Penguins, Stars Take 2-0 Lead
April 27th, 2008 by Jason CMarc-Andre Fleury was outstanding in Game 2, shutting out the Rangers 2-0. Jordan Staal got the game-winner as the Pens took a 2-0 series lead and head to New York tomorrow. What struck me most about the game was the Rangers’ lack of urgency. Even before the commentators noted the Rangers’ slow and deliberate pace, it was very easy to sense that the Rangers were no hurry to even up the series or score the first goal. Jaromir Jagr was invisible for most of the night, and their two stalwart centres, Chris Drury and Scott Gomez, were also invisible for the most part. The Rangers’ average defense cannot contain the Pens’ firepower, although they did a decent job tonight, and even if they can neutralize Sidney Crosby they still have Evgeni Malkin and Marian Hossa to worry about. If the Pens can’t use skill, they can use their big guys in Ryan Malone and Staal to pick up the garbage. This is one of the most dangerous offensive teams I’ve ever seen.
The Sharks-Stars game isn’t over yet, there’s about 5 minutes left, but I’m going to make my bold, bold prediction right now. The Stars are going to be your 2008 Stanley Cup Champions. The Sharks were absolutely atrocious tonight, but as much as the loss was their own undoing, the Stars were excellent. The Sharks tried to stage a comeback late in the third, but the Stars take the ice away so effectively that the Sharks were unable to set anything up or generate anything substantial. Brian Campbell, the Sharks’ big acquisition at the deadline, was again dreadful, giving the puck away numerous times. As a puck-moving defenseman that is expected, but he hasn’t made up for his giveaways by creating any offense. Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau were also invisible tonight, and Milan Michalek’s resurgence over the past two games is probably too little, too late. Sergei Zubov, who played his first game of the playoffs, was a huge difference maker, and his no-look, spinerama back-hand pass to Mike Modano was probably the highlight of the night. Brad Richards, the Stars’ big deadline-day acquisition, played an outstanding game, and if the Stars go deep into the playoffs, Brett Hull and Les Jackson will no doubt be highly praised. The Stars, although not as talented as Anaheim or San Jose, play a team game, in which all players chip in. Their best players play in all situations of the game and their three lines are very balanced. They play a tough forechecking game that has caused turnover after turnover, and it’s simply because they do the little things right. What they lack in talent and skill they make up for in effort and discipline. Niklas Hagman, who put in a 20+ goal campaign, was pointless in the Calgary series and Game 1, but came back with 2 goals tonight and never faltered. Even though he wasn’t scoring he was still forechecking hard and did not lose sight of the fact that the goal of the game was to win. That of course, is what the playoffs are ultimately about, isn’t it?
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