Do you guys think its going to be dirty tonight? I think if Cooke even touches Karlsson they wont be able to control themselves.
- nbartley9

I don't know about dirty but it will get heated fast. Karlsson has to taste the glass every single time he goes back to retrieve a puck. Cooke will be a big part of that.

I actually think this will be the toughest test in the East for the Pens. Ottawa is a Boston/NYI hybrid. Lots of speed, but big bodies that can hit as well. Think Matt Martin, but with talent. If they can deal with it, they'd be well prepared for the Bos/NYR winner (assuming they make it).

If the defense can gain some semblance of patience and composure and cut down on the turnovers, the Pens should be okay, as their depth and experience should be enough.

However, if the Ottawa forecheck can pry those pucks loose and cause the defensemen to panic, the Pens are in trouble. Ottawa has more depth at forward skill than NYI, and if they make the same turnovers as they did against NYI, Vokoun/MAF will be getting a nice base tan from the goal light.
- jmatchett383

I agree with this, but conversely, if the Sens think they can give up 35 shots a night like they did vs Montreal, they are going to get a rude awakening against the Pens, and I don't care where its Anderson in goal or not.

Despres has had his moments where he looks like a rookie. Niskanen just looks scared, whether he's on the first pair or the third that's not good.
- canadianpenfan

One thing I will say for Engelland is that although he is the least talented of the group, he plays a simple game. Maybe that's what Bylsma is looking for tonight, although I don't like the way the team seems to get hemmed in the zone so much when he's out there...that Engo-Murray pairing scares me a bit (And I think Murray has been great)

You have to hit Karlsson when you can catch him.
- Deadstar

I have to think we really hit him alot. Dump and pound. Give him the Chara treatment. However this is exactly what Ottawa will do with Letang.

Going to be an interesting series for sure.

One thing I will say for Engelland is that although he is the least talented of the group, he plays a simple game. Maybe that's what Bylsma is looking for tonight, although I don't like the way the team seems to get hemmed in the zone so much when he's out there.
- Emperor Filonius

That's why I like Eaton. Off the glass, out of the zone, it's not that hard.

Looking at you Letang.

If I were the Sens I would try to see what happens if they engage the Pens in a gutter fight like the Flyers series last year. The Islanders didn't engage in any of that stuff, which I thought was to the Pens advantage as it allowed them to focus on the games and not getting even...
- Emperor Filonius

I wonder if that works against the Senators though?

Face it...the Flyers are...THE FLYERS. The Pens response, as bad as it turned out...was partly because of the history between the two teams...that dislike/hatred.

I'm not sure it would create the same results for the Sens.

Let's put it this way...it would be a good thing if the Sens did this and the Pens responded by playing better (that's what champions do)...not just by fighting back . A lesson they SHOULD have been learned a while back (years ago against Philly) if not last year for sure.

Whomever keeps their cool will win. I really feel this is true. Ottawa is a good team and not mistake prone generally. If we get into their heads it will be over for them. If they get into our heads we will be playing catch up. We are capable of overcoming deficits but why make things difficult?

That's why I like Eaton. Off the glass, out of the zone, it's not that hard.

Looking at you Letang.
- canadianpenfan

Yep. I like Murray a lot and thoughy he was solid in teh first round, but pairing him with Engo is risky. Neither of them have great puck skills and are more apt to take a penalty than not...

I wonder if that works against the Senators though?

Face it...the Flyers are...THE FLYERS. The Pens response, as bad as it turned out...was partly because of the history between the two teams...that dislike/hatred.

I'm not sure it would create the same results for the Sens.

Let's put it this way...it would be a good thing if the Sens did this and the Pens responded by playing better...not just by fighting back (that's what champions do). A lesson they SHOULD have learned a while back (years ago against Philly) if not last year for sure.
- icedog97

The thing is I'm not sure they learned the lesson. We'll see.

