Even when Detroit was peppering them shots, one knew with that hot crowd this young team on the rise would not be deflated. 15 minutes into the first period the complexion of this series changed. 15 minutes in, the Penguins began to do the things that a Stanley Cup contender is supposed to do. Rise to the occasion.
Suddenly they were first to the puck. Suddenly they were buzzing and taking over the neutral zone. Suddenly they were winning the puck digging battles along the boards. Passes were connecting and they kept up that energy as their leader, Sidney Crosby, notched their first score of this series.
The collective breaths of those in Pittsburgh exhaled like a vent to a massive steam engine. Probably matching Gary Bettman's, who watched with the NHL's other new breed, Alexander Ovechkin. The NHL might have started doing their Ewok celebration, avoiding what some feared would be an old school sweep when they are trying to attract new fans to these new set of heroes that have found their way to the hockey holy land.
The arena was hot, and in the second period, it was the Penguins exerting pressure and dictating action. For the tables were turned and this dynamic offense were now forcing Detroit to react. And the Penguins defense which cracked under previous games pressure, held.
Darryl Sydor, a man with two rings and a heaping load of Stanley Cup experience, somehow was a healthy scratch for the first two games. Something that simply boggled my mind. Last night he showed why he should be playing in this series. He and the rest of the D were far sharper, removing Detroit from the puck in their zone. Sydor also leaped into plays, contributing to the Red Wing back pedal that marked the new march of the Penguins.
When Sidney Crosby popped in his second goal, the raucous crowd came to their feet. Another exclamation in the din to the shifting roles. This was their turf. Their crowd. Their ice. Their cup run. Detroit's looming stone began to crack. They were giving away pucks in their own zone. Crosby's tally coming off a Brad Stuart gaffe.
The giant was toppling, not just merely swept fro. Detroit had not even shown a flaw in the first two games, rendering the Pitt potency to a 60 year old dropping his Cialis down a shower drain. Was it the Penguins finally shaking nerves and the sense they did not belong that marred the two away games? Or were they merely needing to feed off their own crowd to find their energy and feet. Or a bit of both to this inexperienced, young, yet infinitely talented team, who merely needed a reminder to who they are and what they can do.
Evgeni Malkin had been playing like he was meshed in wool. Is he injured? Or just worn down by a season that required him to a carry a load like a NHL MVP. The fans and peanut gallery are very unforgiving to a kid who is playing his second season and huge coming out party. Was he over played this season beyond what his body was conditioned for? Have fans forgotten that the NHL season can wear out the kids, spoiled by those like Ovechkin and Crosby, who held up better under the unfettered scrutiny of the en masse? Last night, despite his troubles, he was pressing play and far more effective. But still not the player we saw previously this season.
What made Malkin, Sykora, and Hossa far more potent was that they were free to get passes or dig for pucks. All three were still shutdown, by a Detroit defense that still was holding. And suddenly, a Detroit counterattack showed why the Red Wings would not go quietly into the night. Johan Franzen, a one man wrecking machine, who can also take many a punch, punched his own answer into the Penguins net, firing his way right through the Pen defense. He and they took advantage of Hal Gill's penchant for putting himself in the box as Tomas Holmstrom seemed to ply himself directly under his skin.
2-1. This was a game now. Detroit was starting to counter and connect their own dots instead of passing it back to Penguin forwards. They were starting to slide their way into the offensive zone, using the speed and power of Zetterberg and Datsyuk. Pavel Datsyuk, who will never be mistaken for Alexei Yashin as he pounds his way with hits and dangerous passing. No, this is not the man who was once questioned on playoff performances. He is meting out hits and playing the body.
When Adam Hall popped the puck off of Chris Osgood's rear-end, it was the result of more Pittsburgh hard work in the offensive zone. Once again, Detroit was down two goals. Mikael Samuelsson then put one in to put up the pressure. But the Penguins prevailed. A huge win, and a possible momentum changer.
Pen Stats: Gonchar and Orpik logged the most minutes for the Pens. 26:15 and 23:27, respectively. They were highly effective in stopping the Wings forwards, as well as outlet passes back up the ice to keep the offensive machine rolling. Gonchar had 4 shots on goal. Gary Roberts was effective in limited minutes (8:45), getting an assist and being an integral part of the push that got Hall the goal off Ozzy.
Wings Things: Lindstrom logged over 25 minutes, Kronvall over 26. Rafalski over 22. Forwards Zetterberg (24:40) and Datsyuk (22:40) led the forwards, followed by Franzen, who clearly has not been stopped by flying fists, with over 19.
Next game, expect Mike Babcock to revise the matchups on Crosby and company, and seek to stem the tide of Pitt pressure. Will Detroit hold? Can the Penguins march back to Detroit evening up the series?
Tune in same Bat Time, same Bat Channel.
- BD
Email: B.D. Gallof
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