You can almost get fatigued just worrying about which really good players the Penguins are adding to their lineup from game to game. First it was Crosby, then Neal and Orpick, now Vokoun. I guess there's not much the Isles can really do about any of that besides keep trying to keep the bulk of each game in the Penguins' zone and hope good things happen from that...
- UIF

Provided the Isles continue to play their game and remain responsible, they can still win the 5x5 battles. While I realize the Pens powerplay is one of the most talented in recent memory, the Isles pk must be at least average as opposed to what we've seen thus far. Through the first half of the season, the one thing that WAS clicking was our pk. If they can find their game there, it won't matter who the Pens send out on the pp. Grabner and Nielsen remain two of the best penalty killers in the league and the combo of say Hamonic and Martinek are definitely capable of winning battles in the corners to throw the puck up ice.

We have to get in Vokoun's grill....irritate the hell out of him. He'll be jittery early on and the best way to harness that nervousness is to add frustration.

Isles need a repeat of Tuesday night. Keep the penalties down, keep the intensity up. Pitt is going to come out flying in the first, playing in their own building in front of their fans. The Isles need to weather that storm by not giving up early goals or taking penalties. If they get out of the first ten minutes unscathed, they should be fine.

Off the top of my head...Guys I'd like to see Garth talk to during the off-season: Douglas Murray, Andy McDonald, Niklas Backstrom...
- dcb1

i'd rather have an orange parking cone than murray

If the Sens wrap it up tomorrow night Isles play 7pm Saturday. if Sens lose game 6 is 430pm
- Vukota

See you at 7!!! Montreal is done they look like the Pens against Philly last year.

See you at 7!!! Montreal is done they look like the Pens against Philly last year.
- lloyd095

The Pens look kinda like the Pens against Philly last year too!

The Pens look kinda like the Pens against Philly last year too!
- keaner17

Then you didn't watch that series. The Pens we're to busy trying to hurt someone than play hockey. They couldn't stop taking really stupid penalties. This year I'm not even sure what a penalty is at this point.

Then you didn't watch that series. The Pens we're to busy trying to hurt someone than play hockey. They couldn't stop taking really stupid penalties. This year I'm not even sure what a penalty is at this point.
- lloyd095

Can't disagree with that. Moreover though, the Pens played undisciplined hockey (positionally) last year along with some god-awful goaltending. I don't see a lot of difference there thus far.
I'm definintely concerned about Vokoun's effect on them tonight, but unelss the Pen's find a way to start standing the Isles up at the blue line, this series is going to become an ultimate letdown.

Can't disagree with that. Moreover though, the Pens played undisciplined hockey (positionally) last year along with some god-awful goaltending. I don't see a lot of difference there thus far.
I'm definintely concerned about Vokoun's effect on them tonight, but unelss the Pen's find a way to start standing the Isles up at the blue line, this series is going to become an ultimate letdown.
- keaner17

The difference is that the Penguins were playing disastrously undisciplined hockey where they got more concerned about getting the Flyers before the Flyers got them and ended up running around taking stupid, awful penalties. This year, it's more just making undisciplined plays (turnovers, bad passes, bad defense, etc.) as opposed to wanting to "get" the Isles. Either one's a horrible problem, especially when you combine it with sub-standard goaltending.

The difference is that the Penguins were playing disastrously undisciplined hockey where they got more concerned about getting the Flyers before the Flyers got them and ended up running around taking stupid, awful penalties. This year, it's more just making undisciplined plays (turnovers, bad passes, bad defense, etc.) as opposed to wanting to "get" the Isles. Either one's a horrible problem, especially when you combine it with sub-standard goaltending.
- jmatchett383

Fortunately for the Pen's our goaltending has been arguably just as substandard as their's. It's nearly comical that Nabby continue's to challenge shooters to shoot gloveside despite being burned there repeatedly. He's looked startling like another goalie we all know here

Edit: Everyone remembers the physical altercations from last years Pens/Flyers series and Sid's whiney post game interview, but my lasting impression was that it was one of the most awful displays of defensive hockey from two teams in recent playoff memory. It became obvious during that series that neither of those teams were going anywhere.

Everything has been a thorn in the side ofthe Isles for years...

