To me, it's on the players... Blysma doesn't just become a bad coach in the playoffs. If his system is so easily beaten, teams would do it in the regular season too.
- rival22

Certainly not laying it all on the coach. This series is not over. However Bylsma is responsible for getting the players to make better decisions. I fully believe he's telling them what he wants them to do, I'm just worried they're not listening. There's got to be some explanation.

If we go down this year in the first round, I'm sorry, but it's time for fresh eyes. This team should NOT look this bad regardless the system.

Certainly not laying it all on the coach. This series is not over. However Bylsma is responsible for getting the players to make better decisions. I fully believe he's telling them what he wants them to do, I'm just worried they're not listening. There's got to be some explanation.

If we go down this year in the first round, I'm sorry, but it's time for fresh eyes. This team should NOT look this bad regardless the system.
- madmike71

Yep, too much talent and an inability to get the most out of what we have. Goodbye to All the coaching staff!

Luongo's contract is fine, if you trade him in 5 years to a team desperate to get to the cap floor (ala the Isles this year and Tim Thomas) you'll easily find a taker - even if he's still playing the salary drops to peanuts, someone will want that contract even if they dont want the player

For now he is elite level and can be had for nothing - He's "choked" as much as any goalie has who has played in the playoffs and never won a cup, and he did take a team to game 7
- TheGame316

He's 34 and has NINE more years on his deal, five of which pay him $6.7 mil in actual salary, and a no trade clause.

And he's not been good in the playoffs either. Two of his last four years with sub .900 sv%

No freakin' way

Yep, too much talent and an inability to get the most out of what we have. Goodbye to All the coaching staff!
- powerhouse

Coaches have a short shelf life in the NHL for a reason.

Luongo's contract is fine, if you trade him in 5 years to a team desperate to get to the cap floor (ala the Isles this year and Tim Thomas) you'll easily find a taker - even if he's still playing the salary drops to peanuts, someone will want that contract even if they dont want the player

For now he is elite level and can be had for nothing - He's "choked" as much as any goalie has who has played in the playoffs and never won a cup, and he did take a team to game 7
- TheGame316

You can't be serious?

He's 34 and has NINE more years on his deal, five of which pay him $6.7 mil in actual salary, and a no trade clause.

And he's not been good in the playoffs either. Two of his last four years with sub .900 sv%

No freakin' way
- rival22

He has 5 REAL years and 4 Garbage years - The garbage years are tradeable just like Tim Thomas's contract was this year to a team struggling to reach the cap floor and not wanting to take on actual salary - Once he waves his No trade once, its waved by default forever - See Lubomir Visnovski fiasco in his trade to the islanders this summer, we could ship him off anywhere

You can't be serious?
- acdc1206

Who then? - Lets hear a name, and what you'd give up/pay to get him?

Is it nerves?
- powerhouse

Honestly, he's mentally fragile (i.e. too happy-go-lucky). I just have never gotten a "killer-instinct" vibe from Fleury. That is one of the common threads with most elite athletes, their obsession with winning/improving at all costs, etc.

Despite success in the past, this is a trait that Fleury lacks and it's becoming an issue.

To me, it's on the players... Blysma doesn't just become a bad coach in the playoffs. If his system is so easily beaten, teams would do it in the regular season too.
- rival22

Don't rule this out because there's plenty of coaches that have a great regular season system, but teams fail to deliver in the playoffs.

Different sport, but exhibit A is George Karl.

But that would cut into my drinking time!!!

And I'm a lush!!!

Speaking of which some blond named Kim who probably can't even spell her own name has beer waiting for me at the Ramada lounge so I must go.

She's my kind of girl.

Behave yourselves.
- canadianpenfan

They have names????

By the way, did you ever make it to the strip club in Regina?
- Oneonta Penguin

No it was closed on Sunday. I've been before though, it's not as bad as it sounds.

They have names????
- batjester

I don't get it...

Girls have names?

Sorry for bringing this up in a Pens blog, but how the hell did Ottawa's 1st goal count tonight ? It appeared to be the classic "no-goal" for kicking motion/redirecting with the skate. Did anyone else see it ? It has changed the course of that series.
- MadCap2008

Thank you, I thought I was the only one who didn't get why they called it good.

I want to see these two teams beat the hell outta each other for 7 games, just in case we end up winning this series

I don't get it...

Girls have names?
- canadianpenfan

Yeah, was going for the sexist joke. I am fail.

