Pens/Bolts-Eastern Conference Finals
- Thread starter Euell
- Start date
We shall do our best!....likely without voice by end of the first frame lol....
So fellas...who's between the pipes Sunday? I would say my guess is 90% certain Fleury...I could not find one that Murray was at fault for, however he didn't exactly make the spectacular game saver, or one that would have changed momentum (although that would have been a hard task in this one tonight)....Flower looked solid and it seemed to wake them up.....Great job Mr.Murray! Flower...hold the fort!
Last edited:
I agree 100%. While I don't believe any of the goals were necessarily his fault, it may be he is wearing down a bit from the grind. I think putting in MAF gave them a spark (I still believe that may have worked in Game 1-even more so with the home crowd) last night in the 3rd and I think will really have the crowd in a frenzy on Sunday. I still think the Pens have the better team and will win the next two to put away the Bolts with #29 in the cage.
Seems like most everyone figures Flower tomorrow night, and I guess I have no basic reason to disagree..... even though Murray (IMO) really doesn't deserve to be benched. In fact, in some regards.....and I admit I didn't see as much of the game as I'd have liked.....I thought Murray actually looked sharper last night than he did at other points in this series even given the GA.
And like everyone else, I'm terrified about the presumed extended-term loss of Daley. Fortunately, the team has some depth on the back end; of course, I don't think any of us are anxious to see either 3 or 51 back on the bench taking a regular shift. But even IF the Pens find a way to win the series, I honestly don't see how this team wins the Cup without a now critical (and full strength) Trevor Daley in the lineup.....especially with Kris Letang regressing to always-pissed-off mode.
And like everyone else, I'm terrified about the presumed extended-term loss of Daley. Fortunately, the team has some depth on the back end; of course, I don't think any of us are anxious to see either 3 or 51 back on the bench taking a regular shift. But even IF the Pens find a way to win the series, I honestly don't see how this team wins the Cup without a now critical (and full strength) Trevor Daley in the lineup.....especially with Kris Letang regressing to always-pissed-off mode.
Before leaving Tampa this morning, HCMJ gave the media nothing at all on Daley (said he'll be looked at in Pittsburgh) nor the goaltending for tomorrow night. Probably won't get any kind of official determination on either situation much before tomorrow's morning skate.
However, Daley did leave the arena last night on crutches; not considered to be a good sign. Of course, even if his knee got triple-crowned, I seriously doubt his status will be officially listed as anything other than "day to day".
However, Daley did leave the arena last night on crutches; not considered to be a good sign. Of course, even if his knee got triple-crowned, I seriously doubt his status will be officially listed as anything other than "day to day".
Arggh....when I saw Trevor crawling around on the ice my heart just sunk honestly. He has meant quite a bit to this team since his arrival. Takes a lot of pressure off Letang on the backend. Now Letang will really earn his $$$...as you said previous CM it is imperative that he knocks off the hothead stuff and stays out of the sin bin...easier said than done I imagine...I have a feeling the Bolts will be all over his ass now!
In thinking...if Flower gets the net (imo almost certain), do you guys think like I am that the Bolts with no Daley, and imo a very weak puck handling goalie perhaps wandering out of the cage :scream: will dump it nice and soft back of net or in the corner? Were I Cooper (obviously I am the village idiot in comparison lol) this is exactly what I would instruct them to do...I think regardless of who is in net however the Pens will spend a bit more time in own zone...Schultz WAS supposed to be a highly touted offensive D man when first drafted but although I can't complain to much of his D play, he is NO Trevor Daley....Entire team needs to put in a solid 60 to get this one tomorrow. ...
Oh and as per the Cup aspirations. ...as we know it is a battle of attrition as much as it is effort, which the Pens were winning...and now on the other hand?....yikes!
Last edited:
Hey t, did you hear Grapes talk about rebounds (I think) last night ?? Sounds as though his philosophy is the goaltender's only basic requirement is to make the save, and it's the defense's job to clear (or control) whatever comes off his pads that's still in play.
I don't know if I agree with that or not, but a contrarian view of that type reminds me of veteran NYC hockey scribe Stan Fischler's long-held philosophy about the complete and total irrelevance regarding shots that draw iron. His theory is you can hit a post (or crossbar) a hundred times and those shots still aren't going in the goal.....so why does anyone care about them ??
I honestly don't know what Cooper is thinking about changes to take advantage of the Daley loss; based on last night (at least the first 2 periods), I'm not sure he needs to do anything. The only thing I think I know is that Letang is going to take more shots tomorrow night alone than he possibly took in the entire Washington series. Will be interesting to see if he keeps his head screwed on right, and also if the stripes start looking for the cheapies with the Pens weakened on the blue line.
Meanwhile, Letang can't play 60 minutes and someone has to carry the puck out of the zone while he's on the bench. Seems to me the most logical candidate is Schultz (I don't want Dumoulin carrying the puck that much) who really hasn't made me all that nervous thus far. But man, does KL owe his team tomorrow night; of course, since he's virtually assured of playing a full 30 minutes, he's going to have a shitpot full of opportunities to make up for Game 4.
