Official 2008-2009 NHL thread.

[RightIsWrong]

Great first period. Lots of up and down action, a tie game and some big hits and saves at both ends. Much better than last year's start for the Pens.

 

[Train]

Originally posted by: Squisher
20 minutes and I don't see Crosby and Malkin skating skating circles around anybody....

lol Crosby didnt even get a shot off in the first. And he's playin two friggin shifts.

 

[sunzt]

Boards 2 Pens 1

 

[Squisher]

Pens are expending a lot of energy trying to get those two goals, but what choice do they have? This might come into play tomorrow. The wings are laying back a little looking to take advantage of pinching defensemen. I don't like when they do this.

 

[Train]

Originally posted by: Squisher
Pens are expending a lot of energy trying to get those two goals, but what choice do they have? This might come into play tomorrow. The wings are laying back a little looking to take advantage of pinching defensemen. I don't like when they do this.

Ya the 4th line was playing a lot. Let the other lines rest up for tomorow.

The fiasco in front of the empty net was hilarious. I was jumping up and down "where's zetterburg!?!? put zetty in to score on the empty net!"

 

[Quiksilver]

Mediocre called they want fleury back

 

[Squisher]

Whoever thought this schedule up for the Finals is an idiot. I can live with the back-to-back, but why not stretch it out over the week by playing one game on Wednesday and the come back with a game on Friday/Sunday or another Saturday/Sunday.

If either team were to sweep, it'll be over by Thursday. WTF?? Does two tired teams make for exciting Hockey? What, they didn't want to take advantage of weekend viewers?

 

[NoCreativity]

Wife had a great idea for a drinking game. Every time they mention Crosby we take a shot. Bet we're drunk before the 5 minute mark. Enough about the Crosby-Zetterberg line matching.

Was a pretty good game. Both teams played pretty even and both seemed to do a good job back checking to nullify scoring oppurtunities. Pittsburgh played much beter than last year. Looking forward to tomorrow night.

GO WINGS!

 

[Train]

The lingering question is... when do we get to see a fresh Datsyuk join the action?

 

[Casawi]

Originally posted by: allies

Originally posted by: Casawi

Originally posted by: allies
Pens in 4. They're playing on a different level right now.

Are you out of your mind ? you must not have watched a single Red Wings game.

I saw that they didn't steamroll their conference finals opposition near the level the Pens did.

What is that even mean?
Scoreboard!

 

[sao123]

try again tomorrow pens.

 

[mpitts]

I love this situation. Wings up 1-0. Game tomorrow. What kind of adjustments is Blysma going to make? He doesn't even have 24 hours.

The Red Wings are so much better than any other team at even strength. Luckily for them, that's how a majority of the game is played.

LET'S GO RED WINGS!

 

[mpitts]

Just a quick reminder, Pens fans..

The Wings just won 3-1 without the best defensive forward in the game, who also happens to be a Hart trophy finalist.

Good luck.

LET'S GO RED WINGS!

 

[mallik]

LOL I love how Wings fans keep pumping the fact that Datsyuk is out, as if he's some caged monster that's going to break free and unleash his dominance on the Pens.

He has done almost nothing in these playoffs and he wasn't that amazing in the finals last year either.

And now that I said that he's going to score a hat trick every game once he gets back.

 

[Squisher]

Originally posted by: mallik
LOL I love how Wings fans keep pumping the fact that Datsyuk is out, as if he's some caged monster that's going to break free and unleash his dominance on the Pens.

He has done almost nothing in these playoffs and he wasn't that amazing in the finals last year either.

And now that I said that he's going to score a hat trick every game once he gets back.

Done nothing? Hahahahahahahahaha

So, scoring goals is what defines playing well? Did you just start watching hockey recently? If so, let me welcome you to the game of hockey. And, let me tell you that it's not everybody's job out on the ice to score goals. The idea is to score more goals than your opponent. You accomplish this by stopping your opponent from scoring, getting the puck out of your end, getting it through the neutral zone, and making plays that allow you or your teammates to score goals all of which Datsyuk does very well.

