Hockey Talk: The Official NHL 2008-2009 Thread - Page 14

Re: Hockey Talk: The Official NHL 2008-2009 Thread

Chicago got a big win tonight in OT and they deserved the win. Detroit did not look good and fell down 3-0. Obviously, I would've like to see them win after rallying to tie the game, but I thought Chicago was the better team tonight.

Thanks to the DVR, I started watching the game in the 2nd period. After listening to the game on XM and checking the score, I decided to skip the 1st period. I was surprised to learn that Datsyuk wasn't playing and that Kronwall had been shown the gate. The Kronwall thing seemed out of character so I went back to watch it and while it was a brutal hit, it appeared legal to me. Since I don't know everything there is to know about hockey, I decided to listen to what the various commentators and analysts were saying about it and they said the same thing. (I imagine this means Campbell will suspend him. Obviously this wasn't just a hockey play, but sucker punching someone is just part of the game. Seriously, what was Campbell thinking with Walker?)

Detroit better hope Datsyuk's injury doesn't keep him out any more. Even though he hasn't been scoring, he is just too good a player and his defense is outstanding.

I'm looking forward to Sunday's game. It should be a good one and I think Detroit will play better. A win on Sunday would be huge.

So can the Canes make it a series with the Penguins? Ward will have to be a lot better and the defense has to be solid for them to have a chance.

Re: Hockey Talk: The Official NHL 2008-2009 Thread

I didn't watch the entire game (I only watched the 2nd period), David, but the way Chicago gave up a three goal lead in the 2nd period makes me wonder if they really did deserve that win. They gave up three identical goals, letting a Detroit player park himself right in front of the net undefended to screen the goaltender on shots from the blue line. How could the defensemen allow that to happen not once, not twice, but three times over a span of just a few minutes? That's simple Hockey 101 -- clear the traffic in front of the net to allow your goalie to see the shot.

Re: Hockey Talk: The Official NHL 2008-2009 Thread

Well. Pens continue to Roll! Malkin picks up 2 goals and an assist...Crosby has a ho hum goal and assist night...

Common theme for me...keep the pedal to the metal and close them out in 4 at the RBC!

Pens need to keep up and continue to improve their D work...the pass that Malkin hit Talbot with on the breakaway was very nice...

The Canes appeared to stand around and watch Malkin - especially on his second goal! Killer again for the Pens to score not once but twice in the waning seconds of the first period!

Game 4 Tuesday night! Let's hope the Pens close them out.

Looking forward to today's Redwings v. Blackhawks game. Hope that the Blackhawks can tie it up. Want this one to go the distance.

Let's Go PENS!

Re: Hockey Talk: The Official NHL 2008-2009 Thread

Well, I was worried about Datsyuk not playing and I turn on the game to find out that Lidstrom is out. That is a huge loss for Detroit. I'm also tired of hearing about "the hit."

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And that's what makes Detroit such a scary team. They play without Datsyuk, Lidstrom, and Draper and still score six goals. I realize that Chicago was without their starting goalie but that was still an impressive show. No other team has anything close to that kind of depth.

Re: Hockey Talk: The Official NHL 2008-2009 Thread

It looks as though Pittsburgh will be facing Detroit for the Stanley Cup. And, the Red Wings should (I think) defeat them. Detroit just looks far too good in so many areas.

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Their depth is impressive and you saw today how much of an impact player Hossa can be when he is feeling good. It may not be likely, but I hope Detroit is able to keep him. He is an amazing talent. Detroit also has a good group of younger players like Abdelkader, Ericsson, Helm, etc. that they can use in situations like today's game.

That said, Chicago really showed their youth and inexperience today. They suffered a complete meltdown. Quenneville is a good coach, but he lost it at the start of the second period and I don't think that helped his young team.


The idea of a rematch worries me a bit. Malkin is on fire. Crosby is becoming a more well-rounded player. Fluery is playing well and as a whole the team seems to have really matured since last years playoff. If Detroit is able to finish off Chicago, it would be a great series.

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Let's not count the chickens before they hatch - while the foregone conclusion is that both the Redwings and Penguins will advance, I don't want to get too caught up in the speculation of it all...jsut being a paranoid fan.

Pens need to finish the Canes at the RBC tonight. Keep it floored and doing what they are doing. I love the fact that they have outshot their opponent in so many games this Cup run - that never, ever used to happen before. In a game versus the Sharks this year the Pens had 11 shots the entire game, including OT. Now, that is 1/2 a period of work for them.

Canes are saying the right things, but if Malkin and Crosby keep doing what they have been, they will be too much for the 'Canes. Also helps that Whitney and Staal have been kept off the board this series as well.

I'll talk about the Cup and the prospect of playing the 'Wings once the Pens close out this series.

Let's go PENS!

Randy

Re: Hockey Talk: The Official NHL 2008-2009 Thread

Well, I don't have a vested (or an emotional) interest in either series now that my Bruins are out of it. So, I'm quite comfortable counting my chickens before they hatch at this point.

Or, to put it another way which might comfort you:

There is NO WAY the Penguins can lose their current series. It's impossible.

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Yippee. Return to the Stanley Cup Finals for the Pens...

