RE: 2009 Playoffs ... First RD

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RE: 2009 Playoffs ... First RD - 5/29/2009 9:42:45 AM

So.Mn.Fan

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Detroit vs Pittsburgh
Rarely seen re-match of Stanley Cup finalists from a year ago.
I'm a "West" guy who has felt the good hockey has been played there for years.
Normally I'd say the same, but something about the way the Pens have been playing is swaying me.
Crosby has taken the whole "best player" mantle to a new level.
His game keeps getting better and better. His teammates are stepping up. They've added some tough vets and they are relatively healthy.
Malkin has come around, and he seems to be understanding what it takes to step ahead this time of year.
He will be primed to play against Detroit, and as talented as he is, look out. This could be HIS series.
People forget that he may be in the top-3 players in the world when all is right with him.
The Red Wings have carried a heavy load for a long time. There really hasn't been much question about them ... they HAVE been the best team in hockey for years. They are pretty banged-up right now. And its huge players that are injured, not just role-players.
They are at a crossroads with a lot of players finally, I look for some changes there next year, and it has the feel of a dynasty running out of gas to me. Hossa has proven to be just what we all thought he was ... a hired gun. Seems detached.
Just not sure if the regular stars have enough left in the tank, while Pitt seems to be climbing.
I think Pittsburgh sneaks out at least one of the first two, and uses that advantage to win the series in 6 or 7.

Post #: 351

RE: 2009 Playoffs ... First RD - 5/29/2009 10:06:34 AM

Jeff Jesser

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Good predictions SMF. For me, it's pretty simple. Whoever gets the better goal tending will win. Both goalies can be very shaky at times. Fluery's been seeing the puck well but is still pretty inexperienced. Osgood..well, he's Osgood

I see this one as a terrific high flying series and I'll give it to the Pens in 7.

Post #: 352

RE: 2009 Playoffs ... First RD - 5/31/2009 11:08:54 AM

So.Mn.Fan

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Awesome first game.
Pitt gave Detroit all they could handle and then some.
Goaltending was definitely better on the Detroit side.
Pens just kept coming and coming.
Osgood was actually very solid.
Detroits 4th line was tremendous.
The Crosby/Zetterburg match-up is fascinating.
Loved the isolations, Zetterburg is one of the few skaters alive who can stay stride for stride with the Kid.
They will be clashing soon. Sidney had had enough by the time the game was over.
Intense hitting all night, just the way the Finals should be.
This could end up being an all-time great Final.

Post #: 353

RE: 2009 Playoffs ... First RD - 5/31/2009 11:09:56 AM

So.Mn.Fan

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Forgot to say ... you were right, Jeff.
Osgood takes game 1.

Post #: 354

RE: 2009 Playoffs ... Finals - 5/31/2009 4:40:37 PM

So.Mn.Fan

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One of my favorite players gets a good gig.

DALLAS -- Brett Hull and Les Jackson are out as co-general managers of the Dallas Stars, and in their place is another former star player, Joe Nieuwendyk.
The surprising change was announced Sunday. Nieuwendyk had been the special assistant to the general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs. In 1999, he won the Conn Smythe Award when Dallas won its first and only Stanley Cup title, the series-winning goal coming from Hull.
Hull and Jackson spent the past 1½ seasons in their unique joint venture running the front office. Besides the strange arrangement, their tenure will be best remembered for the ill-fated signing of Sean Avery.
The duo are remaining on the payroll in "positions that focus on their respective strengths," according to a news release. Hull will serve as executive vice president and alternate governor, while Jackson will return to his longtime role as director of scouting and player development.

Post #: 355

RE: 2009 Playoffs ... Finals - 6/1/2009 7:02:17 AM

So.Mn.Fan

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Wow, pretty much a carbon-copy.
Osgood wins another one.
Who knew?
Huge for Detroit to go up 2-0. Thats a tough hole for Pitt to get out of.
This just in .... Detroit is good. Just plain, flat-out good.
They are the Lakers without the on/off switch, the Patriots without the injuries, the Red Sox without the drama.
A methodical, talented, game-eating machine.
Top coaches, owners, workers, players, and fans.
A well-run organization from top to bottom.

