Good regular season for the Pens, but barring a really unlikely miracle, it's probably thisclose to coming to the sort of disappointing end that just feels hollow.

Being the second best team in the NHL for the (shortened) regular season and making trades to show you're all in for the Cup...only to completely fall apart in the conference finals in a series where it didn't look like the players were taking things seriously until they lost two straight home games to open it. At least that's the only explanation I can come up with for all the breakdowns and breakaway shots early on.

Congrats to Boston, I guess. They've wanted to win this series more and it's shown in their hustle, execution and the results so far.

Heretic;1453360 wrote:Good regular season for the Pens, but barring a really unlikely miracle, it's probably thisclose to coming to the sort of disappointing end that just feels hollow.

Being the second best team in the NHL for the (shortened) regular season and making trades to show you're all in for the Cup...only to completely fall apart in the conference finals in a series where it didn't look like the players were taking things seriously until they lost two straight home games to open it. At least that's the only explanation I can come up with for all the breakdowns and breakaway shots early on.

Congrats to Boston, I guess. They've wanted to win this series more and it's shown in their hustle, execution and the results so far.

It seems like Pitt expected they would put up goals, so they tried to out muscle Boston as well. Those extra checks left them out of position and led to a lot of goals. The Bruins defense definitely frustrated a lot of Pitt players too and that has led to turnovers and goals too.

Raw Dawgin' it;1453371 wrote:It seems like Pitt expected they would put up goals, so they tried to out muscle Boston as well. Those extra checks left them out of position and led to a lot of goals. The Bruins defense definitely frustrated a lot of Pitt players too and that has led to turnovers and goals too.

Yeah. I think after struggling with the Isles, they went back to form against Ottawa and had it too easy there (only one loss that was solely due to their goalie being in god-mode). So for some reason, they got back in the "we can coast" mindset, which has cost them big-time.

That's what annoys me. Talent-wise, they're great, but they try to coast on their talent and make a lot of little mental mistakes (like, as you said, extra checks that leave them out of position). And at this time of the year, it's the little things that count. All the talent in the world and it won't mean anything when you're trying to get past a good team that's simply playing hard, playing smart and not making stupid mistakes. Especially when, as the first two games showed, they're kind of a "when it rains it pours" team that has struggles with righting the ship when things are going wrong. Bad plays lead to bad plays and suddenly, the other team has three goals in a couple minutes.

Heretic;1453381 wrote:Yeah. I think after struggling with the Isles, they went back to form against Ottawa and had it too easy there (only one loss that was solely due to their goalie being in god-mode). So for some reason, they got back in the "we can coast" mindset, which has cost them big-time.

That's what annoys me. Talent-wise, they're great, but they try to coast on their talent and make a lot of little mental mistakes (like, as you said, extra checks that leave them out of position). And at this time of the year, it's the little things that count. All the talent in the world and it won't mean anything when you're trying to get past a good team that's simply playing hard, playing smart and not making stupid mistakes. Especially when, as the first two games showed, they're kind of a "when it rains it pours" team that has struggles with righting the ship when things are going wrong. Bad plays lead to bad plays and suddenly, the other team has three goals in a couple minutes.

Yeah appears that way.

Last night though Pitt pretty much dominated Boston in the 2nd and 3rd. Boston had a ton of penalties and giveaways not to mention their PP looked atrocious. If not for Rask this is easily a 2-1 series. I expected every game of the series to be like last nights. Also, anyone who thought Crosby would be pointless is a liar, it's unreal how they've shut him and malkin down.

Raw Dawgin' it;1453431 wrote:Yeah appears that way.

Last night though Pitt pretty much dominated Boston in the 2nd and 3rd. Boston had a ton of penalties and giveaways not to mention their PP looked atrocious. If not for Rask this is easily a 2-1 series. I expected every game of the series to be like last nights. Also, anyone who thought Crosby would be pointless is a liar, it's unreal how they've shut him and malkin down.

It seems Boston really got in crosby's head in game 1. He hasn't looked right since. Boston had done a great job on him and are making others beat them.

Raw Dawgin' it;1453431 wrote:Yeah appears that way.

