They are, and you can win as the Kings did like that. But they are nowhere near as dominant at ES as the Kings for all that talent. Maybe it's missing a #1 d man; maybe it's Trotz's more conservative system. Lord knows they have skill. But they just lack that feeling of crushing teams at evens.
- Mononoke

how do you view St Louis in this paradigm?

They are a lot like LA with their size, maybe even two top D guys and some skill guys as well.

Phils strand a leadoff triple. What.
- Giroux_Is_God

No surprise. Their hitting makes me want to punch the Phanatic.

how do you view St Louis in this paradigm?

They are a lot like LA with their size, maybe even two top D guys and some skill guys as well.
- Marc D

not an answer to your question, but related nonetheless:

I think the Blues have the best chance at beating the Pens/Caps for the Cup

how do you view St Louis in this paradigm?

They are a lot like LA with their size, maybe even two top D guys and some skill guys as well.
- Marc D

If only Backes was 5 years younger. I'd drool over him.

not an answer to your question, but related nonetheless:

I think the Blues have the best chance at beating the Pens/Caps for the Cup
- Giroux_Is_God

In a sick way I hope the Sharks make it and lose in game 7 of the finals.

Other than that, Preds are my team.

No surprise. Their hitting makes me want to punch the Phanatic.
- Mononoke

1st out was a sweet backhand pick play by the third baseman. Hard hit ball. Can't fault anyone there.

2nd out was a check swing roller that ended up 7 feet in front of home. Ruf.

Seriously brother?

In a sick way I hope the Sharks make it and lose in game 7 of the finals.

Other than that, Preds are my team.
- flyer_nutter

I really don't have an issue with anyone out of the West. Blues have always been my "second" team, and I- like you- have been pulling for the Preds this year. New blood, and there's really not much to hate about them outside of Neal. Pekka, Forsberg, Josi, and of course Weber.

2real has ruined the Sharks. I actually am rooting against them out of spite, not out of dislike of the team.

not an answer to your question, but related nonetheless:

I think the Blues have the best chance at beating the Pens/Caps for the Cup
- Giroux_Is_God

I think any of the 4 west teams would be a great match up vs the Pens.

I really don't have an issue with anyone out of the West. Blues have always been my "second" team, and I- like you- have been pulling for the Preds this year. New blood, and there's really not much to hate about them outside of Neal. Pekka, Forsberg, Josi, and of course Weber.

2real has ruined the Sharks. I actually am rooting against them out of spite, not out of dislike of the team.
- Giroux_Is_God

They are, and you can win as the Kings did like that. But they are nowhere near as dominant at ES as the Kings for all that talent. Maybe it's missing a #1 d man; maybe it's Trotz's more conservative system. Lord knows they have skill. But they just lack that feeling of crushing teams at evens.
- Mononoke

They scored the 2nd most goals in the league at 5 on 5, and gave up the 5th least amount of goals at 5 on 5.

I think any of the 4 west teams would be a great match up vs the Pens.
- Marc D

Indeed.

For clarity, I didn't say anyone in the west doesn't have a shot outside of the Blues. I just think STL has a the best chance. The can really put the puck in the net- both from the D and forwards...and factoring in the way Elliot is playing- they're gonna be tough.

I'll be rooting for the west in the finals, provided the Caps/Pens represent the east. No doubt.

If it's NOT the Caps/Pens, I'll root for anyone out of the West but San Jose.

this has just been a weird series.

both have carried play at times. but it hasn't reflected the scoreboard or even shot totals for me.

pens had stretches where the caps maybe put up 6 or 7 shots on goal in almost a whole period, yet i feel as though the capitals severely outplayed them.
- stayinthefnnet

Same problem last night at the Flyers had. Need to stay out of the box.

how do you view St Louis in this paradigm?

They are a lot like LA with their size, maybe even two top D guys and some skill guys as well.
- Marc D

And until this year, they had as much success as the Caps. I think they've been unluckier than the Caps though...they've had fantastic teams and just run into buzz saws losing heartbreakers. Caps usually have a knack for running into themselves. Hitch is a good coach; their team has been a good one. They've had their issues though: lack of a #1C...goalie carousel...

