The Stanley Cup Thread

[ratter]

This just in, Zetterberg's left glove is the leading candidate for the Conn Smythe...

 

[bstaley]

Sidney 'Jesus the Sequel' Crosby and Evgeni 'Goddamn My Nickname is Sweet Because It's Almost Like This Poster's Name' Malkin were averaging 1.65 points per game going into the Finals.

After two games, Malkin has only two points and is -2 overall.

Crosby has (add the zero to the zero, carry the zero... don't forget the remainder of zero point zero zero zero equals...) zero points and is -1 overall.

Yeah, Osgood is the only one keeping us in this... Are these superstuds just not playing to their full potential or is it possible that the other five players on the ice have something to do with it?

That being said, the Pens are playing very well in their end and they're giving us trouble in our end by not allowing us to play the puck possession game we love to play. It's still a hard-fought series as predicted. We need to eliminate the neutral zone/blue line turnovers because the Pens will eventually capitalize on them. Their guns are too big not to. If we can split the games in Pittsburgh then I like our chances coming back home and keeping Lord Stanley's Cup in Detroit.

I don't recall anybody saying Osgood was keeping you in this. What was said is that he has been the difference. Stopping Malkin on that breakaway in game 1 and point blank last night. Stopping Sid point blank last night. Not to mention Sid's shot hitting the far post and sliding all the way acorss the crease. The two teams are pretty evenly matched and while Sid may not have any points, Zetterberg isn't exactly lighting it up either with one whole point. You could say they are cancelling each other out.

I also noticed that Lidstrom "The greatest hockey player who ever lived" has ZERO points. Let me see...that's zero, carry the zero...blah blah.

Look, be happy your team is doing well. The "smug" routine gets old. Afterall, you are a fan of the "greatest organization in the history of sports". Try to have some class.

bstaley, my post wasn't directed at you. I agree on the class thing. You're showing the most class out of the Pens Fans, so keep it up. I meant to say that in my last post. Sometimes you gotta fight fire with fire though. This is all pretty light at this point so I don't see the harm in pointing the facts out. Saying Lidstrom has zero points in the same breath as Crosby and Malkin is a little silly, you gotta admit. Either way, I don't care who you point out on the Wings because at the end of the game we've been on top. Crosby and Malkin are your goal scorers and they're performing well below average and that's got to do with more than Osgood playing. That was my point, quite simply. Again, it wasn't directed at you.

Is it Tuesday yet?

No problem. I thought it was directed towards me. In spite of how well Zetterberg is handling Sid, it's not like he has kept Sid from getting his chances. Last night Ozzie stoned him up close and hit the post another time. Sid has also had some nice passes to teamates right in front of the net that they haven't burried. You gotta credit Osgood for those. Let's not forget Sid's shot from game 1 where Zetterberg put his hand on the puck which should have been a penalty shot.

I guess I don't get all the hatred towards Sid. Yeah, he gets shitload of attention, but the NHL is trying to market a sport that many people don't care about to an American audience. When you have a young, good looking (according to my daughter ), well spoken (in english) kid who is that talented, it makes sense to focus on him. Having Datsyuk, Ovechkin or Malkin as your focal point isn't going to get you anywhere with the American audience. Plus, I'd bet most of you would love it if he was on your team.

 

[Gino]

No problem. I thought it was directed towards me. In spite of how well Zetterberg is handling Sid, it's not like he has kept Sid from getting his chances. Last night Ozzie stoned him up close and hit the post another time. Sid has also had some nice passes to teamates right in front of the net that they haven't burried. You gotta credit Osgood for those. Let's not forget Sid's shot from game 1 where Zetterberg put his hand on the puck which should have been a penalty shot.

I guess I don't get all the hatred towards Sid. Yeah, he gets shitload of attention, but the NHL is trying to market a sport that many people don't care about to an American audience. When you have a young, good looking (according to my daughter ), well spoken (in english) kid who is that talented, it makes sense to focus on him. Having Datsyuk, Ovechkin or Malkin as your focal point isn't going to get you anywhere with the American audience. Plus, I'd bet most of you would love it if he was on your team.

