# NHL Playoffs **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [April 12, 2009, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-playoffs/492862 "2009-04-12T17:50:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 24
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2009, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-playoffs/492862/461 "2009-06-01T14:56:12Z")
I guess goaltending is not a skill. ---
**Author:** ![Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hentor_the_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2009, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-playoffs/492862/462 "2009-06-01T15:03:36Z")
> [@Mince](#): > > I would attribute to skill the fact that they’ve only had to score 2 goals to win either of the first two games. Goaltending skill, of course. Other than that, you claim you havn’t seen skill from the Redwings, yet they’re up 2-0, outscoring the Pens 3-1. Woe is Pittsburgh if Detroit can statistically dominate them so with no skill. No, I misspoke. Osgood certainly has been skilled. And lucky, too, no doubt. And the Red Wings avoided a penalty shot on the play where the puck ended up on his back. But they’re letting them play. No, I was referring more to the goals they’ve scored. None have been impressive from a skills perspective. Osgood certainly has, and Fleury has not. ---
**Author:** ![John\_DiFool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_difool/32/19543_2.png) [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2009, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-playoffs/492862/463 "2009-06-01T15:22:51Z")
I for one would like to see the refs call things closer-if I was the league I’d make sure they understand that the rules don’t change (or rather shouldn’t) in the playoffs. The Pens can still make this a series-they have been horribly unlucky I’ll admit. But Osgood is completely outplaying Fleury, and that may be the difference. Amazing comeback by Ozzie after a completely awful regular season. ---
**Author:** ![Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hentor_the_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2009, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-playoffs/492862/464 "2009-06-01T15:30:30Z")
I should also be clear that I think the Pens have really played pretty crappy, too. Their passing has been awful, they seem to have trouble controlling the puck, and at times they are looking to make big hits instead of good plays. Letang looks like he’s playing with a bowling ball again. Geurin, who’s looked like a kid again, looks like an old guy at times now. Malkin looks like he did last year, rather than last series. His stick-handling and decision making have been pretty bad. It isn’t hardly all due to a different style of hockey. I think for all their talk, they have let the situation get to them. ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2009, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-playoffs/492862/465 "2009-06-01T16:43:52Z")
> [@John\_DiFool](#): > > I for one would like to see the refs call things closer-if I was the league I’d make sure they understand that the rules don’t change (or rather shouldn’t) in the playoffs. > > The Pens can still make this a series-they have been horribly unlucky I’ll admit. But Osgood is completely outplaying Fleury, and that may be the difference. Amazing comeback by Ozzie after a completely awful regular season. In the playoffs ,the idea has always been ,let them play. The refs are supposed to step into the background and only call obvious infractions. They don’t want to become basketball and slow the game into a series of exasperating whistles. ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2009, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-playoffs/492862/466 "2009-06-01T16:46:27Z")
I think the ice was bad. It has not been that warm in Detroit but the puck is hopping all over. It is hard to control a bouncing puck. ---
**Author:** ![Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e480ec/32.png) [@Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Least_Original_User_Name_Ever)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2009, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-playoffs/492862/467 "2009-06-01T17:07:51Z")
> [@gonzomax](#): > > I think the ice was bad. It has not been that warm in Detroit but the puck is hopping all over. It is hard to control a bouncing puck. I’ve noticed some bad passing by the Wings recently. It’s not just confined to the Wings, though. ---
**Author:** ![Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hentor_the_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2009, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-playoffs/492862/468 "2009-06-01T17:24:06Z")
> [@gonzomax](#): > > In the playoffs ,the idea has always been ,let them play. The refs are supposed to step into the background and only call obvious infractions. They don’t want to become basketball and slow the game into a series of exasperating whistles. I didn’t watch much of the Western Conference playoff games, but the officiating in this series is light years apart from that of the Eastern Conference playoff games. They didn’t let teams get away with the kind of nonsense going on in this series. Yet they were much more enjoyable. I think most fans would rather see a two-hat trick game (like the one that the Capitals won over the Pens) than Games 1 or 2 of this series. ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2009, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-playoffs/492862/469 "2009-06-01T19:29:52Z")