Here's how I view it: you can win with the LA model (which I think St Louis is)...you can win with the Chi model...just don't try fitting a square Blackhawk into a round King. Flyers need to get better: faster, smarter, more skilled. If size comes along with, great. If it doesn't, it isn't end of the world. Their top 6 is pretty big already and their d prospects have great size. They'll be middle of the road probably and that's ok. Skill and speed are our primary concern though I believe. Whether it comes in the form of Kucherov or Perry, I don't care. Just make sure you get one.

Question for our Pens fan here.

I do think Pittsburgh takes game 6.

If they dont however... Do you turn to Fleury in game 7?

Same problem last night at the Flyers had. Need to stay out of the box.
- MJL

figured the refs were going to be eager with the whistles. but malkin sure made it easy for them.

Question for our Pens fan here.

I do think Pittsburgh takes game 6.

If they dont however... Do you turn to Fleury in game 7?
- flyer_nutter

no. and i love fleury.

unless murray totally and utterly completely has a cal heeter esque game that one time against the hurricanes i believe it was.

but no. murray is the guy for me. you're either gonna win in front of him, or lose in front of him.

figured the refs were going to be eager with the whistles. but malkin sure made it easy for them.
- stayinthefnnet

Officiating has been brutal these whole playoffs.

Its frustrating the NHL just thinks its an acceptable norm.

They scored the 2nd most goals in the league at 5 on 5, and gave up the 5th least amount of goals at 5 on 5.
- MJL

And the sterling Rangers were right behind them. Other factors come into play. I'm not wasting my time debating them with you.

Please stop responding to me or referencing my posts ty. I thought you would've learned your lesson.

How long til Hexy fleeces the new GM in Arizona?
- hereticpride

Ha! I bet that kid doesn't even value grit and energy!

In my view the standard of size has changed. If you're 6'1" 190, and play with a physical competitive edge, then that's size. Being bigger is great, but if you can play, you can play. Simple as that. I see a player like Sheary out there competing his ass off. Plenty of smaller players in the league that can just flat out play. Don't want an entire team of 5'9" 175 guys, but shouldn't rule them out based on size. Look at Gostisbehere. If he was bigger, the Flyers would have never gotten him in the 3rd round.

And the sterling Rangers were right behind them. Other factors come into play. I'm not wasting my time debating them with you.

Please stop responding to me or referencing my posts ty. I thought you would've learned your lesson.
- Mononoke

Not sure why you've taken offense to a simple post about the caps scoring totals at 5 on 5 play. Of course other factors come into play, but ultimately, goals decide games. The best possession team in the league, is no longer playing.

And until this year, they had as much success as the Caps. I think they've been unluckier than the Caps though...they've had fantastic teams and just run into buzz saws losing heartbreakers. Caps usually have a knack for running into themselves. Hitch is a good coach; their team has been a good one. They've had their issues though: lack of a #1C...goalie carousel...

Here's how I view it: you can win with the LA model (which I think St Louis is)...you can win with the Chi model...just don't try fitting a square Blackhawk into a round King. Flyers need to get better: faster, smarter, more skilled. If size comes along with, great. If it doesn't, it isn't end of the world. Their top 6 is pretty big already and their d prospects have great size. They'll be middle of the road probably and that's ok. Skill and speed are our primary concern though I believe. Whether it comes in the form of Kucherov or Perry, I don't care. Just make sure you get one.
- Mononoke

exactly this. its hard to construct a team. ideally, you do want an identity. but more importantly, you need guys that can simply play. and play well TOGETHER.

i think both crosby and kessel are skilled. both fit the overall scheme of what the team is going for. but they don't work together at all.

the flyers right now, they need more puck skill up and down the lineup. and a shooter.

Question for our Pens fan here.

I do think Pittsburgh takes game 6.

If they dont however... Do you turn to Fleury in game 7?
- flyer_nutter

man that is a tough one

Officiating has been brutal these whole playoffs.

Its frustrating the NHL just thinks its an acceptable norm.
- flyer_nutter

yeah. and i know some will disagree, but i do think the nhl suffers egregiously from situationally based influence in the officiating. which stinks. but its pretty consistent it its (frank)ery.

In my view the standard of size has changed. If you're 6'1" 190, and play with a physical competitive edge, then that's size. Being bigger is great, but if you can play, you can play. Simple as that. I see a player like Sheary out there competing his ass off. Plenty of smaller players in the league that can just flat out play. Don't want an entire team of 5'9" 175 guys, but shouldn't rule them out based on size. Look at Gostisbehere. If he was bigger, the Flyers would have never gotten him in the 3rd round.
- MJL

1000 percent this.