NHL Playoffs Game 2: Have the tides been set?

Initially, I had wanted to comment on all the games of all the series of the NHL playoffs. However, some are way more exciting than others. I also have a vested interest in how I would like the whole thing to pan out, so I’m slightly biased in the games I make a point of catching. Nevertheless, this weekend it was all about the Pens and Avs games. However, after looking at the highlights on the other two I missed, Game 2 has definitely left some fans feeling as though the fate of their favorite team has been sealed and has left other fans wondering what the heck happened. As only the second game in a best-of-seven series, it’s hard to say whether or not those at 2-0 will continue their dominance. Some teams are doing suprisingly well at surviving the incessant boughts of intense moments and suspenseful plays, while others are succombing to the undeniable pressure of playing perfect.

Penguins vs Rangers
What a game. The intensity and aggression shown by both teams made their first meeting look like old ladies playing bridge. What’s more, the game ended in a fight that Marc-Andre Fleury was even involved in—against Sean Avery no less. Someone get that kid a copy of Patrick Roy’s, NHL Goalie Throw Downs:101.

The first period set the tone for the whole game—by the end, the score was tied at zero; the Pens had 14 shots on goal, while the Rangers had 10; and the veteran stars from the Rangers were bullying the newbie stars from the Pens up and down the ice (more notably, the angst was between the two captains). Maybe it’s his old stomping grounds at Mellon Arena or maybe it’s the fans. Regardless, Jaromir Jagr is definitely letting the pressure of the playoffs in Pittsburgh get the best of him. Although, maybe I’m reading his lousy shots and incessant gum flapping at Sidney Crosby completely wrong—maybe Fleury was just that good, and maybe he’s giving Crosby a hard time because he sees potential in him (a lá Mario Lemieux). That’s pretty far-fetched, but to each his own. Either way, his frustration showed.

In the second period, the Rangers didn’t look good at all. They were incredibly slow (to the point of either looking tired or as though they had given up), and their passing was horrendous. The Pens were all over them and stole possession of the puck countlessly with ease. Fleury was fantastic in preventing the rebounds in front of the net (Jose Theodore could learn a thing or two from him).  That alone was a tremendous help to the Pens defense—the likes of Jagr and Avery had no chance at pulling off a quick shot on the rebound. With six minutes left, the lone score of the period can be attributed to Jordan Staal during a power play (Chris Drury:hooking) with the assist from Evgeni Malkin (who really made it look that easy). I’m betting his older brother, Ranger Marc Staal, was a little flustered being that he was out on the ice when his baby brother made this shot. According to Jordan, they hadn’t spoken since the Flyers beat the Caps in Round 1.

The Pens got lucky in the third period after a slow moving puck failed to make itself seen until after the play was blown dead. Ranger fans were not happy about this one, but as is their job/what they are supposed to do when they can’t see the puck, the ref blew the whistle (probably assuming Fleury was on top of it). However, seconds after the whistle blew, the puck showed itself and crossed into the goal. To the satisfaction of the nail biting fans in Pittsburgh, it was not a goal despite some protesting. With seconds left in the game, the Pens scored goal number two on an empty net thanks to Adam Hall (and the Rangers for pulling Henrik Lundqvist). The best part of the game came when it was all over. We all know Sean Avery isn’t exactly the cleanest of players. What I actually saw on TV was Fleury give the back of Avery’s legs a nice little tap with his stick; people are saying Avery had actually started it by doing it to Fleury earlier. Either way, Avery came back at Fleury with an attempted shove, but Hal Gill stepped in. Everyone then flew in to throw down. It was in a word—awesome. Check out the goals and the fight here:

The goals were hard to come by, but I think that can be attributed to the amazing play by Fleury and Lundqvist. Neither were letting anything in the net. Crosby was enjoyable to watch as usual. He isn’t the typical young, show-boat player. He didn’t score any goals, but he was effective in finding the man with the shot and creating opportunities. Jagr became better to watch as the game went on as well. He got more aggressive and showed off his quick shots. However, he’d be better if he possessed the humilty Crosby plays with; although, I’m not entirely sure Jagr ever had humility to begin with. Both are captains, but Crosby is the truer leader, and it showed during this game. The Pens should get win number three on Tuesday night, especially since the veterans on the Rangers are having a hard time swallowing these losses to their much younger counterparts.

Red Wings vs Avalanche
Keep in mind, I’m an Avs fan. That said, even I hope no one wasted their time with this one. I kicked back Saturday afternoon with the intent of getting overly excited riding high on adrenaline and emotion (kind of like in Game 1 with a potential comeback looming). Well, I didn’t get excited—I got disappointed (to the point of almost changing the channel). I was looking forward to an outcome that would tie the series, which would be ideal enroute to Colorado for a pair of games. However, I was instead presented with an outcome that has damaged the momentum for my Avs, and I’m hoping the Pepsi Center can fix it.

