Short Series Sets Second Straight Stanley Showdown

It’s a great time to be a hockey fan, especially if your team is the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Pens undressed and ousted the Carolina Hurricanes with a Game 4 road victory good for a spectacular series sweep. Pittsburgh is headed back to the Stanley Cup Finals for the second consecutive year. Tuesday night’s 4-1 rout in Raleigh concluded the Eastern Conference four game Penguin romp.
Carolina’s Eric Staal got the first goal of the game, and the only one of the series for the franchise player. The Hurricanes bolted to a 1-0 lead on Staal’s wrap-around chance and Carolina was hoping for similar results in games when he scored (7-0 in those post-season situations) Pittsburgh’s offense would take over from there. Ruslan Fedotenko scored for the Pens 8.21 into the first period and Max Talbot slapped a wrister in the goal ten minutes later. Bill Guerin, the 16 year veteran, skimmed a netter in the second on a Sidney Crosby assist. Crosby burst out of the penalty box, worked the puck up the ice and dished the puck right to Guerin’s stick. Bill made contact and slapped the puck past Hurricane goalie, Cam Ward. Craig Adams fired an empty netter for the fourth and final goal, on assists from the exceptional Crosby and Talbot. Pittsburgh’s Marc-Andre Fleury stopped 30 shots on goal, and Ward had 21 saves for Carolina. The Hurricanes struck five penalties to the Pens’ four. The series loss was the first playoff one of Ward’s successful NHL career. He was previously 5-0 in elimination games, but the Penguins bucked the odds and put to rest an overextended Hurricane team.
The Penguins played another classic Pittsburgh-style hockey game last night. With the score tied at 1-1 in the first period, Talbot tricked Carolina defenseman, Anton Babchuk. Talbot swing hard and Babchuk got his stick and skate on the puck. The black oval undulated airborne, floated and flipped over a waving Ward in net. What looked like an easy save became a freakish fluke. The stroke of luck shot was good for a goal and the first Penguin lead of the night. Any Carolina home ice edge was subdued with Talbot’s tormenting tally.
In the series, Pittsburgh outscored the spent Canes 20-9, netting at least three goals in each game. Not one Carolina player scored more than two points as they entered Game 4, and they were unable to overcome the talented Penguin team. Pittsburgh sabotaged Carolina’s chances of capitalizing on their early momentum again. Even when the defense controlled the play down low, Pittsburgh’s depth players stepped up with four unanswered goals. Fleury slammed the door on any quality attempts to his territory by stopped captain, Rod Brind’Amour, Matt Cullen, Ray Whitney and Sergei Samsonov from scoring. Carolina lost because their passing was hurried, goaltending was shoddy and the offense was flat in the end.
The return trip to the Stanley Cup Finals marks the Pens’ fourth in history and sets up a potential re-match of last year’s contest with the Red Wings. This Penguins team can handle the pressure inflicted from any team on the ice. Pittsburgh outworks and out hustles opponents with the flashy skating of Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. The above-average Malkin did not factor into Tuesday night’s clinching contest, but came of age during this playoff series. He broke out in the opening games as the hottest player on the frozen ice. Malkin and Crosby both played out of their minds and are going to be a disruptive force in the Stanley Cup Finals. Crosby wouldn’t cooperate with Carolina’s cut-throat defense and Cam couldn’t control Malkin’s corruptive carousing. The indiscreet Fedotenko is a bright spot, always seeming to have it at the right time. He chips in with brilliant passing and execution on offense. Thorough fourth-line players, like Adams and Miro Satan, allow Crosby and Malkin to remain fresh on the bench. Satan and Philippe Boucher added an assist a piece in Game 4. Pittsburgh is moving on because they got secondary scoring when they needed it. Adams had two goals and three points this series. Guerin and Chris Kunitz add a spine to this Penguins team. They combined for ten points against the Hurricanes. The mindset in Pittsburgh is different this year, and was on full display during their latest sweep of Carolina. Sergei Gonchar and Jordan Staal provide even more fight and fuel on the ice for Pittsburgh. Staal, the 6’4” center, was skating against his brother Eric. The 2006 draft pick Jordan will be the brother moving on to the final round of the playoffs. Ward is a former playoff MVP for Carolina, but Fleury showed him up this series. Marc now has 26 playoff wins in the past two seasons. Fleury was reliable in protecting the net and the defense provided a consistent effort against a wobbly and withered Hurricane offense.
The Penguins didn’t allow Carolina a game and proved they are the best team in the NHL with their smothering style. Their five-man defensive system knows how to adjust and clog the neutral zone. They create opportunities for the offense by forcing turnovers and chasing down the puck. Hal Gill and Rob Scuderi are unsung defensive heroes, but it’s the Penguin offense that makes this team flow and glow. The Penguins have outscored their opposition by a lopsided margin of 26-11 this post-season. New head coach, Dan Bylsma, has a solid core poised to capture the NHL title. Since he took over the team, the Penguins have gone 30-8-4 and he played a role in their return trip. Bylsma’s outlook has helped establish a stable, well-blended and balanced team. They got a deserving series win after being dominant on all dimensions. Objective observers may disagree, but the Penguins have the goods to take down the Red Wings. Detroit is particularly good up front because they have more depth and their back end sports the best blueline in hockey. But the Penguins are strong in goal and have experienced stars with ability to dissipate any minor advantages. They have asserted themselves as another premier Pittsburgh professional organization. I’m crossing my fingers for a Penguin championship because I truly enjoy Crosby more than any other player in the game. Pittsburgh works wonderfully well as a team with the unconscious young talent and aggregate veteran presence. Although I considered them a legitimate contender, never did I expect the Penguins to reach back-to-back Stanley Cup Finals. I now believe this is the team to beat in 2009. Most Penguins waddle but these NHL stars sure don’t. Go Pens!

