Pittsburgh's Immaturity After Game 4 Cost Them

[Doggy 130]

Who said they should?

Nobody's saying Detroit did anything but what was right before, and during the game.

The top poster is correct in his commentary.

SIGH!!!!!!

[BewareThePenguin 1]

Your viewing his post from a Pens fans' POV, which I cannot disagree with. However, he says in his post that Detroit took those comments to heart, which I disagree with.

I have no idea if Detroit "took those comments to heart" or not.

I do know it affected the Pens performance. That was painfully obvious.

From a Pens POV -- the hope is they learned their lesson before Game 6.

[Doggy 130]

I have no idea if Detroit "took those comments to heart" or not.

I do know it affected the Pens performance. That was painfully obvious.

From a Pens POV -- the hope is they learned their lesson before Game 6.

Okay so you agree with me on its affect on the Pens but have no opinion on its affect on Detroit, which was the main point of my post? Thanks anyway for the debate. I guess.

[Lidstromrules16 7]

Babs post game comments were gold! I love it "well, when we are playing our game, do we make comments like that about any of their guys?"

Epic win there. Shut the media guys right the f*** up too

[BewareThePenguin 1]

Okay so you agree with me on its affect on the Pens but have no opinion on its affect on Detroit, which was the main point of my post? Thanks anyway for the debate. I guess.

I don't think we were that far off each other.

I said I had no idea of the effect that the Pens' comments had on Detroit -- though I can certainly see how that might fire them up a bit. And your coach did remark about how his team wouldn't talk publicly about the state of the other guys, post-game.

I'm simply certain about what it did for the Pens. Hard to win games when you're spending what seemed like a third of it defending on the power play. And the majority of the penalties weren't even "necessary" such as having to hook a player who looks like he's about to score. Just mentally vacant stuff. Looked to me like a lack of focus coming in from the get-go.

[BewareThePenguin 1]

Babs post game comments were gold! I love it "well, when we are playing our game, do we make comments like that about any of their guys?"

Exactly what I'm talking about, Doggy.

Sounds to me like they did take the words a bit to heart.

[Theophany 110]

I don't think we were that far off each other.

I said I had no idea of the effect that the Pens' comments had on Detroit -- though I can certainly see how that might fire them up a bit. And your coach did remark about how his team wouldn't talk publicly about the state of the other guys, post-game.

I'm simply certain about what it did for the Pens. Hard to win games when you're spending what seemed like a third of it defending on the power play. And the majority of the penalties weren't even "necessary" such as having to hook a player who looks like he's about to score. Just mentally vacant stuff. Looked to me like a lack of focus coming in from the get-go.

Babs also said that most of the guys don't even read anything written in the media.

Babcock said it perfectly, "you guys are writing about the game, we're playing the game."

I don't think that there's anything more going on than the Wings' leadership in the locker room (Lids, Zata, Dats, Draper, Ozzie) talking to their team and getting getting their collective minds in the right mode after realizing how they had slid in game 3 and 4.

This was a completely different Wings team that we saw tonight; any team would have trouble with these guys when they play like this.

Getting Pavel back probably helped quite a bit--bringing new energy and that boost of confidence--but I think it was mostly their own head game that brought them out of their slide.

They're focused now; it's going to be rough going for the Pens to take game 6.

[BewareThePenguin 1]

Babs also said that most of the guys don't even read anything written in the media.

Babcock said it perfectly, "you guys are writing about the game, we're playing the game."

I don't think that there's anything more going on than the Wings' leadership in the locker room (Lids, Zata, Dats, Draper, Ozzie) talking to their team and getting getting their collective minds in the right mode after realizing how they had slid in game 3 and

Again, I don't know. My thought would be that the comments did rub your team the wrong way, but they did the smart thing and STFU about it. They left it to the coach to comment on it after the game. Again, a lesson for the opposition to learn.

JMHO.

[Broken 16 381]

Babs also said that most of the guys don't even read anything written in the media.

Babcock said it perfectly, "you guys are writing about the game, we're playing the game."

I don't think that there's anything more going on than the Wings' leadership in the locker room (Lids, Zata, Dats, Draper, Ozzie) talking to their team and getting getting their collective minds in the right mode after realizing how they had slid in game 3 and 4.

This was a completely different Wings team that we saw tonight; any team would have trouble with these guys when they play like this.

Getting Pavel back probably helped quite a bit--bringing new energy and that boost of confidence--but I think it was mostly their own head game that brought them out of their slide.

They're focused now; it's going to be rough going for the Pens to take game 6.

Of course they pay attention, they're human. They would almost have to be sequestered to not hear of the comments. There's no reason to believe that a handful them aren't lurking the message boards in their spare time. I guarantee you someone in their posse is.

"We heard the comments they made about us being tired and this and that," Cleary said, when asked about several Penguins players who suggested they had the tired Wings on the run after beating them in Games 3 and 4 in Pittsburgh. "We used that as motivation. We played desperate and we played hard from start to finish." - Dan Cleary

NHL.com

[SouthernWingsFan 854]

I can't accurately comment of commentary after game 4 by them since I barely listened to any post-game pub then, but their immaturity or whatever you want to call it taking idiotic dead-whistle penalties certainly cost them tonight as well.

