John Toperzer: Individual Penguin performances vs. Boston Marc-Andre Fleury has fared well against the Bruins and other surprising notes

PENS ! HAWKS !!!

PENS ! HAWKS !!!
- mrpaulish

It would be an epic Stanely Cup Finals!!!!

PENS ! HAWKS !!!
- mrpaulish

The best match up for sure.

Only 30 hours til puck drop. Boy that wait just flew by

http://penguins.nhl.com/c...20&cmpid=pit-twt-penguins
Shero talking about the team, playoffs, and the upcoming series.

PENS ! HAWKS !!!
- mrpaulish

Yes, please. Will keep me from having to drive to Pittsburgh to see games. Driving there tomorrow for game 1. 7 1/2 hours

PENS ! HAWKS !!!
- mrpaulish

Bring it on! I'm back!!

Yes, please. Will keep me from having to drive to Pittsburgh to see games. Driving there tomorrow for game 1. 7 1/2 hours
- mw630

AVOID THE PARKWAY EAST!!!!! Squirrel Hill tunnel inbound will be closed. It will be a nightmare if you're coming from the east. There's a Pirate game too. Probably looking at 2 or 3 hour detours.

http://www.wpxi.com/news/...ound-close-weekend/nX6zt/

AVOID THE PARKWAY EAST!!!!! Squirrel Hill tunnel inbound will be closed. It will be a nightmare if you're coming from the east. There's a Pirate game too. Probably looking at 2 or 3 hour detours.

http://www.wpxi.com/news/...ound-close-weekend/nX6zt/
- madmike71

Thanks for the heads up. Thankfully, I'm coming from the west (Chicago). I'll make sure to leave plenty of time.

AVOID THE PARKWAY EAST!!!!! Squirrel Hill tunnel inbound will be closed. It will be a nightmare if you're coming from the east. There's a Pirate game too. Probably looking at 2 or 3 hour detours.

http://www.wpxi.com/news/...ound-close-weekend/nX6zt/
- madmike71

Coming from east...do you think 51 to Carson?

It seems that this is the type of series we picked Morrow up for. Can't wait to see how his game translates. Should be good. Also, guys like Jokinen, Cooke & Murray will have to be huge.

This will most likely be the most physical series thus far. These teams are always fun to watch go at it.

PENS ! HAWKS !!!
- mrpaulish

I'd love to see it. The two teams everyone loves to hate due to jealousy. Also, the best talent on display at one time.

Coming from east...do you think 51 to Carson?
- cranktheradio

Or just move North

You know its been a long time between games when you're breaking down individual player stats......

Drop the damn puck already!

I'd love to see it. The two teams everyone loves to hate due to jealousy. Also, the best talent on display at one time.
- cranktheradio

I feel the same way. Too much jealousy towards those two teams. Our role players will have to step up big time. We have all the tools to beat Boston at home. If we could only steal one away game, that would be huge.

Can't wait for Saturday night.

Boston looks very solid, but I think the Rangers anemic offense made their D depth look much stronger than it is. Chara & Seidenberg are a very good D-pair & Boychuk and Ference have been solid as well, but Chara won't be able to play +28min a night v. Pitt, Seidenberg is a little banged up, & Ference may or may not be back (and even if he is, he won't be 100%).

I think the Pens will have an advantage when Boston's depth Dmen are on the ice (ie, Krug, Bartowski, etc...), espeically later in the series if the Pens can wear down Chara & Seidenberg like they have in the past. The same can be said for all of Boston's D, but i'd especially target Chara, Seidenberg, Krug, & Bartowski for an aggressive, physical forecheck.

If the Pens can wear them down by dumping the puck in & pasting the Boston D into the boards, it will make life very tough on the Bruins Depth D. Guys like Cooke, Kennedy, Kunitz, Morrow, & Adams can really earn their paychecks in this series with some physical play. Could even add Dupuis and Jokinen to the list as well.

Can't wait for Saturday night.

Boston looks very solid, but I think the Rangers anemic offense made their D depth look much stronger than it is. Chara & Seidenberg are a very good D-pair & Boychuk and Ference have been solid as well, but Chara won't be able to play +28min a night v. Pitt, Seidenberg is a little banged up, & Ference may or may not be back (and even if he is, he won't be 100%).

I think the Pens will have an advantage when Boston's depth Dmen are on the ice (ie, Krug, Bartowski, etc...), espeically later in the series if the Pens can wear down Chara & Seidenberg like they have in the past. The same can be said for all of Boston's D, but i'd especially target Chara, Seidenberg, Krug, & Bartowski for an aggressive, physical forecheck.

