I think there will always be overreactions with any team, but it has to be a slight disappointment. You guys were the hottest team going into the playoffs and probably the favorite just under the Caps to come out of the East to play in the SCF.
- mdw7413

Slight?!...It'll be a massive disappointment to me...but there's still quite a few positives to be taken from the past 5 months and looking forward.

"If the season ends tonight there will certainly be some upset people in Pittsburgh. There will definitely be overreactions. Just remember where this team was on December 11th and where they are now. The Crosby and Malkin window is still wide open regardless of tonight’s events."

This is so true. Everyone needs to keep this in mind.
- MattStrat

Just have to trade FLOLry but yeah it is

Your lack of charts to back up this claim is unsettling.
- Guile

Any time getting wood is a good thing

Any time getting wood is a good thing
- holeinone

Why do they still call drivers woods when they're made out of titanium and other metals today?

Also, if you have a Chinese driver, does it always hit the ball crooked?

Slight?!...It'll be a massive disappointment to me...but there's still quite a few positives to be taken from the past 5 months and looking forward.
- MattStrat

Oh yeah, definitely.

@Brienstel, I mean it's a valid point. If we lose tonight there's gonna be a large contingency of people that come and talk about trading Malkin/Letang, how big of a bust the Kessel trade was (insert new rationalization now that he's been our best forward in the postseason), how we have no assets, and the Crosby/Malkin era is done, all after playing some pretty amazing hockey and making it to the ECF. Even if we lose tonight we should be confident heading into the next three/four years at least. Probability speaking, some of us will be dead in that span, so really the Pens are set for a lifetime.
- Victoro311

Lets just win it now then!

The window may still be open, for 2,3,4 more cup runs... lets get greedy and win all of them!

Lets light this blog up tonight and get over 1000 comments posted!

All hands on deck. Tons of hyper active impassioned die hard fans whaling away all night long!

I know a lot of the focus on this game has been on the goaltenders, and justifiably so. Bt once, just once, I would like to see 71, 87, or 58 come up big in a game that they absolutely MUST have. I'm usually somewhat of an 87/71 apologist, and all about having a team that can roll 4 lines with scoring depth, but teams that win cups also need their stars to produce when the chips are down. The aforementioned guys simply haven't done it enough and that needs to change. Crosby is 14th in playoff goal scoring and total scoring this year. He is 30th in points per game, trailing the likes of Alex Killorn and Jason Spezza. Malkin is 28th and 24th respectively. That is NOT good enough for the guys who are the 2 highest paid players on the team. I was disappointed to hear that none of 71/87/58 made themselves available for interviews after the loss the other night and left MAF to answer all the questions. That's not leadership. Frankly, I don't care who talks as long as they produce. Joe Thornton put up 3 assists last night. Pavelski had 2 +1 helper. It shouldn't be too much to ask Sid and Geno to do the same now and then. It has to be tonight.

Lets light this blog up tonight and get over 1000 comments posted!

All hands on deck. Tons of hyper active impassioned die hard fans whaling away all night long!
- brienstel

I'm not that bored... but we could start a Malkin and Fleury trade rumors with Philly and or the Oilers, and claim we are getting Stamkos.

I'm sure the EK5 level of authenticity should liven this up.


Malkin for Ghost, 2016 1st round and 2017 2nd and 4th rounder.

Flower to Edmonton for Yakupov and 2016 3rd (the one we traded them) and 2017 2nd.


EK5 powers, awayyyyyyyyyy


edit: actually, guess I was that bored.

I know a lot of the focus on this game has been on the goaltenders, and justifiably so. Bt once, just once, I would like to see 71, 87, or 58 come up big in a game that they absolutely MUST have. I'm usually somewhat of an 87/71 apologist, and all about having a team that can roll 4 lines with scoring depth, but teams that win cups also need their stars to produce when the chips are down. The aforementioned guys simply haven't done it enough and that needs to change. Crosby is 14th in playoff goal scoring and total scoring this year. He is 30th in points per game, trailing the likes of Alex Killorn and Jason Spezza. Malkin is 28th and 24th respectively. That is NOT good enough for the guys who are the 2 highest paid players on the team. I was disappointed to hear that none of 71/87/58 made themselves available for interviews after the loss the other night and left MAF to answer all the questions. That's not leadership. Frankly, I don't care who talks as long as they produce. Joe Thornton put up 3 assists last night. Pavelski had 2 +1 helper. It shouldn't be too much to ask Sid and Geno to do the same now and then. It has to be tonight.
- Emperor Filonius

When I look at the Sharks stars this post season and the Penguins stars this post season I get really sad. If you had Crosby, Malkin, and Letang clicking at how Jumbo, Pavelski, and Burns are clicking at I'd honestly believe we'd be unstoppable. I make this comparison because I know our stars are capable of it. At least Kessel is going.

I'm not that bored... but we could start a Malkin and Fleury trade rumors with Philly and or the Oilers, and claim we are getting Stamkos.

I'm sure the EK5 level of authenticity should liven this up.


Malkin for Ghost, 2016 1st round and 2017 2nd and 4th rounder.

Flower to Edmonton for Yakupov and 2016 3rd (the one we traded them) and 2017 2nd.


EK5 powers, awayyyyyyyyyy


edit: actually, guess I was that bored.

- Guile

E4.6
To Philly: Malkin and a 5th (always gotta add a 5th)
To Pittsburgh: Sanheim, Simmonds, 2016 1st, 2017 2nd

E5
To Edmonton: MAF
To Pittsburgh: Yakupov 2016 3rd

E5
To Pittsburgh: Stamkos
To Stamkos: $9.5M/7 years

E4.6
To Philly: Malkin and a 5th (always gotta add a 5th)
To Pittsburgh: Sanheim, Simmonds, 2016 1st, 2017 2nd

E5
To Edmonton: MAF
To Pittsburgh: Yakupov 2016 3rd

E5
To Pittsburgh: Stamkos
To Stamkos: $9.5M/7 years
- jmatchett383

Nah. No one gets traded and we still sign Stamkos. Bettman absolves Pitt of cap compliance because the league favors the Pens.