Oh, trust me, I'll credit Osgood for those stops! I'll never take anything away from Osgood. On top of being solid for us in the playoffs for so many years, he's a soft-spoken classy guy when the game is over. His flop when he got poked by Malkin was definitely over-exaggeration but a) it's the playoffs and you do what you gotta do to give your team an advantage - that's just basic game strategy for any sport - and b) Malkin should get his fucking stick out of our goalie's chest.

I can't speak for anyone else, but I don't hate Sidney Crosby. I don't know how you can, really. He seems like a pretty nice dude and he's a great player. Although his poke at Kirk Maltby after Game 1 was quite immature. Save it for when the game is actually being played, dude. I hate that so much talent gets overlooked just because Sid the Kid is the face of the NHL. On the radio today someone made a good point. Last summer when you saw commercials for the NHL, you'd think the Penguins won the Cup... No, I can't say I wouldn't like having him on the Wings, however I don't know how much he'd enjoy sharing the spotlight and taking a paycut though. But would it be that awful to consider Zetterberg for a little NHL publicity?

 

[bstaley]

Actually it was Talbot that poked Osgood at the end of the game. Everybody jumped Talbot and Malkin came to his defense. That's when he started swinging with Zetterberg.

 

[killertone]

Actually it was Talbot that poked Osgood at the end of the game. Everybody jumped Talbot and Malkin came to his defense. That's when he started swinging with Zetterberg.

Still, I don't understand why Campbell rescinded the suspension. If you are called for instigation at the end of a game, a one game suspension is the penalty. Malkin was called for it but has been let out of the suspension. There's your break, Pens fans.

 

[Gino]

Actually it was Talbot that poked Osgood at the end of the game. Everybody jumped Talbot and Malkin came to his defense. That's when he started swinging with Zetterberg.

My bad.

Actually it was Talbot that poked Osgood at the end of the game. Everybody jumped Talbot and Malkin came to his defense. That's when he started swinging with Zetterberg.

Still, I don't understand why Campbell rescinded the suspension. If you are called for instigation at the end of a game, a one game suspension is the penalty. Malkin was called for it but has been let out of the suspension. There's your break, Pens fans.

+1 but, in the end, I'd rather beat the Pens while they're fully staffed so no excuses can be made.

 

[yngzaklynch]

Game 3 to the Pens. Pens owned the wings this time. Yeah I said it! OWNED!!!

 

[bstaley]

Whew. We live to fight another day. No smack talk here. Both teams had their moments but the Pens owned the 3rd period. The question is...was this a last gasp? It's hard to say, but when Fleury doesn't give up bullshit goals the game is sure a lot tighter.

Malkin with a 3 point night!
Sid gets on the scoresheet too.

GO PENS!!!

 

[ratter]

but when Fleury doesn't give up bullshit goals the game is sure a lot tighter.

You said a mouthful right there.

What a game for Talbot and Cooke.

Need another one on Thursday and we've got a series again.

 

[Gino]

A tough game, indeed. The Pens had the Wings on their heels for most of the game, though the Wings had a few great pushes. ratter, you got your home ice advantage with the refs on this one. Six skaters for 0:21. Great hockey being played by both teams. Hopefully all the people who didn't want a rematch (I guess myself included) should be satisfied with the Finals so far.

Game 4 prediction: Hossa hat trick.

 

[Hollywood]

but when Fleury doesn't give up bullshit goals the game is sure a lot tighter.

You said a mouthful right there.

What a game for Talbot and Cooke.

Need another one on Thursday and we've got a series again.

Absolutely!

 

[bstaley]

Ya know, Sid just has that snakebit look to his play right now. Almost like he is pushing too hard. You get the sense that when he finally scores the floodgates will open. I hope it's not too late.

I'll say that Franzen scares the shit out of me when he does that play where he flies in the zone and then pulls up to take the shot. It's getting a little predictable, but it's still wicked.

