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Penguins take charge

TIM WHARNSBY

Globe and Mail Update

Latest comment posted at 5:01 PM EDT 12/05/08

Maxime Talbot comes up big when it counts as Pittsburgh goes up 2-0 in series ...Read the full article

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  1. jackson smith from Vancouver, Canada writes: Shouldn't that say Fleury is 10-1 in the playoffs, not 8-1?
  2. Mowho33 Who from Canada writes: I only saw the third period. Still the Flyers looked pretty good. But I'm starting to doubt my picks that I made since game 2 of the first round of the playoffs. I picked the Stars and Flyers to go to the cup final. Doesn't look too good now. I still hold out some hope for the Flyers if they can get a few lucky bounces, but the Stars look like toast.
  3. Dave The Rave from Ottawa, Canada writes: The Flyers hung tough the whole game, but the Pens showed they are VERY disciplined defensively. The Pens have just too many weapons; Philly shuts down Geno, so Sid, Hossa and Talbot kill them. Fleury was amazing. The Flyers can't win if they can't manage more than two goals per contest. Where are Umberger and Briere?
  4. R Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: For those posters who were comparing this series to Gettysburgh, it would certainly appear as if the Flyers would represent the Confederate infantry who were looking for some new shoes (in this case -- skates.)

    The Confederates defences are also starting to look pretty spotty.

    Great play by Gary Roberts in setting up the winning goal in the third -- Didn't know that Roberts had a family connection to Atlantic Canada (Twillinggate, Newfoundland.) That would seem to make sense, however.

    Go Pens.
  5. R Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: Mowho33 Who from Canada:

    You didn't need to remind us that you picked Dallas and Philly for the Cup Final several days ago. Why re-live that embarassment?

    PS. "Still the Flyers looked pretty good?" We're we watching the same third period ?
  6. John Stanton from Canada writes: Umberger was an aberration in the Montreal series but Briere and Prospal have tanked. Flyer defence is too slow and beat up to handle Pittsburgh balanced attack. This Pittsburgh team looks like it will be hard to beat. Think they can take Detroit. Will be a heck of a Cup final.
  7. Dave The Rave from Ottawa, Canada writes: Looking ahead to a Pens-Wings final already, eh. Should be fun for our merry group to joust over the relative merits of the match-ups:
    Malkin, Crosby, Hossa >< Babcock
    IMHO Wings are deeper upfront, with Holmstrom, Samuelsson, Cleary, Hudler, Draper, Drake, Lebda, Filppula and that new kid Helm; plus Maltby, McCarty backing them up.
    But hey, there's still lots of hockey left to play...
  8. Dave The Rave from Ottawa, Canada writes: Let's try this again: Looking ahead to a Pens-Wings final already, eh. Should be fun for our merry group to joust over the relative merits of the match-ups: Malkin, Crosby, Hossa vs Datsyuk, Zetterberg, Franzen; Pens young D vs Detroit's veteran D; Fleury vs Osgood; Therrien vs Babcock...IMHO Wings are deeper upfront, with Holmstrom, Samuelsson, Cleary, Hudler, Draper, Drake, Lebda, Filppula and that new kid Helm; plus Maltby, McCarty backing them up. But hey, there's still lots of hockey left to play...
  9. Mariposa Belle from Leacockland, Canada writes: To Miller the Insufferable - the Gettysburg analogy first came up in one of your posts, but I am an happy to play along.

    I like Pittsburgh and the the system, it's not all Sid and Malks, but a defence that is supportive. I do think Philly will take a couple of games, so perhaps your Gettysburg analogy may be correct.

    What worries me is what I perceive to be a bias in officiating in this series as the Flyers seem to be under a more scrutiny than the Pens. Then again, the Flyers deserve it - your reputation follows you.

    Kennedy-Upshall fight - good for both teams.
  10. Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes: Wings are a given... Dallas will be lucky to win one.

    I don't think this series is over... Losing Timonen was a hard hit on the Flyers but me thinks the winner of the next game will win the series.

    Cheers
  11. R Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: Maripossa Belle:

    I assure you that the Gettysburgh comparison was originally made by a Flyers fan, but I thought that it was a fitting one in a lot of ways...

