Im not trying to say that MTL team is better than this Boston team by any stretch. In all honesty though, the precision with which they both have neutralized our offense is scarily similar. Boston is just doing it even better than MTL did. The blueprint to beating us is and has been out for some time. It is just like the Patriots showing everybody how to beat the Steelers in the early 2000s, and having other teams adopt that blueprint when playing us. Some just have better personnel to do it than others.
- Rawdog9755

You know what excuse that I don't want to hear is, and I saw it on Twitter a few times today? That Boston was a "bad matchup" for the Pens. We've heard that young fast teams (Toronto, Islanders, etc) are a bad matchup, we've heard that deeply skilled fast teams are a bad matchup (Flyers), and now deeply skilled slow teams (Boston) are a bad matchup.

We seem to be running out of favorable types of matchups.

Except, you know, they have a proven track record of sucess.
- TommyDeVito

Obviously they arent identical in every way. Nitpick all you want, but the reality is from a fans perspective those 2 are destroying the Pens in much the same way as the other 2 did for MTL a few years back. To your point, however, where is Rask's long track record of success(hint: he only played in the playoffs in 09-10 before this year and went 7-6)? As far as Boston goes, that honor belongs to Tim Thomas. Marchand is a different story.

Just because...


Then there is the crowd of people who think that Malkin plays his best hockey when Sidney Crosby is out of the lineup. They believe that Malkin hates being in Crosby’s shadow and wants it to be his team. Here is the breakdown of Malkin’s career stats based on if Crosby was in or out of the lineup:




Malkin and Crosby have both played in every Penguins playoff game together. Malkin has 81 points in 68 games. This weighs out to 1.19 points per game, the same as his regular season average with Crosby.

As the data shows Malkin does indeed have a higher points per game ratio with Crosby out of the lineup, but not a significant enough margin to support the theory that he plays better without Crosby.

When Malkin won the 2009 Art Ross Trophy Crosby played in 77 games that season. Malkin was able to lead the playoffs in scoring and win the 2009 Conn Smythe Trophy with Sidney Crosby playing in every playoff game that year as well. When Malkin won the Art Ross Trophy and MVP last season he had a higher points per game total with Crosby in the lineup than when he wasn’t. Crosby played in 75 games in 2006-2007 when Malkin won the Calder Trophy.

Sidney Crosby has been in the lineup for 80.8% of Malkin’s regular season career. Sidney Crosby’s presence did not hold Malkin back from winning the following individual trophies: Calder, Art Ross, Conn Smythe, Hart, and Ted Lindsay. Only two other players in the history of the NHL have won all 5 of those awards in their career, Mario Lemieux and Bobby Orr. It’s time to put to rest the Malkin is better without Crosby dialogue.

Sucks to come out on the wrong end and realize the season is all but over but my god, what a (frank)ing hockey game that was. Both goalies were outstanding. The Pens had 54 shots and about 4 posts and could only manage 1 goal. Have to just tip your cap to Rask after a performance like that.

I think we'll be finding out about a Crosby injury shortly. He has been terrible this series up until his last shift last night.

Vokoun did everything he could and more, Boston is just a really great team. I do wish that was game 1 so I could potentially see 6 more of those though.

Just looking at some ice times from last night, and Craig Adams logged 7:09 of ice time on the penalty kill! Holy crap...
- rival22

And he just about ended the game, (frank)ing posts.

Sucks to come out on the wrong end and realize the season is all but over but my god, what a (frank)ing hockey game that was. Both goalies were outstanding. The Pens had 54 shots and about 4 posts and could only manage 1 goal. Have to just tip your cap to Rask after a performance like that.

I think we'll be finding out about a Crosby injury shortly. He has been terrible this series up until his last shift last night.

Vokoun did everything he could and more, Boston is just a really great team. I do wish that was game 1 so I could potentially see 6 more of those though.
- canadianpenfan

Do we want to see the Penguins win? Of course. But you know what is worse, having a team that you watch on a regular basis that isnt entertaining (this is NOT a reference to Boston).

I watch NHL hockey because it provides me with the best entertainment value of the sport I enjoy most. The Penguins consistently provide top quality entertainment, for that I am grateful. Many other fanbases havent had that luxury in a long time, let alone the frequency the Penguins have had the past 30 years.

