The Pittsburgh Penguins are determined to make sure history does not repeat itself.
Despite being down 2-0 to the powerhouse Detroit Red Wings, the same result after two games in the Stanley Cup Final last season, the plucky Pens have fought back to tie the series at two and are showing their true colours once again in these playoffs. While there were some eerie similarities between this year’s finals and last, Sidney Crosby and company have changed all that after an impressive game four win.
Older, wiser, more mature. All words and phrases used to describe the 2009 Pittsburgh Penguins. If there was ever a time to prove it, it was in a Stanley Cup Finals rematch with the reigning champion Red Wings. After the first weekend, however, the Penguins found themselves in a familiar situation, down 2-0 and nothing going their way.
Young, inexperienced, nervous. These were the new buzz words surrounding the Penguins. Wait, new? No, these too were carryovers from last season. It felt like everything had changed and yet nothing truly had. You could see the frustration in the faces of Crosby, Staal, coach Dan Bylsma and many others in the Penguins organization.
Going back to Steel Town, it was fair to say that every fan of the flightless birds felt that sinking feeling in the pit of their stomach. This feels too familiar... Then the Pens won game three. Nobody really felt better. After all, it was 2-1 Wings after three games last year too. It didn’t take a genius to figure out that game four was going to be big.
They started well, seeing Evgeni Malkin pot his 14th goal of this post-season, but fell behind with two Red Wings’ goals less than three minutes apart spanning the end of the first and the beginning of the second periods. But something finally changed, the Penguins wouldn’t quit and they would finally show the Red Wings just what they are capable of. In a flurry, Malkin, Crosby and their partners in crime went to work. Jordan Staal barrels in on Osgood fighting off a defender and slides home the tying goal. Malkin and Crosby get the 2-on-1 and Crosby makes good on a nice second effort pass from Evgeni. Then to top it all off, Kennedy slams home the biscuit on one of the nicest passing plays of the postseason.
The Red Wings are in trouble, and they are well aware of it, even if they won’t say so. The series has dramatically shifted in Pittsburgh’s favour and they show no sign of slowing down. Detroit hasn’t been able to see almost any contribution from their big guns and Pavel Datsyuk hasn’t played a game in the series. Even if they get him back, the damage may be done.
Led by Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, the Penguins are demonstrating the hunger and drive they showed in their run not only through the playoffs, but fighting back from near the bottom of the Eastern Conference barrel in the regular season just to make the postseason. They still have to win at least one game in Detroit to win the Cup, but their confidence is seemingly limitless.
The Cup will be in Pittsburgh on Tuesday night, but will it stay there or be on the move back to Detroit?
mitch.hart@gmail.com
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Friday, June 5, 2009
Ruffling Feathers
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Great article, really looking forward for the full comeback! That tic tac toe was SICK!
ReplyDeleteTotally agree, especially the pass from Crosby, what vision and skill that guy has. Incredible. Glad you liked the article.
ReplyDeleteLove the article, Mitch.
ReplyDeleteThe thing of it for me is that this has turned into a prime example of a home ice series, and Detroit has always been lights out better there. They're home vs road record in these playoffs defines that clearly.
I hate to be a Detroit advocate (as I can't stand them), but we'll have to see if Pittsburgh can continue their strong play into game five, or if Detroit once again uses last change to their advantage. At least we're getting great hockey, and that's all any fan can ask for.
Absolutely Steve, Pittsburgh's big challenge is winning at least once at Joe Louis. If they win game five, I have a strong feeling that they could win game six as well. Game 5 will once again determine a series, though it didn't last year.
ReplyDeleteAwesome picture! I'm upset with how they played last night, it was almost pathetic. Game 6 needs to be explosive or maybe it's just too late now.
ReplyDelete