Penguins Hang on 2-1, Win Third Stanley Cup in Franchise History

The Penguins overcame the NHL’s 38-year-old Game 7 road jinx, captain Sidney Crosby’s mid-game injury and a furious third-period surge to beat Detroit 2-1 on Friday night, win the Stanley Cup and prevent the Red Wings from winning their fifth league championship in 12 seasons.

Fittingly, Crosby passed the Cup (after a few touches) to Mario Lemieux. Super Mario is now the first Hall of Famer to win the Stanley Cup as a player and then as a primary owner.

Evgeni Malkin, who recorded 38 points this postseason, was awarded the Conn Smythe trophy for playoff MVP.

From a Red Wings perspective, they followed their poor play in Game 6 through Game 7, and they paid the ultimate price. Actually, the Penguins out-Detroit-Red-Wings'd the Detroit Red Wings. The Pens controlled puck possession, forced turnovers, limited scoring chances, and kept the Detroit blueline under forechecking pressure.

Speaking of which, Detroit's defence last night was atrocious. Niklas Kronwall and Brad Stuart had particularly awful games, turning over the puck multiple times, including the opening goal for Maxime Talbot. Jonathan Ericsson and Brian Rafalski were not much better.

Detroit had a chance to send Game 7 to overtime, but couldn't get the job done when Nicklas Lidstrom slapped a puck at a yawning cage with about one second to go. Marc-Andre Fleury, standing on his head this game, lunged and made a beautiful diving save to ensure that the Pens would not have the same destiny as last year.

Overcoming all stats, the Penguins can say that they earned the Stanley Cup this year. Fitting too, that the Penguins would capture Lord Stanley on the 87th game of the playoffs.Crosby's number, of course, is #87.

Pens Win 2-1, Force Game 7 Friday Night in Detroit

It's a series that hasn't disappointed at all. And it's still not finished.

Friday night will display Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals between the Detroit Red Wings and the Pittsburgh Penguins.

A year ago, the Red Wings paraded with the Stanley Cup in Mellon Arena after winning 3-2 in Game 6. This time, with the Cup in the building again, the Penguins made certain the silver trophy wasn’t handed out on the silver anniversary of franchise icon Mario Lemieux being drafted in 1984. The Penguins won two of three periods, and thanks to Jordan Staal and Tyler Kennedy's goals, the Pens evened the series at 3. Kris Draper scored the lone marker for the defending champions.

The Red Wings insist they can’t wait for this one on Friday night, back in the arena where they rarely lose and the Pens appear hesitant and a bit intimidated.

The Red Wings can win their fifth championship in the last dozen seasons, a wave of success that no other team in the four major American pro sports leagues has duplicated during that time span.

Detroit owns a 11-2 scoring edge against Pittsburgh at home and the 11 Stanley Cup championship banners that already hang from the Joe Louis Arena rafters are proof that this team has what it takes to finish the last 60 minutes. They are also 11-1 at home in the playoffs, and 3-0 versus the Penguins at the Joe in the series.

Also, the home team has won each of the last six finals Game 7s dating to 1987, and no road team has raised the Cup following a Game 7 since Montreal in Chicago in 1971. That’s the last time that a team lost the first two games on the road, as the Penguins did, and recovered to win the Stanley Cup.

Still, there’s this for the Red Wings to think about: Two rounds ago, Pittsburgh also lost the first two games on the road, then went into Washington for Game 7 and won 6-2.

Marc-Andre Fleury has yet to post an acceptable statline at the Joe this season, something that is sure to haunt the Pens on Friday night.

For more, visit http://www.voiceofvaleri.com.

Red Wings Rush to Repeat, Ruin Pens 5-0 in Game 5

by: Marc Valeri

The Detroit Red Wings got exactly what they needed: a big Game 5 win and long layoff until Game 6.

After hearing how tired and beat up they were through four games of the Stanley Cup finals, the defending champions unleashed its potent offense and shut-down defence, rolling to a 5-0 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday night that put them a win away from another championship.

The experience-heavy Red Wings now lead the Finals 3-2, and are 60 minutes away from their fifth Stanley Cup win in 12 seasons. Can you say, dynasty?

Detroit’s two-game losing streak in Pittsburgh quickly became a distant memory as the Red Wings returned to the friendly confines of Joe Louis Arena and blew away the supposedly fresher Penguins.

The home team is 5-0 in the rematch of last year’s finals, so the Penguins still have that going for them. Detroit, meanwhile, improved to 11-1 at home in the playoffs.

Much of the credit is due to Pavel Datsyuk, who made his mark in his first appearance in eight games, notching two assists and drawing a key penalty. The Red Wings made the Penguins pay for a lack of discipline by going 3-for-9 on the power play. Detroit was 1-for-10 on the power play coming into Game 5.