Paraphrasing Mike Lange said last night "Spit shine your shoes Mabel, we're going dancing for the Stanley Cup!" Love Mike Lange's calls of the game..."He beat him like a rented mule!" "Scratch my back with a hacksaw" "Call Arnold Slick from Turtle Crick" "Elvis has just left the building" You can go on and on...grew up listening to his calls on the radio in the 80's and during the Cup run in the early 90's during my formative years...

Anyway, very happy with the win last night. Even though Malkin didn't put up any points, he made some nice plays, particularly on defense in the nuetral zone. Crosby had a couple of assists. Talbot's goal was especially a crusher and really fluky as well. Knuckling wrist shot defectly off a defenseman's stick that Ward badly misplayed and it drops into the net.

Regardless of who the Pens play - think it will be the Wings - I am looking forward to a good series. I believe that the team has a much better understanding of what the Finals are about and expect a much, much better showing - like a WIN! I will always remember the first two games in Detroit last year, especially game 1. The Pens looked like the were wearing cement skates and the Wings were running on Turbo. Crazy how the Wings made them look. I don't think that this will happen this time around.

Weird scheduling thought because of the NHL's horrid deal with NBC. If the Wings don't win tonight, the games won't start until June 5. Back to back games in Western team's arena and on the East. Wings win, series starts Saturday with back to back games again.

Plus, I believe that NBC put the squeeze on the Pens in showing the games on their big screen outside the stadium. What fun is that. I know that last year, the Pens opened up the arena and filled it for game 1 of the Finals. Believe that a donation was requested, not required and it went to Mario's foundation. Nice touch.

Let's go PENS! We want the CUP!

Randy

PS. Bill Cowher is a sellout as a native Pittsburgher. Boo Hiss. Yeah, you say that you will root for the Pens in the final. I don't care that you relocated to Raleigh, you still need to cheer for your hometown team. (Bitter, aren't I). Mike Tomlin will be at the finals rockin' his Crosby Jersey!

Re: Hockey Talk: The Official NHL 2008-2009 Thread

Bob,

If I didn't live in Michigan, I just might say it for you.

Here you go: I guarantee that either the Penguins or the Red Wings will win the Stanley Cup this year.

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After one period, it is tied 0-0 in Detroit. Huet has been fantastic for the Blackhawks stopping 21 shots. Osgood has had a couple of brilliant saves too.

Detroit continues to be plagued with injury problems. Lidstrom is still out and didn't even skate today. Datsyuk skated some in warm-ups, but is not playing. To top it off Ericcson is out because of appendicitis. So Detroit is down two top five defenders and its best defensive forward.

During the intermission report on Versus, they put up a graphic showing that Crosby and Malkin each have 28 points in 17 games. Wow, that's impressive.

The play-by-play guy on Versus said something that bothered me. He was praising Sharp for his defense and shot blocks in the series, but went on to say he didn't know how he played in the regular season. Seems like in his (and the broadcast's team) research he should've developed some idea of his pre-playoff performance. Of course, I might not have heard him right since I'm on some pain meds for the knee scope I had today.

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Great game tonight. It was a blast to watch and both goalies were fantastic. Huet's save with about 20 seconds left was one of the best saves I've seen. Fortunately Detroit was able to get it done in overtime.

I'm apprehensive, but looking forward to the finals rematch with Penguins. I know this, Detroit needs to get healthy and they're defense will need to be even better.

I read that the finals will start on Saturday with back to back games on Saturday and Sunday night. Not sure what I think about the back to back games.

Re: Hockey Talk: The Official NHL 2008-2009 Thread

Me too. At first, I thought it was just luck. But after seeing the replay, it's clear that he purposely stuck his leg up there (while lying on his stomach).

Go Wings!

Jon

Re: Hockey Talk: The Official NHL 2008-2009 Thread

It was a fun game to watch - caught the entire third period and the OT. The save on Franzen at the end of reg. time by Huet was pretty wild. He did kick up his leg on purpose while prone on his belly. Detroit just had too much fire power in the OT and Helm was left alone beside the net to stuff in the rebound.

Now, onto the scheduling - it basically comes down to the fact that the deal that the NHL has with NBC is horrid. NBC will not air any games during the first week of Conan's tonight show, so the games are pushed to back to back days for games 1 and 2. That's also why the series was originally pushed out so far. Goofy with the breaks again due to the crummy TV deals.

Here's the schedule.

Game 1 @ the Joe - Sat 5/30 - 8 PM
Game 2 @ the Joe - Sun 5/31 - TBD start time
Game 3 @ the Igloo - Tue 6/2 - 8 PM
Game 4 @ the Igloo - Thur 6/4 - 8 PM
Game 5 @ the Joe - Sat 6/6 - 8 PM
Game 6 @ the Igloo - Tue 6/9 - 8 PM
Game 7 @ the Joe - Fri 6/12 - 8 PM

This should be an excellent series. Detroit is a little banged up and think that the back to back games over this weekend could be a detriment - just a bit. The Wings are so stinking deep, it might not matter. Pens need to continue to play the style that they have been since Bylsma has taken over. Strong forecheck, generate chances, know your roles in your own end. If Crosby and Malkin can continue on their torrid pace, I think they can make it tough for the Wings. Plus the supporting cast has been playing well too. Mark Andre Fleury needs to play well - no silly behind the net antics. Keep it simple.

