The Prince of Wales Redux: Sidney Crosby and the Pens sweep out the Carolina Hurricanes, head to the Stanley Cup
by Hooks Orpik on May 26, 2009 10:45 PM EDT
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Image used courtesy of a submission toThe Pensblog
February 14th all hope looked lost. The Pittsburgh Penguins just lost a 6-2 to the non-threatening Toronto Maple Leafs. The team was in a funk, mired in 10th place and playoff chances were growing more and more dim every game they played. Michel Therrien was dismissed, Dan Bylsma got a promotion, yada yada yada the Penguins go 30-8-4 and have repeated as Eastern Conference Champions on May 26th.
Ok so maybe I skipped a little, huh?
- First of all, I'm happy the Sidney Crosby picked up the Prince of Wales trophy, posed for a few pictures and nonchalantly skated off the ice. Mario Lemieux did that too. The New Jersey Devils (the last team to win back to to back Eastern Conference titles in 2000-01) kind of initiated the tradition of not touching that trophy back in the mid '90s, with the thought of "this isn't the one we want to celebrate". And while that's all well and good, a perfectly fine message to have, the Penguins deserved to have the happy moment to recognize their monumental achievement for such a huge season turnaround. Plus Crosby, one of the most superstitious players you'll ever meet, had to realize that not touching the Wales trophy didn't do anything to help the Pens win "the trophy they wanted" last year, so why not now?
- Even though the top dogs, Crosby and Evgeni Malkin were quiet on the scoreboard, the role players came through tonight. Max Talbot (1 goal, 2 assists), Ruslan Fedotenko (1 goal), Miroslav Satan and Philippe Boucher (1 assist a piece) all had big nights and were reasons for the success.
- Got to give credit to the Carolina Hurricanes, they battled and showed heart. Whether they hit a wall after two seven game series or just were over-matched is topic for another night. When they went out there against the Penguins, they just didn't measure up. Offensively, defensively and in net Pittsburgh showed their superiority in all dimensions and got the deserving win.
- Speaking of which, why'd Carolina hit the wall after 14 games of early round play, while Pittsburgh played 13 and is getting stronger and stronger? More skill and the mark of a champion, I'd say.
- Another nod to Marc-Andre Fleury; 30 saves on 31 shots. He had his best game of the series when the Penguins needed him the most. He's now got 26 playoff wins in the past two seasons, a terrific run. While his exploits are always going to be over-shadowed by his high powered offensive teammates, if he's not solid then the Pens don't have a chance of winning. He was more than that tonight and now he's going back to the Finals.
- Just another ho-hum 0 point, +3, 5 blocked shot (combined) night for the pairing of Hal Gill and Rob Scuderi, the team's other bunch unsung heroes. They'll be tested again before it's all done, but they've proven they can carry the mail yet another time.
So that's it, that's your Eastern Conference playoff bracket. The Penguins dispose of their physical, cross-state rivals in six intense games, they follow that up by dispatching nemesis Alex Ovechkin and the Capitals in seven and then steamroll the only team left in four straight.
It seems inevitable that Detroit will win and clinch another Western Conference title; if they win tomorrow at least it'll be just a four day layoff, while if they lose tomorrow it'll seemingly be 11 days of practice and rest for Pittsburgh before the Finals and the unfinished business resumes.
12 wins and 3 series down, just 4 more wins to go until they get "the trophy they want".
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GAH HOOKS!
get it write like in geno’s diary.
“archrival ovechkin”
good post heres to four more wins
" I AM CAPATIN CHAOS, and this is my trusty Sidekick cato. Say hello Cato"
Dom Deluise 1933-2009, Cannonball run
by oldtimehockey09 on May 26, 2009 10:48 PM EDT reply actions
I thought Crosby touching the POW trophy was fine. They didn’t touch it last year and that didn’t work out so well, so perhaps this year touching it will be fine.
For more hockey news; www.illegalcurve.com
RED!
I don’t know about you guys, but I’m sick of playing teams dressed in RED!
hah I didn’t even think of that. Kinda funny.
Follow the Penguins on SBN @ Pensburgh.com and twitter.
yeah, I’ve got a sick pair of red and white Nike’s that I bought at a rummage sale while I was on tour last fall. I’ve been wanting to wear them recently, but I’m gonna have to wait until after the finals, I guess.
-David
sixminutecynic.blogspot.com
www.piratesmix.com.
by pascaldupweevil on May 27, 2009 1:12 AM EDT up reply actions
Side note: The NHL wasted no time sending out an e-mail for “Penguins fans to get their Eastern Conference champ gear now!”
I’ll wait for the shirt that counts after we win the trophy that counts.
Follow the Penguins on SBN @ Pensburgh.com and twitter.
Amen to that Frank! You only buy the Eastern Conference (or Western) Champs merch if your team LOSES in the Stanley Cup Finals.
That doesn’t stop the NHL from trying to get every cent they can in revenue. Can’t say I blame them but the only shirt I want is the one that says 2008-2009 STANLEY CUP CHAMPIONS!!!!!!!!
