ncm7772
Registered User
Posted this in another thread, but think it's more appropriate here. Mods, feel free to delete if you feel it's necessary.
haven't posted much since the win, figured I have some downtime, so I'll go on a long diatribe. Kind of type out my feelings and predictions as the playoffs went on.
Pre-Playoffs
Letang being out for the season, Murray getting hurt (not announced, but we all knew the situation) vs NJ, Malkin being hurt, etc. Add in some other minor injuries, things look tougher. Also, although the Pens found a way to be the second best team in the regular season, which is awesome, they never really looked as good as they did last year. Sounds weird to a non-Pens fan, but we all discussed this here. Plus, having to face CBJ in the first round, even they got passed, I had zero faith that they'd beat the Caps. Then Murray gets hurt in warm-ups. I just didn't think they'd get passed the second round.
CBJ
I figured the Pens would advance, but was concerned about how Fleury was forced to stand on his head during this series. Was a little more confident though, seeing how good Fleury was combined with the fact that they dispatched CBJ in 5. Concerned though, about the poor starts in that series.
WAS
If you would've told me the Pens would win Games 1 and 2 in Washington, I'd have asked you which type(s) of hallucinogens you were using. Couldn't believe that. Was super excited, but knew the series was far from over. I obviously expected the worst after Crosby was concussed. Yet someone they won Game 4 and went up 3-1. Still wasn't super confident because of how good the Caps are. After Games 5 and 6, I literally had zero faith that they'd win Game 7. Shows how much I know. SO much respect for this team (especially Fleury) after this game. I knew they could win the Cup at this point.
OTT
Such a bizarre series this was, huh? Really could never get a read. Seemed like there was never a momentum carryover game-to-game. Expected the Pens to come out flat in Game 1 and they did. Game 2 was a stressor on my heart and hairline, but they found a way. Game 3, ugh. I knew it wasn't over, but I didn't like that game obviously. Had a bad feeling going into Game 6, and the nightmare came true. Pens had stomped the Sens in Game 5, only to have them claw back and force Game 7. In Game 7, I just had a weird feeling that the Pens would just find a way. And they did. My same hallucinogen analogy in regards to Kunitz scoring the GWG.
NAS
Expected this to a be a long and hard fought series, but I picked the Pens in 7. Knew they D corps was beastly, but obviously the Pens had a huge advantage up front, exacerbated by Johansen's injury. Had a blast in Pittsburgh during Game 2. Obviously thrilled to be up 2-0. But after Games 3 and 4, I honestly had a bad feeling. Thankfully, Sid turned into a man possessed the rest of the series, and the rest is history!
Man, still can't believe they're back to back Stanley Cup Champs! Never would've predicted that after the myriad of injuries they faced. Crosby, Murray, Fleury and Malkin did what stars do though, and lifted their team. Total team effort. And man, how about that bum-a** D squad? Those dudes have my full respect for what they were able to do. A bunch of 5th and 6th D-Men doing what they had to do to help their team win a Cup!
haven't posted much since the win, figured I have some downtime, so I'll go on a long diatribe. Kind of type out my feelings and predictions as the playoffs went on.
Pre-Playoffs
Letang being out for the season, Murray getting hurt (not announced, but we all knew the situation) vs NJ, Malkin being hurt, etc. Add in some other minor injuries, things look tougher. Also, although the Pens found a way to be the second best team in the regular season, which is awesome, they never really looked as good as they did last year. Sounds weird to a non-Pens fan, but we all discussed this here. Plus, having to face CBJ in the first round, even they got passed, I had zero faith that they'd beat the Caps. Then Murray gets hurt in warm-ups. I just didn't think they'd get passed the second round.
CBJ
I figured the Pens would advance, but was concerned about how Fleury was forced to stand on his head during this series. Was a little more confident though, seeing how good Fleury was combined with the fact that they dispatched CBJ in 5. Concerned though, about the poor starts in that series.
WAS
If you would've told me the Pens would win Games 1 and 2 in Washington, I'd have asked you which type(s) of hallucinogens you were using. Couldn't believe that. Was super excited, but knew the series was far from over. I obviously expected the worst after Crosby was concussed. Yet someone they won Game 4 and went up 3-1. Still wasn't super confident because of how good the Caps are. After Games 5 and 6, I literally had zero faith that they'd win Game 7. Shows how much I know. SO much respect for this team (especially Fleury) after this game. I knew they could win the Cup at this point.
OTT
Such a bizarre series this was, huh? Really could never get a read. Seemed like there was never a momentum carryover game-to-game. Expected the Pens to come out flat in Game 1 and they did. Game 2 was a stressor on my heart and hairline, but they found a way. Game 3, ugh. I knew it wasn't over, but I didn't like that game obviously. Had a bad feeling going into Game 6, and the nightmare came true. Pens had stomped the Sens in Game 5, only to have them claw back and force Game 7. In Game 7, I just had a weird feeling that the Pens would just find a way. And they did. My same hallucinogen analogy in regards to Kunitz scoring the GWG.
NAS
Expected this to a be a long and hard fought series, but I picked the Pens in 7. Knew they D corps was beastly, but obviously the Pens had a huge advantage up front, exacerbated by Johansen's injury. Had a blast in Pittsburgh during Game 2. Obviously thrilled to be up 2-0. But after Games 3 and 4, I honestly had a bad feeling. Thankfully, Sid turned into a man possessed the rest of the series, and the rest is history!
Man, still can't believe they're back to back Stanley Cup Champs! Never would've predicted that after the myriad of injuries they faced. Crosby, Murray, Fleury and Malkin did what stars do though, and lifted their team. Total team effort. And man, how about that bum-a** D squad? Those dudes have my full respect for what they were able to do. A bunch of 5th and 6th D-Men doing what they had to do to help their team win a Cup!