Pittsburgh Penguins 2009 Stanley Cup Champions

Pittsburgh Penguins 2009 Stanley Cup Champions (AP)

Well, this year’s Pittsburgh Penguins did it.  They became to first team to win a Stanley Cup re-match since Edmonton Oilers did it 25 years ago.  Although Evgeni Malkin won the Conn Smythe Trophy, I believe that their role players were the key to helping their team win the final two games. of this series  The results of last night game are evident of this fact.  Maxime Talbot became the third player to score the team’s only two goals in a game 7 final.  These players set the tone in these final games. Although I thought the Detroit Red Wings would win because of experience and having home ice, the Penguins were able to win two 7 games series on the road.  Another great accomplishment for this Pens team.

As for the series, there were some interesting facts.  If Pittsburgh were able to score 2 or more goals, they won.  Detroit was able to win if they score more than 3 or more goals.  This is might not be uncommon in other series during the during 1950s and 1960s, the common scores of each game.  Pittsburgh won 2 games each by score of 4-2 and 2-1. Two of Detroit wins were by a score of 3-1.  It shows that series was very good for the league.

I had heard on a local talk radio show that the game of hockey became very entertaining when watching in the high def format.  Although I do not have HD TV, I watched the first peroid using a converter box. I found that the over the air digital signal was much clear than on the cable network. So, I would welcome your your comments on this fact.

Of course, this means I finished with an 8-7 record in picking the winners of this Stanley Cup tournament. Yet, I can be confident that I knew that this series would go seven games.  Oh well, there is next year.  

But wait, next Thursday is the NHL Awards Show from Las Vegas.  Do not forget to watch it on Versus.

2009 Stanley Cup Finals Through Game 5

I have not had a chance to write on the Stanley Cup Finals, as I have been working on my current job search.  But, we are now five games into this series.  As I review the series to date, the home team has won every game.  Nothing strange about this fact.  But, in these first four games, it was odd to see the same score won by the same team in back to back games.  Detroit, with a great start to the series, winning Game 1 and 2, 3-1.  Pittsburgh, gaining momentum in the series at home, winning Game 3 and 4, 4-2. 

Yet another change in momentum happened last night.  This key shift was the return of Pavel Datsyuk.  He provided the Red Wings the spark need to gain control in this series.  Without this spark, I thought the Red Wings were sliding down the hill and losing control of the series.  They played better on special teams.  They were passing the puck much better.  They were working as a team.  In conclusion, Datsyuk play helped the Red Wings win convincingly 5-0. 

What about the Penguins?  They started very well and look to be able to win it.  But, after the first three goals, they seem to lose interest in winning.  The dumb penalties did help the Pens but rather helped the Red Wings get their power play going again.  This is not good for them.  The Pens will need to learn the lessons again to even the series.

So how will the Penguins respond on Tuesday?  It is still looking to go seven games as I expected, but could last night play lead the Red Wings to reclaim the Cup again in 6 games this year?

2009 Stanley Cup Finals

Tonight is the beginning of the re-match of last year’s Stanley Cup between the Detroit Red Wings and Pittsburgh Penguins.  One difference from last year’s final is Marian Hossa and Ty Conklin are Red Wing players instead of a Penguin players.   Will these players achieve their dream of raising the Cup with their new team?

In last round, I was 1-1 in my predictions.  I have an overall record of 8-6.  I believe that the Red Wings will win this series.  But, if the Penguins play like they did in the Eastern Conference Finals, they have a great chance of accomplishing what the Edmonton Oilers did 25 years ago, win the cup after losing it in the prior year.

I am expecting this series to go seven games.  So, that is why I am going with the Red Wings.  They have home ice.  With their defense healed and ready to go, I do believe that their veteran defensemen can stop the Pens top guns.  This true as long as they remain healthy.  I do foresee injuries playing a part in this series.  If the Red Wings lose players on the blue line for more than two games in row, the Pens have a good chance to win the series.  And a lot of Pens I know will be real happy to see the Cup back in Pittsburgh.

The NHL has announced the start time of Game 2, so the schedule has finalized as follows:

GAME 1: SAT. MAY 30, PIT @ DET, 8PM, NBC, CBC, RDS

GAME 2: SUN. MAY 31, PIT @ DET, 8PM, NBC, CBC, RDS

GAME 3: TUE JUN 2, DET @ PIT, 8PM, VS, CBC, RDS  

GAME 4: THU JUN 4, DET @ PIT, 8PM, VS, CBC, RDS

*GAME 5: SAT. JUN 6, PIT @ DET, 8PM, NBC, CBC, RDS

*GAME 6: TUE JUN 9, DET @ PIT, 8PM, NBC, CBC, RDS

*GAME 7: FRI. JUN 12, PIT @ DET, 8PM, NBC, CBC, RDS

Enjoy the series.

