My Strategy if I were Byslma

[Flintstone Cicarelli 0]

keys for pens in no particular order

get holmstrom out of fleury's face FOR THE LOVE OF GOD

get in ozzie's face.

find a freakin guy to carry the puck with speed thru the neutral zone

forecheck like they did against washington

MAF make a big save early in the game to get his mind right

Obviously stay out of the penalty box.

if they decide to dump and chase, they HAVE TO REMEMBER THE CHASE PART

Billy G. and Holmstrom have both been good screens for the Wings in this series.

This game has to be more about offense than relying on Fluery, his track record in huge games is a little suspect.

[Flintstone Cicarelli 0]

school out for the summer?

meh.

[Wombat 26]

To me, the Wings have been dominant over the Pens in terms of 5-on-5 play. The key for the Penguins is to get on the PP early and often. If they can muster 6 PP chances, they will probably score on at least 2 of them. Then they have a chance.

How do they do this? The Pens have to be the aggressor with forechecking and setting up a cycle in the zone. I think slowing the game down will work out better for the Pens. Dump the puck and slow it down along the boards... cycle and make Detroit chase in the defensive zone. Those heavy shifts usually end up with either scores, penalties, or icings (which give the Pens the advantage next shift). All 3 of those things are positive for the Pens and are in my mind the best way for them to win.

If the game has good flow with fewer whistles, I like Detroit's chances more. I can't wait for the game to start! Go Wings!

[Opie 308]

Wombat, with the way the Wings PK has been (except game 5) if the Pens have 6 pps they will probably score on 4.

You are right though with a healthy Dats special teams is going to be a huge, huge factor for the Pens.

[chrisdetroit 189]

They should also consider playing the trap -- and pouncing on mistakes to create odd-man rushes - which they have also had a lot of success on.

Pittsburgh is over-matched playing their game -- I do think they should alter it.

It's much to late for them to change how they play. They just have to play their game the way they always have. You can't reinvent the way you play in 1 game against a team as good as the Wings or they will make you look silly.

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

Certain posts have been edited for profanity. Comments like those will lead to suspensions if they're kept up.

[Flintstone Cicarelli 0]

It's much to late for them to change how they play. They just have to play their game the way they always have. You can't reinvent the way you play in 1 game against a team as good as the Wings or they will make you look silly.

This is the reason my idea was not an overall strategy overhaul, line-up change, or scheme...it was just shoot early and often.

if you want to dump and chase, fine shot from the odd angle coming out of the corner. Shoot from the point instead of trying to feather a pass down low. Shoot from the slot and chase the rebounds.

Edited June 9, 2009 by Flintstone Cicarelli

[Wombat 26]

Wombat, with the way the Wings PK has been (except game 5) if the Pens have 6 pps they will probably score on 4.

You are right though with a healthy Dats special teams is going to be a huge, huge factor for the Pens.

Yeah, the Pens could easily score 3 or 4 goals in 6 PP chances with how the Wings have been on the PK all year. Even with Datsyuk back, I think a special teams battle goes the Pens way. Game 5 in many ways was an aberration... once the Wings took a good lead, the Pens lost their heads and gave the Wings more PP chances and didn't have their heads about them to step up on the PK.

[Flintstone Cicarelli 0]

Post have been edited for profanity. Comments like those will lead to suspensions if they're kept up.

Flarn that billshort.

[Flintstone Cicarelli 0]

Yeah, the Pens could easily score 3 or 4 goals in 6 PP chances with how the Wings have been on the PK all year. Even with Datsyuk back, I think a special teams battle goes the Pens way. Game 5 in many ways was an aberration... once the Wings took a good lead, the Pens lost their heads and gave the Wings more PP chances and didn't have their heads about them to step up on the PK.

I don't think PPs will be the difference. the Pens tend to go cold with the man advantage when they really need a goal. The poke check and steal are what turns these type of games around. With Dats in the line-up it is a much tougher task.

Edited June 9, 2009 by Flintstone Cicarelli

[Echolalia 2,961]

IMO

Keys for Pens:

-Continue to pressure Detroit's defense. The Wings have turned the puck over more times in their own end than anywhere else because of the Pens not giving up on the play and not playing the trap. This also prevents the Wings' scoring opportunities before they can even break out.

