I know it's a poor analogy and a completely differernt sport, but look at Marv Levy in Buffalo...4 super bowl appearances and no wins. He was indeed a great coach. If the Pens needed to shake up the staff...one of the assistants should have been replaced with a veteran "old school" coach. Meloche stepping down is probably a good thing in the long run, but they should be looking outside of the organization for some "fresh blood" and a new perspective.
- pghbirdman

Here's the problem though... it's still Bylsma's staff. If you bring in a "bad cop" assistant coach, and the head coach is the "good cop", the bad cop loses credibility in about 3 seconds.

If winning it all is the only scenario that brings happiness, be prepared to be miserable all the time. Hardest trophy in sports to win.
- Gunner Staal

I think you have to win it all at some point. Eventually, the "also ran" status grows old. Granted, Pittsburgh has done that already.

If winning it all is the only scenario that brings happiness, be prepared to be miserable all the time. Hardest trophy in sports to win.
- Gunner Staal

It's not the loss, it's the way it looked. Big difference. This team was no more competitive against Boston than Edmonton would have been. That is the problem.

If that's how you are judging which team/coach did better, than I'm at a loss.

Are you saying that you would be happier with the Pens if they lost the Bruins series 4-2? Does it really make a difference?
- rival22

I'd be happier if the pens played to their abilities and lost, but they fell over themselves yet again. Kings played well, but just couldn't quite get it. Kings fans should be happy how they played. Are you telling me you are happy by the pens performance against the bruins

Did you not see the pens get out worked by the bruins?
- drummer829

Four about 4 periods, yes... The rest of the series was played very evenly (except on the score sheet).

I'd be happier if the pens played to their abilities and lost, but they fell over themselves yet again. Kings played well, but just couldn't quite get it. Kings fans should be happy how they played. Are you telling me you are happy by the pens performance against the bruins
- drummer829

No, I never said that.

The choking part is uncanny
- drummer829

I think it's pretty clear (to me at least) that both coach and GM recognize that this is the last chance for Bylsma to rectify the things we have seen as 'problems' in the last few playoff seasons.

If the Penguins would have a repeat performance next post season...I think both sides would expect a parting of ways.

That said...this might be the kind of thing Bylsma needs to mature as a head coach. And some part of that has to fall on his players maturing as well.

Shero has given him a vote of confidence...seems like the players still believe in him...now it's up to him and them to take the next step.

I'm a little surprised they kept him...but will be even more shocked if we don't see some changes in systems the Pens play next year.

I think the criticism is very fair. You have the highest scoring team in the league and the best team in the east that loses all four games by a combined 12-2 count. There wasn't just one mistake. There were several. The style of play for one. You don't try to beat Boston by playing Boston's style. There were no adjustments on the power play. The refusal to take Niskanen out of the lineup, who sucked all play-off season ...

Someone has to be held accountable for that embarrassment. If we lose in seven, I don't think you have as much female doging. Let's face it, his play-off success absent the Cup hasn't been good. People criticize Fleury saying he is a good regular-season goalie, but can't get it done in the play-offs when the pressure is one. That is fair. DB seems exactly like Fleury.
- Oneonta Penguin

There is criticism and then there is over the top blind anger.

Four about 4 periods, yes... The rest of the series was played very evenly (except on the score sheet).
- rival22

Where Pittsburgh failed was that they came out trying to run the Bruins out of the building in a mind-boggling attempt to prove that they were just as "tough" as the Bruins. That was the reason they failed in the first game, and the second game for the most part. By the time game 3 rolled around, they became snakebit. Rask played well, but the Penguins were missing open nets, shooting a ton of pucks wide, and second guessing themselves and passing up open shots. That's what eventually did them in.

Four about 4 periods, yes... The rest of the series was played very evenly (except on the score sheet).
- rival22

Sure they looked better during the series, but did their stupid mistakes disappear? Bruins did a good job in shutting down the pens, but it's the pens that beat themselves again. I'd like to see them lose a series by giving it their all and play smart hockey.

