Second Chances

So three games in and we've learned that Henrik Zetterberg is one of the top shutdown forwards in this league. He has totally shutdown what was an extremely hot Sidney Crosby in these finals. The bounces started going the way of the Penguins at home so much that the league allowed them to play with 6 players on the ice. The Red Wings struggles on the PK have been eminent, as they have given up at least one power-play goal in 15 of 19 playoff games, including a franchise-high 13 straight at one point. This is how the Penguins will get back into the series if they continue to take advantage of these opportunities on the man advantage. Yet, don’t underestimate that the Red Wings will most likely get back leading scorer Pavel Datsyuk. The Hart Trophy finalist has not played since Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals, and his return would alleviate the stress put on the aforementioned Zetterberg, who logged an amazing 24:19 of ice time in Game 3.

I also have to make mention of a report that much maligned goalie Ray Emery is returning to the NHL next season, and most likely to the city of brotherly love. With second chances given every day in the world of sports to people that most likely do not deserve them, why not this guy? Yes, he set a junior club record for fighting, has been suspended numerous times, and pretty much has been exiled out of the NHL, but you can’t deny that this kid has talent and a drive for the game. He tried out for 8 different junior teams before being named Rookie of the year, then moved to the AHL where the suspensions started piling up, and still was named to the AHL All-Rookie team. He then went on to have success with the Senators as they advanced to the 2007 Stanley Cup Finals and holds a career 18-12 playoff record with a 2.46 GAA and 0.904 save percentage. If anything, it will be another great storyline headed into the off-season and beyond to see how Razor reacts to his second chance.