I did! Let me preface by saying I LOVE just about everything Stan writes...and I vehemently disagree with Grapes on this one as I often do lol...both hockey wise and politically...he bugs me quite frankly in the latter fashion when he injects his thoughts that way in there...as if we're all supposed to fall in line with HIS viewpoint, he's no Captain Canada in my books...but that's another story altogether...he is amusing for myself when he sticks to hockey. ...
IMO today's (goalie) game is hugely predicated on preventing rebounds. With the softness of the pads now? The lightness of the equipment compared to the wet heavy horsehair pads? If a goaltender can be both a blocker of shots (which is the way things seem to be now), and either direct the play or absorb the puck with those pads? I say have at it...adds a whole new element to the game! Matter of fact I think thats exactly why Kessel drilled that puck at Vaselevsky's pads the other night on Hag's goal, he knew from what he had seen or the fact he's a rookie to direct it there....
Speaking of Horsehair...you see that Preakness? Was a wet sloppy affair....was hoping Nyquist could get it done (love that hockey connection), but just didn't have it today. ....
I watched the race. Man, what a sloppy track! I was pulling for Nyquist also, but from what I gathered the fast pace was not conducive to him winning. I guess you saw or heard where the horse that won the first race there today died after the race and another in the 4th race was injured and had to be put down. Sad day at Pimlico.I did! Let me preface by saying I LOVE just about everything Stan writes...and I vehemently disagree with Grapes on this one as I often do lol...both hockey wise and politically...he bugs me quite frankly in the latter fashion when he injects his thoughts that way in there...as if we're all supposed to fall in line with HIS viewpoint, he's no Captain Canada in my books...but that's another story altogether...he is amusing for myself when he sticks to hockey. ...
IMO today's (goalie) game is hugely predicated on preventing rebounds. With the softness of the pads now? The lightness of the equipment compared to the wet heavy horsehair pads? If a goaltender can be both a blocker of shots (which is the way things seem to be now), and either direct the play or absorb the puck with those pads? I say have at it...adds a whole new element to the game! Matter of fact I think thats exactly why Kessel drilled that puck at Vaselevsky's pads the other night on Hag's goal, he knew from what he had seen or the fact he's a rookie to direct it there....
Speaking of Horsehair...you see that Preakness? Was a wet sloppy affair....was hoping Nyquist could get it done (love that hockey connection), but just didn't have it today. ....
Not sure if you guys saw that it was the Can/US semi's at the WHC in Russia today...apparently Larkin and Matthews looked very good for you fellas and it was a bit of a nail biter till the end...I tuned in for the 3rd and both teams looked good (albeit from a collection of non playoff players...if only this series were played during the NHL off-season)...however I always appreciate the effort of a player who makes millions to cross the ocean and don his country's colours 100%....
The 'good guys' won in the end :wink:...I had a good laugh on my way down to the hardware store after the game in listening to one particular asshat radio commentator state 'now Canada will face the pesky Fins in the final'...???? Really? The pesky Fins? They are officially no longer 'pesky'...they are a powerhouse. And good on em from a nation of 5 mil....no weakness with them anymore...they are producing players at F,D, and G now...and damn good ones....this Laine kid looks exceptional!
The 'good guys' won in the end :wink:...I had a good laugh on my way down to the hardware store after the game in listening to one particular asshat radio commentator state 'now Canada will face the pesky Fins in the final'...???? Really? The pesky Fins? They are officially no longer 'pesky'...they are a powerhouse. And good on em from a nation of 5 mil....no weakness with them anymore...they are producing players at F,D, and G now...and damn good ones....this Laine kid looks exceptional!
Indeed I did...so sad.I watched the race. Man, what a sloppy track! I was pulling for Nyquist also, but from what I gathered the fast pace was not conducive to him winning. I guess you saw or heard where the horse that won the first race there today died after the race and another in the 4th race was injured and had to be put down. Sad day at Pimlico.
Also...fittingly I just ran out of Yeungling...thankfully I know just the place and time to get it! :wink:....so jacked....want this game to start now lol!
Blues turning it around on them tonight. 4 to 0 with 8:22 left in the 2nd. Jones just pulled from net a couple of minutes ago. It's funny how things can turn. Pens turn to reverse things tomorrow.
Latest news is that it's apparently Flower in goal tonight. I freely admit I'm a Murray fan, but strictly speaking, I'm NOT against this decision in an absolute sense.
Another interesting flash is that China Doll Beau Bennett has apparently been "cleared" to play tonight. I mentioned the other day that it wouldn't have surprised me if Bennett dressed in place of Conor Sheary (after he was dominated in Game 1).
Not sure what that particular "revelation" means exactly. First, has Bennett, in fact, actually been part of HCMS's gameplan all along.....and he's simply been awaiting the go-ahead from the Docs (which has evidently JUST happened) to put him back in the lineup ?? Or, is this announcement merely for public consumption, and BB is entering the lineup as a replacement for another forward who was quietly injured the other night (or, like Hornqvist or Kunitz, has been playing somewhere between "hurt" and "injured") ??
