They better be ready for what is going to come in the second period.
- Gunner Staal

Or all series long. The hawks are the most consistent team in the league by far.

After one period you can tell this is NOT the regular season. Blues really coming at the Kings and Minny with a lead.

Penguins better be taking notice. This isn't the NBA where top seeds basically have a bye.

So guys.

There's a disturbing rumor out there.

It's unsubstantiated, but disturbing, nonetheless.

According to none other than the esteemed DEE KARL, she's heard an NHL writer say:

"The Islanders can score goals!"

Don't know what to make of this, but that's bad news if you asked me.

So guys.

There's a disturbing rumor out there.

It's unsubstantiated, but disturbing, nonetheless.

According to none other than the esteemed DEE KARL, she's heard an NHL writer say:

"The Islanders can score goals!"

Don't know what to make of this, but that's bad news if you asked me.


- Emperor Filonius

Can they play defense though?

So guys.

There's a disturbing rumor out there.

It's unsubstantiated, but disturbing, nonetheless.

According to none other than the esteemed DEE KARL, she's heard an NHL writer say:

"The Islanders can score goals!"

Don't know what to make of this, but that's bad news if you asked me.


- Emperor Filonius

But can they stop them? Note to Dee, Pittsburgh can too.

The fact that he didn't get a concussion from that shot is about the best news you can hope for. If he was as prone to them as many sadly want to believe he would have got another. At least we know he's coming back sometime soon, even if it's not the first few games.

Cautiously optimistic about the teams mindset right now. Let's get this show on the road.
- canadianpenfan

I doubt anyone wants to see him hurt (other than a nice forecheck which is temporary). Names please?

Steelers signed the best Bills player of the past decade today.
- Gunner Staal

Who would that be and what position does he play?

Who would that be and what position does he play?
- Orpik44

Brian Moorman, punter. And yes, the only Bills apparel I have with a players name on it from this decade is indeed a Brian Moorman jersey t shirt.

After one period you can tell this is NOT the regular season. Blues really coming at the Kings and Minny with a lead.

Penguins better be taking notice. This isn't the NBA where top seeds basically have a bye.
- Sell My Monkey

This Blues/Kings series is going to be a war. CBC was showing a graphic about the size of the Kings, their smallest forward is Mike Richards at 5'10 210. We all know he plays bigger, but everyone else was well over 6' and over 200lbs.

Brian Moorman, punter. And yes, the only Bills apparel I have with a players name on it from this decade is indeed a Brian Moorman jersey t shirt.
- Gunner Staal

Yes! He was always the fastest punter in madden fake punts are unstoppable against him

This Blues/Kings series is going to be a war. CBC was showing a graphic about the size of the Kings, their smallest forward is Mike Richards at 5'10 210. We all know he plays bigger, but everyone else was well over 6' and over 200lbs.
- Ben37

Let me tell you, the Kings are a playoff roster from top to bottom. I live in LA and watch them a lot. They will be a tough out for any team in a 7 game series. Which is why I want the Blues to take them...or at least cause some issues.

This Blues/Kings series is going to be a war. CBC was showing a graphic about the size of the Kings, their smallest forward is Mike Richards at 5'10 210. We all know he plays bigger, but everyone else was well over 6' and over 200lbs.
- Ben37

There's a lot of hatred on the ice.

Hawks game is a real tight one. Harding standing on his head.

jeez. you honestly couldn't have asked for a better start to the playoffs. two amazing games. people are dismissing MIN fast... not so fast. MIN has the star power that most 8 seeds don't have. they could make a series out of it.

but the penguins should learn something from each game.

1. STL/LA. Pitt needs to learn that no matter how well you dominate a game, if you cant finish, it wont mean anything. it only takes one shot. they also should learn that hitting guys every chance you get pays off. STL doesn't have huge guys hitting, but they are absolutely murdering guys down low. finally, they should learn that the forecheck controls the tempo. if you control the forecheck, you will control the tempo.

2. CHI/MIN. this is the NHL playoffs, no 1 seed ever has an easy path. they should also learn that getting shots is key. not playing with it and looking for the perfect pass.

overall a great start, looking forward to the overtimes.

Yes! He was always the fastest punter in madden fake punts are unstoppable against him
- Genev21

He was a track athlete in college.

but the penguins should learn something from each game.

1. STL/LA. Pitt needs to learn that no matter how well you dominate a game, if you cant finish, it wont mean anything. it only takes one shot. they also should learn that hitting guys every chance you get pays off. STL doesn't have huge guys hitting, but they are absolutely murdering guys down low. finally, they should learn that the forecheck controls the tempo. if you control the forecheck, you will control the tempo.

2. CHI/MIN. this is the NHL playoffs, no 1 seed ever has an easy path. they should also learn that getting shots is key. not playing with it and looking for the perfect pass.

overall a great start, looking forward to the overtimes.
- SuperHenderson13

1. Relative to point 1 ... all they have to remember is the Montreal series and the TB series.

1. Relative to point 1 ... all they have to remember is the Montreal series and the TB series.
- Oneonta Penguin

exactly. had 3-1 leads in both series. penguins need to keep their foot on the gas the whole time. it cost them games 1 and 2 in the playoffs last year and probably cost them the series.

having said that, I like this group of vets, and hard working guys. I don't expect last year to happen again.

penguins should think about a cooke-sutter-morrow line to match up against the Tavares line tomorrow night.

exactly. had 3-1 leads in both series. penguins need to keep their foot on the gas the whole time. it cost them games 1 and 2 in the playoffs last year and probably cost them the series.

having said that, I like this group of vets, and hard working guys. I don't expect last year to happen again.

penguins should think about a cooke-sutter-morrow line to match up against the Tavares line tomorrow night.
- SuperHenderson13

Pens Habs was tied 2-2

Pens Habs was tied 2-2
- Gunner Staal

True!

but I think there are a couple things that are really underestimated in a playoff series.

Faceoffs- winning faceoffs are critical to a team's success. guys like Malkin and Sutter have lost key faceoffs at key times. penguins as a team need to win important draws and either keep the pressure going or get the puck out of our zone after a pk or defensive faceoff.

Blocked shots- Michalek wasn't a popular penguin during the playoffs last year, but one thing he did was block shots. Penguins do have Murray, but the penguins defense needs to get in front of shots down low and the forwards need to clog the passing lanes and block any shot possible

Back checking- penguins cant let the islanders let the play develop. forwards need to hustle back and pressure the forwards. cant let guys like Johnny T burn you.

winning puck battles. one thing this team has done during their streaks is win the puck battles. whenever a puck goes into the corners or along the boards, the penguins will usually come up with it. penguins didn't do that last season. they need to do it this postseason.

Staying alert. the islanders are a very quick team. they get the puck in their zone and convert it to offense quick. quick breakout and quick passing into the offensive zone. penguins defensemen need to be alert when they or their d partner pinches in the zone. it might be better to play it conservative as a defensemen.

it sometimes comes down to what team does these things better. penguins cant afford to lose these kind of battles.

Pens Habs was tied 2-2
- Gunner Staal

oh really? damn. don't know where I got 3-1 from.

Jonathan Quick...puck handling FAIL!

Stl 2-1 LA. Nice!..Chi 2-1 Minn. Too bad..

Jonathan Quick...puck handling FAIL!
- Emperor Filonius

For a minute there I thought that was MAF. Not one of his strong points.

He won't be sleeping well tonight.