Hi Christy, let’s see if your Red Wings can break the Penguins home winning streak tonight! Frank already knows that I’m rooting for Detroit much to do with Pittsburgh knocking out the Rangers in the second round.

As I complimented your blog a while back when Nicklas Lidstrom signed his new contract extension, great job as always with your site. I’ll be by during the game should I see some people posting.

Paul

Anytime, Christy. I just added your blog to my list of those I signed up on [been on my blog roll for a while though. :) ]

Wow, what a big stop Ozzie made during that first Pittsburgh power play. It was perfect timing on when that was done and what it meant in getting him into the game.

I am curious to see how much the Red Wings maintain puck possession here as they did in the first two games.

I think the Red Wings still played very well despite the Penguins scoring the first goal. Sooner or later, Pittsburgh had to score one on Ozzie. Expecting him to pitch a third shutout in a row is asking way too much. Detroit controlled the puck early, tested Fleury a number of times and twice came real close to scoring first.

The goal was a soft one, but it was a result of the Penguins crashing the net. Hossa had three huge chances to score late in the period, but missed open nets each time. Ryan Malone earlier had missed the left post on a big scoring chance prior to their first shot of the game. Speaking of them crashing the net…

They cannot crash the net TOO hard where they interfere with the goaltender (Osgood). The first time Hossa missed an open net, there were two Penguins players inside the crease that the same time there. Hossa’s second miss was just that, barely a miss. Pittsburgh has the momentum to end the first period.

Streaks are made to be broken, Adam. Just because Pittsburgh scored first, it doesn’t mean they’ll automatically win tonight. The Penguins have a must-win scenario looking at them right in their face. That is why it was ultra important for the Red Wings to take both Game 1 and Game 2 at home. My thoughts would be winning the first two, dropping the third and then winning the fourth is a likely, yet good Plan B scenario for the Wings.

Hey Christy, I don’t know if you’ve been to this site, but I have written hockey articles at ArmchairGM.com… you should see one that was done nearly a week ago where I was interviewed and I answered some questions in previewing the series. And yes, I predicted the Red Wings to win in six.

Resident Interview (5/23/08)

Not much on my mind here, but obviously Pittsburgh for the first time in this series had controlled play for any portion of a game. Sidney Crosby was too wide open and uncovered to be allowed to get to a rebound with ease and put home that second goal for Pittsburgh.

Osgood like his team has still not played a bad game here. Cutting the Penguins lead in half late in the period was big and gives Detroit a chance to pull even at some point in the third period. It should be a hell of a third period, that’s for sure…

I know Adam might’ve heard me mention this last game or during Game 1. I know it has been played frequently, but in such a rare instance, I do for that Dockers commercial. Just love it. Maybe it’s the effective message or more so that great classic hit that is used for it. “California Soul” by Marlena Shaw. Really makes you want to go take your date for a night on the town in San Francisco right now!

Okay, I better stick to hockey now, LOL.

Seriously, Samuelsson’s goal has put the Penguins and their fans on their heels again. (nods)

Well, the Penguins earned their Game 3 win tonight. As much as I am pulling for Detroit and disappointed with the outcome, Pittsburgh got the job done and credit is due. People were wondering when Sidney Crosby was going to make an impact in this series and he did tonight.

Again, the Red Wings by no means played poorly one iota. People may think the Penguins were in it all the way in Games 1 and 2, but here, I think the Red Wings had a true shot here until the very end. That’s the difference. Detroit just didn’t dominate as they did in the previous two games (shots, defensive strangehold, etc.). Ozzie played well too, except that he should’ve played the post tighter on Adam Hall’s goal though.

And no Adam, the Red Wings won’t lose if they don’t get a win in Game 4. That’s crazy. It only ties the series. Remember, Detroit has home ice for the series, and these two games in Pittsburgh won’t determine the ultimate fate.

Alrighty guys, nice to chat with you all. And Christy, feel free to drop me a line at ArmchairGM if you’re a member and dig my preview keys of the series. Great blog site and keep up the great work!