> [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](#): > > I didn’t watch much of the Western Conference playoff games, but the officiating in this series is light years apart from that of the Eastern Conference playoff games. They didn’t let teams get away with the kind of nonsense going on in this series. > > Yet they were much more enjoyable. I think most fans would rather see a two-hat trick game (like the one that the Capitals won over the Pens) than Games 1 or 2 of this series. Only casual fans. Hockey is a lot more than offense. ---
**Author:** ![mbetter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/53a042/32.png) [@mbetter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mbetter)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2009, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-playoffs/492862/470 "2009-06-01T19:44:59Z")
> [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](#): > > Yet they were much more enjoyable. I think most fans would rather see a two-hat trick game (like the one that the Capitals won over the Pens) than Games 1 or 2 of this series. Personally, I’d rather watch hockey. This series is hockey and the Wings are much, much better at it. ---
**Author:** ![CapnPitt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/edb3f5/32.png) [@CapnPitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CapnPitt)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2009, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-playoffs/492862/471 "2009-06-01T20:08:58Z")
A few thoughts from a Penguin fan: 1. Detroit is winning because of Osgood, plain and simple. The guy is playing in top form. 2. I think we all agree that the NBC coverage is horrible. They do suck up to Crosby, but they play up the HockeyTown angle to an ugly degree too. Plus it really does sound like they’re saying “Applicator.” 3. There’s clutching and grabbing going on, but it’s not like none of us have seen this before. The Pens should just play through it. The calls are reasonably even with two exceptions which I’ll get to in the next point. For some reason, I’ve read time and time again that TPTB in the NHL don’t want penalties and power plays in the marquee games because it slows the “fastest game in the world” down. Yeah, so does interference and such. I love watching a well executed PP or PK. 4. Number 1 officiating problem: Malkin should have been suspended. Colin Campbell again made a mockery of the rules. I know Malkin was frustrated but that’s somebody else’s job to take care of that business. Number 2 officiating problem: Zetterberg covered the puck in the crease in consecutive games. Unacceptable to not call a penalty shot at full speed, let alone after a booth review. 5. Man, is Hal Gill slow. Now it’s time to win two at home and make it a best of 3. ---
**Author:** ![Rysto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ecccb3/32.png) [@Rysto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rysto)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2009, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-playoffs/492862/472 "2009-06-01T20:11:57Z")
> [@](#): > > Unacceptable to not call a penalty shot at full speed, let alone after a booth review. That’s not a reviewable play. ---
**Author:** ![CapnPitt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/edb3f5/32.png) [@CapnPitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CapnPitt)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2009, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-playoffs/492862/473 "2009-06-01T21:22:37Z")
what were they reviewing then? Whether it crossed the line? ---
**Author:** ![Harborwolf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c89c15/32.png) [@Harborwolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harborwolf)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2009, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-playoffs/492862/474 "2009-06-01T22:23:05Z")
> [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](#): > > Yet they were much more enjoyable. I think most fans would rather see a two-hat trick game (like the one that the Capitals won over the Pens) than Games 1 or 2 of this series. Yeah. Hockey isn’t basketball. Defense counts as skill. Strategy matters in hockey, not who scores the prettiest goal. To appreciate hockey, you have to be able to enjoy more than who scores the prettiest goal. Of course, you thought the tantrum that Malkin threw was an ass kicking. :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![St.Urho](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8e7dd6/32.png) [@St.Urho](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/St.Urho)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2009, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-playoffs/492862/475 "2009-06-02T00:38:54Z")
