Columbus and New Jersey avoiding Pittsburgh

[DudeWhereIsMakar]

Hoping Boston wins tomorrow as I believe New Jersey could tire them out and give them a good run for their money. That also means I believe NJ has a good chance at winning.

 

[Its a Trap]

Why are you all so angry

 

[Pengwins]

It's pretty clear that both Columbus and New Jersey rested their best players and lost on purpose to avoid playing Pittsburgh. Both are willing to face higher seeded teams (Washington and Atlantic winner). This is a dumb and cowardly decision in my opinion. Pitt is not the juggernaut it was the last 2 years.

Thoughts?

In closing, Tortorella is a coward

 

[severian]

Devils went 3-0-1 against Pitt. Hynes rested Hall because god help us if he got hurt and honestly who cares about the matchup. The Devils are huge underdogs no matter who they get.

 

[Pengwins]

Islanders did the same thing 2 years ago when they lost on purpose to get over to the Atlantic bracket.

 

[Lou is God]

I be content playing Pittsburgh, only because we seem to match up well with them. So how do you know this was the Devils plan?

 

[Turin]

Pens are better than last year if Murray can play at an average level.

 

[The Burdened]

I don't understand why New Jersey would want to avoid Pittsburgh.

New Jersey has played PIT very well this year and I would think that's who'd they want. I would much rather face PIT instead of BOS or TB.

 

[Benedict Kovalchuk]

OP is just scared of playing the Flyers, nothing else to see here.

 

[AaronTrieu]

Saving their fans from the nothing but Crosby network.

They should get a medal

 

[Devilsfan118]

Write a letter to both head coaches - I'm sure they'll take your opinion into consideration when making a similar type of decision in the future.

Why the hell should the Devils risk losing any of their best players in a meaningless game?

 

[TrudeauG]

We're not getting murdered by the flyers.

OP is just scared of playing the Flyers, nothing else to see here.

 

[Fatty McLardy]

Doubt NJ was trying to avoid Pittsburgh....

CBJ on the other hand...that's weak by them to sit half their lineup, but at the same time, i can't blame them either. The last two times they made the playoffs, they played the pens in the 1st round and gotten knocked out, might as well try their luck against another team.

 

[R8Devs]

I don't understand why New Jersey would want to avoid Pittsburgh.

New Jersey has played PIT very well this year and I would think that's who'd they want. I would much rather face PIT instead of BOS or TB.

they didn't. every matchup would be tough for them (Pittsburgh, Washington, Boston, or Tampa) so might as well give as much rest and risk injury to the guys who have been playing crazy amount of minutes just so the Devils could make the playoffs

 

[GoCaps2004]

Washington is happy about it, they get to avoid Philly who is the team they didn't wanna play

that's not for sure yet. and also i'm not sure you can speak like that for the organization

 

[Devilsfan118]

We're not getting murdered by the flyers.

Well first off, you're not doing anything.

Second, I don't think anyone here suggested that the Flyers would 'murder' anyone. Good to see that's where Penguins fans' minds are though, yikes.

 

[Pengwins]

Write a letter to both head coaches - I'm sure they'll take your opinion into consideration when making a similar type of decision in the future.

Why the hell should the Devils risk losing any of their best players in a meaningless game?

They could get home ice in the second round.

 

[swflyers93]

Bring it on, we welcome the matchup.

 

[The Grim Reaper]

Columbus wants to avoid the Penguins like the plague, much like Washington. I think NJ was just resting their star players.

 

[Zippy316]

I don't think either team cared. Devils decided to rest their players before the Philly game even started. I'm assuming Blue Jackets did the same.

I think both teams were willing to take their chances against anyone with how well they've been playing to end the season. Better to rest their players who have essentially been playing playoff hockey the last month then take any chances.

 

[Fatty McLardy]

Bring it on, we welcome the matchup.

as do i....payback for 2012.

 

[Shockmaster]

Columbus wants to avoid the Penguins like the plague, much like Washington. I think NJ was just resting their star players.

You could tell from Tortorella's reaction after Kessel scored in OT on Thursday that he didn't want to go through the same song and dance from last year.

 

[Luigi Lemieux]

May have backfired on NJ if they were trying for Tampa. They could end up getting Boston who imo they don't have much of a chance against.

 

[Rebels57]

The Devils and Jackets are gutless for their actions tonight. Hopefully it bites them both in the ass.

 

[DownIsTheNewUp]

-Tampa game isnt over yet. But Tampa is in trouble without Stamkos. First report was day to day, now the knee is torn and might not even practice next week. Tampa is in big trouble.

Cite?