I agree with this, but conversely, if the Sens think they can give up 35 shots a night like they did vs Montreal, they are going to get a rude awakening against the Pens, and I don't care where its Anderson in goal or not.
- Emperor Filonius

i legitimitely think that macleans' strategy in rd 1 was:

for the first period or two, focus less on puck possession, and more on pounding the poop out of the habs smaller team............this was evidenced by the fact that, pretty much every game, the habs shot totals were high in the first period or two, while ottawa's was low...however the sens hit totals were insane. guys like neil, kassian, and smith were getting tons of ice time in teh first 2 periods every game, and were giving up lots of shots against, but hitting everything that moved.

after they beat montreal to a pulp in teh first half of the game, their faster and more offensively gifted guys got more ice time, against a tired and beaten habs team, and you saw the habs shot totals go WAY down, while ottawa's went WAY up.

if this had only happened 1 or 2 games, then whatever, but it happened literally every game.

i'm sorry, but when kassian is getting 6-7 shifts per period in the 1st and 2nd, you gotta believe it's part of the game plan, and THAT'S when montreal was getting most of their shots, as well as getting hit most of the time.

i think stache will have a different strategy this series, as pitt won't be as easy to push around physically. i imagine sens will play a little more defensively, and there won't be asmany shots given up.

The thing is I'm not sure they learned the lesson. We'll see.
- Emperor Filonius

And if they didn't then they clearly don't deserve to move on...

Let's hope there's enough veteran experience...especially those guys that we picked up...to balance things out and keep them focused.

One thing I keep meaning to say here is how amazing Crosby has been in terms of production, while playing with a SURGICALLY REPAIRED FACE. We are so used to seeing him be great, its easy to forget what he went through and that he's probably still dealing with a lot of pain.

One thing I keep meaning to say here is how amazing Crosby has been in terms of production, while playing with a SURGICALLY REPAIRED FACE. We are so used to seeing him be great, its easy to forget what he went through and that he's probably still dealing with a lot of pain.
- Emperor Filonius

He had the quietest 9 points ever in that series.

I don't know about dirty but it will get heated fast. Karlsson has to taste the glass every single time he goes back to retrieve a puck. Cooke will be a big part of that.
- canadianpenfan

I agree.... I think the first period will be mighty physical.

One thing I keep meaning to say here is how amazing Crosby has been in terms of production, while playing with a SURGICALLY REPAIRED FACE. We are so used to seeing him be great, its easy to forget what he went through and that he's probably still dealing with a lot of pain.
- Emperor Filonius

Yeah...but I'm betting his foot hurts more from that shot he took the other day than his face does right now.

Yeah...but I'm betting his foot hurts more from that shot he took the other day than his face does right now.
- icedog97

I hope Bylsma doesn't lose his mind and play Glass.

i legitimitely think that macleans' strategy in rd 1 was:

for the first period or two, focus less on puck possession, and more on pounding the poop out of the habs smaller team............this was evidenced by the fact that, pretty much every game, the habs shot totals were high in the first period or two, while ottawa's was low...however the sens hit totals were insane. guys like neil, kassian, and smith were getting tons of ice time in teh first 2 periods every game, and were giving up lots of shots against, but hitting everything that moved.

after they beat montreal to a pulp in teh first half of the game, their faster and more offensively gifted guys got more ice time, against a tired and beaten habs team, and you saw the habs shot totals go WAY down, while ottawa's went WAY up.

if this had only happened 1 or 2 games, then whatever, but it happened literally every game.

i'm sorry, but when kassian is getting 6-7 shifts per period in the 1st and 2nd, you gotta believe it's part of the game plan, and THAT'S when montreal was getting most of their shots, as well as getting hit most of the time.

i think stache will have a different strategy this series, as pitt won't be as easy to push around physically. i imagine sens will play a little more defensively, and there won't be asmany shots given up.
- sensarmy_11

Interesting insight. I guess we'll see what happens as it will be a much different match up than either team had the last round.

