“Have a good summer”
May 13th, 2008 by BradYes, the Stars will be cleaning out their desks and signing year books later this week. Summer time is here again.
A statistical analysis of game 3 would reveal little that we don’t already know. You may as well examine stats from the regular season, because this was a foregone conclusion. The Red Wings allowed the fewest goals this season in the league. Number 1 in goals against. Goals for? They were only 5 goals short of league leading Montreal. They essentially have the best defense AND the best offense in the league, and that’s what it looks like out there. What are we supposed to do against that?
The Stars had a spirited first 8 minutes or so, and Osgood finally played his first hockey of the series last night. They couldn’t get the lead, and then the inevitable counter-punch was a real doozy. Then the Stars score, and immediately the Red Wings say “Oh yeah? Watch this!”
By the end of the game the Stars looked worn out and just confused. The Wings wear you out mentally and physically by playing their game of keep away. The team without the puck is the one working harder with their legs. It’s as disheartening to them as it is exhausting. The Red Wings are a machine. Give credit to their management for putting that roster together. I’m sure they knew those 6th and 7th round picks would turn into guys like Datsyuk right? Suuure they did.
But more than that, last night it looked like the young (and old) Dallas defense caught up to them. Zubov does not look healthy to me. His legs aren’t moving to match his brain. Could be age, could be the injuries, I don’t know. Niskanen made enough mistakes last night to warrant taking off a shoe to count them. I love the kid, he had a great first year, but he needs a little time. He’ll be ok. Grossman played well, his time last year helped him. Norstrum is too slow to play the Wings. Fistric…I’d rather see him in game 4 than Nisky, but what’s the difference at this point?
Detroit does all of the little things right. Face offs, getting pucks out of the zone (Everyone wave to Jere and Stu up in the press box) you name it, they do it better than the Stars. The thing that stands out the most between the teams, to me, is Detroit’s propensity to already know what to do with a puck before they have possession of it. Dallas passes the puck, accepts the pass, picks up their head to look around and see what’s going on…wasting time. Detroit is always pushing it up ice, or immediately relaying the puck to a better place; Decision making, in short. They’re just perfect right now.
I hope the league enjoys their dream matchup of Penguins/Red Wings. 100% of their broadcasts featuring Sydney is what they want anyway.
Thursday, I will give a blow by blow account of hand-shakes, proper hand shaking technique and etiquette, and YouTube links to outstanding handshakes, handshake out-takes, and the hand-shakes mom doesn’t want you to see. Stay Tuned!
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2 Responses to ““Have a good summer””
By StarsRule on May 13, 2008
Well, I can’t say that I disagree that this will be it for my boys this year but next year they will be out with a vengence. What I can’t wait for is to see the Pens chew up and spit out the Dead Wings.
I must say though that the Stars ran right through two very tough teams before this round so they don’t have any reason to hang their heads. With as many of our key players out for so long I think the boys did right well. If you want to look at whose on the golf coarse already you can start right at the top with the Ducks and the Sharks. Way to go Stars!!!!!!!!
By flacolaco on May 13, 2008
We have nothing to be ashamed of.
The bar was lowered so far that I definitely felt very sports-emotional when we beat the Ducks. I didn’t think we’d get out of the first round.