GDT: 5/22/16 - 8:00PM EDT - #2 Tampa Bay @ #2 Pittsburgh [ECF GAME 5]

[Leonardo87]

At one point, Coop will have to trust Namestnikov once and for all. Almost every ****** time Vladdy is skating with top 6 talents, he's instantly becoming noticeable AND productive. Too bad his style doesn't do well on the 4th line tho. To replace Namestnikov on the 3rd line instead of matching-up Boyle against Crosby has been a series changer so far. Pens have trouble covering our top 3 skilled, fast lines.

We have 3 lines now in the top 9 that are flying and creating chances. Even if they are not always showing up on the scoresheet, we have a Top 9 to match the Pens Top 9 now. Paquette is finally on the 4th line, played only 6 mins tonight, damn. We still need to upgrade our 4th line but Coop likes using the 11F and 7D, and it seems to work, so keep doing it. Vladdy should be in the top 9, even if it is only the 3rd line he can at least play with more skilled guys, rather than 4th line grinders.

 

[T REX]

I stopped posting after the comeback. Great win. Gutsy.

 

[Stammertime91]

The salt on facebook, main boards and their boards. LOL.

 

[OurlordAndSaviorKuch]

 

[HoseEmDown]

But over Forsberg?

We've drafted 2 players from Sweden in the past 10 years and one was a no-brainer. Yzerman has yet to draft a player out of Sweden. I don't even think we scout Sweden with how few we've drafted in team history. We also drafted a forward heavy group the year before and 2012 was known as defenseman strong class so going D there was a easy call.

 

[Volodya Krutov]

We have 3 lines now in the top 9 that are flying and creating chances. Even if they are not always showing up on the scoresheet, we have a Top 9 to match the Pens Top 9 now. Paquette is finally on the 4th line, played only 6 mins tonight, damn. We still need to upgrade our 4th line but Coop likes using the 11F and 7D, and it seems to work, so keep doing it. Vladdy should be in the top 9, even if it is only the 3rd line he can at least play with more skilled guys, rather than 4th line grinders.

Cally is having a hell of a series. Glad we have him.

 

[Todd1a]

We've drafted 2 players from Sweden in the past 10 years and one was a no-brainer. Yzerman has yet to draft a player out of Sweden. I don't even think we scout Sweden with how few we've drafted in team history. We also drafted a forward heavy group the year before and 2012 was known as defenseman strong class so going D there was a easy call.

I think mikael Anderson is the scout out there for us.

 

[Bandit Keith]

But over Forsberg?

Honestly at this point the only guy I'd take over Slater would be Forsberg and maybe Ceci (yes Parakyo and Ghostbear could be better players but they were 3rd rounders for a reason and that's just hindsight).

 

[DFC]

Nikita Kucherov is a staggering +17 through 15 games.

That puts him 8 up on the next non-TB player, M.E. Vlasic.

 

[VinikToWinIt]

Is Kooch not the man at this point? Not on our team, but of anyone left in the playoffs.

Pavelski out west is looking damn good as well.

 

[Boltswin]

I don't know if this is obvious to any one else, but I just figured out why I think we are so open to bandwagon fans. Never really thought about it until I just read a couple comments:

Mind if I hop on this bandwagon for a little bit?
permalinkembed
[–] points an hour ago
We welcome all bandwagoners

(deleted names because I am not a member of that forum, and I don't know what the rules are for posting something like that; it is not hfboards which may be obvious still to some of you)

I think it is because at least for a little while we are just happy that some other team's fan finally decided to pay attention to our team and appreciate what our players are capable of on the ice.

I keep reading this and it seems kind of sad, but whatever. Edit: by "reading this" I am referring to my hypothesis

 

[Boltswin]

Oh and by the way Letang... big **** you right now. You are the most despicable, unlikable and overly dramatic ******* I have ever laid eyes on. Take that -4 and have Sid stick it where the sun don't shine while you lay on the ice like a wounded cow.

Whoa. I must have missed something

 

[TheDaysOf 04]

http://triblive.com/sports/robrossi/10497434-74/penguins-crosby-game

As reporters flocked to the stall of goalie Marc-Andre Fleury, his fellow members of the Penguins' so-called Big Four (Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang) were nowhere to be found.

Not for answers.

Not to protect their goalie.

Yikes.

 

[Volodya Krutov]

Who said goalie controversy already ? Sully made a very big mistake to give MAF the start of game 5. Murray was a minimal issue. Now Sully is almost forced to ride MAF again, to save face and MAF's reputation a the same time.

 

[Boltswin]

Definitely, and he's putting fear into the Pens dmen, they're not the same when he's prowling around the ice. Big factor.

It's weird seeing people clamor for a goalie change after witnessing firsthand what one can do.

I think some of us are worried personally, and worried that the team is worried, that they are stil playing with the back-up goalie. The team has had so many years with less than stellar back-ups that they started playing differently whenever one was playing. Vasi has been as good as he should be probably, but it still seems like the Bolts are shakier with him in net at times.

 

[Boltswin]

Who said goalie controversy already ? Sully made a very big mistake to give MAF the start of game 5. Murray was a minimal issue. Now Sully is almost forced to ride MAF again, to save face and MAF's reputation a the same time.

But Fleury is still a very capable goalie, so I am not sure that is necessarily a bad lack of options to have. It probably didn't make sense to make a goalie change when you are tied going in to game 5. Maybe Murray is hurt.

 

[Boltswin]

A lot has been said about game 3 and how the Penguins dominated play for most of the game. The same has been said about the 3rd period of game 4. Many have argued that we can't handle the Pens when they turn it on. In fact, I think it's the other way around.

If the Bolts are playing their best (meaning every player and as a team), much like last season, than they are very hard to beat. They just need to keep fighting for it. Don't back off and give the other team a chance to come back, much unlike the playoffs last season.

 

[Lord Stan 2020]

Nikita Kucherov is a staggering +17 through 15 games.

That puts him 8 up on the next non-TB player, M.E. Vlasic.

i remember you saying koekkoek cant take garrisons spot coming around?

also no debate if ben is ready for game one of stanley cup he gets the call

 

[RDTBay4]

It's 1 game, barely.

 

[nyhockeyfan]

Did you guys really think Vasi was that good?

I thought he was hung out to dry on the first goal but not the second and third. Yes he had some big saves and you never know what Bishop might have let through but I don't think there is any way that Bishop won't play when he's ready.

 

[LightningStrikes]

TOI standouts:

Paquette 6:43 (lowest on team)
Carle 9:01 (2nd lowest on team)

Hedman 26:56 (highest player)
Kucherov 21:30 (highest forward)
Filppula 21:20 (2nd F)
Callahan 20:06 (3rd F)
Drouin 19:24 (4th F)

 

[FinnLightning26]

TOI standouts:

Paquette 6:43 (lowest on team)
Carle 9:01 (2nd lowest on team)

Hedman 26:56 (highest player)
Kucherov 21:30 (highest forward)
Filppula 21:20 (2nd F)
Callahan 20:06 (3rd F)
Drouin 19:24 (4th F)

This is what I want to see more of.

 

[Captain Dave Poulin]

I hope you guys don't mind, but I thought I would share my reaction to the game.

Sorry for the delayed reaction, but I just finished watching the game. Ha. Ha ha. Hahaha. HAHAHAHAHA!
Rather than write an expletive-laced post full of censored curse words, I'm just going to leave you with a pile of asterisks and some happy gifs.

Oh, and **** YOU, Jeff Jimerson, AND your soaked *** towel hahaha you blert!

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I love you guys. One more please

 

[LTIR Trickery]

We've drafted 2 players from Sweden in the past 10 years and one was a no-brainer. Yzerman has yet to draft a player out of Sweden. I don't even think we scout Sweden with how few we've drafted in team history. We also drafted a forward heavy group the year before and 2012 was known as defenseman strong class so going D there was a easy call.

There are like four or five guys that cover Sweden in some capacity. Sometimes you just have a guy higher on the board and take him.

 

[LTIR Trickery]

Did you guys really think Vasi was that good?

I thought he was hung out to dry on the first goal but not the second and third. Yes he had some big saves and you never know what Bishop might have let through but I don't think there is any way that Bishop won't play when he's ready.

He was good enough, although his rebound control is an issue.