Losing to the Pens on "fourth-line" forward Max Talbot's goal midway through the the third period might haunt the Flyers all summer. In a 2-2 tie game Pittsburgh got a a goal from a player who had missed the previous three games because of a broken foot. This was the type of luck that was on the Flyers side in the two previous series but has switched jerseys in the Conference Finals. Now they must hold serve at home but the pressure is on as everyone realizes one more lost and it is all but over. The Penguins on the other hand are 8-0 at home, and will be tough to beat in a game 5 or 7. Also on the hot seat are the Dallas stars who are also down 2-0 to the Red Wings, and facing extinction. The Stars power play looks better but for this series to turn, the Stars are going to need to convert with regularity. Also, they will need to get Detroit out of their comfort zone and put them in positions that they haven’t seen before. Lastly, Ribeiro has to play with Osgood. He’ll be a little fired up after the melee in the final seconds of game 2 and a hot goalie and make up for a multitude of deficiencies. Does either team have the mettle to come back and win 4 of the next 5?
Although it took 4OT’s and they didn’t go quietly the San Jose Sharks would have to consider this season a disappointment after a 4-2 series loss to the Dallas Stars. It was their third straight year in which they have lost a second round series and many fans as well as hockey pundits (ie; Barry Melrose who had the Sharks winning the cup), who consider the Sharks the NHL’s most talented collection of mediocrity, with consistent regular season play(2nd best record this year), and a talented lineup, yet they have not made it to the Conference Finals since 2004. Is this a coaching issue? What will it take for the Sharks to leave the small tank and make it to the big waters?
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Monday, May 12, 2008
Flyers' luck catches up with them, Red Wings look to burn out stars
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28 comments:
An improved game by the Stars, but it was still was not enough. Even with their hottest player side lined, the Wings didn’t miss a beat. Turco had a great game, but his Stars teammates just seamed out matched. The Stars need a huge home coming to get back in this series.
Both teams got breaks and tough calls, stout defense, fast skating, hard hits, traded opportunities...
Turco got a few freebies in, beyond the one he was called for.
I disagree about Ribeiro. Looked like Osgood did the usual elbow out (95% of plays behind the net get this from goalies, to force players wide) and Ribeiro went down from grazing the knob on the way by - - then slashes at Oz's head/neck (stick knocked downward by Wings d-man grabbing him).
It's not like a federal offense, but anyone who opposes Pronger shinguard stomps (like me) has got to oppose swings for the head.
Other than that (tight nerves at end of game?), it looked pretty even except for the Wings numbers on the board.
typical detroit game, dallas has a chance to tie it up and the refs send a parade of stars to the box in the end.osgood started the whole thing at the end and draper chokes rebeiro with his stick but guess what, surprise -dallas gets 2 penalties out of it and detroit none. what a joke.. why do they even play these games? the refs will make sure detroit wins anyway
Ribero has cast the NHL in a negative light again, when it should be celebrating for the possible Detroit/Penguins Cup Finals.
Should Ribeiro give a crap about a possible Detroit/Pittsburgh final? Perhaps Dallas should just forfeit for fans like you?
Why shouldn't Osgood be the one called forth when it was he that started the whole mess?
Bill McCreary reffed game 1, where Detroit was gufted an early 5-3, and where Holmstrom obstructed Turco in the crease for the 3rd goal.
McCreary's record for Wings games in 1998 5-0.
In 1999 before the Wings got ousted 1-0.
In 2002, 4-2.
In 2003 no games reffed.
In 2004 1-1. (loss to Calgary)
In 2006 1-0.
In 2007 2-1. (loss to Calgary game 3)
In 2008 now 2-0.
16-4. Not bad. Not bad at all.
Wings record without McCreary in those years= 50-39.
That's quite the winning % with ol' Bill skating alongside.
Giller - What is lost in all the nonsense, is how this game could easily have been a Dallas blow out. Worst discipline and defensive game by the Wings so far in the playoffs. Yes, the Wings dominated at times, particularly in the third, where they outshot the Stars by 13-6 and controlled play. In the first period, the Stars only had four shots, but that is because they kept missing the net and those don't count as shots. They had a half dozen golden opportunities in the first couple of periods but shot wide or high. Plus, I still can't believe a puck bounced through Morrow's legs right into Ozzie's glove. Detroit gave up as many easy chances as they did in the whole Col series last night. As far as Ozzie, I actually think he was sticking his arm out to slow the guy down, a move which many goalies do, and accidently clipped the guy with the butt end of his stick, because that was completely out of character for Ozzie. Stupid reaction and deserves a suspension, not because he hurt Ozzie, that acting was lame, but because of the action itself. I wouldn't fault a suspension to Ozzie either, because a goalie stick is really heavy and goalies have to be just as accountable for their sticks and by the reaction, you can tell he really clipped the guy. Either way, it will have no effect on the series. Revenge rarely happens during the playoffs, penalties are not given freely and both teams saw the incident as dirty by the other. I will say, from the comment after the last two games, both the Stars coach and players seem focused on the refs missing a call on Holmer in the crease, or Ozzie's stick, or something emotional, rather than focused on the strategy and what is not working that is about frustration and that bodes well for Detroit.
