Stanley Cup Playoffs

[Don Wassall]

The Penguins-Capitals series has been even better than hockey fans had hoped so far, great intensity and action with tremendous offensive skills on display. Unfortunately, the Penguins lost the first two games in Washington, even though they had a slight edge in play. Ovechkin's powerful shot simply overwhelmed Marc-Andre Fleury tonight.It must be like trying to stopa bullet fired by a marksman. Both Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby had hat tricks in Game 2, only the fourth time players from both teams have done so in the playoffs.


The Penguins need to win Games 3 and 4 in Pittsburgh to have a chance. Otherwise the Caps are looking like a team of destiny in the Eastern Conference. Of course the Bruins will have something to say about that.

 

[Matra1]

The two poster boys for hockey come through with hat-tricks in the same game - an excellent game btw from start to finish - and yet at one of the hockey sights I visit one of the posters said it went unmentioned on ESPN until after 15 minutes of basketball coverage.

My history with the sport goes back to the early 80s with the great Islander team plus Gretzky's Oilers but without doubt Ovechkin is the most exciting player I've ever seen.

 

[Matra1]

In fairness to Michael Wilbon he writes about the game today.

 

[green fire317]

i just hope the nhl can market the ovechkin-crosby rivalry.

 

[Matra1]

Charles Barkley shocks the panel by saying Ovechkin is a better athlete than LeBron James:

Here

 

[Don Wassall]

That long pause was priceless!


I was watching the NHL on the Fly show on the NHL Network last night, and was annoyed to see that one of the two reporters, covering a sport that is 99+% white, was black, similar to the way the Golf Channel is overloaded with blacks even though quarter-black Tiger Woods is the only "black" to be found among the top one thousand or so male and female golfers.


This black turned out to be Kevin Weeks the goalie, and I was pleasantly surprised first of all that he is pretty well-spoken, and second that he praised the speed and athleticism of Malkin, Varlamov and other players when asked about them.


When blacks (whether as coaches or media personnel) are biased against white athletes they tend to be really biased, but the ones that aren't tend to be fairer than their white counterparts.

 

[ToughJ.Riggins]

Charles Barkley shocks the panel by saying Ovechkin is a better athlete than LeBron James:

Here

Ovechkin is freakishly agile-quick and powerful- you can certainly tell this- even though it's on skates from how quick he moves his skates and changes direction. I would say Lebron would outjump him and might be faster. We wouldn't know for sure though. Ovechkin is certainly a great all round athlete.

I agree about the fair black analysts being very fair (they know they won't be called "racists" for being fair). The biased blacks might be that way b/c they are actually racists. You often see the same with black coaches and management trying hard to be fair. Dungy vs. Lovie/Dennis Green or Fred Jackson or Nate McMillen (NBA) vs. Shaq Harris.

I'm very glad that the Penguins made it a series last night! Malkin is just as great as Crosby in his own way.

Edited by: ToughJ.Riggins

 

[Don Wassall]

<DIV =story_line _counted="undefined">Monday night Pens game most-watched hockey game in FSN history
<DIV =story_lastupdate>Tuesday, May 12, 2009
<DIV =story_byline>Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
<DIV =story_>
Monday night's telecast of the 2009 NHL Round Two Game 6 between the Washington Capitals and Pittsburgh Penguins registered a 24.2 average rating, according to Nielsen Media Research.
The telecast, viewed by more than 277,800 households in the Pittsburgh DMA, was the most-watched NHL game ever on FSN Pittsburgh and the highest rated NHL game for any FSN regional sports network.
The game was the most-watched program in the Pittsburgh market on Monday night, beating out such programs as ABC's Dancing with the Stars and CBS's CSI: Miami.
The previous record holder was Saturday's 4-3 overtime Penguins win in Game 5, which recorded a 21.4 average rating. FSN will televise Game 7 on Wednesday.
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09132/969580-100.stm

 

[green fire317]

glad to see this. i hate how for years all of the espn analysts would poke fun at hockey. But now that it is relevant and espn could possibly make some money off of it they start talking about it again.

 

[whiteCB]

&lt;DIV =story_line _counted="undefined"&gt;Monday night Pens game most-watched hockey game in FSN history</font></div>
&lt;DIV =story_lastupdate&gt;Tuesday, May 12, 2009</div>
&lt;DIV =story_byline&gt;Pittsburgh Post-Gazette</div>
&lt;DIV =story_&gt;
&lt;P _counted="undefined"&gt;Monday night's telecast of the 2009 NHL Round Two Game 6 between the Washington Capitals and Pittsburgh Penguins registered a 24.2 average rating, according to Nielsen Media Research.
&lt;P _counted="undefined"&gt;The telecast, viewed by more than 277,800 households in the Pittsburgh DMA, was the most-watched NHL game ever on FSN Pittsburgh and the highest rated NHL game for any FSN regional sports network.
&lt;P _counted="undefined"&gt;The game was the most-watched program in the Pittsburgh market on Monday night, beating out such programs as ABC's Dancing with the Stars and CBS's CSI: Miami.
&lt;P _counted="undefined"&gt;The previous record holder was Saturday's 4-3 overtime Penguins win in Game 5, which recorded a 21.4 average rating. FSN will televise Game 7 on Wednesday.
&lt;P _counted="undefined"&gt;http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09132/969580-100.stm</div>

