NHL General Discussion

[Eli26]

Grenouille, hope you continue to post. Nice to have this thread consistently flow on the daily. I am thinking a Nash/Pitts Final now. Anyone who can make short work of the Hawks in 4 straight has my attention.

 

[Eli26]

btw How can you not be happy for Clarke MacArthur... gets the series closing game winner. I thought for sure his hockey career was done, so it's a feel-good story, even a Bruins fan can admit to.

And wow, those Maple Leafs are giving the Capitals a difficult time. Even if Washington does advance, I think they have been so worked and evenly matched in this series that the next team may have their way with them. Sorry Kit, that's my prediction. I thought for sure the Caps would have done what Nashville did to Chicago. This has definitely been the surprise and arguably one of the more entertaining and nail biting (if you're a fan of either team), of any series this Spring.

 

[KitFisto]

We never beat the Pens and wont this time either, but not because of OT games. Most finished quickly in OT except the one double OT game. Caps aren't gassed, but they never beat the Pens so.......

 

[SilverStar17]

I'm thinking Nash/Pitts Final now. Anyone who can make short work of the Hawks in 4 straight has my attention.

Didn't they also hold them to 3 goals in 4 games? Like you said, an 8th seed who makes quick work of the 1 seed and holds them to 3 goals in 4 games has my attention.

West Final: Ducks and Preds

East Final: Pens and NYR

Final: Pens and Preds

Champion: Pens

Meanwhile, I see my team, the Kings, went with promoting John Stevens to head coach. He's paid his dues as associate head coach with the promise that he was the coach in waiting and did some good things with the Flyers during his tenure as head coach there, but I personally would have liked to have seen them promote Mike Stothers, coach of their AHL affiliate Ontario Reign, to head coach of the Kings. I'm always an advocate of seeing teams hire and trying someone new as opposed to recycling and trading the same head coaches after one gets fired from another club. Other teams have found success by merely promoting their AHL coach and I think the Kings could have potentially benefitted from the same. Stothers is having and has had a lot of success with the Reign/Monarchs and is already familiar with a lot of the younger talent in their pipeline by either currently coaching or has coached them.

 

[Deeznutz6]

I'm still calling the Caps this years Stanley cup winner. Anyone can come out of the West, but in the east The Pens are still beat up, and the Rags and Sens are to soft, and don't have enough depth.

Kit this is your year

 

[Eli26]

For a beat up Pens team they are looking dang good. Malkin is a beast, Crosby's line has been good and hasn't even been the top producing line and we're getting depth scoring. When the opposition's best shutdown lines focus on Crosby, it allows for Malkin and Kessel to capitalize. Our D is deeper this Spring vs. 2016... and goaltending has been good. I don't see the issue of a banged up team. But they do need to play even better against Washington... but we have had the Caps number for 16 times. Watch, this is the year I am comfortable the Pens make short work of the Capitals, and this is the year Washington beat them.

 

[SilverStar17]

I'm still calling the Caps this years Stanley cup winner. Anyone can come out of the West, but in the east The Pens are still beat up, and the Rags and Sens are to soft, and don't have enough depth.

Kit this is your year

With Mr. Game 7 on their roster now, it certainly helps their odds.

For a beat up Pens team they are looking dang good. Malkin is a beast, Crosby's line has been good and hasn't even been the top producing line and we're getting depth scoring. When the opposition's best shutdown lines focus on Crosby, it allows for Malkin and Kessel to capitalize. Our D is deeper this Spring vs. 2016... and goaltending has been good. I don't see the issue of a banged up team. But they do need to play even better against Washington... but we have had the Caps number for 16 times. Watch, this is the year I am comfortable the Pens make short work of the Capitals, and this is the year Washington beat them.

I'm still going with the Pens over the Caps. Caps still have yet to show me they're more than just a regular season powerhouse and can get over the playoff hump. However, as I mentioned, having Mr. Game 7 on their roster increases their chances.

 

[Deeznutz6]

For a beat up Pens team they are looking dang good. Malkin is a beast, Crosby's line has been good and hasn't even been the top producing line and we're getting depth scoring. When the opposition's best shutdown lines focus on Crosby, it allows for Malkin and Kessel to capitalize. Our D is deeper this Spring vs. 2016... and goaltending has been good. I don't see the issue of a banged up team. But they do need to play even better against Washington... but we have had the Caps number for 16 times. Watch, this is the year I am comfortable the Pens make short work of the Capitals, and this is the year Washington beat them.

