Ladies and Gentlemen,

Lets be honest regarding game 3!

#1 Both goalies were superb with Vokoun getting 3 less shots than Anderson.

#2 Pittsburg got more than double power play time than Ottawa including a 5 on 3 and a poor power play at the end of regulation while leading. We can all agree this does not regularly happen in such close games and in the playoffs. 4 high sticks hit Ottawa players and none were called.

#3 Spezza returned to the line up. Ottawa's future captain and best offensive player as he was top 4 in the NHL in points last year. This instantly made ottawa deeper as Turris who was playing on the first line center all season long moved down to the second line and made that line way stronger.

#4 Ottawa was on the ropes and had to win while Pittsburg played quite lazy at the end of the game in regulation which resulted in a goal.

#5 Greenings line was massive throughout the game

#6 Maclean had last change all game resulting in an advantage for Ottawa.



The things people should be thinking is can Anderson and Vokoun continue to play at that high level? Personally, I believe Anderson can. Vokoun is another story...

Also, will Pittsburg have double the power plays for the third straight game? Will they get another 5-3 and another power play at the end of regulation?

Will Malkin and Crosby step it up and score? After all Pittsburg should win this series on stats alone!

Will Ottawa score more than 3 goals on Vokoun now that they have a better offense?

Game 4 is going to be one awesome game. Sens 5-3 is my prediction!

Anyhow, cheers everyone!


Go Sens Go
- Canadianhero80

Lots of fail in this post. I do agree with five of your points about game 3. You got a call where a high stick hit the face of one of your player where your player actually lifted the stick and hit his own face. Crosby shouldn't have served a second in the box on that one. I only saw two that were missed. I'm sure there was additional stuff missed on Ottawa. What does it matter how many penalties are called? Pittsburgh's power play has not showed up the last two games and Ottawa's has been impotent thus far.

Funny, Vokoun has out preformed Anderson by a wide margin in this series. He hasn't been pulled. Anderson is good enough to steal not only a game, but a series. He did that last night. We know this. The first two games, not so much.

What's not to say Vokoun can't continue his run? I mean, he is 4-0-1 in the play-offs with a 1.61 goals against average and a .949 save percentage. That isn't just one or two performances. He is more than capable.

Crosby was silent last night. The game before ... not so much silent. He has proven he can score goals in this series when he wants to.

But, this is a 1 versus a 7 and the 1 won the President's Trophy. Funny ... Pittsburgh was in trouble versus the Islanders, but never trailed in the series. Should Detroit hold onto the 3-1 lead, they lead.
- Oneonta Penguin

chicago is the only team in the playoffs that can come back from a 3-1 deficit.

chicago is the only team in the playoffs that can come back from a 3-1 deficit.
- drummer829

I have to admit this ... I have doubted Detroit all year. An inexperienced D should be the downfall. This is all four or five players - Howard, Kronwall, Zetterberg, Datsuyk and Brunner. They look very solid. Chicago really hasn't played well all play-offs.

I hope DB is watching this game on how to close it out.


Chicago VERY frustrated. You can see it.

I have to admit this ... I have doubted Detroit all year. An inexperienced D should be the downfall. This is all four or five players - Howard, Kronwall, Zetterberg, Datsuyk and Brunner. They look very solid. Chicago really hasn't played well all play-offs.

I hope DB is watching this game on how to close it out.


Chicago VERY frustrated. You can see it.
- Oneonta Penguin

they are, and crawford playing mediocre doesnt help. however this team has shown that they can win 3-4 in a row with ease

Not as egregious and unconventional as that. Sorry bud. You are fighting a losing battle on this topic here.
- Oneonta Penguin

Ummm... Ok.

So no blame on the players eh? Last I looked Letang was up for the Norris trophy and Malkin is arguably the 2nd best player in then world. Not sure I agree with you...

But, this is a 1 versus a 7 and the 1 won the President's Trophy. Funny ... Pittsburgh was in trouble versus the Islanders, but never trailed in the series. Should Detroit hold onto the 3-1 lead, they lead.
- Oneonta Penguin

I guess we should punch the Hawks ticket direct to the finals because no top seeded team - President's Trophy team - has ever lost to a seven seeded team?