Post #: 356

RE: 2009 Playoffs ... Finals - 6/1/2009 10:22:01 AM

Jeff Jesser

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It was an easy call but I said it. Whoever gets the better netminder will win this. They are evenly matched otherwise. Someone needs to tell MAF to stop getting cute and play it safe. His athletic style of keeping is getting him way out of position and he's basically making the first save and kicking in the rebound. He is the anti Backstrom right now. IMO, he should just play it safe and not try and be the hero. He's killing his team right now.

Osgood, is playing well for Osgood but really, he's just staying out of his own way.

Post #: 357

RE: 2009 Playoffs ... Finals - 6/1/2009 10:22:52 AM

Jeff Jesser

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His athletic style of keeping is getting him way out of position and he's basically making the first save and kicking in the rebound.

Good luck understand that sentence.

Post #: 358

RE: 2009 Playoffs ... Finals - 6/1/2009 10:38:49 AM

So.Mn.Fan

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makes perfect sense to me

Its spot-on
Some goalies simply out-athlete their way right out of position.
One of the most effective goalies we ever had in our program was a kid with terrible reflexes and poor feet
His secret? The puck hit him .... a lot.
Good players would put on their best moves, he simply would be so far behind in the reaction, that he'd not fall for any moves, and throw their plan completely off. It was awesome.

Post #: 359

RE: 2009 Playoffs ... Finals - 6/1/2009 3:56:04 PM

kevinemmer

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Ha! I love that SMF; the kid with bad reflexes beats the flash kids with the double moves by default!

Have to agree with you guys that the difference right now is the goal-tending (and bad breaks for the Pens).

Not sure if my hockey eye is improving but it sure seems like the Wings get away with a bunch
of "stuff" that I didn't notice last year. Crafty. Like the penalty on Malkin when he retaliated against Cornwall's? grab. Zetter covering up last night and gloving the puck Saturday at the goal-mouth. The interference non-calls, etc..

Staal taking some abuse with no complaints in game 1; elbow from Samuelson and High-stick from Osgood. Didn't look to the ref at all, which seemed odd.

Exciting hockey so far, switch keepers and it's 2-0 Pens, IMO.

If you couldn't tell I'm rooting for the Pens.

Post #: 360

RE: 2009 Playoffs ... Finals - 6/2/2009 10:03:32 AM

So.Mn.Fan

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Good stuff Kevin and Jeff.
I really don't have a dog in this fight either.
I've always disliked the Red Wings, but have really grown to respect them lately.
And I see exactly what you mean, Kev, its the same story as other sports, certain players and teams get the calls, get the protection.
Detroit definitely has that going for them on top of everything else.
Get a kick out of hte national media harping on Crosby "disappearing".
He's had one of the top players in the world dogging his every step, shadowing him like, well, a shadow.
Zetterberg is just flat-out a great 2-way player.
It will be interesting to see if Pitt gets the match-ups it wants now that they have the next 2 games at home.
The last change sounds great, but in some games, it is very hard to take advantage of it fully.
We'll see how Pitts young coach does at it. Every time they can get Sid on the ice without HZ, I bet we can tell the difference.

Post #: 361

RE: 2009 Playoffs ... Finals - 6/2/2009 10:31:33 AM

Jeff Jesser

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Yeap, even the announcers picked up on it. I forget who he was but he said:

"See, like that. Detroit is so good at getting away with those little interferences".

He even mentioned it a couple times. It's pretty frustrating for Pitt fans.

Post #: 362

RE: 2009 Playoffs ... Finals - 6/2/2009 12:07:40 PM

Jeff Jesser

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Martin named the man in Montreal. I think that's a good move for them but not necessarily him. JL named as a consultant and Trombley as an assistant. The Montreal Wild. I didn't see that coming. In fact, I'm pretty shocked that JL ended up there.

