Can A November Win Be THAT Big?

Matt Bodenschatz | Pittsburgh Penguins

Nov 13, 12:21 PM | Hype this story!

Going into the game, it seemed like any other mid-November game.

Okay, so maybe it was a bit different. After all, the Pittsburgh Penguins were playing the team that defeated them in the Stanley Cup Finals just a few months ago. And it was that same team that snatched free agent Marian Hossa from their grasp soon after.

All of that should have been out of sight and out of mind, but it wasn’t. And who really can be blamed for thinking of those recently-healed wounds?

So, when the Penguins fell behind 5-3 and when Pierre McGuire of TSN said something to the effect of: “It looks like men against boys out there,” the wounds re-opened and the game took on a new importance.

That importance was not just realized by fans, but by players, as well.

With a three-goal third period and an overtime assist, Jordan Staal took charge and let his team to a stoic victory.

The intensity during the game seemed to rival that of a playoff game, and the feeling afterward certainly reminded of an important playoff win.

But Tuesday night’s amazing win happened just 14 games into the season for the Penguins.

So, with that being said, it’s time for you, the reader, to chime in for this week’s discussion topic of focus.

So here is what we know

  • The Red Wings are extremely upset about the loss — but they remain the Stanley Cup champions and Hossa still wears red and white.
  • The Penguins may be riding a high, but the playoffs are 67 games away.

And here are a few questions to think about…

  • Does Tuesday’s win take a bit of the sting away from the Stanley Cup loss?
  • Or, if you’re a Red Wings fan, does the loss make you rethink you’re team’s victory last spring?
  • How important was this game — to both teams?
  • Can a mid-November win really play a huge role in the grand scheme of things — and, conversely, can a mid-November loss do the same?
  • Who will win game two of their season series to be played in early January in Pittsburgh?
  • Was Tuesday’s game a preview of the 2008-09 Stanley Cup Finals?

So what do you think? Please vote in the following poll and then take a moment to post a comment with your thoughts on the topic.

Lastly, result from our previous poll

Should compensation be awarded to teams for players/prospects who can’t play due to injury, illness or death?

  • No to all: 72%
  • Yes, but for prospects only: 11%
  • Yes, but only for players/prospects who die: 5%
  • Yes, but only for players/prospects who suffer career-ending injury/illness: 5%
  • Yes, but only for current players: 4%
  • Yes to all: 2%
  • I don’t care: 1%

Full article

Comments

  1. TK Penguin

    Nov 13, 12:33 PM

    That was as big a mental win as there can be in November, but now we play a game tonight that’s more important in the long-run… a game against a division rival. The Detroit game has to be forgotten, especially by the fans that called this a “rematch”. We don’t get the Cup for winning it. The only rematch that can happen is if we meet them again in June. Great, exciting, unbelievable win… but it’s just 1 of 82.

  2. Ben Schmidt

    Nov 13, 12:38 PM

    I don’t think this game meant anything with regards to the last Stanley Cup Finals, but I do think it was important for this season.

    For the Pens, they showed they could battle some of the demons that plagued them from the Finals. They showed that even with the roster turnover, they could still play at the same level as the Red Wings. This was a measuring stick game, and the Penguins measured up. The players can derive a great deal of confidence from this game, and that can help propel them forward for the rest of the season, so long as they don’t get overconfident.

    For the Red Wings, the problem is that they’ve been losing their measuring stick games. Not just against the Penguins, but also against the Sharks, the Rangers and the Ducks. For the Red Wings, this game was likely to be a wakeup call. It’s a signal that it’s time to get past the hangover, and pick it up again.

    As for a preview? It’s hard to say. It certainly looks like the Sharks may have a bit of say in things out West this year. (For those who might be tempted to claim that the Sharks don’t show up for the playoffs, I’ll note that the team looks different this season. They have a new coach, and a new system, but they’ve adjusted to both rapidly, and they look as hungry as their namesakes. Don’t underestimate them). Plenty of people thought the Ducks would make it back last year, so I’m not going to try to predict who makes it out of the Conferences this year.

    That said, it’s a distinct possibility. If the Pens keep their level of play up, they’ll certainly have a good chance to make it back, at least.

