? Sounds painful. haha

No worries, you can watch the Pens in the next round. (yes I still have faith)
- kgrpitt

Ha! They're a duo out of Vancouver. Interesting sound.

My faith may be restored if they win tonight.

UPSET takes on a whole new double entendre meaning in this series! Soooooo angry during a conference finals appearance, people, you need to take a step back and realize how happy you should be your team's gotten this far.

You can be mad at me all you want and claim I'm a moron, but I see this as karma for all the people on this thread who have been complete Richards for the last two rounds.
- ahjnkn

No offense, we expect to be in the Cup finals. With the talent on this team and what Shero added at the deadline that was supposed to shore up our weaknesses of physical play, we should be there. Take nothing away from Boston. That is a very good team. Saying we should be happy to get into the Eastern finals is a joke really. We expect better, not this.

Not to sound arrogant, but that is the difference between Pittsburgh fan and Ottawa fan. Ottawa fan would be elated to get this far. Pittsburgh fan isn't. We want more based on what we have on our roster. When a team has Crosby, Malkin, Letang, Neal, Iggy and solid contributors like Dupes, Kunitz, Martin and Orpik - you expect better.

No offense, we expect to be in the Cup finals. With the talent on this team and what Shero added at the deadline that was supposed to shore up our weaknesses of physical play, we should be there. Take nothing away from Boston. That is a very good team. Saying we should be happy to get into the Eastern finals is a joke really. We expect better, not this.

Not to sound arrogant, but that is the difference between Pittsburgh fan and Ottawa fan. Ottawa fan would be elated to get this far. Pittsburgh fan isn't. We want more based on what we have on our roster. When a team has Crosby, Malkin, Letang, Neal, Iggy and solid contributors like Dupes, Kunitz, Martin and Orpik - you expect better.
- Oneonta Penguin

Yeah off course we expect more than that. There's no way to wan less. We have to consider we traded our 1st, two 2nds and one 6th round pick + prospects to make this team better. Losing now would be a big blow to this team, coaches and management.

This is what I don't get... a puck possession game plan is great, and has been successfully used by the Red Wings for like 15 years. The problem with the Penguins is that if they can't maintain possession and turn the puck over (forced and unforced), they don't seem to have a solid plan on defensive coverage.

The odd man rushes are what they are... if you are careless with the puck, then those happen no matter how good your game plan is. But when opponents have sustained pressure in the Pens end, they seem to have no structure in how they defend, and randomly run around. It's even stranger seeing how disciplined that they are in the PK. Why can't they stay discipline in their defensive coverage 5 on 5?
- rival22

They appear to have a more complex scheme that involves a lot of switches. When everyone is on the same page the puck carrier is attacked swiftly and Penguins have puck support for a quick turnover/pass up ice.

The problem is when those switches break down, leads to some egregious looking errors. High risk high reward.

Yeah off course we expect more than that. There's no way to wan less. We have to consider we traded our 1st, two 2nds and one 6th round pick + prospects to make this team better. Losing now would be a big blow to this team, coaches and management.
- Orpik44

Bottom line, when you have these core players on the roster and add an Iginla at the deadline, anything but getting to the Stanley Cup is utter failure to me. Would Ottawa fan be happy if the Senators had two of the top three players in the NHL and a Letang, Neal, Dupuis, Kunitz, Iginla, Martin et al and get embarrassed in the Eastern Finals? I doubt it.

They appear to have a more complex scheme that involves a lot of switches. When everyone is on the same page the puck carrier is attacked swiftly and Penguins have puck support for a quick turnover/pass up ice.

The problem is when those switches break down, leads to some egregious looking errors. High risk high reward.
- Gunner Staal

It seems like it could be something relatively easy to dissect and break down, no?

Like, if you figure out who the second person attacking the puck carrier or supporting the attacking player will be, you could figure out where the hole that will be left is.

Their defensive breakdowns remind me of the old adage that if your teammate is out of postion, and you go to "cover" for him, then you now have two players out of position.

nbartley9 has requested that I come on here and post this for him....

"The Bruins have won their last game of the season. Pens in 6."

It seems like it could be something relatively easy to dissect and break down, no?

Like, if you figure out who the second person attacking the puck carrier or supporting the attacking player, you could figure out where the hole that will be left is.

Their defensive breakdowns remind me of the old adage that if your teammate is out of postion, and you go to "cover" for him, then you now have two players out of position.
- rival22

I think that is where the lack of communication in some of the switches has occurred.

Personally I have always been a strong proponent of "simple is better"

What it boils down to for me is will. Penguins haven't wanted it bad enough. Bruins are going to beat the hell out of you in front of Raask and the only person I see going there consistently is Morrow. Make smart plays and do the little things that don't always result in goals or assist. Quit trying to play Bruins style hockey and out hit them. You are a highly skilled team who scores a lot act like it.

There is a very good chance the Penguins could play a great game and still lose. That is the problem with digging yourself a 0-2 hole. No wiggle room even if you play well.

I think that is where the lack of communication in some of the switches has occurred.

