Thursday, April 24, 2014

Thoughts after 2 periods Bruins, Red Wings Game 4

Niklas Kronwall has been outstanding in this game for the Red Wings, not only because he has a goal and a pretty assist on Pavel Datsyuk's goal, but because he has been a steadying influence on the blue line. Boston really turned up the forecheck on the Red Wings during the second period. The momentum of the game has turned, but Kronwall is the biggest reason the Red Wings have a chance to keep it together.
- Henrik Zetterberg isn't himself. He is getting knocked off the puck much more than usual. But he is a smart player, and there have been a couple times when he has kept the flow of a Detroit threat going in Boston's end.
- Jonas Gustavsson has been more lucky than actually good in net for the Red Wings. But that's OK. He did rob Gregory Campbell with a great save. And he certainly has been any worse than Jimy Howard was in Game 2 and Game 3. Howard's performance had dropped off greatly after an excellent performance in Game 1.
- Darren Helm's pure speed has been a big factor in this game. You can just sense how it makes the Bruins' defensemen feel uneasy.
- It's amazing seeing what a graceful skater Boston defenseman Zdeno Chara is at 6-9, 270 pounds. That size didn't stop Justin Abdelkader from riding Chara very hard into the boards during the first period. Chara didn't like it very much either. The Red Wings do have to play physical hockey against the Bruins, they just can't do it after the whistle. That accomplishes nothing.

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