• Mon. Dec 23rd, 2024

Unlocking Halak

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ByDisco Stu

May 11, 2010

The combination reads 87, 71, and 17,132.  Tomorrow night’s game 7 will be a home game, where the stars need to shine.  No better way to spend 60 minutes than with your heart in your throat, on the edge of your seat, tearing out your hair, and jumping up and down.  The home ice advantage is one I’ve noticed more in this series than in the past.  Not because the Bell Centre is loud, but because they fail to acknowledge momentum swinging hits by Craig Adams, Chris Kunitz, or Brooks Orpik.  That won’t be the case tomorrow.  They can change the pace of the game with one death-defying blow.  And I can’t wait to see it.  That’s where the 17,132 come into play.

Everyone has been saying that Fleury has been out goaltended this series, but he has won the same number of games as Halak.  Fleury has won 8 of his past 9 Stanley Cup playoff series.  There is no doubt Halak has played outrageously well during the past 13 games, but in game 7, he will be unlocked, deciphered, and solved.  Think, Varlamov one year ago.  That took 7 games too.

Crosby no longer has to answer questions about scoring goals, he just has to do it.  I don’t think Hal Gill could have prevented the goal Sid scored in game 6, and Gill or no Gill, Crosby needs to break through again in game 7, a couple of times.  In my mind, Sid the Kid has become Crosby the Clutch, and we’ll see more of that tomorrow night.  That’s where the 87 comes into the combo.

Halak played well in game 6, but so did the goal posts behind him.  Turning away shot after shot.  None closer than the shot Malkin took off a feed from Guerin.  It seemed destined for the net, but the post had other plans in mind.  I don’t think that type of bounce can continue to haunt the pens in game 7, and I can’t wait to hear more swish sounds than clanks behind the Canadien netminder.

Perhaps more importantly than Crosby scoring tomorrow, Geno must find the back of the net.  He has dominated play on the ice the past 2 games, but with no goals to show for it.  No more posts, no more slamming into the boards empty handed on breakaways, no more horseshoes for Halak.  Malkin needs to score early in game 7.  That’s when the 71 clicks, and the lock opens up.

Its game 7, and anything can happen.  But I feel like the pens have been in this position before, against better teams and away from home (i.e. Washington & Detroit), and come away with the win.  I also feel like the ‘win every other game’ tactic this series will continue, and the pens will continue to grow their beards.

– Got Malkin?

11 thoughts on “Unlocking Halak”
  1. Thanks Crosby for your stupid penalty only 10 sec in the game. Fatal error, Mr. Crybaby.

  2. Halak’s 15min of fame as one of your fans posted sign all over TV in game 1 so elequently showed off is now coming back to haunt the Pens.
    Halak is awesome, but don’t forget that the number of goals the Canadiens have been able to get past Washington and Pittsburg without the Ovechkins, Crosbys or Malkins says a lot about teamwork. Not having the #1 or #2 league player is actually proving to be beneficial = less stress. The team plays as a team. Notice how all of the press questions Crosby for his “innefeciency”.. last I checked, hockey is a TEAM sport. Cammaleri has stepped up to the plate, but so as the rest of the offense AND defense for that matter.
    Pens will lose tomorrow.
    Habs in 6 games against Boston.
    Habs in 7 games vs San Jose.

    It will be an excellent game. Especially if Crosby continues to lose his temper and continues to act like a crybaby.

    Go Habs Go!

  3. I won’t be there, but I will be glued to my TV and I hope I am in a better mood after LET’S GO PEN’S

  4. I was there when Ken Wregget ruined game 7 on 4/29/89
    I was there when David Volek ruined game 7 on 5/14/93
    I was there when Tom Fitzgerald ruined game 7 on 6/1/96

    I believe that I will leave Mellon Arena in a much better mood on 5/12/10 than on any of those previous occasions.

    1. I was there when Frankie Pietrangelo won game 7 on 4/15/1991

      I believe that I will leave the Arena tomorrow in the same mood I left that game.

      1. Yeah I was there for that one too.

        Just trying to face my concerns head on !!

        Wisconsin brewed IC lights on me for the celebration!!

      2. keep dreaming you retarded imbecile ! go habs go

    2. dude i predict that after the game your filthy ass will be put on intensive suicide watch ! lol go Habs go

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