Chris Osgood, on the verge of his fourth Stanley Cup championship—third as the Red Wings starting goalie—made 22 saves for his 15th playoff shutout, third on the NHL career list. He earned an assist on Valtteri Filppula's goal for his fifth career playoff point, and improved to 11-4 in the finals.

The Red Wings unloaded with four goals in the second period—three in a span of 6:42—against the befuddled Marc-Andre Fleury, who left after making 16 saves on 21 shots. Rather than the slingshot boards at the Joe, it was the relentless Red Wings powerplay that sent Fleury to the showers early.

Filppula started the barrage 1:44 into the second period when he made it 2-0 just 5 seconds after Chris Kunitz served a penalty for interfering with Osgood. That was the only even-strength goal of the period.

Nicklas Kronwall pushed the lead to three at 6:11, 18 seconds into Sergei Gonchar's slashing penalty on Datsyuk. Brian Rafalski made it 4-0 at 8:26, and Henrik Zetterberg—last year’s playoff MVP—closed the spurt at 15:40.

That chased Fleury to the bench in favor of backup Mathieu Garon, who made his first playoff appearance since 2004.

Detroit can wrap up the Cup Finals in Game 6 Tuesday night from Mellon Arena.

Detroit held a 29-22 shots advantage, the first time the home team had the edge.

History suggests the Red Wings will hoist the Cup again as 14 of the 19 previous teams to win Game 5 in a series tied 2-2 have prevailed. Pittsburgh won Game 5 in the Motor City last year in triple overtime to force the series to six games, but then was eliminated at home. The Penguins are 1-5 in Detroit in the past two finals, and Crosby failed to score a goal in all six games.

Penguins Dominate and Tie Series; Datsyuk Might Play in Game 4

by: Marc Valeri

The Pittsburgh Penguins may have just played the biggest momentum-swinging period of their playoffs. Now, there is doubt that that the once ‘over’ series is now far from that.

Until Game 4, the finals followed the same pattern as last year’s: Detroit won the first two at home, then dropped Game 3 in Pittsburgh. But the Red Wings couldn’t follow up their 2-1 road victory in Game 4 of last year, one decided largely when they killed off a lengthy Pittsburgh 5-on-3 advantage, and now these finals are the best-of-three.

Jordan Staal’s short-handed goal during back-to-back Detroit power plays started Pittsburgh’s comeback, and the Penguins scored three goals in less than 6 minutes of the second period Thursday night to win 4-2 and tie the series at 2.

Evgeni Malkin, enjoying the best postseason since Wayne Gretzky’s in 1993, and Sidney Crosby had a goal and an assist each to help rally the Penguins from a 2-1 deficit a year to the day Detroit raised the Stanley Cup in Pittsburgh by winning Game 6.

Tyler Kennedy also scored and Marc-Andre Fleury, with his second successive excellent game, made 37 saves.

The Red Wings were done in by a bad second period and brutal special teams, even with Kris Draper back in the mix. Pittsburgh has converted on 4 of 9 power plays, and this game swung when the Penguins got a goal—and the Red Wings didn’t—during 3:59 of continuous Detroit power-play time. Detroit was 0 for 4 with the man advantage.

This series is officially up for grabs. The Red Wings - and this coming from a Red Wings fan - are going to lose this series unless they get Pavel Datsyuk back.

Datsyuk, a finalist for the Hart trophy (season MVP), Selke trophy (best defensive forward) Lady Byng trophy (skill and gentlemanly player), and most importantly, a four-time Stanley Cup Champion. He was the Red Wings’ leading scorer in the regular season with 97 points, including 32 goals, and would provide quite a lift. Even if Datsyuk is only on the ice to help with the powerplay, it’s better than not having him in the lineup at all.

Datsyuk’s destiny will ultimately be determined by his Saturday morning skate.

The bigger question is this: with the Penguins having a new-found sense of accomplishment and confidence, is it too little too late? Although the series is tied at 2 apiece, Staal’s second period goal looks like it’s a series changer.

Game 5 is Saturday night in Detroit, with Game 6 in Pittsburgh on Tuesday after the series’ first two-day break.

For more, visit http://www.voiceofvaleri.com.

It's a Series: Penguins Beat Red Wings 4-2 in Game 3 of Finals

by: Marc Valeri

With some lucky breaks, the Penguins managed to squeeze a win against the defending Cup champs, changing the series from backs-against-the-wall to right-back-in-it.

In a frantic first period, both teams scored two goals, something we haven't seen from either side in prior games. The second was all Red Wings, as they ended the period with a 26-11 shot advantage, including a domination in puck control. The third, however, was a different story, with the Pens scoring a key powerplay marker in the third that proved to be too much.

You can thank Sergei Gonchar for making this a series, 10:29 into the third. A 3-0 lead would have had the Penguins walking the green mile. In fact, had the Red Wings won Game 3 and 4, it would have been exactly one calendar year since the Red Wings took the Cup over the Pens in Game 6 of last season.