E72

Nah. No one gets traded and we still sign Stamkos. Bettman absolves Pitt of cap compliance because the league favors the Pens.

E72
- Victoro311

What EXACTLY will happen this offseason. Stay tuned for more...

What EXACTLY will happen this offseason. Stay tuned for more...
- znagle58

Very exciting.

E4.6
To Philly: Malkin and a 5th (always gotta add a 5th)
To Pittsburgh: Sanheim, Simmonds, 2016 1st, 2017 2nd

E5
To Edmonton: MAF
To Pittsburgh: Yakupov 2016 3rd

E5
To Pittsburgh: Stamkos
To Stamkos: $9.5M/7 years
- jmatchett383

Hmmm... no to Sanheim, I like Ghost's nickname better.

@Brienstel, I mean it's a valid point. If we lose tonight there's gonna be a large contingency of people that come and talk about trading Malkin/Letang, how big of a bust the Kessel trade was (insert new rationalization now that he's been our best forward in the postseason), how we have no assets, and the Crosby/Malkin era is done, all after playing some pretty amazing hockey and making it to the ECF. Even if we lose tonight we should be confident heading into the next three/four years at least. Probability speaking, some of us will be dead in that span, so really the Pens are set for a lifetime.
- Victoro311

It's hard to get to the conference finals. Sure the Pens may have a nice window, but when you throw in the injury variable, I'm not counting on anything in the future. If the Pens lose tonight and Sid and Geno don't produce, they'll deserve the bulk of the criticism. I love these players, but the questions will come about "under achieving" and it will be fair.

This is their best team since 09 and they'd be wise to take advantage of it.

I'd like to re-open the discussion about Kessel and his stick flex and how he has to change his game to cater to someone else... cough cough Crosby. I bet everyone is very very happy with the way he is playing right now and nobody wants him to change a damn thing.

I'd like to re-open the discussion about Kessel and his stick flex and how he has to change his game to cater to someone else... cough cough Crosby. I bet everyone is very very happy with the way he is playing right now and nobody wants him to change a damn thing.
- MiloslavHorava

Honestly, I want him to eat MORE hot dogs because Kessel hot dog jokes haven't jumped the shark yet, and I want all Penguins related narratives to jump the shark in preparation for next round. Hope Malkin is especially enigmatic tonight and Fleury lets in eight soft goals from the bench. It'd be nice if Crosby got a concussion too.

Honestly, I want him to eat MORE hot dogs because Kessel hot dog jokes haven't jumped the shark yet, and I want all Penguins related narratives to jump the shark in preparation for next round. Hope Malkin is especially enigmatic tonight and Fleury lets in eight soft goals from the bench. It'd be nice if Crosby got a concussion too.
- Victoro311

So... Kuhn is not going to make saves from the bench tonight? What a pity.

Honestly, I want him to eat MORE hot dogs because Kessel hot dog jokes haven't jumped the shark yet, and I want all Penguins related narratives to jump the shark in preparation for next round. Hope Malkin is especially enigmatic tonight and Fleury lets in eight soft goals from the bench. It'd be nice if Crosby got a concussion too.
- Victoro311

You left out Letang.......

You left out Letang.......
- MiloslavHorava

I didn't have the heart to make a stroke joke.

You left out Letang.......
- MiloslavHorava

Letang will get hit by a check that is legal but a bit late which sends him crashing into the boards. Ryan Wilson will call the proper authorities to press charges for assault. Letang will be transferred to a hospital and diagnosed with a mild concussion. Two days later, his case will be downgraded to a mild case of death. Services to be held at Lemieux's mansion, but no one wearing Lightning apparel or blue and black will be allowed to attend.

When I look at the Sharks stars this post season and the Penguins stars this post season I get really sad. If you had Crosby, Malkin, and Letang clicking at how Jumbo, Pavelski, and Burns are clicking at I'd honestly believe we'd be unstoppable. I make this comparison because I know our stars are capable of it. At least Kessel is going.
- Victoro311

I get making this comparison and I do wish the Pens were getting more out of Sid and Malkin but the top line for San Jose is Hertl-Thorton-Pavelski with Martin-Burns on D. For the Pens its Sheary-Crosby-Hornquist with Dumo/Cole-Letang... I think it is obvious why one line is killing it and one is just playing ok.

I actually think the Pens lines from practice today are just a feint. I have to think Crosby and Malkin will get significant even strength time tonight as the bench gets shorter. I'd rather see all excuses taken away and ride Crosby & Malkin together. If they cant get it done there is no excuse about poor linemates.

I get making this comparison and I do wish the Pens were getting more out of Sid and Malkin but the top line for San Jose is Hertl-Thorton-Pavelski with Martin-Burns on D. For the Pens its Sheary-Crosby-Hornquist with Dumo/Cole-Letang... I think it is obvious why one line is killing it and one is just playing ok.

I actually think the Pens lines from practice today are just a feint. I have to think Crosby and Malkin will get significant even strength time tonight as the bench gets shorter. I'd rather see all excuses taken away and ride Crosby & Malkin together. If they cant get it done there is no excuse about poor linemates.
- MacPatty

I think the bench will only getting shorter if they're down on the scoreboard... So here's to hoping for a long bench.

Very exciting.
- Victoro311

Word is Stamkos has already agreed to wear blue