So the Penguins punch their ticket with a lopsided victory. The difference
in the game, as in most games in the NHL, was scoring the first goal. The
Pens got on the board early and gained some confidence, but confidence
isn't even as important sometimes as the fact that, with a lead, your team
doesn't have to take as many chances on offense. The onus is on the team
that is trailing to come down the ice and make things happen. That will
usually lead to some mistakes or open ice for the leading team. You can
usually get more offense by just being smart and making your opponent
really work and gamble. This was a factor in Game 4 of the Dallas/Detroit
series. The Wings had an early goal called back and the Stars ended up
opening the scoring and winning a tight game. There are no guarantees in
hockey, but when you get this far into the playoffs it is pretty consistent that
a team has the ability to close out a game when they have a lead. It is all
game management.

The Penguins look very strong right now and definitely have had the right mix of
offense and defense, plus they'll get a few more days of rest than
their Western Conference opponent. This could now be Pittsburgh's year to
win it. No matter how well I think the Wings or Stars play, their systems,
and the talent they have, energy becomes a factor. It's two months of
hockey, and the winner of that series could play two more games and have to
start within two days of the conference final. I have to say,
advantage to the Penguins.

All I have to say about the Wings/Stars series is this: Now we have a
series.

The Wings have the veteran cast to battle through some hiccups, but I think
Dallas is feeling pretty good about bouncing back. I think this series
will go the distance. I still think Detroit finishes on top, but they'll have to wrap up in
Motown to do it.

Tune in to Stretch on Maxim Radio on Sirius Satellite Radio each Wednesday morning at 11am ET for NHL All-Star goalie Ryan Miller's weekly Stanley Cup Playoffs report.

 

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