In winning, the Penguins had everything they lacked in losing twin 3-1 decisions in the first two games in Detroit, including start-to-finish confidence, resiliency and scoring from throughout their lineup. A sense of desperation, too.

Marc-Andre Fleury was very sharp last night, and didn't allow any softies, unlike the identical 3-1 losses in Games 1 and 2. For once this series, he outplayed rival netminder Chris Osgood, who allowed 3 goals on 20 shots. Ozzie has now lost for only the 3rd time in 13 Finals games.

One thing Detroit did do right was that they were once again married to the Henrik Zetterberg-Sidney Crosby matchup, despite Pittsburgh having last change. Rather than changing the entire line when Crosby hopped onto the ice, the centre was simply subbed for Zetterberg, who had his eye on Crosby the whole time and shadowed him at all times. Crosby managed one assist last night, his first point this series.

It was none other than playoff scoring leader Evgeni Malkin who set up the first three goals. Malkin, almost invisible at times during last year’s finals, has 33 points in 20 games—the most since Joe Sakic had 34 for Stanley Cup champion Colorado in 1996.

Pittsburgh also went 2-for-3 on the power play, with the called interference penalty on Jonathan Ericsson that led to Gonchar’s game-winner.

Most of all, the Penguins stood up to the Red Wings even after the defending champs answered Max Talbot’s first goal with scores by Zetterberg and Johan Franzen. Those goals briefly quieted an all-in-white crowd that could sense it might be watching the Red Wings effectively secure their fifth Stanley Cup since 1997.

So far, the finals have featured the same scenario as last year. Detroit wins the first two at home, then loses a tight Game 3 in Pittsburgh. Last year, the Red Wings took a 3-1 lead by winning Game 4 in Pittsburgh, which allowed them to survive a three-overtime Game 5 loss at home before they finished off Pittsburgh in Game 6.

But the Penguins have played better in each of the three games than they did last spring and, the Red Wings understand the hard part is yet to come. The Penguins must be wondering, too, whether Detroit will be at 100% for Game 4, as they have yet to run on all cylinders this series.

For more, visit http://www.voiceofvaleri.com

Red Wings Take 2-0 Stranglehold on Penguins - NHL Blows Rulebook Again

by: Marc Valeri

The more things change, the more they stay the same.

This was the case in both Games 1 and 2 of the 2009 Stanley Cup Final between the Red Wings and Penguins. The same can be said for the constant flashes of deja-vu had by the Pens.

Different scorers, same situations.

Detroit beat the Penguins 3-1 Sunday night, just as they did the previous night, after shutting them out by a combined score of 7-0 in the first two games of last year’s finals, ultimately taking a 2-0 lead in the series. Detroit is shooting for its fifth title in 12 seasons and the 12th Cup in franchise history.

Just like last year, my friends.

Valtteri Filpulla scored the go-ahead goal midway through the second period, sandwiching his tally between goals from youngsters Jonathan Ericsson - who is just hours removed from an appendectomy - and Justin Abdelkader, who became the first rookie to score in consecutive games in the finals since Minnesota’s Dino Ciccarelli in 1981. Abdelkader slapped a bouncing puck on net that beat Marc-Andre Fleury for the insurance marker in Game 2, just as he batted a bouncing puck in Game 1for the insurance marker.

Game 3 is Tuesday night in Pittsburgh, where the Eastern Conference champions will battle a modern-day dynasty and history.

32 teams have lost the first two Stanley Cup finals games on the road and only the 1971 Montreal Canadiens rallied to win it all.

Much of the credit thus far has been due to the stellar play of NHL playoff legend Chris Osgood, who was Detroit’s No. 1 goaltender on its 1998 championship team. Ozzie improved to 10-2 and dropped his GAA to a minuscule 1.47 in the Stanley Cup finals.

As Detroit hold every advantage over the Penguins, they still do so without Hart trophy candidate Pavel Datsyuk and one of the league's best defensive-forwards in Kris Draper.

The Red Wings improved to 11-0 this postseason when leading after two periods, moving halfway toward putting another championship banner in the crowded rafters at Joe Louis Arena.

The team is going to be in tough for Game 3 when they head back to Mellon Arena. With Datsyuk and Draper's availability in question once again, the Pens managed to scour some momentum with seconds left in the thirdMax Talbot stabbed Osgood, who had just frozen the puck on a shot from the point.

Evgeni Malkin then blindsided Henrik Zetterberg, and after numerous punches and slaps to the head with his stick, instigated a fight. Malkin received a five-minute major and a game misconduct, but the key here is that he also received the instigator penalty, meaning that a suspension is possible for Game 3. Colin Campbell, however, rescinded the call in typical post-NHL fashion.

