(Hypothetical). Pittsburgh chooses Fleury over Murray. whats the current bracket look like?

[JackFrost]

Are Vegas in the playoffs at all? How far do they get? Are they still in the Conference Finals?

Would Pittsburgh still be alive?

How does everyone think this changes the league?

Murray has looked pedestrian all year while Fleury has looked amazing for the expansion franchise. Pittsburghs overall team is much better than last year, but the main difference was Pittsburgh had Fleury who was amazing(side from games 5 and 6) and stole that series from the Caps despite the team being vastly inferior to a superior Washington team. This year it was the reverse with Pittsburgh having the better skaters, but inferior goaltending. the goaltending won both years.

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[Hockeyholic]

Honestly, I think the Pens win this series with MAF playing the way he is now. That game 3 tying goal was a stinker. But the turning point in the series imo.

 

[CupInSIX]

MAF has been terrific but he only played just over half the games for Vegas in the regular season so yes I'd say they're at least still a wildcard team.

 

[PenguinSpeed]

Are Vegas in the playoffs at all? How far do they get? Are they still in the Conference Finals?

Would Pittsburgh still be alive?

How does everyone think this changes the league?

Murray has looked pedestrian all year while Fleury has looked amazing for the expansion franchise. Pittsburghs overall team is much better than last year, but the main difference was Pittsburgh had Fleury who was amazing(side from games 5 and 6) and stole that series from the Caps despite the team being vastly inferior to a superior Washington team. This year it was the reverse with Pittsburgh having the better skaters, but inferior goaltending. the goaltending won both years.

1) Maybe for Vegas

2) Pittsburgh still loses to Washington. Gave up far to many high danger chances, Kessel is injured and played like it, and Letang played like crap. Cant blame Murray when the other team has 3 times as many odd man rushes and breakaways as you do.

 

[Jason316]

Vegas did fine without Flower. Subban played great

 

[Vancouver Canucks]

Yeah, they'd definitely win Round 2 with Fleury in net.

 

[ncm7772]

MAF would've stood no chance behind the defense the Pens iced these playoffs.

And that's no knock on him. Murray wasn't great, but acting like MAF would've won this series is not a narrative I can support.

 

[harmonica]

Basically the same outcome.

Blaming Murray for the playoffs is nonsense. The team in front of him didn't have the fire that the last two teams did. We also had a lot of brain farts to brain damage, especially the D. Sully made some coaching mistakes. Outside of Sid and Jake, nobody really showed up. We looked gassed. Injuries also probably impacting Malkin, Hags, Kessel, Horny and Brassard.

 

[mad4comp]

Are Vegas in the playoffs at all? How far do they get? Are they still in the Conference Finals?

Would Pittsburgh still be alive?

How does everyone think this changes the league?

Murray has looked pedestrian all year while Fleury has looked amazing for the expansion franchise. Pittsburghs overall team is much better than last year, but the main difference was Pittsburgh had Fleury who was amazing(side from games 5 and 6) and stole that series from the Caps despite the team being vastly inferior to a superior Washington team. This year it was the reverse with Pittsburgh having the better skaters, but inferior goaltending. the goaltending won both years.

Depends... is Letang also still on the Pens in that scenario?

 

[JackFrost]

MAF would've stood no chance behind the defense the Pens iced these playoffs.

And that's no knock on him. Murray wasn't great, but acting like MAF would've won this series is not a narrative I can support.

The Penguins defense is better than it was last year.

 

[JackFrost]

My Opinion is that Vegas loses in the first round as a lower seeded wild card team and the Penguins are in the Conference Finals.

 

[ChanceVegas]

Vegas doesn't win any series without Flower. They may make the post season but Subban isn't getting us a post season series win.

 

[Pancakes]

Fleury looks amazing because Vegas plays 4 lines that play committed team d and their defense as a unit is twice as good as ours.

Maf with our d would look maybe slightly better than Murray at best.

 

[MassiveHomer]

MAF goes full 2013 and the 1st round is a circus.

 

[Alexei Yashvalev]

Murray's already won everything in his first two years, twice. I wonder if his motivation isn't what it was.

 

[Hockeyholic]

Murray's already won everything in his first two years, twice. I wonder if his motivation isn't what it was.

Meh. He looked off throughout the postseason. I think we all under estimated the impact of his Dad passing.

 

[Burn]

Anyone remember MAFs meltdowns every spring when he was a Penguin?

 

[Alexei Yashvalev]

Anyone remember MAFs meltdowns every spring when he was a Penguin?

Twas glorious.

 

[Uncle Scrooge]

Cut Murray some slack.

Name me one goalie who came up as a 21 yr old, took the reigns and never looked back without any adversity.

Goalies always go through growing pains. Just because Murray has won 2 cups doesn’t mean he’s immune.

As far as this playoff series go MAF in net doesn’t change the fact that Caps wanted it more. 2 cups did its thing. Heck, i think it’s good that the Pens lost. I want to see them rejuvenated and with something to prove again. As the ol’ saying goes, its tough to be hungry when you have your stomach full.

I think Murray’s tough year lined up pretty well, as this season never felt like it was going to be the Pens year regardless who is in net.

 

[Syckle78]

We have no idea what MAF would of provided. He could of shit the bed vs. Philly or put up a Smyth performance.

 

[Burn]

Twas glorious.

I like MAF. Top notch guy but people are forgetting just how bad his meltdowns were.

 

[bobholly39]

I dunno.

Fleury seems like a nice guy and i expect any fan around the league (outside of teams he's facing) is likely happy for the guy finding success this year. But he hasn't exactly been Mr Reliable in his time in Pittsburgh in the playoffs. He had great runs, but also horrendous ones.

If Fleury plays the way he is today on Pitt than sure, of course they're in round 3. But that's not a certainty at all.

 

[ncm7772]

The Penguins defense is better than it was last year.

No, it wasn't. And you should be banned for typing that.

 

[StateOfHexcellence]

MAF would've stood no chance behind the defense the Pens iced these playoffs.

And that's no knock on him. Murray wasn't great, but acting like MAF would've won this series is not a narrative I can support.

Murray was the #1 one responsible for the Pens loss. He let in many weak goals. The first one last night was the latest example. Defense aside, which sucked, 5 levels down from last 2 years....the Netminder is paid to stop it. If it goes in it's all his fault. Remember these words, they are most important!!

 

[StateOfHexcellence]

The Penguins defense is better than it was last year.

icicle melting commencing level 100