-Play tight in front of Fleury. Keep the Wings on the outside and clog up the middle of the zone, and absolutely do not overcommit to players like Datsyuk, Zetterberg, or Filppulla in the corner, because that's when the Wings pass to the point and strike.

-Byslma needs to call out Crosby to elevate his game and prove that he's better than Zetterberg. Then he needs to call out Guerin and Kunitz to allow Crosby more options with or without the puck, and take some pressure off him.

Keys for Wings:

-Support your teammates in both the offensive and defensive zones. Offensive support generates scoring chances, obviously (especially against the borderline retardedness of Gill and a couple other defensmen), however, the Wings need defensive support to limit turnovers. The Pens are choking our defense in the Wings' corners and cutting off the boards which often leads to interceptions. The Wings need to give themselves more options in their own end to allow for a breakout pass instead of a turnover.

-Build on what was started on Saturday in terms of special teams. If the Wings played that well on the PP/PK all series long, it would've been over two games ago.

-Do not give up on 50/50 pucks. The biggest weakness the Wings' offense has, IMO, is that their offensive pressure is often limited to a quick shot and then back to defense. They must maintain pressure by attacking rebounds and defensman trying to clear the zone. The Pens have shown they are vulnerable when pressure is applied to them. Just off the top of my head I can remember the Wings scoring on two subsequent icings and two defensive turnovers.

-Have fun, its not every day that you're fighting to win the Stanley Cup.

[Broken 16 381]

I'd direct my team to come out firing for at least the first 10 to 15 minutes of period 1. I'd instruct the players to shoot from every angle and from any vantage point. I'd instruct the forwards to crash the net when the puck is at the point hoping for a rebound or a redirect off of a Gonchar or Letang slapper. Maybe you get a nice shot or deflection, maybe you get some action in the crease maybe you get a powerplay out of it. If Ozzie looks to be gobbling up and black-holing all things puck-like, then we still have 45 minutes to revert pack to pass-pass-pass-set-up-pass shoot. What is there to lose, 'cept Stanley's shiny cup?

When the Wings are on their game (ie. when Datsyuk is in the lineup), that's a suicidal game plan. Wings play a puck possession game. Shots like that will either be gobbled up by Osgood for end up being scopped up by one of the D... or even a helping forward. Once that happens the transition game kicks in and if the Pens are over committed, they are toast. Your plan looks good on paper but would be very difficult to execute against a Wings team that are on their game.

[LeftWinger 5,129]

Pensfans, you just have to realize that "HE" (so I don't make fun of your captain) is NOT a leader. Leadesr DO NOT act like that. Lidstrom doesn't act like that. Joe Sakic doesn't act like that. Steve Yzerman didn't act like that. Mark Messier didn't act like that. Wayne Gretzky...oh, well he did, but you get what I am saying...

Point is, I can not and will not respect him as long as he acts like he does. With that being said, the whole point of the post was, the Pens will not win with that kind of leadership. Once the rid themselves of that leadership (demote him) the better off they will be. Byslma just wishes he could do that now. Dan Byslma didn'tplay that way and he shouldn't have to stand watch his team being lead that way..

If you want to know my opinion on how the Pens may be able to win tonight, thay have to hope they get a quick start, get the Wings off their game (like game 4) and STAY OUT OF THE BOX. Detroit's power play is back. Thier confidence is back. Hossa is getting chances, only a matter of time and he'll score (hopefully 2 tonight, including the game winner.) Put hm on the powerplay and he'll get his chances and you pens know, he can score. Pens just need to lead with their hearts and not follow "HIM." "HE" will lead you nowhere. Unfortunately, the series turned with the dive, and there is no saving you, even if you manage to win tonight.

I used to respect Malkin until he fell into "HIS" trap this series. When these players learn to lead, then they will have success, until then, lose. Once again, the likes of Orpik or Scuderi should be the Pens captain, too bad they are going to lose Scuderi to UFA this summer...

The Pens having only score what, 4 even strength goals? Not going to cut it against the Wings who ar the deadliest team even strength, and now that their PP is clicking, you better how the whistles are in the home teams favor tonight.

[theman19 47]

Pensfans, you just have to realize that "HE" (so I don't make fun of your captain) is NOT a leader. Leadesr DO NOT act like that. Lidstrom doesn't act like that. Joe Sakic doesn't act like that. Steve Yzerman didn't act like that. Mark Messier didn't act like that. Wayne Gretzky...oh, well he did, but you get what I am saying...