  3. Ray

    Nov 13, 01:37 PM

    Something I took away from Tuesday’s game was this. How would the Finals series panned out with a healthy Malkin?

    For most of that game Gino was a presence on the ice unlike the Finals where he was invisible for multiple games. I think he was hurt by the Richards hit in the Flyers series as the only thing he really did was blow that awesome slapper past Biron right after it.

    Admittedly, the Pens did have a “deer in the headlights” look in the first 2 games, but after that they were regaining their legs and were very competitive with the Wings the rest of the way.

    Had Malkin been able to play at his normal level from Game 3 instead of 6, who knows what could have been.

    I think where Tuesday’s game is a positive for the Pens is in giving them the self-confidence to not quit on a game just because they’re behind on the scoreboard.

  4. TIM

    Nov 13, 02:57 PM

    I will say this Pens team looks/feels like a deeper team than last year. If one or two guys are slumping someone is there to pick up the slack. The “team” mentality which took them a few months to get into seems to have come about quickly this season. I think it’s a big win for this year, but they know it doesn’t make up for last year.

    One thing that has blown my mind this year, is how no lead is safe. Anyone have a theory on why that is?

  5. daismog

    Nov 13, 03:04 PM

    This was a big win for the Pens, but not because of the recent history between the two clubs.

    The Detroit Red Wings are universally considered to be one of the top teams in the NHL this season.

    Down 5-2, it should have been over.

    Down 6-4, the Pens should have packed it in.

    Up 7-6, the Pens stun the world.

    I don’t think the game is a “turning point” or a “seaon changer” as some people have coined it. I would call it a season DEFINING game, a statement to the rest of the league.

    This game was not about unfinished business from the 2007-2008 season. It’s about what this team can do in 2008-2009.

    But beyond even that, as a fan of the game of hockey, this was among the most enjoyable contests I have ever watched. If you need to convert someone to hockey, show them a tape of this game.

  6. Ben Schmidt

    Nov 13, 05:20 PM

    Tim –
    “One thing that has blown my mind this year, is how no lead is safe. Anyone have a theory on why that is?”

    I think it is a combination of several factors:
    1) The refs seem to be calling a little more like what they were right after the lockout, and less like they were during last season’s playoffs (i.e., more penalties).

    2) Power plays in general are more potent, with the new rule regarding faceoffs after a penalty seeming to play a big factor. To me, this was an example of a good rule change – a small change to the game that has a big impact.

    3) We’re now four years into the Salary Cap Era. A lot more talent has been spread throughout the League at this point, so there really is greater parity throughout. Every team has some truly excellent players now. While some teams are clearly better than others, the gap between the “haves” and the “have-nots” is smaller than ever.

    4) The last Stanley Cup Winner always gets copied. The trick here is that not every team has the talent or ability to pull of playing the way the Red Wings do. As a result, you’ve got a lot of teams trying to play more puck-possession rather than trap. This has two results: first, teams are at least slightly more offensive oriented than last season, and second, if they can’t pull it off, they turnover the puck and get more goals scored on them ;)

  7. Pens1967

    Nov 13, 10:59 PM

    No, not given the way the Pens absolutely quit playing hockey after they got up 3-0 against Philly tonight.

    It is really pathetic this team can’t put 60 minutes of hockey together in the same game.

  8. Matt Bodenschatz

    Nov 14, 12:04 AM

    Pens, something to think about:

    Is it more pathetic that they can’t play 60 minutes of hockey or impressive that, despite not being about to put together 60 minutes of hockey, they’re still the 5th best team in all of hockey?

    They can’t continue to win this way, but it’s hard to get too upset with they way they’re playing when they’ve won five straight and 10 of 16.

  9. DaBich

    Nov 14, 06:38 AM

    I wasn’t going to say it was important, until I look at how everyone pulls together to get out of the hole. This shows this team that they CAN do it, if they WANT to. The depth factor, the will to win, all make this game a vital point to look at now and down the road. It’s a game to give them confidence and determination when the going is tough. SO, yeah, it’s a vitally important game. Don’t forget also, we’re playing without two of our top d-men. I just hope this team reminds itself of what they CAN accomplish by remembering this win.

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