How is it possible for the league to automatically rescind a call without looking at it first? It's because the NHL only enforces rules that are convenient.

Because Malkin’s antics came with 19 seconds remaining in the Penguins’ 3-1 loss, it triggered Rule 47.22, which hands down the one-game suspension to players who instigate a fight in the game’s final five minutes. It is a rule to prevent the kind of thuggery and frustration spilling that Malkin displayed. The punishment fits.

Except in the NHL, which includes out clauses with its rules. This suspension can be reviewed by Campbell, the NHL’s executive VP and director of hockey operations, who certainly doesn’t have anything riding on Malkin, the potential MVP, no, sir, and wouldn’t at all let his decision be compromised by the quality of the player involved, no way, no how, because he is a fair and impartial jury of one, yes, indeed.

Campbell said, “Suspensions are applied under this rule when a team attempts to send a message in the last five minutes by having a player instigate a fight.”

For some reason, this was not the case on Sunday. The entire point of the fight was to send a message to Zetterberg and the defending Cup champs – that the Penguins were still around, and that they still had some fight in them, and that he was going to show it by beefing with a guy 4 inches shorter.

And he did this knowing that the league would never, ever suspend him. Players realize the NHL is weak in mind and spirit. It could, ironically, learn something about toughness from them. So they’re going to continue to flout the rule until Campbell or commissioner Gary Bettman or someone else steps in and abolishes it or enforces it.

The league must make up its mind. If it agrees with the principle of the rule, live with its consequences. Otherwise, get rid of it and mete out punishment in its usual manner: devoid of logic and consistency.

Next thing you know, the players will look at the book and wonder what other rules they can break. In fact, that happened Sunday. At the end of Campbell’s statement, the NHL made sure to include this chestnut:

“NHL Hockey Operations also determined that Malkin should have been assessed a game misconduct for not having his jersey tied down.”

Well, that’s grand. An unnecessary elbow. A few good punches. And the NHL is worried about Evgeni Malkin’s clothing.

Like you’d expect anything different.


For more, visit www.VoiceofValeri.com.

Helm the Hero; Hockeytown Returns to the Stanley Cup Final

by: Marc Valeri

The Detroit Red Wings, up 3-1 in the Western Conference Finals, prevailed in a 2-1 overtime win over the Chicago Blackhawks to advance to the Stanley Cup Finals. Did I mention that they were without Nicklas Lidstrom, Pavel Dastyuk, Jonathan Ericsson and Kris Draper?

Darren Helm scored 3:58 into overtime - the third overtime game in the last four - and Dan Cleary had a goal in the third period in the defending champions’ victory last night, propelling the Red Wings to a Stanley Cup rematch of last season with the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Chris Osgood once again was a brick wall between the pipes, turning aside 30 shots, while Cristobal Huet, filling in for Nikolai Khabibulin, stopped 44 of 46 in the loss.

The Red Wings and Penguins, coming off a four-game sweep over Carolina in the East, will open the championship series Saturday night in Detroit.

The series will start nearly a week ahead of schedule because NBC and the NHL didn’t want a long layoff to stunt the excitement about the matchup.

One of the intriguing stories will be Marian Hossa playing against the team he left behind as a free agent. Hossa turned down a long-term, lucrative deal from the Penguins last summer for a one-year contract because he believed the Red Wings had a better shot to win it all again.

The Red Wings are matching up with Pittsburgh in what is the NHL’s first Stanley Cup rematch since the Oilers beat the Islanders in 1984 after losing to them the previous year.

This year, history will repeat itself - for the Red Wings.

While Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby have taken their game to the next level, Detroit’s game is shutting down individual players - just ask Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane and Patrick Sharp.

Aside from skill, talent, post-season experience, and everything else that the Cup champs have over the Pens, Crosby foolishly touched the Prince of Wales trophy, while Henrik Zetterberg wisely left the Clarence Campbell trophy all alone. This, believe it or not, will be what the Finals will come down to.

In addition, the Red Wings were missing everyone - Ericsson, a huge ice-time eater, was a surprise scratch, needing surgery after being diagnosed with acute appendicitis following the morning skate; Draper, the league’s best defensive-forward, was out again with a groin injury; Datsyuk, arguably the best player in the NHL, remained out with a foot injury; and Lidstrom, the NHL’s best defenceman, was out with a lower-body injury. If Detroit can annihilate the Blackhawks without four of their best players, what chance does Pittsburgh have when Detroit is full strength?

The Red Wings, the first defending champion to get back to the finals since the Devils in 2001, are trying to become the first team to repeat since they accomplished the feat back in 1997 and ’98. This will also be the first decade where there will not be a repeat champion.

For more, visit www.VoiceofValeri.com

No Lidstrom, No Datsyuk, No Draper, No Problem!

by: Marc Valeri

Marian Hossa and Henrik Zetterberg each scored twice as the Detroit Red Wings decimated the Chicago Blackhawks 6-1 on Sunday afternoon, taking a 3-1 stranglehold on Western Conference Finals.

