Hockey Talk: The Official NHL 2008-2009 Thread - Page 15

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

Living across the river from Windsor, Ontario, I've always enjoyed the games on CBC. Does the rest of the country not receive this channel? I guess I've always taken it for granted.

Does anyone have an explanation as to how the Penguins had six skaters on the ice for more than twenty seconds and didn't get called for it? One of the local sports broadcasters said the refs gave them a warning. What the hell? I'm not one who cries about non-calls, like so many fans (both Red Wing & Penguin) do. But a warning? After twenty seconds of it? You gotta be kidding me.

I never expected a sweep, but I was surprisingly bummed out about losing game three. I give the Pens credit, they did not lie down. I still feel the Wings will prevail in 5 or 6.

Jon

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

No, only U.S. areas that can pick up the signal from a bordering Canadian city will be able to get CBC. Living in the Detroit area, we take it for granted.

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I believe that the winner of game four will take this series.

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Well, it did cancel a power play opportunity for the Wings.

Datsyuk is back tonight, Woo Hoo!

Jon

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

Hey, the thread has a little life now that we have a series...

I'm looking forward to tonight's game. I'd say that all the games have been a pretty entertaining brand of hockey.

Despite the league claiming they were going to call a tighter game (I guess six men on the ice doesn't qualify) there still weren't a lot of penalties. It's nice to watch two very good teams playing a clean, skilled game without sacrificing physical play.


Non-calls that are issues of judgment (interference, for example) are one thing, but this was just basic counting and clear cut.


No, you can't call it a game changer, but right after the non-call the Pens got their power play goal to even it up. That's a pretty big momentum swing. Had Detroit been able to score on the PP, who knows...

I really liked Babcock's comments about the non-call and the game in general. The gist of it being the series is right where it should be. I've also been impressed with Bylsma. Besides the obvious turnaround for the Penguins during the year, he has shown a lot of class in the way he discusses the games and opponents. Last year, Therrien struck me as a whiner who didn't give credit where credit is due.

I hope Datsyuk is able to play and to play well. It'll also be nice to have Draper out there.

Go Wings!

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

It's not just that it's cards. It's that it is often replays that are months to a year old.

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Sure hope it isn't a repeat of last year as the results of the games thus far have been! Pens absolutely need to win this tonight - think even more than the Wings. Pens win, big boost in confidence going back to Detriot for game 5. Wings can play the home ice card, should win at home, etc. Wings win, forget about it. Cup is back in Detroit, which I really, really don't want to happen.

With Datsyuk back, that will put more pressure on Malkin - hope that he can respond and continues to play well. He seems so much more engaged this time around than last year, which is great. Cracking some jokes with the media, tearing it up on the ice...need a big game from him. Crosby has to keep playing hard, who give's a rat's behind if Zetterberg is out there or not. Keep skating hard, making plays, getting shots on net...

Well, if things play out, Hossa should have 2 goals tonight - all 6 of his goals in the playoffs have been in the game 4's. Really don't want that to happen. Of course, I'll take that if he's the only Wing to score and the Pens get 3!

Looking forward to the game - I am a basketcase watching these, which drives my wife nuts. Lots of reminders that the kiddos are asleep!

Let's go PENS!

Randy

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Hah, that's hilarious; so am I. Even though I always tell myself that it's not the end of the world if the Wings lose, it doesn't take much during a game to get my heart racing; even someone crossing the blue line in either direction with the puck. I find myself actually standing right in front of the TV for fairly long stretches (especially in the third period, and always during any overtime). This is why I sequester myself in the basement during game time.

You and I should watch a game together, Randy - it would be a continual display of opposite reactions.

Jon

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

Watching the game on Tuesday, I let out a frustrated "arrgh" when the Penguins scored their second goal. My kid came running in...

"Daddy, daddy, what's the matter?"

"Oh, the other team scored a goal."

"No daddy, you're supposed to cheer when they score a goal."

You know, if you stop to really think about it, in the big picture of things that is probably how it should be. Made me think. My response?

"No honey, we only cheer when the red team scores."

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

I'm looking forward to the return of Draper and Datsyuk. Should help a lot with faceoffs and ST. The Wings have been losing the puck along the boards way too often in Pavel's absence.