Fleury was terrible. YOu cant allow those type of goals im the playoffs. Gonchar had a bad play against Montreal in game 7 and that was it for him in Pitt. Fleury will have the same story if he doesn't step up.

I didnt see the whole game, on a business trip in NM but what I did see the lines didnt seem like they had good chemistry. Not sure what it is about Malkin but his linemates seem lost with him. Maybe Jokinen needs to be moved to a winger position. Malkin's game irritates me a lot.

Bottom line is there is no excuse for this team to be tied to the isles. No excuse.

I'm one of Fleury's bigger supporters, he's not done for the playoffs but I think he needs a break from this series.
- nelson911

You still seem pretty confident you'll get through this series. That's not a guarantee.

I am going to disagree with you on Luongo, he is easily one of the best value pickups for available goalies. Probably has the best resume, if his team in the canucks could score he'd have a cup. No one is ragged on, spit on and blamed more in the league in the last few years than him, especially when he isn't the focal problem. Luongo can steal a game, I would roll the dice on acquiring him if there aren't any better solutions... I don't see any number goalies floating around that would fit our system... do you?

If Fleury does not redeem himself this post season I am ready to move on, too many cup runs have now been tarnished because of poor play by him. Once in a while the goalie has got to steal a game. I would try Luongo, Canucks can take a million in salary, and when he retires they also pay a portion of that. He is currently making 5.3 million... canucks taking a mil of that would make it one of the best salaries (4.3 mil) for a starting elite goalie.

You still seem pretty confident you'll get through this series. That's not a guarantee.
- isles10289

I am more confident that we'll get through it than not... confidence is not a guarantee, it's a feeling.

He has 5 REAL years and 4 Garbage years - The garbage years are tradeable just like Tim Thomas's contract was this year to a team struggling to reach the cap floor and not wanting to take on actual salary - Once he waves his No trade once, its waved by default forever - See Lubomir Visnovski fiasco in his trade to the islanders this summer, we could ship him off anywhere
- TheGame316

And if he continues how he's been playing in the post season and is not the answer? You are stuck with him for all 5 years.

It's basically an all or nothing move, and we could easily end up with a great regular season goalie who meltsdown in the playoffs, which is exactly what we already have.

I am more confident that we'll get through it than not... confidence is not a guarantee, it's a feeling.
- nelson911

No matter who makes it out this has been a hell of a lot more entertaining than I thought it would be after game 1. I'm sure it's not the series you guys wanted but on shear entertainment value alone I could'nt be happier

And if he continues how he's been playing in the post season and is not the answer? You are stuck with him for all 5 years.

It's basically an all or nothing move, and we could easily end up with a great regular season goalie who meltsdown in the playoffs, which is exactly what we already have.
- rival22

That's the chance you take with him. I have this feeling if he winds up somewhere that fits he'll wind up winning a cup. Guy is a great goaltender.

Yep, too much talent and an inability to get the most out of what we have. Goodbye to All the coaching staff!
- powerhouse

The problem is that last night doesn't fall on the coaches at all. Bylsma made adjustments to the breakout, and stressed getting the puck deep. The team held the Islanders to 24 shots, even with 4 power plays. Well below their season average.

But some giveaways, horrible individual efforts and shoddy goaltending wiped that all out.

The problem is that last night doesn't fall on the coaches at all. Bylsma made adjustments to the breakout, and stressed getting the puck deep. The team held the Islanders to 24 shots, even with 4 power plays. Well below their season average.

But some giveaways, horrible individual efforts and shoddy goaltending wiped that all out.
- rival22

At the time of the Islanders third goal (damning end of the period goal). The Penguins had only allowed 17 shots.

He has 5 REAL years and 4 Garbage years - The garbage years are tradeable just like Tim Thomas's contract was this year to a team struggling to reach the cap floor and not wanting to take on actual salary - Once he waves his No trade once, its waved by default forever - See Lubomir Visnovski fiasco in his trade to the islanders this summer, we could ship him off anywhere
- TheGame316

You really need a reality check. Luongo doesn't solve a problem, especially in the play-offs either. He creates one. What has he done exactly? Choked. He hasn't won a Cup.

He is 34 and is on the downside of his career.

Stop the utter foolishness.

That's the chance you take with him. I have this feeling if he winds up somewhere that fits he'll wind up winning a cup. Guy is a great goaltender.
- Cptmjl

Not in the play-offs at all. He is hardly great.