Very exciting finish, but the Detroit Red Wings were just too strong for the Pittsburgh Penguins and had their turn to lift the Stanley Cup again, their fourth Championship in the last eleven years. Despite a strong finish by Pittsburgh and a Sidney Crosby backhand that trickled just wide of the net with fractions of a second remaining on the clock, they couldn't come back from a 3-1 deficit, losing 3-2 in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Finals.
Evegeni Malkin showed too little too late, finally scoring and adding a helper. His performance in the Finals was one to forget and has been compared to Jason Spezza's invisibility last year versus Anaheim. After being an MVP candidate this season, Malkin disappointed when the Penguins needed him most.
Sidney Crosby played great the entire series, but the veteran leadership and great playing ability of Nicklas Lidstrom held Crosby to just a single power-play assist in the final game of the season. Crosby showed great character, grit and leadership throughout the playoffs but came up just short.
Given the knowledge that the Leafs probably won't do much next season, I hope the Pittsburgh Penguins can keep the majority of their lineup including Marian Hossa who joined at the trade deadline. Only time will tell whether their players hearts outweigh their pocketbooks next season, giving them another chance at the hardest trophy to win in all of sports.
Taking nothing away from the Detroit Red Wings, their team was just too good. I discussed the game with a few friends who were over watching it and a great point was raised and agreed to by all: the Pittsburgh Penguins were just outcoached. If Mike Therien and Mike Babcock switched places I feel that we would be seeing a different champion. Playing Crosby 18 minutes a game and on top of that, playing him with Dupuis was a waste of time and an illogical move. Pascal Dupuis was by far the weakest player on the ice for either side and somehow found his way onto a line with Hossa and Crosby. Gary Roberts, the heart and sole of the Penguins and the most intense player in the series should have been on that line. If not Gary, whose age would only have shown if he was overused, Ryan Malone earned a spot on that line.
Great effort Penguins. Good luck in the future.
Just a side note: the Sidney Crosby/Wayne Gretzky comparisons just seem to keep popping up. Both players have lost their first trip to the Stanley Cup Finals. Hopefully both will win their second try.
Peace and much love to you. Great season Penguins. Congratulations Nicklas Lidstrom (the first European born and raised Captain to lift the Cup in history) and the rest of the Detroit Red Wings.
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Monday, June 2, 2008
Absolute Insanity.
That was by far one of the greatest games I have ever seen. Marc-Andre Fleury was absolutely inspiring between the pipes. Probably one of the best goaltending performances of all time. Chance after chance for Detroit, who continued to control play throughout the game, and Fleury was there again and again to keep the puck out. I really hope Pittsburgh can pull off Game 6 and 7 - my prediction remains Detroit, but Pittsburgh is such an exciting team and I'd love to see Crosby lift the cup.
Congratulations Petr Sykora on the overtime winner. I remember a few years back, when New Jersey won the cup in 2000 (Jason Arnott in overtime), Sykora got injured in the second last game and didn't get to play in the final game of the series, however he did join the team on the ice and get his chance to lift the Cup.
Wow...I don't know what to say - just an incredibly entertaining game. Chance after chance - what a classic. After the dismal performance by both teams in Game 4, which I think was the absolute worst Stanley Cup final game in history - neither team had any heart or drive. That was the most boring game I've ever watched. Game 5 made up for it and then some. The series is at 3-2 Detroit and with Game 6 in Pittsburgh, the Pens have a chance to force a seventh and deciding game. If Crosby and Hossa can dominate and Malkin actually decides to lace up the skates (he did get his first point of the series tonight, assisting on the winner) it will be quite the end to a mostly lop-sided series.
We can only hope that Gonchar is alright to play in Game 6. He did come out for the PP in the third overtime where Sykora scored the winner, but he didn't look completely alert. He hit the boards pretty hard on that backcheck.
Let me tell you a little something about heart, actually, let me give heart a few names: Gary Roberts, Ryan Malone and Jordan Staal. These three Pens have shown pure grit and perseverance throughout the series.
Why the Leafs didn't resign Gary, I'll never know (too old my ass!). Gary Roberts goes out there and (excuse the purely ridiculous sentiment) gives 110% (yes, I know it is impossible to give anything more than 100%) every shift. I said to my mom and dad at the start of Game 2 with Roberts starting the game: "Watch #10, Roberts - he's gonna go out there and rattle some cages." What happens? Gary goes into their zone and hits three Red Wings in the corners. He has made them take a second look every time they touch the puck.
Jordan Staal = Durability. The guy plays every part of the game: even strength, short-handed and power-play. He mucks it up in the corners all game long and just impresses me every time he is on the ice. Props to Staal - his brothers should be proud.
Ryan Malone has broken his nose more times than the Pens have scored in this series! The guy is ridiculous. He takes a puck to the face tonight off a Hal Gill slapshot, goes off for some repairs and he's right back on the bench after that! To top it off, when Sykora scored the winner: Malone was the guy in front! Ballsy! Good stuff Malone, great heart and determination.
Anyways, excellent game overall - Go Pens Go!
Peace and much love to you.
Congratulations Petr Sykora on the overtime winner. I remember a few years back, when New Jersey won the cup in 2000 (Jason Arnott in overtime), Sykora got injured in the second last game and didn't get to play in the final game of the series, however he did join the team on the ice and get his chance to lift the Cup.
Wow...I don't know what to say - just an incredibly entertaining game. Chance after chance - what a classic. After the dismal performance by both teams in Game 4, which I think was the absolute worst Stanley Cup final game in history - neither team had any heart or drive. That was the most boring game I've ever watched. Game 5 made up for it and then some. The series is at 3-2 Detroit and with Game 6 in Pittsburgh, the Pens have a chance to force a seventh and deciding game. If Crosby and Hossa can dominate and Malkin actually decides to lace up the skates (he did get his first point of the series tonight, assisting on the winner) it will be quite the end to a mostly lop-sided series.
We can only hope that Gonchar is alright to play in Game 6. He did come out for the PP in the third overtime where Sykora scored the winner, but he didn't look completely alert. He hit the boards pretty hard on that backcheck.
Let me tell you a little something about heart, actually, let me give heart a few names: Gary Roberts, Ryan Malone and Jordan Staal. These three Pens have shown pure grit and perseverance throughout the series.
Why the Leafs didn't resign Gary, I'll never know (too old my ass!). Gary Roberts goes out there and (excuse the purely ridiculous sentiment) gives 110% (yes, I know it is impossible to give anything more than 100%) every shift. I said to my mom and dad at the start of Game 2 with Roberts starting the game: "Watch #10, Roberts - he's gonna go out there and rattle some cages." What happens? Gary goes into their zone and hits three Red Wings in the corners. He has made them take a second look every time they touch the puck.
Jordan Staal = Durability. The guy plays every part of the game: even strength, short-handed and power-play. He mucks it up in the corners all game long and just impresses me every time he is on the ice. Props to Staal - his brothers should be proud.
Ryan Malone has broken his nose more times than the Pens have scored in this series! The guy is ridiculous. He takes a puck to the face tonight off a Hal Gill slapshot, goes off for some repairs and he's right back on the bench after that! To top it off, when Sykora scored the winner: Malone was the guy in front! Ballsy! Good stuff Malone, great heart and determination.
Anyways, excellent game overall - Go Pens Go!
Peace and much love to you.
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