You got a call where a high stick hit the face of one of your player where your player actually lifted the stick and hit his own face. Crosby shouldn't have served a second in the box on that one.
- Oneonta Penguin

If you look at game 2 the exact same thing happened where Crosby redirected a stick into his own face and drew a penalty.

Just sayin...

Lots of fail in this post. I do agree with five of your points about game 3. You got a call where a high stick hit the face of one of your player where your player actually lifted the stick and hit his own face. Crosby shouldn't have served a second in the box on that one. I only saw two that were missed. I'm sure there was additional stuff missed on Ottawa. What does it matter how many penalties are called? Pittsburgh's power play has not showed up the last two games and Ottawa's has been impotent thus far.

Funny, Vokoun has out preformed Anderson by a wide margin in this series. He hasn't been pulled. Anderson is good enough to steal not only a game, but a series. He did that last night. We know this. The first two games, not so much.

What's not to say Vokoun can't continue his run? I mean, he is 4-0-1 in the play-offs with a 1.61 goals against average and a .949 save percentage. That isn't just one or two performances. He is more than capable.

Crosby was silent last
night. The game before ... not so much silent. He has proven he can score goals in this series when he wants to.
- Oneonta Penguin

Getting double the power plays in the last 2 games do matter. It would matter to you if it was reversed to you.

Crosby was silent because of Turris shutting him down as a direct result of Spezza reclaiming first line center.

Pittsburg totally won the first 2 games hands down. Ottawa won the third facing quite a lot of hurdles as I have said in previous posts thus they out played the Pens holding them to 0 goals on 7 power plays! I wish we could get 7 power plays in one game! Maybe in game 4.

This is the first time Ottawa has had their top 6 players in the line up this season..

OK ... not too long ago, Pittsburgh was in major trouble with an eight seed and things were falling apart. So, with the series tied 1-1 and Detroit leading this game 2-0 after two, at what point is good old Chicago in trouble?
- Oneonta Penguin

They are having a meltdown on their blog.

Ummm... Ok.

So no blame on the players eh? Last I looked Letang was up for the Norris trophy and Malkin is arguably the 2nd best player in then world. Not sure I agree with you...
- PixelDoode

So I'm sure your PP practices the 5 on 4 dump in then turn into PK? All I'm saying is that it was an unusual situation to put your players in and the mix of players made it even stranger. I mean look at the OT's Pittsburgh controlled the puck way more when Bylsma was going for the win instead of the not to lose!!!

Getting double the power plays in the last 2 games do matter. It would matter to you if it was reversed to you.

Crosby was silent because of Turris shutting him down as a direct result of Spezza reclaiming first line center.

Pittsburg totally won the first 2 games hands down. Ottawa won the third facing quite a lot of hurdles as I have said in previous posts thus they out played the Pens holding them to 0 goals on 7 power plays! I wish we could get 7 power plays in one game! Maybe in game 4.

This is the first time Ottawa has had their top 6 players in the line up this season..
- Canadianhero80

I ate that people think the PP's have to be even!!! Of course Pittsburgh is going to draw more calls because they have more talent.

I ate that people think the PP's have to be even!!! Of course Pittsburgh is going to draw more calls because they have more talent.
- lloyd095

Did you watch the game? 4 high sticks not called. Obviously, that is something that must be called. No boarding call on Orpick etc I can go on all night, phantom calls against the Sens etc. on top of that Karlsson breaks his stick on the ice and recievea a slashing penalty at the most critical time in the game... Like getting double the power plays 2 games in a row with blowing calls left and right.... If it was the other way around and we high sticked Crosby, Malkin, took Cooke out of the game head shot Malkin and nothing was called and the Sens get 7 power plays off minor infractions to the Pens wouldn't you be disappointed at the lack of professionalism in making the calls?

Also Karlsson the reigning Norris trophy winner penalized high sticked throughout game is an elite player.

Spezza head shot top 4 in points in the NHL

No calls against. If it was Crosby or Malkin in the same position would they have called a penalty?

In conclusion If both teams commit so many infractions why would one be favored with so many more power plays including a 5-3 ?

Ummm... Ok.

So no blame on the players eh? Last I looked Letang was up for the Norris trophy and Malkin is arguably the 2nd best player in then world. Not sure I agree with you...
- PixelDoode

Of course you won't agree. You are an Ottawa fan. Dude, if you had a hockey mind and saw the way that power play was attacked, it was buy design of the coach. That is the only explanation. Again, you are fighting a losing battle here.

