LIVE BLOG - 2009 NHL FINALS - GAME FOUR

By: Luke Florence

And here we go. Welcome everyone to the return of the King of Arguments. The KOA has been away for more than two months, but we are back in full force tonight for a live blog.

Here is how you can participate.

1) Reply with a comment at the end of this post. If you do so, I will respond to your comment on the blog itself.

2) Send me an IM on AIM. My screen name is Lflo_12_23. Same deal.

That's it. No cell phone texts for yours truly. Giddy up folks, this should be fun.

10:55 - That wraps it up for me tonight. Going to enjoy the NBA Finals with the Queen of Arguments (that's right, the King has found a Queen).

We've had appearances by LeBron James 'winning' attitude, Helen Keller, Denzel Washington, Adam Morrison, Gus Johnson, Keanu Reaves, and Jack Bauer.

That's the beauty of a running blog. You just never know where it's going to take you.

Until next time, "read it, roll it, hole it."

10:50 - "Come get some? You really need to calm down. Congrats though. Go Tribe." - Matt Barnes.

Obviously Barnes is not well-versed on my homage to the 'Berg tennis team.

Big thanks to Barnes for providing a steady stream of comments from the onset. It wouldn't have been the same without him.

With the 'rents coming to town this weekend, I'm not sure what the schedule will be on Saturday night. Obviously I want to watch the game, but do not know how the running blog will work out. Nonetheless, thanks to those who listened.

10:46 - Oh Billy! How much fun was that?? Penguins win 4-2 (I predicted 4-3). Detroit looked tired, Fleury looked good, and Pittsburgh looked like the better team tonight. It's the first game that Detroit has lost this post-season by more than one goal. Just can't say enough of how impressed I was with the entire team. They got down, but never let that bother them. The game-changing, and possibly series-changing moment happened when Jordan Staal scored the short-handed goal. It was the catalyst of three goals in six minutes.

Let's call it what it is, a tie series. But, if you had the choice between being the team who has won the last two games, or the team who won the first two, which would you pick? The smart man would take the former, and that is exactly where the Penguins are sitting.

10:43 - Detroit has an empty net. Less than two minutes to go. Kunitz tried to score a one-handed empty-net goal, but got hooked in the process. It could very easily have been a goal-awarded situation. Nonetheless, it signifies that this game is OVER. PENGUINS ARE THE WINNERS!! SERIES TIED AT 2! COME GET SOME!

10:39 - Staal might have scored the game-tying goal, and Crosby may have scored the game-winner, but the best player on the ice has been Malkin. He has been head-and-shoulders better than everyone else. It's exactly what was missing from last year's run. Pittsburgh wins it all if Malkin continues to play like this. Down to 2:30.

10:35 - Less than five minutes remaining. Penguins still lead 4-2. Fleury has settled down. Have to expect Detroit to continue bringing it.

10:31 - It appears as if Crosby is okay after taking a slash. Hockey players are arguably the toughest athletes in all of sports. 7 minutes to go.

10:28 - "I disagree. Travolta is a better bad-ass than Denzel. Just cause Denzel is black doesn't make him a better bad-ass." - Matt Barnes.

Have you seen Training Day? Has there ever been a bigger bad-ass than Denzel in that movie?

10:26 - Crosby goes down, and I'll have to wait on a replay to see what happened, but it doesn't look good. It took Sid the Kid a long time to make it to the bench. 9 minutes to go.

10:21 - The Penguins stay on the attack, forcing the Red Wings to waste energy clearing the puck. 12 minutes to go, and the Pens still up 4-2. Smells like a 2-2 series.

Oh, and speaking of Pelham 123 (just saw a trailer), didn't they get the roles mixed up for Travolta and Denzel? It would have made more money and sense to put Denzel in the bad-ass role, and Travolta as the goofy city worker. Just saying.

10:17 - What I love about the Pens new coach Dan Bylsma, is that he coaches aggressive defense. In football terms, he would be the anti-prevent defense coach. The only way to protect a lead, is to expand it. It's that attitude that really vaulted Pittsburgh to the team they are now. They just don't sit on a lead. They look to keep scoring.

10:14 - The Red Wings start the third period on fire, with a big surge, but come up empty. Good job by Pittsburgh weathering that small storm. 17 minutes to go.

10:12 - 3rd Period underway. Have to love the support of the 'rents. My mother comes through with a Facebook (yes, Facebook) status message, "Wow, I've been really busy packing, etc., getting ready for tomorrow, but as soon as I sit down and put my feet up and settle in to seriously start watching the game, penguins score not one, but TWO goals! This game is so exciting!"

Couldn't have said it any better.

10:02 - Okay, taking a ten-minute break to eat some supper. Going with some hot-dogs and chips. Why? Because I can afford it. Don't be jealous.

