Pens vs. Wings II

It's appropriate that the Penguins are being compared to the early Gretzky led Oilers. Crosby has been hyped as the "Next One" since he was 10 years old. The Oilers lost their first Cup attempt to the veteran and savvy Islanders. That is a mirror of last season's Penguins against the Red Wings. Both sets of teams re-matched in the Cup Final the next season.

 

I've said before that the Penguins are not a better team than last year and the Red Wings arguably are, assuming full rosters. But Detroit doesn't have a full roster. The Winged Wheel was able to win two big games against the Blackhawks without Lidstrom and Datsyuk. They finished the series last night without Eriksson and Draper as well. It's a testament to the Red Wings, their system and organization that a team can win without 4 key players. The Red Wings often expect and get key performances from all four lines as they go deep in the playoffs. They seldom rely on one uber-skilled line, yet can put one together if the need arises. But I think they need some fast healing to effectively deal with the Penguins.

 

That's where the NHL comes in. The Finals start this Saturday. That's a pretty quick turnaround, even for the NHL. The original plan was to start next weekend; but 10 days is WAY too long of a layoff. So, I guess I have to agree with the scheduling, even though it handicaps the Red Wings. In an effort to get some sort of TV ratings, there will be back-to-back games. I'm not on board for that. If TV was that important to the NHL they should have cut a deal with ESPN and not Versus.

 

I'm just hoping that scheduling doesn't cheat the hardcore hockey fan (me) from a great series. Injuries are definitely a big part of the NHL playoffs and I accept that. But that day-off between games is pretty important for both teams, but especially the Red Wings at this point. It could mean the difference between getting a top forward, defenseman, veteran grinder, or rookie back into the lineup.

 

Eriksson underwent an emergency appendectomy yesterday morning, which allowed Chelios into the game. But he is possible for Game 1 this Saturday. Wow. That's pretty hardcore.

 

I'm still calling Red Wings. A lot will depend on the injury situation and how it plays out. But regardless, I still like Detroit. I see them better in all areas except penalty killing, which has been down this year. Crosby and Malkin may steal a game or two. But the Wings should win the series. Ultimately, it should come down to Detroit containing the Penguins stars, and outworking Pittsburgh. While the Pens are not able to deal with Detroit's depth and powerplay.

Cup Finals Revisited

It was all Red Wings, in a 6-1 blowout. Since I was out of town, I'm only going by Sportscenter highlights, I will watch the Tivo'd game tonight. But it was a golden opportunity for the Blackhawks. Lidstrom and Datsyuk were both out due to injury. The Blackhawks were playing at home. Apparently, Khabi was injured and didn't play. Huet had a chance to prove his worth. A golden opportunity.

 

Huet laid an egg. The 'Hawks even went to their third string goalie in an attempt to gain momentum. I think it was a desperate move. It went horribly wrong for a young team that needed a big win. Chicago faces elimination tomorrow. While the Hurricanes face the end of their season tonight.

 

It's looking more and more like a re-load of last year's Cup final with the Red Wings and Penguins all over again. I'm sure Bettman would love to see his poster boy, Crosby, in the Final for the second year in a row. I can already see the sub-plots being hyped: Hossa and Conklin both former Peguins being signed by Detroit over last summer, facing their former team.

 

As for me? Not so crazy about this. I don't really feel a huge rivalry between these teams. I think most of the drama was felt last year. I also think the Red Wings have improved their team more than the Penguins. So, there's little intrigue for me. At least the Conference Final series are not officially over just yet. So there's hope. But not much hope.

Puck Luck

If I were to read the write-up of last night's game, it would probably say: "Despite getting outshot, out hit and taking a few too many penalties it was the team that pounced on a few turnovers and cashed them into goals, that won." I would also assume that the Blackhawks won. That's not the case. I think the Red Wings were fortunate to win last night and Osgood was at the top of his game. The 'Hawks only scored on a couple re-directed pucks. But they came out hard and played a smart, defensive game. A very solid road game. But ultimately, they still didn't get the win.

That said, the 'Wings were due for one. The Ducks won 2 games last series that they had no business winning. This game wasn't nearly as lop-sided as those, but Detroit was bound to get a game to go their way. It's too bad. I didn't think the 'Hawks could play such a tight game and it should be an even series right now. I think they will open things up playing at home in Chicago and that may not be such a good thing.

Ravage

This is about the coolest USB dongle EVER! (I could be a tad impartial since I had the original Transformer toy)

 

http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/19/transformers-usb-flash-drive-is-ready-to-ravage-your-files-brin/

1-0 Red Wings

Well, I'm a bit conflicted about yesterday's game. On one hand it was a convincing 5-2 victory. But the 'Hawks stuck around until the third period, tied 2-2. Both Khabi and Osgood had a shaky early goal. And yet Osgood made all the crucial stops and Khabi ended-up with 42 saves. Ultimately, the 'Hawks had their young guns contained. I think depth and patience won out. That will probably be the story in most of these games.

