Update (7:20 PM): Bruce MacLeod thinks Samuelsson’s playing, and his reasoning is sound: Sammy did the pre-game soccer ball circle, and likely wouldn’t be doing that if he was injured or sick enough to miss the game. - Matt
Tonight the Finals move to Pittsburgh, where the Pens will try to halt the Wings’ progress after dropping the first two. This is a must-win game for both teams, and should involve the best hockey we’ve seen yet.
For Pittsburgh, it doesn’t get any bigger. They simply have to win tonight, or they’ll all but fall off that knife edge they’re treading. This has to be their best game of the playoffs. Some keys to the game for Pittsburgh:
Energy. They have to play with it. If they skate hard after the puck, they’ll be in better position to force bounces to go their way. This means they have to forecheck aggressively, backcheck aggressively, and defend aggressively.
Discipline. The officials have been letting just about everything go, but that doesn’t mean they won’t call stuff resembling the late-game antics Malkin pulled Sunday. The Pens need to keep their frustrations in check, and focus on responding to the Wings with a strong hockey game, not a strong argument in the case against their maturity.
Malkin, Crosby and Fleury. If Malkin’s pissed off, he needs to channel that into a dominant performnce. If Crosby is frustrated, he needs to find it in himself to break out of the shell put around him by Zetterberg. If he’s as great a player as they say, he’ll do it. And Fleury needs to get his head together and start making saves. He won’t have the excuse of the Joe’s bouncy boards tonight.
Bylsma won’t commit to any lineup changes yet. They used the same lines in practice.
For the Wings, this is a must-win game because they can’t let the Pens think they have chance. As with the Pens, they have to play their best game of the playoffs so far. Keys to the game for Detroit:
Work ethic. Tireless effort tonight is going to be the key. The Wings have to dig deep and find a way to keep coming at the Pens in every zone, in every way. Hitting, skating, moving the puck. It can’t stop.
Depth. With the Pens getting the last change, the Wings’ depth becomes more important than ever. Bylsma’s likely to get his top guns out against Helm and/or Abdelkader with relative frequency, and so those guys will have to be at their absolute best. Their defensive abilities will be hugely important tonight.
Special teams. If penalties start getting called, Detroit needs to be ready to perform. The kill has to be perfect, as does the power play.
Samuelsson didn’t skate today, but there’s no word on whether he’s out or not. Draper practiced like he’s going to play, but that doesn’t mean a ton. He’s able to play, but will sit if Sammy’s able to go. Datsyuk is out, again, but may be back for Game 4. I’ll believe it when I see it, “big improvement” or not.
Detroit hasn’t quite attained its “A” game yet in the series. Tonight’s the night that has to happen. If they play two games at their best, they could very well end this thing, assuming bounces don’t start going against them. Pittsburgh, as great as they are, can’t stop a Detroit team firing on all cylinders.
Oh, and read this even if you read nothing else today. Michigan needs two more wins, guys.