguins are good.
We've discussed that earlier in the season and the point has been reinforced with six straight victories to open the playoffs, four versus the decidedly beatable Ottawa Senators and now two against the very difficult New York Rangers.
So if you thought it was just the Senators propping them up, think again.
Now, the six straight victories in itself is impressive, but it's how those victories were achieved that is even more eye catching.
Willing to win in different ways
Twice the Penguins have won with shutouts, including a 2-0 decision over the Rangers on Sunday afternoon to take a 2-0 lead in their series. In total, through six games, they have given up just nine goals and seven of them came in two outings. Twice they gave up one, twice they gave up none.
Along the way they have scored 23 goals themselves, including five in the series opener with the Rangers in which they erased a 3-0 deficit.
As impressive as the big comeback was, it’s still the attention to detail, terrific goaltending from Marc-Andre Fleury and overall defensive play in the playoffs that is making folks take notice.
It is one thing to have tons of firepower, to run and gun and win games. With the weapons they have up front, spread over three lines, that’s to be expected.
It's entirely another to have the ability to win tight, low-scoring games as well. That is stuff of a serious contender, which the Penguins obviously are.
Shift from Mellon Arena a test
As the Rangers noted afterwards Sunday, that was the kind of game they like, the kind of game they have feasted on all season. But it was a game the Penguins ultimately found a way to win.
Don't overlook the Penguins ability to play hard-nosed hockey, either. There is sandpaper on that team, which gives them yet another dimension.
The series is far from over, of course, much can change with a switch to Madison Square Garden, but the Penguins are going to be very difficult to beat.
That’s not breaking news, either, just further confirmation of what we’ve always known, but now are seeing it proven on the big stage.
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About the Author
Scott Morrison, the recipient of the Hockey Hall of Fameís 2006 Elmer Ferguson Memorial Award, has been covering hockey for 25 years. The Toronto native began his career at the Toronto Sun in 1979. After spending more than 11 years as a hockey writer and columnist at the paper, Morrison became Sports Editor in 1991 and led the section to being named one of North America's top-ten sports sections in 1999 - the first sports section in Canada to receive the AP Sports Editors North American Award. Scott, a former two-term president of the Professional Hockey Writers' Association, joined Rogers Sportsnet in 2001 as Managing Editor, Hockey, and is currently both a commentator on Hockey Night in Canada and a columnist for CBC.ca.
Recent Posts
- Who starts Game 5? It has to be Price
- Thursday, May 1, 2008
- Penguins proving worth on big stage
- Monday, April 28, 2008
- Sharks have much more to lose than Flames
- Tuesday, April 22, 2008
- Canadiens about to face biggest test of season
- Sunday, April 20, 2008
- What's next for Murray and the Senators?
- Friday, April 18, 2008
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Comments (14)
J
Ottawa
Give me a break!!! Penguins are a good team, but they're not that good. They won against a beaten and tired Sens team, and now they're winning against a Rangers team that's playing way below they're ability. I don't think the Penguins could beat the Flyers, right now they're the best in the east, unless the Habs start playing to there potential.
Regardless, even if the Penguins made it to the cup, the Stars or the Red Wings would destroy them. The western final will be the real stanley cup final, who ever wins that will be the champs.
Posted April 30, 2008 03:35 PM
JohnnyWing
Philly
Another overpaid and ripoff sport. If your life revolves about how "your" team is going to the next round in playoffs, I hope that your "girlfriend" isn't jealous about how much time you spend on the computer, telling the virtual world about "your" team.
Posted April 30, 2008 03:15 PM
Bill Douglas
Edmonton
Stick Philadelphia in their own goon league with the Ducks. The two would fit nicely together. Maybe they should be entered in the Ultimate Fighting Moron League. Bring them back when they learn how to play HOCKEY. Its Called HOCKEY not WWE. Anything Bobby Clark (break his ankle) or Burke (no real hockey here) guys are involved in the game its DUMB!, DUMB, DUMBER!!!!
