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About last night ...
posted by Mike Boone at 8h49 EST on Jun 5
December 4 at the Bell Centre. A rare visit by the Detroit Red Wings
– and a memorable one, because the Stanley Cup champions-to-be
absolutely schooled your Montreal Canadiens.
The final score was
4-1, but the game wasn't that close. Playing the smart possession game
that they rode through the playoffs, the Wings had the puck all night –
which meant the Canadiens didn't.
Detroit had 34 shots on goal.
Canadiens blocked 15, and the Wings shot wide 16 times for a total of
65 pucks flying toward Carey Price.
Canadiens totals: a pathetic
16 shots in their own building, with another nine blocked and nine
wide. Total: 34. Dominic Hasek could have brought something to read.
Canadiens outhit the Red Wings 26-12. But even without Kris Draper, Detroit had a 27-18 advantage in faceoffs.
Game 6 of the Stanely Cup finals: Detroit has 30 shots on goal. The Penguins block 14 and 22 are wide for a total of 66.
Pittsburgh, on home ice, is held to 17 shots until the dying minutes of the game and ends up with 22. Detroit blocks seven and nine are wide for a total of 38.
Pittsburgh outhits Detroit 37-28. As was the case in every game of the final, the Wings dominates faceoffs 35-23. Draper goes an unreal 15-3 (including two wins in the dying seconds) and Sidney Crosby is 9-16.
So what have we learned?
Nothing Habs fans didn't know in early December. When Detroit is firing on all cylinders – as they were at the Bell Centre and in Pittsburgh last night – they can make a good team like the Canadiens or a very good team like the Penguins look bad.
And Detroit is going to be great for a good long while.
They will re-sign Henrik Zetterberg long-term. They may add Mats Sundin. They'll either sign Brad Stuart or find another big-body, top-four defenceman. They will note that Chris Osgood was not great in Game 5 or Game 6 and they will shore up their goaltending, possibly through trade, free agent signing (Jaroslav Halak?) or waiting for Ryan Miller, a Michigan native, to become a UFA next summer.
If you watched CBC coverage to the bitter end, you saw a lot of fuzzy-cheeked youngsters interviewed in the Detroit room. Darren Helm, who skates like the wind, is 21 years old. Jonathan Ericsson, a 6-foot-5 defenceman from Stockholm, is 23. Jiri Hudler and Valterri Filppula are 23.
As you read this blog, Hakan Andersson is finalizing his pre-draft recommendations on who will be the Wings' next Zetterberg, Pavel Datsyuk, Filppula ...
Something else that struck me during the post-game show: Nicklas
Lidstrom, Niklas Kronwall, Brian Rafalski ... these guys are very
articulate. No clichés, no endless "you know"s.
Hockey, the way Detroit plays it, is a game for smart athletes.
Break it gently to Don Cherry.
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Will Detroit be for hochey what Bach, Beethoven, van Gogh and Cezanne were in their respective fields ? Will they fathered new realities and shape new movements in hochey the way those passionate visionnaries did in their art ?
Is Detroitisme the next wave in professionel hochey ?
What is Detroitisme ? it is Art and Science isn't it ?.... or as once said Beethoven about the best musiciens and performers being the one who possessed '' both the discipline of a soldier and the soul of a Gypsy ''.... this would apply to Datsuk and Zetterberg to a T but Detroitnisme wouldn't exist if it wasn't for the one man sitting at the top of it all ... Ken Holland ... his passion, his vision, his intelligence and ressourfullness has created Detroitisme as the new wave to follow in modern hochey.
Ken Holland's teams have won 4 cups in 11 year's time and this last one being their first in the newNHL seems to suggest strongly that it wont be their last ... this is what Detroitisme is all about... excellence and sustainability.
The Wings of this season were a mature end product of Holland's mind and the results were magics with no obvious difference beetwen defence and offence ... rigor and harmony ... disciplined and soul ... wholly ... relentless ... beautifull.
BN - Wow, they must have some great weed down there in Montreal:-) Great post - love the time, effort, and imagination that went into it. I also agree with your point. Have a great weekend.
The Original 24 Cups
Mike Ilitch chartered two jets for the Wings players' families.
Is that permitted under the CBA?
Didn't Montreal's planned family trip to Florida this past Christmas get kiboshed by the league office?
Is there two sets of rules in the NHL? I want to know if those chartered jets will be included as part of the Red Wings player perks and bonuses under the salary cap?
If Montreal can't pay for an extra trip for the players' families, then there is no way that the Red Wings should be allowed to get away with that without it being included on the cap.
