Re: GAME DAY: SCP '09, THURSDAY JUNE 4, STANLEY CUP FINAL--DETROIT AT PITTSBURGH, 800 PM ET

by **Cap'n Clutch** on Thu Jun 04, 2009 12:44 pm

BTW I added a Poll to the thread so vote for the winner of game 4 tonight. Lets see how well GM Members can predict the game.

by **wprager** on Thu Jun 04, 2009 12:52 pm

Cap'n Clutch wrote:Maybe it's the brews that are allowing him to come back early? cool)

Actually he may not play:

Forward Pavel Datsyuk
skated with the Red Wings' "Black Aces" (Detroit's healthy scratches)
on Thursday leading to speculation that the Hart Trophy candidate will
miss his seventh straight game.

The Russian superstar took a full practice Wednesday and looked
strong, however it appears as though the Wings have decided to err on
the side of caution and keep the sleek skating sniper on the sidelines.

This will likely be a blow to the 30-year old Datsyuk who has been
champing at the bit to see action in the finals. Following practice
Wednesday he stated that he was willing to play anywhere.

"Wing, centre, defenceman, I want to play so bad. I don't want to
watch this game again," Datsyuk joked. "The game is 60 minutes. I hope
I play 60 minutes."

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=280863

by **wprager** on Thu Jun 04, 2009 12:56 pm

From the Detroit Free Press online:

by **wprager** on Thu Jun 04, 2009 1:07 pm

Over on the Pittsburgh Post Gazette website, you wouldn't even know that the Penguins are in the Finals. Even when you click through to the Sports page, this is the order of the top stories:

1. Some PIAA baseball games postponed

2. Roethlisberger practices this morning, seems OK

3. Pirates deal McLouth in stunning trade

4. Final at same stage, but Penguins see difference

by shabbs on Thu Jun 04, 2009 1:20 pm

Datsyuk status still undertain...

http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/2009/06/04/datsyuk_gam4_status/

He'll take the pre-game skate and then see. I'm guessing he won't be in the line-up.

by swales on Thu Jun 04, 2009 1:23 pm

Still holding my breath. He can single-handedly change the pace of the game. Not the outcome, but the pace.

Pretty brutal that the Pitt Paper lists them at for in sports headlines. Football doesn't even start until Sept and they have big Ben before the Pens.

by **wprager** on Thu Jun 04, 2009 1:31 pm

swales wrote:Still holding my breath. He can single-handedly change the pace of the game. Not the outcome, but the pace.

Pretty brutal that the Pitt Paper lists them at for in sports headlines. Football doesn't even start until Sept and they have big Ben before the Pens.

Yeah, compare that to the Sports page of *any* city's paper in Canada.

by shabbs on Thu Jun 04, 2009 1:37 pm

Datsyuk will certainly help the Wings' PK. If he's out... I think the Pens take this one tonight.

If he's in... all bets are off... but you can bet MAF will take a swipe at his foot to see how it holds up... I know I would.

by **wprager** on Thu Jun 04, 2009 1:39 pm

shabbs wrote:Datsyuk will certainly help the Wings' PK. If he's out... I think the Pens take this one tonight.

If he's in... all bets are off... but you can bet MAF will take a swipe at his foot to see how it holds up... I know I would.

But Draper is in and he's their best faceoff man. Plus wings will tighten up that PK. 19 goals in 19 games, that's pretty pathetic. Draper taking draws on the PK *will* help.

by **SpezDispenser** on Thu Jun 04, 2009 1:43 pm

wprager wrote:Over on the Pittsburgh Post Gazette website, you wouldn't even know that the Penguins are in the Finals. Even when you click through to the Sports page, this is the order of the top stories:

1. Some PIAA baseball games postponed

2. Roethlisberger practices this morning, seems OK

3. Pirates deal McLouth in stunning trade

4. Final at same stage, but Penguins see difference

Diddling Pirates trade away McLouth....for what? Why? Good for them. Facepalm

by shabbs on Thu Jun 04, 2009 1:44 pm

wprager wrote:
shabbs wrote:Datsyuk will certainly help the Wings' PK. If he's out... I think the Pens take this one tonight.

If he's in... all bets are off... but you can bet MAF will take a swipe at his foot to see how it holds up... I know I would.

But Draper is in and he's their best faceoff man. Plus wings will tighten up that PK. 19 goals in 19 games, that's pretty pathetic. Draper taking draws on the PK *will* help.

True... true.

by **wprager** on Thu Jun 04, 2009 2:13 pm

Ice Chips mentions that Pittsburgh has only given up on PP goal in six games. I think it's time for the Detroit PP to show what they can do, and also for their PK to do what they should have been doing all along. I guess not having Draper and Datsyuk in the lineup is hurting their PK, but still.

And if the refs reviewed video of the last game, I think we might see some calls going Detroit's way this time around.

by swales on Thu Jun 04, 2009 2:52 pm

wprager wrote:Ice Chips mentions that Pittsburgh has only given up on PP goal in six games. I think it's time for the Detroit PP to show what they can do, and also for their PK to do what they should have been doing all along. I guess not having Draper and Datsyuk in the lineup is hurting their PK, but still.

And if the refs reviewed video of the last game, I think we might see some calls going Detroit's way this time around.

Draper is really missed on the PK and in the face-off department. He brings not only a veteran presence, but a speedy set of legs that never want to quit. It also helps that he is very well rested. Not a bad pick-up for a dollar and a bag of pucks. Smile

I hope that is not the case (calls going to Detroit), and I am a Wings fan. I do not like seeing so-so calls made to make up for previous mistakes. I would love to see the game called as it was in the first 2 games, let them play. It is better hockey to watch and more exciting for even the most inept fan. Looking forward to another excellent hockey game. Go Wings Go! FingersCrossed

by **Cap'n Clutch** on Thu Jun 04, 2009 2:55 pm

Looks like the GM Hockey followers are thinking it'll be a Penguins win tonight. vote is 5 to 2 so far. Just for info the CBSSports widget vote is a dead even vote of 7 each.

by **SpezDispenser** on Thu Jun 04, 2009 3:10 pm

I'll say Pittsburgh because they know what's at stake if they lose. Mind you, Detroit knows that they don't want to go back to the Joe 2-2, so it's gonna be a heck of a tilt.

Plus, Crosby's really been playing some great hockey - even if he isn't hitting the scoresheet. Kunitz couldn't hit the broad side of a barn - that's not helping, but I think Crosby could start to actually get rewarded for his effort soon.

Ericsson is an amazing hockey player for the Wings though. Wow.

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Game 4 winner