Series Thread: Stanley Cup Freakin' Finals (Sharks v Penguins)

[DragonfromTO]

What's a great thing about the current Conn Smythe debate as a Pens fan, is that it's not an easy call. That's a great thing for your team. I'd give it to Phil probably. Or Murray. Letang has had too many poor games in ECF and SCF. He's rebounded from those games very well, but really since that Callahan hit he's been different. Less consistent. I think that Phil has been really consistent throughout all the series. He was huge in the ECF, and is chipping in in the SCF too. Murray has been very constant too. He stole games in the Caps series, and he really hasn't had many awful games. Maybe game 4 in ECF. No one has stood out substantially ahead of anyone else. Sid has been probably the best player in the ECF and SCF, even if the numbers haven't been following up that performance.

This series so far has provided evidence that the old top 6/bottom 6 model is a dinosaur. When you can roll 3 (or 4) scoring lines at a team they can't hide their 3rd defense pair anywhere, and that's been a big problem for the Sharks.

 

[RP-29]

It's a bigger thing if Kessel wins to me - the US is bringing a lot of trash to the World Cup but they aren't bringing their second-best goalscorer who is literally making the difference in games single-handedly for his team in the Cup final.

Imagining Phil Kessel on a Torts-coached team.....




....

 

[Darkstone42]

Imagining Phil Kessel on a Torts-coached team.....




....

He's blocked like three shots these playoffs! He could do it!

 

[Darkstone42]

What's a great thing about the current Conn Smythe debate as a Pens fan, is that it's not an easy call. That's a great thing for your team. I'd give it to Phil probably. Or Murray. Letang has had too many poor games in ECF and SCF. He's rebounded from those games very well, but really since that Callahan hit he's been different. Less consistent. I think that Phil has been really consistent throughout all the series. He was huge in the ECF, and is chipping in in the SCF too. Murray has been very constant too. He stole games in the Caps series, and he really hasn't had many awful games. Maybe game 4 in ECF. No one has stood out substantially ahead of anyone else. Sid has been probably the best player in the ECF and SCF, even if the numbers haven't been following up that performance.

Phil's my pick because, while I agree Sid's been the best player on the ice for the past two series (and also probably in the first one), Phil's been electric and has the numbers.

But mostly, I want him to win it so he'll stop taking so much crap.

 

[Darkstone42]

This series so far has provided evidence that the old top 6/bottom 6 model is a dinosaur. When you can roll 3 (or 4) scoring lines at a team they can't hide their 3rd defense pair anywhere, and that's been a big problem for the Sharks.

You don't need pluggers when you always have the puck. I remember the 2008 Red Wings being that way. They just didn't give up the puck, and no one could beat them because of it.

 

[Bloody Brian Burke]

This series so far has provided evidence that the old top 6/bottom 6 model is a dinosaur. When you can roll 3 (or 4) scoring lines at a team they can't hide their 3rd defense pair anywhere, and that's been a big problem for the Sharks.

I can't fucking believe we got 2 second rounders for Roman Polak lol

 

[esls79]

This series so far has provided evidence that the old top 6/bottom 6 model is a dinosaur. When you can roll 3 (or 4) scoring lines at a team they can't hide their 3rd defense pair anywhere, and that's been a big problem for the Sharks.

Yet Randy Carlyle has gotten multiple interviews this offseason...

 

[forty_three]

Imagining Phil Kessel on a Torts-coached team.....




....

I'd take Phil, but we really need centers....



Wait a minute. Yes, Torts seems like the kind of guy that would eat french fries on a sandwich.

 

[Dacks]

This series so far has provided evidence that the old top 6/bottom 6 model is a dinosaur. When you can roll 3 (or 4) scoring lines at a team they can't hide their 3rd defense pair anywhere, and that's been a big problem for the Sharks.

But how realistic is it to roll 3 or 4 scoring lines? HBK has incredible chemistry, and we've had a bit of luck that guys like Rust and Sheary are contributing on the top two lines. In past years, guys like Gibbons couldn't perform in that role. And how many other teams have guys like Crosby/Malkin who continue to draw the other team's top assignments even with sub-par wingers?

I wouldn't at all be surprised to see Hagelin and Kessel playing in the top six next year, even if the Pens win the cup.