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

Disastrous second period for the Wings tonight. Things were going really with the Wings on a power play looking to go up two goals. Instead they give up a shorthanded goal and the Igloo erupts. And it never quieted back down. Pittsburgh scored 3 goals in six minutes (including Crosby's first of the final).

Not to take anything away from Pittsburgh, but that was the worst period I've seen Detroit play this playoff run. It was not Detroit hockey. Too many mistakes and giveaways that led to odd-man rushes, breakaways, etc. You can't let a team like Pittsburgh get that many opportunities. If Osgood doesn't make some big, it is a lot worse.

Lots of "aarghs" in my house tonight.

I look for Detroit to play much better in the 3rd.

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Funny how sports fans are - I agree 100 percent with you. We'll have to box each out other out though if we ever get together for a game. I too have that same habit of parking myself standing in front of the tube. I didn't last night because my Mother-in-law was watching the game with me - but there was lots of jumping up and downing during the 2nd period. I managed to knock over my glass of water and then break another glass as well. Geez.

What a 2nd period! Was pretty bummed out when the Wings scored so early into the period and was happy when the Pens killed the first penalty - ticked when they picked up another and out of my mind when Staal scored the shorty! Rafalski was all over him, but Staal is just to big a kid for Ralfalski to knock him off the puck...

Malkin and Crosby hooking up on the same line after the PK - nice move by Bylsma and it paid off big time...

Kennedy's goal was fantastic - I couldn't believe the space that the Pens had to make those passes...tic - tac - toe!

Anyway - huge game Saturday night. If the Pens win, I really think that they can close them out in 6. If not, will be much tougher road...

Wings fans, what's up with Datsyuk? Thought he was going to go last night for sure. I really think that the Wings are getting tired chasing Crosby and Co. They could use him. He must really be hurting to not go for the first 4 games of the final...Babcock said in his presser that he got a text at 3PM that said he wasn't going to play but he took the pregame skate anyway...did Malkin threaten to beat him up or something? Geez. Just really surprised, that's all.

Big game at the Joe Saturday!

Let's go PENS!

Randy

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

Speculation/rumor is that he has a broken foot. Since it's playoff time in the NHL, though, it will be nearly impossible to confirm this "lower body injury".

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

Bob,

In an odd way, this is to be expected. The Penguins don't have a very good power play. (It may have been you -- I can't recall exactly -- who said this weeks ago.) If this is the case, then it stands to reason that they would be potent at equal strength, and even more dangerous when they are down at least one man. It could be that their best hockey would occur if it were five-on-three (in Detroit's favor) the entire series.

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

I didn't really have high hopes for Datsyuk playing yesterday. Tomorrow is another matter:

Wings' Pavel Datsyuk to play Saturday | detnews.com | The Detroit News

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Yiikes...that was a mess.

I really didn't expect that type of melt down from the Pens...it really got ugly fast and completely out of hand.

Pretty disappointed is all I can say. Turned it off at the request of my wife when it got to 5-0 and the Wings scored 3 straight PP goals.

Lack of discipline and looked really awful in that 2nd period...from everybody wearing black & gold.

Well, it only counts as 1 loss, no matter how bad it was. Kinda glad there is an extra day to regroup for game 6 at the Igloo. They will need it...

Hope Fleury and the Pens overall can play better...can't afford to get into bad PP situations again...

Win game 6, worry about game 7 later.

Let's go PENS!

Randy

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

I was really surprised by how the Penguins melted down. One of the things that has really impressed me this year is how much maturity they learned since last year. That went out the window in game five. I'm sure they'll bounce back and play better tomorrow.

I'm still really impressed with Bylsma as a coach. He's a good one and I expect him to be behind the Pittsburgh bench for a while.

Getting Datsyuk back was obviously big for Detroit. I thought he looked a little slow the first few minutes, but he got it going and had a significant impact on the game. The two days of rest should help him and some of the other Detroit players. I just read the Wings blog on Detnews.com and if Detroit can win one more game this will be their most injury riddled run of the last 12 years.

I also enjoyed reading this:


from Osgood, Wings relish challenges | detnews.com | The Detroit News

And Scott, if things work out for Detroit, you may want to reevaluate your opinion on Osgood. Me too, btw. If he wins another cup, he is being way undervalued and he's even better than I thought.

