As much as (most of us) would rather have seen FLA, dont discount the fact that the LAST person the Pens want to see in the opposing net is Henrik. Lets go win a series.
I agree with that Prod. Here is the bottom line. We have to play the Pens, go get it done. I don't think we'll win the series, but of course we can win the series IF we play some f'ing D and give Hank a chance. Hopefully we can do it.
Keep an eye on Hags. That Hags/Kessel line really hurt us last time we played. Hags has played really well for the Pens: Carl Hagelin, acquired from the Ducks, has 10 goals and 16 assists in 27 games for the Penguins. Almost a point per game with the Pens.
To me D and the PK will decide this series. We need to give Hank a shot AND we cannot get rolled by their powerful PP with Crosby and Letang. Need to stay out of the box best we can.
I think we as fans underestimate the resiliency of this team. They have been really inconsistent this year but I'm hoping some of that is just all the playoff experience they have they just want to get in the playoffs. I'm really curious to see how Eric Staal plays in playoffs.
Kessel is a fat, lazy fuck who plays no d. Hagelin and Sully lifted that team, former ranger dudes...LOL
Schedule is out- Game 1 Wed 8 pm Game 2 Sat 3 pm Game 3 Tues 4/19 7 pm Game 4 Thurs 4/21 TBD Game 5 Sat 4/23 TBD Game 6 Mon 4/25 TBD Game 7 Wed 4/27 TBD I like that they start on Wed with the uncertainty of MAF
Rangers will beat the pens in 6. Too much playoff experience, talent and success in recent years to lose to the pens.
Kessel scored 26 goals with 59 points. I admit I am not a big fan of his either, but the guy is fast and does score goals. Combine him with Hags and that line is very fast. Killed us last time we played. 2 days off before games 2 and 3. I guess good for McD, but also good for MAF and Malkin. I don't like the matchup. I edge towards the Pens to win the series. Hope I am wrong. I do know if we want to have any shot we MUST tighten up our D big time. And our PK has to be much better also...stay out of the box. We'll see starting in 2 days.
I do like the fact that we open on the road. Most NHL series are 1-1, so get the split and you go home to a crazy crowd in game 3. Personally I always prefer to open on the road. Also game 1 is Thursday night and game 2 is Friday night for the Isles/Panthers. So they open with a back to back. Who knows if that would have been the same if we played Florida.
Interesting offensive stats for the Pens. Like I said...the D needs to be very good in this series...better than it has been all season. The Pens might be the best O in the NHL right now: The Pens' blazingly fast offense has scored a league-best 3.24 goals per game in the 54 games coached by Mike Sullivan, who replaced Mike Johnston after a miserable start. The Penguins are even more dynamic at home, averaging 3.56 goals. Phil Kessel has found his groove after a less-than-prolific start, collecting 12 points in his last nine games, and must keep that going. Reading Burnside's preview we might as well not even play the series. He has the Pens in 6, but the words he uses makes it sound like we are a huge underdog. When I see stuff like that it fires me up to take the NHL darlings (the Pens and Crosby) out again. LGR!!!
The real hype hasn't even started yet, and already I am angry. Just watched an preview on NHL network with Weekes and Lawton and not only did Lawton suck off the Pens, he actually said he feels badly for the Rangers because of how beat up they are. They have a lot of injuries. WHAT...at least know what the F you are talking about. Outside of McD, which is obviously a huge loss, everyone else is good to go. The Pens have WAY more injury concern into round 1. Malkin, MAF, and Maatta to name 3 guys. And that doesn't even mention their backup goalie who left their last game. If you are going to be an analyst on NHL network at least know what the F you are talking about. The Pens are more banged up then the Rangers who have 1 injury right now. And he literally didn't mention anything about any Pens injuries. You can see it a mile away, the Rangers will be given little to no shot in this series, so hopefully we use that as extra motivation. I myself don't like the matchup for us, but seeing what I have seen thus far makes it sound like this is the 80's Oilers in round 1 against the worst team in the playoffs. I may not think we'll win the series, but I damn sure know we have a shot and can win the series. I guess I should expect nothing less when the Pens are involved and they have a pulse, unlike round 1 last season when everyone knew that would be a short series. Going to be some fun hype until Wednesday.
Playoffs are a different game style, take the body on Kessel and he'll take dumb retaliatory penalties as will Cindy. I'm with you Mel Rangers in 6.
Only chance we win this series. Hank is on his game. E. Staal remembers how to be a top player. Rick Nash finds his balls for the first time in years.
I think that's all true, but I think the D will be a big focus in this series. We have got to find our structure that we have relied on for years now.
Derick Brassard said that he thinks the Rangers are ready for "another challenge" and that "once the playoffs start, we're going to be fine." (NY Post) Henrik Lundqvist said that there are high external expectations for the Rangers but that the players also have those same expectations. (NY Post) He said that he knows they haven't been as consistent as they would like, but added "when we do face a big challenge, we've been able to respond. (NY Post) Kevin Klein said that the Rangers have "everything" in their locker room to go on a run. (ESPN.com) He said that there are a lot of "really, really hungry" players and that if a few things can be tightened up "I think we can make a long run." (ESPN.com) Brassard said that he believes in the Rangers chances and they are fine if they are looked at as underdogs. (NY Post) Brassard said that the Rangers have the talent, experience and goaltender to make a run at and win the Stanley Cup. (NY Post) He added, "we had a piece of the cake a little bit, but we want to finish the whole thing. If we have our full team I believe in our chances." (NY Post)
If Murray is starting in net there is no reason why they shouldnt win the series. He's good but he's not playoff tested
