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Many of you reading this might not even be hockey fans or maybe decided to watch all or parts of the last two Stanley Cup games, because they were finally nationally televised. When you get to this point, all teams and players expect to play their best, though ultimately someone will lose the championship. After playing two really poor games on the road, Pittsburgh gave a spirited effort to win Game three and was looking to even up the series at 2-2. For those that wager on any sports, here is basically what the Pittsburgh Penguins did in Game Four. Pittsburgh grabbed a 1-0 lead, had the crowd, the momentum, everything going their way. By the end of the period, the score was tied, about the only thing that seemed odd was arguably the most talented player on the ice; Sidney Crosby has logged all of six minutes in the first period. Detroit controlled the action for most of the second and third period until Jiri Hudler scored with 2.26 gone into the third period to give Red Wings 2-1 lead. Detroit went into their version of “keep away” and successful kept the puck away from the Pittsburgh, with the best puck possession game in the business. Then it happened, the Red Wings committed two penalties within 33 seconds of one another and like a bettor having hit nine of ten on a baseball parlay card and having ace pitcher as a -200 favorite to win the wager, Pittsburgh was in business. But alas, the Penguins managed only two shots in having a one and a two man advantage, often handling the puck like it was a golf ball. This sets up Detroit, who is 15-2 in last 17 Stanley Cup contests.
There is no way to sugar coat what Pittsburgh didn’t do. They had plenty of chances, but in the end, players like Detroit’s Henrik Zetterberg just wanted it more. His brilliant play during the time the Red Wings were down two men should become part of every hockey training film on how to kill penalties. Detroit raised their record to 60-4 when they allow two or less goals.
This series has proven, though the game of hockey has changed towards speed, no accounting for experience. Not once has coach Mike Babcock’s team blinked in the Finals, while Pittsburgh has a number of players suffering from rapid eye movement. If it were truly possible in today’s world of sports, Pens coach Michel Therrien should demote Evgeni Malkin to the fourth line. Maybe he’s injured, maybe he’s worn out from a long season at 21-years old, but his awful passing and stick handling have been an embarrassment for one of the most talented players in the world. If one player has epitomized why Pittsburgh has proven to be too young to win the Cup, it is Malkin. It’s been 65 years since a team was down 3-1 in the Finals to come back and win Lord Stanley’s hardware.
For all of Pittsburgh’s misdeeds, Detroit has been sumptuous. They took away the younger Penguins confidence early, with shutout wins, hung around to make Game 3 closer and showed their poise and desire in Game 4 on the road. The Red Wings have played better, smarter and more under control, they deserve to be up 3-1 heading back home.
Detroit is 38-13 at Joe Louis Arena, including 9-1 in the postseason. Be it not for the smell of octopus in the air, the Red Wings can certainly see the Penguins blood on the ice, going for the kill.
Sportsbook.com has Detroit as -230 money line favorites to wrap up fourth trophy in 11 years. The Red Wings are 9-1 when a money line favorite of more than -200 in the playoffs and it’s hard to comprehend they’ll be denied. Pittsburgh’s only chance is to make this a shootout and have the number sail over the listed Total of 5. However, with the Pens 10-2 UNDER as road underdogs, that scenario appears unlikely.
NBC has what should be Detroit’s coronation, starting at 8 Eastern.
StatFox Power Line – Detroit -132
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