Ann 22008 NHL Stanley Cup Finals: Detroit Red Wings vs. Pittsburgh Penguins Game 3 Preview
May 28th 2008 21:02
The Penguins are going back to the Igloo tonight down 2-0 in the Stanley Cup Finals and it doesn't look good. Yes, they can take solace in the fact that they haven't lost at home since the beginning of the playoffs. However, I don't think that they've been outplayed that badly before. Detroit is simply too good right now, and even if the Pens manage to win tonight, it is unlikely that they'll win three in a row against the red machine.
But they won't be thinking about that tonight. No. Tonight, Michel Therrien's squad has to find a way to wake up offensively. No goals in the previous two games is embarrassing. It's even more embarrassing once you take the fact that three players on the Pens' roster (Crosby, Malkin, and Hossa) were in the top five for points in the playoffs. Those players have disappeared and Crosby seems to be the only one who really wants it. So tonight, the objective is to score. It doesn't matter if it's the first goal of the match or the consolation prize of a 4-1 defeat – just put the puck in Osgood's net to get rid of the pressure on the young Penguins' backs. Hopefully, they'll score early because the longer they play without a goal, the more it'll affect the players mentally (as shown in the Canadiens-Flyers series).
Obviously, Detroit has nothing to fix right now. They're playing a perfect series, and the Pens have trouble keeping up with their level of play and intensity. However, I would feel a lot better if Zetterberg and Datsyuk's names appear on the scoresheet. Datsyuk has no points in the series and if the Penguins manage to wake up with their 7th man, it'll be good to know that the Red Wings' top guns will also step to the challenge.
Unfortunately, I'll miss the game tonight (I'll be playing a soccer match) so I'll post some impressions tomorrow (after watching the game's major highlights) instead of a full-game review.
But they won't be thinking about that tonight. No. Tonight, Michel Therrien's squad has to find a way to wake up offensively. No goals in the previous two games is embarrassing. It's even more embarrassing once you take the fact that three players on the Pens' roster (Crosby, Malkin, and Hossa) were in the top five for points in the playoffs. Those players have disappeared and Crosby seems to be the only one who really wants it. So tonight, the objective is to score. It doesn't matter if it's the first goal of the match or the consolation prize of a 4-1 defeat – just put the puck in Osgood's net to get rid of the pressure on the young Penguins' backs. Hopefully, they'll score early because the longer they play without a goal, the more it'll affect the players mentally (as shown in the Canadiens-Flyers series).
Obviously, Detroit has nothing to fix right now. They're playing a perfect series, and the Pens have trouble keeping up with their level of play and intensity. However, I would feel a lot better if Zetterberg and Datsyuk's names appear on the scoresheet. Datsyuk has no points in the series and if the Penguins manage to wake up with their 7th man, it'll be good to know that the Red Wings' top guns will also step to the challenge.
Unfortunately, I'll miss the game tonight (I'll be playing a soccer match) so I'll post some impressions tomorrow (after watching the game's major highlights) instead of a full-game review.
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Comment by James Rickard
unlucky_ fishermen.com
Angling Fish
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Comment by Ann 2
Muzikal Mafia
Canadiens Watch
I think are hugely overwhelmed by this series. I don't think they know what exactly is going on right now, that's why they can't fix it.
I don't know if you saw Michel Therrien's press conference after Game 2 - the guy is completely lost, all he could talk about was the referees.
Comment by James Rickard
unlucky_ fishermen.com
Angling Fish
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