Hockey is often a sport where momentum can completely change the outcome of the game. That has proven incredibly true in the playoffs this season, where little things during games can bring the tide one way or the other, and make the final score something of a foregone conclusion. By the same token, any team that gets momentum needs to hang on to it.
Take, for example, the Stanley Cup Finals going on right now between Detroit and Pittsburgh. The Red Wings stormed out of the gate with two wins at home, but, in many ways, they got the benefit of lucky bounces and Pittsburgh not being able to find anything other than goal posts. The Penguins felt that they'd outplayed the champion Red Wings, and, even though they were down two games to none, they had confidence. However, all of the momentum was on Detroit's side, with the two big wins behind them, and memories of a similar start a year ago. The series shifted to Pittsburgh, where the Penguins faced a must-win game just to keep their hopes alive.
Well, last night, the Penguins faced another do-or-die game, trying to even the series. They got a quick start with a goal from Evgeni Malkin, but then the Red Wings took over. Two goals a short time apart, and Detroit looked on pace to put the Penguins down three games to one. Pittsburgh didn't make it any easier on themselves by taking two penalties back-to-back, granting the Red Wings almost four full minutes of power play time. And that was where the shift in momentum happened.
During the second power play, Jordan Staal retrieved a long outlet pass, darted through Detroit defenders, and was able to slip the puck past Chris Osgood. Instead of a 3-1 lead, Detroit was now facing a 2-2 tie. Not only did Staal connect on the shorthanded tally, but the Penguins killed off the remainder of the penalty time, and then put their foot on the gas with two more quick goals, including Sidney Crosby's first of the series. The Red Wings looked shell-shocked, and now return to Detroit where the series originally slated as a best-of-seven has become a best-of-three. The Penguins are flying high, and they've insured that they get to play before their hometown fans one more time. Even more to the point, Pittsburgh has all of the energy and momentum right now, and they have a very good chance of lifting the Cup in Mellon Arena next Tuesday, unless Detroit can get back on track.
Another playoff note. For anyone that says that the schedule benefits Pittsburgh because Detroit's veterans are getting tired, just keep in mind that, at this point in the year, everyone's tired. Hockey is a very physical game, and being able to keep playing at your best all the way through six games in the preseason, 82 games for the regular season, and then however many games in the post season is a grind. Both teams have played over 100 games in this season alone, so tired is just the beginning of what they're going through. By the same token, with each playoff win, the legs don't feel quite so heavy, and both teams want to be able to carry around 35 pounds of metal next week.
In Wild news, the coaching picture isn't really completed yet, but it has gotten a shade clearer. While new GM Chuck Fletcher is interviewing potential candidates, one Wild assistant will be looking to different pastures. Mario Tremblay, one of Jacques Lemaire's assistant coaches, has announced that he will be leaving the Wild franchise. Tremblay was apparently considered for the head coaching job, but Fletcher is looking elsewhere. This could also lead to Mike Ramsey needing to find new employment, but Ramsey is a young guy with a lot of local ties, and Fletcher could actually bring someone in to groom him for a head coaching position down the road. Especially since the Wild players tend to respond very positively to Ramsey's style. As for Tremblay, don't worry too much. There are signs that he could be finding his way back to Montreal, possibly as an assistant to new Canadiens coach Jacques Martin. After all, Tremblay knows the Montreal organization well, having both played and coached there.
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