Hockey Night in Canada's Scott Morrison delivers his insights into the world of hockey, on and off the ice.
Series fate rests on Game 4
Comments (19)
Friday, May 30, 2008 | 09:32 AM ET
By Scott Morrison
For two days, at least, the Pittsburgh Penguins have had a chance to actually enjoy being a part of the Stanley Cup final.
Because, until you win a game, you never really are a part of the final. Until then, you are an after thought and a punch line in waiting.
That changed Wednesday night, of course, when the Penguins finally remembered, after just 137 minutes and 25 seconds of this series, how to score and managed to assemble an imperfect, but effective 3-2 victory over the Detroit Red Wings, which at least prevented the possibility of the hastiest and most embarrassing of endings.
But that still doesn't mean a hasty conclusion isn't possible.
A tall order
Fact is, the Penguins got the job done, and avoided the possibility of a sweep, but the order is still very tall and the performance is still far from where they would like it.
The Penguins managed to survive an early onslaught from the Red Wings, then a late charge. For the better part of two periods, the Red Wings were again terrific, in terms of shots and puck control, and the Penguins were often reeling. But they didn't break. In between, well, the Penguins took advantage of uncharacteristic Detroit miscues - a bad Brad Stuart pass, a goal from behind the net - and finally got the offence and breaks themselves required to hang on.
And hang on they barely did.
Series fate rests on Game 4
So while the win was huge for all the obvious reasons (they don't ask how, just how many) there still has to be some concern for the Penguins. Not picking on them, but they are still going to have to take it up a notch, from start to finish, to win this series, or even the next game.
And like the first goal was so important in Game 3, especially for Pittsburgh which simply had to have it and, surprise, Sidney Crosby delivered it, the next game is the series. If Detroit wins, prepare for a celebration Monday. If Pittsburgh wins, well, we have ourselves a terrific series, as initially advertised.
But the ifs are big.
The good news for the Penguins, of course, is they have finally won and they scored three goals. That is entirely more gratifying and substantial than they were able to accomplish in the first two games of the series. And they have Game 4 at home, at Mellon Arena, where they have won 17 straight.
And maybe, just maybe, they get a spike in confidence from the win, relax a little, and the Red Wings develop at least a worry line. Little turns can amount to big swings in the finals.
Anyway, the Penguins got the job done the other night, but that's history. Saturday is now the biggest game and expect Detroit to be better, which means the Penguins have to be even better still.
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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
- Red Wings are deserving champions
- Thursday, June 5, 2008
- Penguins will have all summer to think about 86 seconds
- Sunday, June 1, 2008
- Series fate rests on Game 4
- Friday, May 30, 2008
- Next goal could decide the series
- Tuesday, May 27, 2008
- Pens have a lot to think about
- Sunday, May 25, 2008
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Comments (19)
andrew
I thought of a few songs that HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA could use after the playoffs are over. Every year, they do a stanley cup playoff highlight video with a song in the background. Last year's was beautiful day by U2, the year before was comedown by bush and before the lockout it was 100 year by five for fighting. This year, I thought we could use one of these songs. Here are my top 10 suggestions:
the first three are from creed
10. Creed-Higher
9. Creed-With arms wide open
8. Creed-My sacrifice
7. Staind-So far away
the next three are from lifehouse
6. Lifehouse-Hanging by a moment
5. Lifehouse-Spin
4. Lifehouse-First time
3. Bon Jovi-Lost highway
2. Bryan Adams-Open road
and now, my number one suggestion and i strongly encourage and recommend HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA to use this song
1. Semisonic-Closing time
Other honorable mentions were:
-Nickelback-Far away
-Hoobastank-If I were you
-Dashboard Confessional-Vindicated
-Hoobastank-The reason
-Finger Eleven-One thing
Tell HNIC to use these suggestions
Posted June 1, 2008 07:38 PM
Wally Gator
PENS are done. After a 5-on-3 power play and only a couple shots attempted on net!!! Holy cow!!. The coach should be furious.
I would grab Malkin's stick and break it. Gonchar too. Sit them down if they won't shoot.
Basically, the Stanley Cup swung on that PP. Get a goal and then Pens are still in it. No goal, and they are done. And they only attempt a couple of shots.
Pens don't want to win. Detroit didn't win; Pens lost.
Posted May 31, 2008 10:57 PM
Viv
I think the pens will do it if the refs call all the obstruction calls they should then the wings will be in trouble.They call it all year and not in playoffs ha.I cant stand the arrogants of the wings and it starts with the coach.