 

On the flip side, I haven't seen much scoring from Datsyuk and Zetterburg and Holmstrom. All three have played very solid games, especially on the defensive end. But the points aren't coming. I think this speaks volumes about the Red Wings. They don't rely on offense from only one line. In fact, Zetterburg made three crucial shot blocks in a 5-on-3 against the Ducks in game 7. Most superstars offensive players aren't even on the ice at that time.

 

Lakers made it through. All the former Ducks fans can jump onto that bandwagon.

Hot Wings & Dead Ducks

Well, it was another wacky bit of officiating tonight, but the Red Wings overcame it. I am terribly relieved that the Orange County Goons lost. Yet, all possible props to Hiller. That guy single handedly made me want to throw my remote through the TV in frustration, for the last 7 games. I do like S. Neidermayer and Teemu. I can appreciate the skill that Getzlaf, Perry and Ryan bring to the table. But I DESPISE Pronger and am glad to see him go.
There was a scary moment, when the Ducks got a powerplay goal off a horrible call. Pronger cross-checked Hudler in the back, sending him into Hiller. Hiller & Hudler looked to be hurt for a moment; and Hudler got an interference call. It would have killed me knowing that Pronger helped his team win with a cheapshot that lead to a powerplay.
Ultimately, I agree with several newswriters; the Red Wings were the superior team in practically all the games, but Hiller forced the series to go longer than it should. The Ducks met a team that was disciplined and deep, who could make them pay for their undisciplined play.

Gaaaaaahhh!

I'm going to put my Red Wing fan hat on again and say that game 6 was poorly officiated and the ice was bad. The puck was hopping all over the place. A good strategy if you have a skill team vs a neanderthal team. That said, it's mostly sour grapes. The Wings missed a golden opportunity to put the Ducks away and they rarely miss in elimination games. But glorious chances bounced over sticks and Hiller made saves on the stuff that did go on net.

 

There was goonage at the end of the game, with 4 separate fights breaking out; instigated by the Ducks. The Red Wings will definitely not win that type of contest. Especially with their skill guys on the ice. I hope no one broke a hand. This is why I don't care for the Ducks, they don't play with any honor. Isn't it the losing team that starts a post-game melee? And I have to put up with the local fair weather fans that show up only during playoffs, that don't know a puck from a duck. Lame.

 

No surprise to me that Boston dominated Carolina to force a game 7. The bear is back. If they show anywhere near the same urgency as the last two games, it's all Bruins.

 

I was watching the Laker game by score only. Directv has a new feature that gives you real time scoring with the touch of a button on the remote. Pretty cool. What a blow-out. The lead kept on getting wider and wider. All the Laker fans at work can jump back onto the bandwagon now.

Blogzilla related

I know that all of my posts involve hockey; and to a lesser degree MMA, golf, cars and sometimes family. But here is a true "blogzilla" type link. This is the kinda stuff I find pretty cool. Along with portable Spam, bacon alarm clocks, and monster movies.

 

http://jalopnik.com/5249666/la-machine-mechanical-spider-kill-it-with-fire

WOW

What an amazing game last night! In something straight out of a hockey movie script, there were 3 lead changes in the game: 1-0 Pens, 2-1 Caps. 3-2 Pens, 4-3 Caps, 4-4 Pens to force OT late in the third. The feisty Washington team forced a game 7 with the 5-4 win. It's only fitting that this series go the distance. Not to beat a dead horse, but some of the best hockey I've ever seen and it's for all to see.... on Versus.

 

The Blackhawks closed out the Canucks last night. I see them as the Washington Capitals of the West. They have a roster with young and exciting players; and have yet to do much in the playoffs. That is until now... We'll see if the Caps can match the 'Hawks success.

 

Tonight is Wings/Ducks and Bruins/Canes. Ducks and Bruins can get eliminated. I'm pulling for Wings and Bruins.

 

.

Great Weekend

Well, it was a successful Mother's Day weekend. Beside the weekend getaway and BBQ, all of my teams won. (Well, beside the Caps) The Red Wings came back from a 1-2 deficit, to lead their series 3-2. Hiller got pulled in one game and didn't exactly rebound in the next. The feisty Blackhawks lead 3-2 and look to put away Vancouver tonight. Bruins are in trouble. Down 3-1 in the series, after an undisciplined game and a lackluster effort in the next; the Bruins appeared to come out of hibernation and got the dominating 4-0 shutout. If any team can comeback from a 3-1 series deficit, it's Boston. Pens have stormed to 3 wins in a row against the Caps. Leading 3-2, the flightless birds look to end Ovenchicken's season tonight. I hope this one goes 7 games.

