This is a tough loss. Again the Pens played a better game than the Capitals. Again the Capitals get away with a win. Again the superstars do their thing: Ovechkin with three assists, Malkin with three assists and Crosby going for a goal and an assist. This was another exiciting game from start to finish. This game was only as exciting as it was because the Penguins could not take the overwhelming momentum in the first period and translate it into a greater lead than 1-0. The Pens outshot the Caps 18-5 in the first period. They completely owned the first frame. Unfortunately, they could not get more than one goal past Varlamov.
Varlamov, who is most likely the biggest factor in keeping the Caps in this series, was good, not great. He made a lot of saves, but none seemed to be spectacular. The Penguins have been unable to finish plays. They miss the net, they pass up shots all together or they pass on one-time opportunities or they shoot the puck into the goalies chest. They had many golden chances in this game, but could not capitalize.
Since the Ovechkin hit on Gonchar, the Pens seemed to have taken their game plan in the opposite direction of what many may have guessed or hoped. Instead of coming out pounding people (the natural reaction), they seemed to have toned down the physical play. This appears to be a game plan implemented by Bylsma and crew. I am not sure why this is the direction they have decided to go. I am also not judging the decision at this time.
I thought it would be great to get back to watching games on FSN. Finally, I would get the chance to hear some “homer” announcers. But, after listening to Steigerwald and Errey for two games now, I find myself getting salty as they try extra hard to give credit to Washington. I want to hear my hometown announcers favor my team. Also, I don’t know if I have become more sensitive to it because it is the playoffs, but Steigerwald says some of the dumbest things. Maybe I am just bitter because of the loss.
Notes:
- Maybe the pivotal play in this game to me was Scuderi passing on an opportunity to pound Semin behind the net. Having not been smashed into the boards, Semin took the puck behind the net and set up a play that resulted in a goal.
- Fleury has looked better. He will need to have his best effort in game 7.
- It was nice to see Letang use the one-timer to score his goal.
- It will be interesting to see if Bylsma comes up with some new lines in lieu of the mixing he was doing tonight. Will he he swap Cooke for Kunitz?
- Let’s hope that losing so many times when you have outplayed the opposition has not started taking it’s tole.
Game 7 should prove to be a match of epic proportions. I may actually pass out from the excitement if that game goes as I feel it will.
[Kult Skater says: And, Stealth, Lindros was maybe before your time. I really don’t know. But he also won the Hart and Pearson and would have won rookie of the year but a 31 year old Russian got it and the NHL changed the criteria for it. To play him out as not half the player Ovechkin is???? Give it a rest.]
Lindros was not before my time, and I believe he underachieved, considering his size and skills… He played 13 seasons in the NHL, and not one of them was a full season… I think he played 81 games once, but most seasons he missed boat loads of games… His best season was a 47 goal season in 95/96… That’s an off season for Ovechkin… He only broke into triple digits in points once – Again in that 95/96 season… He only scored 40 or more goals four times in his career… In his last three seasons he played less than half the games… Now, he did rack up plenty of penalty minutes, and is likely a much better fighter than Ovechkin… Other than that, everything pales in comparison to A.O., including durability… That said, I liked Lindros, because I’ve always liked players with skill who were also tough as nails, and didn’t shy away from contact… A.O. may not fight, but he doesn’t shy away from contact either… C It’s unfortunate that concussions ruined his career, and that Booby Clark is guilty as sin for rushing him back into play before he was healed… But that’s life, and he chose to get into all those fights… I’m sure that had a cumulative effect on his noggin, just like skating with his head down and getting obliterated…
[By RBuckle, May 12, 2009 @ 9:11 am
Bandwagon Stealth, Where have you been the last few games? Your are a typical Bandwagon Capital fan. RMFAOOTFOAOA!]
RBuckle, I’ve got your bandwagon hanging, pal… I’m the farthest thing from a bandwagon fan that you will ever find, and some of the other Pens fans who post here and on the AOL boards can attest to that fact… I almost always post, win or lose…
The reason, even though it’s none of your business, that I didn’t post after the games on Friday and Saturday night is because I was out of town attending the college graduation of my niece… I didn’t have access to a computer, and didn’t have the time to post even if I did… I didn’t see the games until I got home on Sunday and watched them…
The only thing typical here is your lame ass assumptions about me… Get the facts BEFORE you post or you will continue to suffer from foot-in-mouth disease…
@ Reg Dunlap [Scuderi passing on an opportunity to pound Semin behind the net. Having not been smashed into the boards, Semin took the puck behind the net and set up a play that resulted in a goal.]
A key pickup. All of the defensemen when they get the chance to crush Semin or Ovechkin behind the net it should happen. Particurally Semin who if the game gets physical he fades into the night like Sykora and Satan. The dfensemen shouldn’t back up when Ovechkin has the puck either – like Orpik did in game 5. Stay on thes guys. What may be a key point in Game 7 is that the Capitals looked to find that pressure on the defenseman seemed to work. Hopefully Disco DAN fixes that one somehow.
@ Penguin871 – The refs never fail to amaze me.
LOL. The referees are human and miss calls. When players fool the refs the refs equal things out. That’s human too.
@RBuckle & @Stealth
It’s my opinion that the Ovechkin to Lindos comparison is not a good one. Although Lindros got marketed as the Next One he was one bad ass hockey player who’s only fault (he didn’t pick his parents) was that he couldn’t skate with his head up. The beating he took was from some really hard noseeum hits from a number of players because he never saw them coming. Ovechkin has so much more speed and skating ability but Lindros didn’t cheat up ice like a Pavel Bure – he was right in the mix.