Did you watch the game? 4 high sticks not called. Obviously, that is something that must be called. No boarding call on Orpick etc I can go on all night, phantom calls against the Sens etc. on top of that Karlsson breaks his stick on the ice and recievea a slashing penalty at the most critical time in the game... Like getting double the power plays 2 games in a row with blowing calls left and right.... If it was the other way around and we high sticked Crosby, Malkin, took Cooke out of the game head shot Malkin and nothing was called and the Sens get 7 power plays off minor infractions to the Pens wouldn't you be disappointed at the lack of professionalism in making the calls?
- Canadianhero80

The NHL sucks to every team on most nights we're all in here complaining about it. You're looking through Sen goggles so of course you're going to see a different game. I seen a missed call but not all of what you as fan think should be called.

The hit on Spezza as awesome and clean.

The hit on Neil was clean. He lost his edge.

You need to realize your heart is making up calls.

Getting double the power plays in the last 2 games do matter. It would matter to you if it was reversed to you.

Crosby was silent because of Turris shutting him down as a direct result of Spezza reclaiming first line center.

Pittsburg totally won the first 2 games hands down. Ottawa won the third facing quite a lot of hurdles as I have said in previous posts thus they out played the Pens holding them to 0 goals on 7 power plays! I wish we could get 7 power plays in one game! Maybe in game 4.

This is the first time Ottawa has had their top 6 players in the line up this season..
- Canadianhero80

There was a reason Pittsburgh got double the power plays. Ottawa was undisciplined. Sure, one or two questionable calls, but I can say the same with Pittsburgh. Neal's penalty in game two with Karlsson once again embellishing a hold was bs; same with Crosby last night.

Dude, let's not put the reason Crosby was silent in game three on the great Kyle Turris' defense. He isn't good defensively. Sorry.

Of course you won't agree. You are an Ottawa fan. Dude, if you had a hockey mind and saw the way that power play was attacked, it was buy design of the coach. That is the only explanation. Again, you are fighting a losing battle here.
- Oneonta Penguin

What screwed the Pens was malkin and Letang getting too focused on the puck carrier and not covering one half of the ice. Had Malkin picked up Alfredsson it most likely would have been ok for the pens. You can blame the strategy, and who was on the ice, and those things may have contributed to it but the ultimate fault has to be with the players.

Did you watch the game? 4 high sticks not called. Obviously, that is something that must be called. No boarding call on Orpick etc I can go on all night, phantom calls against the Sens etc. on top of that Karlsson breaks his stick on the ice and recievea a slashing penalty at the most critical time in the game... Like getting double the power plays 2 games in a row with blowing calls left and right.... If it was the other way around and we high sticked Crosby, Malkin, took Cooke out of the game head shot Malkin and nothing was called and the Sens get 7 power plays off minor infractions to the Pens wouldn't you be disappointed at the lack of professionalism in making the calls?

Also Karlsson the reigning Norris trophy winner penalized high sticked throughout game is an elite player.

Spezza head shot top 4 in points in the NHL

No calls against. If it was Crosby or Malkin in the same position would they have called a penalty?
- Canadianhero80

Either you have no clue about hockey or you didn't watch the game. The Adams hit was clean; same with Orpik. I see your idiot GM is female doging up a storm about Brooks and the way he plays in this series. Some numbnut Senator fan earlier, and maybe it was you was saying that Adams should be suspended for his hit on Spezza because Gryba was suspended for his legal hit on Eller. Yep, that is totally rational thinking.

As for Karlsson; he has had a poopty series. You talk about Neil being a pest and getting into people's head. Well, some have gotten into Karlsson's. It's obvious. He is doing things that show he is frustrated. Cooke has gotten to him.

Either you have no clue about hockey or you didn't watch the game. The Adams hit was clean; same with Orpik. I see your idiot GM is female doging up a storm about Brooks and the way he plays in this series. Some numbnut Senator fan earlier, and maybe it was you was saying that Adams should be suspended for his hit on Spezza because Gryba was suspended for his legal hit on Eller. Yep, that is totally rational thinking.

