Series Talk: PENS vs Montreal Canadiens Round 1 (Best Of Five) - Episode II: On a peur, très peur!

[Ryder71]

The top three lines on this team really do have it in them to be the nastiest I've seen here in maybe the entire current era.

Marleau/McCann/Horns as your THIRD line? That's kind of outrageous.

The three areas I'm looking at as concerns, or at least important variables are:1. Goaltending 2. McCann 3. Marino.

I think our goaltending WILL be solid. I have confidence that one of our two guys will make a good account of themselves if not both. They each have a lot to play for besides championships.

McCann is my biggest question mark here. But having experienced guys like Marleau and Horny flanking him, as well as having time to gel with both, should pay dividends. Here's hoping anyhow.

I have all the confidence in Marino. But the playoffs are a different animal. If we see him exhibit the same amount of poise , as well as the ability to think the game and read the play as we know he has in the RS, this will put us on a higher/different trajectory than most teams can match.

Not to get greedy, however I hope we see the best out of Shultz here. He has a lot to play more himself. A 2017 version of Shultz would give us the best 1,2,3 punch on the right side of defense in the league.

 

[BlindWillyMcHurt]

I think that's all pretty fair. I think McCann should be fine on THAT line but I get what you mean.

I really, really want to say Marino is the real deal. But this is all a different animal and I get that people would be anxious to see how he responds. Though I think he'll be fine. You can sort of get a sense when a guy is just ripping it up on adrenaline/hot streak and when they legit have a great toolbox to work with. Marino was consistently doing things all last season that made him look like a seasoned vet. A GOOD seasoned vet. Those kind of smarts and savvy can't be taught and he has them. He might get overwhelmed but dude seems like he has icewater running through his veins.

 

[Honour Over Glory]

Do you REALLY want to hurt my feelings that way?

See what you tossers did? You got Scandy all like...



@ObsessedCreative

 

[Ryder71]

I think that's all pretty fair. I think McCann should be fine on THAT line but I get what you mean.

I really, really want to say Marino is the real deal. But this is all a different animal and I get that people would be anxious to see how he responds. Though I think he'll be fine. You can sort of get a sense when a guy is just ripping it up on adrenaline/hot streak and when they legit have a great toolbox to work with. Marino was consistently doing things all last season that made him look like a seasoned vet. A GOOD seasoned vet. Those kind of smarts and savvy can't be taught and he has them. He might get overwhelmed but dude seems like he has icewater running through his veins.

I haven't been as excited about a Pen rearguard since Zubov. I loved Larry Murphy, my all time Penguin favorite on defense. Marino is a better skater, and he also thinks the game at a high level. I'm hoping in a few years Marino is in that discussion. So far so good.

 

[BlindWillyMcHurt]

I haven't been as excited about a Pen rearguard since Zubov. I loved Larry Murphy, my all time Penguin favorite on defense. Marino is a better skater, and he also thinks the game at a high level. I'm hoping in a few years Marino is in that discussion. So far so good.

Dat Murphy Dump™ doh.

 

[Andy99]

I haven't been as excited about a Pen rearguard since Zubov. I loved Larry Murphy, my all time Penguin favorite on defense. Marino is a better skater, and he also thinks the game at a high level. I'm hoping in a few years Marino is in that discussion. So far so good.

He’s supplanted Rust as my #2 crush after Geno...that’s hard to do but he’s wonderful [heart emoji] [stars in my eyes love emoji]

 

[EVGENIMERLIN]

Yohe had this to say in the athletic

" I’ve heard from many people in his inner circle and in the organization who insist they’ve never seen Crosby so inspired, so hungry."

 

[Fordy]

of course he is. the clock is ticking and they're getting handed a golden opportunity. he knows they are setup better than anyone

 

[Jaded-Fan]

of course he is. the clock is ticking and they're getting handed a golden opportunity. he knows they are setup better than anyone

Again, Boston, Tampa Bay, Philly, but especially Washington rode being mostly injury free to their records. Pittsburgh, again, did it DESPITE being again by far the most injured of the playoff teams. Columbus was the only team to come close.

Montreal was middle of the pack in injuries.

 

[dogthateats]

 

[Jaded-Fan]

Yes, but ....

