Outline · [ Standard ] · Linear+ Lord Stanley's Cup challenge, prize package will be updated

[aceecards]

Yeah shocking from a Pens standpoint, but the bounces went the Bruins way and Rask was a wall.  Not over yet, but either going to be a real short series or a long one.

I was shocked at the chippiness of the pens.

Posts were bigger detriment than Rask in my opinion last night

[aceecards]

cant believe the hawks actually chased quick last night

[northicehero99]

cant believe the hawks actually chased quick last night

Yeah, now the Bruins chased Vokoun and Fluery did not look much better. Wouldn't be as upset if the Pens were actually losing but in the games, but they are being completely shut down. Guess that roster only looks good on paper?

[aceecards]

and the bruins claim the lead with the pounding they dished out to the flightless birds from steel city!

[aceecards]

wow the wheels have fallen off the pens bus!

I heard Doc Emrick say the other night that the last 4 stanley cup winners are playing in the conference championship and that hadnt happened since the days of the original six back in the 40's

Amazing fact!

that is why I say Doc is the best announcer in all of sports.

[northicehero99]

wow the wheels have fallen off the pens bus!

I heard Doc Emrick say the other night that the last 4 stanley cup winners are playing in the conference championship and that hadnt happened since the days of the original six back in the 40's

Amazing fact!

that is why I say Doc is the best announcer in all of sports.

Yep, Pittsburgh 09, Chicago 10, Bruins 11, and the Kings 12. Right now it looks like it might be Chicago vs Boston, but it could change to LA vs Boston.

[aceecards]

dang boston just scored

[redwing40]

Boston goes to the Finals!

[northicehero99]

Yep, one of the worst 4 game performances I have ever seen, not even a threat to be in it with 2 goals in 4+ games. Great job by Boston on goaltending and defense. Bylsma will probably be fired. A lot of questioning why Iginla is playing on a 3rd line and guys like Tyler Kennedy and Matt Cooke are playing on Malkin's line. Why even trade for Iginla if you are not going to pair him with Crosby or Malkin?

[aceecards]

promote granato to hc

[redwing40]

Yep, one of the worst 4 game performances I have ever seen, not even a threat to be in it with 2 goals in 4+ games.  Great job by Boston on goaltending and defense.  Bylsma will probably be fired.  A lot of questioning why Iginla is playing on a 3rd line and guys like Tyler Kennedy and Matt Cooke are playing on Malkin's line.  Why even trade for Iginla if you are not going to pair him with Crosby or Malkin?

Really Iggy was on a 3rd line? Really thought they would do better, plus rumors going around that Malkin would get traded if they didn't make the Finals, just rumors anyways! Sorry about your Pens Brian!

[northicehero99]

Really Iggy was on a 3rd line? Really thought they would do better, plus rumors going around that Malkin would get traded if they didn't make the Finals, just rumors anyways! Sorry about your Pens Brian!

Yes, Iggy and Neal are both right wings so it was an issue to put him on Malkin's line, but he could have been slid into Crosby's line moving Kunitz or Dupuis to Malkin's line. Feel he was really not worth getting for the way he was used. He did however look a little slow, not hating on him, just not as fast as he used to be, but so did Jagr.

As for Malkin, he has a year left, not sure they will get rid of him, but it is possible. I heard on a local radio show that he has a $15M offer to play in the Russian hockey league once his contract expires here, so who knows.

They have lots of free agents, so expecting they will not re-sign Cooke, Iggy, Morrow, Murray, and same with Letang. Letang is supposedly asking Crosby / Malkin money, so I doubt they will bring him back, especially after his poor playoff play this year as he was on the ice for 7 of the Bruins 12 goals. Offseason moves are all we have left to talk about in Pittsburgh.

[aceecards]

an all original six final


what a great game between the hawks and kings last night

[aceecards]

Yes, Iggy and Neal are both right wings so it was an issue to put him on Malkin's line, but he could have been slid into Crosby's line moving Kunitz or Dupuis to Malkin's line.  Feel he was really not worth getting for the way he was used.  He did however look a little slow, not hating on him, just not as fast as he used to be, but so did Jagr.

As for Malkin, he has a year left, not sure they will get rid of him, but it is possible.  I heard on a local radio show that he has a $15M offer to play in the Russian hockey league once his contract expires here, so who knows.

