Some were bad, but I don't think that bad. Ban the trap??? Come on
Funny how Pittsburgh used the same type of defense all season.
Defense by offensive possession, back checking and solid defensive positioning.
That what got Pittsburgh, Detriot and even the Rangers through games all season.
The problem for Pittsburgh is they arent winning battles, and arent controlling the puck down low and creating chances.
Where was Malkin and Crosby in game 4?? Invisible.
Detriot is just a better TEAM. I tell you, guys like Maltby, Holmstrom, Draper and Samuelsson just know how to play the teams game and they do it to a tee, nothing flashy. Then you have Lidstrom who is on a whole different level and Osgood getting hot a the right time and staying focused as ever. Throw in Zetterberg who does everything well and Datsyuk who is a deftly skilled player - with some supporting cast members who know how to win including McCarty and Rafalski etc...
Tough to beat when you are a young team. Has nothing to do with systems. They are just getting beat by a sounder team that does everything right.
I was going to say something similar (and in a different way). Detroit plays a much better team game. The way they move the puck and know where each other is is pretty amazing. Zetterberg and Datsyuk are quite good, but they ain't Malkin and Crosby, but seem better at times because of the way Detroit plays the game. I'm staying away from saying who's the better team (since in the end the determination of the better team will be decided after someone wins the fourth game), but I wanted to make the point that Detroit plays a better 'team' game if that makes any sense and there is less reliance on a couple guys.
Oh my god! Two posts in a row about hockey. During the Stanley Cup finals no less.
For me, Crosby's been playing well, but the real suprise is Malkin. He's just disappeared. And as a whole (not just the stars), Pittsburgh's defense isn't playing as well--Gill was horrible the first two games (altough he's been steadier the last two games).
Funny how Pittsburgh used the same type of defense all season.
Defense by offensive possession, back checking and solid defensive positioning.
That what got Pittsburgh, Detriot and even the Rangers through games all season.
The problem for Pittsburgh is they arent winning battles, and arent controlling the puck down low and creating chances.
Where was Malkin and Crosby in game 4?? Invisible.
Detriot is just a better TEAM. I tell you, guys like Maltby, Holmstrom, Draper and Samuelsson just know how to play the teams game and they do it to a tee, nothing flashy. Then you have Lidstrom who is on a whole different level and Osgood getting hot a the right time and staying focused as ever. Throw in Zetterberg who does everything well and Datsyuk who is a deftly skilled player - with some supporting cast members who know how to win including McCarty and Rafalski etc...
Tough to beat when you are a young team. Has nothing to do with systems. They are just getting beat by a sounder team that does everything right.
I don't see how Crosby was invisible in Game 4 at all. He was one of the only Pens who actually had an above-average game.
Come on
