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 -
Golf Memorabilia Sports Memorabilia -> Autographs - Original -> Golf - PGA While the sport of golf may not be quite as popular as football or baseball, it still has its share of rabid fans and when you’ve got a fan base like that, you’re guaranteed that there will be a demand...... - Baseball Jerseys Sports Memorabilia -> Fan Apparel & Souvenirs -> Baseball-MLB Baseball fan love everything about the game—the atmosphere, the rules, the players, the equipment, and especially the collectible memorabilia like baseball jerseys, the older, the better. Major League Baseball produces tons of memorabilia like bats, balls, caps, cards, logos, banners, and......
-
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...... -
Types of Sports Memorabilia Items to Buy There are a number of different forms that sports memorabilia items can take, including both modern memorabilia and vintage memorabilia. Some of the sports memorabilia items that you can purchase and add to your collection include: - Autographed sports memorabilia items, including balls, gloves, bats, cards and anything else that...... -
Sports Memorabilia Sports Memorabilia -> Autographs Original -> Cards Out of all of the different kinds of memorabilia, perhaps the one that collectors seek the most is sports memorabilia. There is something special about finding that special item from a player you admire, or a memento from a game that meant something......
Related Websites -
Did You Know This About the NHL In a December 8, 1987 game against the Boston Bruins, Philadelphia's goalie Ron Hextall, took a shot with 1:12 left in the game after Boston, who trailed 4-2, had pulled their goalie. The shot traveled the distance of the rink and went in making Hextall the first NHL goalie to...... - What I Learned from the 2001 New England Patriots With the start of the NFL football season this week, I'm focusing on values, financial and otherwise that I've learned from football. I've long been a fan of the New England Patriots, even when they were embarrassing. I watched every game of their 1-15 season in 1990. They were equally......
-
The Resurgence Of Ben Wallace During the Piston's glory years, Big Ben Wallace was the heart and soul of the team. He represented the defensive identity of the Detroit Pistons. He helped lead the Pistons to four straight Eastern Conference Finals appearances, two NBA Finals appearances and one NBA Championship. Then he let a...... -
Retro Sports Tee Shirts Sports fans have to check out these t-shirts. Choose from hundreds of your favorite retro sports teams from leagues like the AHL, MISL, CBA, USFL and more. Here are a few example but if you click on the links you can see hundreds more which are printed on vintage t-shirts...... - Sports Thoughts and Personal Finance Links I hope your holidays have been good so far. Outside of the outcome of some sporting events they've been great for me. Nothing specific, just spending good family time. My wife and I went to the Celtics game against the Golden State Warriors on the 26th. We love to go......
- Caps, Hats 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
- Pucks Detroit Red Wings Hockey-NHL Fan Apparel Souvenirs Sports Collectibles
- Detroit Red Wings Hockey-NHL Fan Apparel Souvenirs Sports Collectibles