Prior to the game, Detroit lost the best defenceman in the NHL, and 6-time Norris Trophy winner Nicklas Lidstrom, to a lower body injury; MVP finalist Pavel Dastyuk remained out with a foot injury; and Kris Draper was a scratch due to a groin stain.

Johan Franzen and Valtteri Filppula also scored for the Wings, as Chris Osgood turned aside 18 shots through two periods in the blowout. The Red Wings scored three powerplay markers, as well as a short-handed goal.

The Blackhawks were shorthanded in net, as Nikolai Khabibulin was out again with a lower body injury. The team benefitted from Martin Havlat's return to the lineup though. Would his return spark the 'Hawks?

Not a chance.

Chicago goalie Cristobal Huet, making his first start of these playoffs in place of injured Khabibulin, gave up four goals and was pulled in the second. Rookie Corey Crawford took over for the last 15:55 of the period, but Huet returned in the third and gave up Zetterberg’s second power-play goal that made it 6-1.

Jonathan Toews had Chicago’s lone goal on a second-period power play.

Hossa scored a short-handed goal on a 2-on-1 fast break in the first, and Franzen sent the Red Wings ahead 2-0 with only 20.7 seconds left in the period with a hard and high shot from the right side.

Filppula scored on a power play just over a minute into the second period for a 3-0 lead. Detroit went on the power play after Chicago’s undisciplined Matt Walker was assessed a roughing penalty following a scrum at the end of the first.

A 3-0 lead at the start of the second - as was the case during Game 3 - was what the rally point was when Detroit started it's comeback and tied it at 3-3 prior to the third. Could Chicago follow likewise?

After Toews scored to cut it to 3-1, Hossa skated in a mere 12 seconds later, and beat Huet for his second goal, forcing the hand of Joel Quenneville to sub in Crawford.

Huet returned to start the third and Ty Conklin gave Ozzie the rest of the night off.

Hossa’s scoring had been scarce thus far in the postseason. After scoring 40 goals during the regular season, he’d managed just four in the playoffs through Detroit’s 14 postseason games before Sunday.

Zetterberg made it 5-1 when he scored on the power play against Crawford when the Red Wings had a two-man advantage in the second.

Franzen’s 10th of the playoffs, just before the first ended, was a real momentum builder for Detroit. As Brian Campbell was skating in front of him to defend, Franzen unleashed the shot that got through Campbell and eluded Huet.

The goal came less than a minute after Osgood made a spectacular save on a streaking Toews.

Hossa put the Red Wings up early after four Blackhawks, including Campbell, got caught deep in the Detroit zone. Hossa started a 2-on-1, short-handed break to the other end, when he played tic-tac-goal with Filppula, beating Huet.

Huet’s first appearance of the playoffs came Friday night in Game 3 when he replaced an injured Khabibulin (lower body) to start the third period of Chicago’s 4-3 overtime win.

No other team in the world can overcome such odds against them - not unless you're the Detroit Red Wings. This team has such depth that the losses of three key players had absolutely zero effect on them.

Even without their star players, Detroit's game plan remained the same, and their style of play once again dominated this young Blackhawks team, who's inexperience is becoming the laughing stock of Detroit.

The defending Stanley Cup champions can clinch a return trip to the finals with a victory Wednesday at Joe Louis Arena.

For more, visit www.VoiceofValeri.com.

by: Marc Valeri

After blowing a 3-0 lead in Game 3, it was Patrick Sharp and Cristobal Huet who ended up saving the day for the Chicago Blackhawks.

Sharp scored at 1:52 of overtime Friday night, giving Chicago to a 4-3 victory over Detroit and cutting the Red Wings’ lead in the Western Conference finals to 2-1.

After Matt Walker's shot from the point in overtime, Dustin Byfuglien tried to control it in front. With Nicklas Lidstrom's broken stick, it was Sammy Pahlsson who reached in and pushed it over to Sharp, who got it past Chris Osgood for the winner and his second goal of the game.

With the game tied at 3 at two periods, Huet came in to replace starting goalie Nikolai Khabibulin, who had a lower-body injury. Huet, in his first action of the postseason, stopped six shots in the third. His play helped slow the Red Wings’ momentum after they scored three goals in the second.

The Red Wings, playing without arguably their best player in Pavel Datsyuk, scored three goals in a 4:23 span late in the second period. Detroit’s outburst quickly quieted a raucous crowd at the United Center after it looked as if Chicago was in control.

Lidstrom also tallied a powerplay marker, putting Detroit on the board. Goals later followed by Brian Rafalski and Jonathan Ericsson.

