Greetings from Pittsburgh

[Datsyerberger 279]

I keep trying to do an analysis of this series, but I can't find any area where the Pens one-up the Wings, so it just ends up Wings > Pens.. not much of an analysis. Then again, I'm seeing the same sort of thing from pro writers, so maybe it's the reality of things.

The big question marks:

Fleury's goaltending. Will he continue to be fluky, or will he get hot during this series?

Pens defense: Has been great at some points and abysmal at others. Symptomatic of their current aggressive, run and gun version of puck possession?

Crosby and Malkin: Will both handle the pressure? How well will the Wings contain them this year?

Special teams: How well will the PP and PKs of the two teams match up?

On the whole, Detroit SHOULD be able to run away with this series more than they did last year. Are the Pens really any better off this year, or is it going to be a mismatch like last year?

'Course, there's still Chicago to go.

[Snazzy 0]

what superstars do you have other than lidstrom? daytsuk, zetterberg and hossa are stars , not superstars. there are only three superstar forwards in this league - crosby, malkin and ovechkin. those three are going to the HOF. none of the red wings forwards are.

You watch Versus and listen to Bettman too much. Your confusing "poster boys" with superstars. Our 'non-superstars' OWNED your superstars. That must not make you feel very well, huh?

You really should stop listening to all the media hype polishing Crosby's and Malkin's nob... It's diluting your common sense.

[Firehawk 305]

I think it is a mismatch like last year, but the fact that the Pens have the experience from last year should make them hungrier. Also, if we're banged up, that tends to level things out.

The wings are the most dominant PUCK POSSESSION team in the league, so that will help in keeping Crosby and Malkin away from the net.

The other thing that worries me is the wings playing 60 minutes. I sure hope they bring it for 60 minutes in all the SCF games, since it doesn't get better than this.

[Chris L 0]

what superstars do you have other than lidstrom? daytsuk, zetterberg and hossa are stars , not superstars. there are only three superstar forwards in this league - crosby, malkin and ovechkin. those three are going to the HOF. none of the red wings forwards are.

Lets see here, regular season... Crosby had 113 points, Malkin had 103 points and the next leader, regular season, for the Pens was Jordan Staal with 49 points.

Wings had Dats with 97, Zetterberg with 73, Hossa with 71, Lidstrom with 59, Raffi with 59, Franzen 59, Hudler with 57, Kronwall with 51, and then Cleary with 40.

I'm quite sure more than two guys on that list of Wings will be in the HoF. Furthermore we spread our production around a lot more than the Pens as you can see. We always have. The Pens need Crosby and Malkin to succeed. We just handed the Hawks their asses missing our two best players.

Furthermore, Ozzie will go to the HoF, bet on it. Probably not 7 years after he retires, but he will go in sooner or later. He's in the top 25 rankings for goalies in just about every category, top 10 in many of those, plus the number of cups he's won, makes him a shoo-in, in time. As for Fleury, we just don't know right now. This could be his best time, right now, or this could be the start of a long and successful career for him. He's playing very well now, though, I'll give you that.

[BewareThePenguin 1]

As far as the Pens go, they're a much better team than they were last year - especially with the experience under their belts. However, after watching them through three rounds.. it has become more than obvious that they have two players on that team. Malkin and Crosby. If it's not one of those two getting the goals, it's one of those two setting up the plays so someone else can get the goal. Nothing occurs on the ice without one of them involved in it.

You sure we've been watching the same series?

The most dominant player last night was Jordan Staal. Last I looked he didn't play with Crosby or Malkin.

I don't recall either Malkin or Crosby assisting Fedotenko on his goal, the best of the night.

Same thing with Talbot.

BTW Fedotenko's been a quiet beast the whole playoffs.

[sidthekid 0]

before you write the wings as the next cup winner, you people better win the current series. teams have come from 3-1 to win before. this would easily be a six game series if khabibulin were playing. instead, you get to shoot pucks at some AHL caliber goalie. we're waiting.