Depends how you structure it. One way it is League business. Another way it is no ones business.
Funny isn't it. The Habs go corporate. Grundman becomes GM of the Habs. Bowman moves along. But the old Habs concept lives in Detroit.
Looks good on them.
Well, the only thing we can say for sure about what will happen in the future of the NHL is that we can't predict it. About this time last year, everyone was raving about the great Anaheim Ducks; how they were tougher and faster and more dominant than any other team, and how the great Brian Burke would have them contending for years. At the same time, our pitiful Habs were out of the playoffs before they began, and we were talking about a likely miss again this season, especially if they lost the mighty Souray on the PP. The great Red Wings...Western Conference champs, and strikingly similar to the team that won last night...lost to the Ducks, after a first-round upset to the Oilers the year before. The Ottawa Senators were a powerhouse and looked to be the only team in the east with a chance of challenging an increasingly fearsome Penguins squad.
A year later, here we are with Detroit as the champs, Anaheim a first-round casualty and the Canadiens making it to the second round of a playoff they weren't supposed to make, after winning the Eastern Conference. The Sens...well, what can I say? So, to say that Detroit will be dominant for years, and the Pens will be back better than ever...well, those look to be sound predictions today, but you can be guaranteed many, many things can change between now and the last game next year.
Remember back in 1986? The Habs were young and victorious. They had future hall of famer Roy in net, the exciting Stephane Richer and ultimate playoff warrior Claude Lemieux. They had strong D, a great checking line and the veteran influence of Gainey and Robinson. Everyone thought that Cup would be the first of potentially more for that group as they matured. But, as we know, aside from an appearance in the '89 finals, they never won again. Looking at Pittsburgh's cap situation, it's tough to say they'll be the same, or a better, team next season. Maybe they will. Perhaps they'll lose Hossa and Orpik and Malone and have to fill those spots with lesser players. Perhaps Malkin *is* disliked in the room, yet they're bound to pay him the league max to keep him. We know from experience that internal discord can kill a team as well as poor goaltending can.
So, I think I'll hold off on making any predictions. I'll just focus on what Bob Gainey is doing to make *our* team better, and that starts with the draft and free agency in a few weeks. Who knows? Maybe old Mats will be sipping from the Cup this time next year, with a big old number 13 on the back of his Canadiens' sweater. At this point, who'd put money on THAT prediction?
http://habsloyalist.blogspot.com
Funny the discontent issue comes up. Yesterday, after the ever entertaining game of shinny, we were talking how in the pittsburg locker room they can't stand Malkin. Not sure where it originally came from, but after watching some of Malkin's playing during last 2 series I can see how this can be true.
Unlike many, I think this was the best pittsburg could do for a long time and it will be downhill for them from here. With most of their salary tied up in a few players (should they decide to keep them) it doesn't leave much room for good support cast.
For me personally, as good as Zetteberg and Datsyuk are, I never had an impression that Wings had star players on one side and the rest on the other. The entire team looks so unbelievably good and balanced.
Excellent point Timo. When I watched this series, I kep remarking that I couldn't tell which line was Detroit's "#1" and which was "4". Everybody was in synch with the style of game they were playing that it didn't really matter who was on the ice. That was truly a team game they played; their coaches did some excellent coaching. Every single player did the best they had, with what skills they had, every single time they were on the ice...impressive.
hey, maybe Guy Lafleur shouldn've said Detroit has four 4th lines? in that case he might be right because they're all damn good and they won yet another cup (what's that? 4 cups in the last 11 years?)! Hmmm....
you might be right. i would guess that giving up that kind of talent at the deadline for a UFA like hossa indicates that shero and the owners felt that this was the year to go for it. Hossa will demand big bucks, and it looks like they will lose some other players to free agency and re-signing Malkin next year looks next to impossible to me. they went for it and missed.
Timo & Wencz - I think everyone has to remember that Malkin is only a second year player - not only to the NHL but to North America. He carried the Pens on his back when Crosby and Fleury were hurt. As for not signing him, I can't believe that the Pens would let that happen. If so, I sure hope the Habs are first in line to grab him.
The Original 24 Cups
Not that I am trying to bring any storm over my head or anything, but I can't see how bringing Malkin over will work out. What I am saying is that our coach doesn't strike me as the best candidate in the area of players' development. Maybe more veteran leadership in the dressing room (Crosby doesn't count as a veteran) will be more helpful to Malkin, thus I bet if he is indeed made available this summer, Detroit will be first in line to grab him. Anyway... talent in itself doesn't count for much. Even talent + desire and grit individually doesn't count for much. As showcased by the Wings it's all about the Team play.
