Not if Vokoun keeps around his 1.28 GAA an 96.2% SV% (compared to 3.40 GAA and 89.1%).
- jmatchett383

This is true. You ride Vokoun until he craps the bed. If you want to get Flower back in for a game; if the Pens get game 2, maybe start him in Ottawa for game 3.

This is true. You ride Vokoun until he craps the bed. If you want to get Flower back in for a game; if the Pens get game 2, maybe start him in Ottawa for game 3.
- Oneonta Penguin

Way to throw a guy on the fire the 3rd game is probably one of the hardest.
I'm comfortable with Vokoun so far. Wouldn't mind seeing either one of them in the net....just practice those shots from behind the goal line

PASCAL DUPUIS

"I think what we did wrong in the 1st Round is, we didn't enjoy a win as much as we should of. I think winning is fun. You gotta enjoy that. You gotta want more."

What a guy.

You have to use that line on your next article, John Toperzer
- Orpik44

I call that a winning attitude and a leader.

This is true. You ride Vokoun until he craps the bed. If you want to get Flower back in for a game; if the Pens get game 2, maybe start him in Ottawa for game 3.
- Oneonta Penguin

Unless Game 2 is like that Saturday night in Montreal where the Penguins won despite Vokoun playing awful, Fleury needs to stay a spectator.

Do you guys believe that Karlsson is at 75%?
I personally wouldn't let a player play if he was at 75%, I think this 75% Karlsson is just the post injury Karlsson.
Letang is better in every aspect of the game.

Do you guys believe that Karlsson is at 75%
I personally wouldn't let a player play if he was at 75%, I think this 75% Karlsson is just the post injury Karlsson.
Letang is better in every aspect of the game.
- nbartley9

Beauchemain just played a series with a torn ACL.

Karlsson is better than Letang. His hockey IQ is better and quite frankly their physical attributes are a wash.

Is Letang better at being physical? Yes he is, but that doesn't mean Karlsson is a pig in his own end.

Too many mental gaffes from Letang that are completely avoidable for me to consider him one of the best. Last night he committed another ghastly turnover over at the defensive blue line while trying to rush the puck up. Tried a fancy backhand saucer that was picked off with all the Penguins moving up the ice. Lucky it wasn't Patrick Kane on the other end of the turnover and that it is the Senators.

Beauchemain just played a series with a torn ACL.

Karlsson is better than Letang. His hockey IQ is better and quite frankly their physical attributes are a wash.

Is Letang better at being physical? Yes he is, but that doesn't mean Karlsson is a pig in his own end.

Too many mental gaffes from Letang that are completely avoidable for me to consider him one of the best. Last night he committed another ghastly turnover over at the defensive blue line while trying to rush the puck up. Tried a fancy backhand saucer that was picked off with all the Penguins moving up the ice. Lucky it wasn't Patrick Kane on the other end of the turnover and that it is the Senators.
- Gunner Staal

I agree with that, but when it comes to actual defense I think that's where Letang really pulls away from Karlsson.

I agree with that, but when it comes to actual defense I think that's where Letang really pulls away from Karlsson.
- nbartley9

I dont think he pulls away, I think he is a little bit better. Letang is definitely way more physical, no way around that part of it.

I criticize Letang lately but I think it has more to do with the cap hit I know he is getting than his actual play. I am holding him to the standard of a 7M/year defenseman right now. To me his play has not merited the kind of contract he is going to get.

The other major factor is that our lone organizational strength from the prospect pool is puck moving d man so I do think Letang's loss is minimized as opposed to if Evgeni Malkin left.

Kris Letang has the ability to win a Norris Trophy. He needs to clean up the unnecessary mistakes.

How awesome is it that Duper is turning out to be the player that he is? That guy is on his way to being legendary in the Burgh. His work ethic and drive is exactly what people in this city love, and no one has more than Duper.

Wasn't there a Dupuis basher in here not too long ago, what ever happened to him?

Beauchemain just played a series with a torn ACL.

