Wings Take 2-1 Win, Move Within One for Stanley
by FrankD on Jun 1, 2008 12:21 AM EDT
in Game Recaps
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PrintIf there was ever a night when Pittsburgh had to remain undefeated at home, then Saturday night was it. And if there was ever a game that Pittsburgh had to win; well, Saturday night was it too. Now with the Red Wings leading the series 3-1, the traveling circus heads back to Michigan for what Detroit hopes is the last leg of the run.
The past, present and future of the Pittsburgh Penguins
Broken sticks, broken dreams and in Mellon Arena Saturday night, at least 17,000-plus broken hearts. Pittsburgh watched their quick 1-0 lead meet its match before the end of the first, sending the game into a 1-1 tie for the second. The stalemate that followed secured some hope for the Penguins, but it was a loused clearing attempt in the third that send a Hudler backhander past Fleury for the game-winner.
The story of the night for both teams was the power play units. Both were deadly, but both equally met their match on the penalty kill. None acted more in suit than the Detroit Red Wings.
Late in the third, with a 5-on-4 power play in their favor, Pittsburgh hoped to at least even things up with a quick goal. Before the play could even get moving, another penalty was called on Detroit to put the power play to a massive 5-on-3 advantage for the Pens.
But it was Henrik Zetterberg and his insane penalty kill, shorthanded threats and clearing attempts that single-handedly kept Pittsburgh on lockdown. Most crucial of all was a play on Crosby that held 'The Kid' goalless on what would have most likely been the tying notch.
The biggest concern should lie in this - Detroit gave Pitt the chances. Their eight penalties compared to Pittsburgh's five gave plenty of room for a comeback on the Penguins' behalf. The team just couldn't muster up an attack around the swarming Wings defense.
Two days ago I mentioned Evgeni Malkin looked good. Puck-handling, passing, control, poise - it looked like he had the whole deal heading in the direction of...something. But Saturday night it looked more like Malkin needed a nap. Passes jumped over his stick, pucks remained directionless on fanned shots and his effort on ice practically left the Pens shorthanded without the penalty for whatever shift he was on. In the past, stories circulated of Hossa's inability to come through in the playoffs. Will the same lore surround Malkin in the future?
Speaking of Hossa; how ironic is it that he was the only one to score for Pitt tonight? The man who was in black and blue three months ago posted another playoff goal for the black and gold. If there were any hopes of Pitt holding onto him after this season, I fear his stock value has gone up, up and away this postseason.
Game 5 is do or die for Pittsburgh. To win three straight is not impossible but definitely a challenge beyond challenges. Worse than Pitt's lack of confident and production in Detroit earlier this series is a similar fear hanging over their heads now in Pittsburgh. As easily as this game could have fallen in Pittsburgh's favor it fell in Detroit's. One post shot later, two "just wide" shots and a few "if only" plays are all we have left heading into destiny.
But if you expected me to concede defeat now then I shouldn't be writing a Penguins blog.
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Rough Game
Malkin did little to nothing to impress last night… but Crosby is who is really bothering me. Maybe it’s just me, but in the past, you could always tell Crosby was on the ice… whether it be him handling the puck, creating plays or whatever… it seems lately that you can hardly ever tell when he’s on the ice. I looked at the stats sheet and it shows he had 22:39 time on the ice last night… if I had to guess after the game… I would have said it was closer to 14-15. He’s just not doing much for me.
When he doesn’t have the puck I feel like he’s just coasting… when he does have the puck, he always dishes… usually too early. I’d like to see him with the puck, driving towards the net more.. get to the net and if he’s going to pass, make that 1 pass for a 1 timer… otherwise, I want him with the puck. I know Detroit is a very good team at holding players up… but Crosby needs to challenge them.. He’s been good all season at drawing penalties when he goes to the hole… I’d like to see more of that. Hossa can’t carry the puck like Crosby and shouldn’t be doing so… Hossa is a compliment to Crosby… not the other way around. When Crosby does bring the puck in, he almost always stops and dishes after he crosses the blue line… is he letting the Red Wings D get to him? I know they are good(really good), but Crosby is the best player in the league… he needs to show it. He needs to take over games like he did in the regular season. I haven’t seen him do that yet. Yes he was the best player in the Pens only win… but he didn’t take over that game.
Without looking at the stat sheet and just going by watching the game… If I had to take a guess, I would have said that Maxime Talbot and Adam Hall had more ice time than Crosby last night… they seemed to always be on the ice and always have the puck and trying to create things…
I’ve liked what I’ve seen from Talbot, Dupuis and Roberts(although they don’t show much on the stat sheet). They at least look like they are trying 100% of the time… a lot of the other Pens look like they are just going through the motions.
I don’t really have a good solution for the Pens to beat the Wings… I’m not sure the constant cycling of the puck is going to produce much on this Red Wings defense…
Go 'Stros!
Talbot is always on every inch of the ice when he’s out there. Last night he got rocked pretty hard against the boards, got up slowly, and was rocked again seconds later. For a small guy he hits hard, and I guess for the role he holds on the team at the moment that’s about all you can ask for.
I don’t know about Hossa not handling the puck well. He can move that around with the best of them, but more often than not he finds himself in the similar situation of a crossed blue line with no one to help. Last night’s goal was impressive though. It’s not often you can fake the wraparound and slip one in front side.
2-1 is not a blowout and is literally a case of one team barely edging out the other. You almost wish the first two games didn’t happen because this would be a very close and intense 1-1 series. But what’s done is done and if Pitt is in fact the better team they will find a way to pull this one out.
FrankD from Pensburgh.com
Good stuff Frank...
There were a lot of broken sticks. Funny how many actually were broken. I would like to see a number on that…
The power play units scoring were somewhat… unexpected. The way the penalty kills have been playing, I would have assumed that the power play units would have too much of an effect on the game. Not last night…
That five on three is the staple of showing how good Detroit’s defense can be…
Malkin didn’t look good, but I am going to defend him a little when it comes to the passing thing. The ice was very chippy, making passing hard. He still was probably the worst player with the biggest expectations on the ice…
Malkin cost himself a lot of money by his poor playoff performance. He would have been set to make bank, now Pitt is going to get a discount on him…
Hossa probably would stay, but the Penguins won’t be able to afford him under the cap…
It’s over. Just a matter of time, but it is over. I’m not discrediting Pittsburgh in any way though. It’s been one hell of a run; the number two seed, knocking off some powerful teams, and simply making it to the finals is something there is to be proud. I’m sure this isn’t the last time we’ll see Sid-the-Kid lead the Pens to the finals…
I’m not disappointed in the team, just a bit disheartened. Similar to how the Flyers came back from the worst in the league last year, the Pens have done just the same over the last two seasons. I’m not concerned in a general sense, just curious now as to how this is all going to end and how Pitt will finagle players in the offseason.
Keep in mind though, Dallas mounted a slight comeback with the odds against them. If Dallas can do it down 3-0 to lose 4-2, and Pitt can rally to when down 3-1, then this could just as easily be a 7 game series.
Of course, I remain optimistic to the bitter, bitter end.
FrankD from Pensburgh.com
I doubt Malkin's performance n the finals will
cost him anything.. he was one of the best players during the regular seasona nd he was great in the playoffs until this round… it’s not like he’s a playoff choke…
Go 'Stros!
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