There isn’t much that the video below can’t explain (and then prevent me the agony of having to relive it). It’s no secret the Avs lost 5-1 (thank you Ian Laperierre for getting us something). Before the game even started, I knew we had the tougher challenges to overcome. For one thing, NBC cut to a shot of Jose Theodore putting his pads on. He looked so pale and he had circles around his eyes. He was definitely ill. My question is, why would they play him and take that kind of risk? It’s only Game 2, but we can’t risk another loss because he’s struggling. Why not let him sit out and get healthy? It wasn’t like Peter Budaj did bad the last game (he did save all 20 shots thrown his way). It’d be better to have a healthy Jose for the home games in Denver during the critical part of the series.

My second issue, why in the heck weren’t the Avs playing like a playoff team? Adam Foote was 100% right—who was dropping back to give the defense some help? Someone has got to compensate for Peter Forsberg here (who tends to slip back with the defense when necessary). Not to mention, it was ridiculous how sluggish the Avs looked. They looked as though they played back-to-back games and had already given up hope at anything involving the Cup. Regardless, the Avs need more defense to help Theo/Budaj, and it wouldn’t hurt to start taking advantage of the power plays. Not to mentionand the Avs were feeling the heat and committed dumb penalties (on purpose) because of it. They can’t do that against the Wings because the Wings are a team that can score easily on the PPs. The Avs need to work on keeping a cool head when they got a man in the box.

Third, what was up with Foote’s hit from behind that was never called? He skated away with a bloody nose. Do the Red Wings have some sort of allowance by the refs to hit our guys from behind until they’ve made up for what Claude Lemieux did? That’s not playing the game. I don’t care how you look at at it (rivalry and all).

Fourth—Peter Forsberg, Scott Hannon, and Wojtek Wolski. Oh man. Foppa especially needs to come back to help change the momentum of this series. Essentially, Wolski might not even come back for the rest of the series, Hannon is day-to-day, and Foppa is “hoping” to come back for Game 3. Throw Jose into the mix, and it’s clear our regular season curse has slammed us during the worst time. We were the unhealthiest team this season and somehow we got to the playoffs. However, we can’t accomodate to losing these guys in this series against that team. Wolski stepped in big time for Marek Svatos and has been tremendous. Anyone going in for him is second-rate. In addition, sure Laperierre is aggressive and so is Andrew Brunette, but Hannon makes the right plays and skates all over the place without seeming to get tired. We missed that on Saturday. As for Foppa, I laugh—really. No one on the team can do what he does (as was seen and further echoed by Foote’s complaints). Fortunately, while I still maintain Jose is better, Budaj has been a saving grace.

My fifth issue is, I would like to know where Paul Stastny and Brunette have been this series? (I should ask where has Stastny been all playoffs?) The Avs need these guys to swallow whatever it is that is holding them back if they want to even entertain the idea of succeeding with these injuries. They are making some sloppy shots or are losing the puck before getting the shot off (even with all the time in the world).

The next game can be saved if Budaj starts (assuming Jose is still sick), and if the Avs are much more aggressive with the puck. They have got to start taking the shots and stop giving the Wings opportunities to score. Realistically, I fear the Wings will have another win under their belt after tomorrow night. However, as a fan, I have to pull for the Avs. I’m hoping a new atmosphere will help their morale—and they’ll learn from the mistakes they made this weekend. I’m taking a risk and saying Avs will win this one.

Here are some highlights of the Wings slaughtering my Avs in case anyone missed it. At least we weren’t shut out: 

The Pens lead their series against the Rangers 2-0; the Red Wings lead their series against the Avs 2-0; the Stars lead their series against the Sharks 2-0; and the Flyers and Canadiens series is tied at 1-1 (although, after tonight’s Game 3 win, the Flyers are now leadin the series 2-1—but that will be discussed after all Game 3’s are played). The way some analysts are talking, the right teams are winning with a 2-0 lead. I don’t agree with that notion. Anything can still happen, and with the exception of the Sharks, I don’t think any team will/could get swept this round. Change in venue could provide these teams with wins.

Pens and Rangers play Tuesday at 7 p.m. on VS (Versus); the Stars and Sharks play Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. on TSN; and the Avs and Wings play Tuesday at 10 p.m. on VS (Versus).

Explore posts in the same categories: Brenda Niemeyer, EDITORIAL

Tags: NHL, Penguins, Rangers, Avalanche, Red Wings, NHL playoffs, Detroit, Colorado, Pittsburgh, New York, Playoffs, Pittsburgh Penguins, New York Rangers, Colorado Avalanche, Detroit Red Wings

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