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Overmatched?

from Bob Duff of the Windsor Star,

Can it really be this simple, this obvious, this soon?

One game into the Stanley Cup Final, is it possible that the Pittsburgh Penguins have Crosby, but no hope?

In the corner of the Penguins’ dressing room, defenceman Hal Gill sat quietly, studying the blade of one of his skates as if to suggest someone forgot to sharpen them.

It couldn’t be that he really was that slow, now could it?

Could be. And he’s not alone in that fear.

Taking a resounding 4-0 decision from the Penguins in the first game of this best-of-seven final, the vastly experienced Detroit Red Wings left Pittsburgh an uncertain bunch and certainly sent a shudder of fear through the people who run the NHL.

continued

Filed in: NHL Teams, Detroit Red Wings, Pittsburgh Penguins | KK Hockey | Permalink
 

Comments

Jeff  OKWingnut's avatar

Duff makes an interesting observation:

Five-on-five, Pittsburgh could muster little, if any, attack. Over the final two periods, the mighty Pens managed a meagre seven shots on goal, finishing with 19 for the game. . .

The Wings exposed the slow-footed Pittsburgh defence with constant pressure from their forecheck.

Pens “D” are slow.  I haven’t noticed this fact pointed out by other of the MSM, but I am going to try to pay more attention to the fact tonight.

If true, it could cause serious issues for the Pens (darn the luck).

Did anyone else notice the Pens “D” to be slow?

Posted by Jeff OKWingnut from Quest for 12 on 05/26/08 at 08:42 AM ET

Avatar

Not especially, but I wasn’t looking for it either.  Maybe Hal Gill’s pylon-ness is contagious.

They certainly don’t seem to pass as quickly as the Red Wings do, especially when pressured by checkers.  The forwards are more likely to carry the puck than skate forward and wait for a pass from the defense.

Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 05/26/08 at 08:59 AM ET

Avatar

On the one hand, the Penguins talk about accenting their speed.
On the other, returning Gary Roberts to the line-up.
I’ve always liked Roberts-in his prime, he was as good a power forward as there was in the league, and the intangibles he brings can’t be questioned. But at his somewhat advanced years, I’m not sure he’s the answer.

Posted by BobS. on 05/26/08 at 09:17 AM ET

NHLJeff's avatar

BobS,
You may be right, but he can’t be any worse than the fleet of foot Georges Laraque.

Posted by NHLJeff from Pens fan in Chicago, IL on 05/26/08 at 12:03 PM ET

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Paul Kukla founded Kukla’s Korner in 2005 and the site has since become the must-read site on the ‘net for all the latest happenings around the NHL. 

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