The puck drops in Pitt in about six hours, and we'll be here again, offering droll comments and incisive (ahem) questions, all in the name of internet micro-celebrity, social opportunism and of course, the thrill of being insulted by strangers.
FYI, the telecast is on NBC, not Versus.
May be a tad late getting back to the keyboard (work/dinner committments), so carry on in my absence until I return after 8, "in medias res," that is, in the middle of things.
Some pre-game notes:
Reports from Pittsburgh indicate that Michel Therrien hinted at pairing Crosby and Malkin during some 5-on-5s (loyal readers will recall that I suggested this when Pens were down in Game 2) and that vet Darryl Sydor (who played on two Cup teams) will replace Kris Letang on D tonight at the Igloo. Sydor could be pretty rusty; he hasn't played in about two months.
Now about that "first Pens goal" pool from the other day.
Crosby and Malkin are the logical choices. I'll go with Hossa or Gonchar on a power play.
No. 2. Who'll hit the net first for Detroit? I'm thinking Zetterberg (who wouldn't, he leads the playoffs in shots, I believe) but I'll take Lidstrom or Franzen.
Candidates?
****
Evening, all. Missed the first seven-eight minutes. Guessing not much pressure from Pitt, given that the shots are 6-1. Whoa, big save by Scuderi on Stuart poaching in....Hossa and Crosby cross wires, leading to Franzen's curl, drawing a penalty on Gonchar...
****
Fabulous passing, almost a great finish by Hudler from the goal line to the left of Fleury, who then holds another shot attempt...puck hopped off Lidstrom's stick when he was open just to the right of the cage...only two shots on PP, but dangerous all the time...Pens cannot afford to be in the box often...Underline that. Twice.
****
How did Pens not score on that rebound of Sydor backhander....good prevent on Crosby, who had generated some speed in the middle...a rare Detroit icing. Pitt needs to cash in soon...Pens just missing...Red Wings appear as if they are trying to survive the period...and there it is.
****
Crosby, his first of the Finals, from Hossa on a broken play at 17:21, on the Pens fifth shot, fourth in a row...turnover by Stuart led to the score...big save on Zetterberg blast...breaking the ice has to revive Pens who are feeding off crowd...and a penalty on Rafalski...
****
Oh, that was so close to 2-0, Hossa and Malkin, no breaks. Pens are passing quicker. Best five minutes in seven periods for the Birds. But Detroit cannot be unhappy down by just a goal after 20 in a game that the Pens simply must, must have. They'll begin No. 2 with a man advantage.
PENS 1, WINGS 0, END OF ONE
One nice thing about NBC over Versus' intermission: better ads. Love the tyke who scored on E-Trade, rented a clown and laments that he "underestimated the creepiness of it."...Don't underestimate the Pens in this one...look, Mess making a mess with tortilla chips and dip...OK, clock starting...
****
Malkin misses golden op on turnaround slapper...penalty over...Malone's work behind net forces Kronwall to hook...if Pens score on this one...Osgood challenges Malkin and makes the save...Pens look like a different, energized bunch...Second for Crosby, wide open...
Osgood needed to control that one...2-0 Pens
***
Hossa with two assists....Last line change is making a diff for Pens...Fleury will have to remain strong, however...maybe more so Osgood...Rangers fans may be seeing flashbacks from the Igloo with the Pens swarming...
****
Osgood tested by Gonchar, fine pass from Sidney...I was just going to say that the Wings need to remain physical....With the crowd deafening, did Kennedy hear whistle on icing?
Good no-call....Wings are making foolish clearing passes to the middle; they had been using boards...
***
Yeah, I said physical. Gill decks Holstrom, Datsyuk leveles unsuspecting Malone...Wings PP coming....Dupuis clears puck from crease...No goal, net had been dislodged by Hudler from Orpik check, waved off early.
****
Gutsy PK by Pens, clogging passing lanes, forcing Wings to handle too much around perimeter. Think Wings won;t be shutout tonight, especially if Pens play short-handed a few more times..."We haven't been as settled down, we haven;t been as smooth as we should,": said Babcock, who just delivered the most succinct and honest coach's in-game interview in the three games....Ice was lousy whenever Rangers were in town (both teams agreed), wonder if that's the case...Gill in box again for cross-check
***
Well, I was right on the above Wings first goal pool. Franzen. Outstanding move. Cuts lead to one. Ya gotta love the hits. Wings aren't going away without making some noise leaving some bruises on the boards and in front. Should be a marvelously intense, rough-and-tumble third.
*****
Staal bloodied Lidstrom with a high stick....Ruutu and Roberts are running around... Obvious slash by Crosby on Draper...But a tough job for refs on what to call. Hits everywhere...A crackling period...what this series needed, some fire from Pens...19-13 in shots...Special teams may decide this one. What's that smell? Could somebody be cooking up overtime? Love to see it.
