DETROIT, Mich – On Saturday night in Detroit the Red Wings had another gear to reach in their game 5 with the Penguins. Turns out Pavel Datsyuk had the keys to the gear box. The pivotal game was bookended by two specific actions on the ice and both involved Datsyuk. One set the tone for the game and the other was emblematic of his impact on the game. Early in the first period the Penguins’ Evgeni Malkin was below the Detroit goal line looking to gain control of the puck. In an instant, Datsyuk planted Malkin in the end boards and took the puck away and started a rush up ice.
Malkin was seen struggling to regain his legs and was clearly dazed. If no other reason than this was the first time anyone had put a glove on him. One of the National Hockey League’s two golden boys in these finals was introduced to real hockey. That hit set the tone for the rest of the game, won by Detroit 5-0. The ‘Pens were never permitted an opportunity to skate their game or the game the NHL seems to want for the ‘Pens. Apparently Red Wings head coach Mike Babcock has not seen the memo from the NHL where the Pens have been preordained to win this series.
After Malkin collected his senses form the ice surface he was never a factor in a game the ‘Pens wanted in their “W” column. “This guy’s (Datsyuk) one of the best players in the world both offensively and defensively…(he) just makes the team more comfortable,” said Mike Babcock. “We need plays, and suddenly we relaxed and we made plays.”
Datsyuk had a typical game for himself after the hit on Malkin. He collected two assists and drove the play for the Red Wings most of the night. But he was also involved in the backside of the bookends. In a clearing play from the Detroit defensive zone, Datsyuuk tipped the puck forward and was chopped down by Max Talbot on the play. Talbot received a minor on the play and the call gave the Wings a 5-3 power play. The chop was at Datsyuk’s feet, one of which was the cause for his missing seven games in the playoffs. The extended 5-on-3 power play (Sidney Crosby was in the box for his minor) featured pretty passing but no finishing score for the Red Wings.
What the sequence of the Crosby and Talbot penalties demonstrated was a loss of focus and more deadly for the Pens was a loss of discipline. The Red Wings showed talent and the ‘Pens showed petulance. The series is back in Pittsburgh for game 6 Tuesday night. And unless the NHL delivers another memo to Detroit’s Mike Babcock the ‘Pens and NHL will be picking up their shattered marketing dreams off the ice. Contact lou.lafrado@prohockeynews.com Catch all the playoffs at Intotheboards.net
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