Stanley Cup Finals Game 5 Preview: Penguins At Red Wings

Matt Bodenschatz | National Hockey League

Jun 2, 10:18 AM | Hype this story!
W L Score
1 3 1
 
Score W L
3 3 1
Series Preview — Schedule — FF Predictions — Media Predictions

8:00 @ Joe Louis Arena
NBC, CBC, RDS
Probable Goaltenders: Fleury (Pit), Osgood (Det)
 
Inside The Game
Desperation would be an appropriate word to describe the mind-frame the Pittsburgh Penguins should be in at this point.  Down three games to one and heading to Detroit for Game Five, the Penguins have had trouble countering the Red Wings’ puck possession tactic, though help could be on the way.

According to various sources, the Penguins have recalled defenseman Alex Goligoski, who ranks second among all skaters in AHL playoff scoring.  While early indications are that he will serve as an emergency backup — Letang is out of town attending Luc Bourdon’s funeral and Rob Scuderi is nursing an undisclosed injury — there is a possibility that he has been brought in for his puck movement skills.

Regardless, the Penguins have had trouble all series generating much of a sustained attack, and Goligoski likely won’t change much if given the chance.

Tonight, the Penguins must lay it all on the line.  They have nothing to lose and everything to gain at this point, so playing without fear is the way to go.

Sorry for the short preview, but today is a busy day at work.
 
Playoff Team Statistics
  GF/G GA/G PP% PK% Home Away L 10 Streak
Penguins 3.06 2.06 22.0 88.3 9-1 4-3 6-4 1 loss
Red Wings 3.30 1.75 18.4 87.5 8-1 6-4 7-3 1 win
 
Series Leaders
  Stat Penguins   Stat Red Wings
Goals 2 Crosby Goals 3 Samuelsson
Assists 2 Hossa Assists 4 Stuart
Points 2 Crosby / Hossa Points 5 Stuart
PIMs 16 Talbot PIMs 8 Franzen
GAA 2.75 Fleury GAA 1.00 Osgood
Sv% .918 Fleury Sv% .955 Osgood
 
Series Results
In Detroit In Pittsburgh
Game 1 Detroit wins 4-0    
Game 2 Detroit wins 3-0    
    Game 3 Pittsburgh wins 3-2
    Game 4 Detroit wins 2-1
Game 5      
    Game 6  
Game 7      
 
Injuries
Penguins Injury Red Wings Injury
Scuderi, DTD
Staal, DTD
Eaton, IR		 Undisclosed Injury
Bruised Foot
Torn ACL		 Holmstrom, DTD
Franzen, DTD
Kopecky, IR		 Lower Body Injury
Concussion
Sprained MCL/Torn ACL
 
Note: Info up-to-date as of 11:00 am, Monday, June 2, 2008.

Comments

  1. Head Coach Michel Therrien

    Jun 2, 10:59 AM

    Well, dis is it.

    We must win.

    I want de fan to stand by der team.

    You will see de player give everting de ‘ave to give tonight in de Joe Louis arena.

    Der will be no shame in der performance, an’ I want de fan to be by der side just like dey were when we pee on de Senator, de Ranger, de Flyer. Dis is de same team as den.

    We are down but not out. De player know dis and embrace dis, de fan know dis but need to embrace dis. Embrace de pain, de hate of oktoopuss, grow stronger and den fight harder. Dis is what we will do.

    Enough of dis stoopid blasting of our own player. Enough of dis praising of Detroit as some kin’ of untouchable team.

    We must beat des bastards.

    We will must make dem feel de pain.

    Do not become soff an’ give up.

    Do not become soff an’ lose de fate in your team.

    Der is one game to play tonight.

    Join us,
    Michel

  2. Ashley Gallant

    Jun 2, 11:07 AM

    Toronto was the only team in NHL history to overcome a 3-1 deficit (against the Red Wings) in the Finals to win the Cup.

    That happened 66 years ago.

    I’m not saying it’s going to happen, but if you want to cling to any thread of hope, ‘66’ is a number that means something to this team.

    Go Pens

  3. Dabich

    Jun 2, 12:13 PM

    Ashley ~ That’s an interesting tidbit there. Hope? nah…we’re prolly out tonight…but ya know what? It’s ok. These guys have come a long way, and I’m proud of them. Don’t get me wrong, I’ll be watching and cheering them on. I just don’t think it’s their time.

    Michel ~ Would you like shrimp sauce with that octopus?

  4. Tom

    Jun 2, 01:11 PM

    DaBich, Octopus (Calamari) tastes better fried or with drawn butter. Actually neither squid nor octopus have much taste. It’s kind of like chewing gum after the taste is gone. It takes on the flavor of whatever else is cooked with it. Perhaps free candy.

    Keys to beating the Wings:

    1. Hit the Wings constantly and with great energy and impact (Orpik, Letang (if available), Laraque, Malone, Roberts, Gill — our high impact hitters);

    2. Improve our exit passing from the defensive zone (Gonchar, Goligoski, Letang, Whitney -our defensemen with good passing skills, hard accurate passes and vision to spot open forwards.

    3. Shoot on goal at least twice as many times >35 shots.

    4. Play from down low with Laraque, Talbot, Staal, Malone and Roberts. Keep the puck in the Wings’ end.

    5. Play a high tempo, fast game.

    6. Play the trap.

    Just once try this type of attack, their older players will tire and hurt. When this simple plan succeeds, repeat it.

  5. Ashley Gallant

    Jun 2, 01:52 PM

    Dabich – We sure have plenty to be proud about. This series may not go the way we all wanted it to go, but nobody should feel disappointed in our team.

    Tom – There’s only ONE key to beating the Wings:

    Play like Gary Roberts today.

    It’s my motto.

  6. Dabich

    Jun 2, 01:59 PM

    That says it all, Ashley. They’re OUR team :)

    Tom ~ Actually, I HAVE had calamari, I don’t care for it! lol

  7. Tom

    Jun 2, 02:18 PM

    Ashley, Perhaps play like Brooks Orpik on a mission.

  8. Ashley Gallant

    Jun 3, 12:16 AM

    Oh my Gary, what a game. MAF deserves an award for that performance. He played like Gary Roberts tonight. :)

  9. Dabich

    Jun 3, 04:43 AM

    They proved me wrong for this one, and I can’t say I mind LOL!

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