Big day for us. With a win over Ottawa, we clinch a playoff spot. With a win, and a loss by Philly earlier in the day at Boston, we just about clinch home ice in round 1. With the BJ's last second loss to the Hawks, it looks pretty solid we are playing Philly in round 1. With the Wings getting another win, combined with the BJ's loss, it looks pretty solid that the Pens and Wings will be a 1st round matchup. And with Datsyuk now back, and Zetterberg hopeful for the playoffs, the Wings have an excellent shot to beat the Pens IMO. Which means if we can beat Philly, we would have home ice in round 2 against the Wings. I digress though. One game at a time. Just focus on Saturday, a day that could be a huge day for us with a win, and hopefully a Flyer loss.
Let's just hope for a good game against the Sens tonight...! All this talk about who will have home ice in round two....whats that saying about not putting the cart in front of the horse? Al, are you attaching a link or something...?
Step one done. If we win tonight we just about lock up home ice. We'd be 6 points up on Philly and have the TB. Even if we go 1-2 to finish after tonight, that would give us 95 points, which means the Flyers would need 9 of their last 10 possible points to finish ahead of us. Awesome spot we are in now with regards to home ice. Play a strong game tonight and lock in the playoffs, and pretty much lock in home ice for round 1. Great job considering the start. BTW...look at how the Avs are beating down the Blues today, that will be 6 in a row for them. Makes our game against them the other night look even better. We are really playing well now. Keep it up. This team can make a run in the East. After Boston it is wide open and anyone can beat anyone, so why not us against Boston in the ECF... Last comment, no cart before the horse at all. In reality we have been locked into a playoff spot for a while now, so talking about home ice in round 1 is what it's about now IMO. As for round 2, we all know the deal. Home ice or not that Flyer series will be VERY tough, pretty much a toss-up series...one we can lose for sure. So no looking ahead there. Just saying the Pens can be beat by the Wings, that also can happen for sure. But looking at our situation, that Flyer series is a total toss-up, maybe small edge us since we have Hank and hopefully home ice, but either way that should be a long hard fought battle that either team can win.
Ugh not a good period. Offense getting great chances and another hack goalie stoning them. Ottawa defense is horrible. They can still win this
Difference in that period was just OTT finishing their chances and us not. We're getting plenty of looks, just need tighten up on defense and coverage.
Yeah they can still win it for sure, but the D has to tighten up. One thing I have not liked is the D recently. They really do have a lot of lapses. Not good looking forward. I think they came out flat to be honest. Getting chances because the Sens D is poor, but I didn't think they were really playing with a lot of energy and passion tonight. Coming out flat again at home, similar to the Phoenix game. Need to come out much harder in the 2nd. Hit and show they want it. Frustrating because home ice is right there for them, and with a loss they really do make it a question mark again for 2/3 in the Met. As for the Flyers, they'll get it over CBJ IMO. Pretty good schedule moving forward now, and a two point lead, and the TB. Philly will stay ahead of CBJ I believe.
I'd pull Hank. He doesn't look sharp and maybe it'll wake up the defense. But he really doesn't seem to be tracking the puck well.
Oh and I'd scratch Stralman until the offseason. Completely useless out there. Can't defend. Can't skate. Can't shoot. Can't pass. Totally useless. Just get rid of that bum.
Why would anyone want the Rangers to have the HOME advantage? Their display all season at home has been awful.
As a team, they are playing like they just want to finish and go home. Still plenty of time, but they need to turn it up a notch or two.
Better period, but still a little soft and mistake prone in their own zone. If they clean that up they can still win this game. One really good sharp period and we will win. Can we do it...we'll see.