 

[DragonfromTO]

But how realistic is it to roll 3 or 4 scoring lines? HBK has incredible chemistry, and we've had a bit of luck that guys like Rust and Sheary are contributing on the top two lines. In past years, guys like Gibbons couldn't perform in that role. And how many other teams have guys like Crosby/Malkin who continue to draw the other team's top assignments even with sub-par wingers?

I wouldn't at all be surprised to see Hagelin and Kessel playing in the top six next year, even if the Pens win the cup.

But even if you can't roll scoring lines as good as Pittsburgh's that doesn't mean that your best plan becomes putting together two lines that specifically don't score.

I'm not just talking about teams reaching the right goals when team-building, I'm talking about them having the right goals in the first place.

 

[KennyBanyeah]

But even if you can't roll scoring lines as good as Pittsburgh's that doesn't mean that your best plan becomes putting together two lines that specifically don't score.

I'm not just talking about teams reaching the right goals when team-building, I'm talking about them having the right goals in the first place.

Exactly. Way too often do I hear fans (and even management) spouting off that player X can't play in the bottom six because he's not a big, physical grinder. You need players who can skate, score and control the puck, period. If they can't do one of those three things, well, they need to be shown the door.

The only niche players that you should have on your team's bottom six are good PKers and PP specialists. But in today's game even those guys need to be good at one of the above skills.

 

[dash]

Exactly. Way too often do I hear fans (and even management) spouting off that player X can't play in the bottom six because he's not a big, physical grinder. You need players who can skate, score and control the puck, period. If they can't do one of those three things, well, they need to be shown the door.

Matt Sekeres and Blake Price repeat the bolded (and italicized) on the cesspool ad nauseam - He can't play in the top 6 and he's not enough of a physical player or grinder to play in the bottom 6. Willie D said they got rid of Nick Bonino because he can't skate fast enough. Looks fast enough to me centering Kessel and Hagelin.

/Of course, Willie D also said the other day that a healthy Brandon Sutter puts the Canucks into the playoffs.

 

[KennyBanyeah]

Matt Sekeres and Blake Price repeat the bolded (and italicized) on the cesspool ad nauseam - He can't play in the top 6 and he's not enough of a physical player or grinder to play in the bottom 6. Willie D said they got rid of Nick Bonino because he can't skate fast enough. Looks fast enough to me centering Kessel and Hagelin.

/Of course, Willie D also said the other day that a healthy Brandon Sutter puts the Canucks into the playoffs.

It was pretty much the reason the idiot Dave Cameron had for not playing Shane Prince, leading his being dumped for a 3rd round pick. Never mind the fact that he was a positive influence on the shot ledger (and in goals).

Not that I'm sure that Prince will even be a full-time NHLer but he can skate and he's scored at every level. Still pisses me off that the guy never got a real shot in Ottawa.

 

[dash]

Of course, the POHO for the Flames said he expects Brandon Bollig to get more ice time next season so who am I taking shots at the Canucks when the Flames house is in shambles.

 

[dash]

First we had Corsi, now we have Coarsey...

 

[pixburgher66]

But even if you can't roll scoring lines as good as Pittsburgh's that doesn't mean that your best plan becomes putting together two lines that specifically don't score.

I'm not just talking about teams reaching the right goals when team-building, I'm talking about them having the right goals in the first place.

Obviously I'm happy to have my team succeeding, but I'm also thrilled that this style of play is succeeding. It's just so much more entertaining to watch, so enjoyable. Now, I was too stressed to fully enjoy it, but the ECF was fantastic hockey. Fast paced, goals could happen in an instant, close games. That's what makes me love hockey. Sorry Blues, but I can't do it. I'm too enamored with fast hockey.

 

[pixburgher66]

Dear Penguins:

Finish this shit tomorrow, if you could. Watching with my family would be just the best gift you could give me.

Thanks a bunch,

Pix

 

[Jared]

Dear Penguins (and Pix),

I second the finish it tomorrow sentiment. But I'm not really fond of my family. I just want to get normal sleep again.

Toodles,

Jared

 

[pixburgher66]

Dear Penguins (and Pix),

I second the finish it tomorrow sentiment. But I'm not really fond of my family. I just want to get normal sleep again.

Toodles,

Jared

I could do with removing some stress from my life, hahahah

 

[Sgt. Schultz]

That 3rd defense pairing for San Jose ..Dillon and Polak is friggin terrible...