 

[bstaley]

A tough game, indeed. The Pens had the Wings on their heels for most of the game, though the Wings had a few great pushes. ratter, you got your home ice advantage with the refs on this one. Six skaters for 0:21. Great hockey being played by both teams. Hopefully all the people who didn't want a rematch (I guess myself included) should be satisfied with the Finals so far.

Game 4 prediction: Hossa hat trick.

Yep. But let's not forget Zetterberg's hand on the puck in the crease that shoulda been a penalty shot. And Hossa breaking Dupuis' stick, leading to the goal in game 2. It happens both ways.

Game 4 prediction. Sid finally gets a goal and the series is even heading back to Detroit.

 

[bstaley]

They're showing player interviews here in Pittsburgh and Orpik is saying that was the worst game of the series we played and we won anyway. Go figure.

 

[ratter]

A tough game, indeed. The Pens had the Wings on their heels for most of the game, though the Wings had a few great pushes. ratter, you got your home ice advantage with the refs on this one. Six skaters for 0:21. Great hockey being played by both teams. Hopefully all the people who didn't want a rematch (I guess myself included) should be satisfied with the Finals so far.

Game 4 prediction: Hossa hat trick.

2 refs and 2 linesmen on the ice and they don't see that...I would say it's amazing, but nothing they do surprises me anymore. The interference call midway through the 3rd was pretty weak too. That's home cookin' for ya, NHL style.

 

[Gino]

I would say it's amazing, but nothing they do surprises me anymore.

I agree. In the first couple seasons after the lockout we could give the refs a break because of all the new rules and the "new way" the game was to be played. There would be your sloppy games here and there. Isn't it getting to the point where we should be demanding some consistency from them now? I'm talking throughout the entire season. It seems like everyone, from the players to the coaches to the announcers to the fans, "gets it" except for the refs...

 

[TTripp]

I would say it's amazing, but nothing they do surprises me anymore.

I agree. In the first couple seasons after the lockout we could give the refs a break because of all the new rules and the "new way" the game was to be played. There would be your sloppy games here and there. Isn't it getting to the point where we should be demanding some consistency from them now? I'm talking throughout the entire season. It seems like everyone, from the players to the coaches to the announcers to the fans, "gets it" except for the refs...

Gonna have to quote you on this one: "Yawn".

 

[Gino]

I would say it's amazing, but nothing they do surprises me anymore.

I agree. In the first couple seasons after the lockout we could give the refs a break because of all the new rules and the "new way" the game was to be played. There would be your sloppy games here and there. Isn't it getting to the point where we should be demanding some consistency from them now? I'm talking throughout the entire season. It seems like everyone, from the players to the coaches to the announcers to the fans, "gets it" except for the refs...

Gonna have to quote you on this one: "Yawn".

So you're saying the refs are perfectly consistent throughout the entire season and they don't make bullshit non-calls? Take notice that I'm not talking about any particular team or in any particular city...

 

[TTripp]

I would say it's amazing, but nothing they do surprises me anymore.

I agree. In the first couple seasons after the lockout we could give the refs a break because of all the new rules and the "new way" the game was to be played. There would be your sloppy games here and there. Isn't it getting to the point where we should be demanding some consistency from them now? I'm talking throughout the entire season. It seems like everyone, from the players to the coaches to the announcers to the fans, "gets it" except for the refs...

Gonna have to quote you on this one: "Yawn".

So you're saying the refs are perfectly consistent throughout the entire season and they don't make bullshit non-calls? Take notice that I'm not talking about any particular team or in any particular city...

No, I'm saying it didn't seem to be a particluar concern of your's when the calls were going Detroit's way.

 

[mrp5150]

Gotta win game 4 or we're done for. Fluery needs to play amazing and Sid needs to score a goal for us to have a chance. I gotta give Zetterberg credit as being the best defensive forward in the NHL by far. Nobody else in the league can shut down Sid like him. I've never seen anyone even come close. What a dickbag.