Official 2008-2009 NHL thread.

[Cuda1447]

I wouldn't say Detroit is superior, I would say they are very good and probably have the edge in goaltending. The 5 on 5 play though, it seems to me that Pittsburg has spent the majority of the game attacking, or at least trying to attack. It doesn't seem like Detroit gets very many cycles going or anything. They've had a lot of flukey goals (and I blame Fleury for that, what a douche).

Pittsburg just needs to get a few breaks and they are right back in it.

 

[KMFJD]

Grand Rapids is outscoring the superstars...3-1

Nice use of the stick by Malkin at the end btw....nice spear by Talbot on Ozzy

Malkin Swinging his stick

 

[Squisher]

Originally posted by: sao123
I dont know if you know this, but your not allowed to touch a person who does not have the puck. Every time a penguin is skating trying to get to a loose puck, his progress is impeded. As I said even the announcers acknowledged that the red wing guy interfered on staal trying to enter the zone to get a loose puck.

Also... lets see. Zetterberg put his hand on the puck in game 1 and held it.
penalty.

Hossa slashed someones stick right before the goal was scored.
penalty.

You mean like Malkin did before his break away?

EDIT: Well, you are allowed to sweep the puck,but not cover it. If, however if you are in the crease and the puck goes underneath you, you aren't penalized.


And, oh yeah, Hossa didn't break the guy's stick. Too bad the announcers on NBC said that he did, because it kinda looked like it. But, did anyone think, how did Hossa break the guys stick half way down the shaft when the tap (not slash) happened in the area of his hands?? The reason the guy's stick broke was because HE SLASHED Hossa on the skate. The refs were right there and saw it from a different angle than the cameras.

EDIT: Video

 

[murphy55d]

or when Matt Cooke throws elbows after the play? Or when Malkin gets out of a suspension for an instigator?

That video is pretty damning evidence...one less things for the Pens fans to cry about.

"the announcers said...the announcers said" blah blah blah. They were wrong. Every team in the NHL interferes. Even the Pens. Get over it. You really think the Penguins only committed ONE penalty in game 1? Really?

Pens fans are starting to sound like their captain now....do i really need to get an ascii wahmublance?

 

[mpitts]

The Pens and their fans are going to continue to complain about non-calls against Detroit because they know that the power play is the only way that they can win this series.

The Red Wings dominate even strength play. They have given up a grand total of 20 even strength goals in 18 playoff games. Meanwhile, Pittsburgh has given up 40 in just one more game.

The Pens have do a combination of the following things to win the series:

Get 4-5 more power plays per game than the Wings
Give up zero goals on the penalty kill
Outscore Detroit at even strength
Hope Osgood goes crazy

 

[coloumb]

Just deal with it - Detroit is going to once again walk all over the Pens. Detroit proved it last year and once again are proving it by winning game 1 and 2. I'm not a fan of either team - but quite honestly - Pens need to mature a little if they want to take on the big boys who have a better track record.

BTW - did I hear correctly that Crosby is living with his idol Mario Lemieux? That seems kinda..odd... /shudder

 

[Squisher]

I'm going to be a little more cautious in my hope that Detroit wins the cup. Washington was up 2-0. However, I think the Wings played their two worst games of the playoffs and won both games.

 

[mpitts]

Originally posted by: Squisher
I'm going to be a little more cautious in my hope that Detroit wins the cup. Washington was up 2-0. However, I think the Wings played their two worst games of the playoffs and won both games.

The Wings are light years ahead of Washington, plus they know how to put an opponents hopes to bed. Washington doesn't have the defense or depth at forward that Detroit does.

The fact of the matter is that the Pens will only go as for as Scuderi, Gill and Fleury let them. Plus Gonchar has been a non-factor, mostly because of the lack of power plays Pittsburgh has had.

 

[Train]

damn we were kinda spoiled by back to back games, feels like something is missing tonight.

 

[Squisher]

Originally posted by: mpitts
Hope Osgood goes crazy

Hahaha.

I don't think the Pens will have any luck with that. I wonder at times if people question Osgood's ability because he is so down to earth and level headed. Most goalies as a group are some of quirkiest/flakiest people around. I think the same genetic defect that allows them to have such quick reflexes also short circuits their brains.

 

[Train]

Originally posted by: Jeff7181
But... Crosby was near by...

Ya, kinda WTF'd at that.

Perhaps the "star cam" was down and all the cindy fans were having a fit because he wasnt on the screen.

 

[mallik]

Originally posted by: murphy55d
or when Matt Cooke throws elbows after the play? Or when Malkin gets out of a suspension for an instigator?

That video is pretty damning evidence...one less things for the Pens fans to cry about.

"the announcers said...the announcers said" blah blah blah. They were wrong. Every team in the NHL interferes. Even the Pens. Get over it. You really think the Penguins only committed ONE penalty in game 1? Really?

Pens fans are starting to sound like their captain now....do i really need to get an ascii wahmublance?