***Cough, cough Hart Trophy, Selke Trophy cough, cough***

 

[Cuda1447]

Detroit won 3-1, but that wasn't because they outplayed Pittsburg, its because they got the lucky bounces on net and had a bit better goaltending. It could have easily been 2-1 Pittsburg instead. Should be a good game tonight.

 

[mallik]

Originally posted by: Squisher

Originally posted by: mallik
LOL I love how Wings fans keep pumping the fact that Datsyuk is out, as if he's some caged monster that's going to break free and unleash his dominance on the Pens.

He has done almost nothing in these playoffs and he wasn't that amazing in the finals last year either.

And now that I said that he's going to score a hat trick every game once he gets back.

Done nothing? Hahahahahahahahaha

So, scoring goals is what defines playing well? Did you just start watching hockey recently? If so, let me welcome you to the game of hockey. And, let me tell you that it's not everybody's job out on the ice to score goals. The idea is to score more goals than your opponent. You accomplish this by stopping your opponent from scoring, getting the puck out of your end, getting it through the neutral zone, and making plays that allow you or your teammates to score goals all of which Datsyuk does very well.

***Cough, cough Hart Trophy, Selke Trophy cough, cough***

I said done almost nothing. Obviously he has done something but he hasn't been anywhere near as good as the other big guns (Zetterberg, Franzen, Lidstrom).

Datsyuk is an amazing player but he's overrated. He has yet to have a dominant playoffs that a Hart and Selke (btw those are regular season awards ***cough cough***) forward should have.

But I guess I don't know hockey and just started watching yesterday since I'm not bowing down and blowing my load over everything Red Wings.

 

[NoCreativity]

Originally posted by: mallik
LOL I love how Wings fans keep pumping the fact that Datsyuk is out, as if he's some caged monster that's going to break free and unleash his dominance on the Pens.

He has done almost nothing in these playoffs and he wasn't that amazing in the finals last year either.

And now that I said that he's going to score a hat trick every game once he gets back.

I would say Crosby had a good game last night. Created a bunch of scoring opportunities as well as logged a lot of time in the offensive zone. The result was making Zetterberg's line much less effective. That's what Datsyuk has been doing all post season. He hasn't scored much but he is able to neutralize the scoring of the opposition and open up the ice for his teammates.

Originally posted by: mallik

Datsyuk is an amazing player but he's overrated. He has yet to have a dominant playoffs that a Hart and Selke (btw those are regular season awards ***cough cough***) forward should have.

If you are referring to only this season, you are more than correct. If you mean in general, he has already shown he can rise to the occasion. Last year he was 4th in scoring and the year before he was 6th.

 

[Train]

Originally posted by: mallik
LOL I love how Wings fans keep pumping the fact that Datsyuk is out, as if he's some caged monster that's going to break free and unleash his dominance on the Pens.

He has done almost nothing in these playoffs and he wasn't that amazing in the finals last year either.

And now that I said that he's going to score a hat trick every game once he gets back.

Datsyuk is a penalty killing beast. He can pretty much school the league in puck possession.

Individual Goals only matter on teams that rely on star players *cough* Pens *cough*. The Wings rely on friggin everybody to put up points. Datsyuk was the team leader in goals in the regular season, but only got an easy goal in the first round, no more all through the playoffs. Take any other team in the NHL, take away thier top scorers goals, and they are done. The red wings keep humming along like nothing happened. Look at Helm, not a single regular season goal, now he has 6 in the playoffs. Look at Abdelkator(sp?) the dude is practically a minor leaguer who is only playing because the Wings have so many guys injured. And he gets a goal.. that's depth.

When you have 4 lines all putting up points in the playoffs, with star players injured.. thats frikkin depth. No two man circus is gonna overcome that.

 

[Squisher]

Originally posted by: NoCreativity

Originally posted by: mallik
LOL I love how Wings fans keep pumping the fact that Datsyuk is out, as if he's some caged monster that's going to break free and unleash his dominance on the Pens.

He has done almost nothing in these playoffs and he wasn't that amazing in the finals last year either.

And now that I said that he's going to score a hat trick every game once he gets back.