[Chris L 0]

I think it is a mismatch like last year, but the fact that the Pens have the experience from last year should make them hungrier. Also, if we're banged up, that tends to level things out.

The wings are the most dominant PUCK POSSESSION team in the league, so that will help in keeping Crosby and Malkin away from the net.

The other thing that worries me is the wings playing 60 minutes. I sure hope they bring it for 60 minutes in all the SCF games, since it doesn't get better than this.

The Wings do have problems. The defense, by the Wings standard, was shaky this year. Still got the team to be the #3 seed overall, though. But, the boys have tightened it up a lot in these playoffs. Ozzie too, he looked average all year long but he woke up when it counted in the Spring.

Our Scoring has been great all year, and though Z, Dats and Hossa haven't lit the lamp as we expected them too in this post-season, the Wings depth has been there, like it was all season, to help them out.

But putting in a full 60 has been a problem for us all post-season. I like to think that we're better at it now, going into game 5 against the Hawks than we were going into the Ducks for Game 6. Boy did the Wings look dead out there... *shudder* If those Wings show up against the Pens, we're toast. If not, our defense will blunt Crosby and Malkin enough to get by so our forwards can do their thing against Fleury.

But I will say the Pens are much improved, Crosby and Malkin (especially Malkin -- he's a beast) are much better for their loss last year right now. They made some affordable, but quality, upgrades after loosing Hossa, and Fleury is turning out to be more than a flash-in-the-pan goalie, good for the Pens.

A lot depends on the Wings health and will. If we have both, we'll get out of this on top.

[HOCKEY MATTERS 167]

I wonder if Sindy is going to be brave enough to punch a Wing in the ass. What a tough-guy. Crysby = Havlat. Ice nap time.

Edited May 27, 2009 by HOCKEY MATTERS

[Chris L 0]

before you write the wings as the next cup winner, you people better win the current series. teams have come from 3-1 to win before. this would easily be a six game series if khabibulin were playing. instead, you get to shoot pucks at some AHL caliber goalie. we're waiting.

Don't worry, you won't wait long.

[HOCKEY MATTERS 167]

Sindy is the greatest! I have never seen anyone that can get tapped on the leg with a stick, twist around in mid air, holding his chest like he just had open heart surgery on the open ice, and play the next shift like he drank a Red Bull. He's a God, I tell you!

[xtrememachine1 795]

before you write the wings as the next cup winner, you people better win the current series. teams have come from 3-1 to win before. this would easily be a six game series if khabibulin were playing. instead, you get to shoot pucks at some AHL caliber goalie. we're waiting.

You mean the same Khabibulin that gave up a 3-0 at home in a span of 4:23. The same Khabibulin that hasn't won a game in this series. The same Khabibulin that has a 2.93 GAA with a save percentage under .900. That one? Go away. You've proven hockey isn't your thing.

[Ms_Hockey 0]

before you write the wings as the next cup winner, you people better win the current series. teams have come from 3-1 to win before. this would easily be a six game series if khabibulin were playing. instead, you get to shoot pucks at some AHL caliber goalie. we're waiting.

Hey now.. it wasn't the Wings fans who made this thread. Remember?

[Datsyerberger 279]

I think the Pens are really being overstated right now. They're basically running on Crosby and Malkin, and to a lesser extent, Guerin, Gonchar, Fedotenko, and Kunitz.

Every one of those players except Gonchar and maybe Guerin are in large parts benefactors of Crosby and Malkin (though Fedotenko has been clutch).

Last year, before the SCF, the Pens were running on:

Crosby

Malkin

Hossa

Gonchar

Malone

Fleury

Fleury has looked bad these playoffs except in a few highlight moments. Gonchar is about the same. Hossa is entirely unreplaced in terms of sheer power. Guerin thus counts as a new addition.. definitely not a replacement for Hossa, not a 3rd name we have to worry about directly shutting down. Kunitz has been good, but not as good as Malone was last year.