Vokoun hasn't done much in the playoffs.

He will crack under the pressure... one bad goal and he is done!!!
- jimmc7722

I agree we just have to crash the net and get an early one get the crowd out of the game and nabby has to give us a good performance tonight

It's funny, all year I hoped the Isles made it to the playoffs, and now they're here and holding their own, I can't enjoy until the final buzzer in a win. I'm nervous all day, during the game I can't even speak, it's torture.

Anyway, I expect Pitt to come out on fire tonight. I think their crowd will try to get to Nassau levels, although they won't, and the Isles will have to weather the storm for 10 minutes or so. If they can dictate the pace, and play as they did in the last 3 games, I don't care who is net, Isles win. Hamonic needs to layout Crosby as he did last game (cleanly Pens fans) and knock him off his game. I think that hit was very effective as he was pretty quiet for the rest of the game. And as for Malkin, Hamonic needs to just keep doing what he's been doing. Battle of the not-so-handsome.

The difference is that the Penguins were playing disastrously undisciplined hockey where they got more concerned about getting the Flyers before the Flyers got them and ended up running around taking stupid, awful penalties. This year, it's more just making undisciplined plays (turnovers, bad passes, bad defense, etc.) as opposed to wanting to "get" the Isles. Either one's a horrible problem, especially when you combine it with sub-standard goaltending.
- jmatchett383

Yea but Bryz played just as bad as Fleury... I'm starting to think the Pens made a mistake getting rid of Michalek and not Niskanen. He cant figure out what to do on a Islander rush. My Pens are in bad need of a Scuderi type this offseason.

Interested to see how this game gets called because it the Isles turn to dislike penalties tonight.

It's funny, all year I hoped the Isles made it to the playoffs, and now they're here and holding their own, I can't enjoy until the final buzzer in a win. I'm nervous all day, during the game I can't even speak, it's torture.

Anyway, I expect Pitt to come out on fire tonight. I think their crowd will try to get to Nassau levels, although they won't, and the Isles will have to weather the storm for 10 minutes or so. If they can dictate the pace, and play as they did in the last 3 games, I don't care who is net, Isles win. Hamonic needs to layout Crosby as he did last game (cleanly Pens fans) and knock him off his game. I think that hit was very effective as he was pretty quiet for the rest of the game. And as for Malkin, Hamonic needs to just keep doing what he's been doing. Battle of the not-so-handsome.
- Charlie21

I know the feeling...I actually get more anxiety over these games than when I played. I won't lie, I think there's a huge potential for us to get steamrolled tonight. If the Pens don't play their absolute best game of the series tonight, they're toast. They know that. For that reason, I think we're going to see them at their most intense.

It's funny, all year I hoped the Isles made it to the playoffs, and now they're here and holding their own, I can't enjoy until the final buzzer in a win. I'm nervous all day, during the game I can't even speak, it's torture.

Anyway, I expect Pitt to come out on fire tonight. I think their crowd will try to get to Nassau levels, although they won't, and the Isles will have to weather the storm for 10 minutes or so. If they can dictate the pace, and play as they did in the last 3 games, I don't care who is net, Isles win. Hamonic needs to layout Crosby as he did last game (cleanly Pens fans) and knock him off his game. I think that hit was very effective as he was pretty quiet for the rest of the game. And as for Malkin, Hamonic needs to just keep doing what he's been doing. Battle of the not-so-handsome.
- Charlie21

Bro I'm the same way.. In some ways I wish the Pens would get eliminated so I can enjoy hockey again. I love the playoffs but it's brutal when you care so much.

You can knock Malkin off his game the only way to do that to Crosby is knock him out of the game.

It's funny, all year I hoped the Isles made it to the playoffs, and now they're here and holding their own, I can't enjoy until the final buzzer in a win. I'm nervous all day, during the game I can't even speak, it's torture.

