For as much as this rematch seemed different than the Stanley Cup Final series between these two teams last year, one important factor remains the same. The Penguins are trailing the series 2-0 after dropping two games in Detroit by identical 3-1 scores.
The thing that is hardest to get ones head around is the fact that the Penguins have played well enough in these games to have at least mustered a split.
They have outshot the Wings in both game and have dominated for periods of time. Unfortunately for the Penguins the Wings have also played pretty damn well and are getting some brilliant goaltending from Chris Osgood. In fact, Osgood has probably been the biggest difference maker in the series to this point.
Though the Penguins have put 32 shots on goal in each game, they aren’t making it difficult for Osgood to shut them down. They’re not generating enough traffic in front of him, nor are they getting many second opportunities. That has got to change if they want to turn the tide in this series.
There are several other things that need to change if the Penguins want to hold serve at home and get back into this series.
First, the play of Marc Andre Fleury has got to improve. He has made some big stops in the series, but he has also allowed some very poor goals. Bad bounces aside, his positioning hasn’t been great in the series and he cannot allow another goal like the one Justin Abdelkader put by him early in the third period of game two. The Red Wings are going to get their goals in the remaining games of this series, but there simply cannot be any more Mister Softies.
Kris Letang has got to get better, especially if the team is going to dress only 6 defensemen as they did in game two. He seemed to have trouble controlling the puck and had multiple pucks pop over his stick and out of the zone. That has got to be better with a defenseman who is manning the point on your top power play unit and logging 20 minutes a game.
The forwards have got to do a better job of getting to the front of the net, just as Detroit is doing on the other side. Chris Osgood is able to have a clear view of just about every shot that is taken on his net and he is one of the best first save goalies in the league. They have got to get into the gaps and get some pile ups in front of him.
The team also has to get back to playing a north/south game. There are too many lateral passes being made at the blue line and Detroit is picking off 90% of them. The team did a great job off of the rush in these playoffs and has got to get back to setting up the give and go. It effectively got players like Crosby, Malkin, Guerin and Fedotenko into scoring positions throughout and it could work again here.
They also have got to do a better job of finishing the chances that they are generating. They have hit the post on far too many occasions in this series...if even half of the chances would have found pay dirt we are looking at a 1-1 tie.
Jordan Staal has got to get better. He started game two well, but is being beaten far too often by the likes of Darren Helm. He is a -2 in the series and that has got to get better.
The team has got to be more disciplined. Though there haven’t been many power play opportunities, there was a serious meltdown late in game two. I liked the emotion that was shown, but it just can’t happen. The Wings have proven to be very disciplined in these playoffs and they have a knack for feasting on those sorts of things and scoring tons of goals off of the ensuing power plays.
Though I just pointed out an awful lot of the bad, there have been some positives.
Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin have combined for 17 shots in the two games. That is very good news...I would be a lot more concerned if they were not getting scoring chances...a couple of posts and a sharp Chris Osgood are the only reasons that they haven’t been able to get on the board more often. I look for that to change on home ice.
Malkin has been great in the two games, his late melt down aside. He has been in on both Penguins goals in this series and has been galloping around the ice. He will break through eventually.
Sergei Gonchar has been very steady for the team. He has been sharp defensively, good moving the puck and has managed to stay a plus player in the series, even though his team has been outscored 6-2.
Ruslan Fedotenko looks like he is close to breaking out in this series. He has had multiple chances and probably should have a couple more goals under his belt. He has shown a knack for getting into scoring position and has gotten behind the defense on a few occasions.
Max Talbot has also been big for the Penguins. He has worn his heart on his sleeve, thrown his body around and come close to scoring several times in the two games. He seemed to be aggravated during the media sessions today and that emotion has a way of pouring out on the ice.
If the Penguins play the way that they did on the road, they should be able to get themselves back into this series. It will be one game at a time from here on out...get the win tomorrow and they are off and running.
I leave you with one final question...can we get a puck ZPuck cover in the crease for a third consecutive game??
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