That only leaves Crosby and Malkin performing even better (pre-SCF) than they did last year. They are, by far, the bulk of the Pens offense. Shut them down, and where are the Pens? They haven't yet faced a shutdown team.. they faced two teams they could out-offense and one team that'd been through 2 game 7 series.

[Ms_Hockey 0]

You sure we've been watching the same series?

The most dominant player last night was Jordan Staal. Last I looked he didn't play with Crosby or Malkin.

I don't recall either Malkin or Crosby assisting Fedotenko on his goal, the best of the night.

Same thing with Talbot.

BTW Fedotenko's been a quiet beast the whole playoffs.

I'm absolutely positive I've been watching the same series.

One of the goals last night was a complete fluke goal.. the one that the Pens took the lead on. It was a result of lack of concentration on Ward's part - otherwise, it would've been an easy stop. It wasn't a spectacular play. It wasn't even really skill. It was just a fluke goal - much like the one Fleury gave up to Staal.

Of the three remaining goals, two were assisted by Crosby.

In the end, without Crosby or Malkin on the ice, the Penguins talent goes through the floor.

[Drake_Marcus 890]

this is so meaningless it's not even funny. and you don't necessarily have a big edge in coaching. bylsma is good.

Oh is he? How many NHL games has he won? Playoff series won? Appearances in the Cup finals?

Is he widely regarded as the most likely coach of the Canadian Olympic team in 2010?

Don't be so casual in your dismissal of the coaching disparity.

[sidthekid 0]

Oh is he? How many NHL games has he won? Playoff series won? Appearances in the Cup finals?

Is he widely regarded as the most likely coach of the Canadian Olympic team in 2010?

Don't be so casual in your dismissal of the coaching disparity.

a smart coach is a smart coach, no matter what experience you've had in the past. hmm...i wonder who stevie will tap to be the head coach of the canadien olympic team? wow. the coach of the detroit red wings, the same team he is the president of.

[Drake_Marcus 890]

you speak with complete arrogance. what's going to happen to your wings when lidstrom retires in a few years? he's 39 - he won't keep up his stellar play forever. rafalski is 36. your forwards are fairly young but you won't have any good puck moving defensemen down the line like lidstrom or rafalski. osgood is old too.

Osgood isn't a irreplaceable piece.

Lidstrom will retire in a few years, and his loss will impact the Wings pretty harshly.

But the Wings have been around this block before. When the salary cap hit people called for the demise of the Wings. When Steve Yzerman retired people argued the Wings couldn't recover- they made the conference finals their first season without their captain of 20 years.

Losing the second greatest defenseman to ever play the game ain't easy, but if one team has the depth, management and experience to move forward and continue their success in the light of that it's the Detroit Red Wings.

There's a reason why they've been the class of the league for more than a decade.

[Datsyerberger 279]

I'm absolutely positive I've been watching the same series.

One of the goals last night was a complete fluke goal.. the one that the Pens took the lead on. It was a result of lack of concentration on Ward's part - otherwise, it would've been an easy stop. It wasn't a spectacular play. It wasn't even really skill. It was just a fluke goal - much like the one Fleury gave up to Staal.

Of the three remaining goals, two were assisted by Crosby.

In the end, without Crosby or Malkin on the ice, the Penguins talent goes through the floor.

Indeed, they're running off two superstars. And I don't really see a two superstar team beating:

1. Top 5 d-man of all time

2. One of the best playoff goalies of all time

3. Pearson/Hart/Selke/Byng Finalist

4. Top playoff goalscorer since the lockout + PK machine

5. Highest GPG player in the last two playoffs

6. 3 time 40+ goal scorer + Selke nominee

7. Almost PPG third line center with excellent defense (Better than Jordan's at ES)

8. Superior depth

9. Superior coaching

10. Superior experience

11. Home ice advantage

[sidthekid 0]

You mean the same Khabibulin that gave up a 3-0 at home in a span of 4:23. The same Khabibulin that hasn't won a game in this series. The same Khabibulin that has a 2.93 GAA with a save percentage under .900. That one? Go away. You've proven hockey isn't your thing.

and you've proven reading comprehension isn't your thing. i never said khabi was playing great, only that he could probably steal another game. you should ask some of your fellow wings fans for a copy of hooked on phonics as i'm sure a lot them have used it before.

