don't kill the hands that pulls the trigger. kill the head that gives the oppertunity. in other words take care of backström and carlson and the great 8 can do almost nothing
- martox

Good thought and probably a lot more difficult task.

That awkward moment when there's a new blog out that doesn't have a picture of a penguin player and I'm over in the other comments section talking to my self. Thanks guys.

http://insider.espn.go.com/nhl/insider/story/_/id/15386164/where-pavel-datsyuk-ranks-greats-generation-nhl

Hmmmmm... apparently me and feds aren't the only 2 who think this...

- j.boyd919

I love that you're still going at this!

Are the Bolts doing their outside viewing parties again this year next to Channelside? I'm gonna be down that way, and last year was a (frank)ing blast!

don't kill the hands that pulls the trigger. kill the head that gives the oppertunity. in other words take care of backström and carlson and the great 8 can do almost nothing
- martox

You are probably right. I feel like I would just have someone shadow Ovie. Not even look for the puck. Just stare into his soul and mimic his every move so he can never get a pass much less a shot. If nothing else it will piss him off.

Let the rest of the PK work on a 4 on 3.

I think at least a split of the first two games is important but keep in mind folks if they go down 2 games to 0 to start, the exact same thing happened in 2009...

I think at least a split of the first two games is important but keep in mind folks if they go down 2 games to 0 to start, the exact same thing happened in 2009...
- MattStrat

I think caps are a much better team and we will be well served not to go down 2-0

How about staying out of the box especially from stupid penalties. Malkin.

I think caps are a much better team and we will be well served not to go down 2-0
- dbell646

Oh for sure, can't argue that. Most of the Canadian media i watched about this series the past few days are saying that Ovie doesnt need to lead this team any more. He doesn't have to score for them to win. I'm really curious as to what their record is when he scores/doesn't score this season.

I love that you're still going at this!

Are the Bolts doing their outside viewing parties again this year next to Channelside? I'm gonna be down that way, and last year was a (frank)ing blast!
- Topshelf Mountain

Honestly I'm not sure.. I don't work for the Lightning anymore, just started a new gig a few weeks ago. And I wasn't really going at it, but I saw the article on twitter last night before bed, just found it ironic that we were having that same conversation hahaha. You'd have to check the lightning's website or give their ticket office a call, the'll let you know for sure. I know they definitely have watch parties for the road games though over in Channelside.

Washington has the best power play player of all time on their roster
- Ryan_Wilson

When did Washington sign Brett Hull?

That awkward moment when there's a new blog out that doesn't have a picture of a penguin player and I'm over in the other comments section talking to my self. Thanks guys.
- pensfan024

......and that conversation was pretty impressive.

You are probably right. I feel like I would just have someone shadow Ovie. Not even look for the puck. Just stare into his soul and mimic his every move so he can never get a pass much less a shot. If nothing else it will piss him off.

Let the rest of the PK work on a 4 on 3.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

When did we sign Sean Avery??

I guess what I'm wondering now is what prevented the Caps from scoring on the PP while playing Philly? It wasn't just the goalie, was it?
- powerhouse

No, it was a teamwide commitment to 2 things:

1) Stay the hell out of the penalty box
2) Don't sit back in a passive box.

The first one speaks for itself: if you don't take penalties, you don't have to kill them.

The second one took Philly 3 games to figure out. There's far too much skill on that PP that, given time and space, they'll eventually get the shot they want. The way to beat them is to pressure them: don't charge full-on at the guy with the puck, but stay close to him with an active stick while cheating to the side you don't want the puck to go. In a PP, you'll always be outnumbered, but the key is to force them to move the puck where you want them to.

I think Martox hit the nail on the head with Backstrom & Carlson. But the biggie I'm worried about is Geno - the other one!

All in all, Ovechkin is a superstar, and he is going to get his points. You can limit him, but he's going to score some goals. Same with Backstrom. Same with Crosby. Same with Malkin. They keys are to limit their superstars and can good secondary scoring. If Crosby and Malkin can hang with Ovechkin and Backstrom and Letang can hang with Carlson, which I think they can, getting strong scoring from other places (Rust, Sheary, Kessel, Maata) should be enough, assuming the goaltending holds up.

Relentless speed for puck retrieval, relentless speed for puck pressure when the Craps have the puck and all around composure. Those are the keys to this whole series for the Pens. They're going to get out hit again, there's no doubt about that, they can handle it. Their sound defence has to come from rushing/pressuring the Craps puck carry and being smart with sticks...smart as in taking away passing lanes, blocking shots/passes and keeping them down as to not get high sticking calls.