Personally I have always been a strong proponent of "simple is better"
- Gunner Staal

Especially with the speed and the emotionally charged atmosphere of a playoff game. I would think that it's much easier to process your assignment (and switches) in a game against Florida in February, than in the conference finals against a highly skilled and disciplined team.

Especially with the speed and the emotionally charged atmosphere of a playoff game. I would think that it's much easier to process your assignment (and switches) in a game against Florida in February, than in the conference finals against a highly skilled and disciplined team.
- rival22

That would be my thought process.

They appear to have a more complex scheme that involves a lot of switches. When everyone is on the same page the puck carrier is attacked swiftly and Penguins have puck support for a quick turnover/pass up ice.

The problem is when those switches break down, leads to some egregious looking errors. High risk high reward.
- Gunner Staal

I trust your analysis Gunner. High risk/High reward = a high percentage of chance that you get your ass handed to you. It's pretty much a universal rule in any business. Especially when the stakes are high too.....

There is a very good chance the Penguins could play a great game and still lose. That is the problem with digging yourself a 0-2 hole. No wiggle room even if you play well.
- Gunner Staal

Exactly. That is why tonight is extremely important (obviously) game to win because they still have that wiggle room.

1. Jonathan Quick, LA .941
2. Corey Crawford, CHI .938
3. Tuukka Rask, BOS .935

I don't think its a coincidence that the top three goalies are on teams that are still in the playoffs.........then you have the pens with a goalie at 8 in percentage. Here's to hoping we can bring Tuukka's numbers down tonight.

Tonight is a pivotal moment in Marc Andre Fleury's career.

There is a very good chance the Penguins could play a great game and still lose. That is the problem with digging yourself a 0-2 hole. No wiggle room even if you play well.
- Gunner Staal

I think if game 2 was played that way, you would have the anger and frustration that is on this board. No one in this series should be winning a 6-1 game. These two teams should be 4-3, 3-2, 2-1 types. I wouldn't be as annoyed as I am if the Pens played with heart, energy, emotion, conviction and didn't hand goals on a platter to Boston. If they lose 2-1 and do all of those things, all you can do is tip your hat to Boston. Pittsburgh has only shown up for the first two periods of this series.

Tonight is a pivotal moment in Marc Andre Fleury's career.
- Killian

If he starts. . .

I trust your analysis Gunner. High risk/High reward = a high percentage of chance that you get your ass handed to you. It's pretty much a universal rule in any business. Especially when the stakes are high too.....
- madmike71

It's no secret that when the Penguins lose, they lose by a lot. I would be willing to bet it has been because they had an off night on the switches. There are so many subtleties when playing like that. If you are off your game a little it affects the other players.

Here is a nice article from Mike Colligan that breaks things down

http://thehockeywriters.c...-murray-defensive-system/

1. Jonathan Quick, LA .941
2. Corey Crawford, CHI .938
3. Tuukka Rask, BOS .935

I don't think its a coincidence that the top three goalies are on teams that are still in the playoffs.........then you have the pens with a goalie at 8 in percentage. Here's to hoping we can bring Tuukka's numbers down tonight.
- kgrpitt

Has it been announced who starts tonight?

Edit: nevermind, asked just a bit too leight. I wouldn't dare start Fleury if I were calling the shots. I haven't watched closely, but it seems to me Vokoun clearly gives the Pens a better chance to win. If Fleury gets the start and falters even a bit, it's the beginning of the end for the Pens.

1. Jonathan Quick, LA .941
2. Corey Crawford, CHI .938
3. Tuukka Rask, BOS .935

I don't think its a coincidence that the top three goalies are on teams that are still in the playoffs.........then you have the pens with a goalie at 8 in percentage. Here's to hoping we can bring Tuukka's numbers down tonight.
- kgrpitt

Vokoun was #3 at .937 before Game 2. Rask was #5.

I think if game 2 was played that way, you would have the anger and frustration that is on this board. No one in this series should be winning a 6-1 game. These two teams should be 4-3, 3-2, 2-1 types. I wouldn't be as annoyed as I am if the Pens played with heart, energy, emotion, conviction and didn't hand goals on a platter to Boston. If they lose 2-1 and do all of those things, all you can do is tip your hat to Boston. Pittsburgh has only shown up for the first two periods of this series.
- Oneonta Penguin

There is no momentum from game to game, it really doesnt matter how they are lost. Just win the next one.

If the Penguins come out and win 6-1 tonight it only matters that they got the win. Game 4 will still be Game 4 and outside the factor of injuries, nothing that happened in Game 3 will have mattered.

If he starts. . .
- kgrpitt

29 will be in goal tonight

If he starts. . .
- kgrpitt

He is our franchise goalie who has played in 2 Stanley Cup Finals and won 1 of them.

Despite his recent playoff struggles, he is still our best goalie and with our season on the line, he HAS to be the guy in goal. If my job was on the line (HCDB) I know 29 would be in net for me.

Tonight is Fleurys chance to redeem himself, to get us back into this series, and hopefully to be the hero that saved our season

Vokoun was #3 at .937 before Game 2. Rask was #5.
- Gunner Staal

Yeah, that is why I think he should get the nod.