Realistically who can challenge the Penguins?

[ThatSaid]

This thread kind of sleeps on the Hawks. We have minor health problems, but everyone should be 100% by the playoffs. Caps look pretty good too. Its not like the Pens have an easy road to the SCF. Hawk's look like we have a relatively easy road (sorry Minny.)

I don't think the Pens are the team in the East best equipped for the Hawks. I'd rather see them than Columbus or Washington if I'm being honest.

 

[JaegerDice]

This thread kind of sleeps on the Hawks. We have minor health problems, but everyone should be 100% by the playoffs. Caps look pretty good too. Its not like the Pens have an easy road to the SCF. Hawk's look like we have a relatively easy road (sorry Minny.)

I don't think the Pens are the team in the East best equipped for the Hawks. I'd rather see them than Columbus or Washington if I'm being honest.

You're nuts. There's nothing the Blackhawks have more trouble with than straight up speed. Add the skill that the Pens can play with at speed, and they are a nightmare matchup.

 

[NeedleInTheHay]

This thread kind of sleeps on the Hawks. We have minor health problems, but everyone should be 100% by the playoffs. Caps look pretty good too. Its not like the Pens have an easy road to the SCF. Hawk's look like we have a relatively easy road (sorry Minny.)

I don't think the Pens are the team in the East best equipped for the Hawks. I'd rather see them than Columbus or Washington if I'm being honest.

The Hawks are just a worse version of the Pens, I'm not worried about them at all.

The Wild are the only team that scares me out west.

 

[ThatSaid]

[/b]

You're nuts. There's nothing the Blackhawks have more trouble with than straight up speed. Add the skill that the Pens can play with at speed, and they are a nightmare matchup.

I think we trade chances with the best of them. What worries me are teams that jam up the neutral zone and take away space at the blue-line. I'll take the injury-riddled back-end of the Penguins over either of the other two I mentioned. I realize I'm probably in the minority here, but a trapping Columbus team with Bob in the net is way more scary to me.

 

[Keithsteeth]

The Hawks are just a worse version of the Pens, I'm not worried about them at all.

The Wild are the only team that scares me out west.

I have no idea who would win in the Hawks vs the Pens... but this is just stupid. The Hawks are a very different team from the Penguins. They are a much better defensive team, while the Penguins have the better offense

 

[66-30-33]

I have no idea who would win in the Hawks vs the Pens... but this is just stupid. The Hawks are a very different team from the Penguins. They are a much better defensive team, while the Penguins have the better offense

Yep Hawks have 3 cups in 7 years, Pens have got 1 cup in 7 years. Pretty sure our Pens should worry about them, they still ripe for another cup.

 

[naustic]

There are so many things that need to go right to win the cup and almost no team wins it without a few lucky bounces, momentum, good goaltending, etc. The penguins have put themselves in a great position to take another run at the championship. There are several teams who have also set themselves up in great position to contend. It should be a helluva playoffs 2017.

 

[illpucks]

Point taken

 

[c9777666]

Apparently nobody

 

[EdmFlyersfan]

Ever since Flyers went down the ranks, Pens have had it easy in the playoffs...that'll be changing soon.

 

[Mr Jiggyfly]

Ever since Flyers went down the ranks, Pens have had it easy in the playoffs...that'll be changing soon.

Uh, the Pens smacked the Flyers around on the way to their cup in '09.

Flyers beat them one whole time since then in the playoffs. Rangers at least beat them twice.

Pens also have Sullivan as a coach, not Bylsma.

 

[boredmale]

Father time and injuries

 

[Hackett]

They were certainly challenged for three rounds. Who would have thought that Ottawa would come closest to knocking them off?

Funny how this game works sometimes, but that's why we watch.

 

[RobBrown4PM]

Once Crosby and Malkin get a whee bit older, father time is going to start hurting the Pen's bad.

For now, few teams are as good as the Pens.

 

[LTIR]

Apparently nobody

WSH and OTT say hi.

As if "PIT were not challenged".

 

[Master P]

If Tampa can actually stay healthy for a full season then I think they have a good shot.

 

[CpatainCanuck]

If Letang returns to 100% the Penguins add a #1 Defenceman to a cup-winning roster for next season. They are going to be a favourite again next year.

 

[Shrimper]

Ever since Flyers went down the ranks, Pens have had it easy in the playoffs...that'll be changing soon.

Why, are we going to join them on the golf course next year?