If the Pens can wear them down by dumping the puck in & pasting the Boston D into the boards, it will make life very tough on the Bruins Depth D. Guys like Cooke, Kennedy, Kunitz, Morrow, & Adams can really earn their paychecks in this series with some physical play. Could even add Dupuis and Jokinen to the list as well.

Also, Kurg is only 5'9", 180lsb while Bartowski is 6'1", 195lbs.
- s0rcerer1984

Key I'd add Neal and Iginla to the mix. They'll have to throw the body around a little bit. I know they can hit when they want to..

Can't wait for Saturday night.

Boston looks very solid, but I think the Rangers anemic offense made their D depth look much stronger than it is. Chara & Seidenberg are a very good D-pair & Boychuk and Ference have been solid as well, but Chara won't be able to play +28min a night v. Pitt, Seidenberg is a little banged up, & Ference may or may not be back (and even if he is, he won't be 100%).

I think the Pens will have an advantage when Boston's depth Dmen are on the ice (ie, Krug, Bartowski, etc...), espeically later in the series if the Pens can wear down Chara & Seidenberg like they have in the past. The same can be said for all of Boston's D, but i'd especially target Chara, Seidenberg, Krug, & Bartowski for an aggressive, physical forecheck.

If the Pens can wear them down by dumping the puck in & pasting the Boston D into the boards, it will make life very tough on the Bruins Depth D. Guys like Cooke, Kennedy, Kunitz, Morrow, & Adams can really earn their paychecks in this series with some physical play. Could even add Dupuis and Jokinen to the list as well.
- s0rcerer1984

This has been my exact feeling leading into this series. If the Pens forecheck and hit Chara, he's gonna want to go home after about 16-20 minutes of ice time and then realize he still has the whole 3rd period to play. The same way it's worked in the past.

I also think that the Rangers "offense" really made the B's D look better. Add on top the emotional high from pulling out Game 7 of 1st round and no time for it to wear off before Round 2 started and you've got a recipe for looking more dominant than you actually are.

Coming from east...do you think 51 to Carson?
- cranktheradio

Coming from Greensburg, I'd just take the turnpike on out to 28 and come down that way. Or i you are willing to be more creative, take 30 and drop down thru Mckeesport to 837, or take 30 all the way to Penn Ave.

Key I'd add Neal and Iginla to the mix. They'll have to throw the body around a little bit. I know they can hit when they want to..
- Orpik44

I thought about adding them to my list, but neither one is known for their foot-speed or fore-checking skill. Plus, they play with Malkin who tries to carry the puck into the O-zone more often than he probably should instead of dumping it in.

When you compare Neal and Iginla to the other guys I listed (Cooke, Kennedy, Kunitz, Morrow, Dupuis, Jokinen & Adams), with the notable exception of Morrow, they all are pretty quick on the forecheck. I think Neal and Iginlia could certainly go to work on Chara & Boychuk, but I'd worry the other Boston D-men would be able to move the puck too quickly for the Neal and Iginlia to get there & lay a legal check.

This has been my exact feeling leading into this series. If the Pens forecheck and hit Chara, he's gonna want to go home after about 16-20 minutes of ice time and then realize he still has the whole 3rd period to play. The same way it's worked in the past.

I also think that the Rangers "offense" really made the B's D look better. Add on top the emotional high from pulling out Game 7 of 1st round and no time for it to wear off before Round 2 started and you've got a recipe for looking more dominant than you actually are.
- ScienceJesus

I think the Bruins have a very good 1st D-pairing in Chara/Seidenberg, but have had their defensive Dman depth devestated by injuries. NYR couldn't exploit that due to their own lackof Offensive depth, but the Pens certainly can. Just have to hit Chara & Seidenberg at every oppurtunity & get goals from the 3rd/4th lines aginst the Bruins depth Dmen.

Coming from Greensburg, I'd just take the turnpike on out to 28 and come down that way. Or i you are willing to be more creative, take 30 and drop down thru Mckeesport to 837, or take 30 all the way to Penn Ave.
- Emperor Filonius

Easiest way is to go 28 to the Highland Park bridge, then take route 8 up through Oakland. It takes you right in front of the CEC, and oakland has very little traffic on the weekends, especially in the summer, because of Pitt

This wait has been brutal. Hope it did more good than harm to the Penguins, but they were playing their best hockey against Ottawa 7 days ago.

This wait has been brutal. Hope it did more good than harm to the Penguins, but they were playing their best hockey against Ottawa 7 days ago.
- Sell My Monkey

It sure has been. Can't wait to be at the game tomorrow. Hopefully this time off has let Orpik and Kunitz get close to being 100%. Orpik is going to be crucial this series.