PS. Tell Eugene I promise not to swear too much at the game tonight in the event we happen to cross paths

i legitimitely think that macleans' strategy in rd 1 was:

for the first period or two, focus less on puck possession, and more on pounding the poop out of the habs smaller team............this was evidenced by the fact that, pretty much every game, the habs shot totals were high in the first period or two, while ottawa's was low...however the sens hit totals were insane. guys like neil, kassian, and smith were getting tons of ice time in teh first 2 periods every game, and were giving up lots of shots against, but hitting everything that moved.

after they beat montreal to a pulp in teh first half of the game, their faster and more offensively gifted guys got more ice time, against a tired and beaten habs team, and you saw the habs shot totals go WAY down, while ottawa's went WAY up.

if this had only happened 1 or 2 games, then whatever, but it happened literally every game.

i'm sorry, but when kassian is getting 6-7 shifts per period in the 1st and 2nd, you gotta believe it's part of the game plan, and THAT'S when montreal was getting most of their shots, as well as getting hit most of the time.

i think stache will have a different strategy this series, as pitt won't be as easy to push around physically. i imagine sens will play a little more defensively, and there won't be asmany shots given up.
- sensarmy_11

Well I agree with the strategy. It's nothing crazily inventive, but it's effective when you have the right mix.

However, as for the last part, the Pens defenders were playing hot potato with the puck against the Islanders, a generally smaller team. If they're not prepared to take a pounding and keep dragging themselves off the ice, those turnovers will continue. The Pens aren't Montreal, but they're not Boston either.

He had the quietest 9 points ever in that series.
- canadianpenfan

I'm expecting that to change as he feels better.

i legitimitely think that macleans' strategy in rd 1 was:

for the first period or two, focus less on puck possession, and more on pounding the poop out of the habs smaller team............this was evidenced by the fact that, pretty much every game, the habs shot totals were high in the first period or two, while ottawa's was low...however the sens hit totals were insane. guys like neil, kassian, and smith were getting tons of ice time in teh first 2 periods every game, and were giving up lots of shots against, but hitting everything that moved.

after they beat montreal to a pulp in teh first half of the game, their faster and more offensively gifted guys got more ice time, against a tired and beaten habs team, and you saw the habs shot totals go WAY down, while ottawa's went WAY up.

if this had only happened 1 or 2 games, then whatever, but it happened literally every game.

i'm sorry, but when kassian is getting 6-7 shifts per period in the 1st and 2nd, you gotta believe it's part of the game plan, and THAT'S when montreal was getting most of their shots, as well as getting hit most of the time.

i think stache will have a different strategy this series, as pitt won't be as easy to push around physically. i imagine sens will play a little more defensively, and there won't be asmany shots given up.
- sensarmy_11

Yep, he's going to have to find a new plan. With guys like Cooke, Morrow. Adams, Orpik, Murray, Iginla and Kunitz, the physical play won'y have as much of an effect as it did on the Habs.

Interesting insight. I guess we'll see what happens as it will be a much different match up than either team had the last round.

PS. Tell Eugene I promise not to swear too much at the game tonight in the event we happen to cross paths
- Emperor Filonius

it's in your building, so you're safe......but any pens fans try that poop in ottawa, and you know what euge will have in store for you....

Yep, he's going to have to find a new plan. With guys like Cooke, Morrow. Adams, Orpik, Murray, Iginla and Kunitz, the physical play won'y have as much of an effect as it did on the Habs.
- Ben37

I definitely think Karlsson and Letang will be targeted...

I hope Bylsma doesn't lose his mind and play Glass.
- nbartley9

I'm telling you, move Engelland to forward, dress Glass, and bring back Billy Tibbets. Take the 700-minute penalty kill that will result from their 30-second shift and clear off the 6 dead bodies left in their wake.

Let's go Pens! Hope we come out flying. Sens are not going to be an easy out. Looking forward to it.

I'm expecting that to change as he feels better.
- Emperor Filonius

When someone has 9 points in 6 games and we're waiting for him to break out that guy is pretty good.