Dude, MAF is a flat out disgrace. The tying goal was a joke. Comes out of net and doesn't even touch the puck. And then AMAZINGLY he one ups himself on the winning goal in OT on a soft wrist shot from the BL. How do the Pens keep playing him. I don't like just ripping guys like this, but holy F he is a flat out joke. Not even an NHL goalie anymore. What does Pitt do. Just wow...what a joke.
What? It was a soft wrist shot. His own guy was two steps inside the BL. The "screen" was no issue. The issue was the MAF is a juniors goalie at this point.
Right now.....I give BJs a 50-50 chance to win series. Fluery has been a shell of himself since his SC win.
How does Pitt win with this guy? I thought Pitt wasn't that good this year, but with this guy in goal they are terrible really. I am shaking my head here at those last two goals. Just amazing.
I guess you have to start MAF next game since Vokoun is not the backup, but how can you feel good about that.
31 and Dis had MAF called back in the ESPN days, and they nailed it with how terrible he is now in the playoffs. Last year was sort of a fluke since the Isles had no goalie, and Ottawa wasn't that good. Faced a good team and were swept by Boston. This season beaten by CBJ OR done against the NYR/Philly winner round 2. Never under estimate Flower Power...LOL.
I just looked around for some articles on the game last night expecting to see some good comments about how MAF imploded, and nothing. Passing comments here or these within the articles, but nothing major. CBJ never gave up. Foligno called his game winner. This overmatched BJ team showing fight. Elite Pens team not hitting their stride. This is like the twilight zone. How is MAF not THE story. The tying goal was terrible. Had no business leaving his crease to begin with, whiffs on the puck totally, CBJ gets an empty net goal to tie it. Then in OT gets beat by a soft wrist shot from just inside the BL. Awful goal. What am I missing here? How is that not the story all over the place? And the Pens are not an elite team on top of that. You cannot be an elite team with an average at best D, and a bad goalie. I don't understand it at all. MAF has to be THE story...but nope.
I did the same thing Chuck. Expected to see stories about Fleury's collapse, but nothing. BTW, Dubi is having a MONSTER series so far. Completely shutting down Crosby as well as putting some points on the board...
Not sure if it is because the NHL loves the Pens so they go soft on them (despite them not doing a thing since 2009). Or if it's because they don't want to kick a guy when he is down, MAF, but it is a real head scratcher. As for Dubi, 1st goal of the series last night, but no doubt he has been very good. All over Cindy as well. He is a good playoff guy when on his game because he adds that grit with some skill that you like in playoff games.
More than very good Chuck. Absolute beast. Completely shut down Crosby, 3rd in the league in assists with no cheapies in there, hits everything that moves (7 hits last night), 62% on face offs, plays in every situation, most TOI of the forwards, the obvious leader of this team. CBJ is riding him like a horse. Be honest, who would you want at this very moment for these playoffs? Nash or Dubi.
62, please let's not rehash that trade again. It's been done too many times on the board. I agree Dubi is in Beast mode with 6pts in 4gms, shutting down Crosby and all the other things you mentioned, but let's leave it at that. I'm a big Dubi guy and glad he's doing well in Columbus. Only 27yo so he's just about to enter his prime.
It will be waht it will be 31. People just cannot be happy with where we are. With who we are. Quite frankly there are no excuses for this team not to be in the ECF. We should beat Philly. We have shown we are the clearly better team through 3 games. They have a goalie starting in game 4 that hasn't really played in 13 days. Even if I believe we will do it the hard way, win in 7, we have no excuse not to win that series. Then we get Pitt or CBJ. Pitt is not that good this season, and I would love a Hank MAF goalie matchup. And while CBJ is tough and gritty, we are better and are simply a more talented team. So let's be happy with our team and happy with where we are and could be going. Nash is more talented than Dubi. And while I have been one of Nash's biggest critics, especially recently, he does have game breaking ability no doubt. We have another top level guy in MSL. A bunch of really solid guys in MZA, Stepan, Richards, Hags, Brass, Pouliot. And we have 3 top dmen with McD, Girardi, and Staal. All back stopped by a top 3 goalie in the world. So let's be happy right now. No reason we shouldn't be. Love him or hate him, Sather has done a solid job putting this team together this season.
