Official 2008-2009 NHL thread.

[sao123]

Originally posted by: Paratus
Pens in 4

Yah that's right 4!

maybe 6... not 4.

 

[xSauronx]

Originally posted by: sao123

Originally posted by: Paratus
Pens in 4

Yah that's right 4!

maybe 6... not 4.

seriously, theres no way anyone is getting a sweep on this.

 

[meltdown75]

Wings in 5

 

[JDub02]

ESPN is calling Pens in 6. I think they're underestimating the Pens right now. Get your brooms ready. Pens in 4. Hossa is Cup Kryptonite.

 

[NoCreativity]

Whoever gave the go ahead to this scheduling is a moran.

Was hoping the Wings would lose last night as they would have gained a good advantage waiting a week to start. Unfortunately I see Penguins winning.

Of course, I believe Crosby and Malkin were pretty hot heading into last years finals and forgot there was still one more series to go. I would not expect the same this year but there is always some hope

 

[JDub02]

Originally posted by: NoCreativity
Whoever gave the go ahead to this scheduling is a moran.

Was hoping the Wings would lose last night as they would have gained a good advantage waiting a week to start. Unfortunately I see Penguins winning.

Of course, I believe Crosby and Malkin were pretty hot heading into last years finals and forgot there was still one more series to go. I would not expect the same this year but there is always some hope

Crosby looked good throughout the playoffs last year. Malkin, on the other hand, ran out of gas well before the finals. That really hurt the Pens.

The whole team is looking great so far. When Malkin and Crosby aren't scoring, the other guys are stepping up big time.

 

[Feldenak]

Detroit winning last night helped the Pens chances IMO. The Wings needed to lose that game to push the SCF out so their guys have a chance to heal up. That said, I'm glad they won last night. Let's go Pens!

 

[meltdown75]

Wings didn't even have Lidstrom or Datsyuk last night. Wingies FTC.

 

[NoCreativity]

Originally posted by: JDub02

Originally posted by: NoCreativity
Whoever gave the go ahead to this scheduling is a moran.

Was hoping the Wings would lose last night as they would have gained a good advantage waiting a week to start. Unfortunately I see Penguins winning.

Of course, I believe Crosby and Malkin were pretty hot heading into last years finals and forgot there was still one more series to go. I would not expect the same this year but there is always some hope

Crosby looked good throughout the playoffs last year. Malkin, on the other hand, ran out of gas well before the finals. That really hurt the Pens.

The whole team is looking great so far. When Malkin and Crosby aren't scoring, the other guys are stepping up big time.

That's what has carried the Wings this far. Should be some entertaining hockey.

 

[kstu]

Wings in 6.

 

[allies]

Pens in 4. They're playing on a different level right now.

 

[KeithTalent]

Wings in 6, unfortunately. I'll be cheering my ass off for the Pens though.

KT

 

[Train]

Pens havent really played anybody good. Caps were overrated, Carolina crumbled. Ducks were WAY better than the Caps and Chicago WAY better than the Canes.

Not to mention Pens are a two man show, maybe 2.5 if Gonchar is healthy. The "other guys stepping up huge!" rhetoric fails until they face a real defense. Remember that the scoring machine that is the Pittsburg Penguins didnt manage to score a single goal until game 3 last year, and still only averaged 10 goals in the 15 periods following that.

Depth and Experience wins again.

 

[JDub02]

Originally posted by: Train
Pens havent really played anybody good. Caps were overrated, Carolina crumbled. Ducks were WAY better than the Caps and Chicago WAY better than the Canes.

Not to mention Pens are a two man show, maybe 2.5 if Gonchar is healthy. The "other guys stepping up huge!" rhetoric fails until they face a real defense. Remember that the scoring machine that is the Pittsburg Penguins didnt manage to score a single goal until game 3 last year, and still only averaged 10 goals in the 15 periods following that.

Depth and Experience wins again.

flyers and caps didn't have a real defense?

biron and varlamov are great in net and both teams have a tough D.

the canes were another story. cam ward was tough, but they were out of gas.

 

[Train]

Originally posted by: JDub02

flyers and caps didn't have a real defense?

When your only considering the east, sure, they are real. But thats the east.

biron and varlamov are great in net and both teams have a tough D.

Yet both have worse save % than the "horrible" ozzie. In these playoffs its Hiller/Broduer, then Ozzie. Then Cam Ward, then probably Flowery.

 

[rh71]

Originally posted by: Train
Pens havent really played anybody good. Caps were overrated, Carolina crumbled.

I *somewhat* agree with this... I don't know about the Pens/Philly series, but the Caps actually overperformed via a few players while the others were just missing in action (Semin/Green both had significant injuries). They really didn't adjust well to the Pens system (coach should take some blame) and just got overrun in their own zone at times. Carolina definitely did not do anything partially because of fatigue and partially because of the same Pens forecheck. Barring some lucky / miracle goals at the outset to swing momentum, I foresee the Wings systematically shutting down the offense the Pens have been able to generate. Experience will play a large role here... I think they have the personnel but did the Pens learn enough against the Wings?

 

[JDub02]

Originally posted by: Train

Originally posted by: JDub02

flyers and caps didn't have a real defense?

When your only considering the east, sure, they are real. But thats the east.

biron and varlamov are great in net and both teams have a tough D.

Yet both have worse save % than the "horrible" ozzie. In these playoffs its Hiller/Broduer, then Ozzie. Then Cam Ward, then probably Flowery.

who said ozzie was "horrible"? i think he's proven himself to be one of the best out there when it counts. he's given up some lousy goals during the playoffs, but what goalie hasn't? i think goaltending is a wash between the two teams.

if the wings forecheck can shut down the pens, then this could be an ugly series for the pens. i don't think that they will, though. malkin and crosby are playing much better than last year and the wings keep getting older and more beat up.