 

Themes

I just realized that the Western Conference features two interesting theme matchups. Birds and Peoples. It's Red Wings vs Ducks. And Canucks vs. Blackhawks.

 

Both of my teams won yesterday, so I'm happy. The 'Hawks in OT and the Wings in chasing Hiller. YES! Someone finally proved Hiller to be mortal, as in 5 goals mortal. Out of mercy, Hiller was pulled early in the third. I can only hope his confidence is shaken. But he stole the previous two games of 59 and 45 saves, respectively. At worst he could be wearing down, or just had an off night at best. Game 5 will provide the answer.

 

Tonight is Penguins vs Capitals game 4. I've never actually watched so many second round games, without "my" team still being in it. Good stuff.

Gaaaah!

I'm not happy this morning. Like a true fan I'm calling foul on the officiating last night. (Maybe I should be an NBA fan?) :) Basically, a pretty serious effort by the Red Wings was wasted. Yeah, I'm pretty much taking any credit away from Hiller for stopping 45+ shots. But the go ahead goal by the Ducks was scored on a phantom interference call. When even the homer announcers for the Ducks call it a bad call, it's gotta be an OBVIOUS bad call. And the game tying tap-in, with 1:30 left to play, was blown dead. Last game was a classic that went into 3OT. This one should have gone into OT as well.

 

Canucks stifled the Blackhawks with a quasi neutral zone trap. Kinda boring, but how else do you slow down those young and quick legs? The 'Hawks have had a bad habit of getting behind in this series, and couldn't mount the amazing comeback this time. Khabi looked a bit weak in goal as well.

 

East coast drama tonight. Bruins look to get back to their winning ways; after pretty much laying an egg in their last effort. Caps and Pens look to continue an epic battle. I doubt they can top last game. But I'm willing to find out.

Hats!

Of all the series I didn't expect to be 2-0. Capitals vs. Pens was an awesome game. It started at a pretty good pace. Tons of checking. Great saves on both ends of the ice. Ovechkin and Crosby got hat tricks. Ultimately, Varlamov turned the game by blanking the Pens on a 5-on-3. All of the Pittsburgh goals involved a rebound or scramble of some sort. Ovechkin's goals were blown past Fleury. I partially blame Fleury. It's not a secret that Ovechkin shoots a lot. He has only lead the league in shots for the last 3 years. So, it might be a good idea to expect and prepare for that. That said, the guy's scored over 50 goals the last two seasons 'cause he can bring it.

 

The NHL got their marquee matchup, it was a great game, both superstar players got hat tricks. Too bad this game was on Versus. So, nobody really saw it.? Also, there were those NBA playoff games. It's a shame. Some REALLY good hockey so far in the second round. Probably some of the best I've seen. Yet, nobody knows what they're missing.

 

I would LOVE to see the Pens ousted. But we'll see what home ice has to offer on Wednesday. Wings get back to work tonight. I hope Draper is back in the lineup. Canucks vs Chicago. Another goal scoring barrage by the 'Hawks?  We'll see.

Weakend

Well, it was all sunshine and rainbows after the first games of the second round. All of my teams had won. (The Penguins didn't win, but that's what I really wanted) However, all of the second games had the opposite result. All of the series are tied, except Penguins/Capitals, whom only played one game so far. It was a bit of NBA styled scheduling I am guessing. By starting the Penguins/Capitals series a day late; it was Bettman's way of getting two NBC weekend games out of it.

 

The Red Wings lost a heartbreaker last night. I give the Ducks zero credit, when I say the Wings didn't look their best. 'Cause they didn't. But, it was probably more for the fact that these teams are pretty evenly matched. The triple OT win was deflating. I've said it before two or ten times. The winner of a long OT game has a HUGE advantage in the next game, historically. That means bad news for the Wings. On the plus side, I don't think we've seen the best out of the Red Wings yet.

 

'Canes had a nice rebound game and shutout the Bruins. That's huge for their confidence. I missed that game, but it sounded like Ward stole a game. Good for him. Only three more to go...

 

The Blackhawks games have been the most entertaining so far. Game 1 featured a 3-0 comeback that didn't quite materialize, 5-3 Vancouver. Game 2 started badly. 'Hawks down 0-2. Another huge comeback, this time a 6-3 win. Great games!

 

Man, I hope Varlamov stays hot and downs the Pens. The two goals he did allow were actually a little on the soft side. But he's got save of the playoffs, with a reach back, goal line stoning of Crosby that kept the game tied. Wow.