Karlsson is better than Letang. His hockey IQ is better and quite frankly their physical attributes are a wash.

Is Letang better at being physical? Yes he is, but that doesn't mean Karlsson is a pig in his own end.

Too many mental gaffes from Letang that are completely avoidable for me to consider him one of the best. Last night he committed another ghastly turnover over at the defensive blue line while trying to rush the puck up. Tried a fancy backhand saucer that was picked off with all the Penguins moving up the ice. Lucky it wasn't Patrick Kane on the other end of the turnover and that it is the Senators.
- Gunner Staal

I don't think Karlsson is completely healthy. It's remarkable that he is playing right now, really. He will return to form next year. I guess we will see the same if Spezza gets into the fray of this series - a rusty player.

I will take Karlsson over Letang, but not by much. I like Karlsson. He doesn't seem to have the gaffes as you say, or as many.

I agree with that, but when it comes to actual defense I think that's where Letang really pulls away from Karlsson.
- nbartley9

I've been watching the whole Letang vs Karlsson argument for months now and I personally kind of think its idiotic because its like arguing as to whether you prefer filet mignon or lobster. They are both pretty damn good...so I just don't get all wound up about it one way or another. I wouldn't be stunned if EK isn't 100%, but so be it.

EK made a bad pinch last night on the PP that led to the Duper shorty, and Letang made another horrific turnover 20 feet from his own blueline while the Pens were protecting the lead...so both are fallible too.

I dont think he pulls away, I think he is a little bit better. Letang is definitely way more physical, no way around that part of it.

I criticize Letang lately but I think it has more to do with the cap hit I know he is getting than his actual play. I am holding him to the standard of a 7M/year defenseman right now. To me his play has not merited the kind of contract he is going to get.

The other major factor is that our lone organizational strength from the prospect pool is puck moving d man so I do think Letang's loss is minimized as opposed to if Evgeni Malkin left.

Kris Letang has the ability to win a Norris Trophy. He needs to clean up the unnecessary mistakes.
- Gunner Staal

Your not kidding there.
The play when Neal burned Karlsson going board side last night granted he did give a little tug to the arm, that was greatly embellished; that doesn't happen to Letang. The tug to the arm wasn't even needed he cleanly beat him.

I've been watching the whole Letang vs Karlsson argument for months now and I personally kind of think its idiotic because its like arguing as to whether you prefer filet mignon or lobster. They are both pretty damn good...so I just don't get all wound up about it one way or another. I wouldn't be stunned if EK isn't 100%, but so be it.

EK made a bad pinch last night on the PP that led to the Duper shorty, and Letang made another horrific turnover 20 feet from his own blueline while the Pens were protecting the lead...so both are fallible too.
- Emperor Filonius

Obvously its filet you FOOL!!!! Lobster doesn't play defense as well haha

You are right.

I've been watching the whole Letang vs Karlsson argument for months now and I personally kind of think its idiotic because its like arguing as to whether you prefer filet mignon or lobster. They are both pretty damn good...so I just don't get all wound up about it one way or another. I wouldn't be stunned if EK isn't 100%, but so be it.

EK made a bad pinch last night on the PP that led to the Duper shorty, and Letang made another horrific turnover 20 feet from his own blueline while the Pens were protecting the lead...so both are fallible too.
- Emperor Filonius

Agree. They are both darn good. However, this is nit picking time when having to choose. There is a fine line between the two of them. It comes down to small details.

Yes, EK made a bad decision on the shortie. Mistakes happen. How many mistakes have we seen from Letang this play-off season. More than three? I think so.

I've been watching the whole Letang vs Karlsson argument for months now and I personally kind of think its idiotic because its like arguing as to whether you prefer filet mignon or lobster. They are both pretty damn good...so I just don't get all wound up about it one way or another. I wouldn't be stunned if EK isn't 100%, but so be it.

EK made a bad pinch last night on the PP that led to the Duper shorty, and Letang made another horrific turnover 20 feet from his own blueline while the Pens were protecting the lead...so both are fallible too.
- Emperor Filonius

It is splitting hairs but one is younger and is locked up for what I consider fair money for a long time.