*Looks in the direction of Kunitz going into the penalty box, then out of the penalty box in less than 2 minutes*

[cusimano_brothers 1,655]

The Pittsburgh organization still does not see the connection between age, maturity and professionalism. I feel sorry for them and their "fans".

Speaking of, did Malkin show up to the post-game presser, or did Bylsma give another "timeout"?

[Frozen-Man 144]

Attitude reflects leadership, precisely why Crosby should not be the captain. Their captain should be as calm and collective as their coach is.

When have we ever heard Lidstrom raise his voice or speak anything other than politically correct?

I fully agree with you but some guys like Micah think that Lids is horrible captain and has no heart ect. because you never visibly see his emotion.

[edicius 3,269]

As immature as this Pens team is, I still have to give full marks to Bylsma for his maturity and class. Heard the post-game presser from him last night and again, very frank, no excuses, gave credit where credit was due. A complete 180 from Therrien and something this immature Pens team NEEDS if they ever want to truly succeed. It's just a shame for them (and a boon for us) that Bylsma just doesn't seem to be rubbing off on the likes of Malkin and Crosby. I honestly wouldn't be surprised if they preferred Therrien to him simply due to his like-minded demeanor.

Of course, Bylsma learned from one of the best, Mike Babcock himself.

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

You're kidding yourself if you think that's the reason for the this game unfolded. Is this supposed to be some sort of analysis? If it is, it's without a doubt the single worst I've ever seen in my entire life.

No offense. Lol.

You don't know much about sports if you don't think that players listen to the media, especially when their opponents are doubting them or talking bad about them in any way. Athletes will use the littlest thing as motivation sometimes.

I'm not saying it's the only reason we won, but I'm sure it had a big part to do with it. The Pens got overconfident and the Wings came out fired up to teach them a lesson. That's how I see it. I know it's the SCF, but the Wings didn't look like they had any passion in the previous games. Sometimes it takes something like this to piss the opposition off. It's like waking a sleeping giant.

Your response might be the single worst I've ever seen in my life, since you didn't really back it up with anything.

[Doggy 130]

You don't know much about sports if you don't think that players listen to the media, especially when their opponents are doubting them or talking bad about them in any way. Athletes will use the littlest thing as motivation sometimes.

I'm not saying it's the only reason we won, but I'm sure it had a big part to do with it. The Pens got overconfident and the Wings came out fired up to teach them a lesson. That's how I see it. I know it's the SCF, but the Wings didn't look like they had any passion in the previous games. Sometimes it takes something like this to piss the opposition off. It's like waking a sleeping giant.

Your response might be the single worst I've ever seen in my life, since you didn't really back it up with anything.

Lol. The old "you don't know much about <blank> if you think...". Lemme guess, the extent of your sporting knowledge is being a 90 lb kid watching hockey and MMA and wearing Affliction t-shirts that hang down to your elbows. Cool!

Anyway, I already backed it up. The Wings don't care about the Pens.

1) Their backs were against the wall and were motivated by that.

2) Datsyuk played great, and even if he had played awful, his mere presence lightened the load for everyone else because it meant that our other players weren't as closely watched because Datsyuk needed attention.

I don't think I'd be called crazy for thinking the return of a Hart trophy candidate means more than a Pens juvenile comments.

[Icesurfer 75]

OMG..... this is so funny....

Cindy is in the movies

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

Lol. The old "you don't know much about <blank> if you think...". Lemme guess, the extent of your sporting knowledge is being a 90 lb kid watching hockey and MMA and wearing Affliction t-shirts that hang down to your elbows. Cool!

Anyway, I already backed it up. The Wings don't care about the Pens.

1) Their backs were against the wall and were motivated by that.

2) Datsyuk played great, and even if he had played awful, his mere presence lightened the load for everyone else because it meant that our other players weren't as closely watched because Datsyuk needed attention.

I don't think I'd be called crazy for thinking the return of a Hart trophy candidate means more than a Pens juvenile comments.

If that's your opinion that's fine, but several people here have agreed with me and several analysts talked about it yesterday, thus I don't think my argument was off in the least bit.

What I said wasn't a stretch, however, coming in here and saying that it was the worst analysis you ever heard is an overstatement, and I had to call you out for it since it's my freaking topic. You didn't really think I wouldn't respond did you?

And I don't even watch MMA so I don't know where you got that from.

[clutchngrab 12]

I come down on the side of Dog on this one. Yes, the pens showed immaturity by spouting off - just like they showed immaturity by slashing, whining, etc. This is just another data point in the growing body of evidence. Wings have always focused on their own game and try to take each game as it comes. That's the strength of Babcock and his preparation and attention to detail. I attribute this game to the Wings getting Pavel back and getting a little more rest overall. Afterall, the players are playing for the SC, they don't need extra motivation even if they do read the comments. Frankly, if they played the 1st 4 games against Chicago the same way that they played against the Pens, I'm not even sure we have the opportunity to play game 5. I think the they are just getting their mojo back after 2 very fast and tough series.