    BTW I don't want to get into the complaints about officiating, but it actually looks to me that Philly seems to get away with a number of head shots and after-the-whistle face washes because of their history of these antics. Not that this is to their advantage since players like Crosby, Malkin, and Roberts will simply elevate their game in response.

    The Pens play a far more disciplined style, but if Philly actually got called like any other team in the NHL and the playoffs were called like the regular season, the so called "bias" in officiating would look even greater in favour of the Pens.

    Cheers.
  12. Dave The Rave from Ottawa, Canada writes: Scot--would like to know how you think Philly is going to overcome the possible loss of Coburn and the absence of scoring from Briere, Umberger, Hartnell, Upshall, Knuble, Prospal, Lupul etc etc. (did I miss anybody?) After all, you put money on the Flyers, yes? Or was that bet just cheesesteak?
  13. R Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: Note to Scot --

    Philly is down to five D-men, but one of those is Hatcher...

    Cheers.
  14. Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes: I know I know... but as a leaf fan my glass is always half full.

    :)
  15. Michael Sharp from Victorious, Canada writes:

    "Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes: I know I know... but as a leaf fan my glass is always half full."

    That's because, Scot, as a Leafs fan you're a two-fisted martini drinker.

    A Leafs fan ALWAYS has at least a half full glass.

    If only to numb the pain.
  16. R Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: Ease up on Scot and the Leafs' fans... Haven't they suffered enough already?.

    If you want to see truly delusional posters, there are some real loons on the G&M threads of that other series from a city slightly to his South who seems to enjoy denigrating the name and memory of Mr. Hockey...

    However, be careful because they are touchy about their team's age...

    Cheers.

  17. David P from stuck in Calgary, Canada writes: All I want to know is who's giving the grades for Jarko Ruutu's diving out there? He reminds me of Billy Barber and Claude Lemieux for the flopping...was interesting watching Crosby and Smith go at it, Smith certainly seems to have the knack for getting Crosby off his game - it's a shame that Philly has lost both skating defencemen to injury/illness...If it's a Philly/Wings Final, I think the Wings take it in 6. They both play a similar game of discipline - Detroit is just better at it...
  18. R Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: David P from stuck in Calgary, Canada:

    Was the game's first star, Sid Crosby (1G-1A) off his game tonight?

    I hadn't really noticed.... I did notice Smith's head shots, however.
  19. R Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: No offense intended to Philly fans, but I think that the Pens just seem to have too many weapons in their arsenal.

    The Flyers started this game by appearing to focus their efforts on stopping Malkin after game #1, but if you do that Crosby, Hossa, Roberts and numerous other guys in the Pens lineup will burn you.

    The Pens are also just too tough to be intimidated by the Flyers who all-of-a-sudden look like a much smaller team than in the Habs series.

    Cheers.
  20. Ricky Blayney from Northern Ireland, writes: I'll reiterate what I said in another comment section that unfortunately it is the injuries to Phillys blueline that is swaying the series. Timmonen and Coburn are the 1,2 and no team can get by without them. If Pittsburgh lost Gonchar and Whitney the series would probably be 2-0 in the favour of Philly. With the next two games in Philly they still have a huge chance but they are going to need at least Coburn back.
  21. George S from Toronto, Canada writes: Didn't expect either the Pens or the Flyers to take a 2-0 series lead. This is great news for me as I am no fan of the Flyers. Hopefully the Pens can get a split in the next two games in Philadelphia to take an even more comanding lead in this series.
  22. Bill Weston from Grand Rapids, MI, United States writes: R Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: However, be careful because they are touchy about their team's age...

    Thanks R, that one made me laugh and thats never a bad way to start the day. Bring on the kids from the Steel City.

    Ive got to agree with Scot Loucks earlier prediction that whoever comes out of the East is going to get schooled by the Wings in the finals. Of course I could be wrong. Afterall, Scott is still picking the Flyers to win 4 of the next 5 too.
  23. George S from Toronto, Canada writes: I am rooting for Pittsburg but that hooking call on Derian Hatcher was brutal. I want the Pens to win but I don't want the refs giving them a hand.
  24. Allan Martel from Canada writes: Last night was another convincing performance by the Pens, a team that is maturing and gelling before our eyes as the playoffs progress.

    Pittsburgh didn't get enough credit for taking out Ottawa in four straight because everyone focused on Ottawa's poor play. I believe that the Pens would have taken out Ottawa in six had Ottawa shown up for the series and I also believe that the Pens will take out the Flyers in five games.