They have lots of free agents, so expecting they will not re-sign Cooke, Iggy, Morrow, Murray, and same with Letang.  Letang is supposedly asking Crosby / Malkin money, so I doubt they will bring him back, especially after his poor playoff play this year as he was on the ice for 7 of the Bruins 12 goals.  Offseason moves are all we have left to talk about in Pittsburgh. 

I see other problems for the Pens

and it starts in net maybe a luongo for fleury trade?

Malkin isn't going anywhere , he loves America as does ovie, neither will risk going home after the locomotiv airline accident or Putin and the government threatening to close the curtain again.

Losing Staal hurt more than anything and sutter was just not a capable replacement. The defense continues to just hoover. Martin played better this season but still nowhere near what could've been. If letang wants money he should've played his butt off.

At times this postseason, the Crosby and malkin linest appeared that they were playing dump and chase and nobody chased, other times the boys used their god given skills to carry the puck in and cause nightmare matchups in the zone and that is when they could've been the most successful, but every pass , every slide seemed a bit off.

Lemieux isn't going to shake the team up too much other than behind the bench and maybe in net. He has 2 of the greats in their prime, a fairly new stadium and he just isn't going to rattle the chain too much!

[aceecards]

Now about this final matchup

Man I see a 6 or 7 game Barn Burner

Hawks have more finesse and are more solid in goal

B's have a lot of grit and a pest named marchand

What does history tell us

What? wait there is no historical precedence? Thes teams have been playing since 1927 and they never met in the cup finals?

WOW!

[northicehero99]

I see other problems for the Pens

and it starts in net maybe a luongo for fleury trade? 

Malkin isn't going anywhere , he loves America as does ovie, neither will risk going home after the locomotiv airline accident or Putin and the government threatening to close the curtain again.

Losing Staal hurt more than anything and sutter was just not a capable replacement. The defense continues to just hoover. Martin played better this season but still nowhere near what could've been. If letang wants money he should've played his butt off.

At times this postseason, the Crosby and malkin linest appeared that they were playing dump and chase and nobody chased, other times the boys used their god given skills to carry the puck in and cause nightmare matchups in the zone and that is when they could've been the most successful, but every pass , every slide seemed a bit off.

Lemieux isn't going to shake the team up too much other than behind the bench and maybe in net. He has 2 of the greats in their prime, a fairly new stadium and he just isn't going to rattle the chain too much!

Fluery could be gone, yes, but again not sure, cannot blame him for a defense that isn't playing much defense. Of all the things that could happen this is one that is most probable due to the failure to start him after Vokoun lost in game 2 of the Bruins series. Granted he did not look good in replacement, but who does mopping up after that many games off. I think they give him another year and see how it goes.

Sutter was not a great replacement for Staal, but it is what it is, let Staal go for nothing or get something for him? The whole 3rd and 4th lines have been very limited in their goal production this year. It was even more apparent against the Bruins.

As for Malkin, if you were him being offered to play for what you make here and knowing the language and country what would you do? In addition, you know you would be the best player in the league and never be in someones shadow, the temptation to go home would be pretty great.

As for Lemieux he knows this city and these fans and even he himself wants to win! I don't think he will sit around after this loss, his coach was given every available tool to produce a champion and didn't. Now it comes down to where the blame falls, Fluery, Bylsma, Letang, etc, etc.

[northicehero99]

Now about this final matchup

Man I see a 6 or 7 game Barn Burner

Hawks have more finesse and are more solid in goal

B's have a lot of grit and a pest named marchand

What does history tell us

What? wait there is no historical precedence? Thes teams have been playing since 1927 and they never met in the cup finals?

WOW!

As for the finals, if Rask stays as hot as he was against the Pens they could pull it out. I would favor Rask over Crawford as long as the Bruins play like the have the last 2 series. They will however have to take less penalties as I think the Hawks powerplay can dominate. In addition, the Hawks seem to have more speed and play a faster transition game. I am expecting the Hawks to win it all, as Toronto's fast play nearly eliminated the B's in round 1. If the B's can figure a way to slow it down and shut down the Hawks, then maybe, but it will probably take 6 or 7 games if they win.

[aceecards]

WHAT a game 1

man are we in for some high drama!

[northicehero99]

Game 1 down, how many more to go?

[captkirk42]

Game 1 down, how many more to go?

I hope 5 but maybe just 4 more.