When all is said and done, we will have the Islanders relentless attack and speed to thank for preparing us for the playoffs this year. The more I think about it the more I am impressed with how those Isles played.
- nbartley9

I truely believe if the Isles play anybody except the Pens (maybe the Bruins), they move on to the 2nd round.

I hate him too. Just mean he is great at his job.
- dbell646

He's a bully, but like most bullies, when challenged by someone his own size, he backs down. It bugs me when Sens fans compare him to Cooke, because Cooke is a far better player in terms of hockey skill and usefulness.

PS. I think Cookie has been solid so far these playoffs, especially on the PK, as much as I was happy Duper scored last night, a Cookie shorty would have been the icing on the cake.

He's a bully, but like most bullies, when challenged by someone his own size, he backs down. It bugs me when Sens fans compare him to Cooke, because Cooke is a far better player in terms of hockey skill and usefulness.

PS. I think Cookie has been solid so far these playoffs, especially on the PK, as much as I was happy Duper scored last night, a Cookie shorty would have been the icing on the cake.
- Emperor Filonius

I hate to say it but I love the way Neil plays, he is my favorite non-Penguin of all time.
The guy knows his roll and plays it to a T.

One thing i haven't seen many people talk about in here is the play of our PK unit. What was one of very few weakness in the regular season has turned into one of their best strengths of this playoffs thus far. The PK has been outstanding. Going from bottom 3rd in the league to the #2 PK unit in the playoffs is unbelievable, especially when last year, the PK did the exact opposite, and cost us the series.

HNIC intro video for last night. Good as usual:


- rival22

COME DOWN - BUSH! One of my favorite bands.

One thing i haven't seen many people talk about in here is the play of our PK unit. What was one of very few weakness in the regular season has turned into one of their best strengths of this playoffs thus far. The PK has been outstanding. Going from bottom 3rd in the league to the #2 PK unit in the playoffs is unbelievable, especially when last year, the PK did the exact opposite, and cost us the series.
- cap1681

Last year they were really good in the regular season and just awful in the playoffs. I'll take the way it is right now anytime

The big test is Friday night. McLean and the Sens have 2 days to make adjustments to what they are doing. If they can come out in Game #2, generate more offence and get a win, it's going to be a series. If they come up short again with not much improvement, the series will also be short.

Call me crazy but I think dupuis deserved a Selke nominee

Call me crazy but I think dupuis deserved a Selke nominee
- drummer829

You're crazy.

in a short season like this one and the way he performed, I'd say he could at least be nominated.

The best thing that I saw last night was that we saw the 2009 Malkin last night. If he continues to play at that level, the Pens are going to be a VERY tough out.

Call me crazy but I think dupuis deserved a Selke nominee
- drummer829

Yeah, but that award is basically the best offensive player who is also very good defensively, and got shutout of other awards.

Toews hasn't won it yet, and was left out of the Hart, so I'm guessing he gets it.

The best thing that I saw last night was that we saw the 2009 Malkin last night. If he continues to play at that level, the Pens are going to be a VERY tough out.
- Emperor Filonius

Not only his play, but his post game comments. He talked about limiting turnovers and defensive play, while basically shrugging off the 11 points.

As a side note, I wish he would talk more. The postgame he did with Engblom was awesome, and his English has come along A LOT. He was very well spoken.

Not only his play, but his post game comments. He talked about limiting turnovers and defensive play, while basically shrugging off the 11 points.

As a side note, I wish he would talk more. The postgame he did with Engblom was awesome, and his English has come along A LOT. He was very well spoken.
- rival22

I noticed that as well. I think he would be even more popular if he talked more...its easy to lump into the "mercurial Russian" mold, but the guy clearly wants to win.

Yeah, but that award is basically the best offensive player who is also very good defensively, and got shutout of other awards.

Toews hasn't won it yet, and was left out of the Hart, so I'm guessing he gets it.
- rival22

True.. But dupuis numbers matched and was better than those guys. Plus he was relied heavily on the PK. Use the excuse that Sid helps his numbers, but we have seen last year dupuis score goals without sid

Sid was invisible at one point last night:

- Rawdog9755

That is amazing.

Harrington, Maatta and Derrick Pouliot will all be playing in the Memorial Cup this year.

Never a bad thing for young players, especially defensemen, to go through high pressure tournaments.

Between the league playoffs and the Memorial Cup, the Pens brass have a great a look at how they react and perform under pressure.

Harrington captain'd London to a OHL championship, and Matta had 6 points in the finals, including a goal in Game 7.

And Pouliot had 20 pts in 21 playoff games with Portland winning the WHL championship.

I wonder what Hab fans thought of Orpiks hit on Gryba.

I wonder what Hab fans thought of Orpiks hit on Gryba.
- Ben37

I'm guessing that there were some fist pumps in Habsland last night lol.

You guys probably don't want to jinx things by looking ahead, but if you get to the finals, who is the preference : Chicago or LA ? Who do you think the Pens would match up better against ?

You guys probably don't want to jinx things by looking ahead, but if you get to the finals, who is the preference : Chicago or LA ? Who do you think the Pens would match up better against ?
- MadCap2008

I just want to see a Chicago/Penguins series.

You guys probably don't want to jinx things by looking ahead, but if you get to the finals, who is the preference : Chicago or LA ? Who do you think the Pens would match up better against ?
- MadCap2008

If we are fortunate to advance, big if, I might want to prefer to play the hawks over the kings. Neither would be a piece of cake. The more I watch the kings, with he goalie and the big forwards I think that is a worse matchup. I still have questions regarding crawford in net when the pressure is on

You guys probably don't want to jinx things by looking ahead, but if you get to the finals, who is the preference : Chicago or LA ? Who do you think the Pens would match up better against ?
- MadCap2008

Chicago. Problem is I don't think they match up well with LA either. LA is built for the playoffs, they have such a good team.

You guys probably don't want to jinx things by looking ahead, but if you get to the finals, who is the preference : Chicago or LA ? Who do you think the Pens would match up better against ?
- MadCap2008

I haven't gotten that far. I have looked ahead to next round, but I haven't even really thought about a potential finals matchup. There are so many games to be played and so much can happen as far as injuries and stuff.

If we are fortunate to advance, big if, I might want to prefer to play the hawks over the kings. Neither would be a piece of cake. The more I watch the kings, with he goalie and the big forwards I think that is a worse matchup. I still have questions regarding crawford in net when the pressure is on
- Oneonta Penguin

They really are like a machine at times - no panic, seem like they know they are going to get the goal when they need it, Quick will make the big save when they need it, etc. I think Chicago/Pittsburgh would be more fun to watch, but the more I see of the Kings the more I think they are going to get to the finals again.

I just want to see a Chicago/Penguins series.
- Ben37

I think Pittsburgh/Chicago would potentially be the most entertaining SCF matchup in years.