    The Flyers shut dowm Malkin last night, only to have other nascent stars rise to the occasion. The Pens are way tooo talented and way too well coached to fall to the bullies that have always been the characteristic of Bobby Clark teams. You can't hurt 'em if you can't catch 'em I always say.

    The next series will be the Pens and the Wings and it will go seven games - seven exciting games as the new generation takes on the best of the old.

    I can't wait to see Roberts and Chelios go toe to toe - imagine the damage to their dentures. That fight will be enough to hace Scot Loucks finally finish that half full glass of Pepto Bismol and start in on the Geritol.
  25. Allan Martel from Canada writes: The other point worth noting about the Pens in this set of playoff games is how well Marian Hossa is playing. After years of fruitless big name trades at the trading deadline for players that didn't really make any difference on playoff runs, Hossa seems to be the exception.

    He is clearly having fun playing with Sid the Kid and I believe it to be a no brainer that Hossa will sign on to the Pens next season.

    I also expect the Pens to attract at least one other older but prominent free agent who might even sign for less to play with this group - I'll supply the name later once negotiations begin in earnest (which is a town in Saskatchewan for those that know where players come from).

    Meanwhile, Cliff Fletcher is rumored to have asked Scot Loucks for permission to speak to Mariposa Belle about taking on the GM position with the Leafs. Apparently Loucks turned Fletcher down flat - something about a glass ceiling being half full - Louck's response was apparently quite incoherent.

    Has anyone else noticed that these non stories about the Leafs GM hunt only surface between the playoff series to give the "expert" hockey panelists something to talk about?
  26. Dave The Rave from Ottawa, Canada writes: Any truth to the rumors that in an attempt to slow down the Penguins, the Flyers are having the ice at home covered in Philly Cheesesteak? PS obviously Danny Briere had too much pre-game poutine last night. At least the Flyers aren't spouting cliches like the Stars.
  27. Pat Billings from CDN, Canada writes: Without Biron standing on his head every game, the Flyers are toast.
    It gets worse when they have to play Hatcher for 30 mins/game. He simply can't keep up.
  28. bob smith from Canada writes: The Flyers would be hard pressed to make this into a series with Timonen and Cobourn in their lineup. Without them, they are toast. Wings-Pens is about as perfect a Stanley Cup final as I can imagine. It will be the best one in years. I think the Pens will get pasted though which will make them stronger next year. The Penguins are kind of like a poor man's 1980's Oilers who got dismantled by the Islanders in the Finals and then came back stronger to start their dynasty.

    I do think the Flyers are getting a little more attention from the refs, but it won't make much of a difference. As one poster mentioned, their reputation preceeded them and refs tend to look after the stars (as they should). A perfect example is all of the warnings you hear the refs give to the Pens i.e. Orpik (I think) tying Briere up behind the net. The ref yelled at him three times to let him go. When Briere finally wiggled away he brushed by Fleury and was sent off for 2. I don't see many warnings on the Flyers D-men. If their sticks leave the ice, or their free hand leaves the stick, the refs hand is in the air immediately.
  29. Gogh Forit from Canada writes: The Flyers will take a game. Might even be game three but they won't take the series. For one thing, they're tired. While they handled the Canadiens pretty well, the series still assisted in further tiring them out. Now the loss of one and likely two defencemen. Coburn will be lucky not to lose an eye the way the puck came up and hit him; the blow likely broke his nose and blackened the eye (if there isn't any more serious damage) and his presence in game three would be doubtful.
    The Penguins know that they have to be as tough physically as the Flyers and more disciplined in not retaliating as much as they would like.
    It's gonna be Pittsburgh and Detroit in the final and unless a miracle happens such as Osgood gets injured, Sid the Kid and company will have to wait another year to capture the cup.
  30. Jondas McHooter from Canada writes: I don't think that the Flyers are being penalized unfairly. The problem is, and has been for a long time that the refs are call marginal ticky tack penalties, and then Jason Smith punches Crosby in the face 3 times without a call. Once the focus for the reffing went to getting out obstruction calls, it seems that they are stuck in the mindset to call anything resembling a hook or hold. I think in this game if the marginal penalties weren't called and the head shots were, Philly would have been short handed even more than they were.
  31. Joe Calgarian from Canada writes: Ooooh wow, Pengiuns sweep there way to the finals and Crosby nets the winning goal in overtime in the final series winning the cup.....what a story book endind. They should make a movie out of this! Puke!
  32. Don D from Canada writes: No surprise here. Appears the NHL video replay crew works the USA Finland game for the worlds in the afternoon then does the Pittsburgh Philly game at night. Same quality of work, pretty consistent. Pretty sad