PENS 2, WINGS 1, END OF TWO
Just FYI. McGuire picked Rangers to beat Pens...and he was right that WIngs need to put Zet and Dat out every other shift---if they can last...Pens seem to be thinking D more...is it too early? They did put the clampdown on Flyers when necessary...IMO, Wings need to throw more shots on Fleury, they're trying to set up, too precise...
****
Incredible save by Osgood, who got a glove on Hossa's backhander, which clipped the post, then he reached back to corral the trickler an inch before the line... Ah. remember what I said about the ice? McGuire saying pucks bouncing all over the place, "very warm down here.": That's an advantage to Pens, with the lead and the familiarity...
****
Fleury major save on redirection, and on the enusing rush and scramble 3-1, Pittsburgh. Horrible move by Osgood, leaving the crease, missing the poke check, Hall bangs the puck off him and in....Still up and down, sensational save by Fleury...Ten minutes to go. Pens can't---and won't--- let this one slip away.
****
I take that back, post...No diving save by Fleury. Good replay. With the non-stop play, can't take the eyes off the screen....
****
3-2. This battle's not over yet. Holstrom aching in net. As Emrick said: "The surge is coming back for Detroit." Will it be enough? The pressure on Fleury is gigantic in next 5 minutes...If you didn't enjoy these last two periods, I feel sorry for you...you don't appreciate sports.
***
We've gotta see that replay on the Malkin call. Was it really worse than what was going on in the last 40 minutes? Hmmm.
***
Jeez, a re-direct misses and then a deflection hits Fleury...Penalty over...Zetterberg shot gloved...1:55 to go
***
Osgood can't get off for the extra attacker until 29 seconds left...a furious finish. Question: Can Pens play any better? They certainly evened it up tonight in terms of passion, caps off to Fleury because the Pens were outshot again. Holstrom, who hit that post, didn't play late in third. Blame Osgood for that third Pens goal.
PENS 3. WINGS 2. PENS TRAIL SERIES 2-1.
Comments (28)
Malone for the Pen's (he's got a great TV hockey mug with that nose right now, and he's Irish).
Datsyuk for the Wings (being on the road, he and Zetterberg will be freed up from shadowing Crosby by virtue of last line change etc).
""The puck drops in Pitt in about six hours, and we'll be here again, offering droll comments and incisive (ahem) questions, all in the name of internet micro-celebrity, social opportunism and of course, the thrill of being insulted by strangers.""
Ha haaa!!
Good news from the League's press office just now:
-----
This from the League's press office today:
VERSUS' GAME 2 VIEWERSHIP THE HIGHEST IN NETWORK HISTORY
VERSUS, the exclusive cable home of the NHL in the U.S., garnered a 1.9 national rating and 2,537,560 total viewers for its Game 2 telecast of the 2008 Stanley Cup Final Monday, making it the most-watched program in network history.
Other highlights:
* Game 2 eclipsed Game 1 of this year’s Final (1.8 rating, 2,351,582 total viewers) as the highest-rated and most-watched Stanley Cup Final cable telecast since 2002. Further, the combined ratings for Games 1 and 2 show an increase of 111 percent from 2006 (.9) and a 171-percent increase from last year’s first two games (.7). The combined viewership for Games 1 of 2 of the 2008 Stanley Cup Final (2,426,692) show even greater increases over the past two years; up 181 percent from 2006 (863,206) and a whopping 273 percent from 2007 (649,779).
* The 1.9 rating is up 217 percent from VERSUS' Game 2 rating in 2007 (.6) and up 111 percent from Game 2 of the 2006 Stanley Cup Final (.9).
* Locally, the Detroit market received an 11.7 rating, the highest rating ever in the Detroit market for an NHL game on VERSUS and a 39% increase over Game 1 (8.4). The Pittsburgh market garnered a 21.3 rating, making VERSUS the #1 rated television network in Pittsburgh for the time period. The 21.3 rating is up 12 percent from Game 1 (19.0).
* VERSUS concluded its coverage of the 2007-08 NHL season with tremendous gains in ratings and viewership compared to the first two years of the NHL on the network. Compared to last season, the 2007-08 regular season saw an increase of 50 percent in HH ratings and 28 percent in total viewership; HH ratings for the 2008 Conference Quarterfinals were up 33 percent and total viewership was up 24 percent; Conference Semifinals were up 50 percent in HH rating and 51 percent in total viewership. During the Conference Final round, in which VERSUS aired nine exclusive games, the network witnessed dramatic increases in household ratings (up 71%) and total viewership (up 77%), making it the best-rated, most watched Conference Finals since 2002.
Really, you should copyright "internet micro-celebrity" and even "social opportunism" in the context of blogs like these. That one sentence so completely encapsulates blogging that it makes me feel like much less of a person for posting here or anywhere else, ever. In fact, I'm done. I cannot believe the depths my life has plunged to.
"I cannot believe the depths my life has plunged to."
I am with you Peter.....100%
But's it so much damn fun.