Sharp scored on the power play in the opening period and, just over a minute later, Andrew Ladd beat Osgood to give the Blackhawks a quick 2-0 lead. Pahlsson’s goal less than a minute into the second period made it 3-0.

There was some controversy at 13:08 of the first frame, however. 'Hawks' Martin Havlat was absolutely railroaded by Niklas Kronwall. Havlat had turned around the boards, and had the puck between his feet when Kronwall nailed him. The ensuing blow caused Havlat to lose consciousness, to which he was later helped off the ice and did not return.

After the hit, no referee, nor any of the linesman, had raised their arms to indicate a penalty. Why? Because it was a clean play. Havlat had the puck, had his head down, and paid the price. Looking back to Game 1, Jiri Hudler's hit could be categorized as a second too late.

Kronwall received a 5-minute major, as well as a game misconduct for his NHL rule-abiding check. Things like these, however, have become commonplace in the NHL. A player goes down, is hurt on a clean play, and the opposition is penalized for it. Although it remains uncertain whether or not Kronwall had gone head-hunting, the bottom line remains that he got all shoulder into the hit. I remember back in the day when hits like these were praised and touted around the league. Players like Scott Stevens made careers out of hits like these, but this new NHL has gone and removed this element of the game.

While Detroit successfully killed off the major, they were forced to play two-and-a-half periods without one of their top defencemen. Yes,Detroit eventually did tie the game at 3, but would they have won had they still had Kronwall patrolling the blueline?

As for Havlat, Chicago coach Joel Quenneville said Havlat’s condition had improved after the game and he would be re-evaluated Saturday.

Game 4 is Sunday at the United Center.

For more, visit www.VoiceofValeri.com

Motown Madness

by: Marc Valeri

With an overtime win last night, the Detroit Red Wings have put the Chicago Blackhawks in a 2-0 hole - and they aren't even playing their best hockey.

Mikael Samuelsson played the role of hero just 5:14 into the first overtime, while Chris Osgood was a brick wall between the pipes, turning aside 38 of 40 shots.

For the most part of last night's game, the Red Wings were unplayed, and fatigue may have played a part in that. The defending Stanley Cup champions played for the fourth time in a week, including Games 6 and 7 versus the Anaheim Ducks.

Detroit's winner came on a 3-on-2 rush after Brian Campbell turned the puck over at the Red Wings blueline, sending Jiri Hudler, Valtteri Filppula, and eventually Mikael Samuelsson off to races. After some nifty tic-tac-toe passing and a nice shot from the slot, the series is headed over to Chicago.

Jonathan Toews tied the game at 2 with 7:40 left in the third. Toews also also opened the scoring in the first, but the lead soon evaporated when Brian Rafalski scored on the man-advantage. With Tomas Holmstrom providing a b-e-a-utiful screen in front of the net (and Johan Franzen in front of him), Rafalski slapped on at the net, and 'Bulin didn't even see it. Detroit captain Nicklas Lidstrom's assist on Rafalski’s goal was his 116th in the playoffs, moving him ahead of NHL legend Steve Yzerman and into first place on the Red Wings’ career list. He tied Larry Robinson for fourth among defenseman on the NHL list.

Dan Cleary, who's been on absolute fire as of late, buried one to give the Wings a 2-1 lead.

Nikolai Khabibulin turned aside 35 shots in the loss. Moreso, Patrick Kane and Patrick Sharp were on line 3 and 4, something the Blackhawks will have to look at for Game 3.

Detroit has given up a power-play goal in a franchise-record 11 straight playoff games. It is the NHL’s longest streak during one postseason in two decades. In fact, the first two goals of the game were scored on the powerplay, and the final two goals were scored at even strength.

Detroit is trying to become the first defending champion to get back to the finals since New Jersey did in 2001. The Red Wings are the last team to repeat, winning the Cup in 1997 and ’98.

The fourth-seeded Blackhawks, playing in their first conference final since 1995, now have the daunting task of beating the defending champions in four out of five games to advance. Game 3 is Friday night in Chicago.

For more, visit www.VoiceofValeri.com.

Red Wings Take Opener of Original 6 Series

by: Marc Valeri

Daniel Cleary scored twice, against the team that drafted him, en route to a 5-2 win against the Chicago Blackhawks in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals.

Cleary's second marker came midway through the third on a absolutely sexy re-direct from Johan Franzen. With Zetterberg also crashing the net, Detroit's offense once again proved to be too much too fast.

The go-ahead goal, courtesy of Mikael Samuelsson, came just 1:27 before Cleary's.

Chris Osgood, the team's supposed 'question mark' heading into the 2009 playoffs, made 30 saves for the defending Stanley Cup champions, while counterpart Nikolai Khabibulin turned aside 38 shots in the loss.