I agree that thia was totally out of character for Ozzie and I don't believe he did it intentionally. It looked like a typical goalie move in protecting his area around the net. Ozzie's stick never came near Ribeiro's face, it got him in the stomach/chest area. Ribeiro's actions just shows that Detroit has gotten in Dallas' head and has them completely frustrated. Excellent strategy paying off!!!
Detroit did make a lot mistakes and commit a lot of penalties last night. Bottom line is they got the win.
You people kill me with the ref bias! I have never heard such non-sense and crying since the Ducks run last season, and that was coming from Ducks fans! If it was so biased for the Red Wings do you think they would have only won 3 Cups in the last 11 years?
As far as retaliation goes, the Wings are too disciplined and smart for that but I do think that Kronwall will be laying the lumber "legally" to Mr. Ribeiro. Maybe we'll get to see Bibeiro's turtle imitation if D-Mac chooses to drop the gloves.
Kepp on rolling Wings!! 10 down, 6 to go!!
sweepintheworks - The third-period defensive play by the Red Wings was the best I've seen all season. Dallas got almost no quality shots in the entire period. The short-handed goal was the nail in the coffin. Could the Stars possibly win four in a row? No way!
The Wings will go to the finals!
There is no doubt that the Wings will be in the Finals by next game unless a meltdown occurs, and that wont happen now. Detroit will knock out Dallas and then put it to Pit/Phi for the Cup....Lets go RedWings,.....Lets go RedWings.....Lets go RedWings....Yeah!!!
Detroit is dominating every catagory and playing with determination so there's no way Dallas will win 3 or 4 in a row let alone the next game.
Good luck to the Wings and their fans against the Pens....I'll take the Wings in 5 for the Cup.
Dallas is done put a fork in them. Turco needed to win this game to show his teammates he could win against the Wings and he failed. I don't know if the series will go back to Detroit or not but Dallas had their chance to win and they blew it. Morrow looks like he could be done with the way that he fell on his arm. That didn't look good at all. I don't think the Stars have it in them to win 4 in a row to advance.
Is there any player right now more frustrated than Steve Ott. He is losing every faceoff to Kris Draper, he can’t get Tomas Holmstrom to retaliate even when he slashes him over and over, and he has not had a shot on goal in two games. Two games in a row now he has let his frustration boil over towards the end of the game, first with the sucker punch of Draper and now with the attempted late hit on Datsyuk.
Speaking of Kris Draper, man did he have some big hits tonight. I know he is not putting up the points he used to but his faceoff skills and defensive play have definitely been a big part of this playoff run.
steelhammer - I hope Detroit does not think they will roll over the Penguins like they have with the Stars. Although it is early yet i feel confident in saying "see you at the Cup". Go Pens!
HockeyTown1977 - The Stars played a solid game at the Joe and now the Wings are a bit frustrated, lets see how they come out in the first. I am expecting some early goals and I am also expecting Franzen to be in the line up. My buddy within the Wings organization said he staked today and looked good.....
Gotta tip my hat to Marty, he won the game for Dallas in game five... Chelios needs to really step up, he's been a big let down the last two games....
beneaththetides - The only word on Franzen I've heard is he'll be a game-time decision on Monday. I heard he was participating in the morning skates with them so that is a good sign. Concussions are scary and rushing back from them could be just as damaging so I hope he doesn't put himself in jeopardy.
I think you hit the nail on the head. The Stars finally (FINALLY) established a forecheck that seems to of contained Datsyuk and Zetterberg. But for how long they can do that probably goes hand in hand with how long they survive in the series. I really think that's what it comes down to if Dallas is to survive game 6 - establish a forecheck and backcheck and keep disrupting the flow of those two.
Redwingerforlife - Holmstrom won't get suspended anymore than Ozzie or the Dallas pu*k that took a two handed swing at him after Ozzie stuck him with the stick. He may get fined, but I doubt it, the Dallas pu*k took a Game Misconduct on the two handed job and that requires League review, Holmstrom took a 2 minuite roughing penalty, no review by the league required. Dallas is making this a series as they should have from the start. If you told me we would be up 3-2 at this point of the series 2 weeks ago, I would have gladly taken it. Does anybody really think Turko can be 2-0 in Detroit in the last two games? He will fold like a deck of cards as he always does and then run to Montreal. Momentum means nothing at this point. Watch and learn bandwagon fans.
Korey, Johan has been cleared for light duty off the ice for now, he will not make it back to this series I doubt it. He is not allowed to skate yet and that means 1 week or two before he is ready.
