Pens are flying

[Riseonfire]

And the crazy thing is they are not much hotter than the other top Metro teams.

 

[The Shovel Penguin]

The Pens are good. They're even good enough to be a playoff team. And that's all there is to say.

But I love the fan logic I always read on here. When Tampa is hot, they're unstoppable and a lock for the Cup. When the Pens are hot, they're peaking too soon.

 

[maacoshark]

Penguins will beat Tampa and Washington in 4 games.

Will make Ovi cry again in the handshake line. Sobbing actually.

Amazing how great we are.

What a homer post.

 

[Empoleon8771]

What's even more impressive about the Penguins is that they have another level they can get to, because Brassard has really struggled with the Penguins, Malkin has struggled over the last few months (although last night was vintage Malkin) and Schultz has been out for a majority of the year. With a healthy roster and with Malkin playing to his capabilities, this is probably the best Penguins team since 2015-2016.

Letang is back in Norris form, Crosby has become a 2-way monster that's producing like he did in his prime, Guentzel is putting up near a 40 goal, 80 point pace, Kessel is showing last year wasn't a fluke, Murray has rounded back into form (and he's complemented with a great backup in DeSmith)...the team is just clicking right now. If Malkin gets his head back on straight and Schultz gets back to being a decent 2nd pair puck mover, this is going to be a scary team. This isn't even touching on Brassard, either.

 

[BB88]

Down 3-0, in 1st no prob score 3 and it's 3-3.
Down 4-3 in the 2nd, no prob score 4 and it's 7-4.
Looks like the old Pens. Is Tampa the favorite for the East or the Pens?

It will be interesting if Peak Kucherov can take Crosby and Company or not. But is the team playing at '16 or '17 level right now? When they were at their best they would have games where they were down 3-0 in the 1st and the game would be tied going into the third.

Why would the Pens be a favourite?

Their defense scares no one.

 

[Mr Jiggyfly]

Oh nos, illpucks annual Pens jinx thread.

 

[Empoleon8771]

Why would the Pens be a favourite?

Their defense scares no one.

Maybe because they've won 2 cups in 3 years without a great defense and a godly offense? And for not having a defense that "scares" anyone, they're equal to Tampa Bay in goals against in the same amount of games played.

 

[Mr Jiggyfly]

Why would the Pens be a favourite?

Their defense scares no one.

When has their defense scared anyone, on any cup run in their history? It’s becoming a running gag people throw out there it seems...

For those that don’t know, even their 91 and 92 teams had bluelines that were compiled of many no names and rookies.

 

[BB88]

Maybe because they've won 2 cups in 3 years without a great defense and a godly offense? And for not having a defense that "scares" anyone, they're equal to Tampa Bay in goals against in the same amount of games played.

When has their defense scared anyone, on any cup run in their history? It’s becoming a running gag people throw out there it seems...

For those that don’t know, even their 91 and 92 teams had blueliner that were compiled of many no names and rookies.

Did they then go through this level of Tampa, Toronto or Washington team?
Last time they had ....ng Ottawa in the Eastern finals.

Let's wait till playoffs to see the Tampa level defense.

 

[Empoleon8771]

Did they then go through this level of Tampa, Toronto or Washington team?
Last time they had ....ng Ottawa in the Eastern finals.

Let's wait till playoffs to see the Tampa level defense.

Yes? Are you joking me? I don't even have a serious response for this, the Capitals in 2017 were the best team in the East in the last 5 years and the Penguins beat them without Letang.

 

[BB88]

Yes? Are you joking me? I don't even have a serious response for this, the Capitals in 2017 were the best team in the East in the last 5 years and the Penguins beat them without Letang.

& How was their playoff success at that point, now they've won the Cup finally.

Again, ....ng Ottawa in the Eastern finals, and took 7 games to beat them.

 

[CanadianPensFan1]

They have certainly rounded in to form recently.

Are they THE favorite? No. Are they ONE of the favorites? Sure are.

Also, and not for nothing, people were saying Tampa was unstoppable last year. Also said they were THE team to beat the year before. They certainly are a fantastic team and are laying waste to the league. But no one is unstoppable or unbeatable.

 

[CupsOverCash]

Pens are a force no doubt. Would love to see them play TB in the ECF again. Would be fun to watch.

 

[Empoleon8771]

& How was their playoff success at that point, now they've won the Cup finally.

Again, ....ng Ottawa in the Eastern finals, and took 7 games to beat them.

How has Toronto's playoff success been? How has Tampa Bay's playoff success been? You're just asking dumb questions. You asked if the Penguins have played a team on par with Washington, Tampa or Toronto. The answer to that is obviously yes, because the 2017 Capitals team in the playoffs was the best team the East has seen in the last 5 years (before this year).

 

[Mr Jiggyfly]

Did they then go through this level of Tampa, Toronto or Washington team?
Last time they had ....ng Ottawa in the Eastern finals.

Let's wait till playoffs to see the Tampa level defense.

Yep, on the Pens six cup runs, they have never had to go through any good teams like the TB Lightning.

Was all pure luck and crap teams.

 

[BB88]

How has Toronto's playoff success been? How has Tampa Bay's playoff success been? You're just asking dumb questions. You asked if the Penguins have played a team on par with Washington, Tampa or Toronto. The answer to that is obviously yes, because the 2017 Capitals team in the playoffs was the best team the East has seen in the last 5 years (before this year).

