Roberts enjoying resurgence
Gary Roberts pictured a soft landing back in Toronto or with rival Ottawa at last year’s trade deadline.
Both teams were on his approved list of destinations when the Florida Panthers shopped the veteran winger around the NHL before last year’s trade deadline, and it took some prodding once general manager Jacques Martin completed a deal with the Penguins before Roberts agreed to take his act to Pittsburgh.
Enjoying a trip to the Stanley Cup finals in what could be the last of his 20 NHL seasons, the 42-year-old Roberts is as happy with the Steel City as Pittsburgh’s fans are with the hard-hitting forward, who still has plenty of spunk left in a body that often has broken down.
“I haven’t played tons of hockey this year, so now that I’m feeling like I’ve got my health back, I’m just trying to bring some energy and create some scoring chances for my linemates,” Roberts said Friday. “At this point, whatever you can contribute you try to contribute and help the team win.”
Roberts has been one of Pittsburgh’s best forwards in the series and will be counted on again today when the Penguins try to get even 2-2 with Detroit in the finals.
The Red Wings, who spent the first of two consecutive off days Thursday bonding at a resort about two hours outside of Pittsburgh, have other ideas. After a pair of home shutouts to open the series, Detroit is looking to get out of town with a win.
That would set up a potential clinching party at home in Game 5 on Monday.
Scoring at a premium
This was supposed to be the series of the stars, with Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Marian Hossa matched against the Red Wings’ Henrik Zetterberg, Pavel Datsyuk and Johan Franzen.
So far, the top scorer in the finals is Red Wings forward Mikael Samuelsson, with three goals. He had two goals in Detroit’s first 16 playoff games, both in the same game.
Crosby was shut out in the two games in Detroit before scoring twice in Game 3. Malkin was much more visible in Game 3 but doesn’t have a goal. Hossa and Datsyuk haven’t scored, either, and Zetterberg’s lone goal came during Detroit’s 4-0 victory in Game 1.
“It’s not easy to score,” Crosby said.
Lemieux avoids spotlight
Penguins co-owner Mario Lemieux is easy to find on game days. He’s always in luxury box 501, the farthest box to the left beneath the press box at Mellon Arena.
On off days, he’s not so visible, though he has attended some Penguins practices during their Stanley Cup run.
Lemieux, saying he doesn’t want to take away from the players’ accomplishments, has turned down interview requests throughout the playoffs.