Any positives from a Penguins point of view?

Question

Unfortunately due to work I missed the game last night and I was just wondering if there was anything positive that Therrien can take with him to Game 2?

Answer 1

Thankfully it was only game one

Answer 2

only Positive is i guess they don't suck *THAT* bad... it could've been 8 - 0

Answer 3

Well, they kept Detroits top line off the score board until the last 12 seconds of the game, and I dont think they really cared enough to try to stop them at that point.  The Pens had their opportunities too but just werent able to capitalize.  Really though, I'm still shocked at how one sided the game was.  The Pens really didn't look better than any other team Detroit has faced to this point.  Therriens demeanor made him appear so depressed and embarrassed in the post game press conference that I'm surprised the NHL didn't put him on suicide watch.

In the end though, I guess the biggest positive is that it was just one game.  A lot has been said about the Pens not having to face adversity to this point.  Well, they're getting that chance now.  We'll see how they can bounce back on Monday.

Answer 4

Yes, they don't have to make room for the Stanley cup in their trophy cases. It's huge.

People are complaining about the Homlstrom Penalty because he wasn't restricing Fleury's movement, His stick was on the ice, but it wasn't stopping Fleury. If that was ANY other player, the penalty would not have been called.

Answer 5

its only game 1

Answer 6

Honestly, after last night's game, nothing really. The best thing they can do is try to learn from it, and then forget about it as soon as possible. After the Wings got through a penalty filled, but scoreless first, they took the game over and completely dominated the Pens. I almost felt bad for the Pens. (almost)

As you probably know, I'm a Wings fan, but I'm trying to be unbiased here. I fully expect Pitt to play much better next game. Unlike a lot of Wings fans on here, I'm not about to start crowing yet. Especially since crow does not taste very good.

Answer 7

Sure there are.

They kept the middle congested in their defensive zone, Datsyuk was handled decently well, and they got 12 or so shots on goal in the first.

Answer 8

no positives - it was two against one (refs/Pens against Wings) and the refs/Pens still lost.

Answer 9

yes three positives,

1)lol nobody got broken which easily coulda happend they were physically dominated last night

2)Datsyuk didnt score

3)Detroit didnt score 5 times lol?

Answer 10

no none at all 4-0 but hopefully that will change.

Answer 11

Frankly, I'd be really surprised if the Pens get swept in this series. They haven't played each other all season and for the most part the Red Wings are a playoff tested team as compared to Fluery, Crosby, and Malkin.

It was a closer game than the score would suggest. The game was 1-0 into the 3rd period and the second goal was when Samuelsson capitalized on a goalie mistake.

The Pens are finding their way right now. For me, the real test will be when the series switches to Pittsburgh and how the Pens respond if they are down 0-2 in games.

Answer 12

I shouldn't be, but honestly I am surprised at the number of Wings fans whining about the calls in the game.  Yes, the no-goal they called against Lidstrom because of Holmstrom's contact was kind of weak but they still won 4-0.  On Mikael Samuelsson's second goal he could have been called for interference yet none of them are griping about that non call.  

I don't know how many positives can be taken out of the game for the Pens.  They were outplayed, perhaps for the first time in this playoff.  It could be chalked up to them having an off night or rust but honestly, I think the Red Wings just showed how good of a team they really are.  Therrien needs to step back today and try to figure out a way to try and regain control of this series.  The Penguins are going to need to take their game to a different level in order to beat this team.  They have not faced a challenge like this in any of their previous 3 series.  Mikael Samuelsson looks like he was possessed by the spirit of RJ Umberger last night.  Is there something about spending time in Pittsburgh that automatically makes you a Penguin killer?  Something in the water maybe?

Answer 13

They played a strong first period.  They need to pepper Osgood.  He didn't make an really spectacular saves.  It was only one to 0 after forty minutes.  I congratulate detroit for what they did and I hope their fans can be classy joe.  We will see.

Answer 14

Well they know if they are on a power-play... they can get some SOGs!

Answer 15

I am not sure the one thing i am not liking if I was a pens fan is it appears Therrien hit the panick button in the second period.  Moving Malkin up to the first line with Hossa and Crosby on paper looks good, but it appears to me that he was rattled.  He was trying to do anything he could to spark one line and in my opinion Det is the best in the business at shuting down one line.  I dont see him starting game two with it, but never know. I think that they will be looking at all the turnovers.  If you turn it over in your own end your helping the other team.  I think he will be preaching two things,  keep your head up and make the smart pass.  I think the positive is that they are a young team and youth get over things quickly, if they dont it will be a quick series.

Answer 16

i dont understand how people are complaining about that goal. Holmstrom had his stick in Fleurys equipment restricting his movement. Im not a Pens fan, but lets be honest here, you gotta give the goalie a chance to make the save.

For positives the pens did out play them in the 1st period, but alot of that was due to powerplays, they need to capitalize on those chances. You can pretty much guarantee Roberts will be in the lineup for game 2. They need to get the puck down deep and work the boards on the wings, after the 1st period it was all wings. Pitts could only get 7 shots in the last 2 periods, thats no way to starts the Stanley Cup finals...

Answer 17

Though I am rooting for the Wings. I will say this for the Pens. Nerves hit on all levels for them . Coaching on down.  It really showed.They were playing tight. Fleury was rattled from the time he tripped out of the gate. It was only one game. They have more to come. They will calm down and get it together. It takes four to get the cup not one

Answer 18

uh...it was only game one....of the stanley cup finals?

Answer 19

Yes, the fact the refs are out to protect Crosby's chances at a Cup no matter how foolish they look.

The new Holmstrom Rule: if a red sweater with 96 is on the ice, call goalie interference every time the Wings score even if 96 is at the blue line and Fleury is out of the crease (he was last night).

Therrien has a lot of work to do. You should have seen the look on his face when Samuelsson undressed Ruutu then fooled Fleury. And Cleary's shorthanded goal had Therrien gazing skyward for a longer period of time.

The Pens were totally dominated in the last 45 minutes of play, completely confused and unable to get the puck. 3 shots in the third, right?

Answer 20

Well, they still have their health!!!!!!

Answer 21

Uh... well we got over 13,000 people to come to Mellon Arena and watch the game on the scoreboards, and raised a lot of money for cancer research.

That helps our karma, right?