Thoughts.....
-It is truly amazing the Penguins have gotten this far with a "defense" that is beyond sloppy. Do they really miss defensive defensemen like Hal Gill and Rob Scuderi that much? I think so. The only guy who turns the ball over in a game more than Kris Letang is JaMarcus Russell. He was as bad as you can be while scoring a goal. Its also obvious that Jordan Leopold just hasn't been the same since the head injury. Maybe Jay McKee should be in for Game 7?
-At some point, Mike Cammalleri has to be stopped. He looks like Lemieux out there right now. Maybe the defense shouldn't just start backing away from him like he is on fire anytime he touches the puck.
-Malkin doesn't get a goal because of a quick whistle. There is no way in the world the referee can claim they lost sight of that puck, but not the one Saturday night (on Montreal's goal). Maybe this referee forgot his x-ray vision goggles.
-The inconsistent penalty calls are so frustrating. How many more penalties does Matt Cooke deserve just for being Matt Cooke? Whatever the number is...just give them to him before the game tomorrow even starts, just to get his time in the box out of the way. Even a couple of the calls on Montreal were awful. And then they let obvious ones like go. It has truly been a series officiated like it was 1999.
-Crosby has consistently "one-upped" Ovechkin in every big game scenario throughout their careers. Ovechkin and the Capitals just lost a game 7 to Montreal. That would point to a big game from Crosby and a Pens win.
-Throughout their history the Penguins have lost a couple of home game 7s to dramatically over matched teams. This Montreal team fits the mold of those 93 Islanders and 96 Panthers. That would point to a Montreal win.
Which storyline wins out?
I dont think there is any reason to think that game 7 will be any different than the other 6 games. Its going to be a tight game where the Pens pepper Halak with shot after shot and Halak makes most of the saves. This game will come down to good goaltending and being smart in the neutral zone. If the Pens play aggressive but smart, avoid ridiculous turnovers and keep drawing penalties then Pens will win this game. As frustrating as Letang is his scoring capability needs to be out there but McKee needs to play. Either go with 7 defensemen and sit Letestu or sit down Goligoski. Letestu has looked okay but his mintutes have declined in each game and in game 6 after the 1st period he wasnt out there much at all, dont think Bylsma has alot of confidence in him. Pens win 3-1 backed by a huge game by Fleury.
ReplyDeleteAgree it will probably be a similar frustrating style of game. Turnovers have really been the only way Montreal has scored. How many goals have they scored off a sustained attack? I guess that is the nature of the trapping system.
ReplyDeleteI would sit Leopold for McKee as Letang does need to be out for the PP. Going 7 on D like you mention is a decent idea too. Crosby/Malkin are getting doubleshifted most of the time anyway. They wouldn't miss a forward.
The Pens defense has given up too many chances, true, but the Penguins have had many more offensive chances than Montreal. You can hope they make less mistakes, but in a sense that's been their game all along. The only reason we are at game 7 is that Halak has played like an all-star and Fleury has not. Fleury hasn't been awful, but he also hasn't been very good.
ReplyDeleteWhat bothers me the most is hearing people say how the Pens are outplaying the Habs but still losing. Clearly they're not outplaying them if the series is knotted.
ReplyDeleteEither way, should be a good game 7. Give the edge to the Pens for it being a home game and the crowd can't let the final game at the Igloo be a loss.
Shame it went this long though.