Stanley Cup Finals - Games 1 and 2
Detroit Red Wings vs. Pittsburgh Penguins
It’s déjà vu as the Detroit Red Wings have taken the first two games of the Stanley Cup Finals, just as they did last year against the Pittsburgh Penguins. While the Penguins did not get shut out this year, the Wings did manage to keep Sidney Crosby from getting any points. However, Evgeni Malkin registered a goal and an assist in the two games.
Game 1: Stuart, Franzen and Abdelkader Score
Two of the Red Wings goals came from some unlikely players as Justin Abdelkader and Brad Stuart recorded their first and second goals of the playoffs respectively. Abdelkader’s goal was his first career NHL goal. Stuart’s goal was a slap shot from the point that ricocheted off of the boards and off of Penguins goalie Marc-Andre Fleury and into the net.
If one lucky bounce wasn’t enough, Johan Franzen scored when he collected a shot off of the boards from Brian Rafalski and took a backhanded shot that deflected off of Fleury’s leg and gave the Wings a 2-1 lead. All of the analysts have been talking about how active the boards are at Joe Louis Arena, and it was apparent in game 1.
Osgood Stones Malkin
Four minutes into the second period with the game tied at 1, Osgood came up big when his team needed it. Malkin stripped the puck from Nicklas Kronwall and came in on a breakaway. Malkin was looking to go high glove side, but Osgood managed to get a piece of the puck with his glove and kept the game tied at 1.
Not only were lucky bounces going in favor of the Wings, but the Penguins couldn’t seem to catch a break. There were numerous occasions when the Penguins were left wondering what it was going to take to get a goal.
Game 2: Malkin Notches First Goal of Series
In game 2, the Penguins were looking to take the series back to Pittsburgh tied at 1. Malkin game the Penguins a 1-0 lead when he took a shot in the slot that hit Stuart. Trying to clear the puck, Stuart accidentally knocked the puck into his own net.
It looked as if the Penguins were going to make a statement in game 2. The power play the Penguins scored on was relentless, getting numerous opportunities and running the Wings all over the ice.
Abdelkader Records Second Straight Goal
Taking a page out of the Mighty Ducks movies, Abdelkader scored his second goal in two games when he shot a bouncing puck that was reminiscent of the “knuckle puck” Russ Tyler made famous in D2: The Mighty Ducks. Jonathan Ericsson and Valtteri Filppula also scored goals.
While the Penguins struck first in game 2, they could not get any more pucks past Osgood. The Penguins had numerous opportunities that hit posts, or were denied by Osgood. They even out shot the Wings by a hefty margin of 33-26.
One of the biggest keys of the first two games has been the lack of penalties called. While it’s nice to see the referees letting the players play hockey, it will be interesting to see if the lack of penalties called will stay consistent throughout the rest of the series.
The Wings were not happy with how the NHL had scheduled the first two games of the finals, but they got the job done anyway. However, the Penguins will not go down without a fight. They will no doubt be re-energized by the home crowd and the Malkin/Zetterberg fight at the end of game 2.
The Penguins will win at least one game in Pittsburgh, and may even steal both of them if the Wings start to go easy on the Penguins. Game 3 is a must-win for the Penguins.
What do you think about this article?
Latest Articles