Series Thread: Pens v BlueJackets Rnd 1

[DoobeeDoobeeDoo]

IDK, Rangers seems rather solid, they always had good dmen and good goaltending. Now they added a coach who knows what he's doing and they added to their forward depth as well. Based on what I've seen from our recent play, no one in the playoffs should be taken lightly. We could lose to anyone, even the Blue Jackets.

 

[element1286]

IDK, Rangers seems rather solid, they always had good dmen and good goaltending. Now they added a coach who knows what he's doing and they added to their forward depth as well. Based on what I've seen from our recent play, no one in the playoffs should be taken lightly. We could lose to anyone, even the Blue Jackets.

Yeah, the Rags aren't a bad team, but just don't see them beating the Pens in the playoffs, they have lots of trouble scoring, and winning through defense only isn't something that gets teams far in the playoffs, need to be able to do both.

 

[scoutyjones2]

Yeah, the Rags aren't a bad team, but just don't see them beating the Pens in the playoffs, they have lots of trouble scoring, and winning through defense only isn't something that gets teams far in the playoffs, need to be able to do both.

Not sure you need to score a lot with the 4th best Eastern goal differential...seems they score enough and D wins in the playoffs. Nobody scores much as the playoffs go on

 

[element1286]

Not sure you need to score a lot with the 4th best Eastern goal differential...seems they score enough and D wins in the playoffs. Nobody scores much as the playoffs go on

Making each goal that much more important. If you look back at teams that go far in the playoffs since the lockout, you really need to be top 10 in goals for and goals against. The only recent outlier is the Kings team that won the cup.

And again I'm not saying the Rags can't win, but they wouldn't be anything close to favorites or even 50/50 in the series.

 

[scoutyjones2]

Pens go as far as Flower takes them...it's all about the goaltending.

 

[element1286]

Pens practice lines:

Kunitz - Crosby - Bennett
Jokinen - Malkin - Neal
Glass - Sutter -Stemp
Adams - Vitale - Gibbons

At least Pyatt is out of there, but still an inferior lineup to what it could be.

 

[evolver115]

I really think the defense is going to be much improved over what we've seen in the past couple post-seasons. Martin/Orpik will be tasked with skating against Johansen's line, and Scuderi/Letang will match up against C-Bus' second and/or third line. the clear advantage for the Pens IMO is the pairing of Maatta/Niskanen. When was the last time the Pens had three responsible and offensively gifted pairings? Niskanen had a career year this season, and I don't see any reason why he will let up now. Plus you add in Olli to that combination and that pairing could end up being the x-factor that C-Bus will have no answer for.

Having that third pairing of Olli and Matt will also take some TOI pressure away from the top two pairings. That will be really important to keep those guys fresh.

 

[element1286]

Agreed, as much as we like to harp on Scuds and Orpik they are much better than last year's defense that included Eaton/Doug Murray/Engo for significant portions. Pens pretty much have 3 number two pairings this year, and I mean that as a compliment.

 

[evolver115]

Some stats to consider:

All time vs Columbus

MAF - GP-9 | W-6 | L-1 | OTL-1 | SV%-.931 | GAA-2.18


All time vs Pittsburgh

Bob - GP-10 | W-5 | L-4 | OTL-1 | SV%-.901 | GAA-3.05

 

[DoobeeDoobeeDoo]

As long as MAF doesn't give up suspicious goals I like our chances.

 

[thehobocop]

Pens practice lines:

Kunitz - Crosby - Bennett
Jokinen - Malkin - Neal
Glass - Sutter -Stemp
Adams - Vitale - Gibbons

At least Pyatt is out of there, but still an inferior lineup to what it could be.

Replace Adams with Goc if he's healthy, otherwise Megna and I'm fine with it.

 

[DoobeeDoobeeDoo]

LET'S GO PENS!
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXtyiEV3uSI]Pittsburgh Penguins Highlight Playoff Pump Up Video 2013-14 - YouTube[/ame]

 

[DoobeeDoobeeDoo]

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kCUz_VQVSL8]Pittsburgh Penguins Hype 2014: It's a Great Day for Hockey - YouTube[/ame]

 

[DoobeeDoobeeDoo]

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQzeYdfInEs]#87 Sidney Crosby - Renaissance (HQ) - YouTube[/ame]

 

[DoobeeDoobeeDoo]

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fWIaCGuIx6k]Evgeni Malkin Ultimate Highlights | Tribute | HD - YouTube[/ame]

 

[DoobeeDoobeeDoo]

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CM5_FeaexAg]James Neal highlight video - YouTube[/ame]

 

[element1286]

Well I'm fired up, going to the game tonight.

Should be a good time.

 

[DoobeeDoobeeDoo]

Well I'm fired up, going to the game tonight.

Should be a good time.

Have a blast dude!

 

[element1286]

Have a blast dude!

Thanks, nothing like the first playoff game of the year.

 

[evolver115]

Well I'm fired up, going to the game tonight.

Should be a good time.

Awesome

Have a good time, El. Bring home the W