Just because...


- Gunner Staal

Just once again stating....

Im not suggesting one is better or worse with out the other, just that as an outsider.. it seems they are harder to play against when one or the other is out. Again, not that I care, but I wonder what the winning % looks like when just one or the other is in the line up compared to both.

Idk what it is, but it just seems like the Pens are a much harder team to beat when this is the case. Not trying to convince anybody of anything either.

Sucks to come out on the wrong end and realize the season is all but over but my god, what a (frank)ing hockey game that was. Both goalies were outstanding. The Pens had 54 shots and about 4 posts and could only manage 1 goal. Have to just tip your cap to Rask after a performance like that.

I think we'll be finding out about a Crosby injury shortly. He has been terrible this series up until his last shift last night.

Vokoun did everything he could and more, Boston is just a really great team. I do wish that was game 1 so I could potentially see 6 more of those though.
- canadianpenfan

I hate that Rask is so (frank)ing calm in the net. The guy has some of the greatest meltdowns on record, yet is one of the calmest goalies I have ever seen. Every save looks routine.

Do we want to see the Penguins win? Of course. But you know what is worse, having a team that you watch on a regular basis that isnt entertaining (this is NOT a reference to Boston).

I watch NHL hockey because it provides me with the best entertainment value of the sport I enjoy most. The Penguins consistently provide top quality entertainment, for that I am grateful. Many other fanbases havent had that luxury in a long time, let alone the frequency the Penguins have had the past 30 years.
- Gunner Staal

Agreed.

Letang used to entertain me, but now he just pisses me off. This series has made that choice between keeping him and Malkin a no brainer in my eyes.

I hate that Rask is so (frank)ing calm in the net. The guy has some of the greatest meltdowns on record, yet is one of the calmest goalies I have ever seen. Every save looks routine.
- jak521

He has poise seeping out his pours.

There is one glaring difference in this series apart from the goaltending, last night not included. Defensive zone transition. Our D flips, passes, swings their purse to get pucks to the blueline, where Boston's D pinches and keeps the play alive 80% of the time. Whereas we dump it in, they make one quick D to D pass and a chip to a high winger on the boards and they're gone.

Just talked to one of my buddies in Boston... He said it's all over the radio that the word out of the Pens dressing room is that last night's game took a ton out of Vokoun and game 4 will probably be Fleury's.

Take it with a grain of salt but remember you read it here first when Bylsma announces it and everyone starts questioning the decision.

Just talked to one of my buddies in Boston... He said it's all over the radio that the word out of the Pens dressing room is that last night's game took a ton out of Vokoun and game 4 will probably be Fleury's.

Take it with a grain of salt but remember you read it here first when Bylsma announces it and everyone starts questioning the decision.
- Yonk1216

Lineup decisions at this point don't mean anything. Bylsma can put together my ideal percieved lineup, he could do the exact opposite, it doesnt matter, season is done.

You know what excuse that I don't want to hear is, and I saw it on Twitter a few times today? That Boston was a "bad matchup" for the Pens. We've heard that young fast teams (Toronto, Islanders, etc) are a bad matchup, we've heard that deeply skilled fast teams are a bad matchup (Flyers), and now deeply skilled slow teams (Boston) are a bad matchup.

We seem to be running out of favorable types of matchups.
- rival22

Ottawa! Now that's a good matchup. Not particularly fast and mildly skilled. We just need to find a way for them to play in all 4 rounds...

Edit... I just heard Mario and Sid have Betteman working on this as we speak.

Just talked to one of my buddies in Boston... He said it's all over the radio that the word out of the Pens dressing room is that last night's game took a ton out of Vokoun and game 4 will probably be Fleury's.

Take it with a grain of salt but remember you read it here first when Bylsma announces it and everyone starts questioning the decision.
- Yonk1216

I'm sure it took a lot out of him, but I'm also sure that with a day off, Vokoun can play another game. He's a pro and takes really good care of himself.

I can't understand why this Fleury narrative is so damn popular. He sucked, and the guy who replaced him is playing very well. End of story.