I'd be happier if the pens played to their abilities and lost, but they fell over themselves yet again. Kings played well, but just couldn't quite get it. Kings fans should be happy how they played. Are you telling me you are happy by the pens performance against the bruins
- drummer829

I was very happy in Games 3 and 4. The quality of play was very good, and so was the quality from Boston.

The Penguins responded exactly how you would want the team to respond after that embarrassing Game 2.

Sure they looked better during the series, but did their stupid mistakes disappear? Bruins did a good job in shutting down the pens, but it's the pens that beat themselves again. I'd like to see them lose a series by giving it their all and play smart hockey.
- drummer829

If anything did the Penguins in it would be that laughable arrogant attitude. The Bruins beat the Penguins.

If anything did the Penguins in it would be that laughable arrogant attitude. The Bruins beat the Penguins.
- Gunner Staal

So when Letang or another defenseman throws the puck to the bruins player to go on a great scoring chance that's not beating yourself, or Bylsma waiting to tweak his play til they were down 2-0?

Ok so the pens beat themselves 2 out of the 4, you shouldn't play like that at all for 2 straight games of hockey in the ECF

So when Letang or another defenseman throws the puck to the bruins player to go on a great scoring chance that's not beating yourself, or Bylsma waiting to tweak his play til they were down 2-0?

Ok so the pens beat themselves 2 out of the 4, you shouldn't play like that at all for 2 straight games of hockey in the ECF
- drummer829

Bruins suffocating neutral zone was a direct cause for the Penguins trying to take short cuts

All I'm saying is that I would like to see the pens play consistent hockey through a playoff series, where I'm actually not disappointed how they performed

Can't say I'm surprised that Bylsma is back. The extension seems somewhat fair if you're going to give one out. A one year term isn't quite settling enough for anyone. I really did think that Reirden would be gone though. Meloche was expected to move elsewhere in the organization. Granato I did expect to come back. Not both of them though.

Oh well...

All I'm saying is that I would like to see the pens play consistent hockey through a playoff series, where I'm actually not disappointed how they performed
- drummer829

They played 10 out of the 14 periods at a very acceptable quality of play. 3rd period of Game 1 and all of Game 2 being the exceptions.

They played 10 out of the 14 periods at a very acceptable quality of play. 3rd period of Game 1 and all of Game 2 being the exceptions.
- Gunner Staal

So you're happy with how the pens played that series. Everyone knows what they are capable of doing and they didn't play that way

Im fine with Bylsma staying, it wasn't 100% his fault. Im not fine with Malkin making 10/yr. Crosby is the captain and best player on the team...Nobody should make more...Lidstom rule.

So you're happy with how the pens played that series. Everyone knows what they are capable of doing and they didn't play that way
- drummer829

I think this team was built to play exciting to watch regular season hockey....Playoff hockey is completely different, Boston was built to play it, not Pittsburgh.

Im fine with Bylsma staying, it wasn't 100% his fault. Im not fine with Malkin making 10/yr. Crosby is the captain and best player on the team...Nobody should make more...Lidstom rule.
- sammy87

Just so you know, Crosby is making more than 10M per season for a while, different CBA, different wiggle room.

In fact the next 3 years he is getting 12M.

Flyers aquire the rights for Mark Streit for a 4th rounder

Flyers aquire the rights for Mark Streit for a 4th rounder
- cap1681

lol

Flyers aquire the rights for Mark Streit for a 4th rounder
- cap1681

LOL ... that helps Philly's defense how exactly? It gives them a point man on the power play and a possible replacement for the declining Timonen.

Where Pittsburgh failed was that they came out trying to run the Bruins out of the building in a mind-boggling attempt to prove that they were just as "tough" as the Bruins. That was the reason they failed in the first game, and the second game for the most part. By the time game 3 rolled around, they became snakebit. Rask played well, but the Penguins were missing open nets, shooting a ton of pucks wide, and second guessing themselves and passing up open shots. That's what eventually did them in.
- buffalofan19

The Pens and Rangers tried to out tough the Bruins.... the Maple Leafs tried to outskate them (and came the closest to beating them).

It will be interesting to see what Chicago does... They have the horses to outskate them, but with playoff officiating, maybe the Bruins can slow them down enough to negate that?