Hurricanes
Team speed a big factor for Canes vs. Pens
By Adam Harris
Published: 2009-05-18 14:51:00
Updated: 2009-05-18 18:55:15
May 18, 2009
Pittsburgh — "We are expecting great speed in this series, and a lot of quick puck movement."
Paul Maurice's comments after the Monday morning skate in Pittsburgh pointed to something that many players and coaches believe is a huge key in the NHL Eastern Conference Finals.
Maurice's Carolina Hurricanes and the Pittsburgh Penguins are both teams that thrive on speed. Whichever team is able to utilize their speed most effectively will have a leg up in the series.
"The key for us then," continued Maurice, "is not to get off the structure [of our game] at the same time."
In their first- and second-round series wins, the Hurricanes allowed the Devils and Bruins more offensive rushes than they would have liked. But, neither New Jersey nor Boston had the scoring prowess of the Penguins.
Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin have combined for 18 goals and 22 assists in the postseason. Crosby and Malkin rank first and third, respectively, in playoff points. In the regular season, it was Malkin at the top and Crosby finishing third in points. The Penguins' top guns can finish, that much is clear.
"We have to expect that they're going to be quick," Crosby said Monday morning.
Sid the Kid seems to know what drives the Canes' game. But what kind of speed is it that the Penguins need?
"Our team is looking for prolonged periods in the offensive zone..." said Pittsburgh head coach Dan Bylsma. "When we don't have it, we'll try to get it back as quickly as we can and return to the offensive zone as quickly as we can. And that will be the speed to our game, and I think it's going to be the speed to their game as well. So, it will be a challenge for both teams."
As both teams look to establish their forecheck with added pressure in their offensive zone, this series may just see a lot of transition opportunities.
"I think the speed is going to be there regardless," said Maurice. "We just don't want it to turn into an even trade of chances. That's what we'll try to avoid."
Copyright 2013 99.9 The Fan. All rights reserved.
Most Recent Comments
Lots to ponder...we'll see!
Sorry...I'm a bit late with any blogging today pre-game.
Keeping this short to enjoy the actual play,
'jgunn' (as always!) a class-filled hockey fan! :) Good luck tonight and even moreso, throughout the series!
'usharrisons'...wow. Good stuff to savor/digest with another 'Canes play-off series. As most know, I'm a NJ Devs fan at heart, but I choose to second-hand cheer for the Hurricanes (when they're not playing my Jersey boys AND especially after the 'Canes straight-out beating 'em...uggh!)... ;)
Nevertheless, I loved your last sentence:
"The Hurricanes are on a deep run that will be hard for anyone-other than themselves-to stop."...That's as true as it gets.
Good luck 'Canes and Caniacs...go get 'em! (especially Crosby...pleeeeze!)
RE: Team speed a big factor for Canes vs. Pens
Mr. Crosby, Mr. Malkin, meet Mr. Gleason and Mr. Corvo. Crosby's had it relatively easy so far against shaky defenses and shaky goaltending. The Hurricanes didn't adavnce this far without good team defense. If they keep playing that way, Sid will get frustrated. I expect the Penguins scoring numbers to go down. Am I a 'Homer'? You betcha! But I've also been religiously following hockey for over 30 years. I've seen dozens-upon-dozens of playoff series in that time. The Hurricanes are on a deep run that will be hard for anyone-other than themselves-to stop.
RE: Team speed a big factor for Canes vs. Pens
The Canes are good skaters, so speed won't be the problem. The Pens have a different style than New Jersey and Boston, but the players and coaches figured out how to win against those two good teams, and they'll do it again.
There was word that Mark Recchi was dealing with an injury while they were playing the Canes and it was said details would be released after the series. So, now we know. Mark was very classy after Game 7 and even hugged Cam Ward. I wish him a speedy recovery.
RE: Team speed a big factor for Canes vs. Pens
And just revealed today, a problem with Phil Kessel’s shoulder, David Krejci's hip and a quick kidney stone surgery for Mark Recchi -- just to name a few – probably didn’t help either.
Mark Recchi had a rib injury and also had kidney stone surgery before Game 7. Krejci will have hip surgery that will sideline him for 4-6 months.
- Posted by slugger9203
So?? Your point is?? We had players playing hurt also...that is just part of professional sports. I am sure once we are done, you will see Cane's players having offseason surgeries as well. I guess our guys are just a little tougher playing through the pain. Give it up Slugger...even the Boston media acknowledges that we were just the better team.
Not a better team, the Canes just played like they wanted it more. The Bruins had more skill, but didn't even try in the playoffs, who knows why.
RE: Team speed a big factor for Canes vs. Pens
And just revealed today, a problem with Phil Kessel’s shoulder, David Krejci's hip and a quick kidney stone surgery for Mark Recchi -- just to name a few – probably didn’t help either.
Mark Recchi had a rib injury and also had kidney stone surgery before Game 7. Krejci will have hip surgery that will sideline him for 4-6 months.
- Posted by slugger9203
So?? Your point is?? We had players playing hurt also...that is just part of professional sports. I am sure once we are done, you will see Cane's players having offseason surgeries as well. I guess our guys are just a little tougher playing through the pain. Give it up Slugger...even the Boston media acknowledges that we were just the better team.
Rank: Rookie 
Rank: 
Rank: 