As for Karlsson; he has had a poopty series. You talk about Neil being a pest and getting into people's head. Well, some have gotten into Karlsson's. It's obvious. He is doing things that show he is frustrated. Cooke has gotten to him.
- Oneonta Penguin

1)Adams should not be suspended. Nice hit.
2)Orpik got away with at least one penalty last night. Thats ok thats hockey.
3)Karlsson had a pretty good game 3.

What screwed the Pens was malkin and Letang getting too focused on the puck carrier and not covering one half of the ice. Had Malkin picked up Alfredsson it most likely would have been ok for the pens. You can blame the strategy, and who was on the ice, and those things may have contributed to it but the ultimate fault has to be with the players.
- thejet

A simple yes or no will do ... are the players supposed to follow the directions of their head coach?

Hockey is a simple game, especially when you have the power play and a 1-0 lead in the closing moments of a play-off game. Our players are very smart when it comes to the man advantage. Hell, where did we rank during the regular season. That was a drastic change from what we usually do. Players were doing what they were told. It's obvious. If it was up to the players, they would have attacked like they normally do. It was a prevent power play. You attack like normal, Ottawa doesn't have a chance to tie it up. It's simple.

Great pass to Alfredsson ... can't take that away. However, if the Pens do what they always do on the power play - attack, you don't have a chance to even get into the offensive zone.

1)Adams should not be suspended. Nice hit.
2)Orpik got away with at least one penalty last night. Thats ok thats hockey.
3)Karlsson had a pretty good game 3.
- thejet

Better game three then games 1 or 2. However, he is still doing things that lead one to believe someone is in his head.

So, you are saying Orpik should have been penalized for that hit? Is your name Murray or Melnyk? Orpik's hit was clean.

A simple yes or no will do ... are the players supposed to follow the directions of their head coach?

Hockey is a simple game, especially when you have the power play and a 1-0 lead in the closing moments of a play-off game. Our players are very smart when it comes to the man advantage. Hell, where did we rank during the regular season. That was a drastic change from what we usually do. Players were doing what they were told. It's obvious. If it was up to the players, they would have attacked like they normally do. It was a prevent power play. You attack like normal, Ottawa doesn't have a chance to tie it up. It's simple.

Great pass to Alfredsson ... can't take that away. However, if the Pens do what they always do on the power play - attack, you don't have a chance to even get into the offensive zone.
- Oneonta Penguin

Yes.

Highly doubt Bylsma told malkin to loose his man.

Your take on this play seems largely to be conjecture. Seemed like the whole team was on the back of its heels. Have no idea how you reached the conclusion they would rather be attacking.

Further, one thing you seem to forget is that for a while the Pens blocking entry to their zone was pretty effective and frustrating the sens. Alfredsson made a crafty play. Pitts had a costly breakdown. The only thing I think you can put on the coach is maybe Malkin and Letang should not have been on the ice (at all or together).

Better game three then games 1 or 2. However, he is still doing things that lead one to believe someone is in his head.

So, you are saying Orpik should have been penalized for that hit? Is your name Murray or Melnyk? Orpik's hit was clean.
- Oneonta Penguin

Hit was clean. He got away with a spear besides the net earlier in the game.

Alrighty, so many penalties could have been called going either way why should one team continually get more power plays in this series and throughout the season?

http://espn.go.com/nhl/st...l-teams/sort/powerPlayPct


Stats speak louder than words. Check out power play opportunities it's crazy how many Pittsburg gets. This is the playoffs and one team is leading in power play opportunities and it is Pittsburg obviously. Boston has 12 less power play opportunities than Pittsburg with the same games played. In past two games Pittsburg doubled Ottawa with power play opportunities.

Against the Canadiens we got a lot because of game 3 brawls! Obviously Islanders have the lowest and in this series Ottawa is almost 50% behind Pittsburg in last 3 games.

Quite a massive difference if you ask me.

http://espn.go.com/nhl/statistics/team/_/stat/special-teams/sort/powerPlayPct


Stats speak louder than words. Check out power play opportunities it's crazy how many Pittsburg gets. This is the playoffs and one team is leading in power play opportunities and it is Pittsburg obviously. Boston has 12 less power play opportunities than Pittsburg with the same games played. In past two games Pittsburg doubled Ottawa with power play opportunities.


- Canadianhero80

Skill players who have the puck a lot draw a lot of penalties. That isn't a new thing.