Wings Lead 3-2, Travel
Detroit, MI – Of the four major U.S. sports leagues, the NHL is the only one that uses the 2-2-1-1-1 format to decide its championship.
That’s two games at home to start the series for the team with the better regular season record, followed by two at the other’s team home arena, then alternating for the remaining three games.
The NBA finals and World Series are 2-3-2 formats.
Some of the participants in this year’s Stanley Cup finals are fine with the 2-2-1-1-1.
“I like what we do in the National League. My times in the finals I think it has been real good. … I like the way the schedule’s set up. I think when you’re like Pittsburgh and us and you’re so close, it’s been really easy that way travel-wise,” said Red Wings coach Mike Babcock. “You know, even on an off-day they’re going to be at their place, we’re going to be here. I think it’s been excellent that way.”
Detroit captain Nicklas Lidstrom sees the NHL method as more equitable.
‘s the most fair way to do, too, than doing 2-3-2. If you have three home games in a row and you steal one of the first two games, you have a big advantage. That’s why I prefer the way we have it.”
Penguins defenseman Hal Gill takes a more practical approach.
“There are a lot of ways to look at it, but we’ve got to win a game,” he said. “That’s the bottom line.”
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BATTLE OF THE BOARDS: The end and side boards at Joe Louis Arena were a big topic of discussion after Game 1 of the Stanley Cups final when Detroit used its knowledge of the rink’s exceptionally lively boards to repeatedly set up offensive plays.
Pittsburgh coach Dan Bylsma was asked before Saturday’s game whether he had talked to his players about the boards. He was tired of the subject.
“Always. Again, it’s not something new. There are other buildings that are like this one here, and it’s pretty standard for us to talk about the bounces and the situations you’ll see in a game or practice it in morning skate or talk about it in terms of pucks going wide on the power play and being ready for those situations,” he said. “So this is not the only rink. It’s not a new twist or turn that’s unique to this situation. But we certainly will talk about it more than once today.”
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PITTSBURGH’S FIRST FAN: Luke Ravenstahl was a preteen when Mario Lemieux captained the Penguins to Stanley Cup titles in 1991 and 1992.
Now the 29-year-old mayor of Pennsylvania’s second-largest city, Ravenstahl shares a peer relationship with the hockey legend he idolized as a kid.
“(We have) a good relationship. It’s a positive one. I certainly respect him,” Ravenstahl said of Lemieux, the Penguins owner. “It’s difficult to find words to describe what an icon he is here in Pittsburgh.”
Two years ago, Ravenstahl found himself sitting across the negotiating table from Lemieux, urging the No. 7 scorer in NHL history not to move the franchise to Kansas City, Las Vegas or elsewhere.
Luckily for Pens fans, not only is the team not leaving, they’ll have a brand-new place in which to watch Sidney Crosby and company in a couple of years. Mellon Arena will be replaced by Consol Energy Center, which is being built across the street.
“My relationship both as a fan but also as a mayor has been one that appreciates what the Penguins mean to this city, and of course, we’re really excited that we played a role in making sure that they’re staying here and will be here really forever,” Ravenstahl said.
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previous Cup finals tied at 2 games apiece, the team that won Game 5 has hoisted the Cup 14 times. … Evgeni Malkin, the NHL’s top regular-season and postseason scorer, leads the Penguins in penalty minutes this postseason with 43 in 21 games. Next closest is defenseman Kris Letang with 26.
Posted: 6/6/09 11:00PM ET