Pre-Game News:
I am off to Game 1 so I will try and update from ‘the Joe’ but I make no promises. Plenty of pictures and video to follow.
Richard’s Post-Game Notes:
- I enjoyed the fact that the referees did not decide the game and, instead, allowed for the players to dictate the pace.
- Obviously the active boards were a determining factor in tonight’s game–two of the Wings’ three goals came off of active boards.
- The Red Wings dominated the face-off circle.
- Chris Osgood’s save on Evgeni Malkin’s breakaway could be considered the game’s turning point.
- It will be intersting to see who has the edge in Sunday night’s game with such a short time between games. Considering how much the Wings have been playing and that they are older, I’d give the edge to Pittsburgh.
- One last thing: I’d expect Sidney Crosby to be a heck of a lot better tomorrow night.
David’s Game Analysis:
The crowd was energized and came early. This was the scene at 6pm. Puck drop wasn’t until 8pm.
This guy was the best dressed Penguins fan in the building. He had a bag full of signs, although his best was Malkinmania as it tied into his Hulk Hogan costume. The Don Cherry sign was a close 2nd.
The CBC crew (Kelly Hrudey & P.J. Stock) chat with IC Contributor David Minuk
View from the CBC booth of the pre-game skate.
Just before game time.
Turning point in the game. No more important play in the game then the save by Osgood versus Malkin on the breakaway.
With just 10 seconds remaining and the Wings up by a couple the crowd erupts.
Lots of Crosby fans in the building, this guy just wasn’t one of them.
David’s Post-Game Thoughts:
- Helm is unbelievably exciting to watch. His energy level is without equal on the ice right now.
- Osgood’s save on Malkin as I stated above was the turning point in the game. He was solid as per usual.
- Crowd was great. Didn’t see any empty seats. Did see lots of Pens fans. I did not know that Detroit-Pittsburgh is a shorter drive than Pittsburgh-Philadelphia. Aside from the some good natured ribbing, no real incidents to report.
- Hossa and Zetterberg were very, very good tonight.
- I didn’t really notice Crosby. Malkin played a great game.
- It was unusual to see Detroit being outshot. (32-30 in favor of Pittsburgh).
Three Stars:
- 1st Star: Chris Osgood: He got some lucky bounces tonight but also made the big save as well as many little ones to give his team the win.
- 2nd Star: Evgeni Malkin: Without question the Penguin you notice most on the ice. He’s big, fast and aggressive. He threw his weight around (4 hits), was dangerous offensively (1 assist, 4 shots) and kept a lackluster Pittsburgh team in the game.
- 3rd Star: Darren Helm: The little engine that could. Tonight it wasn’t about him scoring. It was all about taking the body. He threw 8 hits tonight. He had one shift where he skated towards the penalty boxes hit a Pen into the boards (crowd cheered) and then skated back towards the bench and hit another Pen (crowd erupted even more).