It was utterly fantastic watching Zetterberg and Datsyuk, but I was also amazed at Dallas' lack of work against them in Game 3 Monday night, a 5-2 Detroit triumph. On the fifth goal, Zetterberg beat FOUR Stars in the corner and skated out to set up Datsyuk's third goal, his first NHL hat trick. The only obstacle was a weak stick check by Ribeiro, and Zetterberg skated right through that.
On his short-handed goal that made it 4-2, Zetterberg whipped past forward Brad Richards, who had been the Stars' point-man on the power play, and waited...waited...waited before lifting a wrister over an out-of-position Marty Turco in goal.
On each of the goals, the Stars had people in defensive position -- two players were in the neutral zone on the fourth goal -- and a little back-checking would have helped Richards. And the only resistance the Stars could muster on the final goal was Ribeiro's stick check?
There's no question that the Stars are overwhelmed here, but I think one of the reasons is being overlooked. The Stars had to beat Anaheim and San Jose to get to the conference final, and that path to Detroit has exhausted them.
Last year, the Wings had a similar situation, having to go through first Calgary and then San Jose to get to eventual Cup winner Anaheim. Except for a bounce or two, the Wings might have won that series, too. But, remember, Krowall and Schneider, two of their top-four defensemen, were injured and did not play against Anaheim. Would they have made a difference? Would an easier path have helped? Most likely the answers are yes and yes. Hey, Anaheim deserved to win. The Ducks got breaks and capitalized.
But these "breaks" are not uncommon in the NHL playoffs, which I think are the most grueling and demanding in all of pro sports. Like Babcock said in a question to a reporter vs. Colorado: when we had injuries last year, no one cared. It's part of the game.
The demands of a tough path are apparent in the Eastern finals, too; Pittsburgh had an easier trip getting to the conference final; the Rangers did not put up much of a fight in Round 2, which was surprising. The Flyers had to skate through Washington and top-seeded Montreal. Now with injuries, the Flyers are not able to compete at the same level.
Give the Wings credit. Give the Penguins credit. But we should acknowledge their good fortune, too.
On his short-handed goal that made it 4-2, Zetterberg whipped past forward Brad Richards, who had been the Stars' point-man on the power play, and waited...waited...waited before lifting a wrister over an out-of-position Marty Turco in goal.
On each of the goals, the Stars had people in defensive position -- two players were in the neutral zone on the fourth goal -- and a little back-checking would have helped Richards. And the only resistance the Stars could muster on the final goal was Ribeiro's stick check?
There's no question that the Stars are overwhelmed here, but I think one of the reasons is being overlooked. The Stars had to beat Anaheim and San Jose to get to the conference final, and that path to Detroit has exhausted them.
Last year, the Wings had a similar situation, having to go through first Calgary and then San Jose to get to eventual Cup winner Anaheim. Except for a bounce or two, the Wings might have won that series, too. But, remember, Krowall and Schneider, two of their top-four defensemen, were injured and did not play against Anaheim. Would they have made a difference? Would an easier path have helped? Most likely the answers are yes and yes. Hey, Anaheim deserved to win. The Ducks got breaks and capitalized.
But these "breaks" are not uncommon in the NHL playoffs, which I think are the most grueling and demanding in all of pro sports. Like Babcock said in a question to a reporter vs. Colorado: when we had injuries last year, no one cared. It's part of the game.
The demands of a tough path are apparent in the Eastern finals, too; Pittsburgh had an easier trip getting to the conference final; the Rangers did not put up much of a fight in Round 2, which was surprising. The Flyers had to skate through Washington and top-seeded Montreal. Now with injuries, the Flyers are not able to compete at the same level.
Give the Wings credit. Give the Penguins credit. But we should acknowledge their good fortune, too.
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