Stanley Cup Playoffs 2009

[shmoo]

Apparently you can't teach a zebra to count to 6. Good game, it just would be nice to see some consistency from those wearing a orange armband.

i thought they called a very good game, i mean they did miss that to many men but they didn't see it and the wings didn't see it until it was too late. i dont think they are calling the very borderline penalties which is good. both teams got their powerplays but the penguins got 2 goals out of them. fleury was a lot more solid that game. osgood was good too he obviously didn't see that shot from gonchar coming. the big hits from the pens looked like it started to wear the wings down at times there, and created a few turnovers, and thats how you have to play the wings. hopefully the pens come out with the same type of style on thursday to tie up the series.

lets go pens

 

[Spludge]

And how are the Wings like the Yankees? I'm curious to hear why you make that analogy.

Your kidding right? They are stacked by buying half the talent in the league! That's the parallel I was after

I'm just glad we have a series, it wasn't looking good after game 2.

 

[arturo7]

The difference in this game was Fluery didn't suck. much. after the first.

The stacked team/Yankees reference is not accurate. NHL has a salary cap. You can't really go out and buy a team.

And, as predicted earlier, there are more Wings fans are posting here, now that they have figured out that their team is in the finals.

 

[mstev50]

Your kidding right? They are stacked by buying half the talent in the league! That's the parallel I was after

I'm just glad we have a series, it wasn't looking good after game 2.

Really?!?!?!?
Current players drafted by Detroit:
Osgood
Franzen
Zetterberg
Datsyuk
Lidstrom
Kronwall
Filppula
Holmstrom
Hudler
Kopecky
Ericsson
Abdelkader
Helm
Meech

Looks like they drafted pretty damn well!

 

[PseudoChef]

Yeah, I love when people try to make that analogy without realizing there's a salary cap.

Makes it even more impressive that both Detroit and Pittsburgh are back in the finals.

 

[boo boo]

I was disappointed in my man Clearys play last night but he'll come around like the rest of the team and take the next two games. Go Wings.

 

[Homercidal]

Refs did ok last night. Standard missed calls. I was practically yelling for them to catch the too many men, but Pittsburgh got the extra off before they caught it.

I think Pittsburgh played better defensively last night, while Detroit seemed to be off a bit. Still it was a pretty even match again and pretty exciting. Both my wife and I had the same thought at one point, "Is it still just the first period?" Lots of action crammed in there.

I think the Wings who was sliding over to block that one goal should have done a better job. I expect them to risk injury or death to stop a goal! Going down on a knee didn't cut it.

 

[Apollo]

Apparently you can't teach a zebra to count to 6. Good game, it just would be nice to see some consistency from those wearing a orange armband.

The refs were just letting them play. What's wrong with that? *sarcasm*

 

[Spludge]

I'm not a total idiot, I realize there is a salary cap. I guess the word I should have used was "have" not "bought" but it was late
One of our junior A guys said the same thing at practice last night. It's more of a compliment then a dis, Detroit is a helluva organization.

Which is why I want to see them go down!:cross:

 

[mstev50]

I'm not a total idiot, I realize there is a salary cap. I guess the word I should have used was "have" not "bought" but it was late
One of our junior A guys said the same thing at practice last night. It's more of a compliment then a dis, Detroit is a helluva organization.

Which is why I want to see them go down!:cross:

Which is why Detroit can get someone like Hossa to come in for less money. Ken Holland has done a great job putting this team together - past, present and future. Guys like Ericsson, Helm and DarthKbader wouldn't be up if it weren't for injuries, but they've shown that they can play with the big boys. Holland doesn't believe in pushing the youngsters too fast unless it's absolutely necessary. Let them tear it up in Grand Rapids and when they get to Detroit they can step right in.

 

[eriktlupus]

Which is why Detroit can get someone like Hossa to come in for less money. Ken Holland has done a great job putting this team together - past, present and future. Guys like Ericsson, Helm and DarthKbader wouldn't be up if it weren't for injuries, but they've shown that they can play with the big boys. Holland doesn't believe in pushing the youngsters too fast unless it's absolutely necessary. Let them tear it up in Grand Rapids and when they get to Detroit they can step right in.

i believe the term holland uses is an 'overripe' appraoch to your drafted talent. hell it took filpula like 3yrs to crack the lineup.

 

[cimirie]

WTF? When did this become the "insults and smack talk" thread?

Knock it off. I want to talk about hockey, not have back and forth insults.

I knew the game last night would be fast paced, and it was. What's up with Datsyuk anyway? He hasn't played in a long time, and all I hear is "sore foot" as an explanation. I know Babcock is tight lipped about injuries, but this must be pretty serious to keep Pavel out of the Stanley Cup finals.

