OT: Around the NHL - The Tournament Begins!

[JakeNBake59]

NJ really bringing it in the 3rd
Avs refusing to go lightly either just cant quite do enough

 

[JimmyTwoTimes]

Vasy lets in 4 like Murray did. Our offense should have been able to match what their offense did

 

[Sidney the Kidney]

Devils, how's that extra 24 hours "to rest" Hall and others working out for ya??!?!

Yikes. Yeah, that might have been a mistake.

First thing I thought. They chose to play Tampa instead of potentially the Pens, and now they're getting stomped.

It was especially weird given their success this season against the Pens. If there was one team they should have wanted to play out of Tampa, Pittsburgh, or Washington, it should have been the Pens.

 

[JimmyTwoTimes]

First thing I thought. They chose to play Tampa instead of potentially the Pens, and now they're getting stomped.

It was especially weird given their success this season against the Pens. If there was one team they should have wanted to play out of Tampa, Pittsburgh, or Washington, it should have been the Pens.

Must have thought Vasy was worn down enough to where they can take advantage right away. Between that, sweeping them, and the defense not looking the same since getting McDonagh...that was their best shot.

Should have at least tried to pass CBJ and play the Caps. Pens and Lightning are proven playoff teams. Anything can happen with the Caps. Struggled against a young Leafs team with their speed, similar to how the Devils play.

Also shouldnt have sat anyone after the run they went on. Thats not really showing confidence in your players.

 

[Andy99]

Vasy lets in 4 like Murray did. Our offense should have been able to match what their offense did

Yep...the thing is that the stronger teams playing lesser teams at home should dominate...even if the games are close, they’ll pull it out...

Makes you wonder about the Pens...even last year, we beat CBJ soundly at home the first two games...

 

[Turin]

Yep...the thing is that the stronger teams playing lesser teams at home should dominate...even if the games are close, they’ll pull it out...

Makes you wonder about the Pens...even last year, we beat CBJ soundly at home the first two games...

It... was... one... game....

 

[Sidney the Kidney]

It... was... one... game....

Didn't we lose one of the home games versus the Rangers in 2016 before taking both in New York?

Of course, Zatkoff was in nets for both of those, but still. I don't think you can read too much into the Pens' chances based on how they did the first two home games.

 

[Andy99]

Didn't we lose one of the home games versus the Rangers in 2016 before taking both in New York?

Of course, Zatkoff was in nets for both of those, but still. I don't think you can read too much into the Pens' chances based on how they did the first two home games.

Yes, they did and went on to win both games on the road at MSG...this year feels different....1) they haven’t been as dominant; 2) Murray hasn’t been as dominant, and 3) they’re not playing a solid goalie....teams have figured out how to slow the Pens (hey, play like Ottawa)...in addition, what’s concerning is that they’re going out of their way to get hits against Philly...that takes them out of their game....Malkin today saying they need to be physical with the Flyers...they don’t need to be physical, they need to be faster, outplay them and get to the pucks first....I’m worried the team will be looking for retribution against Giroux...they can’t go off the rails again like 2012...they’ll lose this series

 

[Tom Hanks]

Tampa are frightening to watch. No way that, if we were to get there, we'd beat them.

Sounds like a lot of what other teams have said over the last 8 series but we did beat them.

 

[JimmyTwoTimes]

Didn't we lose one of the home games versus the Rangers in 2016 before taking both in New York?

Of course, Zatkoff was in nets for both of those, but still. I don't think you can read too much into the Pens' chances based on how they did the first two home games.

I get what hes saying about being up 2-0 , but I'll call it as more of a coincidence we were handed one of our usual bad luck / bad bounce games this early on instead of it coming after being up 3-1 in the series or even the 2nd round. We always due for a few of those in the playoffs.

It happening this early has some thinking of the back and forth wins/losses we saw this past month again.

Two shots by Hornqvist that usually go in any other game. Elliott was rattled, but then came the horrible call on ZAR giving them the lead. And early in the 2nd the puck bounces off Letangs chest and goes in. All of that at least gave Elliott confidence for one game. Hes still a capable goalie..when bailed out like that its not a shock he made the most of it.

We've seen these types of games before. Its the timing of it that probably have some worried. Nashville and Tampa will have those types of games in these playoffs too.

 

[cheesedanish87]

Vasy lets in 4 like Murray did. Our offense should have been able to match what their offense did

TB gave up 44 shots and 25 scoring chances at even strength.

Pens gave up 19 shots and 11 scoring chance at even strength.

 

[Gurglesons]

Yes, they did and went on to win both games on the road at MSG...this year feels different....1) they haven’t been as dominant; 2) Murray hasn’t been as dominant, and 3) they’re not playing a solid goalie....teams have figured out how to slow the Pens (hey, play like Ottawa)...in addition, what’s concerning is that they’re going out of their way to get hits against Philly...that takes them out of their game....Malkin today saying they need to be physical with the Flyers...they don’t need to be physical, they need to be faster, outplay them and get to the pucks first....I’m worried the team will be looking for retribution against Giroux...they can’t go off the rails again like 2012...they’ll lose this series

We lost 4-2 to the Rags. We essentially lost 4 - 1 to the Flyers.

I don’t know why everyone is freaking out. If the Flyers go up 3 - 1 , I’d understand.

Also, you must’ve not watched 2012. Because they absolutely collapsed every time Philly went up.

 

[PensPlz]

I think best case scenario for us right now is that we beat Philly in 6 with no injuries, take out a battered CBJ team (who's content with just winning their first playoff series), and then take on a battered Tampa team.

 

[Turin]

That would have been huge for Toronto. You knew the Bruins were going to score after that.

 

[The Greatest 101]

Watching Kapanen skate is fun. Why didn't we give the leafs Pouliot?

Btw this gonna be an easy series for the Bs, it seems.

 

[Shockmaster]

Weren't Leafs fans telling us for the entire regular season that their team is legit?

 

[JakeNBake59]

this game is toast
Leafs have worse puck luck then the Pens
what did they do to anger the hockey Gods

 

[Andy99]

Wow...leafs just look completely undone....

 

[Turin]

The D is the Pens biggest weakness year after year but I would take the Pens D over the Leafs’ without hesitating.

 

[Turin]

this game is toast
Leafs have worse puck luck then the Pens
what did they do to anger the hockey Gods

Boston is creating their luck by being stronger and faster. Philly lucked their luck.

 

[ncm7772]

First thing I thought. They chose to play Tampa instead of potentially the Pens, and now they're getting stomped.

It was especially weird given their success this season against the Pens. If there was one team they should have wanted to play out of Tampa, Pittsburgh, or Washington, it should have been the Pens.

Yeah, I still don't get it.

 

[The Greatest 101]

Boston is creating their luck by being stronger and faster. Philly lucked their luck.

And more skilled.

 

[Andy99]

We lost 4-2 to the Rags. We essentially lost 4 - 1 to the Flyers.

I don’t know why everyone is freaking out. If the Flyers go up 3 - 1 , I’d understand.

Also, you must’ve not watched 2012. Because they absolutely collapsed every time Philly went up.

I watched the entire series...as you say, when the Flyers took the lead, the Pens got tight, which led to them not scoring back, which led to them going out of their way to try to outhit them...saw something similar and worrying last game...just hope that’s not going to be a pattern....they need to get a lead

 

[BHD]

I don't have a problem with Hainsey taking matters into his own hands, even if it puts the Leafs a man down.

 

[wheelz87]

I like the higher up camera angle Boston has.

And that’s the last time I ever compliment anything about that ******** city.