Seriously, RBuckle. If you think Ovechkin took a dirty hit at Hal Gill why do you think it wasn’t called? Are you hinting that the games are fixed? Refs do miss calls you know. Did you catch it before it was replayed? Now, he really did leave his feet. But, it’s not like he’s not very clever at it. I’d do it until it gets called, wouldn’t you.
And, Stealth, Lindros was maybe before your time. I really don’t know. But he also won the Hart and Pearson and would have won rookie of the year but a 31 year old Russian got it and the NHL changed the criteria for it. To play him out as not half the player Ovechkin is???? Give it a rest.
@RBuckle
Where is Scott Stevens when you need him? LOL
That is okay Scuds will take care of him. If not knocking him senseless, keeping him scoreless.
GO PENZ!
Bandwagon Stealth, Where have you been the last few games? Your are a typical Bandwagon Capital fan. RMFAOOTFOAOA!
[By RBuckle, May 12, 2009 @ 8:15 am
Ovechkin laid out another dirty hit yesteday. Left his feet and elbowed Hal Gill in the head. He truly is the cheapest player in hockey.]
You’re funny… Please tell me that you’re a comedy writer by trade…
[This is a guy who if he doesn’t clean up the game is going to go the way of Eric Lindros. Lindros played the exact same style until a few players took exeption and boom, Lindros was out with concussions, never the same player, never to be heard from again.]
Lindros was never half the player Ovechkin is – In heart, desire, ability, or durability…
[Ovechkin probably could be a decent player if he ever grows up.]
Yea, he totally sucks… ROTFLMFAO!!!!!
Did anyone notice that everytime Semin took a dive yesterday he drew a penalty and everytime he was legitimately tripped, he didn’t. The refs never fail to amaze me.
Ovechkin laid out another dirty hit yesteday. Left his feet and elbowed Hal Gill in the head. He truly is the cheapest player in hockey.
This is a guy who if he doesn’t clean up the game is going to go the way of Eric Lindros. Lindros played the exact same style until a few players took exeption and boom, Lindros was out with concussions, never the same player, never to be heard from again.
Ovechkin probably could be a decent player if he ever grows up.
[By Kutdacheez, May 12, 2009 @ 7:07 am
If YINZ HOSERS thought Game 6 was important check out Game 7. As for Crosby, PenQuin, he’s putting that talent on display and any hockey fan can see – he’s the best all round hockey player in the world. It’s hard to believe what talent we’ve seen here and some times we take it for granted.]
An exceedingly talented team, overall, yet the CAPS with a minor league defense and a goaltender with a whopping 18 total games of NHL experience is carrying this series to a seventh game… Go figure, eh?
[No wonder the rest of the hockey (and sports world) gets so jealous. Yet, Game 7 isn’t any given.]
Jealous? I don’t know about that… The CAPS have a pretty decent team themselves, including some big stars like the Pens have… I do wish Varlamov had the experience M.A.F. does, and I do wish the CAPS defense was as fast with the puck moving skills as the Pens defense has, but I don’t think that’s jealousy… It’s just respect for what the Pens are doing well, and an understanding of where the CAPS need to improve…
Funny… On one hand, you bascially say the Pens are the most talented team in the NHL… Then you end with the caveat that Game 7 isn’t a given… LOL!! Based on your first comments, shouldn’t it be a given? Heck, based on your comments, the Pens should have won in a sweep, per your prediction before the series started…
The Pens got that (almost 1-minute) 5 on 3 with about 8 minutes left in the first period and didn’t get a SOG. The Capitals were being outshot and out-played by a major margin and if the Pens score(seriously) I think it would have been game over. On a side note: The NHL has requested a Mark Eaton urine sample!
[By PenQuin, May 11, 2009 @ 11:40 pm
There`s no question about it, it`s the kind of series that you dream aboy, what great entertainment value. The one thing I would like to note is that Sidney Crosby willed that puck in to tie up the game. He`s so impressive and he doesn`t just play half the rink and wait to get passes. He`s even taken his goals total to another level. He can do it all!]
It wasn’t the shot that beat a down and out of position Varlamov that impressed me; it was getting and controlling the puck from midair that blew me away… That was the greatness in that play IMHO… That said, it doesn’t happen at all if Erskine is doing his job… The CAPS defense really is subpar for a playoff team… You never let a player like Crosby get behind you and go one on one with your goaltender… That is fundamental defense that Erskine failed to follow…
The NHL’s dream. A game 7. Just not mine. We were so close to closing it out. Caps, just watch how the Pens play desperate hockey.
Win or lose Steigerwald makes many stupid comments. Thought he was a great color commentator, but not announcer.
Kudos to Scuds again! Gill did have a bad night, but we tied the game after his mistakes.
Can’t argue with Crosby being the best hockey player there is right now. (Well I guess you could, but that would be just plain dumb.) He was running circles around those guys. Awesome to see.
GO PENZ!
-WISH THE GAME WAS TONIGHT, NOT TOMORROW.
Is it me or did Hal Gill seem to have a horrible night. He was flattened by Ovechkin, he impeded Fleury on one goal, he failed to get his man out from in front of the net on another and overall just did not seem to have “it”. He needs to use his size more effectively.
If YINZ HOSERS thought Game 6 was important check out Game 7. As for Crosby, PenQuin, he’s putting that talent on display and any hockey fan can see – he’s the best all round hockey player in the world. It’s hard to believe what talent we’ve seen here and some times we take it for granted. No wonder the rest of the hockey (and sports world) gets so jealous. Yet, Game 7 isn’t any given.
Go Pens!
There`s no question about it, it`s the kind of series that you dream aboy, what great entertainment value. The one thing I would like to note is that Sidney Crosby willed that puck in to tie up the game. He`s so impressive and he doesn`t just play half the rink and wait to get passes. He`s even taken his goals total to another level. He can do it all!