Maybe they'll take a French Canadian, 5'7 160 lb, figure skater off our hands

Post #: 363

RE: 2009 Playoffs ... Finals - 6/3/2009 9:06:58 AM

So.Mn.Fan

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Ok, can't say Pitt wasn't given every chance to win that game.
Some cheesy powerplays imo.
Huge Game 4 coming up.
Its the series.

Post #: 364

RE: 2009 Playoffs ... Finals - 6/3/2009 10:02:40 AM

Jeff Jesser

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Yeap, 20+ seconds of an extra man and the refs don't notice (or hear the Detroit bench screaming at the top of their lungs)?

Post #: 365

RE: 2009 Playoffs ... Finals - 6/5/2009 8:48:44 AM

So.Mn.Fan

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We got us a series.
Detroit suddenly looks old and tired.
Should be a fun ride from here out, the tried champ trying to regain the upper hand, the young bucks trying to overtake them.
Detroit can't slip up at home, simple as that.

Post #: 366

RE: 2009 Playoffs ... Finals - 6/5/2009 10:25:40 AM

kevinemmer

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Detroit did suddenly look old and tired last night, agreed SMF.

Kind of surprised me because they looked good Sunday in part 2 of the back-to-back.

Gotta agree with you guys in the officiating on game 3, the NHL loves a competitive (longer) series, ching-ching!!

< Message edited by kevinemmer -- 6/5/2009 10:27:11 AM >

Post #: 367

RE: 2009 Playoffs ... Finals - 6/5/2009 10:30:45 AM

So.Mn.Fan

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Matt Cooke has the ability to raise my interest in a series ten-fold.
I want whoever is playing against him to win.

Cannot stand that dude. He should have stayed in Vancouver, he was a perfect fit on that team of jackasses.

(J/K, he does his job, and does it well)

Post #: 368

RE: 2009 Playoffs ... Finals - 6/5/2009 10:50:52 AM

Jeff Jesser

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He's what other teams think of Clutterbuck. I hate him too.

Post #: 369

RE: 2009 Playoffs ... Finals - 6/5/2009 11:00:03 AM

So.Mn.Fan

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Anyone see Melrose playing the "Dos Equis" guy on SC this am?
Hilarious.
The guy kills me.
Single-handedly carrying the NHL on his back.
We'd get NO coverage if it wasn't for his personality.
The NHL should be augmenting his salary a couple mil if they aren't already.

Post #: 370

RE: 2009 Playoffs ... Finals - 6/5/2009 11:09:00 AM

Jeff Jesser

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He and Butchy are keeping the sport alive for sure.

Post #: 371

RE: 2009 Playoffs ... Finals - 6/6/2009 10:25:47 PM

kevinemmer

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Stinker game 5 for the Pens..

Got behind and their youth showed in the frustration; Hack by Crosby on Zetter, Malkin on Franzen with high elbow, forgot who went after Datsuk's foot, all pretty minor and embellished by Wings.....but Pens lost their poise.

Wings back to looking like the dominant team they should be.

Tuesday should be a good one.

Post #: 372

RE: 2009 Playoffs ... Finals - 6/7/2009 12:11:16 PM

So.Mn.Fan

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Yep, Kevin, good stuff.
Could see the same thing in Pitt, but reversed.
Sure feels like a 7-gamer.
As Melrose said, easier to bounce back from 0-5 stinker than a 1-0 loss where you played well.
Datsuyk, even at 80% ....makes a hell of a difference. PP especially.

Post #: 373

RE: 2009 Playoffs ... Finals - 6/8/2009 4:30:13 PM

kevinemmer

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Datsuyk did look good.

I think game 6 could be pretty tight, score-wise, with Pens prevailing to force 7.

Should be electric!

Post #: 374

RE: 2009 Playoffs ... Finals - 6/10/2009 8:37:36 AM

So.Mn.Fan

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Wow, that was a fun game.
Pitt very lucky Detroit took the first 2 periods off, because in the third, it was ALL Detroit.
They somehow withstood the onslaught, but what an impressive team Detroit is when they apply pressure.
Every pass is perfect, every hit purposeful, every shot dangerous.
Hoping Game 7 is played well by both teams.
Many Game 7s disappoint, hope this one does not.

Post #: 375