Adam Burish gave the 'Hawks a 1-0 lead early in the first on a poorly-played puck by Ozzie, but the tables turned when Cleary scored only a few minutes later, followed by Franzen to put Detroit up 2-1. The Mule has now scored 20 goals in his last 22 games, and 22 in his 27 career playoff games. Unbelieveable!

Chicago, playing in its first conference final since 1995 against a team in its third straight, was very competitive with the Red Wings until Detroit broke it open in the final period.

The fourth-seeded Blackhawks fell behind in each of its six games the previous round against Vancouver, but found out that it is not as easy to rally against the second-seeded and playoff-tested Red Wings.

Detroit improved to 7-0 when leading after two periods.

Game 2 goes Tuesday night at the Joe.

For more, visit www.VoiceofValeri.com.

by: Marc Valeri

The defending Stanley Cup Champion Detroit Red Wings are going from facing a big, strong, physical team in the Anaheim Ducks, to facing a team that hasn't made the playoffs since 2002 (second in 11 seasons), but relies heavily on youth, speed and skill in the Chicago Blackhawks.

The Ducks pushed Detroit (51-21-10) to a closely contested Game 7 Thursday night in a series its coach, Mike Babcock, said was the best series he’s been in and some players insisted was one of the toughest of their careers. And wisely, the Red Wings will take the Blackhawks (46-24-12) as an equally tough task.

The Original Six franchises will meet Sunday afternoon in Game 1, matching up in the playoffs for the first time since 1995 and the 15th time overall.

Second-seeded Detroit became the first team to simply advance in the playoffs after hoisting the Cup since 2002 when it swept Columbus in the opening round, then was on the brink of elimination against the 2007 champion Ducks.

The fourth-seeded Blackhawks, however, eliminated Calgary and Vancouver in Game 6s, and have been idle since beating the Canucks on Monday.

Chicago is in the conference finals for the first time since 1995, when it lost to the Red Wings.

A series win over the Blackhawks will launch Detroit into the Cup Finals, where they will hope to win the Stanley Cup for the fifth time in 12 seasons.

Both teams, however, have taken vastly different routes getting to the Western Conference Finals. Detroit slowly nurtured the likes of Henrik Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk under stars such as Steve Yzerman, giving them a chance to develop on their own terms.Zetterberg and Datsyuk were late-round picks, drafted 210th and 171st overall respectively, and were groomed to be stars of the future. Datsyuk was a third-line center under coach Scotty Bowman, now a consultant for the Blackhawks, as a 23-year-old rookie when the Red Wings won the Stanley Cup seven years ago. Zetterberg’s production as a 22-year-old rookie the next season, scoring 22 goals, was simply a bonus.

Chicago, on the other hand, didn't get a chance to do that, as they immediately launched the likes of Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews right into the spotlight. Kane and Toews were taken first and third overall in the 2007 and 2006 drafts, respectively, and were leaned on right away.

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Lucky 7's

by: Marc Valeri

The defending Stanley Cup champions, the Detroit Red Wings, were pushed to the brink of elimination last night at the hands of the Anaheim Ducks. Ironically, with a team largely built around speed and finesse, it was a role-playing grinder who turned out to be the hero.

Canada's own Dan Cleary came through, scoring a tiebreaking goal with 3 minutes left that lifted Detroit to a 4-3 win on Thursday night that sent the 11-time champs to the Western Conference finals for the third straight year.

And rather than rolling with the bounces - most of which have gone Anaheim's way throughout the series - the Ducks did what they do best...whine and complain.
Detroit took a 1-0 lead late in the first when Jiri Hudler re-directed a pass from Johan Franzen, shelfing it over Hiller's shoulder. The goal was helped in part by a stupid Ryan Getzlaf penalty, one of two key minors he took.
Early in the second, with the momentum on Detroit's side, the speedy Darren Helm picked off a Teemu Selanne pass and was off to the races, beating Hiller on the low-blocker. Helm, playing in only 7 games this season, was a minus-2, whereas in the playoffs, he's already recorded 4 goals.

After the Ducks broke the donut, Mikael Samuelsson eventually slid one under Hiller after Valtteri Filppula broke away and kept with the puck. Dastyuk eventually followed, also recording an assist on the play.

Anaheim would add two more, tying the game at 3. Cue the heroics.

With 3 minutes left on the clock, Detroit began pressuring once again. With Henrik Zetterberg behind the net, he shoots in front of the net, where Cleary taps it down. As the puck falls, it lands behind Hiller, who at this point, is unaware of the pucks' whereabouts. Cleary's attempt to poke the puck through ended up pushing Hiller's pad backwards, who incidently knocked the puck into his own net, giving Detroit the series-winner. Talk about a thriller.
The fact that throws most fans is that most teams defending the Cup rarely make it to the final four - and in some instances, don't even make the playoffs at all.

Before Detroit did it, Colorado was the most recent NHL team to reach the conference finals after hoisting the Cup. The Avalanche lost to Detroit 7-0 in the deciding game in 2002.

