Does Shifting Focus Mean Lacking Confidence?
Matt Bodenschatz | National Hockey League
Jun 3, 11:23 PM | Hype this story!
As we approach the conclusion of the off-day between Games Three and Four, the big story may be the Red Wings’ focus on officiating.
According to Darren Dreger of TSN, the Red Wings just won’t let go of the missed call for too many men on the ice from Game Three.
For those unfamiliar (is that possible?), the Penguins skated with six players on the ice for more than 20 seconds without receiving a bench minor.
Obviously, members of the Red Wings were infuriated over the non-call, and Dreger even mentioned that “there are suggestions Dennis LaRue, who was one of the two veteran referees on the ice, was allegedly yelling at the Penguins players to get off.”
I highly doubt that was the case, as this wasn’t the typical long change that gets called in front of the bench.
In fact, seeing as how those on the Red Wings’ bench didn’t even realize the situation until 15 seconds in, it’s entirely possible the officials missed it as well.
As Dreger said, “Detroit has had some issues with the officiating and this might just be a part of the sour grapes aspect.”
Interesting.
“I love it. I’m not sure how the East was really called all playoffs, but I think the way they’re calling things now should be a blueprint for how the regular season should go.”
Those are the words of veteran Red Wing Kirk Maltby after Game Two.
Apparently their tone has changed?
I look at it like this: the officiating has been horrible for both teams through three games. Had this incident led to a Penguin goal, issues would/should have arisen. But no goal was scored and no Red Wing goal was prevented, so already this non-call was less problematic than the two non-calls on Henrik Zetterberg for freezing the puck in the crease.
Neither team has any room to complain about officiating, as each game has brought a handful of non-calls on both sides. To put it simply, the officiating has been terrible. But at least it has been consistent.
But the bigger story behind this is that the Red Wings have begun the ever-popular assault on officiating.
So what, right?
Wrong.
The more the Red Wings focus on officiating, the less they focus on improving their game and beating the Penguins.
We saw it from the Penguins’ opponents last year in each of the first three rounds. Then we saw the Penguins utilize it against the Red Wings before losing in six. Now, this year, we’ve seen it quite a bit leading up to this round, and always from losing teams.
So, Detroit, keep worrying about officiating. You may have the series lead right now, but that could change, and your soapbox very well could play a large part in that.
Comments
DaBich
Jun 4, 06:36 AM
I hope you’re right Matt. They get too vocal, and I hope they keep it up, the officials will call more against them in retaliation.
We’ll see how it goes tonight! The Pens must keep THEIR focus and win this game.
Pens1967
Jun 4, 06:59 AM
Isn’t Detroit sending 7 skaters on the ice before face-offs so Babcock can get his preferred defensemen match up on the ice? Is that legal?
But, the bottom line is to watch what Detroit is doing. Babcock IS worried. That’s why he’s forcing Draper and his 17 total regular season points, minus rating and bad groin back into the lineup. That’s why Datsyuk will likely be playing on one leg. And why Lidstrom is out there even though he’s had to hold himself upright by grabbing on to the top of the net. I don’t care what the talking and writing heads say about Detroit’s depth, it’s clear Babcock has little to no faith in these “depth” players.
Zetterberg, Lidstrom and Rafalski are wearing themselves out trying to contain Crosby. Rafalski had to take yesterday’s practice off to rest up he was so beat.
The Wings are going to be in full desperation mode tonight because if they can’t deliver the knockout punch in game 4, they won’t win the series.
OTOH, Bylsma has been very good at keeping HIS focus on what team needs to do.
Moq
Jun 4, 07:07 AM
Detroit could be complaining about officiating for purely tactical reasons, ie. continual reminder of the crime committed against them. Perhaps hoping that it’ll get them a marginal call in the next game to keep things even. But as you mention, it’s not usually a tactic fostered by confidence in your own team.
I’m surprised that a team with a 2-1 series lead would waste any time diverting attention away from their preparation.
Ray aka WildcatRay
Jun 4, 09:40 AM
The Pens need to be more physical than the “wing dings”. Give them something else in addition to the officiating to worry about.
This is where a guy like Kunitz can be key. He has played many more games against the team in red and white. If he can lead the way with sound physical play and the rest of the guys like Orpik do likewise, the Pens have a chance of wearing the Wings down.
Matt Bodenschatz
Jun 4, 10:26 AM
@Dabich, as you said, the Penguins need to keep their focus and make sure they do everything within their power to win.
@Pens, you’re likely on to something. The Red Wings are older and significantly more beat up. The harder the Penguins play, the more physical the Penguins play, and the longer this series goes, the more likely the Wings are to wear down. The longer this series goes, the better the odds are for the Penguins.
@Moq, it is entirely possible that their complaining is purely tactical — but, as you said, they’re diverting their attention from the task at hand. Not good.
@Ray, last game was an example of how physical the Penguins (particularly those good at it — Orpik, Cooke, Kunitz, Adams, Letang, etc) need to play.
Needless to say, a win tonight is absolutely, 100 percent necessary if the Penguins are to win this series. As was said after Game Two, a team isn’t in trouble until it loses at home.
Commenting is closed for this article.