#Pens vs #BlueJackets Official Thread! #StanleyCupPlayoffs

[Manfred]

My opinion, this one play will work inside MAF's head to the extent that he folds, like he did last year. As much as I love the Pens, they're done. Maybe they pull this series out, maybe not, but that's as far as they go this year.

[theoneandonly]

I sadly have to agree 100% with your assessment on MAF. Maybe he comes out and plays lights out and Pens win in 6 and we forget all about last nights debacle... or maybe history is going to repeat itself with him. I know which one my money would be on.

[abpk2903]

I'm going to gripe about a few things not name Fleury.

-Crosby, Malkin, and Letang need to show up and produce in game 5. They are the 3 highest paid players on the team and have been the worst 3 on the ice for the Pens through 3 games. If they don't and the Pens are eliminated, 2 of those 3 shouldn't return next year.

-I am beginning to truly wonder if the NHL doesn't have a memo out for the refs to keep these games and series close. A few examples:

*In both game 3 and 4 of this series the team down 2 goals got 4 consecutive PPs. Typically in hockey if you had a few PPs in a row a tacky penalty is coming your way at some point. Not this postseason. During these 4 consecutive PPs, I've seen blatant high sticks, slashes, too many men's, cross checks ect. missed against the team that is ahead. They make a big deal about teams coming back from multiple goals down but it's actually quite easy to do when you are spending half the 3rd period on the PP. I mean even as a Pens fan, "snowing the goalie," really?

*In the stars/ducks series, the trailing (in the series and the game) stars attacked Getzlaf's busted jaw. No PP was awarded to the Ducks. In fact it led to a Stars PP. This is one of the superstars if the game that is having a head injury exploited after the whistle. Even though I'm pulling for the stars, this was quite embarrassing to watch as a hockey fan.

*Good ole' Matty Cooke decided to plaster the knee of an Avs player in front of everyone during the second period of game 3 of the Wild/Avs series. Lucky for Cooke, his team was trailing the series 2-0 so he was only given a 2 minute minor penalty.

*The Carcillo penalty for the Rags in the 3rd period of game 3 was laughable. But with the trend being set forth by the league this postseason it should have been expected. The Rags were up a goal in the 3rd and dominating play. Gotta get he Flyers back in it.

These are just some of the examples I've noticed but I am sure to keep and eye on it to see of the trend continues.

[crfball]

I hate the new playoff system then, I thought it reset and you high seeds play low seeds.....you could play the same two teams every year in the playoffs this way.

[konjo78]

Idk if they are manipulating games... Cooke had might not of got all he deserved in game but he is our 7 playoff games now which is like the equivalent of a 30 game suspension in the regular season. The refs have just been annoying hard on penalties so far..... Usually you hear refs swallow their whistles but this year they seem to be Calling it harder than the regular season

[konjo78]

I hate the new playoff system then, I thought it reset and you high seeds play low seeds.....you could play the same two teams every year in the playoffs this way.

This is what the Nhl wanted to create more solid playoff rivalries. I personally am going to enjoy playing division teams in the first 2 rounds more as the years go on! The best games are the ones in your division against rivals

[abpk2903]

What the NHL does well is make early playoff series relevant. It's biggest competitor (the NBA) struggles more horribly at this. I think before this opening round, you could easily make a case on why any of the 16 teams could win their first round matchup. In the NBA you could maybe make this case for 10-11 teams. Everyone knows in the NBA the Heat, Thunder, and Spurs are going deep into the playoffs. Find me one team in the NHL that you would be willing to bet they stroll through the 2nd round.

The Bruins (by far the most impressive team in the regular season) has this path to get to the Finals.
-Detroit. 23rd straight playoff appearance and a finally semi-healthy roster. They have 2 or 3 of the top players in the world, when healthy.
-Habs. Swept a first round matchup and have a goalie that can easily steal a game or two. Bitter rivalry.
-Metro division champs. All 4 of these teams have stars all over the ice. Probably a deeper division than the one the Bruins played in all year.

Now compare that to the Heat.

[Aoki11]

Abpk I agree with everything you said although I just think you are being a little harsh on Crosby letang and malkin. Who would you get rid of and why? I also thought at the beginning of the year getting rid of malkin and letang was the answer. I think you have to look a little deeper, malkin has been flying on the ice this whole series, although he hasn't been a potent goalscorer that we lone him to be I think he has been great on the forecheck. In game 3 he created a turnover that almost lead to a breakaway goal. Letang of the 3 I can see. But I think last night he played well. He is getting progressively better but I can see getting rid of him as a smart move. Too much of a liability. Crosby: never. 4 points in 4 games in a series in which his team has underplayed so heavily that it's tough to even watch. But again, it's deeper than the points, I think Crosby has been good at even strength and PK defense. I don't know if this is the time to be thinking about getting rid of people. I still think there is hope, but that's probably just the fan coming out in me.

[abpk2903]

How am I being harsh on Crosby, Letang, and Malkin?

Letang has been the worst player on the ice for either team, and it's not even close.

Malkin didn't register a single shot in game 4. Everyone is saying Dubinsky is why Crosby is held in check but that should free up Geno.

For Crosby, if he is healthy (which may be the problem) he is the best player in the game. He hasn't scored a goal in 8 playoff games. He has had some opportunities, too.

Idk about anyone else but at my workplace the highest paid in the office are held accountable for the most production. I think this is the case at most workplaces (outside of the government). Enough excuses, score some freaking goals.

[Aoki11]

I just think this series is a small sample size to be putting malkin and Crosby on the choping block seeing as how phenomenal they have been over their careers. I agree, more offensive production and dynamic play is definitely going to be needed going forward, especially from malkin. Crosbys 4 assists is a decent number, a goise egg in the goal column is like you said unacceptable. But it is not worth getting rid of one of them. As for letang, I don't know. I thought his play was a little better last night but I am optimistic towards him all the time, I still think there is definitely room to improve.