Also Letang has not been able to stay on the ice for full seasons the past few years. The Karlsson injury was a fluke.

I cant wait for Rags Bruins its going to be a heavy-weight slug fest, its going to be brutal.

Agree. They are both darn good. However, this is nit picking time when having to choose. There is a fine line between the two of them. It comes down to small details.

Yes, EK made a bad decision on the shortie. Mistakes happen. How many mistakes have we seen from Letang this play-off season. More than three? I think so.
- Oneonta Penguin

Got to be honest and say I am not as familiar with Karlsson. From what I have seen he is a terrific skater and puck handler. Letang overhandles and thinks sometimes, especially in his own end. I think when you have that much skill and talent you need to figure out how to use it effectively. Anyone can make mistakes. It's consistency you look for. I think that's where Letang falls short at times.

Not getting injured requires keeping head up and not set yourself up and that can be a bigger problem, IMO. Letang is a slow learner for a very smart guy, that's the weird part.

I cant wait for Rags Bruins its going to be a heavy-weight slug fest, its going to be brutal.
- nbartley9

Both teams should struggle to score, IMO.

Both teams should struggle to score, IMO.
- powerhouse

And for different reasons. Rangers are just inept offensively and Lundqvist is playing like the best at his position.

Very intriguing match up.

And for different reasons. Rangers are just inept offensively and Lundqvist is playing like the best at his position.

Very intriguing match up.
- Gunner Staal

Yep, agreed.

I don't think Karlsson is completely healthy. It's remarkable that he is playing right now, really. He will return to form next year. I guess we will see the same if Spezza gets into the fray of this series - a rusty player.

I will take Karlsson over Letang, but not by much. I like Karlsson. He doesn't seem to have the gaffes as you say, or as many.
- Oneonta Penguin

I can point TWO major gaffes from Karlsson last night. One ended up in the back of the net, the other was almost a goal.

In my team, I'd take Letang everytime. He's less skilled than Karlsson YES but he's a better athlete all around. He's just fit and has that Crosby drive.

Lineup changes as it pertains to the forward unit for game 2:

Kennedy slots up to the third line. Bennett on the 4th line. Morrow gets a night off.
- Gunner Staal

I thought that Morrow played his best playoff game last night. I'd like to see Bennett (and Jokinen), but I don't know who you sit down at this point. That 4th line with Morrow had some great, grinding, time killing shifts in the 3rd period.

I've been watching the whole Letang vs Karlsson argument for months now and I personally kind of think its idiotic because its like arguing as to whether you prefer filet mignon or lobster. They are both pretty damn good...so I just don't get all wound up about it one way or another. I wouldn't be stunned if EK isn't 100%, but so be it.

EK made a bad pinch last night on the PP that led to the Duper shorty, and Letang made another horrific turnover 20 feet from his own blueline while the Pens were protecting the lead...so both are fallible too.
- Emperor Filonius

I saw that I made a comment that EK just mad a mistake only KL makes

Do you guys believe that Karlsson is at 75%?
I personally wouldn't let a player play if he was at 75%, I think this 75% Karlsson is just the post injury Karlsson.
Letang is better in every aspect of the game.
- nbartley9

Karlsson definitely isn't 100%. I didn't see much of their last series, but he looked slow tonight (and out of shape). With Gryba out, the Sens were playing with 5 d-men, and it didn't look like 65 could handle the extra minutes. Not sure if it's an injury thing, or just conditioning at this point, but the Pens have to keep dumping the puck to his corner, and make him retrieve the puck repeatedly on each of his shifts. Wear him out.

That said, a 100% Karlsson is better than a 100% Letang. The gap isn't big, but he's better.

I cant wait for Rags Bruins its going to be a heavy-weight slug fest, its going to be brutal.
- nbartley9

Scheduling could really help the Penguins. If they can make this a short series, the'd have two 2 day breaks, and they could be pretty well rested if the Rangers and Bruins go long.