Ann 22008 NHL Stanley Cup Finals: Detroit Red Wings vs. Pittsburgh Penguins Game 5 Preview
June 2nd 2008 20:53
It's do-or-die for the Penguins tonight as they are trailing 3-1 in this series. They have to win tonight if they want to survive a little while longer, but frankly, I think that this one's over. When the Pens lost in their own building two nights ago, something broke inside of that team. Malkin has turned into the Invisible Man. Crosby is trying his best but his line doesn't seem to be clicking when playing at even-strength. The vaunted offense armed with three game-breaking players has managed to score only four goals in four games. When the forwards can't score, there is a lot of pressure on the defense – pressure that seems too much to bear for the young Pens defensemen. Darryl Sydor's veteran presence has helped to stabilize the Pens' blue line for the past two games, but it isn't enough for a team who can't figure out how to stop the red machine. The will is there, but there's always that second of doubt, the hesitation, the little miscues, that are lethal when faced against a team like the Detroit Red Wings.
The Red Wings are the team that everyone will try to imitate next year. Promoting skills and coherent play instead of the physical stuff, they are the team which fits best in the new NHL. Several teams have taken up that style of play namely the Penguins, the Canadiens, and the Capitals. However, none of them come even close to having the flow of the Wings' play. Why? The connection between defense and offense is exceptional. That's why the Wings have the puck all the time – instead of dumping it like the other teams, the forwards play it back to the defensemen. When the defensemen are stuck in their own end, the forwards come back deep to help out and offer options. They play as a unit instead of a forward line combined with a defensive pairing. With this in mind, they are able to shut down the opposition's attacks (having a brigade of veteran defensemen doesn't hurt) with an above-average goalie (meaning that he's not a 'great' netminder), and can count on several sources to provide scoring opportunities. It should be no different tonight as they have the chance to win the Stanley Cup at home with a relatively healthy squad - Franzen has been back since Game 3 while Holmstrom is expected to return tonight after sustaining a leg injury. The Wings will be firing on all cylinders and I'm hoping that the Penguins will be able to keep up, for their own sake.
The Red Wings are the team that everyone will try to imitate next year. Promoting skills and coherent play instead of the physical stuff, they are the team which fits best in the new NHL. Several teams have taken up that style of play namely the Penguins, the Canadiens, and the Capitals. However, none of them come even close to having the flow of the Wings' play. Why? The connection between defense and offense is exceptional. That's why the Wings have the puck all the time – instead of dumping it like the other teams, the forwards play it back to the defensemen. When the defensemen are stuck in their own end, the forwards come back deep to help out and offer options. They play as a unit instead of a forward line combined with a defensive pairing. With this in mind, they are able to shut down the opposition's attacks (having a brigade of veteran defensemen doesn't hurt) with an above-average goalie (meaning that he's not a 'great' netminder), and can count on several sources to provide scoring opportunities. It should be no different tonight as they have the chance to win the Stanley Cup at home with a relatively healthy squad - Franzen has been back since Game 3 while Holmstrom is expected to return tonight after sustaining a leg injury. The Wings will be firing on all cylinders and I'm hoping that the Penguins will be able to keep up, for their own sake.
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