Penguins/NHL
For most players, tomorrow night is going to be a dream come true playing in a game 7 in the Stanley Cup Final.
“All the street hockey I’ve played, you’re saying that it’s Stanley Cup final, Game 7, Penguins forward Max Talbot said.” It’s every kid’s dream to be part of that game. We’re going to have the chance to be out there and play that game for real.”
As the Penguins have just arrived in Detroit, Sidney Crosby is going to be at the center of attention leading up to game 7.
Crosby has been held pointless for the past two games and only has 3 points in the series.
With the series shifting back to Detroit, Crosby has his toughest task ahead of him, trying to get the best of Henrik Zetterberg, Friday night.
Thus far Crosby hasn’t had much success in Detroit, although the chances have been there for him and he isn’t getting much help from his linemates..
Zetterberg-Crosby Matchup At Joe Louis Arena
Henrik Zetterberg – 3GP: 1 goal – 2 assists – 3 points – +3
Sidney Crosby – 3GP: 0 goals – 0 assists – 0 points – -3
Tuesday night was the first time the Penguins won a playoff game when Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby were both held pointless.
The Penguins role players came up big in Game 6 but Game 7 is going to be about Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby. If Crosby and Malkin are held pointless again, Detroit will be repeating as Champions.
As good as Jordan Staal was Tuesday night, he comes and goes during the course of a playoff series and Pittsburgh can’t rely on its role players.
Another thing to watch will be Sidney Crosby’s ice time. Crosby played under 19 minutes in game 6 and his ice time should be in the 23-25 minute range for game 7.
If the Penguins lose and Crosby plays under 20 minutes like he has much of the series, fingers will be pointed at head coach Dan Bylsma.
Inside The Numbers
There have been 14 Game 7’s in the history of the Stanley Cup Finals.
In 12 of the 14 games, the home team has come out on top as only two road teams have won a Game 7.
In 1945 the Toronto Maple Leafs beat the Detroit Red Wings on the road in game 7 and the last team to win on the road in a Cup clinching Game 7 was the 1971 Montreal Canadiens.
Stanley Cup Finals Game 7’s Since 1971
1971 Chicago (H) vs Montreal (A) – Winner Montreal
1987 Edmonton (H) vs Philadelphia (A) – Winner Edmonton
1994 New York (H) vs Vancouver (A) – Winner New York
2001 Colorado (H) vs New Jersey (A) – Winner Colorado
2003 New Jersey (H) vs Anaheim (A) – Winner New Jersey
2004 Tampa Bay (H) vs Calgary (A) – Winner Tampa Bay
2006 Carolina (H) vs Edmonton (A) – Winner Carolina
* Detroit is 11-1 at home in the 2009 playoffs.
With the Finals ending on June 12, Penguins GM Ray Shero begins his preparations for free agency.
First Thing Saturday morning we will be launching our Penguins Free Agents Chart with the latest updates and the Inside Scoop on all impending free agents.
The Chart will be available to all Inside Access Members of the Site
