Detroit plays blanket defense

May 26 2008 Pittsburgh@Detroit (Gm 2)

Detroit got two goals early from Brad Stewart and Thomas Holmstrom, and then played their puck possession game. Then Filppula got the 3rd, due mainly to poor defensive positioning and that was pretty much the game. One thing about the wings is they never beat themselves with poor positioning or bad turnovers.

Kris Draper and Henrik Zetterberg are rated one and two in playoff winning percentage on face-offs and are frustrating the Penguins because they are usually starting with the puck. Pittsburgh is frustrated due to the fact that they usually have the puck and Detroit is not letting them have it. When the Wings do give up the puck they are plugging up the neutral zone, 4 across and making it difficult for the Penguins to generate any speed with their forwards through the neutral zone. The young pens have to adjust and play as patient a game as Detroit does. Fight through the neutral zone and dump the puck deep, then pressure the Wings defense and get it back. It is not the way they usually play but Detroit is not going to let them play their normal game.
Evgeni Malkin has to quit playing like a shadow, and needs to step up and give Crosby some support. Crosby must be thinking he is playing in a phone booth because Detroit is giving him no time or space. That being said Sid the Kid still needs to get more ice time. The rest of the Penguins have to be better at puck support. Take a page out of the Red Wings book, watch closely and you will see that Detroit is playing a great team game. They are always around the puck and can dish it off to each other on a short outlet pass. They use a pack mentality around the puck. Support from team mates is a given, not something to hope for.
So far the Penguins have had no pressure on the Detroit “D”, no crease presents to get a second chance at an Osgood rebound, and if it keeps up, no hope of winning. You heard me speak previously bout the “dirty areas” of the ice, well that is where the pens have to go it they even want a chance at winning a game. Gary Roberts was the only Pen making life difficult for the Red Wings, just ask Johan Franzen LOL. No goals for the Penguins in two games should make them adjust, if not the series will be over quick.
There was some ruff stuff at the end of the game last night, which is a positive for the Penguin’s; they have to start to hate the Red Wings. Roberts will see to that

Sincerely Walt Webb
http://allsportsontheweb.com