Game 1 is pivotal. Pens win it, I believe that they can win the series. If they don't, it makes game 2 such a huge deal. They can't afford to go done 2-0 again. I have picked the Pens in 6 for every series so far, so why stop now. Pens in 6.

Let's go PENS!

Randy

Re: Hockey Talk: The Official NHL 2008-2009 Thread

That schedule is ridiculous for a championship in a major sport. Three games in four days!?! I thought this was a good article about the series:

Stanley Cup Finals are too close to call | detnews.com | The Detroit News

Re: Hockey Talk: The Official NHL 2008-2009 Thread

I totally agree - even as a Pens fan, I am less than thrilled with the schedule. The back to back games and the 3 in 4 days is pretty tough. Pens did that once this Cup run already in the Washington series. In that case, they traveled from PGH at the end of game 4 on Friday and played game 5 in DC Saturday.

NHL bottom line needs a better TV deal. The ratings for the PGH market have been sky high - scored a 27 the night of Game 4 against Carolina. But, rest of the country, don't think it has been too great.

Oh well. Too bad that folks are missing out on an exciting playoffs with fantastically skilled athletes.

Pens need to come out flying tonight. Here's to great series.

Let's go PENS!

Randy

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Datayuk is out for tonight and so is Draper. Glad Lidstrom is back in the line-up. He better be close to a 100% going up against Malkin or Crosby. The Wings will miss Datsyuk's defense and Draper's skills in the face-off circle.


I'll second that. Go Wings!

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Geez. . .I was happy to watch two teams I don't give a crap about in HD and then I find out that they aren't even carrying the whole STANLEY FREAKIN' CUP FREAKIN' FINALS on a TV station that most people can even get.

What a league!

Re: Hockey Talk: The Official NHL 2008-2009 Thread

The NHL has always struggled with television rights in the U.S. I believe their current deal with NBC does not guarantee the league any money -- they get a split of profits after NBC covers all expenses. For the cable rights, ESPN was looking for a similar deal, and the NHL instead signed a deal for some guaranteed income with the less available Versus channel, owned by Comcast. ESPN was getting better ratings from televising poker than NHL playoff games, so they were not willing to spend any money.

The league did a similar thing several years ago when they took a better paying deal with SportsChannel instead of renewing with the much more available USA Network.

There have been years when the league had no contract with any U.S. broadcast network. I cannot remember if the Stanley Cup Finals were picked up by someone in those years, since I've always been able to get games via CBC.

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Ratings off to best start since 2002---time for the numbers to come crashing down as they switch to Versus.

Stanley Cup ratings off to best start in 7 years - ESPN

I'm glad that the ratings are up, but those kinds of numbers are hard to get too excited about.

What, no discussion of the end of game fight from Sunday? I'm glad Malkin had the instigator penalty rescinded (doesn't change my opinion on Campbell) and will be playing tonight. The NHL really couldn't afford from a marketing standpoint to suspend one of the biggest stars. Of course, "marketing" shouldn't be factored into rules enforcement either, but we know the NHL is weird about such things. Still, Malkin was not the kind of "instigator" the rule was trying to stop. It was also Zetterberg's first fight.

Rumor from Sports Illustrated that Hossa is likely to sign a long term deal with Detroit during the off-season:

Report: Wings-Marian Hossa deal 'believed' to be for seven years | detnews.com | The Detroit News

It's a little early for such things and I don't know how much stock you can put in this, but I hope it is true.

Re: Hockey Talk: The Official NHL 2008-2009 Thread

watching Hockey on Versus kinda makes you long for FOX Sports

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Recently, I've heard some media people wax nostalgically about the FOX puck glow. I'm not ready to go that far...

I was just watching ESPN and they said something about the NHL telling them that tonight's game was going to be called tighter than the first two. Now, I'll admit I questioned the lack of calls in the first two games, but I figured that was the way it was going to be. Now they are going to change the way the game is being called? Why not after the first game?

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One game at a time...haven't posted in a couple days...has pretty grumpy the over the weekend, especially after Sunday night.

Didn't see the whole Malkin thing until late Monday when I watched it on my DVR. Missed it dealing with a sick kid. That being said - Talbot took poke at Osgood, who acted like he had been shot and things went from there...I was happy that Malkin didn't get suspended and very pleased to see him give it a go with Zetterberg...

Anway, I will happily take the W in game 3 there, Pens played pretty well in stretches. 2nd period was scary how much the Pens got outplayed - then came back well in the 3rd.

Need to continue on & unlike last year, win game 4. After that, things will take care of themselves and it's a race for the best of 3.

Happy to see Malkin continue to play well. Talbot is making things happen as well. Crosby - while have plenty of chances - needs to bury a few behind Osgood.

Looking forward to Thursday.

Let's go PENS!

Re: Hockey Talk: The Official NHL 2008-2009 Thread

People playing cards on TV is one of the signs of the apocalypse.