My bigger question is not whether the Pens willl be able to find the right gear but whether their play will work out in the playoffs. With teams tightening up more and playing tight checking even borderline clutch and grab (which the refs notoriously revert back to 1996 in the playoffs), the immense talent factor becomes less relevant as it becomes more about who's sticking to their responsibilities and can find a little space. These games all tend to be won on sloppy goals or scrums in front of the net. Pittsburgh is unquestionably the most diverse team in the playoffs, but I don't think they're as cut out for the type of game played in the playoffs as Boston.

Despite Boston's struggles of late, I expect their perfect mold for playoff play to ultimately help them elevate their play. I'd rather play the finess team than the Bully's, since we seem to combat that style better.
- keaner17

Pitt can pretty much play any way you want. They can grind out a win in the trenches just as easily as they can pass it and finesse around. Before the trades I wouldn't have bet against them in a playoff series against anyone. Not saying they can't or won't be beat. There just aren't too many weaknesses to exploit. Seemed like it was a bit easier to get under their skin before, but I don't know if that'll be the case now with the leadership they brought in.

I hear you about Boston, but I was waiting for them to hit another gear last season against the Caps and they never did. Pitt's issue last year wasn't a failure to elevate their intensity, it was horrible team D, which they made efforts to correct this season. Boston...I think it's a coin flip whether you get the team that roared back to punish Vancouver or the one that lost in game 7 to Washington.

Either team though...it's sort of like arguing about whether you'd rather square off against a tiger or a leopard...either way you have long odds of walking out of there.

Pitt can pretty much play any way you want. They can grind out a win in the trenches just as easily as they can pass it and finesse around. Before the trades I wouldn't have bet against them in a playoff series against anyone. Not saying they can't or won't be beat. There just aren't too many weaknesses to exploit. Seemed like it was a bit easier to get under their skin before, but I don't know if that'll be the case now with the leadership they brought in.

I hear you about Boston, but I was waiting for them to hit another gear last season against the Caps and they never did. Pitt's issue last year wasn't a failure to elevate their intensity, it was horrible team D, which they made efforts to correct this season. Boston...I think it's a coin flip whether you get the team that roared back to punish Vancouver or the one that lost in game 7 to Washington.

Either team though...it's sort of like arguing about whether you'd rather square off against a tiger or a leopard...either way you have long odds of walking out of there.
- UIF

BeLieve

BeLieve
- mighty13duck

Trust me, I'll be cheering my heart out no matter who we play. I know we keep talking about just being happy we made it to this point, but screw that. I'll be happy about that when I look back on this season afterward. For now, I want wins whenever they take the ice, I'll be upset when they lose, and I'll be just as crushed and pissed off should they get eliminated in any round as I would be if they were SC favorites. Later on? A season that went beyond the regular season will be good enough. Now? Stanley Cup or bust

BeLieve
- mighty13duck

Playoff push starts tonight

Playoff push starts tonight
- Cptmjl

Butch was correct with his prediction for the season. What happened to that commercial?

if this in fact the series...its going to be VERY physical; ill expect to see carkner in there for a game or 2...
- LetsGoIsles

Then I'll expect to get swept.

Nabby

Agreed and I'm with ya there. Its just Cappys thought process of having to have Boulton AND Carkner in the lineup simultaneously...its beyond ridiculous. Just gets on my nerves when he does that because nothing good comes out of it (and I don't buy the fights in the Toronto game either, I think thats just what players say because they think its the right thing to say - if you need to watch a fight to start moving your legs and shooting then thats horsepoop).
- NewYawkIslandez

For anyone giving Cappy credit & praise for the great month of hockey the Isles played, has only to look at what/who he puts out in the 2nd to last game, which is still important in regard to playoff seeding, especially the goaltender. (Philly is the tougher team to beat). We can only hope that the players remember what they did the last 12 games because if they rely on the coach to "guide" them through the playoffs, we will be sent home early. Cappy is inadequate at this level and I pray he is a non-factor.

talk about confidence in your team!!!


- LetsGoIsles

The Penguins, without Sidney Crosby, are one of the top ten teams in the league- but they are NOT far and away the best team. However, they still manage to win at a 90% clip. Why? Because THEY WANT TO, and no one is going to stop them. This is what this team needs to learn as it matures- you don't take three days off because you already know you're in the playoffs. That's the whole point.....

for f*ck sake - refs don't even give us fair calls against huffalo. Ennis high sticks him in the face, cuts him and only gets 2 min. Hope they show them the video post game. F'in disgrace.

for f*ck sake - refs don't even give us fair calls against huffalo. Ennis high sticks him in the face, cuts him and only gets 2 min. Hope they show them the video post game. F'in disgrace.
- jmo16

This team better get their shat together bfr next week or they will be embarrassed. If Boulton sees the ice next week Capuano needs his head examined.