    Hey Joe you still are using Calgarian attached to you name. Lose it loser
  33. Willard Kurtz from Toronto, Canada writes: Umberger and Hartnell, scoring machines in the last series, look to be back on planet earth now. Biron doesn't look near as good with pucks not being shot directly into him or ringing off posts and crossbars. No gift wrapped bounces for Briere or Lupul either. The Flyer's good fortune seems to have run its course.
  34. Miguel Sanchez from Wakaw, Canada writes: Is there anything sweeter than seeing Hatcher and Downie cost their team the winning goal? I think not.
  35. R Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: Joe Calgarian from Canada:

    I like the script that you have written at 10:08 AM with a Nova Scotian boy potting the winner.

    The fact that it makes you puke makes it even sweeter for me.

    Cheers.

    -Miller the Insufferable
  36. Proud Canadian from Canada writes: Due to work committments, Im not watching too much of the playoffs, but one thing that I do not want to see. I dont want to see Steve Downie and Boulderdice running around with Stanley Cup Rings. Those 2 bafoons are not in the same class as any Red Wing, Dallas Star or Penguin. Nor the rest of the Flyers. I think of Correy Perry, Ryan Getslzaf with rings, could not see Downie or Boulderdice running around a 5 and 10 cent store signing autographs with a Stanley Cup ring on. My only comment.
  37. bob smith from Canada writes: Wasn't Boulerice waived 6 months ago (after the Kessler incident)? Is he still on the team? Downie is a half decent hockey player who might develop into a 2nd liner. One late hit does not make him a criminal. I don't understand the hate everyone has for him.
  38. Ryan M from Ottawa, Canada writes: bob smith - do you remember when Downie fought his own teammate? Remember him smirking after delivering that late hit to McAmmond? The kid is a problem child, not that difficult to see why so many people aren't rooting for him.
  39. bob smith from Canada writes: Ryan....I do remember him fighting his teammate, Akim Aleu in Windsor. Happens all the time, in every level of hockey. It was a carry over from a hazing incident which unfortunately is still pretty prevalent in Junior Hockey. Teenage boys pumped full of testosterone doing stupid things is par for the course. Did you ever go to high school?

    The McAmmond hit was illegal, but hardly egregious. If you want to get picky and take out a stop watch, you can say that it was .5 seconds late (like the hit on Kaberle last year by the NJ Devil). Maybe he jumped, maybe he extended himself through the hit. I don't think his feet left the ice until after impact. But, it was predatory. The league took full advantage of a kid to set an example. I don't blame them, but there have been a handful of hits worse than that this year.

    As for the smirk. I am sure you can measure his intention from that one snapshot. I can't. Who cares.
  40. bob smith from Canada writes: By the way, it's not that I'm cheering for him, or the Flyers. My horse is long gone (Bruins) and I'd like to see a Pens-Wings final. I just think if this guy played for any other team than the Flyers, it wouldn't be such a big deal. People are stuck in the past and when they see the orange and black, they only think of the Broad St. Bullies.

    Take this years playoffs for example, all I hear about is how Philly has to muck it up and out hit their opponents. What team is everyone watching? This is a small non-physical Flyers team (who actually outscored the Pens this year). Montreal and Pittsburgh are both more physical teams than Philly.
  41. Frank Smith from Canada writes: Good comment Joe. R Miller ... his point isn't about Sidney or about where he's from ... I'm sure he's a good kid and there's no doubt that he's a credit to Nova Scotia. It's about overhyped superstars that command all of the attention at the expense of the many other players ... think Tiger Woods, think Kobe Bryant, think Alex Rodriguez, think Wayne Gretzky in his time. Let's talk about Gary Roberts or Jeff Carter or Danny Briere for a change, also good guys as far as I can tell. My goodness, you have to be a very good player just to make it to the NHL. The media gets SO focused on the star players, it IS sickening at times ... that's the point.

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