Malkin didn't get out of any suspension; the suspension is at the leagues discretion. And before it gets said that Malkin got preferential treatment because he's on Bettman's team, that instigator rule is put in place so that teams don't go out and intentionally starting gooning it up when the game is out of reach.

According to the video that is such damning evidence, Zetterberg gave Talbot a shot with his glove on and that's when Malkin got upset and went after Zetterberg.

Of course every team interferes, every team does things that could be considered "illegal." The point is that the Wings get away with it a lot and have probably been getting away with more than the Pens this series so far.

Anyways, the irony of Wings fans calling Crosby and/or the Pens a bunch of whiners/crybabies is too rich.

 

[Squisher]

Originally posted by: mallik

Originally posted by: murphy55d
or when Matt Cooke throws elbows after the play? Or when Malkin gets out of a suspension for an instigator?

That video is pretty damning evidence...one less things for the Pens fans to cry about.

"the announcers said...the announcers said" blah blah blah. They were wrong. Every team in the NHL interferes. Even the Pens. Get over it. You really think the Penguins only committed ONE penalty in game 1? Really?

Pens fans are starting to sound like their captain now....do i really need to get an ascii wahmublance?

Malkin didn't get out of any suspension; the suspension is at the leagues discretion. And before it gets said that Malkin got preferential treatment because he's on Bettman's team, that instigator rule is put in place so that teams don't go out and intentionally starting gooning it up when the game is out of reach.

According to the video that is such damning evidence, Zetterberg gave Talbot a shot with his glove on and that's when Malkin got upset and went after Zetterberg.

Of course every team interferes, every team does things that could be considered "illegal." The point is that the Wings get away with it a lot and have probably been getting away with more than the Pens this series so far.

Anyways, the irony of Wings fans calling Crosby and/or the Pens a bunch of whiners/crybabies is too rich.

1) The game wasn't out of reach? The gutless punk slashed him with a stick to the neck, dropped his gloves, and tried to sucker punch the opposing team's best player. Oh, I forgot, he scores goals so he's allowed to do that. You see a support player do that during the regular season and there would be multiple game suspensions and $$$ fines.

2) After Talbot mistook Ozzy for one of the vampires from Twilight and decided to to impale him with his stick. I don't know if that works with composite.

3) It is impossible to assess how much is going on through a TV screen. All your best interference is going on away from the play and away from the cameras. All I can say is that the most blatant, hard to not call interference is being done by the Pens. Maybe, the Wings are just better at it.

4) I'll consider the source.

 

[Jeff7181]

Originally posted by: Train

Originally posted by: Jeff7181
But... Crosby was near by...

Ya, kinda WTF'd at that.

Perhaps the "star cam" was down and all the cindy fans were having a fit because he wasnt on the screen.

That guy's just swinging from Crosby's sac hairs trying to kiss his ass... every chance he get he praises Malkin and Crosby... seriously, how about being objective?

 

[Squisher]

Double post

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

Squisher,

I have to ask. How long have you been playing/watching hockey?

I'm on about 25 years of watching and 15 of playing the game. And my only thought is that you are:
1) A fanboy of the Red Wings
and/or
2) Not an experienced hockey fan

-------
For what it is worth, at times it seems like the Red Wings are playing by the mid 90s to early 2000 rules where you can obstruct all you want penalty free. I actually had this thought run through my head atleast once or twice as I watched. I seriously felt like the referees are letting anything go. Sure, both teams are abusing the system but the Red Wings do it way more often. It's not even a contest. Someone should track no-calls that would have occurred during the regular season. Liek the broken stick play that resulted in Red Wings goal #2. Sticks don't break in the middle of the shaft for no reason. Slashing penalty not called, I think so. Goal #2 pretty much killed the Penns.

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

Originally posted by: Squisher

Originally posted by: IHateMyJob2004
I'm cheering for the Penns, but I hope you have seen the instances of interference that are occurring.

It is happening all over by both teams, although the Pens have gotten away with a couple over the two games that were pretty blatant and I thought they were going to be called. It is one thing to do it in with a lot of close action, but when one defenseman skates laterally and gives a soft check to allow your other defenseman to gather the puck and you're the only three people involved in the play, it's pretty hard not to make a call.

If you really want to know what I think. I think the Pens are much improved. I think their defensive reaction to the puck is giving the Wings fits. They are very closely matched and the series could be going the other way. I think that Crosby is a great player arguably the best player on the ice, and if the rest of the world would stop craning their necks to get a sniff of his ass crack, he'd be even better.

I think Crosby needs to do what Micheal Jordan did that changed his career. Add 10 pounds. 10 pounds of muscle. Same for Malkin. If they did this, they would go from awesome to dominant. He is 5'11" and 200 pounds right now. Imagine him at 210 pounds! Might be pushing it for his height but it would be a huge difference.

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

Originally posted by: coloumb
Just deal with it - Detroit is going to once again walk all over the Pens. Detroit proved it last year and once again are proving it by winning game 1 and 2. I'm not a fan of either team - but quite honestly - Pens need to mature a little if they want to take on the big boys who have a better track record.

