We'll see, if they lose in 5/6 games i'll admit maybe i was wrong. I do think the Panthers beat the Isles in 6.
Especially without McDonagh.....And Cindy and Pitt will draw a lot if PP which doesn't bode well w our PK.
Sounds good 94. Thank you for the chat as always. As far as 71 goes...we go WAY bro...unlike you and the people here. He knows Dis and I are just busting balls.
I think both Pitt and Fla beat the Isles but I think the Fla/NYI is a toss up series. Rangers are better then Fla. I'm not saying their future is better I'm saying their team in a series next week is better + they have light years more playoff experience. That doesn't even factor in even bigger advantages if you win round 1 and get Det/TB instead of Philly/Wash.
You'll admit maybe you were wrong if they lose in 5 or 6...LOL. The Isles/Panthers series will be a close long series. The Panthers are good, no one ever said they weren't. BUT they are not the Pens, and they don't have a Caps kicker thrown in for good measure.... I figure the Isles/Panthers will go 6 or 7...could go either way.
Not having McDonagh will hurt for sure, but we'll see who they are missing as well. I agree that getting Hagelin makes a huge difference in their speed as we know, but i don't think they will wear down our D like Florida might.
MAF could implode, but he could also play well like he has the past two playoff seasons. He was excellent against us last season. He hasn't really imploded since 2013. Our bigger hope is he's out early in the series and we get a couple of soft goals as a result. We'll see if he practices tomorrow or Tuesday...whenever the Pens practice. But I'm sure we won't know until Wednesday if he'll play or not, but I bet he does.
The Rangers haven't been bad offensively. Lets not completely make things up to try and make an argument. They have some guys who underachieved but have guys who had good seasons and guys who came on like Stepan and Kreider.
For the record, the Isles officially had 11 shots on goal the last 51 minutes after they took a 2-0 lead. That includes a 5 on 3 PP. NO...they didn't tank at all....
It was played like a preseason game if that. It wasn't shocking and I don't blame the Islanders at all.
Hell no...I don't blame the Isles one bit for being very very smart. Just because we were dumb yesterday doesn't mean I blame the Isles. They played it 100000000% right. Good for them IMO. Maybe they lose to the Panthers, but that was still the right move 100 out of 100 times. Good for them.
I don't want to beat this into the ground, reasonable minds can disagree and there is a playoff series starting in two days. But I just wanted to say I'd be embarrassed if the Rangers ever pulled what the Islanders did yesterday. I'm not saying go out and win at all costs, pull your goalie if you're down, pinch your D, etc. And I definitely have no problem resting key guys because of the injury concern. But to just stop shooting, taking purposeful penalties, not even covering guys, making it so damn obvious to the point that they give away a 2 goal lead without even taking a shot...I dont know. Im surprised they didnt start shooting at their own net. Maybe it's just pride, maybe it's my competitive nature, but the Islanders told the entire hockey world loud and clear that they are scared of the Penguins. I wouldnt ever want to see my team do that and I dont know how true leaders in the room agreed with it. I was never a captain of the teams I played on in college but I couldnt see our captains accepting that, and I wouldnt have as a player either. I agree with Marc Staal, we shouldnt be scared of anybody. Leave that for loser franchises like the Islanders. If there is such a thing as the hockey gods, FLA will knock them out quickly. Now lets go beat the Pens.
Fair points Prod. I don't flat out disagree, but I also do understand why the Isles did what they did. It is a much better road being in the Atlantic bracket. But I also cannot totally disagree with your comments and the message their taking a dive sends. It isn't good. That is what it is now though...so go beat the Pens...I agree....