 

Detroit Red Wings Advance to 2009 Stanley Cup

2009 Campbell Trophy - Detroit Red Wings (NHL.com)

In great finish to the Original 6 series in the Western Conference, the Detroit Red Wings defeated the Chicago Blackhawks in overtime, 2-1.  Read NHL.com story here.  Although I missed the first period, this game was exciting to watch.  There were some great saves and some great plays in Game 5.    After Dan Cleary scoring a redirect play near the mid point of the final period, I was impressed with how Cristobal Huet played.  He had great game and kept the Hawks in it.   One impressive play with 7 minutes left in the third period was the Patrick Kane’s backhander to tie the game.  I just wonder where he was during this series when he scored.  At this point, I was thinking overtime.  And this was confirmed later when Darren Helm helped kill a penalty by holding on the puck for 25 seconds.  It was hard work on his part.  Then later in the period, Huet’s spectular save with seconds left in the third period was the best save of the Stanley Cup.  So in overtime, it was difficult to see the Hawks lose the game in overtime the way they did. But if anyone deserved to score the game winning goal in OT, Helm was the best choice after his effort in the third period.  So, it is an official re-match in the Stanley Cup playoffs.

NHL 2009 Stanley Cup Conference Finals

Well, the Conference Finals are set after the completion of last night’s Game 7 Conference Semifinals. Both Conference Final series should be interesting.  A series with two teams that changed head coaches near the end of the season.  Another series based on tradition, an Original Six series.  It all starts next week.

In regards to my pick, I got it correct in the West and wrong in the East.  I went 2-2 with an overall record of 7-5.  Not bad, but it is looking like a re-match of last year cup run is developing, but Carolina and Chicago may have a say in it these series.

Do not forget the NHL Playoff Challenge to make your own predictions.

Check out the TV Schedule of these series.

(6) Carolina Hurricanes vs. (4) Pittsburgh Penguins
Game 1 Monday at Mellon Arena

Another interesting series around a brother rivalry.  The Staal brother are meeting for the first time in a conference final.  It should be interesting to see who prevail in this matchup.  But the bigger match up is between the two teams.  Both had coaching changes that turned the teams around to make the playoffs.  But, I must say that I was impress with the Penguins victory of the Capitals.  If they bring their offense skills to this series, they will win it.  But the ‘Cans play like they did in the early games in Bruins series, they may be looking at another shot at the Cup. But, I will go with the Pens in 6 games.

(4) Chicago Blackhawks vs. (2) Detroit Red Wings
Game 1  Sunday at Joe Louis Arena

A good old Original Six series.  The Red Wings won the regular season, 4 games to 2.  So, it is obvious that Detroit should win it in six games.  Do not count on it.  The Blackhawks have proven in the playoffs that they do not quit.  In fact, the Chicago won the last two games of the regular season.  They are playing well and they can catch Detroit off guard just as Anaheim did at times.  It should be an exciting series to watch.  I like to see the Blackhawks advance in 7 games, but the Red Wings experience may prevail in 7 games as well.  Anyway, I will risk it and go with the Blackhawks.

However, I will not be surprise to see a re-match – Pens and Red Wings.  Yes, the Red Wings will win it all again.

Winter Classic 2009

NHL Winter Classic Throwback Uniforms (courtesy: NHL)

Detroit Red Wings and the Chicago Blackhawks will meet in the 2009 NHL Winter Classic at Wrigley Field in Chicago at 1PM.  The game will be televised on NBC in US and CBC and RDS in Canada.

Please comeback later this afternoon to read my comments on the game.  It should be an entertaining Original 6 game.

Update 1 Jan 2009 8:10 AM ET:

I learned that “Doc” Emrick will not be able to do NBC’s play-by-play of today’s game. Story here.

Update 1 Jan 2009 2:15 PM ET:

Courtesy: Getty Images

What a first period. Blackhawks lead 3-1 over the Red Wings.  Some very good plays on the power play and at even strength give the Hawks the two goal lead.  I thought the ice surface was playing slow for the players, but I believe that the players are playing with some caution.  Yet, they appear to be having fun out there this afternoon.

Update 1 Jan 2008 3:10 PM ET:

Ouch.  Blackhawks lose the lead in the game as the Red Wing brought their “A” game in the second period to take the lead, 4-3 after 2 periods.  Pavel Datsyuk’s break away goal is the difference right now.  It was surely a beauty of a shot.  The final period should be interesting.

Update 1 Jan 2008 4:15 PM ET:

Well, the Red Wings win it, 6-4.  The game shows that Chicago Blackhawks have made great improvements, but they will need to continue to improve to get over the tough hurdle in front of them, the Detroit Red Wings.  I agree with the announcers today, if you want to win the Cup, one will have to go through Detroit.  It was a great game and look forward to see the Classic next year.

Countdown to Winter Classic 2009

NHL Winter Classic Throwback Uniforms (courtesy: NHL)

In two weeks, the Detroit Red Wings and the Chicago Blackhawks will meet in the NHL Winter Classic at Wrigley Field in Chicago.   It should be a great game as the youthful Blackhawks appear to be on their way to accomplishing their 2008-2009 goal of making the playoffs.  Yet, the Red Wings are the defending Stanley Cup champions and they have reloaded and are ready to make another Stanley Cup appearance. A classic Original Six showdown in the Windy City.  Be sure to watch on NBC this New Years Day prior to the big college football bowl games.

However, it is Day 2 in setting up the ring for this game.  You can check out the time elapse building of the ring at NHL.com here.