Once again, Detroit outshot Anaheim 40-27. Much credit is due to netminder Jonas Hiller, who turned aside 36 shots in the defeat against the NHL's most potent offense. The Ducks, though, showed a lot of resolve to make Game 7 necessary, and to give Detroit all it could handle.

Detroit, however, deserves all the credit in the world. They killed off two 5-on-3's against a very good offense, something a regular team is simply not capable of. Ultimately, they killed off 4-of-5 powerplays, thanks in large part to offensive stars such as Zetterberg, Franzen and Rafalski blocking a ton of shots.

The Red Wing offense saw a familiar method last night, as well. Two of Detroit's four goals (the other two were scramble plays off of turnovers) were scored using cross-ice passes. Take, for example, Henrik Zetterberg going cross-ice to Franzen, then to Hudler for the first goal of the game.

Aside from Detroit's unmatched skill and preparation, lady luck may also have been on the Red Wings side. It was the 7th game 7 played at Joe Louis Arena, the last one being 7 years ago where they scored 7 goals in a 7-0 win over the Colorado Avalanche. Nonetheless, they have been impressive - returning to the Western Conference Finals in a salary cap era is something to marvel.

From a fan's standpoint, this series could provide nothing more. It was exciting, intense, competitive, and incredibly entertaining. And not just this series - the Hurricanes and Bruins series was spectacular, and the Penguins and Capitals - er, Crosby versus Ovechkin - was a media dream come true.

This series, at the very least, was intensity city - five games were decided by a goal, including Game 2 in triple overtime. This series had everything - big hits, big goals and big saves.

Detroit will host the Blackhawks in Game 1 on Sunday, matching up the Original Six teams in the playoffs for the first time since the conference finals in 1995.

The Red Wings have advanced to at least the conference finals eight times in the last 14 seasons, winning the Cup in 1997, 1998, 2002 and 2008.


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Red Wings Unable to Close Out Series - Game 7 Goes Thursday Night

by: Marc Valeri

For the first time in 7 years, the Detroit Red Wings will play a seventh game of a series.

After being unable to finish off the Anaheim Ducks in six games last night, the teams will fly back to Michigan where Game 7 will be decided at legendary Joe Louis Arena. The winner will have the Chicago Blackhawks in their sights for the Western Conference Championships.

The Red Wings had clinched their last eight playoff series wins with victories on the road, and seemed poised to do the same after outskating and outshooting Anaheim 78-45 in consecutive wins in Games 4 and 5.

But facing elimination, the Ducks returned to the form that carried the team to a league-best 10-2-1 mark in the final weeks of the season, winning Tuesday's Game 6 by a 2-1 score.
Last night, Detroit didn't play the way they had throughout the rest of the series. Once again outshooting the Ducks - who have been outshot in every single game this postseason - the Red Wings fired 39 shots at netminder Jonas Hiller, who turned all but one away.

Detroit's scoring chances were skewed by Anaheim's seemingly more up-tempo style of play last night, which caused the Wings to take shots they wouldn't normally take. Many shots were fired directly at Hiller, who was successfully able to keep his rebounds under control, limiting Detroit's second-chance scoring opps.

Detroit's league-best powerplay was also weakened last night. Going 1-for-6, the Red Wings had ample opportunity to take advantage of the man-advantage, but simply could not execute. It also didn't help that Detroit lost in the faceoff circle, winning 26 and losing 29.

One thing I noticed was that, unlike the rest of the games in the series, Detroit was beaten to the puck far too many times. What makes their defence so good is the limited amount of time that the team spends in their own end. This aspect of their game, though, wasn't played as well as they had wanted, as they continued to take stupid penalties, including two consecutive delay of game penalties.

The return of blueliner Brian Rafalski benefitted the team to an extent - Rafi's cross-ice passes were still seen, especially on the powerplay when he finally returned to play with Niklas Lidstrom, but Detroit was unable to execute and put the puck in the net.

Not all was bad for Hockeytown, though. Chris Osgood, the starting goalie in a 'questionable' last line of defence, was sharp in the first period when Anaheim outshot Detroit 12-to-8.

In addition, Johan Franzen, who's scored a fairytale 21 goals in 26 career playoff games, knocked one home on the powerplay with just over two minutes remaining in the game. This, along with the scrap following the final whistle, will be momentum that Detroit will need to carry with them back to Motown.

As for Game 7, neither team has had all that much success in the deciding game. Anaheim is 2-1 all-time in Game 7 and won its most recent Game 7, shutting out Calgary 3-0 on May 3, 2006 to advance to the conference semifinals. Detroit, on the other hand, will now face their first Game 7 since clubbing the Colorado Avalanche 7-0 at home on May 31, 2002. Detroit is 11-7 in Game 7s, but just 3-3 at home since 1991.


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