Anyway, I expect Pitt to come out on fire tonight. I think their crowd will try to get to Nassau levels, although they won't, and the Isles will have to weather the storm for 10 minutes or so. If they can dictate the pace, and play as they did in the last 3 games, I don't care who is net, Isles win. Hamonic needs to layout Crosby as he did last game (cleanly Pens fans) and knock him off his game. I think that hit was very effective as he was pretty quiet for the rest of the game. And as for Malkin, Hamonic needs to just keep doing what he's been doing. Battle of the not-so-handsome.
- Charlie21

You are absolutely correct the Islanders need to survive the first period tonight, if they do that they will be in good shape. I just have this funny feeling the Pens will have at least 3 or more power plays in the first period

The first 10 minutes of this game are going to be the most important 10 minutes of this series so far. If Vokoun establishes himself with a few big saves and the Pens feed off that and the crowd, things are going to get overwhelming fast. If he gives up an early goal, shell shock is going to hit both the bench and stands. The Isles MUST come out with the same intensity they've started the last three games with. There can't be any sitting back tonight.
- keaner17

they gotta come out stronger than ever tonight and put everything at vokouns feet...skate hard and get the rebounds...even if they dont score in the first 10, they gotta make him sweat. thats a must!!! and they better continue hitting crosby and malkin.

Yea but Bryz played just as bad as Fleury... I'm starting to think the Pens made a mistake getting rid of Michalek and not Niskanen. He cant figure out what to do on a Islander rush. My Pens are in bad need of a Scuderi type this offseason.

Interested to see how this game gets called because it the Isles turn to dislike penalties tonight.
- lloyd095

Fleury had the worst playoff goaltending stats since Jim Carey. Bryz was bad, but Fleury was abysmal.

Bro I'm the same way.. In some ways I wish the Pens would get eliminated so I can enjoy hockey again. I love the playoffs but it's brutal when you care so much.

You can knock Malkin off his game the only way to do that to Crosby is knock him out of the game.
- lloyd095

I glad i am not the only one with these emotions. Then it gets worse once the game starts. Especially it seems no lead has been safe other than in game 1.

Any word on how crosby is feeling after taking that puck in the throat? I know they said he wasn't the same in game four after that happened.

I glad i am not the only one with these emotions. Then it gets worse once the game starts. Especially it seems no lead has been safe other than in game 1.

Any word on how crosby is feeling after taking that puck in the throat? I know they said he wasn't the same in game four after that happened.
- special_k1074

I thought it was the hit from Hamonic that did that.

I thought it was the hit from Hamonic that did that.
- bixll

I glad i am not the only one with these emotions. Then it gets worse once the game starts. Especially it seems no lead has been safe other than in game 1.

Any word on how crosby is feeling after taking that puck in the throat? I know they said he wasn't the same in game four after that happened.
- special_k1074

a well connected friend said the brought in a surgeon to look at crosbys throat but decided it wasnt necessary and could heal on its own...so its somewhere between "holy poop that really hurt" and "put on your big boy pants and get on the ice sid"

Bro I'm the same way.. In some ways I wish the Pens would get eliminated so I can enjoy hockey again. I love the playoffs but it's brutal when you care so much.

You can knock Malkin off his game the only way to do that to Crosby is knock him out of the game.
- lloyd095

In the 3rd period of last game, my wife came in the room and told me I looked like I was going to die. The only sound I could utter from my mouth was "sshh" every time someone tried to talk to me. Then when it was over and the Islanders won, I had this overwhelming feeling of relief like I just crapped a watermelon. I'll have to go through this at least 2 more times.

I thought it was the hit from Hamonic that did that.
- bixll

I agree 100%

In the 3rd period of last game, my wife came in the room and told me I looked like I was going to die. The only sound I could utter from my mouth was "sshh" every time someone tried to talk to me. Then when it was over and the Islanders won, I had this overwhelming feeling of relief like I just crapped a watermelon. I'll have to go through this at least 2 more times.
- Charlie21

My dog ran off to his panic room again during the game. Meanwhile, my kid decided it was talk to daddy time....Bad idea. All I could do was say "this is the craziest game I've seen in a while" along with plenty of "WTF!" comments.

In the 3rd period of last game, my wife came in the room and told me I looked like I was going to die. The only sound I could utter from my mouth was "sshh" every time someone tried to talk to me. Then when it was over and the Islanders won, I had this overwhelming feeling of relief like I just crapped a watermelon. I'll have to go through this at least 2 more times.
- Charlie21

I'm not going to lie... I'm sorta hoping to kill you tonight