[sidthekid 0]

Osgood isn't a irreplaceable piece.

Lidstrom will retire in a few years, and his loss will impact the Wings pretty harshly.

But the Wings have been around this block before. When the salary cap hit people called for the demise of the Wings. When Steve Yzerman retired people argued the Wings couldn't recover- they made the conference finals their first season without their captain of 20 years.

Losing the second greatest defenseman to ever play the game ain't easy, but if one team has the depth, management and experience to move forward and continue their success in the light of that it's the Detroit Red Wings.

There's a reason why they've been the class of the league for more than a decade.

i'm sorry but you won't go very far without lidstrom. lidstrom has a cup without stevie whereas stevie has won nothing without him. for all your "depth," lidstrom is the heart of your team. once he goes, the team simply cannot replace him...in fact no team can. these guys you draft like kronwall, etc. won't even come close to filling in for him. it is much more difficult to replace a player like lidstrom, stevens, niedermayer than it is to find someone to fill in for Stevie. there are plenty of good centermen but few(rare) really outstanding defensemen.

Edited May 27, 2009 by sidthekid

[NomadFromKazoo 42]

before you write the wings as the next cup winner, you people better win the current series. teams have come from 3-1 to win before. this would easily be a six game series if khabibulin were playing. instead, you get to shoot pucks at some AHL caliber goalie. we're waiting.

If Queen Elizabeth II could fly I wouldn't think she was the most useless Monarch in British history. If waffles were radio active I wouldn't eat them for breakfast. Actually I don't now, but if they were radio active I definitely wouldn't!

Why do we have to say "if" the Hawks didn't have injuries..., but we don't say that with "if" we didn't have our best O and our best D player out...? The fact is that the Hawks and we both have injuries, part of hockey. You don't suppose it away. And we're going to light up Huet and end this farce of a series.

Edited May 27, 2009 by NomadFromKazoo

[Shaman 713]

Indeed, they're running off two superstars. And I don't really see a two superstar team beating:

1. Top 5 d-man of all time

2. One of the best playoff goalies of all time

3. Pearson/Hart/Selke/Byng Finalist

4. Top playoff goalscorer since the lockout + PK machine

5. Highest GPG player in the last two playoffs

6. 3 time 40+ goal scorer + Selke nominee

7. Almost PPG third line center with excellent defense (Better than Jordan's at ES)

8. Superior depth

9. Superior coaching

10. Superior experience

11. Home ice advantage

QFT

[Datsyerberger 279]

Osgood isn't a irreplaceable piece.

I'm actually going to disagree here.. having someone as good as he is in the playoffs for the small size of his salary is a huge blessing. He's making 4+ million less than every other non-RFA goalie capable of the same playoff performance.. saving that much in salary cap is huge and makes him extremely valuable.

[NomadFromKazoo 42]

I'm actually going to disagree here.. having someone as good as he is in the playoffs for the small size of his salary is a huge blessing. He's making 4+ million less than every other non-RFA goalie capable of the same playoff performance.. saving that much in salary cap is huge and makes him extremely valuable.

That he's a "blessing" which I agree with doesn't actually contradict that he's "replaceable," which I also agree with.

[Mike 0]

before you write the wings as the next cup winner, you people better win the current series. teams have come from 3-1 to win before. this would easily be a six game series if khabibulin were playing. instead, you get to shoot pucks at some AHL caliber goalie. we're waiting.

You people? What do you mean, "you people?"

I think sidthekid and Jake Ryan might get along.

Edited May 27, 2009 by Mike