Media buzz centers around Marian Hossa on eve of Cup Finals
Shero/Crosby: “We’ve Moved On” Detroit — Both teams met the media Friday afternoon on the eve of the Stanley Cup finals and the media buzz centered around Red Wings star forward Marian Hossa who will face his old team in a rematch of the Stanley Cup Finals. Sidney Crosby on Marian Hossa signing with the Red Wings
Afternoon Buzz: Fedotenko returns to practice
Pittsburgh Penguins forward Ruslan Fedotenko returned to practice on Friday after missing Thursday’s practice with an illness. Fedotenko skated with Evgeni Malkin and Max Talbot while Pascal Dupuis was moved back to the 4th line. The rest of the lines were Kunitz – Crosby – Guerin Cooke – Staal – Kennedy Dupuis – Adams – Satan Sykora – Zigomanis – Godard *** Winning 6 of seven games when dressing seven defensemen, Penguins head coach Dan Bylsma is being
Clearing the front of the net an area of focus for the Penguins
Top to bottom the Detroit Red Wings may be the deepest team in the National Hockey League. Where the Red Wings exploited the Penguins last season was their ability to cause havoc in front of the net. Led by gritty winger Tomas Holmstrom, the Red Wings have a “front of the net presence” on their top three lines. Holmstrom caused the Penguins problems in the 08 playoffs and Pittsburgh will have their hands full with Holmstrom again this time around. While Holmstrom will look to establish his presence early in game 1, the Penguins primary concern is going to be tough rugged winger Johan Franzen. Franzen (19 pts) leads the Red Wings in playoff scoring and he is not nicknamed
For the Wings, health problems could be a factor against the Penguins
The Detroit Red Wings weren’t extended in the Western Conference finals, but they did encounter health problems that could be a factor against the Penguins in the next round. Center Pavel Datsyuk was sidelined in the final three games of the series, while defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom sat out the final two encourters. Lidstrom will play in the Stanley Cup Finals opener on Saturday night, but the status of Datsyuk and defenseman Jonathan Ericsson is uncertain at this time. Datsyuk and Lidstrom may be the two most important players on the Red Wings roster. Detroit is one of the deepest teams in the league, a fact that was apparent in the 2-1 overtime clincher against the Chicago Blackhawks on Wednesday night,
Guerin outproducing Hossa in the playoffs
The addition of Bill Guerin has ended up being Ray Shero’s “Hossa” trade of 2009. Ray Shero will always be remembered for striking a last minute deal with the Atlanta Thrashers to acquire Marian Hossa last winter. The addition of Hossa put the Penguins above the rest in the Eastern Conference as they steamrolled into the Stanley Cup Finals with a 12-2 record through the first three rounds. At age 38, Bill Guerin does not measure up to Hossa when it comes to skill vs skill. What Guerin brings to the table is intangiables on and off the ice and without him, the Penguins wouldn’t be in this situation. He has been that important to the team. When the Penguins
Earning a berth to the Cup Finals, a special moment for the organization
Earning a berth to the Stanley Cup Finals was emotional for the Penguins organization Tuesday night. The team has under-gone a lot of change since last year’s run to the finals, including a coaching change which sparked the Penguins dramatic turnaround in mid-February. It was a special night for the organization and there wasn’t a prouder person in the locker room following the game than owner Mario Lemieux. Lemieux has taking more of role in the day to day operations over the past year as the Penguins have evolved into a Stanley Cup Contender. Lemieux and Sidney Crosby share a close bond as Crosby has grown as a person and a player under Lemieux’s wing. The two shared a good
2009 Stanley Cup Finals: Pittsburgh vs Detroit
The Pittsburgh Penguins and the Detroit Red Wings will meet for a rematch in the Stanley Cup Finals. Game 1 @DET is Saturday (8:00 p.m.) and Game 2 @DET is Sunday night. Game 3 @PIT is Tuesday, June 2nd (8:00 p.m.), and Game 4 @PIT will be played on Thursday, June 4th (8:00 p.m.) Games 5-7 Game 5: Saturday, June 6th, @Detroit (8:00 p.m.) Game 6: Tuesday, June 9th, @Pittsburgh (8:00 p.m.) Game 7: Friday June 12th, @Detroit (8:00 p.m.)
Pittsburgh Penguins sign defenseman Robert Bortuzzo
The Pittsburgh Penguins have signed defenseman Robert Bortuzzo to a three-year entry-level contract through 2012. Bortuzzo, 20, appeared in 23 games during his third season with the Kitchener Rangers of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). He collected 17 points (one goal, 16 assists) along with 24 penalty minutes this season after missing the start of the season with a shoulder injury. The 6-4, 207 pound, blue-liner finished third among defenseman in scoring with 18 points (three goals, 15 assists) for the Rangers during the 2007-08 season. Bortuzzo played in 52 contests with Kitchener, helping the Rangers win the Hamilton Spectator Trophy for the best overall record in the OHL last season. He contributed eight assists in 18 playoff games for
Penguins advance to the Stanley Cup Finals; beat Canes 4-1
Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins are headed back to the Stanley Cup Finals for the second consecutive year. Ruslan Fedotenko and Max Talbot each scored first period goals and Bill Guerin scored at 12:10 of the second period as the Penguins jumped out to a 3-1 lead heading into the third period. Marc Andre Fleury made 30 saves and Craig Adams added an empty net goal as the Pittsburgh Penguins beat the Carolina Hurricanes 4-1 Tuesday night at the RBC Center to complete a sweep of the Carolina Hurricanes and earn a trip to the Stanley Cup Finals. Pittsburgh becomes the first team since the 1984 Edmonton Oilers to advance to the Stanley Cup Finals, the year after losing
Penguins not looking ahead as they look to close out the series tonight
Pittsburgh leads series, 3-0 The Carolina Hurricanes and Pittsburgh Penguins each went through their final preparations this morning for game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals. Pittsburgh was loose and looked like a team that is up 3-0 in a series. Based on what we’re hearing and the rotation of seven defensemen during the morning skate, Philippe Boucher will be in the lineup tonight and the Penguins will dress seven defensemen for the seventh consecutive game. Pittsburgh has won 5 of six games when dressing seven defensemen in the playoffs. If Pittsburgh wins tonight they will become the first team since the 1984 Edmonton Oilers to advance to the Stanley Cup Finals, the year after losing in the finals. Carolina