NHL Season 08-09

[Selamis]

Aside from obvious reasons of wanting Pittsburgh to win, I now hope they win just to spite Marian Hossa who turned down a multi year/million dollar contract to go play for Detroit. No sweeter justice than the Pens winning after he leaves them.

At least the Hawks team that I've got to watch all year showed up tonight and made Detroit work for this win, and we didn't have a repeat of game 4. Still a damn tough loss though but at least we put up a hell of a fight tonight.

Edit: I meant game 4, not game 5!

[Sepukku]

By God I want nothing more than to hear Hossa answering the inevitable questions that will arise if Pittsburgh shoves it in his face.

[Ishido]

By God I want nothing more than to hear Hossa answering the inevitable questions that will arise if Pittsburgh shoves it in his face.

You mean "they have the best chance to win the Cup" like he said when he went there? It was looking absolutely true all year.

The finals should be fun, I hope the Wings have their best players healthy again by saturday. Missing the best defenseman in the world against a potent offense and stars like Malkin and Crosby will put the Wings at a fair disadvantage.

also

[Ivaden]

Different teams since then, at least, way different. We never fucking win with those ugly ass blue jerseys anyway.

[Ishido]

I wasn't posting it to prove a point, just a fun clip since Hossa was brought up. I agree though, the blue jerseys are horrible.

edit: Also, Darren Helm will be eligible for the Calder next year if he is brought up from the AHL. A rookie with 1 (possibly 2) Stanley Cup rings, lol.

[Ivaden]

Oh I know you weren't posting it for anything other than that, my comment was more self-reassurance than anything lol. Detroit's always scary, but right now Pens are playing possessed. Gonna be some good hockey.

[Brill Weave]

Hmm a lot of differences compared to last years matchup. A healthy Sidney Crosby. An Evgeni Malkin who hasn't disappeared. An injured Lidstrom and Datsyuk. No long break between the conference finals and the cup finals beginning. On paper it looks like everything is in the Pens favor. I'm very interested to see how Detroit is able to adjust to the new system they play. No more tentative defensive matchups, just offense. My heart says Penguins in six, my brain says Detroit in six. Let's go Pens!!!

[Norelco]

Hmm a lot of differences compared to last years matchup. A healthy Sidney Crosby. An Evgeni Malkin who hasn't disappeared. An injured Lidstrom and Datsyuk. No long break between the conference finals and the cup finals beginning. On paper it looks like everything is in the Pens favor. I'm very interested to see how Detroit is able to adjust to the new system they play. No more tentative defensive matchups, just offense. My heart says Penguins in six, my brain says Detroit in six. Let's go Pens!!!

Unfortunately they don't list "nerves" on that paper. Detroit comes away with that stat as those men seem to have balls of steel.

[Ivaden]

Balls of steel vs. massive chip on the shoulders from last year's loss and hungry for the cup.

Cannot wait 'til Saturday.

[Brill Weave]

I agree that Detroit is pretty much fearless, but if they can't get Lidstrom and Datsyuk suited up for the first two games I would not be extremely shocked to see the Pens take the first two. But the thing with Detroit is that regardless of injuries they still play within their system. And even without Lidstrom and Datsyuk you still have Hossa, the big Z, Franzen, Stuart, Kronwall, Rafalski etc. If the Pens can take one of the road games, they will be in good shape. If they start out 2-0 in the hole, I just don't see them rallying past that. For the Pens to have a good shot at winning this series, they must take one of the first two on the road.

[Ishido]

I agree that Detroit is pretty much fearless, but if they can't get Lidstrom and Datsyuk suited up for the first two games I would not be extremely shocked to see the Pens take the first two. But the thing with Detroit is that regardless of injuries they still play within their system. And even without Lidstrom and Datsyuk you still have Hossa, the big Z, Franzen, Stuart, Kronwall, Rafalski etc. If the Pens can take one of the road games, they will be in good shape. If they start out 2-0 in the hole, I just don't see them rallying past that. For the Pens to have a good shot at winning this series, they must take one of the first two on the road.

I agree with this, and I feel if neither Datsyuk or Lidstrom come back for the first two games it's a fairly good chance that the Pens could take one of them. Lidstrom is by far the bigger to get back though, best defenseman in the world etc. Datsyuk would be nice, if nothing more than for his defensive play and to force the Pens to at least take him seriously in their own zone, despite his scoring drought. If Ericsson and Lidstrom are both out I will be sweating bullets, running 4.5 (a tentative .5 in Chelios and Meech) defensemen versus the Pens will not to good things for us.

I still think Detroit has a slightly better shot at winning with our injuries, although I definitely don't see us being spotted 2 games like we were last year.

Last minute news: Just heard somewhere that Ken Holland expects both Lids and Dats to play saturday. Lidstom has also been seen walking around and exercising with no signs of pain, limping, bandages, etc. Datsyuk has been skating for a few days now as well so my hopes are up.

[Brill Weave]

I really think that it's going to come down to how well Detroit is able to adjust to the Penguins new found in your face gameplan. As of so far Philly, Washington, and Carolina haven't been able to counter it. Pittsburgh this year I think is more mentally ready than they were last year. As a result, these guys aren't going to have the stars in their eyes like they did last season. If anyone in the NHL is able to counter their new offense first strategy it's going to be Detroit. Almost all of their forwards are, if not responsible in their own end, at least not a liability.

The keys to me are Detroit's ability to shutdown the Pens forwards. Timely goaltending as Ozzie always gives in the playoffs. And capitalizing on forced turnovers. For the Penguins it's going to be minimization of turnovers. Keeping Malkin and Crosby in the mental zone where they are at right now. Fleury making a timely save here and there.

And finally the two biggest factors for the Penguins will be summed up in five words. Ruslan Fedotenko and Marc Eaton. Yeah. I'm Brill Engblom reporting live from Versus.

[Norelco]

I think the key to the series will be Fleury. He's been fantastic so far but I see him getting nervous in the finals.

[Gadritan]

I think the key to the series will be Fleury. He's been fantastic so far but I see him getting nervous in the finals.

I tend to lean towards this as well, but when Fleury has been on...he's been fucking incredible.

If he can win that mental game and stay on point, he can win the cup for PIT. He has to.

[Brill Weave]

I don't really see Fleury getting nervous. Making bad plays when he plays the puck? Absolutely. If he can cut down on the small mental mistakes that he tends to pull when he moves out of the crease, he should be ok. That and stop letting people score fucking wrap around goals. Not even good, wrap around goals. Shitty ones at best.

[Gadritan]

That and stop letting people score fucking wrap around goals. Not even good, wrap around goals. Shitty ones at best.

Hahaha. Yeah. Some of the ones CAR got in were just fucking pitiful.

[Ace-o-fire]

http://i42.tinypic.com/2bv78z.gif

[Selamis]

Lmao at that picture.

[Gadritan]

LOL!

[Ivaden]

I knew we were in for some trouble when I saw that last year rofl. Here's to hoping he doesn't slip again. I love Talbot's reaction to it though haha, he's easily my favorite player personality wise.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nguyP7qsw-U