Ryan Wilson: All the Pittsburgh/Montreal questions answered All the Pittsburgh/Montreal questions answered

I liked this blog RW.

Sidney Crosby deserved both Conn Smythe Trophies he won. Played the hardest minutes, was on the ice for the most important draw, scored key goals and dealt with more abuse than anyone in the playoffs.

Give it a rest RW.

Sidney Crosby deserved both Conn Smythe Trophies he won. Played the hardest minutes, was on the ice for the most important draw, scored key goals and dealt with more abuse than anyone in the playoffs.

Give it a rest RW.
- stackthepads

Yeah there's arguments to be made for others but he did deserve them too.

Just another voice to agree 100%. Pretty obvious to those of us who watched every minute of every game, at least half of the time sober

Hella good blog today. Thanks.

"My personal pick would be Evgeni Malkin. He’s been superb this year and he will have two quality wingers at his side who can both score goals which normally doesn’t happen. His matchups should be somewhat favorable and he has looked amazing physically in the practices and even in the scrimmage."

I'm hoping every bit of this is true. Annnd he has Marino to help out too. That line needs to dominate. Especially if Sheary isn't potting goals and remains on Sid's line

Got 2k for pitts to beat mtl...only 740 profit.

Then you can lose 4 straight in the first round.

Sidney Crosby deserved both Conn Smythe Trophies he won. Played the hardest minutes, was on the ice for the most important draw, scored key goals and dealt with more abuse than anyone in the playoffs.

Give it a rest RW.
- stackthepads

I agree. Other guys had a few more points, but Sid's overall game more than compensated.

Wouldn't mind seeing Malkin get a second Conn Smythe or Letang one if though. They both get shorted on recognition.

Sidney Crosby deserved both Conn Smythe Trophies he won. Played the hardest minutes, was on the ice for the most important draw, scored key goals and dealt with more abuse than anyone in the playoffs.

Give it a rest RW.
- stackthepads

Barely played in game 7

"My personal pick would be Evgeni Malkin. He’s been superb this year and he will have two quality wingers at his side who can both score goals which normally doesn’t happen. His matchups should be somewhat favorable and he has looked amazing physically in the practices and even in the scrimmage."

I'm hoping every bit of this is true. Annnd he has Marino to help out too. That line needs to dominate. Especially if Sheary isn't potting goals and remains on Sid's line
- Thorny87

They've completely overhauled the group playing around Malkin from last year and I expect great results. This is about as a good a second line and pair combo as you'll find in the league and should be a nightmare to contain.

Barely played in game 7
- bruceflyers

Wrong Cup year. I'll give you a pass since it's hard to keep them all straight. 😜

Jack Johnson will lead the NHL playoffs in points, hits, +/- and Corsi and win the Conn Smytge and Ryan Wilson’s head will explode.

Wrong Cup year. I'll give you a pass since it's hard to keep them all straight. 😜
- Tojo.

My bad...i would never give a sht what a penguins ever thinks anyway...just bored...trolling.

But i do have 2k bet on your team...probably add more game day.

There’s been a lot of shtty players with their name on the cup...but don’t see jack johnson ever being one of them.

Sidney Crosby deserved both Conn Smythe Trophies he won. Played the hardest minutes, was on the ice for the most important draw, scored key goals and dealt with more abuse than anyone in the playoffs.

Give it a rest RW.
- stackthepads

Was pretty damn close in 16 IMO. If the roles were reversed and Kessel was Canadian and Sid was American, do you honestly believe Sid wins the Smythe that year?

Was pretty damn close in 16 IMO. If the roles were reversed and Kessel was Canadian and Sid was American, do you honestly believe Sid wins the Smythe that year?
- madmike71

Do you honestly think if Sid got to play against third liners while Kessel faced the the opponents best line he would have out scored Sid?

Honestly I think the only reason people mention Kessel for Conn is because he’s American.

Do you honestly think if Sid got to play against third liners while Kessel faced the the opponents best line he would have out scored Sid?

Honestly I think the only reason people mention Kessel for Conn is because he’s American.
- stackthepads

Bullpoop! That comment is laughable and ridiculous. Kessel played fantastic throughout the playoffs, and arguably should have won the Conn Smythe. I was honestly surprised when Crosby won, because I thought Phil had it. In fact a lot of people thought it could have / should have gone to Kessel. It had nothing to do with him being American. He played great and was instrumental in winning the Cup. Period.

Bullpoop! That comment is laughable and ridiculous. Kessel played fantastic throughout the playoffs, and arguably should have won the Conn Smythe. I was honestly surprised when Crosby won, because I thought Phil had it. In fact a lot of people thought it could have / should have gone to Kessel. It had nothing to do with him being American. He played great and was instrumental in winning the Cup. Period.
- simethos

Not arguing that he wasn’t instrumental in winning the cup, I’m arguing that he was playing against talent two lines below his level which is why he was able to produce like he did.
Crosby played against the best of each team, and was way more instrumental in the team winning.

Not arguing that he wasn’t instrumental in winning the cup, I’m arguing that he was playing against talent two lines below his level which is why he was able to produce like he did.
Crosby played against the best of each team, and was way more instrumental in the team winning.
- stackthepads

Yeah Sid was just so damn solid in both ends against the other teams top lines. He scored 3 of the 4 game winners in the ECF vs the Bolts. Thats pretty clutch. Like I said, he totally deserved it but the argument is certainly there for others to of won it such as Kessel as well.

Not arguing that he wasn’t instrumental in winning the cup, I’m arguing that he was playing against talent two lines below his level which is why he was able to produce like he did.
Crosby played against the best of each team, and was way more instrumental in the team winning.
- stackthepads

Also, center vs. winger, center gets the nod every time if it's close.

Now, if it's a winger who actually plays defense like Hossa, then it's a debate.

Sidney Crosby deserved both Conn Smythe Trophies he won. Played the hardest minutes, was on the ice for the most important draw, scored key goals and dealt with more abuse than anyone in the playoffs.

Give it a rest RW.
- stackthepads

Kessel lost to him by 2 points, and 2 of the voters completely snubbed him... Crosby should have tied at best... and thats not an insult. Both had insane playoffs that year.

I enjoy blogs like this.

Everyone knows Kessel didnt win the Conn Smythe because Toronto and especially their writers would've looked pretty stupid for chasing Kessel out of town the way they did.

Crosby is the easy guy to win it again, but I'd say my off-the-board pick would be Matt Murray. I dont think he should be the starter tomorrow, but I am willing to bet he will be. If he comes in and plays lights out this summer... he could easily get the nod. Especially if no single penguins skater like Crosby/Jake/Malkin/Letang all play at a similar level where no one guy sets himself apart.

I'll be interested to see how the games go rating wise. The NBA killed it the other night. I'd bet the NHL gets some good ratings for a lot of these games. Going to be nice when games are on all day on weekdays and I can actually have the games turned on in my house versus being at work.

I just read the comments at the habs chat room.

Total sausage fest.

They’ve given up.

Roll them in 3...i got 4k with a 1.37 multiplier on the series.

Jack kevorkian would be proud of you!

I just read the comments at the habs chat room.

Total sausage fest.

They’ve given up.

Roll them in 3...i got 4k with a 1.37 multiplier on the series.

Jack kevorkian would be proud of you!
- bruceflyers

I don't think that means what you think it means.

And enough about your damn bet. If I wasn't a Pens fan, I would be rooting hard against you at this point.

Playoff hockey today boys! LGP!