Great collection, and it’s very true. Pensburgh was saying the same things after Game 2 in Washington – Penalties, bounces, home ice, etc. And they were right. But the bottom line is that they’re down 0-2 and have to win their home games. Entering a series, all Pittsburgh has to do is win 1 game in Detroit until they lose at home. Like the old adage says: It isn’t interesting until the home team loses. In the first round, that was almost death. I fully expect Pittsburgh to take Game 3, then wait and see who steps up in Game 4. Fleury? Osgood? Datsyuk? Malkin? In Round 1, it was Fleury. Who is it this year?

P.S. did you see the other hysterical things on Pensburgh throughout the playoffs? Everything we were complaining about in Round 1, they’re complaining about every series. And Carcillo didn’t tomahawk Crosby in the head with a stick.

Three things. Bounces, Penalties, and the Series heading to Pittsburgh

1.) Yes, I will agree with PensBurgh and Penguins fans, the bounces did not go their way and they we very unlucky. But at the same time I also think the Red Wings deserve to be up 2-0. They were the better team in the first two games. I am not saying that the Penguins played horrible but the Red Wings executed. The series comes down to much more then just hitting the post. Detoirt has been stifling on defense. They have controlled the neutral zone and middle. They clear the puck well and as they say a good offense is your best defense. The Red Wings cycle game in the corners and their ability to control the puck for long stretches of time are impressive. These are the reasons that the Red Wings lead this series 2-0 not because the Penguins keep hitting the post. Also, I think that the bounces argument was more supported for the Flyers in Round 1. Defensively, Detroit has been dominating whereas neither the Flyers or Penguins totally dominated and both had bad lapses on defense, and special teams.
2.) Penalties. I am truly shocked to hear this argument from PensBurgh. Normally, people complain about the penalties that are called, not the ones that aren’t. And I am sorry but there were 5 minors called between both games (excluding Game 2’s 3rd Period). There really are no grounds for the Penguins to blame the non-calls. That, to me, is a huge stretch and poor excuse to cite for your team being down 2-0. Its not like one team is getting all the calls. Both teams are getting away with an equal amount of non-calls and personally, if you aren’t gonna call it on one team don’t call it on the other, which the Refs have done brilliantly. They have put their whistles away and let the teams play and it has turned out great. Isn’t that what you want as a fan? Pittsburgh is foreign territory complaining about penalties here considering they are usually on the favorable end of calls most of the time. Its a little late to use this argument in the final 7 games of your season, especially when you are down 2-0. No?
3.) The Series heading to Pittsburgh. Yes, the series has shifted to the Igloo and now the Penguins have the home ice advantage but I am constantly hearing this confidence from the Penguins in getting this series tied up on the grounds that they came back and beat Washington in Round 2. To me, that argument is almost meaningless. You have to look at the teams. The Washington Capitals are NOT the Detroit Red Wings. The Capitals have no defense and were riding a hot but very young goalie who eventually burnt out. The Red Wings are spotless on defense and have a veteran goaltender who knows what it takes to win and makes big saves at key times. I am not saying that Detroit is gonna win or that there is no way the Penguins will win these next two at games. They have a chance especially if they win tonight. But I am saying, just because they did it once does not make it any more likely that they will do it again, especially against the Red Wings.

Should be a good game tonight however. I hope that the Red Wings can strike early, nullify the crowd (not that it takes much) and grab a commanding lead. Go Wings!

Great piece Travis.

I take nothing away from Detroit — they may have benefited from some good luck, but it’s no coincidence that good things always seem to happen to them. When you work hard, play as a unit and control the play for a lot the game, more often than not good things happen.

No offense intended but I think Philadelphia shot themselves in the foot with on-ice discipline and playing after the whistle. I know that’s not breaking any news around here with the way ya’ll have lamented over it, and I think Pittsburgh and Detroit know enough to not be so careless (though Matt Cooke scares me).

If the Penguins can win Game 4 it’ll be a very interesting series. And that’s a big if. But if Detroit takes Game 4 again like last year, it’s probably just a matter of time.