Point is, I can not and will not respect him as long as he acts like he does. With that being said, the whole point of the post was, the Pens will not win with that kind of leadership. Once the rid themselves of that leadership (demote him) the better off they will be. Byslma just wishes he could do that now. Dan Byslma didn'tplay that way and he shouldn't have to stand watch his team being lead that way..

If you want to know my opinion on how the Pens may be able to win tonight, thay have to hope they get a quick start, get the Wings off their game (like game 4) and STAY OUT OF THE BOX. Detroit's power play is back. Thier confidence is back. Hossa is getting chances, only a matter of time and he'll score (hopefully 2 tonight, including the game winner.) Put hm on the powerplay and he'll get his chances and you pens know, he can score. Pens just need to lead with their hearts and not follow "HIM." "HE" will lead you nowhere. Unfortunately, the series turned with the dive, and there is no saving you, even if you manage to win tonight.

I used to respect Malkin until he fell into "HIS" trap this series. When these players learn to lead, then they will have success, until then, lose. Once again, the likes of Orpik or Scuderi should be the Pens captain, too bad they are going to lose Scuderi to UFA this summer...

The Pens having only score what, 4 even strength goals? Not going to cut it against the Wings who ar the deadliest team even strength, and now that their PP is clicking, you better how the whistles are in the home teams favor tonight.

Without resorting to quite the language you used, i think you're spot on. This series will be determined by composure. Game 4 the pens had it, we didn't,..we lost. Game 5 the pens lost it totally, we kicked the crap out of them.

Crosby is not showing his team calm, not showing them poised,..it's sad to me but right now Bill Guerin is. Malkin had always impressed me with his skill and his quiet confidence in himself, he reminded me of Sakic in that way. But after game five,..i mean,..he's just doing what Crosby is doing,....losing the cup for his team by not leading the men around him.

If the penguins want a snowballs chance of winning this series they have to frustrate the wings, not become frustrated. I don't see that happening.

The wings themselves learned this lesson in 95' against Jersey, evidently ya'll didn't learn that lesson last year.

[Vladifan 680]

Here's my strategy if I were Bylsma:

Good choice. One of the best films ever produced.

[LeftWinger 5,129]

Without resorting to quite the language you used, i think you're spot on. This series will be determined by composure. Game 4 the pens had it, we didn't,..we lost. Game 5 the pens lost it totally, we kicked the crap out of them.

Crosby is not showing his team calm, not showing them poised,..it's sad to me but right now Bill Guerin is. Malkin had always impressed me with his skill and his quiet confidence in himself, he reminded me of Sakic in that way. But after game five,..i mean,..he's just doing what Crosby is doing,....losing the cup for his team by not leading the men around him.

If the penguins want a snowballs chance of winning this series they have to frustrate the wings, not become frustrated. I don't see that happening.

The wings themselves learned this lesson in 95' against Jersey, evidently ya'll didn't learn that lesson last year.

EXACTLY my point! Although I didn't curse at all, I just used the typical names we use for their captain. (I refuse to call him by his real name, he hasn't earned it.)

Evidentally they'all didn't pay attention to the last seven series the Wings played. THEY WILL NOT REACT TO THOSE ANTICS. You cannot get them off their game by being physical or trying to goat the into penalties. Didn't happen all last playoff and it hasn't happened all this playoff.

The only chance Pens have is to lead by their hearts and NOT follow what's his name OR his evil twin...

[reggiedunlop 0]

EXACTLY my point! Although I didn't curse at all, I just used the typical names we use for their captain. (I refuse to call him by his real name, he hasn't earned it.)

Evidentally they'all didn't pay attention to the last seven series the Wings played. THEY WILL NOT REACT TO THOSE ANTICS. You cannot get them off their game by being physical or trying to goat the into penalties. Didn't happen all last playoff and it hasn't happened all this playoff.

The only chance Pens have is to lead by their hearts and NOT follow what's his name OR his evil twin...

he hasnt earned being called by his birth name? seriously dude, you need to get over your obsession.

the pens only need to find the same relentless smothering forecheck they had against washington. create a little traffic in front of oz, get MAF confident early.

good luck tonight

[jmad 18]

I think the Pens plan will be:

"Let's try and get the puck to Malkin and Crosby as much as we can."

in reality, the Wings have dominated 5 on 5 while the Pens have had a huge advantage on the PP. Detroit needs to stay out of the box, Pens need them in the box. I know it's not that simple, but that's been the series.