9:58 - Some NBA questions.

- Isn't the NBA better when they just let the players play?

- Do you think JJ Reddick and Adam Morrison played H-O-R-S-E during pre-game to settle the debate once and for all?

- How does Jack Nicholson get in and out of the Staples Center? Does he have a secret passage-way? Is that what The Taking of Pelham 123 is all about?

- Do you think Jeff Van Gundy is going to explode in his pants if the Magic win it all?

- How can Jameer Nelson be playing this much? He looks just fine too.

9:55 - Turned into the NBA Finals game just in time to see Adam Morrison's stache sulkily sitting on the end of the Lakers bench. 10-0 run by the Lakers, including the last six by Kobe has LA up 38-33. It's his series to lose. And he knows it.

9:52 - I don't know how you can't love the sport of hockey after that last three minutes of play. Back-and-forth non-stop action. The 2nd period ends after Malkin has his breakaway shot stopped by Osgood. Malkin actually had to look up at the scoreboard to see how much time was left, because it was under four seconds. How cool was that? This series just keeps getting better and better.

After two periods of action, the Penguins are still up 4-2. We are just 20 minutes away from a 2-2 series. Come get a taste!

9:47 - Barnes coming through for me with an update on the basketball game, "Jameer Nelson looks amazing. 3 assists and 2 points in 4 minutes. Can't even tell he was injured. I missed the goal though. Gonna need a replay."

People tend to forget that Nelson had a career-year this season. It was his spot in the All-Star game that eventually went to Mo Williams. Nelson's injury is why they got Rafer Alston to play point-guard. If they get anything out of Nelson, they very well could be the more talented team from top to bottom.

9:44 - Why does God always have to ruin good things for me?? Why do I need to see Big Ben stuffing his fat face?? Why? I'm just sensing a Detroit goal now.

9:40 - YOU WON'T FIND A PRETTIER PLAY THAN THE ONE KUNITZ-CROSBY-AND TYLER KENNEDY JUST EXECUTED!! Kennedy with the Goal!!! 4-2 PITTSBURGH!! We have ourselves a series. Three goals in five minutes. Series changing?? Still plenty of time though.

The chants of "OSGOOD" are just raining now. I love it.

9:39 - "26-24 Orlando after 1st quarter. This is gonna be a good series." - Matt Barnes.

That's the type of pace Orlando needs - 25 points/quarter minimum. Good start for the Magic. I hope I'm wrong with the Lakers prediction.

9:35 - Finally caught my breath. Pittsburgh opened the flood-gates for about three minutes of hockey, scoring twice, one on a short-handed chance. This has been the best game of the series, no doubt.

9:33 - "Talk about a momentum shifter. Shorthanded goal during 3:58 of Red Wings power play time. Osgood needs to make that stop." - Matt Barnes.

Sorry I'm a bit behind on the comments. That two minutes of hockey was just non-stop action. But you are right, Osgood wants that one back. It was a game-changer, and maybe series-changing.

9:31 - AFTER AN INCREDIBLE STRETCH OF HOCKEY ... MALKIN AND CROSBY SCORE ON A TWO-ON-ONE. MALKIN WITH THE ASSIST AND CROSBY WITH THE SCORE!! ANOTHER CORRECT PREDICTION!! WHAT A GREAT GAME!! INCREDIBLE!! 3-2 PENS!!

9:27 - As the Penguins kill another penalty, they get called for another one. Brooks Orpik called for tripping.

Malkin makes a tremendous steal, and has a breakaway, but Johan Franzen back-checked him.

BUT JORDAN STAAL COMES UP WITH A SHORT-HANDED GOAL!!! SCORE TIED AT TWO!! GREAT PASS BY MAXIME TALBOT!! TOLD YOU STAAL WOULD SCORE TONIGHT!!

9:24 - Ruh roh. Malkin in the penalty box for hooking. If the Red Wings score here, Pittsburgh might just be able to kiss the Stanley Cup good-bye.

9:21 - "Missed the NHL goal. But not surprised. And my golf game could've gotten worse. Could've been like your roommate's. Good start to NBA game." - Matt Barnes.

Not sure which roommate Barnes is referring to. D-Frank or K-Hunt? But either way, yeah you are right Barnes, you could have taken them both. But, so could've Helen Keller.

9:19 - Not sure what it is about 2nd Periods and the Pittsburgh Penguins. They just don't play well. In Game Three, Detroit just dominated the Pens, but scored nothing. So far tonight, they score right away and look like they will be adding to it soon.

9:16 - Uh oh. Brad Stuart scores thanks to an assist by Zetterberg. Fleury never saw it. 2-1 RED WINGS. Let's see how Pittsburgh responds. They HAVE to win this game mind you.