LET’S GO PENS!
by GenoTheGreat on May 27, 2009 9:12 AM EDT up reply actions
Great game, Great series, Great effort by the Pens. Off the the finals. Go Pen Go
P.S. i love the broom
Lifes rough, wear a helment
are they still going with the original schedule or are they going to get this series started if the wings finish off the hawks tomorrow?
Lifes rough, wear a helment
If the Wings finish off the Hawks tomm
Then the series starts this weekend.
For more hockey news; www.illegalcurve.com
If Detroit finishes them off tomorrow then Game 1 will supposedly start this Saturday.
If Chicago wins at least one more game then supposedly the SC Finals won’t begin all the way until Friday June 5th in order at least mainly to accomendate NBC.
Sucks, but that’s the way it is
If Detroit can win tomorrow that could actually be a disadvantage to them; as Pavel Datsyuk, Niklas Lidstrom and Kris Draper seemingly all will be less than 100% on this Saturday….June 5th is about a lifetime away in hockey terms, obviously all will be a lot closer to 100% by then.
by Hooks Orpik on May 26, 2009 11:14 PM EDT up reply actions
Of course the NHL
could just start mid week. Makes no sense. Assuming Wings don’t win till game 6 (although they are likely winning tomm) why wait so long.
BTW – Anyone watching this Orlando/Clevland game? Insane.
For more hockey news; www.illegalcurve.com
Yes, I can’t believe this game. But it looks like Cleveland is gonna blow it in OT
Follow the Penguins on SBN @ Pensburgh.com and twitter.
love the broom logo
Yep, I’m a happy Pens fan. Carolina really brought it tonight, and the D stood tall. Just a great, unassuming win. Way to get it done boys!
P is for Latrobe.
Was it just me...
Or do Blysma and Paul Maurice look a lot alike?
Okay, just so I understand it... in your wildest fantasy, you are in hell. And you are co-running a bed and breakfast with the devil.
also have to give the Canes credit
For playing a CLEAN game 4. They had great energy, but they didn’t lose their cool.
P is for Latrobe.
They didn’t cheap shot anyone tonight, but they were surprisingly undisciplined. A bunch of Roughing-type penalties in an elimination game.
imo that call for the jab on staal just about sealed the game. they were doing a good job on the pk then wham they go down two men for nearly a minute and it just sapped everything they had
" I AM CAPATIN CHAOS, and this is my trusty Sidekick cato. Say hello Cato"
Dom Deluise 1933-2009, Cannonball run
by oldtimehockey09 on May 26, 2009 11:27 PM EDT up reply actions
First of all
1) Danny Bylsma, much like his Steeler head coach counterpart Mike Tomlin is WAY too cool. The same deadpan look that Coach Tomlin shows whenever the Steelers score a touchdown, can be seen on the face of Coach Bylsma whenever the Pens score…hands DOWN he is the coach of the year.
2) Max Talbot, much like Coach Tomlin is not human:)
3) This team is playing unreal…I am talking about every single line playing tough physical defense, and attacking the goal, everyime the puck is thrown on net , they are getting so many second and third chance goals.
4) How about Ray Shero? After betting the farm to get Hossa and watching him snub a $49 million contract to go to Detroit, you’d think the Pens had struck out. Not so, with the solid play of Kunitz, Fedotenko, Matt Cooke and Billy Guerin, they are contributing in their own way…and how about Miro Satan??? They are better then last year and like I said before, Coach Bylsma is coach of the year.
by BlackandGoldSSgt on May 26, 2009 11:26 PM EDT reply actions
You know what…we were willing to have Hoss for 7 years and have him lock-up all that money. We’re so much better off without him.
Great point B&GSSgt and Malsby…..More on that tomorrow from me on what it would have meant to the Penguins structure wise if Marian Hossa accepted their long-term offer (and was eating up $7 million a season in salary cap space).
But for tonight WOOOO! Congrats Pens fans, enjoy it.
by Hooks Orpik on May 26, 2009 11:35 PM EDT up reply actions
i bet if they signed hossa, we would not of re signed staal, we wldve either traded him or not resign him
Staal probably would’ve been dished at the deadline
Follow the Penguins on SBN @ Pensburgh.com and twitter.
It’s funny, my father and I were watching the game and he kept saying how great Scuderi is and I was like, “Yeah, dad, but we won’t be able to keep him….” The Pens have over $13 million in raises due next season. We’re going to have all we can do to re-sign anyone. Take that into account, and then imagine $7 million more each year tied up into Hossa. Seriously? We would have had absolutely no defense and no other scoring if Hossa had accepted the offer. For the best, really.
But the best part will be...
…that he made the wrong decision.
-David
sixminutecynic.blogspot.com
www.piratesmix.com.
by pascaldupweevil on May 26, 2009 11:52 PM EDT up reply actions
And aside from that, this team is looking like they don’t need any help from Hossa or anyone else. Seriously, It’s been a long time since I’ve seen any team in any sport click the way this Pens team is right now. I hope the Wings win tomorrow just so that we can get this thing under way sooner than later.