Bennett obviously DOES have some nose for the goal, so I'm not against sticking him back in the lineup for a team struggling somewhat to score. However, he may be a liability on the defensive end, so who really knows. But, for the record, the "flash" I read on BB did NOT state unequivocally he's IN the lineup; only that he's cleared to play. Maybe he's a game time decision.
Finally, Daley is officially gonzo with a busted ankle......
Another interesting flash is that China Doll Beau Bennett has apparently been "cleared" to play tonight. I mentioned the other day that it wouldn't have surprised me if Bennett dressed in place of Conor Sheary (after he was dominated in Game 1).
Not sure what that particular "revelation" means exactly. First, has Bennett, in fact, actually been part of HCMS's gameplan all along.....and he's simply been awaiting the go-ahead from the Docs (which has evidently JUST happened) to put him back in the lineup ?? Or, is this announcement merely for public consumption, and BB is entering the lineup as a replacement for another forward who was quietly injured the other night (or, like Hornqvist or Kunitz, has been playing somewhere between "hurt" and "injured") ??
Bennett obviously DOES have some nose for the goal, so I'm not against sticking him back in the lineup for a team struggling somewhat to score. However, he may be a liability on the defensive end, so who really knows. But, for the record, the "flash" I read on BB did NOT state unequivocally he's IN the lineup; only that he's cleared to play. Maybe he's a game time decision.
Finally, Daley is officially gonzo with a busted ankle......
The Pens situation with the Bolts aside, how much did THAT series turnaround in one single game ?? Just another of the zillions of examples of the fleeting nature of "momentum"....... 24 hours ago, the Blues were absolutely dead and buried. Today, the series has flipped TOTALLY to St. Louis.
Amazing......meanwhile, I've decided that if the Pens can beat the President's Trophy champs on home ice without a dominant Kris Letang, they SHOULD be able to do the same tonight to Tampa.
Off to the 'rink' on the shuttle boys! Let's hope tv features the sharp lookin WVU hat I'm sporting tonight lol....LET'S GO PENS!!!!!!
Also interesting re Bennett....he does have some O touch....I guess we'll see if he's in there...to Flower's left fellas 6 rows up. I plan on losing my lungs by end of game....Let's get LOUD!
Also interesting re Bennett....he does have some O touch....I guess we'll see if he's in there...to Flower's left fellas 6 rows up. I plan on losing my lungs by end of game....Let's get LOUD!
While the Kucherov goal was certainly professional, the Killorn goal regrettably gives us all pause to wonder about Fleury. Simply can't give up one like that in a close game.
Hard to believe how effective (and valuable) Kunitz the Garbage Man has become the last couple games. And since when did the Pens all of a sudden become this deadly last-minute-of-the-period team ??
Any thoughts on what the final score of this game will be.......because I myself don't think it'll be 3-2. BTW, I'm fairly impressed with Tampa's 2nd period pushback in this game; in a lot of ways, I've found this to be their most impressive performance thus far in the series.
Oh, and has anyone seen Sid tonight ?? Everyone assumed he'd have a much easier time tonight isolated from big Boyle; but he's really not been very involved thus far.
Any thoughts on what the final score of this game will be.......because I myself don't think it'll be 3-2. BTW, I'm fairly impressed with Tampa's 2nd period pushback in this game; in a lot of ways, I've found this to be their most impressive performance thus far in the series.
Oh, and has anyone seen Sid tonight ?? Everyone assumed he'd have a much easier time tonight isolated from big Boyle; but he's really not been very involved thus far.
5-3 Pens Final. Of course I haven't been right all year! LOL!
And now here's asshole Roenick.....who couldn't wait to blast Sid earlier in the series.....all-of-a-sudden trying to convince everyone he's made all these "great passes" tonight in a game where he's been virtually invisible.
What a dick JR is sometimes.....
What a dick JR is sometimes.....
Undefeated after 2 periods streak this season now gone......no back-to-back losses since January streak now gone.......home ice advantage in the series now gone. Regrettably, the Bolts are getting better while the Pens simply are not. Killorn keeps killing them, Kucherov's slump is a distant memory, they can't keep that big ape Sustr off the damned board, and that little prick Tyler Johnson pulls a Kuhnhackl on the game winner.
Will also be interesting to see if HCMJ goes back to Murray for Game 6, because nothing I saw tonight from Flower gives me much confidence in him in a win-or-go-home road game. Also, I'll be interested to hear how much they feel as though they missed Daley.
Will also be interesting to see if HCMJ goes back to Murray for Game 6, because nothing I saw tonight from Flower gives me much confidence in him in a win-or-go-home road game. Also, I'll be interested to hear how much they feel as though they missed Daley.
Ugh. This one hurts boys. Letang was pure garbage and Fleury was shakey all game. And where was Sid? We've wasted two opportunities to get a stranglehold on this series. If Murray isn't in net Tuesday we have no chance. Guess we'll see what this team is made of fellas.