Parting points: Hump Day humming: “We Didn’t Start The Fire” by Billy Joel

“Losing feels worse than winning feels good”- Vin Scully

Carolina Canes’ Cam Creates Challenge

The New Jersey ice arena known as “The Rock” hosts tonight’s first playoff game between the Devils and Carolina Hurricanes. Carolina arrives as the number six seed in the Eastern conference. New Jersey represents the third seeded team. The Devils are messing with a mental quagmire. The lower seeded Hurricanes have the edge in the regular season matches between the two. In the four regular season meetings, Carolina won three games. The only loss came last week with the Hurricanes’ goalie, Cam Ward, rested. Wednesday night they face each other in a best of seven series, the first two being played at The Prudential Center. Four wins by either means an advancement to the next round.
The Devil’s ornate offense is guided by Zach Parise, Patrick Elias, Jamie Langenbrunner, Brian Gionta and Travis Zajac. Elias became the franchise’s all-time scoring leader this season and contributed 31 goals. Zach zapped 45 of his own shots into goal this year, and provided the Devils 94 points at the forward position. Parisi has really blossomed this season and thrives as a unit with Langenbrunner and Zajac. Zach did not make an impact last year during the playoffs, but give the kid enough ice team and he is bound to score this year. John Madden and Jay Pandolfo are a dynamic duo who should see time along with Brendan Shanahan. Shanahan has the capacity to step up during the post-season and give the Devils clutch play.
The reposed Devils center, Brian Rolston, is one veteran on the final line who I am confident will be ready to bring it to the Hurricanes. Center Bobby Holik, another team leader, should be back on the ice after being scratched from last week’s game.
Dainius Zubrus scored the game winning goal in Saturday’s win on a pass from Gionta. Rolton’s flip to David Clarkson also led to a goal. The teamwork initiative seemed to spell success against a backup goalie, but the team will need to pack the punch against the starter, Ward. Clarkson is the agitator the Devils need and with their have size and balance they can match the pace of the Hurricanes. New Jersey is competent enough to beat Ward and win the series.
With the winningest goalie in league history in Martin Brodeur, the Devils have the edge in net. Martin’s experience in the playoffs and hot finish coming back from injury are positives for New Jersey heading into the tough series. Brodeur has been on three Stanley cup championship teams. Martin is mystifying and a proven commodity capable of closing out competition. However, Carolina is 10-7 against him and have faced Brodeur in the playoffs before. Scott Clemmensen is not a shabby backup goalie in case the Devils need him against the Hurricanes.
Southeast foe, Carolina, has their own well-versed backstop, Ward. The Conn Smythe Trophy winner in 2006, Ward was a major reason the Hurricanes won the Stanley Cup that year. Cam is a threat any time he takes the net, and his stamina is great. The Devils were unable to get the puck past him with success during the season, so the pressure will be on Parisi and company this time around. Ward seems to bring his game to another level during the playoffs and it’s important to have guys around the goal to shield Cam’s view from the net.
The Canes offense is sufficient and not untested, but they are prone to being overpowered. The team was able to outscore the Devils 11-8 during the year in mostly close affairs. One standout figure was the Hurricanes going 7 of 16 on the power play during those four games. That factor certainly has a mental advantage for the lower seed. The Devils only ranked 15th in power play percentage this year so that has to be a concern for head coach, Brent Sutter.
