10 replies to this topic

[Dark Knight]

Please post your thoughts, pictures and comments on tonight's game in this thread.

Detroit at Pittsburgh

[safir8100]

Draper able to play but might be scratched, Datsyuk still expected to be out

http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/playoffs/2009/news?id=4221695

Too bad for the Wings. With Dats back they could have two Selke-level guys with huge offensive potential to fully limit Sidney and Geno. Not that Flip and Hossa haven't been good but Dats is still better.

Malkin's non-suspension has apparently drawn some attention. But let's be serious guys, the NHL today is never going to suspend a superstar from the SC Finals, especially the one who possesses probably the most individual skill and flashiness. These qualities bring hockey more non-traditional viewers which is NHL's goal (and I guess should be ours as well...).

On to the issue that 80% of the forum visitors don't care about: It would be dumb for Babcock to bring in Draper now since the 4th has played well and hasn't made major mistakes. The whole purpose in bringing Draper is to have him bring his experience (and take draws). If he indeed is brought in, it's either Maltby or Leino out.

While I think Pens are probably going to take this one, I will still say:

Let's go Wings

[DropThePuck]

TSN's Ice Chips

Head coach Mike Babcock says winger Mikael Samuelsson, who did not skate this morning, is ill and may not play tonight. Centre Kris Draper says he is ready to play but it will be a coach's decision if he gets into the lineup tonight. Centre Pavel Datsyuk skated this morning and, while Babcock says he's getting better, it's more likely he could play in Game 4 on Thursday. - TSN

Head coach Dan Bylsma will use the home-ice advantage of last change to get Sidney Crosby away from Henrik Zetterberg as much as possible in the next two games. - Globe and Mail

[safir8100]

Samuelsson sure has a good shot but he is defensively a big hole in the Red Wing roster. I would mind seeing him scratched and having Draper brought in instead of him.

[Kenny]

I have a feeling tonight will be the one game that the Pens will win.

[hillbillywingsfan]

Samuelsson sure has a good shot but he is defensively a big hole in the Red Wing roster. I would mind seeing him scratched and having Draper brought in instead of him.

i agree...sammy seems to bring his scoring game up a notch in the playoffs but his D have been pretty bad the last 2 games so having drapes in the do the faceoffs and pen kill i welcome.

[TecKaHoLiC]

Go Pens!!!!

[hillbillywingsfan]

Go Pens!!!!

go pens indeed

[DropThePuck]

Hmm, will this turn into a series after all???

2 - Zetterberg, H. (06:19 in 1st), Franzen, J. (PPG, 11:33 in 1st)
4 - Talbot, M. (04:48 in 1st), Letang, K. (PPG, 15:57 in 1st), Gonchar, S. (PPG, 10:29 in 3rd), Talbot, M. (EN, 19:03 in 3rd)

Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin may be the faces of these Pittsburgh Penguins, but Sergei Gonchar is their heart and soul.

The veteran Russian defenseman proved that Tuesday night at Mellon Arena in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final in a 4-2 win over the Red Wings that took Pittsburgh's championship dreams off life support -- at least temporarily.

Gonchar scored a power-play goal midway through the third period -- a slapper through traffic that found the five-hole between the legs of Chris Osgood -- to give the Penguins the lead for the second time in the game.
...
Pittsburgh forward Chris Kunitz knew that the Penguins would have to set a physical tone at home to help the crowd get into the game. So he went out and threw five hits in each of the first two periods before finishing with 11 hits for the game. After two periods, Detroit was credited with only 12 hits, just two more than Kunitz alone in that same span.
...
Pittsburgh owner Mario Lemieux, who won two Stanley Cups as a player, dropped the puck in the ceremonial faceoff before Game 3. He was greeted with a thunderous ovation. Detroit's Marian Hossa, who played for Pittsburgh last season, was not so lucky. He was viciously booed every time he touched the puck during the game.

<lNHL.com recap ink>


whoa! Getty Images caption writers are really slipping up ... Goalie Stuart???


Goaltender Brad Stuart #23 of the Detroit Red Wings collides with Evgeni Malkin #71 and Ruslan Fedotenko #26 of the Pittsburgh Penguins during Game Three of the 2009 NHL Stanley Cup Finals on June 2, 2009 at Mellon Arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)


Tomas Holmstrom #96 of the Detroit Red Wings falls to the ice between goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury #29 and Mark Eaton #7 of the Pittsburgh Penguins during Game Three of the 2009 NHL Stanley Cup Finals on June 2, 2009 at Mellon Arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)


Darren Helm #43 of the Detroit Red Wings checks Maxime Talbot #25 of the Pittsburgh Penguins into the Detroit bench during Game Three of the 2009 NHL Stanley Cup Finals on June 2, 2009 at Mellon Arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
(Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)


Henrik Zetterberg #40 of the Detroit Red Wings gets checked by Chris Kunitz #14 of the Pittsburgh Penguins during Game Three of the 2009 NHL Stanley Cup Finals on June 2, 2009 at Mellon Arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
(Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)


The Detroit Red Wings and the Pittsburgh Penguins stand during the National Anthem before Game Three of the 2009 NHL Stanley Cup Finals on June 2, 2009 at Mellon Arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

[ahtikullervo]

Happy for Bylsma & Kunitz! Good job, guys!!!

[Barmy Army]

Now that was a better game, way to go Pens