Let's try something a little different and do a quick recap of last night's game 4 of the Stanley Cup Finals. I'll give you the five things I took away from last night. Let me know your five thoughts in the comment section or on Twitter, @Beyond_Boards
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1. Pekka Rinne is the Conn Smythe leader (for now)
After game 2 everyone was debating is the playoff MVP Guentzel or Malkin, now it is not even a competition. Evegeni Malkin has played himself out of any consideration. He was invisible in games 3 and 4. Pekka Rinne may have cost his team games 1 and 2, but he stole game 4 and is the main reason they have come this far. He has been so good that he may win the Conn Smythe even if Nashville loses this series.
2. Sidney Crosby is the best player in the world and the only Penguin that showed up
There was no doubt who the best player in the world was coming into these playoffs, but after his pedestrian performance in game 3 people wondered what happened to Crosby. Well he was the only Penguins player to make any effort in game 4. He scored the Penguins only goal, barely missed on another breakaway and setup multiple players that missed definite goals. He has finally started winning faceoffs. PK Subban called him out at the end of game 3, he responded, no one else did.
3. These teams are very evenly matched
The series is tied at two games each. The home team has won all four games. Neither team is consistently outplaying the other, outside of Nashville's 30 minute stretch in game 1. Nashville's aggressive defense and Pittsburgh's quick strike offense create a perfect dynamic. They compliment each other so well to create fast and exciting games. Neither team has the upper hand. Each game has come down to which goalie plays better. Exactly what the fans deserve in the Stanley Cup Finals.
4. Penguins' powerplay is the difference in this series
The most obvious blackhole for Pittsburgh has been their powerplay. In four games they are 1/16 (6%) on the powerplay. Only scoring on a 5-on-3 in game 1. That is really bad. If the Penguins manage one powerplay goal in games 3 and 4, we may have seen a series sweep, There is too much talent on the Pittsburgh powerplay not to succeed. In a series where powerplays have come sparsely, they need to take advantage when given the opportunity.
5. The Predators are being let off the hook
This is not particular to game 4. The Predators have played right up to the line of dirty play all playoffs. They have crossed that line on a few occasions in this series. Whether it is Ekholm punching Penguins forwards during scrums, Subban faking a knee injury to kill an extended zone attack by the Penguins or Forsberg routinely flopping on top of Murray well after the whistle... it has to stop. The Penguins are an experienced team that has been here before. They know retaliation is always a penalty, not the initial offense. Either way they need to answer back. There is nothing you can do about Subban cheaply faking an injury, that is what cheap players do. However, you can punch Ekholm right back, he won't skate away, he will retaliate himself. If Forsberg flops on top of Murray, you have two options. First, throw him on the ice and make him pay the price. Second, respond in kind and take a run at Rinne. Either way works and sends the right message.
.
1. Pekka Rinne is the Conn Smythe leader (for now)
After game 2 everyone was debating is the playoff MVP Guentzel or Malkin, now it is not even a competition. Evegeni Malkin has played himself out of any consideration. He was invisible in games 3 and 4. Pekka Rinne may have cost his team games 1 and 2, but he stole game 4 and is the main reason they have come this far. He has been so good that he may win the Conn Smythe even if Nashville loses this series.
2. Sidney Crosby is the best player in the world and the only Penguin that showed up
There was no doubt who the best player in the world was coming into these playoffs, but after his pedestrian performance in game 3 people wondered what happened to Crosby. Well he was the only Penguins player to make any effort in game 4. He scored the Penguins only goal, barely missed on another breakaway and setup multiple players that missed definite goals. He has finally started winning faceoffs. PK Subban called him out at the end of game 3, he responded, no one else did.
3. These teams are very evenly matched
The series is tied at two games each. The home team has won all four games. Neither team is consistently outplaying the other, outside of Nashville's 30 minute stretch in game 1. Nashville's aggressive defense and Pittsburgh's quick strike offense create a perfect dynamic. They compliment each other so well to create fast and exciting games. Neither team has the upper hand. Each game has come down to which goalie plays better. Exactly what the fans deserve in the Stanley Cup Finals.
4. Penguins' powerplay is the difference in this series
The most obvious blackhole for Pittsburgh has been their powerplay. In four games they are 1/16 (6%) on the powerplay. Only scoring on a 5-on-3 in game 1. That is really bad. If the Penguins manage one powerplay goal in games 3 and 4, we may have seen a series sweep, There is too much talent on the Pittsburgh powerplay not to succeed. In a series where powerplays have come sparsely, they need to take advantage when given the opportunity.
5. The Predators are being let off the hook
This is not particular to game 4. The Predators have played right up to the line of dirty play all playoffs. They have crossed that line on a few occasions in this series. Whether it is Ekholm punching Penguins forwards during scrums, Subban faking a knee injury to kill an extended zone attack by the Penguins or Forsberg routinely flopping on top of Murray well after the whistle... it has to stop. The Penguins are an experienced team that has been here before. They know retaliation is always a penalty, not the initial offense. Either way they need to answer back. There is nothing you can do about Subban cheaply faking an injury, that is what cheap players do. However, you can punch Ekholm right back, he won't skate away, he will retaliate himself. If Forsberg flops on top of Murray, you have two options. First, throw him on the ice and make him pay the price. Second, respond in kind and take a run at Rinne. Either way works and sends the right message.