Lineup decisions at this point don't mean anything. Bylsma can put together my ideal percieved lineup, he could do the exact opposite, it doesnt matter, season is done.
- Gunner Staal

I don't disagree... my point is I don't want to hear the majority using this possible decision anything more than it is. Not the Pens showing faith in Fleury or trying to get his confidence back going into next year.

Season's over... blow it up and start over..... and this time do it more like in 09... grit and toughness because even though it's not an excuse the playoffs are reffed differently and all our talent can't be used with tons of clutching and grabbing and hooking. Boston is the model... some top end talent but a ton of young specialized players on the 3rd and 4th lines.

Just talked to one of my buddies in Boston... He said it's all over the radio that the word out of the Pens dressing room is that last night's game took a ton out of Vokoun and game 4 will probably be Fleury's.

Take it with a grain of salt but remember you read it here first when Bylsma announces it and everyone starts questioning the decision.
- Yonk1216

Cant see how it took any more or less out of Vokoun than it did Rask. I dont think Boston will be considering a goalie switch next game, and I am not sure why we would either.

Cant see how it took any more or less out of Vokoun than it did Rask. I dont think Boston will be considering a goalie switch next game, and I am not sure why we would either.
- Rawdog9755

One is 26 and the other is 36.

One is 26 and the other is 36.
- canadianpenfan

voukon has to play. he was fantastic last night.

One is 26 and the other is 36.
- canadianpenfan

One made 53 saves, and the other made 38. I also saw a 40 yr old Jagr make what was effectively the back breaking play in the neutral zone in the 2nd OT. Vokoun should be more than able to go Friday.

I don't disagree... my point is I don't want to hear the majority using this possible decision anything more than it is. Not the Pens showing faith in Fleury or trying to get his confidence back going into next year.

Season's over... blow it up and start over..... and this time do it more like in 09... grit and toughness because even though it's not an excuse the playoffs are reffed differently and all our talent can't be used with tons of clutching and grabbing and hooking. Boston is the model... some top end talent but a ton of young specialized players on the 3rd and 4th lines.
- Yonk1216

That is why the Penguins are losing the series. They went with that approach instead of the speed and skill.

Anaheim was the model, that was until Detroit was, until Pittsburgh was, until Chicago was....

One made 53 saves, and the other made 38. I also saw a 40 yr old Jagr make what was effectively the back breaking play in the neutral zone in the 2nd OT. Vokoun should be more than able to go Friday.
- Rawdog9755

I'm not saying he won't be, you said you can't see how the game took more out of one than the other. Just pointing out that 10 years in age would be the reason. Your body doesn't bounce back the same when your 36.

That is why the Penguins are losing the series. They went with that approach instead of the speed and skill.

Anaheim was the model, that was until Detroit was, until Pittsburgh was, until Chicago was....
- Gunner Staal

Pittsburgh definitely focused less on finishing every hit and more of creating speed and it worked well, just 2 games too late.

That might have been the best game i've ever seen Cooke play.

Pittsburgh definitely focused less on finishing every hit and more of creating speed and it worked well, just 2 games too late.

That might have been the best game i've ever seen Cooke play.
- canadianpenfan

He has been one of our best players all playoffs. Beyond the big names coming up for extensions, 24 and 9 have to be priorities this summer.

Sucks to come out on the wrong end and realize the season is all but over but my god, what a (frank)ing hockey game that was. Both goalies were outstanding. The Pens had 54 shots and about 4 posts and could only manage 1 goal. Have to just tip your cap to Rask after a performance like that.

I think we'll be finding out about a Crosby injury shortly. He has been terrible this series up until his last shift last night.

Vokoun did everything he could and more, Boston is just a really great team. I do wish that was game 1 so I could potentially see 6 more of those though.
- canadianpenfan

Substitute a dollop of schadenfreude in for the 'suck to come out on the wrong end' part, and these are my thoughts.

He has been one of our best players all playoffs. Beyond the big names coming up for extensions, 24 and 9 have to be priorities this summer.
- Rawdog9755

Should be no problem. I doubt Fleury or Letang will be back and there better be no (frank)ing way Iginla is back. Murray and Morrow are maybes but i wouldn't be all that upset if they leave too.

This was a better team before the trade deadline.