[Doggy 130]

And I don't even watch MMA so I don't know where you got that from.

I assumed that because you try to act hardcore a lot. Plus, you really like fights.

Actually, you probably should watch more MMA and less hockey. You'd whine about Detroit's unwillingness to fight much, much less.

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

I assumed that because you try to act hardcore a lot. Plus, you really like fights.

Actually, you probably should watch more MMA and less hockey. You'd whine about Detroit's unwillingness to fight much, much less.

I figured it was something like that.

Just because I want to see more fights at the JLA and want to see us fight back from time to time doesn't mean I like to watch aimless brutality.

[Detroit Dan 0]

I figured the Wings would win game 5, and the Pens' attitude was part of my reasoning. I had heard Orpik quoted as saying that Datsyuk's return wouldn't be a big deal, and that Datsyuk might not be effective after so much time off. This struck me as wrong.

My take is that Datsyuk is very popular with his teammates. He's an excellent team player -- sets up his teammates, plays great defense, and is publicly humble. I didn't think that Pavel's play would be as important as would the fact that is teammates would pull together and play better because, among other reasons, they like and respect Datsyuk.

So Orpik's remark struck me as a return to the immature mentality which characterized their performance in last year's finals.

In contrast, earlier in the series I noted that the Pens seemed to be more mature in their public remarks, frequently praising the Red Wings...

[Firehawk 305]

I fully agree with you but some guys like Micah think that Lids is horrible captain and has no heart ect. because you never visibly see his emotion.

Yeah and alot of opposing fans think that when we stand there and choose not to fight back, that it's a sign of sissyness. When in reality, it's intelligence and experience. There's a time to fight, but usually when we get teams off their game, that's the wrong time to fight. I find it amazing how the players can stand there and get punched, and not fight back. I don't know if I could tolerate it...

[truebladearmy 33]

I was wondering if the Pens players partied it up a little to much after Game 4 and weren't ready at all for Game 5. Plus they probably listened to much to the media who were saying we were to tired.

Are you trying to honestly tell me that the Penguins players would listen to the media about how tired we are? They just got off the ice with our team, they already knew better than anyone on earth how tired we were, or were not. The media is designed to influence fans, not players. Post game 4 the Penguins admitted that we (Detroit) seemed frazzled, but they did not feel like we were tired, and openly said as much.

The media is retarded. Trust me, Hockey players blot it out during the playoffs. No professional athlete gives a damn what the media says, especially not a veteran set of athletes. If you're Crosby, and you just spent 20 minutes playing neck and neck with Zetterberg, how the hell will some broadcaster tell you who is or is not tired?

I recall back in 2002, I think it was Draper said that during the playoffs, he doesn't even turn on the TV, let alone the news. Might have been someone else, but I remember the comment being made. Personally, I wouldn't watch the news. I'd be far too busy resting, relaxing, practicing, or reviewing game footage and strategy. These guys don't even have time to listen to the media.

[truebladearmy 33]

I figured the Wings would win game 5, and the Pens' attitude was part of my reasoning. I had heard Orpik quoted as saying that Datsyuk's return wouldn't be a big deal, and that Datsyuk might not be effective after so much time off. This struck me as wrong.

My take is that Datsyuk is very popular with his teammates. He's an excellent team player -- sets up his teammates, plays great defense, and is publicly humble. I didn't think that Pavel's play would be as important as would the fact that is teammates would pull together and play better because, among other reasons, they like and respect Datsyuk.

So Orpik's remark struck me as a return to the immature mentality which characterized their performance in last year's finals.

In contrast, earlier in the series I noted that the Pens seemed to be more mature in their public remarks, frequently praising the Red Wings...

I agree. I've seen Datsyuk play hundreds of times. Even when he's not scoring his ability to control the play, move the puck, take the puck, hold the puck, and play back and forth two way hockey is incredible. When Orpik stated that it sounded to me like he was trying to convince himself, more so than actually believing it.

Datsyuk is a pro now. Not the rookie who struggled in the playoffs his first couple of seasons. Give him fresh legs, a stick, and a puck, and he will always, always bring something to the table. It might be face-off wins, it might be defensive coverage, it might be body checks, it might be take-aways, it might be crisp passes that set up opportunities, it might be assists, and it might be goals. More often than not, it is a combination of many of them.

To say about Datsyuk that his return wouldn't be a big deal, would be like us saying Malkin returning wouldn't be a big deal for the Penguins.

If it was Holmstrom, or Cleary, or Fillupula or someone, I could understand it. But when you're talking about our best player returning to the line-up after several weeks of rest, it's fairly foolish to assume that even if he isn't 100%, he's going to produce. Datsyuk looked great. He played some 18 minutes, and was blatantly one of our freshest guys on the ice.

For a Detroit fan, he did all we wanted him to do and more Too bad he didn't get a goal, but when it comes to Pav, what he offers all game long is far more important than a goal or two.