BTW - did I hear correctly that Crosby is living with his idol Mario Lemieux? That seems kinda..odd... /shudder

Home ice advantage might make this not so. Face offs will be to the Penns advantage since they are the second stick down (timing advantage). And the Penns will get the second change for faceoffs allowing them to get preferential player matchups. So, Sydney will not have problems with unfavorable matchups as often.

It is a tradition in Pittsburgh from what I understand for a veteran to bring a rookie into his home for his first year at Pitt. Lemieux brought Sydney into his home. I'm sure with the money these guys make though, that they have a guest area anyways. In many ways this is a good thing. Imagine going from no income to making millions. It's hard to loose your head and waste your money when that happens. Lemieuxis also a wine buff with a nice wine cellar so if Sydney likes wine, he was in a good place.

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

Originally posted by: Cuda1447
I wouldn't say Detroit is superior, I would say they are very good and probably have the edge in goaltending. The 5 on 5 play though, it seems to me that Pittsburg has spent the majority of the game attacking, or at least trying to attack. It doesn't seem like Detroit gets very many cycles going or anything. They've had a lot of flukey goals (and I blame Fleury for that, what a douche).

Pittsburg just needs to get a few breaks and they are right back in it.

Huh? Pittsbugh couldn't even get a dump in and recover it last game.

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

Originally posted by: KMFJD
Grand Rapids is outscoring the superstars...3-1

Nice use of the stick by Malkin at the end btw....nice spear by Talbot on Ozzy

Malkin Swinging his stick

Huh? He didn't swing hte stick at anybody. If he did, it would have connected. He was catching his balance and missed Zeterberg by a few feet. A few seconds later he dropped the stick and start throwing punches. Bottom line is that it is not high sticking unless contact is made.

 

[GoSharks]

Originally posted by: IHateMyJob2004Liek the broken stick play that resulted in Red Wings goal #2. Sticks don't break in the middle of the shaft for no reason. Slashing penalty not called, I think so. Goal #2 pretty much killed the Penns.

You're right. Sticks don't break for no reason:
http://www.kuklaskorner.com/images/uploads/hossa.gif

You can thank me later

 

[Squisher]

Originally posted by: IHateMyJob2004

Originally posted by: KMFJD
Grand Rapids is outscoring the superstars...3-1

Nice use of the stick by Malkin at the end btw....nice spear by Talbot on Ozzy

Malkin Swinging his stick

Huh? He didn't swing hte stick at anybody. If he did, it would have connected. He was catching his balance and missed Zeterberg by a few feet. A few seconds later he dropped the stick and start throwing punches. Bottom line is that it is not high sticking unless contact is made.

How is your eyesight? He swings a one handed chop right down on Zetterberg's back and then takes a swing at Zetterberg with his stick in his hand. He missed with the punch, but the stick trailing in hand catches Zetterberg in the neck. I can't imagine anybody defending this.

 

[GoSharks]

Originally posted by: Squisher

Originally posted by: IHateMyJob2004

Originally posted by: KMFJD
Grand Rapids is outscoring the superstars...3-1

Nice use of the stick by Malkin at the end btw....nice spear by Talbot on Ozzy

Malkin Swinging his stick

Huh? He didn't swing hte stick at anybody. If he did, it would have connected. He was catching his balance and missed Zeterberg by a few feet. A few seconds later he dropped the stick and start throwing punches. Bottom line is that it is not high sticking unless contact is made.

How is your eyesight? He swings a one handed chop right down on Zetterberg's back and then takes a swing at Zetterberg with his stick in his hand. He missed with the punch, but the stick trailing in hand catches Zetterberg in the neck. I can't imagine anybody defending this.

I can see the first swing going either way. However, the second is pretty indefensible.

 

[Sentrosi2121]

Last I checked, the REFS call penalties in the game and not the fans or announcers. Are they turning their eyes away from the interference penalties? Sure, I'll agree. It goes both ways though to both teams. I prefer these kind of games to the old rules which had the refs calling Obstruction penalties every 2 minutes. Hockey is not basketball. If the refs feel the situation getting out of hand, they'll call the penalty. So those people here whining about non-calls, get your panties out of your jockstrap.

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

Originally posted by: Squisher

Originally posted by: IHateMyJob2004

Originally posted by: KMFJD
Grand Rapids is outscoring the superstars...3-1

Nice use of the stick by Malkin at the end btw....nice spear by Talbot on Ozzy

Malkin Swinging his stick

Huh? He didn't swing hte stick at anybody. If he did, it would have connected. He was catching his balance and missed Zeterberg by a few feet. A few seconds later he dropped the stick and start throwing punches. Bottom line is that it is not high sticking unless contact is made.

How is your eyesight? He swings a one handed chop right down on Zetterberg's back and then takes a swing at Zetterberg with his stick in his hand. He missed with the punch, but the stick trailing in hand catches Zetterberg in the neck. I can't imagine anybody defending this.

The stick landed 2 feet behind him. It didn't touch him. It was a taunt. He was probably saying something to him to, along the lines of "hello sir, would you like to throw fists at each other?"