The Wings penalty kill actually showed up for once. Huge lift from the return of Datsyuk. They actually played like they meant it. Doc Emerick made a comment about it being a "statement game" and I agree. They've done it in some big games all season.
I don't blame you. I know Bettman looked furious in the 3rd when they showed the shot of him. As far as the slash - I saw Zetterberg smiling as he got up immediately after the play. I also saw him get up right away instead of writhing on the ice for several seconds. Also no head toss with the facial expression of agony that Crosby had. My biggest beef with Crosby's behavior after his reception of the slash was because he gave Maltby a two hander after an earlier game and bragged about it to the media. I don't recall Zetterberg bragging about giving a slash previously. That said, Crosby is still a @#$% good player.
First of all I think you know I'd never pull that on you. I know you're better than that.
Sounds like my prediction as well. It's also a very valid point about their depth. I'd love to get my hands on Neil Smith's data mine (check the hockey news for what I'm talking about, apparently hes with a company that does way too much analysis for NHL coaches and GM's, it's a decent article) and check a few things, though I have no idea of how to even process the data. Bear with me for a moment here, and I'd like to see your thoughts on this as well, Mike. Take Zetterberg, Datsyuk, Crosby, and Malkin. Take the stats smorgasbord Neil Smith's company has. When you factor in 2 way play, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, speed, shot accuracy, hockey instincts, etc (yes I'm using the old NHL 94 stats for lack of a better term), based upon all the data Smith's company has, a couple things I'd like to see.
First, individually, who's the biggest overall weapon (offensively and defensively) - my gut pick is Zetterberg because of his defensive edge, but it's a hard call.
Second, individually, who's the biggest offensive weapon individually - my gut pick is Malkin since he goes to the net harder more often
Third - who's the best setup guy - this is tough, since if you consider assists as the only marker, the playmaker is at the mercy of his teammates actually burying it as well as the goalie making a huge save or a d-man making a killer play to deflect the shot. I'm asking it in the context of delivering the puck to give the shooter the opportunity. Doesn't matter if they connect, only if they give the shooter the opportunity. I'm not sure if I'm expressing it well - think of how many times you've seen an amazing pass to set up a chance that didn't go. Considering those chances as well as the assists for those that connect. I haven't seen as much of the Pens games, but my gut feels it's going to be pretty darn close between Crosby and Datsyuk.
Finally, and this is the hardest to quantify (as if the third wasn't). Who has the greatest "synergizing effect" on their linemates. Who is able to elevate their linemate's play to another level. Think of what Mario Lemieux did for Rob Brown. There's been a lot of talk on the Wings side about Hank and Pavs being the "Eurotwins" and being so much better together (as in Eurotwin powers - activate). What I'm getting at here, is does Datsyuk give Zetterberg more of a boost than vice versa, and what do they do respectively for their linemates when separated. Same for Crosby and Malkin. Considering everything, offense, defense, intangibles. I have no idea how to even try to break this one down.
While the Pens beat themselves, Detroit DID that to them. The Pens that were taking stupid Penalties weren't just Kontz, it was Malkin and Crosby, the guys who are suppose to be leaders. They still have a long way to go in the maturity department.
Like Mike said, both Malkin and Crosby are young, but when you've got a C or an A on the jersey, you have an obligation to your team to step up. Kunitz was just playing like an ex-Duck.
The return of Pavs was huge, as was getting the home ice change. The Pens actually won the faceoff battle in this game if I read the stats blurb on the NHL network correctly. Game 6 in Pittsburgh Bylsma has the last change. That's played a bigger role in this series than most people are giving credit for. While I anticipate seeing the Wings win game 6 tomorrow night, I wouldn't be surprised if the Pens came out hard and popped a couple early to force a game 7. In either case, PLEASE let the refs not make any weak calls against either team for this game (or game 7 if necessary).
Ask and you shall recieve
That's Daniel Larsson, currently in Grand Rapids. He's 3rd on the goalie depth chart among "prospects" I anticipate Jimmy Howard coming up to play backup next year, but Larsson has been good in the OHL backing up Howard. They've also got a young guy named Thomas McCollum who played for Brampton in the OHL who's been looking pretty good (and is actually ahead of Larsson on the prospects chart - as of the 2008-2009 mid-season report). I'll talk the cap stuff more after the playoffs, since this post is already gargantuan.I bolded the most important thing in your post. It would be VERY easy for Detroit to get overconfident after game 5 (to be honest, I think the Pens came into game 5 a bit overconfident after the soundly beat the Wings in game 4). While I agree that on paper, nobody should be able to beat a healthy Wings team firing on all cylinders, the game isn't played on paper. Game 6 is going to be a barnburner, imho.
Let's hope it turns out to be a display of hockey excellence decided by they player's skill. Not bad reffing, not cheap shots, not bad ice. Let it be one for the ages. If the Wings win cup number 12, I'll be partying hard. If the Pens force game 7, then let game 7 be one for the ages regardless of the winner (though I've got to be pulling for the Wings personally
). As hockey fans, that's what we ALL should want.