Posted May 31, 2008 04:44 PM
Marilyn
Talk about trying to unfairly tip the scale! Who's behind Ticketmaster refusing to sell tickets to Michigan fans???????????? Seems that if your credit card billing address is in Michigan (along with most other states) you COULD NOT attend Game 3 or 4! It would certainly demoralize the Wings not to have ANY fans present! A thousand BOOS to whomever caused this travesty!
Posted May 31, 2008 04:43 PM
Bruce
The Wings are a great team that can be compared to the Montreal Canadians in their heyday. What a beautiful team to watch. But hockey is a game of inches so there is always the possibility of a Pen upset.
The NHL has done a wonderful job with rule changes that have improved the game but what a mistake in not increasing the size of the ice surface to International standards when all the new arenas were being built around the league.
Posted May 31, 2008 04:28 PM
Tim
The Pens will have a somewhat better chance thanks to Hal Gill. His uncalled pitchforking of Tomas Holmstrom into the net in Game 3 has left Holmstrom a game-time decision with a hamstring injury. Detroit is not the same team w/out him, but Franzen and the rest of the gang will be focusing on the pylon-like Gill from here on in. In spite of the probable loss of Holmstrom I see Detroit pretty much delivering the coup de grace tonight....
Posted May 31, 2008 01:22 PM
Paul F.
Toronto
I agree with your comments Scott.
Ironically, it seems that the Red Wings are underrated, or misrepresented in some ways.
Their chemistry is a blend of hockey from North America, and Europe. The sensationalism of the media does not seem to apply to them somehow.
I believe they are "deeper" in quality than most fans can see.
The Penguins are strong as well, and will play their heart's out in this series.
I hope sportsmanship does not become degraded in this series, between these two talented teams.
Posted May 31, 2008 12:45 PM
Aaron
Halifax
The series usually ends up being who is going to lose the first home game. The pens still have a shot unless they lose tonight.
Posted May 31, 2008 06:48 AM
Neal
Winnipeg
You Pens fans are drinking some strange water... Detroit is a better team on the ice.. The Pens just cannot compete... they will be gassed on Saturday. Also Crosby and Malkin need to toss their baby bottles and play like men.
Nik Lidstrom will be the first European Captain to win a cup. Wings will close out the series on Monday at the Joe.
Posted May 30, 2008 07:48 PM
Devin Bileski
Preeceville
The wings are going to take the cup with no problem at all
Posted May 30, 2008 04:39 PM
Devin Bileski
Preeceville
The pens are garbage and the wings are going walk all over them
Posted May 30, 2008 04:37 PM
Will
Ont
Det. in 5. You people watching the same series?Pitt was lucky to win game 3
Posted May 30, 2008 02:53 PM
Scott Froehlich
I agree with the Penguin's need to be paranoid, but at least they had the ref's on their side. The playoffs used to be full of grace and anticipation; not all out brawls and stupidity. Detroit has been the team to beat for years because of their constant devotion to the game. People like Bettman, who love to make the sport more "fan-friendly" only ruin it for the real fans. The rules needed to change for the goalies and scorers, but what about the rink itself? When I used to watch the Olympics the skaters were allowed miles to skate and nothing but wide open nets to shoot at. But when the NHL tries to incorporate that in the rules the elitists turn it into football on ice. Don't get me wrong Darren McCarty and Dallas Drake are grit through and through. But at least they can score goals with the likes of Datsyuk, Zetterburg and Draper.
Posted May 30, 2008 02:40 PM
Gc
manitoba
We should give crosby a little more credit isnt he terrific, pens in six!!
Posted May 30, 2008 02:02 PM
Jon
Ottawa
Just remember, Pens fans, in order to win the Cup, the Pens will have to win at least one game at Joe Louis Arena, and we've all seen how well they play there.
Wings in five.
Posted May 30, 2008 12:49 PM
jPc
hey, good morning to all readers........what a series so far eh, Lets getter done Pens. you know you can..........gewd luck
Posted May 30, 2008 11:52 AM
Evan
Halifax
I'll say Penguins win in 7 games
Posted May 30, 2008 11:09 AM
Timo
Michigan
That about sums it up. I don't have anything to add. Good work, Scott.
Posted May 30, 2008 10:30 AM
Aidan Atkinson
ottawa
the pens ARE going to win the cup this year!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted May 30, 2008 10:05 AM