So with game 1 in the books, Detroit has shown that familiarity breeds dominance. With that, here are a few things to take away from last nights game 1 and to look for in game 2.
First, it is plain to anyone who has working eyes that Henrik Zetterberg enjoys the hell out of shadowing and dominating Sidney Crosby. It wouldn'y suprise me if Gary Bettman blew up Hanks phone all day asking him to please take it easy on pet Sid. In fact, it's not even funny how glued Z was to The Kid, whose own shadow wasn't even visible. If Zetterberg wins this matchup 85% of the time, this series will be short.
Holy Osgood, Batman! The man they call the Wizard is in a place all by himself right now on some celestial plane of higher consciousness. Must be steroids, haha! This playoff has cemented Ozzies' legacy as one of the best ever, and if anyone wants to argue, go talk to the side of your house, cuz it's getting nowhere.
Marian Hossa KNOWS where to shoot. If anyone was actually watching, whenever Hossa found room, he took the puck to the wing and scooted low liner after worm burner at Fluery's pads. Anyone notice where almost every single one of those rebounds ended up? That's right, sittin pretty in the slot or off the circle, intentionally placed for optimum reboundage(yea, i made that up) for a streaking or camped teammate. He knows. and look for a changeup or two to compliment those shots and catch him off guard.
Butt of the joke. Fluery knows he has to be better. Problem is, he isn't, and can't be. From day one, I always said i'll take a positionally sound goallie man over and athletic giant freak like Fluery or Columbus' Mason any day. Fluery just cannot cover the simple things well. Sure he makes highlight reel stops, but Ozzies stop on the Malkin breakaway was more clutch than anything this kid will ever do, and it's because Ozzie knows where to be and how to be. Goals don't go in off your backside and foot after hitting the boards if your in position(trust me, i know, im a goalie), because, wait for it, that's right, YOU"RE IN POSITION! Glad we're on the same page. If he doesn't shore it up, game, series, cup. In that order. Just sayin.
Anyway, I figure game 2 to be just about the same, with a slightly healthier Detroit Blueline, and a motivated Hossa, it should be another 2-0 lead, but hopefully this time, they take it in less than 6, cuz let's face it, that got scary.