 

[dennilfloss]

I hope the Wings win. Then Hossa can come back to the Sens.

 

[Train]

I realize my post was a little on the bold side, but I added some oomph to spur up an otherwise dead discussion. And it seemed to have worked

Overall I have to admit I think the Pens are going to do one of two things: 1) Fold WORSE than they did last year due to early frustration compiled with lingering frustration from last year. or 2) Turn this into a 7 game nail biter kinda like the Ducks did except not as dirty as the ducks.

So either the Wings breeze through in 5, or squeek by in 7. But in the end, Expirience is too lopsided. Crosby was just turning 2 when the wings drafted Lidstrom.

 

[kranky]

Originally posted by: KeithTalent
Wings in 6, unfortunately. I'll be cheering my ass off for the Pens though.

KT

That's my thoughts exactly. I expect the Wings to go out intending to pummel the Pens physically... not deliberately intending to injure, but they won't shed a tear if it happens. In hockey it's not a bad deal to trade a few penalty minutes early in a series if you have a chance to knock a star player out for a couple games or more.

I don't buy the whole "experience" thing as the huge Wings advantage many think it is. It's not like the Pens have never been to the Cup finals. I'm sure both teams know what's at stake. In fact, there might be an edge for the Pens because they may have learned a lot from last year's experience, while it's business as usual for the Wings. I suspect players make the largest adjustment going from the first to the second year of being in the finals. If the first year is as overwhelming as people say it is, the second time you know how to handle it. After that, what further difference can it make?

If the Pens stay healthy and get a couple lucky breaks they can win it. And if the Pens pull this off, Bylsma will have had a once-in-ten-lifetimes experience this year. If the Wings win and injuries don't make the difference, then you have to tip your hat to them. The Pens have loads of talent and they aren't lucky to be there.

 

[rh71]

^ Sure the Pens are... though they outplayed the Caps overall, they were very close to being down 3-0 or 3-1 in that series. Goals scored by the other team's defensemen x 2 = luck.

 

[Paratus]

The Pens are going to take this one.

1) Crosby is hot.
2) Malkin is hot.
3) Wings are banged up.
4) The Pens are forechecking and aggressive in their opponents end.
5) Pens have been averaging 30-40 shots per game.
6) The Pens are playing disciplined hockey with few penalties.
7) Bylsma and the team have adapted well in each series so far.

While the Wings are an experienced team, they are playing an experienced, talented, healthier team in the Penguins.

Pens take the series.

posted via Palm Life Drive

 

[JDub02]

Originally posted by: Train
I realize my post was a little on the bold side, but I added some oomph to spur up an otherwise dead discussion. And it seemed to have worked

Overall I have to admit I think the Pens are going to do one of two things: 1) Fold WORSE than they did last year due to early frustration compiled with lingering frustration from last year. or 2) Turn this into a 7 game nail biter kinda like the Ducks did except not as dirty as the ducks.

So either the Wings breeze through in 5, or squeek by in 7. But in the end, Expirience is too lopsided. Crosby was just turning 2 when the wings drafted Lidstrom.

I'm not sure how much that experience is going to count when half the team is eligible for social security. How are they going to handle 3 games in 4 days?

 

[Squisher]

Originally posted by: Paratus
The Pens are going to take this one.

1) Crosby is hot.
2) Malkin is hot.
3) Wings are banged up.
4) The Pens are forechecking and aggressive in their opponents end.
5) Pens have been averaging 30-40 shots per game.
6) The Pens are playing disciplined hockey with few penalties.
7) Bylsma and the team have adapted well in each series so far.

While the Wings are an experienced team, they are playing an experienced, talented, healthier team in the Penguins.

Pens take the series.

posted via Palm Life Drive

Crosby was hot when he came into the series last year.

The strength of the Wings is playing team defense. The pens won't be getting 40 shots a night. When your best players play well at both ends of the ice you have your best players on the ice the bulk of the game. The biggest question mark is Datsyuk. The Wings need him. Even without scoring. I'd feel a lot more comfortable with him.

Wings in six.

 

[Train]

Originally posted by: JDub02

Originally posted by: Train
I realize my post was a little on the bold side, but I added some oomph to spur up an otherwise dead discussion. And it seemed to have worked

Overall I have to admit I think the Pens are going to do one of two things: 1) Fold WORSE than they did last year due to early frustration compiled with lingering frustration from last year. or 2) Turn this into a 7 game nail biter kinda like the Ducks did except not as dirty as the ducks.

So either the Wings breeze through in 5, or squeek by in 7. But in the end, Expirience is too lopsided. Crosby was just turning 2 when the wings drafted Lidstrom.

I'm not sure how much that experience is going to count when half the team is eligible for social security. How are they going to handle 3 games in 4 days?

Thats a bit of a stretch, dont you think? Chelios is the only "old" guy and he only dresses when theres 3 or more guys on the disabled list. Yet he almost scored the other night on Chicago... and he's a defenseman.

Lidstrom is the only other "old" guy, yet at 38(or is it 39 now?) he put on a defensive clinic in shutting down Crosby last year. And he's still running circles around younger guys these playoffs.

The wings have shown repeatedly they are the best conditioned team in the league. The Pens certainly won't win by wearing them down.

The pens on the other hand put way too much stock in two guys. Those are the ones likely to get fatigued. The wings could rotate fresh defensemen on Cindy and Malkin all night. And the scary part is... they are all scoring defensemen. What happens when a worn out Crosby turns it over, then the Wings defense takes it end to end? You'll have odd man rushes all night.

Pens might overcome an expirience deficit, and they might overcome a depth deficit, but theres no way in hell they will do both.