I don't think we are better this year at all

Offensively you are right, we are pretty solid, it's the defence and goaltending that worry me especially against a Washington team that can score. Th bj's pumped us for more than three goals in at least 3 of the five games, and that's a problem.

To many people calling a Pens victory has the pressure of the Caps.

So confident calling someone for the line now to take the Caps

 

[KitFisto]

It's Pens/Caps........Caps fans know, Pens win lol.

 

[Deeznutz6]

300$ on the Caps...

 

[SilverStar17]

Safe bet is the Pens, given past history.

Crosby-Ovechkin is sort of like Brady-Manning, with Crosby playing the role of Brady. Ovie's going to have to ultimately get through Sid in order to win a Cup.

 

[Eli26]

16-0 is the Pens last 16 playoff appearances over the Caps. History heavily favours the Pens, but like all good things, some things come to an end. Is that time now? Who knows, but I like the Pens chances to make it 17.

 

[Eli26]

I don't think we are better this year at all

Offensively you are right, we are pretty solid, it's the defence and goaltending that worry me especially against a Washington team that can score. Th bj's pumped us for more than three goals in at least 3 of the five games, and that's a problem.

Incorrect, it was 2 of 5 games. First two games Fleury only gave up a goal per game and then let in 2 in the final game on 51 shots. The two games they let up more than 3 they won the one game. This is the same team that had the 2nd longest consecutive win streak in NHL history. No Mickey Mouse club there.

To many people calling a Pens victory has the pressure of the Caps.

So confident calling someone for the line now to take the Caps

First of all, the defence is deeper than last year's version and secondly the goaltending at the end of the day went .933 SP in the series. And the team only gave up more than 2 goals in two of the 5 games. Both away games and won was one ... Columbus is not a bad team and deserves more respect.

You also said the Caps would win last year. Who are you really pulling for? The Caps or the Pens? You need more confidence in your team. This is the same team I had predicted to win after Sullivan took over 20 games prior to the post season last year. I am confident they can be the first team to repeat since the 97 and 98 Red Wings teams.

But the D has to be better, we gave up too many shots. But again and I can't make it clear enough, the difference between quantity and quality shots is the difference maker. Also Fleury came up strong in the end... and the Jackets are a good team. The Pens beat a good team.

Going 4-1 against a tough opponent is pretty good. Again, I like our odds. I still have the Pens over the Caps, but I won't dismiss how good of a team Washington is either. They have lots to prove, and I can see both teams giving it their all. May come down to a best of 7. Down the wire.

 

[KitFisto]

If the Caps win this series I'll be beyond stunned. If the Caps go up 3-1 in the series I'll still expect the Pens to come back and win it. The Caps ALWAYS find a way to blow series leads and choke. I'm not just being negative, but the entire franchise history tells the story including the Ovechkin era teams. I'm rooting for them, but I've seen this movie before and I know the ending unfortunately. I don't think this will ultimately be a close series. I think if the Pens win tonight then it's a 5 game series for the Pens. If the Caps win tonight then Pens still win it, but in 6.

As I Caps fan I also take into account the Caps are playing the Pens and refs. Pens always get more and more timely power plays. Sure, it's an excuse and you have to man up and win the game anyway and capitalize on your chances, but it doesn't make it any easier.

 

[Eli26]

I have seen games called against the Pens as well. Bad reffing is every team's problem. Know how many times my Jets got screwed? Yes I also say my Jets because I am a season ticket holder. Point is every team gets bad calls their way.

 

[KitFisto]

Look at the playoff penalties called since 2008 Eli.....Caps are near last in the NHL at -30 something a d the Pens are in the top 3 or 4 at +20ish......there is a bias towards and against certain teams.

That said, I still say man up and p,ay through it, but the Caps never do. Game 1 is already over and I said Pens in 5 if they win game 1.

 

[KitFisto]

300$ on the Caps...

Probably one of the dumbest bet offers I've ever seen.

 

[Eli26]

I think Deez is more of a Caps fan than you are.

 

[Eli26]

How about mutha fuggin' Fleury?! Outstanding!

"Fleury apologist" looking good. Cause Fleury looking good.

 

[Eli26]

Better thank Fleury for that game Deez, he won us Game 1.