As long as one guy stays with Ovie pens will be good
- nh4442

I dunno man

Elite tending in holtby makes them so tough to beat. as does their depth all through the lineup (Carlson, niskanen, oshie, williams) but it's the emergence of another superstar in kuznetzov that can do it all by himself that makes them near impossible to matchup with. He's so good.

They've obv still got backstrom and ovie going, but kuznetzov on the other line is the real reason that the east might be able to break the wests dominance
(Those 3 and holtby-4 superstars on that team !!)


I'd actually say the same of the bolts if stralman and stammer were healthy too as far as a real threat for the cup

The pens are as hot as anyone, but the caps remain the favs

- madmike71

Absolut gold.

I dunno man

Elite tending in holtby makes them so tough to beat. as does their depth all through the lineup (Carlson, niskanen, oshie, williams) but it's the emergence of another superstar in kuznetzov that can do it all by himself that makes them near impossible to matchup with. He's so good.

They've obv still got backstrom and ovie going, but kuznetzov on the other line is the real reason that the east might be able to break the wests dominance
(Those 3 and holtby-4 superstars on that team !!)


I'd actually say the same of the bolts if stralman and stammer were healthy too as far as a real threat for the cup

The pens are as hot as anyone, but the caps remain the favs
- HB77

Kuzi is such a beast.

I dunno man

Elite tending in holtby makes them so tough to beat. as does their depth all through the lineup (Carlson, niskanen, oshie, williams) but it's the emergence of another superstar in kuznetzov that can do it all by himself that makes them near impossible to matchup with. He's so good.

They've obv still got backstrom and ovie going, but kuznetzov on the other line is the real reason that the east might be able to break the wests dominance
(Those 3 and holtby-4 superstars on that team !!)


I'd actually say the same of the bolts if stralman and stammer were healthy too as far as a real threat for the cup

The pens are as hot as anyone, but the caps remain the favs
- HB77

Not going to argue with any of that but I will say the Pens match them in star power. I think the stars are a wash and the supporting casts will be the bigger deciders of this series.

Murray hasn't played all season but has been ranging from solid to stellar pretty much every game and hasnt lost in like 10 straight starts.

Caps are definitely the favourites, Presidents trophy winners always are.

Craig Custance ‏@CraigCustance 16m16 minutes ago
Penguins have signed undrafted free agent D Lukas Bengtsson to ELC. Big playoff w/Frolunda, lots of interest. Great skater. High hockey IQ.

Craig Custance ‏@CraigCustance 1m1 minute ago
Craig Custance Retweeted General Fanager
Correct. 2-year ELC for Bengtsson and Penguins. Nice addition for Jim Rutherford.

Craig Custance ‏@CraigCustance 16m16 minutes ago
Penguins have signed undrafted free agent D Lukas Bengtsson to ELC. Big playoff w/Frolunda, lots of interest. Great skater. High hockey IQ.

Craig Custance ‏@CraigCustance 1m1 minute ago
Craig Custance Retweeted General Fanager
Correct. 2-year ELC for Bengtsson and Penguins. Nice addition for Jim Rutherford.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

Nice.

Found this on Elite prospects

Bengtsson is a defenseman who stands out with his terrific skating ability and offensive instincts. Owns excellent acceleration and agility, allowing him to rush the puck up the ice. Of below-average size, he still protects the puck well when skating. Manning the point on the powerplay, he has a great one-timer and quick decision-making ability. Always gets back defensively, but could certainly improve his overall game, given his hockey smarts.

Craig Custance ‏@CraigCustance 16m16 minutes ago
Penguins have signed undrafted free agent D Lukas Bengtsson to ELC. Big playoff w/Frolunda, lots of interest. Great skater. High hockey IQ.

Craig Custance ‏@CraigCustance 1m1 minute ago
Craig Custance Retweeted General Fanager
Correct. 2-year ELC for Bengtsson and Penguins. Nice addition for Jim Rutherford.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

Can't pretend like I know anything about him but free asset

Nice.

Found this on Elite prospects

Bengtsson is a defenseman who stands out with his terrific skating ability and offensive instincts. Owns excellent acceleration and agility, allowing him to rush the puck up the ice. Of below-average size, he still protects the puck well when skating. Manning the point on the powerplay, he has a great one-timer and quick decision-making ability. Always gets back defensively, but could certainly improve his overall game, given his hockey smarts.
- MattStrat

Pens seem to be targeting great skaters who are smart. Seems like the smart thing to do though these last 2 I think are on the smaller side.