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

he hasnt earned being called by his birth name? seriously dude, you need to get over your obsession.

the pens only need to find the same relentless smothering forecheck they had against washington. create a little traffic in front of oz, get MAF confident early.

good luck tonight

The Red Wings are not the same as Washington.

The Pens aren't exactly the biggest team in the league which will make getting and keeping guys in front of the net difficult. On top of that, Oz hasn't exactly been giving up many rebounds these days. That alone takes away 50% of the effectiveness of being in front of the net.

While I completely agree the Pens *need* to make their forecheck effective, they also need tighten up their neutral zone play. They can create a lot of problems for the Wings if they can get those neutral zone turnovers and use their speed to enter the zone.

[reggiedunlop 0]

The Red Wings are not the same as Washington.

The Pens aren't exactly the biggest team in the league which will make getting and keeping guys in front of the net difficult. On top of that, Oz hasn't exactly been giving up many rebounds these days. That alone takes away 50% of the effectiveness of being in front of the net.

While I completely agree the Pens *need* to make their forecheck effective, they also need tighten up their neutral zone play. They can create a lot of problems for the Wings if they can get those neutral zone turnovers and use their speed to enter the zone.

so far they have been entering the neutral zone like a kid into a cold pool....... frustrating the heck out of me ha ha

[Opie 308]

The Red Wings are not the same as Washington.

The Pens aren't exactly the biggest team in the league which will make getting and keeping guys in front of the net difficult. On top of that, Oz hasn't exactly been giving up many rebounds these days. That alone takes away 50% of the effectiveness of being in front of the net.

While I completely agree that the Pens *need* to make their forecheck effective, they also need tighten up their neutral zone play. They can create a lot of problems for the Wings if they can get those neutral zone turnovers and use their speed to enter the zone.

True and if they are too aggressive they are screwed. Like the overly aggressive Hawks!

Honestly dance with the Girl that brought you.

You can not change your strategy in the SCF especially in Game 6. Your strategy got you to game 6, it is not a 3-0 series it is game 6 you only get to game 6 one way 3-2. You are back home, you can not totally change a major part of your game.

They have to find a way to defend the Wings, and that would be a shutdown fourth line, otherwise Dats and Z wil contain Malkin and Crosby and you have no one to put on Mule and Franzen. Not that they have a forward line that defensively can shut down Fil Mule and Hossa. The only hope is that their line is Offensively talented enough to keep the puck away.

Dats healthy changes everything, I think Bylsma has to use home ice to counteract the lift the Wings just got.

That is the only hope, that his team finds an extra gear, out heart them right now, stick to our guns but out work them, be first to the puck.

At this point in the season the strategy is so ingrained it would do more harm than good to change you game plan. Just get them to work harder, if they can't then the results will show that. If every single Penguin player plays the best game of their life tonight and they lose, they gave it their best. If they do that and win they know they can do it again.

Change you strategy and if the changes are too much for the players or expose a greater weakness after one period the game will have been lost. Now you have to change your strategy again, and the players have just witness the beauty of your strategy changes.

There is no shame in losing especially if you leave it all on the ice!

[Spinner 6]

If I were Byslma, I would tell them the next one to take cheap shots or act like they were shot or whine is getting benched for the rest of the game. Time to man up and play hockey. But he will never say this and we will kick their azz.

Why is there a thread on what they need to do to beat us? Just curious

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

so far they have been entering the neutral zone like a kid into a cold pool....... frustrating the heck out of me ha ha

I wasn't referring to *entering* the neutral zone, which I agree hasn't been Pittsburgh's strongest suit. I'm talking about play within the neutral zone, specifically when the Wings have possession.

[Dabura 12,232]

the pens only need to find the same relentless smothering forecheck they had against washington.

Easy to do against the Capitals, impossible to do against the Wings unless you're the Anaheim Ducks.

[reggiedunlop 0]

Easy to do against the Capitals, impossible to do against the Wings unless you're the Anaheim Ducks.

oh well if YOU say so it must be true ha ha: