I wonder how many times Eugene Melnyk makes his presence known in the upcoming series.

I wonder how many times Eugene Melnyk makes his presence known in the upcoming series.
- canadianpenfan

: )

I think Fleury should get game 1 but be on a very short leash. Like, 2 bad goals and he's out. If you keep playing Vokoun and he poops the bed, when Fleury comes in he won't have the confidence to take over. Its worth trying to get Fleury back in while he has the least (possible) pressure.

I think Despres and Martin played great today. Turnovers were horrible today. Letang made a couple when we actually had support. So did Malkin. Need to get back to the mindset of establishing the forecheck first before worrying about creating opportunities.

: )
- Gunner Staal

You know it's coming. I predict he holds a presser prior to game 1 stating he talked to the league about something Penguin related.

I wonder how many times Eugene Melnyk makes his presence known in the upcoming series.
- canadianpenfan

If there was a guy who exited the series with a torn ACL, it would be him.

Niskanen had a really bad game tonight. I think Eaton has to come in for him.

I think Fleury should get game 1 but be on a very short leash. Like, 2 bad goals and he's out. If you keep playing Vokoun and he poops the bed, when Fleury comes in he won't have the confidence to take over. Its worth trying to get Fleury back in while he has the least (possible) pressure.
- cygnus41

Play-off hockey is riding the hot hand. You don't bring Fleury back unless Vokoun has issues. Vokoun's play allowed us to advance. He deserves the time between the pipes. There is a lesser margin of error against Ottawa because Anderson blows Nabokov away as a goalie.

I wonder how many times Eugene Melnyk makes his presence known in the upcoming series.
- canadianpenfan

Hopefully more than Spezza does. Anyone think we see even more "2 minutes for being Matt Cooke" penalties against the Sens? Had to be 5 or 6 in the first round.

Niskanen had a really bad game tonight. I think Eaton has to come in for him.
- canadianpenfan

Niskanen is one I'm looking to deal in the off-season based on what I'm seeing.

Niskanen had a really bad game tonight. I think Eaton has to come in for him.
- canadianpenfan

In terms of a poor game, Letang wasn't far behind.

In terms of a poor game, Letang wasn't far behind.
- ursomp71

No he wasn't but you're not sitting him. Alot of players need to smarten up and he's at the top of the list.

You know it's coming. I predict he holds a presser prior to game 1 stating he talked to the league about something Penguin related.
- canadianpenfan

Melnyk has been waiting all this time to unveil his forensic results. There will be RCMP there on hand. Cooke will be arrested to the singing of O Canada.

Melnyk has been waiting all this time to unveil his forensic results. There will be RCMP there on hand. Cooke will be arrested to the singing of O Canada.
- david22

You guys think its pretty funny. The rest think your owner is a buffoon.

Hopefully more than Spezza does. Anyone think we see even more "2 minutes for being Matt Cooke" penalties against the Sens? Had to be 5 or 6 in the first round.
- Pags

Without a doubt Cookie will get more of those. It's actually one of the reasons I think this is his last go-around with the team. He fully earned that penalty tonight however. Dumb.

Melnyk has been waiting all this time to unveil his forensic results. There will be RCMP there on hand. Cooke will be arrested to the singing of O Canada.
- david22

I won't be shocked to hear an update on that soon.

You guys think its pretty funny. The rest think your owner is a buffoon.
- Oneonta Penguin

Of course he is. He talks to much, and gets involved in situations he shouldn't. I wouldn't be joking about it if I didnt.
Considering the ownership issues this team had in the past though, I'm more than willing to overlook that.

Without a doubt Cookie will get more of those. It's actually one of the reasons I think this is his last go-around with the team. He fully earned that penalty tonight however. Dumb.
- madmike71

I hope that's not true. His reputation penalties do kill us, but when he's left alone to actually play, he's a beast on the forecheck and even more so on the PK. There's no replacement in the system or on the UFA list for next season that can bring what he brings.

if they start MAF, i'm going to be ticked.

what kind of message does it send to Vokoun and the rest of the team? what does it say if your goalie sucks, takes you out of 2 games, and is then benched only to have his backup come in, get a shut out in one game and steal a series clincher on the road and then you decide to put your first goalie back in after your backup saves your skin?

it sends a HORRIBLE message to your team. it tells them that your name and salary are more important than your play. it says that its okay to screw up, as long as you are a core guy who makes a lot of money, you'll keep playing. it doesn't matter how many times you screw up, you wont be held accountable.

i'm sorry, but this shouldn't even be a question about who starts game 1. in the playoffs, you start the guy who gives you the best chance to win. period.

Vokoun will have a bad game. every goalie will have a bad game. that game or the game after is when you need MAF to step up and take his job back.

Bylsma needs to make MAF earn his job back, not just give it back to him like this past series never happened.

The styles we see from here on out will not be like what we just saw from the younger,faster,hungry Isles....save for a Toronto series that probably won't happen. The Isles were a match up problem for us and we over came it and survived. Not saying it will be easy from here,but the Pens won'tlook as bad for such prolonged stretches in games.

Oh, and this may not be a popular opinion....but MAF in Game 1....albiet with a SHORT leash

I hope that's not true. His reputation penalties do kill us, but when he's left alone to actually play, he's a beast on the forecheck and even more so on the PK. There's no replacement in the system or on the UFA list for next season that can bring what he brings.
- Pags

I'd love to re-sign Cooke. One guy I'm getting sick of is Neal. He's an awessome scorer but is a lazy punk most of the times. I'd be willing to ship him to St.louis for Oshie+. I mean that..

I hope that's not true. His reputation penalties do kill us, but when he's left alone to actually play, he's a beast on the forecheck and even more so on the PK. There's no replacement in the system or on the UFA list for next season that can bring what he brings.
- Pags

Fleury for Clutterbuck.

Video of end of game. Gif of bench reaction. Enjoy!

http://www.thepensblog.co...-pens-bench-reaction.html[url]

Of course he is. He talks to much, and gets involved in situations he shouldn't. I wouldn't be joking about it if I didnt.
Considering the ownership issues this team had in the past though, I'm more than willing to overlook that.
- david22

Oh man, I kind of hope this happens now. It'd almost be worth it for the laughs alone.

Fleury for Clutterbuck.
- Ben37

We all know it's going to be MAF for either Setoguchi or Hemsky.

Fleury for Clutterbuck.
- Ben37

Minnesota has to resign Backstrom. They have little choice really.