With a Stanley Cup Playoff that is looking more and more like a repeat of last year, what is happening to the interest and the viewership of the Stanley Cup playoff games?
According to some experts, the casual fan may see the teams and the results so far as being virtually the same. However, those die hard hockey lovers see some differences in the teams and the situation that may lead to different results to this Stanley Cup playoff.
The Penguin’s Sid Crosby has become a scoring machine in the postseason. He has 14 goals in 17 games, and leads any scorer in the 2009 playoffs, a distinct change from last year’s performance.
He’s put out some pretty incredible effort to earn these goals, too. They haven’t been just rebounds in the crease. A couple he pulled out of the air and batted them into the net, and he’s found new ways to get to the net, not just he standard lanes.
With the Red Wings, looking to Marian Hossa was a nice addition to the team that didn’t really lose any of their top name players. This addition, besides weakening Pittsburg, also opened things up for Detroit. They could split Zetterberg and Datsyuk, and play Valtteri Filppula, a player that would be a #2 center on most other teams, down to the #3 center spot. Talking about depth – as usually, Detriot has it.
The Penguin’s team, has also changed in the look of the defense. Because of injuries and adjustments, the Penguins now frequently play one forward down and seven defensemen. This lineup means their top two offense players, Malkin and Crosby, are often on with the fourth line wingers.
With the help of the beefed up defense, this has meant increased scoring and additional threats from lines that in the past might have been overlooked. It strengthens the team down the middle, freeing the wings on both offense and defense to take advantage of opportunities opened up by their strong center. It’s made a difference in the Stanley Cup playoffs so far this year, will it continue?
The Wings, on the other hand, entered the Stanley Cup playoff season with a renewed netminder Chris Osgood. Although the first half of the season was such a struggle that he was pulled from net by GM Ken Holland, sent on a hiatus from the team.
While he admits he didn’t have the right focus coming into the season, he is mentally back and ready to go. He’s back to the winning style that carried him last season, and looks like he’ll take it through the Stanley Cup Playoff in 2009 as well.
While it’s hard to say if there’s still as much of a gap between the Penguins and the Wings as there was last year, there are some things on each team that bring a slightly different flavor to the same Stanley Cup fare we were served in 2008.
The question is, will such variations in seasoning matter if the dessert lands in Detroit?
Photo Credits: Hawk Eyes
Originally posted 2009-06-04 05:42:26. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
Related Posts -
What is the Best Sports Memorabilia? Millions of people are shopping online looking for the best sports memorabilia. The best sports memorabilia can easily span a number of different sports while including a wide range of different items including high demand items, rare items and cool items, funny items and even some more bizarre items as...... -
Bobby Orr Sports-Memorabilia -> Sports-Collectibles Every ice hockey fan knows the name Bobby Orr, and even most people who know nothing about hockey have heard the name, whether or not they have any idea who he is. Born in 1948 in Ontario, Orr became one of the most well-known, and some consider...... -
Collect Sports Mugs as Memorabilia There are an endless variety of different items that you can collect relating to sports, depending on what your own preferences and interests are. For example, one collection that you may want to consider pursuing is to collect sports mugs as memorabilia. Learning how to collect sports mugs as memorabilia...... -
Spotting Real Autographed Sports Memorabilia Many people get excited about autographed sports memorabilia when they find it for a good price, and as a result, many people purchase so called authentic autographed sports memorabilia without investigating the authenticity of said memorabilia. The question that all buyers should be asking when shopping for autographed sports memorabilia...... -
Ken Griffey, Jr. Sports-Memorabilia -> Fan-Apparel-and-Souvenirs -> Baseball-MLB Ken Griffey Jr is a baseball player from Cincinnati who has played for the Cincinnati Reds, the Chicago White Sox and the Seattle Mariners. The 39-year-old Griffey is a center fielder, and known for his home-run hitting power. He ranks fifth in home runs, and......
Related Websites -
2009 Deutsche Bank Championship Recap Steve Stricker managed to take the win at the 2009 Deutsche Bank Championship, and this has moved him up into first place for the points face with the FedEx Cup Playoffs. He managed to win a total of 2,500 points this week for taking the win at the Deutsche Bank...... -
Leadership in Hockey: Sports Stat August 17 Excuses last a lifetime. Achievement leaves you proving yourself again and again. Sports Stat of the Week: Leadership in Hockey I do (heart) hockey so back to hockey this week. The question ticking along today is, “How well do teams with one dominant player do . . . as determined...... -
US Ski Team Member Profile of David Babic David Babic in a current member of the US Ski Team that is quickly rising in popularity. He was born in Berlin, VT and currently resides in Washington, VT. He has been on the team for four years, and this 29 year old athlete is definitely a rising star youâll...... -
Golf Preview: 2009 President's Cup The 2009 President's Cup is kicking off on Thursday, and there are six different Foursomes that are going head to head here. First let's take a look at the foursomes that are going head to head in the first round of golf, which is slated to begin today, including: Tim...... - MLB offseason trades (possible) As the MLB 2009 season comes to an end and we prepare for the post season I wanted to review some potential deals. For the 20 or so teams who are out of the post season picture we will look at a few major moves can shape the 2010 season. I wanted to take a look at......
- Caps, Hats Detroit Red Wings Hockey-NHL Fan Apparel Souvenirs Sports Collectibles
- Jerseys Detroit Red Wings Hockey-NHL Fan Apparel Souvenirs Sports Collectibles
- Bobbleheads Detroit Red Wings Hockey-NHL Fan Apparel Souvenirs Sports Collectibles
- Penguin Bird Animals Collectibles
- Photos, Prints Detroit Red Wings Hockey-NHL Fan Apparel Souvenirs Sports Collectibles