9:15 - Okay, back to the NHL. The second period begins. Next goal will be huge.

9:11 - Barnes' thoughts on the officials selected for Game One of the NBA Finals, "Not thrilled about this NBA officiating crew. Danny Carwford is good but Joe DeRosa and Ken Mauer aren't that great. I knew you would care."

I'm still learning the NBA guys, but Barnes has helped me with some NFL official names.

Did you know that Barnes was/is a Flag Football All-American Official? What can't this guy do? Too ... many ... jokes.

Although his golf game is improving. But let's be honest, could it have gotten any worse than it was two years ago?

9:08 - "It depresses me so much to know that TNT is not on the NBA finals. Even if they just did pregame and postgame, I'd be happy." - Matt Barnes.

It just doesn't feel right does it? When I think NBA basketball, I think TNT. They have to be involved in some way. ABC is like TNT-lite. And that is a huge compliment.

9:06 - If there is a God, he will not allow for FanArchy to go on as planned. What an absolutely horrible idea.

9:00 - It only took 90 minutes for us to have a Gus Johnson mention, this one courtesy of Matt Barnes, "Solid first period. I just hope Game 1 of the NBA finals is as good as that period. Can Mike Emrick call both games at the same times? Or better yet, let's get Gus to L.A. pronto."

It could happen ... believe.

And are you not excited as I am for the Breen-Jackson-Van Gundy combo?

8:58 - Kevin Hunt has a Facebook update from work, "As your self-appointed publicist, I'm a little worried at the lack of communication on tonight's event. I'm thinking we'll have to have a little board meeting tomorrow..."

I will admit, this was kind of a last-second decision. But, if the Penguins win, something tells me we might just have to keep this going. Kevin also has a Twitter page set-up for the KOA, but that's all I know about it.

8:55 - Matt Barnes, "WOW, what a terrible goal to give up. Gotta clear that out."

Enough said.

And on that sour note, we will end the first period. Pittsburgh was out-played the last half of that period, and probably deserved to have the score tied ... at the very least.

8:53 - Unforced turnover on the Penguins results in Detroit's Darren Helm tying the game at one. You just can't make mistakes like that and expect nothing to happen. GAME TIED 1-1.

8:50 - And just like that, the power-play is killed the old fashioned way, as the Penguins return the favor. Bill Guerin gets a high stick, and we will play four-on-four. Space will be available.

8:49 - High sticking on the Red Wings. Penguins get their second power play. Huge opportunity to get a 2-0 lead. Big two minutes approaching as we near the end of the first period.

8:46 - Crosby is the best player in the league, and Malkin is right behind him, but my favorite player on the Penguins might just be Jordan Staal. Not as physically gifted as those two guys, but he always brings it, is a solid player, and is only 20 years old. Kid has a bright future.

Bad turnover by Detroit gives the Penguins a brief 3-on-1, but Osgood makes the save. Make no mistake, that guy will be in the Hall of Fame when he hangs them up.

8:42 - Versus shows some previews for an MMA fight, which reminds me. Any one see Kimbo Slice sign up for The Ultimate Fighter on UFC? The show is currently filming and will be airing in September. Can not wait to see how Kimbo handles all of this. Give Dana White credit, the man knows how to make money.

8:40 - Pittsburgh successfully kills the Red Wings power-play. It can't be said enough. Fleury looks really good. I mean, really good.

8:38 - Barnes continues a steady flow of comments, this one a gem, "I don't understand the fans wearing white when that's the color the Wings are wearing. Seems like a blackout would make more sense."

Never said the city of Pittsburgh had the brightest minds.

So far so good on the power-play kill.

8:37 - Detroit now has the one-man advantage for the first time tonight, as Pittsburgh's Mark Eaton gets called for cross-checking. Me no likey.

8:34 - What do you think those officials are telling the players when there is a tie-up after the whistle blows? I mean, it happens nearly every single time a goalie covers the puck. I'm not creative enough to come up with anything, but thought it would be cool to hear some of that conversation. It's why I love hearing the conversation Earl Weaver had with the first base umpire in that infamous YouTube clip.

8:31 - Every time Henrik Zetterberg touches the puck, I get scared. The former Stanley Cup Final MVP, this guy is a big-time player in big-time games. He lives for games like these. Comes close to tying it up.

These Red Wings are relentless, but Fleury is there to stop them all. He has brought his A game thus far. Good sign for Pittsburgh.

8:29 - Crosby gets his first good look, but Osgood game up with the goods (again, pun intended, stay with me people). 12 minutes remaining in first, still 1-0 Pens.

8:23 - For anyone that cares, hockey is the hardest sport to live blog, because there is a continuous flow of action. Hardly any stoppage of plays, especially when the teams are as effective as these two. But, it is also why I love the NHL Playoffs as well. You can't let up, not for one second. It just takes one goal, one moment, to be sent home.