Beating 1 high end/elite team is awhole lot easier than beating 2-3 in the playoffs, you won't face Ottawa in the Eastern finals if you somehow manage to get through Washington, and Tampa has gone past 1st round in the playoffs.
They are build to win with experienced core players.

 

[Ovie's Neighbor]

What's even more impressive about the Penguins is that they have another level they can get to, because Brassard has really struggled with the Penguins, Malkin has struggled over the last few months (although last night was vintage Malkin) and Schultz has been out for a majority of the year. With a healthy roster and with Malkin playing to his capabilities, this is probably the best Penguins team since 2015-2016.

Letang is back in Norris form, Crosby has become a 2-way monster that's producing like he did in his prime, Guentzel is putting up near a 40 goal, 80 point pace, Kessel is showing last year wasn't a fluke, Murray has rounded back into form (and he's complemented with a great backup in DeSmith)...the team is just clicking right now. If Malkin gets his head back on straight and Schultz gets back to being a decent 2nd pair puck mover, this is going to be a scary team. This isn't even touching on Brassard, either.

But I thought Sullivan needed to be fired, the defense was a train wreck, Malkin was hurt, and Kessel is a train wreck??

 

[Empoleon8771]

Beating 1 high end/elite team is awhole lot easier than beating 2-3 in the playoffs, you won't face Ottawa in the Eastern finals if you somehow manage to get through Washington, and Tampa has gone past 1st round in the playoffs.

You seem to really be clinging to Ottawa making a Cinderella run in 2017 as a way to attack the Penguins. And what about Tampa Bay in 2016, why do they suddenly not exist? Sure, they didn't have Stamkos, but that team was still really good and the team that made the cup finals the year before.

This is just a bad argument to make. The Penguins have beaten plenty of fantastic teams in the playoffs in their 2 cup runs. To argue otherwise, with clinging to Ottawa making the ECF as a 2 seed in the Atlantic, is just stupid.

But I thought Sullivan needed to be fired, the defense was a train wreck, Malkin was hurt, and Kessel is a train wreck??

Penguins fans on HFBoards are insanely overreactive to everything.

 

[BB88]

Yep, on the Pens six cup runs, they have never had to go through any good teams like the TB Lightning.

Was all pure luck and crap teams.

90's mean nothing today, keep dreaming that the East is as good as when you faced Ottawa in the Eastern finals.

Yes they were able to win with elite offense and not so great defense, but guess what? There are multiple teams with elite offense in the East, and better defense.
But let's act like there aren't.

You seem to really be clinging to Ottawa making a Cinderella run in 2017 as a way to attack the Penguins. And what about Tampa Bay in 2016, why do they suddenly not exist? Sure, they didn't have Stamkos, but that team was still really good and the team that made the cup finals the year before.

Because this is a different level Tampa, with player development& additions they've made to their roster.

 

[Fatty McLardy]

i like their chances if they can get a better 3rd line center. Brassard just hasn't been good at all.

 

[Empoleon8771]

Because this is a different level Tampa, with player development& additions they've made to their roster.

No, you brought up Washington and Toronto too. If you would have just left it at Tampa, you may have an argument. It's not completely true, but you'd have an argument. Bringing in ****ing Toronto of all teams just makes it a garbage argument.

 

[Pens x]

Penguins have been playing great as of late. Anaheim should be embarrassed about that loss last night. That was absolutely pathetic.

How does Carlyle still have a job?

 

[BB88]

No, you brought up Washington and Toronto too. If you would have just left it at Tampa, you may have an argument. It's not completely true, but you'd have an argument. Bringing in ****ing Toronto of all teams just makes it a garbage argument.

Why?

You're not going to finals this season with only beating 1 high end/elite team like last time, this time you will most likely have to beat 2-3.

 

[Mr Jiggyfly]

90's mean nothing today, keep dreaming that the East is as good as when you faced Ottawa in the Eastern finals.

Yes they were able to win with elite offense and not so great defense, but guess what? There are multiple teams with elite offense in the East, and better defense.
But let's act like there aren't.



Because this is a different level Tampa, with player development& additions they've made to their roster.

90s mean nothing, great. Except you are making the same argument people made back then that their defense wasn’t good enough, but it was,.

As for today, I guess getting past the current cup champs twice doesn’t count because that doesn’t fit your agenda huh?

And they got past TB in the ECF already, same year they got past the Caps who were the President trophy winners, but that doesn’t fit your agenda either.

Pens have one of the best top pairs in the league with Letang/Dumo. If you think there is a superior top pairing out there, good luck naming them, because these two play some of the hardest shutdown minutes in the league and excel at it.

They also have a very good third pair since Pettersson came over.

The only real question mark is their middle pair, and Schultz is skating now and due back by Feb.

 

[Empoleon8771]

Why?

You're not going to finals this season with only beating 1 high end/elite team like last time, this time you will most likely have to beat 2-3.

They didn't ****ing do that last time

Seriously, this is just getting dumb at this point. You're either overrating Toronto and Washington or underrating teams like Columbus in 2017 (4th best team in hockey) and NYR in 2016 (9th best team in hockey). You're clinging to a cinderella run by a weaker 2 seed in a weak division to say that the Penguins somehow had an easy run to the finals, yet the 2 teams they played in the first 2 rounds combined for 226 points that season.