I would say Crosby had a good game last night. Created a bunch of scoring opportunities as well as logged a lot of time in the offensive zone. The result was making Zetterberg's line much less effective. That's what Datsyuk has been doing all post season. He hasn't scored much but he is able to neutralize the scoring of the opposition and open up the ice for his teammates.

I think Cindy had a good game too. He played both ends of the ice well. Although he could have been the goat if that cross check to Zetterberg's ear had been called and the wings had scored. If they start calling the stuff the pens are doing out of frustration it'll be their undoing. They are doing it 1/10th as much as Anaheim, but you've got to start calling it sometime or it'll escalate.

 

[KK]

Originally posted by: Cuda1447
Detroit won 3-1, but that wasn't because they outplayed Pittsburg, its because they got the lucky bounces on net and had a bit better goaltending. It could have easily been 2-1 Pittsburg instead. Should be a good game tonight.

Yeah, fluery put two of those in. But that's hockey, hopefully we'll get some lucky bounces too. So far, and it's only one game, but the pens look like they have a shot this year at winning, whereas last year, not so much.

 

[Alone]

Originally posted by: Cuda1447
Detroit won 3-1, but that wasn't because they outplayed Pittsburg, its because they got the lucky bounces on net and had a bit better goaltending. It could have easily been 2-1 Pittsburg instead. Should be a good game tonight.

Hi, you must be new.

This is hockey, this is how it has always been. Exploiting the weaknesses of your opponent is the whole strategy behind getting points. Sure, Fleury may have put a couple in himself, but who got him into that position in the first place?

The game as 3-1 for Detroit, not 2-1 Pits. That won't change.

Detroit, in this case, DID out-play Pittsburg. Hopefully tonight's game will be closer.

 

[Cuda1447]

Originally posted by: Alone

Originally posted by: Cuda1447
Detroit won 3-1, but that wasn't because they outplayed Pittsburg, its because they got the lucky bounces on net and had a bit better goaltending. It could have easily been 2-1 Pittsburg instead. Should be a good game tonight.

Hi, you must be new.

This is hockey, this is how it has always been. Exploiting the weaknesses of your opponent is the whole strategy behind getting points. Sure, Fleury may have put a couple in himself, but who got him into that position in the first place?

The game as 3-1 for Detroit, not 2-1 Pits. That won't change.

Detroit, in this case, DID out-play Pittsburg. Hopefully tonight's game will be closer.

Hehe, what do you have "Be a dick syndrome"

I simply commented on the game, no need to call me new or belittle me. I know what I'm talking about and I realize it is this way in most sports. I've played hockey a decent amount myself as well, not that it matters much.

In any case, don't get your panties in a bunch because I didn't bow down to the greatness of Detroit. They are a very good team, with a ton of depth. But they didn't OUTPLAY Pittsburg. They outscored Pitt. They capitalized on the opportunities they had, but by no means did they outplay them. It was a very close game that either team could have won, given a few inches this way or that way. What that basically means is, despite a 3-1 victory, Detroit has a tough series ahead of them. They cannot rest, they will have to play tough every game and still have some luck on their side. It's not like they will be able to sweep the Pens (unless they really start outplaying them).


I do hope though, that the Pens win tonight on a lucky bounce. That way you can say the Pens outplayed Detroit, even though it may have just been a couple inches in their favor.

 

[Alone]

out·play (out-pla')
tr.v. out·played, out·play·ing, out·plays
To surpass (an opponent) in skill or technique or in scoring points.

Sorry, man, but they were outplayed.

 

[Train]

When you pull your goalie, and have a 6 on 5 advantage, and you STILL get the puck taken to your own zone... and can't seem to get it back... you got outplayed.

I would say it was "even" a little more than half the game, the rest of the time the wings held an obvious advantage.

As for the "lucky" bounces. Getting in from behind the goalie is a strategy every team uses against defenses that clog the lanes. Theres simply no way to get a shot on goal when theres so much traffic in front of you, so you bank it off the boards hoping to hit the goalies ass.

As the Pens admitted last night, practicing that exact shot was the first thing they did when the got to the Joe. They were going for it just as much as the Wings were.