8:20 - Matt Barnes' thoughts on the first goal. "Eh, I've seen this before. Pittsburgh coming out firing and then the Wings scoring in less than 3 minutes. Way too much game left. But well done. And yeah, Mike Emrick is underrated in every way."

Which is why I said the Pens need to sustain. Score another one. But you are right Barnes, this Detroit team is too good to be bothered by an early score ... even one on the road. Glad you are on the Emrick bandwagon.

Fleury looks good stopping a small flurry (pun intended) of Red Wings shots.

8:18 - And two of my four predictions are wrong already. Malkin scores off a rebound on the back boards and buries the shot. The Penguins grab an early 1-0 lead! I told you this was a different team than last year! Need to sustain this now.

8:16 - First 90 seconds are intense to say the least. Penguins will get an early penalty, as the Red Wings are called for interferences. HERE WE GO!!

8:11 - Here are some more wild predictions.

- Marian Hossa will score a goal tonight.

- As will Sidney Crosby.

- Evgeni Malkin will not score a single point.

- Jordan Staal will find the back of the net.

- Pittsburgh will not lead until the third period.

- The Hangover will be a worth-while movie to go and see.

8:08 - Mike Emrick is a great play-by-play guy. Sure, these Finals games have been relatively easy to get excited for, but there is something in his voice that just screams hockey. I can't figure of a better way to word it.

8:04 - Story of game four, and the entire playoffs for that matter, all things considered equal, will be the play of the two goalies. They play well, their team will not lose. Fleury gave up soft goals in the first two games, and Osgood let one slip by him in the third he should have stopped. As these two guys go, so do their teams.

8:00 - Jack Bauer is the voice for the NHL? How sweet is that? I'm officially pumped and ready to go now. The fourth game in six days. GO PENGUINS!!

7:58 - Datysuk is NOT playing tonight. Advantage Pens. Rumor on the street is that he made plans back in February to watch the first game of the NBA Finals with LeBron James. And a promise is a promise right?

7:55 - And here are Matt Barnes' predictions on the two series. "Red Wings 3-1. I wouldn't mind seeing the Pens win though. Just saw my first Lebron-Kobe commercial on ESPN. I'm laughing at all of Cleveland right now. HA."

Can not wait to start the jokes about Bron Bron. He made it way too easy.

"Oh, and I'm taking the Magic in 5 games. I called them beating the Cavs so I'm feeling reckless."

The Lakers are a better team than the Cavs, and they play better defense as well. The story of that series will be whether the Magic can out-score LA. I don't think they can.

7:53 - Still awaiting word on Pavel Datsyuk, the star forward and MVP Finalist for the Red Wings. Don't know how effective he will be if he does play, but it will give Detroit another weapon the Penguins have to keep an eye on. For the record, this Red Wings team is absolutely STACKED.

7:49 - As far as the NBA is concerned, doesn't Kobe Bryant HAVE to win this series? His entire legacy is at stake. Lose, and not only will he be known as the guy who didn't win a title without Shaq, but he will also be the guy who has lost THREE NBA Finals. His window for winning titles is shrinking rapidly. He maybe has three more dominant years left. Which is why I'm taking the Lakers in six.

7:46 - Just saw a great segment about the two goalies, Osgood from Detroit and Fleury from Pittsburgh. Last year in game one, Fleury literally stumbled onto the ice during pregame warm-ups. This year, Osgood got his stick stuck in the door trying to do the same thing. And who thought The Replacements with Keanu Reaves was not realistic?

7:44 - Okay, time for some predictions. Honestly, I believe the Penguins are going to win this game. I still think the Red Wings are going to take it in seven, but the Pens look much better than they did last year. In fact, they have outplayed the Red Wings in two of the three games. But, the only thing that matters is who scores more goals.

Pens win Game Four 4-3.

7:41 - Our first comment comes from Matt Barnes, who is hard at work (or hardly working?) in Augusta, Georgia. "I'll be checking in frequently. I mean, why work at work when you can get away with not doing work right?"

Aw Barnes, "Hakuna Matata" right?

I wanted this to be a Blue Jackets-Penguins match-up, but C-Bus got swept out of the first round by the Red Wings. Nonetheless, good to see Columbus play some extra/meaningful games for the first time in franchise history.

7:38 - Broadcasting from Madison, Wisconsin tonight. Still not getting used to the whole Central Time Zone deal, and doubt that I ever will. Big night in sports with the NHL Finals and NBA Finals both under way. We will be focused mainly on the Pens-Red Wings game, but during breaks, or if things get carried away, we will see what is happening on the hardwood. Plenty of LeBron James' jokes to use.