2008 Stanley Cup goes to...

[goodwood]

Yes, there is no doubt that Downie has offensive upside, it's just hard to recognize with all of the infractions. I think if he keeps that stuff to a minimum, Philly has a solid young group that has a lot of energy and jump w/ Upshall and Briere etc. Richards is a monster...no reference to Pierre MacGuire there. Great team. I can easily see why Pittsburgh 'cupcaked out' of the last game of the season against them so that they wouldn't have to meet them in the first round. Understanding it and respecting it are two different things though. That was the smallest move I've seen in a long time.

[Razor]

Well, every Penguin should buy Fleury a beer tonight because he stole one for them. I haven't seen Jagr play that possessed in a long time. Rangers outplayed the Pens in every facet of that game, but still came up short.

Now, I wonder if someone will tell me the Pens really didn't win that game.

[Rupe]

Well, every Penguin should buy Fleury a beer tonight because he stole one for them. I haven't seen Jagr play that possessed in a long time. Rangers outplayed the Pens in every facet of that game, but still came up short.

Now, I wonder if someone will tell me the Pens really didn't win that game.

No shit, Fleury was amazing. The Pens were outplayed for much of that game but MAF kept them alive. Special teams came up big as well. And it's always nice to get a goal from an offensive powerhouse like Georges Laraque

Imagine what could have happened if the Pens put forth a consistent effort. I really don't understand the lackluster performance. Poor D, poor passing, poor puck handling, poor shooting (Malkin missed a wide open net), getting consistently beat to the loose pucks...and somehow they managed 5 goals??? They'll need to show up for the next one if they want any chance of a sweep.

As for Jagr, he hasn't played that well in years...he truly was a man possessed.

[semagic]

i stand corrected... on my statement the penguins won't win this series easily. they are very impressive right now. hopefully the canadians can put a full 60 minute effort in tonight's game, and even the series. the stars will try and close out the sharks tonight. the wings are just taking it to the avs

[Spivonious]

hopefully the canadians can put a full 60 minute effort in tonight's game

Hopefully the refs can make calls for both teams in tonight's game.

[Rupe]

Speaking of Avery, he is out for the remainder of the playoffs (most likely only one game ) He somehow lacerated his spleen during last night's game:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080430/ap_on_sp_ho_ne/hkn_rangers_avery

[goodwood]

Now, I wonder if someone will tell me the Pens really didn't win that game.

Ouch.

Well, the goalie is part of the team...however when games are being won and the team is playing poorly it can't make a fan very comfortable when the team has to go on to play their next opponents can it? I know you have to be good to be lucky but good fortune normally doesn't win out over the better team...unless you are talking about 1993.
I have to think that poetic justice will prevail at some point for the cupcake move that they pulled to close out the regular season.

...and if you keep it up you're probably going to get called 'fanboy' so...restrain yourself.

Speaking of Avery... He somehow lacerated his spleen during last night's game

That's was a 'karma knife' which caused the laceration.

[semagic]

Hopefully the refs can make calls for both teams in tonight's game.

the calls have been inconsistant... i agree, hopefully the calls get better.

[atomic charvel guy]

i don't think the rangers ever recovered from blowing game one which they had full control of. Last night was the first night where I felt like Jagr is our captain. As well as he has played for the Rangers, it would have been nice to have seen that kind of fire come out of him on a more consistent basis. There's been shitty calls, but Lundqvist showed up for game 2 and that's it. No goaltending, no chance for series wins. the first game he got a coup[le of bad bounces, but the Rangers have been outplayed and that's the bottom line.

[atomic charvel guy]

THE DIFFERENCE IN THE GERS_PENS SERIES-
Game 1- Pitt. ties the game 3-3 and they keep on playing.
Game3-Rangers come back to tie it after being down 3-1, and Pitt.coach calls a timeout, settled them down, and put the confidence back in them as they then started to outplay the Rangers again like they had been doing. even though the Rangers during 5 on 5 completely outshot the Pens. Lotta weak wrist shots from the point, quite disappointed over here. Actually , I think my right hand is hard to use this morning from the wall getting assaulted, so I am now only allowed to smash the leather couch with my Lacrosse stick as nothing can ricochet and break something in the house when I get into my throw projectiles as hard as you can mood and it's like- Duck!!!!!!!! I'm really pissed, we took 5 of the 8 games in the reg. season, i thought we'd give them a fight. Not happy, but when are you happy when you're a Ranger fan?

[semagic]

THE DIFFERENCE IN THE GERS_PENS SERIES-
Game 1- Pitt. ties the game 3-3 and they keep on playing.
Game3-Rangers come back to tie it after being down 3-1, and Pitt.coach calls a timeout, settled them down, and put the confidence back in them as they then started to outplay the Rangers again like they had been doing. even though the Rangers during 5 on 5 completely outshot the Pens. Lotta weak wrist shots from the point, quite disappointed over here. Actually , I think my right hand is hard to use this morning from the wall getting assaulted, so I am now only allowed to smash the leather couch with my Lacrosse stick as nothing can ricochet and break something in the house when I get into my throw projectiles as hard as you can mood and it's like- Duck!!!!!!!! I'm really pissed, we took 5 of the 8 games in the reg. season, i thought we'd give them a fight. Not happy, but when are you happy when you're a Ranger fan?

hopefully they can win a few games to make it look close

[Bengal]

Detriot 3-0! SWEEP SWEEP SWEEP!

I'm sure I've blown it for them now.

[Spivonious]

So, will Pittsburgh or Philly get beaten by the Wings?

[Rupe]

It's the Wings cup to lose, but I think either of the PA teams has the potential to pull off an upset. And the Wings still have another round that may prove more difficult than we think. To use an old cliche...that's why they play the games.

[semagic]

no sweep in dallas... san jose came out strong in the third period and held on late... that fourth win can be the hardest. game 5 fri. in san jose. dallas will need a huge effort in that one... turco will need to steal one.
montreal showing how young they really are... a veteran philly team is showing their experience in this series... can montreal pull another 3-1 series miracle?