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I happened to be downtown yesterday, so I snapped this:

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Sorry, David, but another Cup will not change my opinion on Osgood. He's a decent goalie, but not a game changer who can carry a team. His time away from Detroit showed that. He's just been very fortunate to play with some very good teams in front of him.

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

Really? I'm surprised. I thought I'd be able to quickly sway and change your opinion.

I understand where you are coming from, I really do. You made some compelling arguments in our earlier discussion, but it is hard to ignore Osgood's post-season stats. .916 SV% 2.09 GAA and 15 playoff shutouts (4th all-time). That's quite impressive and while you have to factor in how good Detroit has been, especially on defense, his performance this year stands out.

There have been periods and games this year where he flat out kept them in it. I'd say he has been way better than decent. He has been brilliant most of the post-season. While he may not be flashy, that shouldn't diminish the value of his performance. I hesitate to even say this (because as you know what I think and write impacts the invisible forces that shape the outcome of sporting events ), but if Detroit wins one more, Osgood has a great shot at the Conn Smythe.

Edit:

I decided to go back and look at his post-season stats away from Detroit and separate those out. His GAA does jump up quite a bit, but his SV% is still .905. That's not bad. His game steps up in the post-season. That says a lot about him.

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Let me be the first to say it---great game by Pittsburgh tonight. I give credit where credit is due. I just hope it is the last time I have to this year.

Pittsburgh was very Detroit like. Methodical, calm with everyone committed to the defense. This was the best defense I've seen Crosby play in the series. Malkin was also good on defense.

I thought Osgood was great tonight, but the Wings weren't able to get enough going on offense. I was sure Detroit was going to tie it up when they went on the power play shortly after cutting it to one, but Pittsburgh was stout.

Game 7 in the Stanley Cup Final between two great teams---does it get any better than this? I think not, but I'm going to be a wreck on Friday. Go Wings!

Oh, and Hossa, where are you?

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That was fun to watch...I a very happy Pens fan going to bed last night...

Now if the Pens can bottle some of that and take it with them to Detroit, it will be a good thing. Games 1 and 2 weren't too bad for the Pens - wrong side of the score sheet. Don't need to say anything about game 5.

What a fantastic series all around though - Zetterberg's move to get the shot off under Gill's stick was awesome and a bit too close as it rang off the post!

Staal is so strong witht the puck - seeing him get another goal was nice...Kennedy made something happen as well to get his game winner!

Detroit just never seems out of it, but the Pens did play really well last night after the disaster of game 5.

Pens win, game 5 is nothing but a blip.

Milbury was riding Hossa pretty hard in his post game comments - rightly so, he has disappeared and I would like to keep it that way...

Like I said before, win game 6, worry about game 7 later...well it time for game 7! Can't wait. Anything can happen!

Let's go PENS!

Randy

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

I just hope that there is a triple or quadruple-overtime in game seven. That would be a nice, relaxing way to enjoy the game.

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I felt in my bones - throughout game six - that this would go to seven. There is a small part of me that dreads watching this final game. I'm already uneasy. I've been trying hard to put it all in perspective, but for some reason I feel as if I have so much invested in the outcome. I wonder if this is normal sports fan behavior.

There is no compelling reason to believe the Wings will lose, but if they do, I am certain of my reaction. I'll say, "I knew it! I freakin' knew it!!!!"

If they win, I'll be elated, but there will be no feeling of destiny being fulfilled. A Wings Cup, to me, never felt certain this season.

I feel the need to say this now: hearty congrats to the winners, and great effort to the runners up.

In truth, both teams deserve it.

Jon

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

Here's hoping the Pens can bottle up a little of that Game 7 magic from Washington last month and take it to Detroit Friday night (of course, the Wings aren't the Caps, not by a long shot).

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Getting closer to the drop of the puck! Can't wait for tonight...just spoke with a buddy of mine who shares my love of the Pens....

Why are we nervous? We're not playing. Our life doesn't change with a win...but in terms of being invested in the outcome, not directly, but geez, these playoffs have now been going on for 58 days. We're right in the middle of it, night after night....

Here's to a great game! What a season it's been, either way for the Pens.

But that being said, I certainly would much rather see the Pens hoisting the Stanley Cup come about 11 PM EST tonight!

Let's go PENS!

Randy