Running 2008 NHL Playoffs Thread

Agreed. The goaltender interferance penalty on Detroit in the second OT (I think) was pretty questionable though. I was really suprised they called that one. As a Pens fan, i don't know if I could have even made that call.

 

Both goaltender interference calls were shaky, but the stick to the face was absolutely the correct call.

 

Fixed, and likely my only contribution to a hockey thread.

 

35 freaking seconds away from the season ending. While I'm not about to call this game miraculous, it was another one of the best Penguins games I've ever watched. You wonder what kind of adrenaline both teams are on at that point. It might as well have been Game 6 ... technically, it would have put the Pens and Wings halfway through Game 6.

I am eager to see what kind of momentum the Penguins take from this. Hopefully, first, both teams will get a good night's sleep.

 

I think the biggest issue for the Penguins right now is the status of Gonchar.

 

You know, you see guys like Sid in the post-game presser, and he seemed rather low-key, very professional, considering what just happened. I sometimes think that we get more adrenaline running through our veins than they do.

The Pens just made it very interesting, of course, they had the same chance to tie the series in game 4 in Pittsburgh, and didn't do it then, either. If you look at how Detroit outplayed the Pens in Game 5, you might think the series is over, but if the Pens can hold serve at home and tie this thing up, considering they just won at Detroit last night, it will be a big ratings getter for Game 7. You never know.

 

<a href="http://sportsmediawatch.blogspot.com/2008/06/classic-game-nets-big-overnight.html">Game 5 got a 4.3 rating on NBC, the highest NHL rating on that network.</a>

 

Every picture tells a story. Check out the woman on the left

 

"If I don't see it, it didn't happen." "If I don't see it, it didn't happen." "If I don't see it, it didn't happen."

 

Transcript from the post game press conference. Great line by Sykora.

Q. Can you give an idea when you’re in a game this long, you both look totally exhausted, obviously. What do you do in between periods to keep up your energy? Literally, are you eating, drinking liquid, what are the secrets?

PETR SYKORA: Pizza. No, I think we just want to keep your fluids going. I think it’s very, very important. And when you’re out there, just keep hockey very smart. Just keep short shifts going. Don’t get caught, don’t get caught in the long shift, because it can really kill you.

And I think it’s important to roll the four lines, make sure all the guys are going to get into the game. And that’s what we did. Between the periods, basically just keep the fluids going, get some food in you. We had some pizza coming. We had some power bars and stuff like that. I think it’s very important.

Q. You had pizza? You had pizza in the breaks?

PETR SYKORA: Yeah, you get a little piece here and there. Yeah, I did have a pizza.

Q. Who delivered?

PETR SYKORA: Dominos (Laughter).

 

The goaltender interference calls were terrible -- both of them. The Hudler high stick was a no-brainer though. A game, a situation like the Pens were in -- and their ability to survive it -- will mature that team in a hurry. I'm a Wings fan, but I'd say the Pens are even money now, going back home for Game 6...

 

Even money in Game 6 and I would say a 20% chance in game seven if it goes that far.

1/2 times 1/5 is 1/10.

The Pens have about a 10 percent chance of pulling this thing out.

Nah.

I would say 50/50 for 6 and 50/50 if they can survive to Game 7.

So 1/2 times 1/2 is 1/4 or about a 25 percent chance.

Still not very good odds.