Stanley Cup Final: Detroit vs. Pittsburgh

[3074326]

I know the number one line isn't the reason they're struggling, but even they have struggled against Zetterberg's line, and it has a lot to do with Henrik. Sure, it helps that Datsyuk is also a fantastic two-way player, and Lidstrom is playing behind them, but you can't take away from what Zetterberg has been able to do. That +/- rating tells a lot in my opinion.

The Pens definitely need(ed) offense from a line other than the Crosby/Hossa/Malone or Dupuis line. But really, they needed offense from the number one line in the first two games and didn't get it. Detroit wouldn't have been able to shut out the Pens two games in a row if their forwards couldn't play excellent defense. He's done a great job. I'm not saying he should win the Conn Smythe, but the fact that he's leading the playoffs in +/- and tied for the lead in points definitely gives him a good reason to be top three in the discussion.

 

[bukIpower]

I agree though Zetterberg is so tough to play against, but I also think if Henrik was playing with the a lesser defense like pittsburgh's that his line with Dats would get toasted by Sid/Hossa. I love Henrik but I'd say Detroits defense is a little more responsible for shutting the pens down (to go along with Zetterberg though)



Sucks that the pens will blow their chance.... Next year their team will look different and who knows if they can get back to the finals

 

[CCI]

Sucks that the pens will blow their chance.... Next year their team will look different and who knows if they can get back to the finals

The Pens had chances to make a goal with a 5 0n 3 power play. The Wings will win it in That State Up North.

 

[Best Buckeye]

Yeah , about as much chance as a pimply faced teenager has to get his first kiss on a date where he has to have his dad drive.

 

[3074326]

I agree though Zetterberg is so tough to play against, but I also think if Henrik was playing with the a lesser defense like pittsburgh's that his line with Dats would get toasted by Sid/Hossa. I love Henrik but I'd say Detroits defense is a little more responsible for shutting the pens down (to go along with Zetterberg though)



Sucks that the pens will blow their chance.... Next year their team will look different and who knows if they can get back to the finals

I think any one player would get toasted by Sid/Hossa. It's just a credit to that whole line that they're doing so well (I just think Zetterberg is the main reason, but I'm no hockey expert :tongue2:). Detroit is the best team in the NHL. We're seeing that in this series, unfortunately.

Next year (and the year after that) will certainly be interesting.. I'd love to keep our core group of players together for a long, long time, but the cap is going to make it tough. Hopefully the guys will be willing to follow Sid's leadership and take less money than they could make just to keep the group together.

 

[Mike80]

I agree though Zetterberg is so tough to play against, but I also think if Henrik was playing with the a lesser defense like pittsburgh's that his line with Dats would get toasted by Sid/Hossa. I love Henrik but I'd say Detroits defense is a little more responsible for shutting the pens down (to go along with Zetterberg though)

You realize that quite a bit of the time last night he was out there with Lilja and Lebda as the defense pairing right? Sure that might be a top 4 combination on most teams, but it wasn't Lids and Rafalski.

You do realize that the Conn Smythe is the PLAYOFF MVP, not the Cup Final MVP right?

Ask Dallas if Zetterberg deserves it or not. Or Colorado or Nashville. Just because he hasn't exactly lit the lamp doesn't mean he hasn't essentially played the best defense of anyone else.

People will remember that stretch there on the 5 on 3. Then they'll remember that he has made the plays the Wings have needed this entire playoff run and last night was no different.

Ozzy is going to be a close second though if the Wings close out the series on Monday. There is no way the Wings would be at this point if Hasek was still in the net.

 

[Mike80]

Sucks that the pens will blow their chance.... Next year their team will look different and who knows if they can get back to the finals

No it doesn't trust me :p

 

[Brutus1]

Great game. Well, except for the fact that the Wings won.

It wouldn't be a big suprise if Osgood won. Great defense or not, they have just been unstoppable since Osgood was put in the lineup.

I'm still not sure how Gino can be 'tired'. I think maybe tired in his case is too much Wing defense.

I can't stand the Wings, but I'm surely loving me some NHL Playoff hockey.

Baseball sucks!!

 

[Jake]

I bet the Pens because I'm a lifelong fan and we're dealing with play money here. My head tells me Detroit in five. They've won 3 Cups the last 10 years and many of those players remain. They also were the best team in the league this season, and have home ice.

The Pens are young and have a bright future, but if they pull this off it'll be a very pleasant surprise.

Go Pens! :)

*sigh*
Going according to plan...unfortunately. :(

 

[CCI]

*sigh*
Going according to plan...unfortunately. :(

I seem to bet with the heart not my brain and it sucks.

I love the CBJ, but when a group of us went to see the CBJ and Red Wings play we prevailed. IMO the Wings are the Best team in the NHL period.

I also agree with BMax about the salary cap with some of the teams, but that Sports.

 

[Mike80]

I really hate the fuckin wings, they are like the god damn patriots of the NHL. Need to tighten that salary cap or somethin.

Actually a more fitting description (at least in NFL terms) would either be the Dolphins under Shula or maybe the Squeelers under Cowher. The Wings have been dominant in the regular season almost every time they've won the Cup in the past 12 years, while the Pats haven't been.

BTW most of the Wings that are hurting the Pens this series are either late-round draft picks (Datsyuk and Hudler), home grown guys (Filipula, Osgood, Draper, Datsyuk, Zetterburg, Franzen, Holmstrom and to a certain extent Drake since Detroit drafted him) and guys who have been with the franchise forever (Lidstrom, Maltby once he came over from Edmonton, Draper again)....to top it off, lilja was essentially a flop in LA and Florida and the Wings picked him up out of the Swedish leagues and Rafalski wasn't even drafted.

Quite a few of the contributors for Detroit aren't high-priced FAs (that was 2001-2002) but guys who have come up through the system and late round draft picks.

And it isn't going to change for a while. Detroit's minor league system is loaded with the same type of player.

 

[jimotis4heisman]

Great game. Well, except for the fact that the Wings won.

It wouldn't be a big suprise if Osgood won. Great defense or not, they have just been unstoppable since Osgood was put in the lineup.

I'm still not sure how Gino can be 'tired'. I think maybe tired in his case is too much Wing defense.

I can't stand the Wings, but I'm surely loving me some NHL Playoff hockey.

Baseball sucks!!

malkins shifts have been to long.
game 5 he was even in 23:24, 8 mins pp, 5 shots, and a takeaway. avg shift 1:06

and
crosby even in 22:39 1/1/2, 6;44 on the pp, 2 shots, no takeaways avg shift :54

for comparison
franzen :41
zetterberg :43
samulesson :41
draper :32
drake :31
patsyuk :39
the longest shift average for the the iwngs was :44 for kronwall, and lidstrom, both dmen

on the pp lidstrom had 3:42 that was the most for the wings

 

[Mike80]

Fuckin Dan O'hallaran, calling stuff that isn't there yet again.....

He's said he ASSUMES that penalties occur, not that he actually SEES them.

 

[3074326]

 

[Mike80]

That was a good goal....that shows you how Detroit's system works and when it doesn't holes open up in a hurry....