Last night though Pitt pretty much dominated Boston in the 2nd and 3rd. Boston had a ton of penalties and giveaways not to mention their PP looked atrocious. If not for Rask this is easily a 2-1 series. I expected every game of the series to be like last nights. Also, anyone who thought Crosby would be pointless is a liar, it's unreal how they've shut him and malkin down.

Malkin hasn't really been shut down. Dude is snakebitten like no other. Most dangerous player for either team. Pens hit 5 posts last night. Boston has gotten every bounce and taken it to their advantage.

Gregory Campbell is a warrior. Cindy Crosby is a little girl. Cooke is a scumbag. Patrice Bergeron is magic.


'09 is looking more and more like a fluke every year.

I still say Iginla made the right choice. I hear Pittsburgh has some great golf courses.

End of Line;1453539 wrote:Malkin hasn't really been shut down. Dude is snakebitten like no other. Most dangerous player for either team. Pens hit 5 posts last night. Boston has gotten every bounce and taken it to their advantage.

You post makes it sound like Boston is just lucky.

lol anyone else see this?

Raw Dawgin' it;1453745 wrote:You post makes it sound like Boston is just lucky.

Know what it means when you hit 5 posts? That's five times you didn't hit the net.

Hey RDI, is your avatar from a Bosstones shirt? I used to have that one of so.

Raw Dawgin' it;1453745 wrote:You post makes it sound like Boston is just lucky.

No not lucky. They're playing their system to a T. Rask has been amazing for them and every bounce they've gotten they've buried. It's the way it goes in Hockey. As for the Sidney Crosby is a little girl, here's a guy with a concussion issue and coming off a broken jaw doing this.

[video=youtube;Tkb_qCxufnI][/video]

Takes balls to do that.

There's this too.

Boston Sweep.

Malkin and Crosby combined 0 points.

Hats off to Boston

Congrats Raw.

Now time for Bylsma to get kicked to the curb.

I think Boston wins the Cup.

End of Line;1454216 wrote:Congrats Raw.

Now time for Bylsma to get kicked to the curb.

Yeah. Hell, I had the game on last night (muted, because I was working out, so I didn't listen to announcers or post-game commentary), but it was just depressing towards the end. With the exception of the final 1:30 or so when they went empty net, there really didn't seem to be that much urgency to stay alive. There were 3-4 minutes to go and they were still getting outmanned and outhustled to the puck and fighting to keep it out of their end. I know Boston had to be pumped to finish the series in four, but when you're the favorite and about to get swept out like that, shouldn't some sense of desperation adrenaline kick in at some point?

All that offensive talent and only two goals in the series. Reminded me of the Phoenix Suns during their peak years in recent times. A team built on offensive excellence that's soft defensively that does great in the regular season, but winds up falling short in the playoffs, because it's toughness and grit that puts you above the pack when the games REALLY count. Boston showed a shit-ton of that, Pittsburgh showed an uncanny ability to make mental mistakes at the most costly times.

My Blackhawks are up 2-0 on goals from Keith and Kane. Bring on Boston!

slingshot4ever;1454456 wrote:My Blackhawks are up 2-0 on goals from Keith and Kane. Bring on Boston!

"Your welcome"

--Jonathan Quick

The entire Penguins team could say the same....

It's not my welcome. Do you mean to say you're welcome?

Was out with the wife celebrating our 5-year anniversary last night so I missed the game. Congrats to Raw Dog. Boston dominated and was without question the better team in this series.

I think Disco Dan gets canned.

slingshot4ever;1454459 wrote:It's not my welcome. Do you mean to say you're welcome?

Yes.

I guess he made up for it with that save on Hossa. But those 2 early goals were pathetic for most goalies...but especially for him.

Way to jinx it sling

My posts on this site have no impact on a game played in Chicago.

Raw Dawgin' it;1453313 wrote:Cool pregame video from Hockey Night in Canada

[video=youtube;ikzSo9pAcl4][/video]

I was watching some of game 3 on CBC up in Niagara Falls earlier this week. So much better than NBC.

Ouch for the Kings there.