Stanley Cup Finals Game 1 Preview: Penguins at Detroit
Matt Bodenschatz | National Hockey League
May 24, 12:12 PM | Hype this story!
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| Series Preview — Schedule — FF Predictions — Media Predictions | ||||||||||||||
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8:00 @ Joe Louis Arena |
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| Inside The Game |
| East meets West in a clash of the titans tonight as the culmination
of a year’s work boils down to a best-of-seven series. In one corner, wearing the red trunks, we have the Detroit Red Wings, a team comprised of crafty veterans who have been there and want more. In the other corner, wearing the black trunks, we have the Pittsburgh Penguins, a team made up of superstars youngsters who are looking for their first taste. Nevermind the past, this is 2008. Don’t expect this matchup to be a tilt of any kind. Both teams know what it will take, even if one of them doesn’t have the experience. "We’re aware of what we have to do," Penguins defenseman Hal Gill said to Dave Molinari of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "We have to be ready. It’s the Stanley Cup final. Everyone knows everyone’s coming hard. We have to go out and do the same." Tonight’s matchup could feature a first period used primarily for each team to get a feel for the other. After all, they didn’t meet once during the regular season. But once the ball gets rolling, this one has all the makings to be a series of the ages. Penguins veteran forward Gary Roberts and Red Wings veteran defender Chris Chelios each are expected to miss tonight’s game, though neither are hurt. Roberts missed the previous few games while battling pneumonia and doesn’t want to be inserted into a lineup that won its last game. The same holds true for Chelios, who missed a few games with an undisclosed leg injury. Neither are expected to be longterm scratches. One player, however, who has the potential to be out a while, is Johan Franzen. Nicked named the "Mule" for his style of play, Franzen is battling concussion-like symptoms. And, though, he has been cleared to practice, he won’t be in the lineup tonight. In order to win Game One, the Penguins must stick to their guns and do what they do best. The same holds true for the Red Wings. Whoever dictates the style of play will come out on top in this ever-important first game. Three Keys for Pittsburgh: 3. Outmuscle the much smaller/less physical Red Wings 2. Shut down the top line of Holmstrom, Datsyuk and Zetterberg 1. Big games from the big players: Crosby, Malkin, Hossa and Sykora, this means you Three Keys for Detroit: 3. Focus on the team approach 2. Utilize a smooth skating, quick transition game to control the puck 1. Find a way to stop both of the Penguins’ top lines |
| Playoff Team Statistics | ||||||||
| GF/G | GA/G | PP% | PK% | Home | Away | L 10 | Streak | |
| Penguins | 3.64 | 1.86 | 24.6 | 87.3 | 8-0 | 4-2 | 8-2 | 1 win |
| Red Wings | 3.44 | 1.94 | 21.0 | 87.3 | 7-1 | 5-3 | 8-2 | 1 win |
| Series Leaders | |||||
| Stat | Penguins | Stat | Red Wings | ||
| Goals | - | - | Goals | - | |
| Assists | - | - | Assists | - | |
| Points | - | - | Points | - | - |
| PIMs | - | - | PIMs | - | - |
| +/- | - | - | +/- | - | - |
| GAA | - | GAA | - | - | |
| Sv% | - | - | Sv% | - | - |
| Series Results | |||
| In Detroit | In Pittsburgh | ||
| Game 1 | |||
| Game 2 | |||
| Game 3 | |||
| Game 4 | |||
| Game 5 | |||
| Game 6 | |||
| Game 7 | |||
| Injuries | |||
| Penguins | Injury | Red Wings | Injury |
| Eaton, IR | Torn ACL | Franzen, DTD Kopecky, IR |
Concussion Sprained MCL/Torn ACL |
| Note: Info up-to-date as of 11:00 am, Saturday, May 24, 2008. | |||
Comments
Dabich
May 24, 08:21 PM
Ahh..!!!! 7:21…less than an hour till game time!!
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