Don't forget Sundquivst really is a true rookie and is still very young at 22. The other "young" guys are all a year or 2 older. On top of that this is his first full year playing in North America. I think he's looked fine and don't forget he doesn't profile as a sniper, but more of a checking line center. He's reliable, consistent, and good defensively.

Sprong should stay in the minors where he is and play top line minutes at WBS instead of bottom 6 minutes here, because next year he's going top be a top 6 guy here.
- Emperor Filonius

Yeah probably right, Im not saying I think Sundquist is bad, just highlighting the Pens do have a guy who could be a true game changer sitting tearing it up in the AHL. I mean, Sprong has 5 goals in 4 playoff games and his game is well suited to the Pens style.

People are saying Murray has hit his ceiling? I didn't read that. That's ridiculous, he's 21 years old with a handful of NHL games.

I mean, he could be the next Cam Ward. Or he could be the next Carey Price, but with early playoff success.

Not covering the top half of the net is whatever, it happens. But he had a few shots that hit him square in the glove that he wasn't able to hang on to. He got better and stronger as the game went on, but he certainly didn't play his best the first 15 minutes or so.

As I have said every single time (this makes #4) I was only referring to the beginning. He made a misplay and had some shaky moments early. I don't know why that's such a horrible overstatement.
- jmatchett383

Honestly that is one of the most impressive things to me about Murray is his ability to shake stuff off and focus on the next puck. Regardless of bad rebounds/not holding onto the puck the kid seems to stay calm and collected in the net. I know Oshie was on his knees, but still, that save saved the game and he has made those kinds of saves time and time again in the past 7 games, especially when the Pens decide to go all defensive and give up tons of chances. Personally I thought Murray stole the last 2 games. I have no clue why people suggest putting Fleury in?

Love watching this team right now. Unflappable.

Honestly that is one of the most impressive things to me about Murray is his ability to shake stuff off and focus on the next puck. Regardless of bad rebounds/not holding onto the puck the kid seems to stay calm and collected in the net. I know Oshie was on his knees, but still, that save saved the game and he has made those kinds of saves time and time again in the past 7 games, especially when the Pens decide to go all defensive and give up tons of chances. Personally I thought Murray stole the last 2 games. I have no clue why people suggest putting Fleury in?

- j.boyd919

He definitely stole Game 3, no doubt. In fact, he's been much better than Holtby the last 3 games. And yes, he has the ability to calm himself down and shake things off. I don't know that he stole last night's game, but he was the best player.

Have you guys noticed how great the crowd has been at the CEC these playoffs? The last few years, the playoff crowds have been kind of meh, this year they've been rocking every game. My dad was at game 3, and said it was the loudest he's ever heard it in the CEC. Obviously it will never get as loud as the igloo, but it's good to see.

He definitely stole Game 3, no doubt. In fact, he's been much better than Holtby the last 3 games. And yes, he has the ability to calm himself down and shake things off. I don't know that he stole last night's game, but he was the best player.
- jmatchett383

Definitely game 3. Pens looked good in the 2nd, but went into defensive mode in the 3rd, I just felt like the entire 3rd period the puck was in the Pens zone. Especially 5v5 I thought the Caps controlled the play, the Pens PP really blew a chance with that late peeper. If there was ever a time to bury a power play goal, it was with 2 minutes left. Although it doesn't matter now... the PP is struggling like crazy.

Have you guys noticed how great the crowd has been at the CEC these playoffs? The last few years, the playoff crowds have been kind of meh, this year they've been rocking every game. My dad was at game 3, and said it was the loudest he's ever heard it in the CEC. Obviously it will never get as loud as the igloo, but it's good to see.
- cap1681

I think it's a reflection of the product on the ice. The last few years, the Pens might have played hard or whatever but they didn't have any electricity to them. And the crowds reflected that. I don't know how to really quantify it. But there was something missing. Either in the style of play or the intensity or that feeling like they can beat anyone if they just keep playing their game (which is currently the kind of game that I always considered the "right way" to play hockey)

But whatever was missing on the team in years past. Whatever woo-woo "vibe" that the team gave off was reflected by the crowd. But this team has that something special & I think the crowd sees it & it feeds them too.

I always think that people can see when they're seeing something special & it feels different from when you're just deluding yourself into thinking "well, they're good enough or talented enough so they can win". But when there's something special, it's a whole different feeling.

Have you guys noticed how great the crowd has been at the CEC these playoffs? The last few years, the playoff crowds have been kind of meh, this year they've been rocking every game. My dad was at game 3, and said it was the loudest he's ever heard it in the CEC. Obviously it will never get as loud as the igloo, but it's good to see.
- cap1681

It happens when they play good entertaining hockey with lots of hits.

Past few years, even 1/2 of this year the games have been a snooze fest.

If the Pens win the cup...Cullen and Hornquest Co Conn Smythe winners!

Best players:

Matt Murray
Matt Cullen

We need to recruit more players named Matt?

Best players:

Matt Murray
Matt Cullen

We need to recruit more players named Matt?
- powerhouse

so matt cooke and matt dumba?

It happens when they play good entertaining hockey with lots of hits.

Past few years, even 1/2 of this year the games have been a snooze fest.

If the Pens win the cup...Cullen and Hornquest Co Conn Smythe winners!
- sammy87

As of right now, Murray is our Conn Smythe winner....

6-1 with a .944 save% and a 1.81 gaa

As of right now, Murray is our Conn Smythe winner....

6-1 with a .944 save% and a 1.81 gaa
- cap1681

holtb STILL have better stats

As of right now, Murray is our Conn Smythe winner....

6-1 with a .944 save% and a 1.81 gaa
- cap1681

That's amazing! Indeed the Conn Smythe winner if chosen today.

holtb STILL have better stats
- martox

Not in the series

Murray - .938 save%, 2.14 GAA
Holtby - .919 save%, 2.67 GAA

holtb STILL have better stats
- martox

he played the flyers the 1st round

he played the flyers the 1st round
- all-pgh

yep he sure did. never said it wasn't padded. just saying he had better but it is miniscule

so matt cooke and matt dumba?
- martox

No. Just no. Isn't Matt Cooke retired?

Best players:

Matt Murray
Matt Cullen

We need to recruit more players named Matt?
- powerhouse

Matt is a good name...

Anyone know why Jarry isn't starting in WB/S?

So does anyone here on HB agree with the hordes of people on twitter saying Flower should start next game?

pretty good coming out party if he's able to beat hank and holtby in back to back series

People are saying Murray has hit his ceiling? I didn't read that. That's ridiculous, he's 21 years old with a handful of NHL games.

I mean, he could be the next Cam Ward. Or he could be the next Carey Price, but with early playoff success.
- jmatchett383

IF he has hit the ceiling, I'm fine with this ceiling. He's been fantasic!

Have you guys noticed how great the crowd has been at the CEC these playoffs? The last few years, the playoff crowds have been kind of meh, this year they've been rocking every game. My dad was at game 3, and said it was the loudest he's ever heard it in the CEC. Obviously it will never get as loud as the igloo, but it's good to see.
- cap1681

Well the Pens no longer look like the most futile team in all of hockey and have super stars coming out the wazoo. It's easy for a fan to get invested in this team.

But I hear about the Igloo vs CEC all the time. Why was the Igloo so much better? Location? Acoustics?

As of right now, Murray is our Conn Smythe winner....

6-1 with a .944 save% and a 1.81 gaa
- cap1681

Absolutely.