> [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](#): > > Yeah, like that kid Hossa that they brought up through their system. Since you mentioned it, Wings players & draft pick: Justin Abdelkader—42nd overall by the Wings Dan Cleary-----------13th overall by the Hawks, signed after being released by Phoenix Pavel Datsyuk-------171st by the Wings Kris Draper-----------62nd by the Jets, traded to Detroit for $1 Valtteri Filppula------95th by the Wings Johan Franzen-------97th by the Wings Darren Helm---------132nd by the Wings Tomas Holmstrom—257th by the Wings Marian Hossa---------12th by the Senators, free agent to Wings Jiri Hudler-------------58th by the Wings Ville Leino-------------Undrafted free agent Kirk Maltby------------65th by the Oilers, Wing since 1995 Darren McCarty-------46th by the Wings Mikael Saumuelsson—145th by San Jose, signed after being released by Florida Henrik Zetterberg----210th by the Wings Chris Chelios-----------40th by Montreal (in 1981) Jonathan Ericsson----291st by the Wings Niklas Kronwall--------29th by the Wings Brett Lebda------------Undrafted free agent Nicklas Lidstrom-------53rd by the Wings Andreas Lilja-----------54th by the Kings, free agent signing Brian Rafalski----------Undrafted free agent to the Devils, free agent signing Brad Stuart-------------3rd by the Sharks, traded to Wings by LA Kings Ty Conklin--------------Undrafted, signed with Oilers, free agent to Wings Chris Osgood-----------54th by the Wings Also, Pittsburgh seems to expect a lot of loyalty out of a guy they picked up at the trade deadline from Atlanta last year. ---
**Author:** ![John\_DiFool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_difool/32/19543_2.png) [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2009, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-playoffs/492862/476 "2009-06-02T01:02:39Z")
> [@CapnPitt](#): > > For some reason, I’ve read time and time again that TPTB in the NHL don’t want penalties and power plays in the marquee games because it slows the “fastest game in the world” down. Slows it down in what way, exactly? If you call things tight it will speed things up, and provide more power plays which certainly can involve some of the most exciting play in the game. I’d like to see a cite for this (not getting on your case **CP** , I just find that line of argument incomprehensible). ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2009, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-playoffs/492862/477 "2009-06-02T01:20:46Z")
> [@John\_DiFool](#): > > Slows it down in what way, exactly? If you call things tight it will speed things up, and provide more power plays which certainly can involve some of the most exciting play in the game. I’d like to see a cite for this (not getting on your case **CP** , I just find that line of argument incomprehensible). Calling a bunch of penalties ,speeds the game up? ---
**Author:** ![dogbutler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dogbutler/32/428_2.png) [@dogbutler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dogbutler)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2009, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-playoffs/492862/478 "2009-06-02T01:29:40Z")
> [@CapnPitt](#): > > A few thoughts from a Penguin fan: > > 1. Number 1 officiating problem: Malkin should have been suspended. Colin Campbell again made a mockery of the rules. I know Malkin was frustrated but that’s somebody else’s job to take care of that business. If they didn’t suspend Walker and Bayda, they sure aren’t going to suspend Malkin. At least they are consistent. - **dogbutler** , Canes fan. ---
**Author:** ![5-HT](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/5/f19dbf/32.png) [@5-HT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/5-HT)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2009, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-playoffs/492862/479 "2009-06-02T02:14:50Z")
> [@gonzomax](#): > > I think the ice was bad. It has not been that warm in Detroit but the puck is hopping all over. It is hard to control a bouncing puck. Babcock said he felt the ice was in poor shape as well. ---
**Author:** ![Bruce\_Wayne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@Bruce\_Wayne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bruce_Wayne)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2009, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-playoffs/492862/480 "2009-06-02T02:18:39Z")
I thought people out grew the “luck” argument when they were in their teens. Its a pitiful excuse made by sore losers. The Penguins technically didn’t score in game two, the puck went off Stuart’s stick, not a Penguin stick. So, therefore the Penguins got “lucky”, right? Both games were won by two goal margins. The Penguins didn’t have a goal disallowed because one of their players asscheeks crossed the plane of the blue paint by a millimeter in OT. Don’t blame fate, they weren’t playing of frozen gypsy tears you know. If a bad goal goes in, blame your goalie. If a player hits the post or crossbar with a shot, its because he didn’t shoot the puck into\_the\_goal. If only the puck didn’t take a bad bounce the Penguins would have scored. If only Geurin’s shot would have went in and not off the post. If only Osgood wasn’t in the way. If only the Penguins would have won. Pathetic. Neither of Abdlekader’s goal were cheap either. They both beat Fleury up high and were well aimed. The second goal was on a one on two, maybe a one on three. It was a nice play. If your gonna complain about a goal complain about the one off the boards, off Fleury’s ass(again) and into the net. We have at least two games left, lets try to enjoy this ok. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-playoffs/492862.md?page=23) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-playoffs/492862.md?page=25)