Paul McCann: Three little words and the GBU

Trust the system and luck? Looks like we found Tanners alt account.

Just joking not a bad write up. Preds are no doubt still in this if they choose to be.

That was an ugly 3 minutes....


That's what she said?

Game three in Smashville is Saturday night at 7pm

Actually all games are 8pm starts this series, even weekend ones... odd I know.

I've come to the conclusion that the Pens have dedicated themselves to a strategy of lulling teams to sleep then pouncing on them once they do.

Actually all games are 8pm starts this series, even weekend ones... odd I know.
- Guile

7pm Nashville time....

I do agree with the officiating. They're calling the light stuff and missed a ton of blatant calls. It's been bad both ways so I'm not going to say it's been a complete game changer

I've come to the conclusion that the Pens have dedicated themselves to a strategy of lulling teams to sleep then pouncing on them once they do.
- cap1681

I use the same tactic on my wife.

The officiating is bizarre. The players don't know what's a penalty because the officials don't know what's a penalty.

In my lifetime, I could count on one hand the number of times I've seen two penalties called on one team simultaneously, giving the other team a full two minute five-on-three.

Until this playoff season and I've seen it three times just involving the Nashville Predators.

7pm Nashville time....
- cap1681

... (frank) time zones. Everywhere should abide by Pittsburgh time

The Preds seem to have had about a 5 minute spurt in each game where they totally lost focus.

Both games it cost them 3 goals. The 1st game I could even sympathize a little because I too thought they had been royally screwed on the goal wave off, the Jarnkrok call and lack of call on Crosby.

Not so much in game 2.

Last night they seemed to sprinkle in a couple extras as well, like Josi hammering away at the guy on the ice. Eckholm taking a swing. PK slipping in a punch at Crosby.

None of these are typical plays for Nashville.

Almost looks like a very light version of Ducks hockey. Too much time getting into all the crud instead of focused on playing winning hockey.

Lastly, while I agree w/ Paul, somewhat, on Rinne he has to be better. He made every save when it was important up until now.

Murray is still making those saves. Even if they aren't all his fault if he isn't able to make those key saves this will end fast and ugly.

The officiating is bizarre. The players don't know what's a penalty because the officials don't know what's a penalty.

In my lifetime, I could count on one hand the number of times I've seen two penalties called on one team simultaneously, giving the other team a full two minute five-on-three.

Until this playoff season and I've seen it three times just involving the Nashville Predators.
- bcallaway

Bizarre is the right word. This year's playoffs has been one of the strangest I can remember.

Most leagues hate when the officiating becomes a major story of their playoff season. I actually think the idiots at the top probably think it's "part of the charm" of NHL hockey.

"- I rarely agree with Mike Milbury… but his observations about the officiating so far are dead on target… the players don’t know what is a penalty and what is not… blatant offenses being let go, soft calls being made. It’s not tilted to one side or the other… it has just been inconsistent.… These officials want to do a great job, there is no question about that in my mind, however, they have to get it together, no one wants the story of the series to be the guys in stripes."

That ship sailed in Game 1 when this series was all but decided. And 5 calls in a row to the Pens in Game 2 just helped hammer it home...

Good luck next game. Go Preds!

3 more words:
Get your brooms

The Preds seem to have had about a 5 minute spurt in each game where they totally lost focus.

Both games it cost them 3 goals. The 1st game I could even sympathize a little because I too thought they had been royally screwed on the goal wave off, the Jarnkrok call and lack of call on Crosby.

Not so much in game 2.

Last night they seemed to sprinkle in a couple extras as well, like Josi hammering away at the guy on the ice. Eckholm taking a swing. PK slipping in a punch at Crosby.

None of these are typical plays for Nashville.

Almost looks like a very light version of Ducks hockey. Too much time getting into all the crud instead of focused on playing winning hockey.

Lastly, while I agree w/ Paul, somewhat, on Rinne he has to be better. He made every save when it was important up until now.

Murray is still making those saves. Even if they aren't all his fault if he isn't able to make those key saves this will end fast and ugly.
- predswilrule

Totally agree.

The Pens are just professional assassins. They almost never get thrown off their game. Nashville seems to lose their composure at times. Frankly the first game I thought the officiating was a factor but this game was all on the Preds. Good luck getting back into this.

As an outsider and non-fan for both organizations, it's been an interesting series so far.

Blaming the refs (on either side) is always soft to me. Yes, they've missed calls--but they've been missed for both teams. I don't like seeing all the hockey conspiracy theorists out there saying the league is swaying the series so the Pens win.

That being said...

I sort of figured whoever came out of the East would probably go on to win the cup. The series isn't over yet and Nashville can still get into it, but the East this year seemed a lot stronger. Watching those playoff series was like a different world compared to the West. They were faster and more physical, in my opinion.

What I've noticed these past two games is that Nashville seems to have come face-to-face with not only strong goaltending (which I don't think they really saw previously) but a team that can weather their storm. Nashville has had stretches in these games where they're seriously dominating, but can't seem to capitalize. Pittsburgh has figured out a way to rope-a-dope them and strike when the opportunity arises. It's pretty impressive to watch.