SKostitsyn`
AKostitsyn
Plekanec
Higgins
Komisarek
Gorges
Lapierre
ALL played their best with Carbo as their coach.
Such a horrible coach regarding player development. Get rid of him ASAP!
DITTO, my friend
Didn't the Wings beat us 5-1?
Didn't the better teams out West all beat the Habs?
Now that the season is officially over and I'm sipping my second coffee i have decided to change and have a positive attitude so here goes 1) I'm positively sure i won't miss Bob Cole's broadcasting for awhile and will not go into Cole with drawl. 2) I'm positively sure i won't miss the Bud Light commercials 3) I'm positively sure i won't miss Greg Millen redundant commentary (how did he ever get that job). 4) I'm positively sure that i have seen Mike Therrien before and it finally hit me as he was an undertaker in one of my dreams. 5) I'm positively sure that Don Cherry is going downhill at a fast rate and i was a Grape's backer. 6) I'm positively sure I'll miss Boone's game blogs and can't wait for the coming season , have a good time at your party Saturday Mike and have one for me , enjoy.
Thanks for the kind words. And stay tuned for entry draft and free agent blogging. Training camp will open before we know it.
NM49 - 'Bud Light commericals' - thanks for reminding me, I've been meaning to comment on those since the playoffs started. They have to be the lamest beer ads in the entire world. You would think that a few guys could sit back and drink a 24 and come up with something funnier than those pitiful ads. Makes a man want to go on the wagon.
The Original 24 Cups
24 - We think alike on that one and pitiful isn't a strong enough word.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHA
- jeesh
I'm half-tempted to head to Detroit tomorrow for the parade.
Red Wings --- what a team. Hats off to them, they were far and away the best team in the NHL and deserving of last night. I'm real happy for all the first timers, especially Babcock. I've always liked the way he handles himself and I think the way his team plays is a reflection of how good of a coach he must be. I liked what Scotty Bowman said when he was asked by Scott Oak what advice he had passed on to Babcock --- be accountable.
It must be easy being a Detroit fan; no ups and downs, just skill, hustle, grit and glory. Hope we can get there some day soon, but I'm not holding my breath for next year. But then again, maybe we don't have to be as good as that team that hoisted the Cup last night. In fact, this Detroit team is probably the best team I've ever seen (I'm only 31). Only those 80's Oilers, which were better in some areas (up front) and weaker in others (blueline), compare IMO. And unless we have to beat them in the Finals, maybe we can win it soon. But still, I think our players need to grow some more together and I think we're missing some important pieces. However, I am happy that we have the most important piece in place (IMO), a blue chip keeper.
I also just wanted to say that despite some things that I've posted over the season, and in the face of all of the Cole-bashing, I was glad to hear his voice while watching the Finals. I know he mixes up a lot of names and facts and he isn't as sharp at following the play as he used to be. Nevertheless, I still think he has the best voice in the game and always seems to evoke a certain sense of nostalgia in me. After all, you can't blame the man for simply messing up, so I've got nothing against him. No doubt Hughson will soon take over and do a great job, and hopefully Craig Simpson will be shotgun -- that guy is a talent with the mic.
Reading the Steve Simmons link.. Shero BETTER resign Roberts,. or somethinK like that. He does leap tall buildings with a single bound ya know. Why, he even lookaed up at the clock before the end of the game Monday.
Wow
One thing for sure, the Red Wings organization from the ground up is the polar opposite of the Maple Leafs. Wings should run a summer school session in Toronto.
Chris Osgood seemed to have a decent grasp of the English language. I wonder how many times the word "unbelievable" was used last night. The best team won. How boring. Regrettably the Pens will be back and be better. However "Mike" Therrian will no doubt be employed in another capacity. He is always a caretaker coach for a reason. In the postgame Crosby was busy apologizing for Malkin's lack of interest. Shero has a busy summer. Lets hope he cannot afford Mr.Hossa.
Controversial sports writer Steve Simmons is stirring it up a bit after the Pens loss in the finals http://www.torontosun.com/Sports/Columnists/Simmons_Steve/2008/06/05/577...
Awww, geez nightmare...looks like Toronto may have acted a little too soon in offering Wilson a coach's contract. They could have had Therrien!!! A Stanley Cup bridesmaid. A perfect fit for the laffs.
I never thought of that but it sounds good , Mike's laffs. Mike Therrien i like to introduce you to Donald S.Cherry our biggest booster, too much.
Check out the sunshine girl!
Wow! And Simmons wouldn't write about player discontent if it weren't true. So maybe "Mike" is out of there.