-David
sixminutecynic.blogspot.com
www.piratesmix.com.
by pascaldupweevil on May 26, 2009 11:55 PM EDT up reply actions
The only thing that keeps me grounded is that the Wings were dominant over the Pens last season and in the offseason they added Hossa; the Wings certainly didn’t get any worse. Unless the Wings’ injuries plague them, the Pens will still be looking up at their opponent this Finals.
While the Red Wings may not have gotten any worse, the Penguins have most certainly gotten better. This Pittsburgh team is not the same one that faced Detroit in last year’s Final. In this playoff Sidney Crosby has come of age as both a hockey player and a leader and rather than fading down the stretch drive, Evgeni Malkin has stepped up his game to previously unseen levels the deeper the Penguins have gone in the playoffs. They are getting secondary scoring from Bill Guerin, Ruslan Fedotenko and other supporting players and the defense has been playing extremely well. Anchoring all of that is Fleury in net, and though I cringe a little bit every time he leaves his net to play the puck, he has proven himself capable of making big saves at key times, which is what the Penguins will need from him in the Final. If the Penguins can use the lessons they learned in last years playoffs and do not allow themselves to become so over-awed and intimidated by the championship-winning stature of the Red Wings and spot them another two-game lead I believe the Pens have a legitmate shot at playing with and even beating the Wings. It won’t be easy, but it can be done.
Congratulations and good luck to the Pens. Wish we could have made it a bit more interesting.
Hooks, thanks for coming over to our noontime chats with lineup info. You guys do a great job here, (next time give me notes on how to moderate). and Frank, thanks again for all your help in the past.
Cheers!
GM of CanesCountry.com
Grats on your season. The Canes had a great run and I think a couple of bounces would have made this series the battle I thought it might be. Maurice made that team good again and any team with Eric Staal and Cam Ward will be tough to contend with.
this series was a series of bounces. it seemed that wherever the pens went the puck followed them through either bad luck or hard work. tough series for the canes. they showed a lot of heart in all 4 games but it just wasnt meant to be
" I AM CAPATIN CHAOS, and this is my trusty Sidekick cato. Say hello Cato"
Dom Deluise 1933-2009, Cannonball run
by oldtimehockey09 on May 27, 2009 12:13 AM EDT up reply actions
Anytime Bubba. A year ago at this time I was just starting to eye you guys up to come on board with us at SBN. A few months and one Mirtle later, here you are. Win-win in my book.
Follow the Penguins on SBN @ Pensburgh.com and twitter.
Thank you
Thank you for the classy comments, (unlike most of our Philly and Washington counterparts)…the Canes never gave up, they really came out with fire and played their asses off until the end….nothing but respect for you guys, good luck and see you all next year
by BlackandGoldSSgt on May 27, 2009 12:20 AM EDT up reply actions
awesome series.
Lord Stanley Lord Stanley we want the Cup and the Brandi.
Phillip Bunting
"Stairway To Seven"
by SteelersChatPack on May 27, 2009 4:19 AM EDT reply actions
Great run guys!
Best of luck to you in the finals. The way the Pens are playing right now the finals should be alot tougher than last year. Can’t wait to see how it all plays out!!
No answer
The Canes just didn’t have an answer for the Pens. Wish it could’ve been a lil closer of a series, but you guys deserved it. If the Wings win tonight I’ll be a Pens fan till you guys lift the cup next month.
Unfortunately, if the Hawks pull out a miracle, I have to pull for them, I was a Hawks fan before there was even a Whaler team…sorry….but, it doesn’t look like that’s gonna happen though.
Congrats
Wishing you well
From a diehard Caniac – your guys played with their hearts and with their heads. The Pens are more than ready for the big show against Detroit (in all likelihood). Thanks for raising the bar – we’ll see you next year.
by Carolyn Christians on May 27, 2009 10:40 AM EDT reply actions
I think refusing to touch the Prince of Wales Trophy (or Clarence Campbell Bowl, for that matter, although that one is awarded to the winner of the Western Conference Final and I live in the east, thus I couldn’t really care less who wins it or what they do with it) out of superstition that it will somehow cosmically jinx your chance of winning the Stanley Cup is totally stupid. I mean, if you’re already in the Cup Final you automatically have a 50% chance of winning the Cup regardless of whether or not you touch a smudged hunk of silver metal, so whatever.
And it’s not like not like every team whose captain touched the Prince of Wales Trophy got on to lose in the final round. I think Joe Beninati mentioned that Mario Lemieux picked it up when the Penguins won it in the early ‘90s (although I’m wary of any and all information relayed to me through Versus and its lackies) and each of the four times the Devils won the Eastern Conference Final Scott Stevens (I know I mention him constantly but he is the personification of hockey in my mind and serves as the measuring stick of captainly virtue with which I judge all past and present NHL captains, so leave me alone) he lifted it up high for all to see.
When someone to asked he chose to touch the trophy when superstition had kept so many other captains from doing the same, his reply was “Why wouldn’t I? It’s a really nice trophy.” And that’s why I’m a Devils fan. That and three Cups they went on to win in spite of the captain wantonly thumbing his nose at conventional superstition. XD
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