Call it a mistake of optimism or goodwill. Call it wishful thinking. Whichever label you choose to apply to the NHL-NHLPA agreement, which allowed players to live at home, and self-quarantine for Phase 3 training camps looks like the flaw in an otherwise beautiful system.

The Montreal Canadiens nearly had the first outbreak of Phase 3, and the Pittsburgh Penguins were close, too.

And this is just Day 1.

NHL Mistake: Phase 3 Camps Could Undo Stanley Cup Playoffs

 

[dogthateats]

Yes, but ....





NHL Mistake: Phase 3 Camps Could Undo Stanley Cup Playoffs

I don't have a PHN account to read the article, not that I take Kingerski seriously. To my understanding the Penguins were being super cautious with their actions yesterday. It sounded like 9 players potentially came in contact with someone who came in contact with COVID.

 

[Jaded-Fan]

 

[dogthateats]

 

[Ryder71]

He’s supplanted Rust as my #2 crush after Geno...that’s hard to do but he’s wonderful [heart emoji] [stars in my eyes love emoji]

I'm as optimistic about our chances as I have been in quite some time. They still have to go out and play, and unquestionably there are some real talented teams we'll have to go through. We'll need to stay healthy and get the bounces. But I don't think I'd trade positions with any other team.

 

[Don'tcry4mejanhrdina]

I keep forgetting that this is actually happening. Hockey in summer....am I dreaming? I just can't get excited over it.

 

[Mario_is_BACK!!]

I don't have a PHN account to read the article, not that I take Kingerski seriously. To my understanding the Penguins were being super cautious with their actions yesterday. It sounded like 9 players potentially came in contact with someone who came in contact with COVID.

From what I'm told they were around an employee who went to Florida and did not quarantine when they returned.

 

[Big Friggin Dummy]

I'd like to think that having a fully healthy roster is great news, but 5 months off with no real hockey is the great equalizer, imo. Nobody has any idea how anything can play out. I will say this though, I think the teams playing in the qualifying round have a significant step up on those who have to wait an extra week to see real game action again.

If this team can stay healthy and hit its timings/get their skating up to par quickly, they could just breeze through. Having the advantage of playing ahead of their 2nd round opponent and using that to get their game up to playoff speed/intensity could be a real dark horse in deciding who gets to claim the Cup.

 

[K Fleur]

Yohe had this to say in the athletic

" I’ve heard from many people in his inner circle and in the organization who insist they’ve never seen Crosby so inspired, so hungry."

The good ole “Best shape of his life”

 

[Ms Maggie]

I'd like to think that having a fully healthy roster is great news, but 5 months off with no real hockey is the great equalizer, imo. Nobody has any idea how anything can play out. I will say this though, I think the teams playing in the qualifying round have a significant step up on those who have to wait an extra week to see real game action again.

If this team can stay healthy and hit its timings/get their skating up to par quickly, they could just breeze through. Having the advantage of playing ahead of their 2nd round opponent and using that to get their game up to playoff speed/intensity could be a real dark horse in deciding who gets to claim the Cup.

I believe the round robin games are the same week as the qualifying round. Flyers play Bruins August 2.

 

[Big Friggin Dummy]

I believe the round robin games are the same week as the qualifying round. Flyers play Bruins August 2.

Ah, that explains that then. I thought it'd be pretty weird to just have the other teams sitting by idly while the teams playing in the qualifying round get a head start on things.

 

[DesertPenguin]

The Pens are used to adversity and they know what it takes to get to the top of the mountain. There probably isn't a more mentally prepared group out there than this one. So much has to go right in hockey to win a Cup, but I love the Pens chances here.

No crowd noise will be odd though.

 

[FunkySeeFunkyDo]

The top three lines on this team really do have it in them to be the nastiest I've seen here in maybe the entire current era.

Marleau/McCann/Horns as your THIRD line? That's kind of outrageous.

I’m not feeling this. That’s a pretty meh third line. Meh third line, dumpster fire third pairing, ? Goaltending, everything else pure fire.

 

[Khelandros]

does anyone remember when hornqvist actually got back to pgh? is it at least close to 14 days yet?

July 1st ish. He's either just finishing up his 14 days or getting close to being done.

 

[dogthateats]

I wonder if we will hear the players’ trash talk more clearly without the crowd noise