Pavel and Zett will burn the ice, trust me, you cannot hold them down for two games in a row. They just need to play better puck possession and pass the puck more often vs. try to do it all themselves. Babs will have them ready for Monday,
beneaththetides - Anyone else think the winner of the Dallas/Detroit matchup is basically the team that's going on to win the Cup? The Western Conference, from top to bottom, has nothing but hard-nosed teams that play defense really well. I think Pittsburgh matches up horribly with both teams, mostly because they can't establish a puck possession neutral zone type of game. Pittsburgh seems too flashy while Detroit and Dallas are both grinder teams. If it's Detroit I could easily see Maltby or Draper smother Crosby the whole series, or if it's Dallas then Jere Lehtinen has the ability to shut him down as well. If you can take Crosby out of the equation, that leaves you with trying to work on Malkin. He seems to be slowing down, so he might not be as big of a threat as he was maybe in the first or second round. As far as goalie matchups, I think you have to give the nod to either Turco or Osgood over Fleury only because they're battle tested and have the better defenses in front of them. What do you guys think?
HOCKEYTEAM1954 - So Chelios needs to step it up huh? No, the coach needs to be a coach for a change and sit his old butt out of the line-up period. That wasn't a bad choice Chellie made, it wasn't a mistake either....it was a game changing screwup of epic size that cost them, yup cost them the game. If the Wings can't insert a young D for an over-the-hill D who is on the ice for nearly every goal scored, then they have no future. And he wants to play 3 more years?
bumeri - Detroit will finish off Dallas in Dallas
The same way they did to Nashville in Nashville and Colorado in Colorado
And I like what Morrow said "Its going to be tough for them" ...... Red Wings can go into any building and win at any time, they play each game the same home or away ...... Its over Monday Night, in a really close game 4-2 game including the empty netter
If the Stars do manage to win game 6, then thats great for them but i just dont see them winning game 7, momentum doesn't mean anything to the wings they are a great, well poised team that can fight off any team at any time
COCowboysfan08 - Wow, some of these posts are hilarious. What's more funny though are the Detroit fans saying after every game that this series is over. After game 3, series is over. After game 4, series is over... After game 5, series is over. Umm, to the best of my knowledge, game 6 is Monday, and it's quite possible that I'll be back on here Monday night saying game 7 is wednesday!! Turco is the key, the Wings may be better than the Stars and more experienced (even being a Stars fan I won't refute that) but the Stars want it more and if Turco keeps playing lights out like he has in games 4 and 5 then this will definitely go in the Stars favor. Now that we know how to beat Detroit at Joe Louis Arena, watch out, game on.
theekyle - See, the way I see it is it doesn't matter when the wins come. If Dallas had won games 2 and 3 lets say, and Detroit wins 4 and 5, this series looks like a great even series at this point. I predicted Detroit in 6 at the beginning, lets see if that still holds true. We all expected this to be a close series, so don't fall apart now that it is.
RedWingsBaby79 - im still calling it right now WINGS IN 6 my first prediction im out great game stars you wont be so lucky in game 6 GO WINGS!!
skleeners - Turco won this game for you. Nothing else. Look at the stats you were outplayed in almost every statistical catagory. Or don't people in Dallas know how to read???
Regarding the empty seats I know there were some, however I also think (being at some of the game) because the seats are red and obviously a lot of people wear red it often blends in and looks like the seat is empty when it is really just a person in a red shirt.
hey saying that you have stanley cups doesn't mean you are going to win another one, in the end that is the past and this is the present do you think when the patriots started their "dynasty" everyone looked at them and saw no championships and said they aren't going to win because they haven't won before.... no, every one that is currently living in the past, GET OUT. it is 2008 not 02 or 99!!!!!!
GO STARS
-Believe
Been on these boards for every game. Congratulated you guys after all the games you won. Game 6 is gonna be harder on yall than Game 5. Yall will need to play much better than yall did today. Just get ready, the Stars will come out ready to win.
awould - I think both teams have given their fans good reason to feel very confident. All this talk is, obviously, meaningless. The puck will be dropped and we can all come back with some thoughts after game 1 and we see how these two teams REALLY match up. I honestly think both teams have a boatload of talent. I also think this could be (should be, really) the most entertaining and evenly matched Finals we've seen in a long, long time. We should all be happy as hockey fans to be a (small) part of it. I for one am damn happy to be watching my team go for the Cup and knowing if (when) they win it, it'll be against the best the other side has to offer. The games should be awesome, the goals amazing and the battles hard fought.
Good luck to you Pens fans, but I still say defense wins championships and the Wings have the edge....
tmillermsu - Can't wait for Saturday. Amazing how dominant these two teams have been in the playoffs. This should be an awesome series, and I can't even hazard a guess at the outcome. Can't believe the Pens have only lost two games all postseason. Here's to a great Stanley Cup Finals and the Pens losing 4 more!
GO WINGS!!!!!!!
87Penguins71 -
I honestly believe the series is going to come down to a couple things. The skill players will cancel each other out, so ...
1.) Who has the best third and fourth lines.
2.) Goaltending.
3.) Who stays out of the box.
I don't like to say things like this, but don't make it sound like I am saying something I'm not. I think this will be a deep series unless the Wings put the Pens on the PP.
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