Eric Staal is one of the best NHL centers and hottest players coming into the playoffs. He scored 40 goals for the second time in his career and with left winger, Erik Cole, was even more efficient. Tuomo Ruutu and Cole ignite the Canes’ line up front and the team boasts 10 players with Stanley Cup rings. Cole’s speed and Staal’s assist ability are going to be the biggest challenge facing the New Jersey defense. Staal also had 14 power play goals this year. Center, Matt Cullen’s familiarity in handling the Devils’ in the post-season cannot be overlooked either. Ray Whitney was Carolina’s leading point man and Jossi Jokinen is a solid backup on offense. Unfathomable third liner, captain Rob Brind’Amour and mainstay, Sergei Samsonov also bring firepower to the Hurricane team. Chad LaRose is like the Shanahan of the Canes. He is an impact player with game winning goal capabilities. Carolina is a steady skating team with resonant lines.
Carolina can conquer because they are hard workers and don’t make many mistakes defensively. The defense, while not flashy, has skaters Joe Corvo and Joni Pitkanen. The two are excellent puck handlers who control the Hurricanes’ impressive tempo. Dennis Seidenberg and Tim Gleason are unsung defensive players with ice insight as well. Both could cause problems in front of Brodeur by jumping into play.
The Devils’ defense is a surefire, strong and deep bunch. Paul Martin and Colin White are the shutdown stoppers on the fourth best defense in the league. Johnny Oduya doesn’t get enough credit but does the little things defensively to make this Devils team better. His skating ability is extraordinary and he is a difference maker. Still, Carolina does not have a shut down guy on defense and the Devils need to work that to their favor.
Niklas Havelid returned to the lineup against the Canes Saturday after suffering an upper body ailment. Havelid was effective in turning the puck over. The Devils cannot allow the Canes power-play goals like they did during the regular season meetings. Carolina defensiveman, Anton Babchuk, scored four goals on the power play in just two of those games. There cannot be a reoccurrence of that if New Jersey has their hopes pinned on round two of the post-season. To an extent, the Devils are the more talented team. But Carolina is athletic and have surprise players like Babchuk who appear to be trivialities but are really tormentors.
New Jersey won a franchise best 51 games this year, and the goaltending and defense were the main reasons. The Devils do not have a high-powered offense, but can win games on defense. They only allowed 2.52 goals per game. Carolina is not defensive slacker either, allowing just 2.70 goals on average. New Jersey’s penalty shooting might be the x-factor. Last year’s loss in the playoffs to the New York Rangers is still fresh in New Jersey’s mind. The pitfall left a sour taste in their mouths and I think the team will use that as a motivating factor against the Hurricanes. Carolina is a team on the rebound, however. They brought back a former coach, Paul Maurice, and fan favorite in Cole. The team did nothing but win, including a record 12 straight at home, down the stretch of the season. The Devils can win with execution and mistake-free skating but must stay out of the box. The team has had such a momentous and memorable year. Will it be enough to overcome the late success and turn around in Carolina? I predict a thrilling six game series, with New Jersey finally taking care of business.

Parting points: “They say the devil’s water, it ain’t so sweet”- The Killers’ “When We Were Young”