Pittburgers (I think that's what u call them lol) may love their coal black Steelers but trust me they love their all white Penguins it seems just as much (when they're doing well). I was in the city during the Stanley Cup Finals last yr. vs. Detroit and the amount of fan support for the Pens was tremendous! GO PENS!!

 

[ToughJ.Riggins]

Great news on the fan support. Who do you guys think will win game 7, the Pens or Caps? This couldn't get any more dramatic (with all these great players this series too)!

 

[green fire317]

i dont really care who wins. i just hope it goes into overtime so that the nhl will get some great ratings.

 

[Don Wassall]

The Penguins win Game 7 in a cakewalk, which is the best kind when the team you're rooting for is the one winning, but tough to take when it's not. The Penguins' tenacious forecheck andmore talenteddefensemen were the difference in the series.

Two more Game 7s tomorrow. Will the defending champs survive the Mighty Ducks?

 

[jaxvid]

<div>Two more Game 7s tomorrow.  Will the defending champs survive the Mighty Ducks?</div>

God I hope so, the Wings have completely dominated play in the series, they're out shooting Anaheim 2-1 in shots on goal and they carry the play 90% of the time in the Ducks zone. It's very frustrating to watch your team pepper the other teams goalie with shots and then have the other team come down the ice once a period and score.

Hopefully they wrap it up at home like the Pens did.

 

[Blue Devils]

Hurricanes defeated the Bruins 3-2 in overtime to win the series.

 

[Don Wassall]

I'm glad the Red Wings won, but especially so because for some bizarre contractual reason Versus blacked out every game in the Las Vegas market featuring Anaheim, even the road games in Detroit.

Anaheim is 300 miles away.

The Caps-Penguins Game 7 broke more TV ratings records. Move over Detroit, Pittsburgh is becoming the new Hockey Town!


<DIV _counted="undefined" ="story_line">Ratings for penguins continue to soar on FSN
<DIV ="story_lastupdate">Friday, May 15, 2009
<DIV ="story_byline">By Ron Musselman, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
<DIV ="story_">
Pittsburgh could claim the title of Hockeytown.
The Penguins' 6-2 win Wednesday night against the Washington Capitals in Game 7 of their second-round NHL playoff series set another telecast record, registering a 24.97 average rating on FSN Pittsburgh, according to Nielsen Media Research.
The deciding game in the series was the most-watched NHL game on FSN, surpassing Game 6, which drew a 24.2 rating and Game 5, which had a 21.2.
"The record ratings are further affirmation that Pittsburgh is a very rich and deep hockey market," said Ted Black, senior vice president and general manager of FSN Pittsburgh.
Game 7 also was the highest-rated NHL game for any FSN regional sports network and peaked at a 31.4 rating (361,000 households) from 9:15-9:30 p.m.
As a comparison, the Penguins drew an average rating of 6.9 for the regular season -- which was a record. And for perspective, Mario Lemieux's comeback from retirement in 2000 drew a 15.9.
"The ratings numbers are staggering and unprecedented in our sport," said Tom McMillan, vice president of communications for the Penguins. "It shows you that Pittsburgh has become one of the prominent hockey towns in the United States. And it shows you how much our fan base has grown just in the past 3, 4 years."
The game was televised on other outlets throughout North America.
"It was a great series for us, but for the fans, too, and hockey in general," Penguins forward Max Talbot said. "Talking to family back home [in Quebec], friends, everybody's watching and everybody's so excited.
"While you're into it, I don't think we realize how big of a show we gave and how good it was from the outside."
FSN Pittsburgh will not carry any games in the next two rounds. The Eastern Conference final and Stanley Cup final will be broadcast by Versus or NBC.
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09135/970318-61.stmEdited by: Don Wassall

 

[jaxvid]

Glad Pittsburgh is showing interest in hockey. They might get lucky enough to receive another beat-down from the red Wings in the finals.

.

Too bad about Boston, I was kinda hoping for an "original six" Cup final, Det vs. Bos, but original 12, Det vs. Pitts. is good too.

Am sooo glad Anaheim was eliminated, not just cause Detroit's my team but what the heck is there a team in Anaheim for anyway???? I wanted Carolina out too.