I know I'm way late to the party. Haven't been on in about a week. But to answer your question about Datsyuk, a little birdie who is connected to the organization says fractured foot. Not sure if it's series-ending, but to me, I'm not all that concerned. Datsyuk has been less than stellar and I've been anything but impressed with his play the past few series. And sure it'd be easy to point out his lack of points, but his offense seems frantic - not smooth and controlled as is his norm. I say, right now, we're better off without him.

And to hop on the Datsyuk/Crosby offense debate (I told you I was late to the party)... I'm a huge Wings fan. They have the better team. But really??? This is even a debate? With the puck, Crosby can single-handedly control a shift from start to finish. Datsyuk at one point was an offensive power, and still is a big threat. But he's never had the total control, flair, and ability to find the back of the net that Crosby has. Now, if you're gonna throw the complete game into the picture, Datsyuk WILL win the debate - but only by default as I have more defensive ability than Crosby.

Why then does he win all these trophies and is being called the best player since [insert favorite hall of famer here]? Because while defense will win the cup, offense sells tickets. And in the cash-strapped NHL, they need every ticket and TV viewer they can get so they need to promote offense. They can't afford not to - even when it ignores one of the most important factors in the game.

 

[mstev50]

"They" say Datsyuk looked really good at practice yesterday. He was able to make all the cuts, so hopefully he will play tonite. I'm hoping it isn't a fractured foot, but even a deep bruise makes skating painful. He was at the restaurant where my daughter works last week and she said he was walking pretty well.

 

[cimirie]

yeah, I got the impression it was more "hairline" fracture as opposed to broken all the way through. Give it a week or so to begin to heal, tape the hell out of it and soften the blow with cortozone... He should be ready to go.

 

[Mustangj]

Drink everytime you hear the announcers say crosby.

 

[wildwest450]

Jesus Christ, it's painfully obvious the refs want Pittsturd to win. To blow a call at center ice is unforgivable. That offside on the first goal was awful too.

And Pittsturd don't even say it's fair, it was in front of God and everybody.

That being said, the level of play has been off the charts!!!!!!, on both sides.

 

[Spludge]

Walked down to the local watering hole and the tv was occupied by a bunch of basketball fans... #!@@#$%@#$!!!!!!

D@mn Seattle, I'm sure all u guys in Michigan don't have this problem.

Looks like a good game too, following the updates on NHL.com...

 

[marubozo]

This game is complete BS.

 

[Spludge]

This game is complete BS.

I sure as heck don't know what is going on , but that sounds good for Pittsburgh fans..........

 

[wildwest450]

I sure as heck don't know what is going on , but that sounds good for Pittsburgh fans..........

I try not to be a homer, but there were 4 or at least 3 obvious calls missed. Unacceptable for a finals. They are to evenly matched for this bullshi t.

 

[wildwest450]

Hey Arturo7, I call you out! You hate Detroit, but tell me that 1st period was officiated properly. Did you not see Lidstrom dragged down in his own end on the pp? Was not (?) forgot the player tripped at center ice? Were they (pitts)offside on the first goal?

Come on, take off your hater goggles.

 

[wildwest450]

Walked down to the local watering hole and the tv was occupied by a bunch of basketball fans... #!@@#$%@#$!!!!!!

D@mn Seattle, I'm sure all u guys in Michigan don't have this problem.

Looks like a good game too, following the updates on NHL.com...

Even though I hate you I would have you over to watch the game and drink homebrew, if you were in Tenn.

 

[Spludge]

Even though I'm rooting for Pittsburgh I would prefer an honest win.
Dang, It went from 1-2 to 4-2 real quick, Did they get some weak one's on Ozzie or what?

 

[Spludge]

Haha, thanks wildwest I would probably take you up on that one. We could just sit there and yell at each other while drinking some Tennesseean homebrew

 

[arturo7]

dubl dub, buddy...

There were several missed and/or non calls going both ways. You seem only to notice those that are mentioned by the announcers?

Who's wearing the goggles?

 

[mstev50]

I don't think any of those were weak goals. Pittsburgh did a great job tonite clogging up the passing lanes and they were pouncing on every rebound in front of Fleury. Lots of "missed" calls on both sides. I don't have a problem with that, if they consistently miss calls. Crosby should get an oscar after that swan dive when Maltby "slashed" him

 

[arturo7]

Even though I hate you I would have you over to watch the game and drink homebrew, if you were in Tenn.

dubl dub,

Does this mean a beer with me is right out?

 

[Spludge]

I don't think any of those were weak goals.

That's good to hear, I had to listen to the game so I didn't see them. Osgood is a fine goaltender who has been around a long time, and as much as I want to see Pitts win I don't want Osgood to be the reason.

 

[Apollo]

The 4th Pens goal was absolutely beautiful! Excellent quick passing!

The Pens have played well at home, I hope they can keep the pressure and hits up in Detroit.

I also noticed it almost looks like Detroit is getting a little sluggish with all the pressure and hits the Pens are applying.

 

[arturo7]

The 4th Pens goal was absolutely beautiful! Excellent quick passing!

+1 on that