Imagine how well the game would have done if it was on a channel that people know about, or have access too. There are tons of areas that are still blacked out of these games. Versus is also downright pathetic when it comes to addressing any problems. They just dont respond.
Anybody watching the game?
That's not Busey B and G....just an imposter..
B N G.....are you getting this game on TV?
My NBC keeps cutting out,
Does NBC really want to consider their covergae legitate with Pierre ( I kiss the Penguins ass at every chance) Mcguire annoucing this game. It is really discusting to have to listen to this guy. Why would you let a PENS HOMER on National TV? It is really disgraceful to have to listen to this guy. Hopefully at 3-0 he will shut his mouth, and NBC will once again send him on assignment. Really sad when an obvious home has to be added to the Telecast. Where is the Wings homer? When does that guy show up? NBC the network of POOR journalism, no surprise!
Crosby came to play tonight....
msg....I simply switch to the Yankee game between periods.
I think Datsyuk just broke Malone's nose again...if that's medically possible
Good PK by the Pens...Gonchar stripping Datsyuk on the far boards was huge
Damn I missed the WIng goal....surfing bewteen the yankee game
Pierre (Homer) question to Babcock "Is Ptt Playing the way you expected" No Pierre I was expecting you to ask a question about my team not yours. What a ass wipe, can you root some more. When Pens lose how does NBC explain this guys presence? By the way three games in an finally Sid does something and now he is again GOD. What happens all the games he does zero, can't wait to pump him up. By the way Pierre's last question to Dallas Clark is "Is Pitt playing up to your expectations" Yea Pierre we kiss Pitts ass and they are UNBELIEVABLE" only problem is we are up 2-0 and we will be no worse than 3-1 goning home IF NECESSARY, is that OK Pierre!
Is this Crosby Loveathon really legitimate? Amazing that the Wings have the Best players on the ice and yet NBC is pushing non stop Crosby, can they have him skate with the CUP too? When Detroit is skating with the CUP how fast is NBC going to find another hero? All anyone can ask is for an honest telecast. How hard is that? In listening to this you would think that Pitt is up 2-0. I find it really amazing how little respect Wings are getting from NBC. According to them Det is losing the series. What is getting to happen is a 3rd period won by Det and Pit finding a 3-0 deficit.
"What's that smell? Could somebody be cooking up overtime? Love to see it."
Good call Zip....You might be right.
I'm confused.
All these posts are dated May 28, yet people are posting things like "Its now 2-2, tell Busey and Bkack N Gold to get off the ledge."
It's not 2-2, it will never be 2-2 because Pittsburgh is up 3-1. Am I an a time-warp...MY GOD, what is happening to me?
Does anyone think that the Pens barely holding in can win 3 of the next 4? NOT Detroit is going to win gm 4 handily. This gm was fairly dominated once again by Det, but the yscored one less, Pitt is done.
Bottom line - Pittsburgh Wins!
Detroit msy be up 2-1, but the next game is in Pittsburgh.
Cry all you want Rangers. Pittsburgh is in the finals, You aren't.
Just as a sanity check... I posted once tonight... the last post.. the rest were impostors...
it's such a shame that Rangers posters are such puss1ies they have to post under other peoples names because they're to embarrassed to admit their own failings
Of course the Red Wings can win game 4. It's pre-ordained.
this is the level the nhl has stooped to in attracting fans, just read the posts above, keyword cheating punks not brave enough to use their own screen name. their idols are crybaby, buttman, and the refs .
Zip, unfortunately this post has become a breeding ground for immature people who post under others names. It takes away any reasonable discussion, so my handle will not be posting here period, I'm out and have enjoyed most of the hockey talk here, yet it is now over run with fools and ignorant blather. Thanks for keeping the effort to produce a blog during the finals, best wishes to all and maybe I'll see you next season, BYE!
Yeah, nice job letting this blog go into the toilet Zip. Rangers fans will have to find another place to talk hockey. Some place with actual adult hockey fans that know something about the game. F U Trolls!
Loved how the refs didnt call anything in the 3rd period. ok, ok, there was 1 penalty called, but there could have been, like 5.
If Brad Stuart wasnt on the ice for both Crosby's goals, the Pens might never have scored.
Its funny to see ex-Rangers scoring in the finals. Two huge goals by Mikael Samuelsson in game 1, and Adam Hall gets the winner last night.
"Gill decks Holstrom, Datsyuk leveles unsuspecting Malone...Wings PP coming....Dupuis clears puck from crease...No goal, net had been dislodged by Hudler from Orpik check, waved off early."
Yeah, it was clealrly the right call... no goal, but it should have been a penalty against Orpik. He CLEARLY shoved Hudler into the post on purpose trying to disloge the net because Fleury gave a huge rebound (which Datsyuk likely would have scored on). NBC showed the replay several times, and it was clearly intentional.
Point proven.
all you idiots suck i also will see you at draft time and maybe some grown ups will show up. Busey I don't think that was the real Kocur.