As much as a lot of fans want to blame Pekka (because that's the easy thing to do), I don't know how you can. Sure, maybe one or two, but that redirect off his own player was bad luck and that corner snipe by Malkin was legit unreal.

The Preds have started to unravel out of frustration and I think if they want to stay in the series, they need to stay disciplined. Some selfish penalties last night put them in tough spots.

I think there was an element there that they thought they'd come in and skate through the Pens, like they did in the Western playoffs. But, that's not the case and now they're kind of scrambling on what to do.

But, again, it's playoff hockey and anything can happen. Should be interesting to see how things go these next few games.

"- I rarely agree with Mike Milbury… but his observations about the officiating so far are dead on target… the players don’t know what is a penalty and what is not… blatant offenses being let go, soft calls being made. It’s not tilted to one side or the other… it has just been inconsistent.… These officials want to do a great job, there is no question about that in my mind, however, they have to get it together, no one wants the story of the series to be the guys in stripes."

That ship sailed in Game 1 when this series was all but decided. And 5 calls in a row to the Pens in Game 2 just helped hammer it home...

Good luck next game. Go Preds!
- wolfhounds

A Flyers fan crying about the refs......

In other news, water is wet

You cannot play run and gun hockey with the Pens. The preds have an extremely talented back end but the entire team needs to play more of a defensive style of play. Keeping their stars on the outside is key but at the end of the day if your goalie isn't one of the best players on the ice you don't stand much of a chance.

i expect a much better effort at home but u lose Game 3 and shes over. People attacked the Sens 1-3-1 but its a style that frustrates Pitt and has shown that you can pick up Ws.

hoping you guys take game 3 and 4

I use the same tactic on my wife.
- jmatchett383

I tee them up, you knock them out of the park.....

That save % will not beat anyone, I know there were odd man rushes, but that's after things started going south.

the refs have been bad as well.
The call on Fisher during the 2 man advantage was terrible!
But Rinne needs to play much better

Does anyone else hate our 5-3 power play? 1-6 in the post season. If you can't capitalize on a 5-3 you usually don't win the game.

That save % will not beat anyone, I know there were odd man rushes, but that's after things started going south.

the refs have been bad as well.
The call on Fisher during the 2 man advantage was terrible!
But Rinne needs to play much better
- puckhead17

I recall a similar interference in game 1 with Crosby on their 5 on 3 that they DIDN'T call which lead to Malkins goal

I recall a similar interference in game 1 with Crosby on their 5 on 3 that they DIDN'T call which lead to Malkins goal
- benderboots

LOL, except for the fact Ekholm played the puck and then got hit and Fisher just cross checked a guy in the slot a minute after the refs just gifted the Preds a full 2 minute 5 on 3 (Malkin's penalty was the bad call, Kunitz deserved his). The hit Crosby put on is no different than a hit that occurs a stride after somebody makes a pass (see Watson as an example there, similar to a player like Reaves).

That save % will not beat anyone, I know there were odd man rushes, but that's after things started going south.

the refs have been bad as well.
The call on Fisher during the 2 man advantage was terrible!
But Rinne needs to play much better
- puckhead17

How about that call on Sid for interference when he hardly checked a guy for charging and leaving his feet on a hit to a pens player. Why call the interference but not the guy who left his feet for a hit? This is how it has been all playoffs long. Not trying to be a homer but that was ridiculous.

Can't blame a 3-goal loss on "puck luck." That just doesn't make sense. Preds fans have a reasonable gripe about the disallowed goal in Game 1. It changed the momentum of the game, and there legitimately could have been a different result.

But if you let that frustration roll into Game 2, then you start taking stupid offensive zone penalties and spend 25% of the game on the Penalty Kill. That absolutely destroys your line rotations, and forces you to play McLeod and Fiddler more often in the later stages of the game. All of the sudden, the effective style of play from the previous 5 periods goes out the window because your penalty killers need rest, and you have the 4th line out too much. Add that to Rinne's poor play, and you get shellacked, 4-1.

Rinne is better at handling point shots, even with traffic. High danger chances, bad angles, and tight plays give him trouble. He allows one soft goal is just about every game. The biggest disparity in this whole series is the goaltending. The Preds have carried the play better. The Penguins have capitalized on chances better. Officiating has been bad both ways. Special teams have been fairly pedestrian from both sides. Murray (except for the 3rd period in Game 1) has just been way better than Rinne. Do you go with Saros? The kid is talented, and could catch lightning in a bottle like Murray did last year.

I expect some changes from Laviolette for Saturday. Fiddler & McLeod should not skate again. If Wilson is healthy, Harry Z & Wilson could add some speed and punch. It's a hard call between Rinne & Saros. The Preds have been so high on Rinne lately, that pulling him might send the message to the room that you are giving up. But, Saros has to be a better option that Rinne has been the past 2 games, right?