 

[Realgeorge]

Where is RealGeorge???
I've liked his pro-Penguins posts over the last couple years.I've been absent myself for a while, every now and again will jump on. But with the playoffs here, had to post.

Don, why on earth would you remind me of the pain inflicted by the Pens coming back from not one, but TWO 3-1 deficits!

Seems like just yesterday the last time that happened. Man time flies. But the old Patrick division has had lots of playoff drama, so even when the Caps were down I wasn't counting them out. I was bummed but not ready to pack it in yet.
Go Caps!!!

Howdy cslewis1! Thanks for invoking my overdue posting

Indeed I had to gnash my teeth and endure yet ANOTHER Caps loss to Pittsburgh in game seven. But this time, for sure, the better team won, as the Penguins are a year ahead of the Caps in development from the post-Strike break. I look for Crosby & Co. to defeat Carolina and get a rematch with Detroit. The final may have a different result from last year.

Lots of reasons to rejoice for the NHL this year. First, the whole Pinko White-hating sports establishment painted the NHL as dead four years ago. Not only is the NHL not dead but thriving WAY past expectations. Our very own moderator predicted the NHL to become a secondary or minor sport, and that hasn't happened either. NHL on TV is doing well, and the whole league is prospering -- insofar as that is possible in the Bush-Clinton-Obamanoid nuclear depression that will sink Amerikwa.

Sports fans of all stripes are tuning into Versus and NBC to watch Crosby and Zetterberg and Kane and Toews (and I suppose somebody from Carolina). In fact, I believe that the NHL must thank its lucky stars that the OLN-Versus network has rescued the NHL from the evil Jewish grasp of ESPN. Pro Hockey has nowhere to go but BETTER and RICHER because the White-haters of ESPN are on the outside looking in. Good Riddance, ESPN manure-eaters!

And for all you Pittsburgh fans: The greatest roster move of all time was the Penguins getting rid of Georges Laraque. They've used that roster spot to bring in a HOCKEY player and not a trash-talking Bro' who would be better suited playing in the NBA. Thus the Pens have a zero-chump roster now, and they match up well with both Carolina and Detroit. Hurrah for Super Mario! Thank you for saving the Penguins!

And next year ... the Caps should be able to get some better defenders, muckers and grinders to support Ovechkin and his several slick-talent buds. A tweak here, a tweak there, and The Great Eight will get to skate with the Cup, finally!

 

[Jack Lambert]

I like my Penguins a lot more than those coal black stillers that have disappointed me with their direction they've been going.

Now, with Boston out, the Penguins have home Ice again, so I hope we can beat out the Hurricanes with a rematch with the 'Wings in the finals. I think the Penguins can win this year, if the Blackhawks can somehow beat the Red Wings, who just won today.

 

[jaxvid]

I like my Penguins a lot more than those coal black stillers that have disappointed me with their direction they've been going.

Now, with Boston out, the Penguins have home Ice again, so I hope we can beat out the Hurricanes with a rematch with the 'Wings in the finals. I think the Penguins can win this year, if the Blackhawks can somehow beat the Red Wings, who just won today.

I don't think the Pens match up well with the Wings, but a hot goaltender is what can really make the difference.

 

[green fire317]

dont forget if there is another pens-wings series, Hossa is going to be on the other side. Not to mention Chris Osgood has won the Stanley Cup before. i am picking the redwings to repeat i think they are more expierienced and a better hockey Team. Edited by: green fire317

 

[whiteCB]

The Red Wings to me are the New York Yankees of the NHL. I know they're going to repeat and win it all but I would love to see anyone of the other three teams win the Stanley Cup.

 

[Don Wassall]

The Penguins are deeper this year thanks to the trade deadline deals Ray Shero made, and have a much better forecheck and a better defense. Whether that's enough to get them over the hump against the Red Wings (assuming both teams make it to the finals) remains to be seen but I think they'll give them a better battle if they do get by a very good Carolina team. Detroit dominated last year's final even though it somehow stretched out to six games.

 

[Realgeorge]

Penguins were dominant last night, drilling Carolina and essentially winning the series. Malkin was superb with power moves and backhand scoring shots. Disciplined Pens under Dan Bylsma will be in great position to dispatch the RedWings and claim The Cup. Super Mario will be so pleased!

VERSUS coverage was excellent, with Joe Beninati providing outstanding play-by-play. Very satisfying that ESPN and its White-haters and NHL-haters are nowhere to be found. And as far as I can tell, only Byfulgein on the Blackhawks remains among Black NHLers in the playoffs. That's GOOD for hockey.

Even though I'm a die-hard Caps fan ... GO PENGUINS!

 

[Jack Lambert]

Go Penguins!! Well, I think it is safe to say that we are in the finals now.

I hope the Red Wings/ Blackhawks series is long, physical series, so that could give the Pens ther edge over whoever wins.