Posted April 30, 2008 03:04 PM
larry
canada
I think some of you people are way ahead of yourselves.The habs are a long way from being done ,Philly fans are way too high on the next round which isnot going to happen anyways,Habs in 6 Montreal Over the Pens in 7...
Posted April 30, 2008 02:22 PM
yahmpy
Did someone just call the Flyers "the cryers"?!? Wow, between Montreal only having penalties called on them if there's a Flyers one to match, and Sidney Crosby whining between every commercial break and taking the art of diving to another level, that is a REAL bold statement.
Posted April 30, 2008 11:31 AM
Jason
Pittsburgh
To Iceguy16, i think you are forgetting about MR.Roberts and MR.Laraque...If i recall Roberts pretty destroyed former flyer Ben Eager's career in a fight earlier this yearand Riley Cote is still looking for his head because Georges pretty much seperated it from his shoulders..The Flyers are not tough they are cheap and of course the Flyers will take stupid penalties and the Pens will make them pay on the Powerplay!!You won't have to worry about the Pens anyway though because the Canadiens are going to beat the Flyers in 6 or 7..Flyers to the cup LOL that is quite amusing...
Posted April 30, 2008 10:46 AM
Steve
Ottawa
ICEGUY16
Any plans for the weekend?
Posted April 30, 2008 10:22 AM
Yvon,
Hey Iceguy, let's make sure your Flyers get through Habs first. If they do, no doubt they will goon it up against the Pens , too. Nothing like gaining the advantage by being playing Hatcher style goon hockey.
Hopefully the Flyers goeth.
Posted April 30, 2008 09:03 AM
Ralph
Pittsburgh
Maybe the folks in Philly should worry about the narrow 2-1 lead they have instead of looking ahead to a physically underrated and dominant team from the Burgh. The ICEGUY may have cometh and spoketh but he will cryeth in his not Stanley cupeth.
Posted April 30, 2008 08:46 AM
Dave
Halifax
ICEGUY16, I think you're about to be very disappointed. I can certainly see the Flyers taking Montreal (dependant on if they win tonight), but a really can't see anyone beating the Pen's from the east. It would certainly be a good series, but I don't think Philly is good enough to beat the Pen's in four games. Oh, and this is from someone who isn't a fan of any of the teams in the playoffs right now (no, I'm not a Leaf's fan!!), I just like good hockey and I can appreciate the fact the pen's are very good. Only a naive, blind man would be thinking otherwise.
Posted April 30, 2008 05:57 AM
TheIceGuyisHIGHonMeth
Montreal
Ice guy has been smoking up thats the only way he can possibly think Philly will win against Pittsburgh who is on the way to beating the rangers 4-0, besides we all know the Habs are sending Philly home :P
Posted April 30, 2008 02:20 AM
kickice29
Pittsburgh
Mr. Morrison:
Welcome to High-Ankle Sprain 101. This Pens team came into its own during an injury-riddled season that would have meant the end to any playoff hopes for a less-gutsy, gritty team. They are rock solid and CUP-bound!
We would welcome meeting the Broadstreet Bullies in the next round. Bring it on, Cryers!!! The Crosby Kids won't be denied!
Posted April 29, 2008 12:51 PM
ModGod
Indiana
That's an "insiders" professional observation? C'mon Scotty, none of that is really new to us. Write something that keeps us interested. Those "observations" and stats are easily read in Non-hockey publications.
Posted April 29, 2008 09:00 AM
ICEGUY16
Mr. Morrison, Wait until Philadelphia gets their hands on the Crosby Kids. Won't be much left to extoll virtues on after that. The "big stage" is being set. Can't wait for the next round. When all is said and done, it'll be the Flyers to the CUP! The Iceguy cometh and spoketh...again.
Posted April 29, 2008 02:39 AM