Going seven games in the series and even going down 3-2 at one point was a good thing in my opinion. Adversity defines character in those moments and the best rise to the top. San Jose is going to be a difficult team but I believe, and id say the Pens too, know if they fall behind in the series that they can come back.
- hipcheck_goalie

Most importantly, it got all of the stars firing on all cylinders at the same time in games 6 & 7 which we will absolutely need against San Jose.

The Pens sleep walked through some periods and add in Vasi's brilliant performances and thats why it went to 7. If the Pens played with the effort and battle level in game 4 and 5 that they had in games 2, 3, 6 and 7 and it never would of went to 7.
- MattStrat

Tampa was a much better team with a lead than they were playing from behind. As most teams are and that includes all sports. That is why the first goal for Tampa in game six being called off was such an important call for the Pens. Maybe the Pens would have still won that game but it is a much different game if it had counted. No matter it was a great series and could have gone either way.

I think we have faced stronger goaltending and defensive play in each series as we have advanced. I find it hard to believe that San Jose can match both Washington and Tampa's play in those facets. It will be a great final.

Yeah, that's steep for a game when you don't have a rooting interest in one of the teams. I paid almost double that for tickets to watch my college Alma Mater (MSU) play in the Rose Bowl a few years ago. Worth every penny, but I'm lucky that I can afford to do that kind of stuff now and then.
- Emperor Filonius

Yeah for sure... With this in mind I do find it funny though that people back home in England complain when tickets to a cup final are 50 or 60 pounds though

Tampa was a much better team with a lead than they were playing from behind. As most teams are and that includes all sports. That is why the first goal for Tampa in game six being called off was such an important call for the Pens. Maybe the Pens would have still won that game but it is a much different game if it had counted. No matter it was a great series and could have gone either way.

I think we have faced stronger goaltending and defensive play in each series as we have advanced. I find it hard to believe that San Jose can match both Washington and Tampa's play in those facets. It will be a great final.
- Thunderbolt

JMO, SJ's defense can play better than Tampa's and will. Burns and Martin; Pickles and Braun have had good play-off seasons. Their third D pair - Dillon-Polak has been exposed. I don't think neither Hedman nor Stralman particularly played that well.

Goalie - Jones is good, but I have a rough time believing he will be Vasy good.

Here is the bottom line on MAF
1.. Chosen first overall in his draft year...not just first round First overall
2 Why does Team Canada never call on him for their team
3 Maf has won a Stanley Cup.....So what
4 Carey Price and Roberton Luongo have never won a Cup but Team Canada calls on them. Can anyone tell me the answer to question 2?
I will give you the answer THEY DON'T TRUST HIM
5 He should have been out of here after the 2012 disaster
6 They will never win another Cup with him as their go to guy. Folds under pressure
That has been his weak point. Not mentally strong enough. One Cup with the teams he was playing behind is not acceptable
He should be gone.
Don't take this as a personal attack on him. He is a real nice guy very likeable but nice guys will not take you to the promised land 2009 is a long time ago in a galaxy far far away

Tampa was a much better team with a lead than they were playing from behind. As most teams are and that includes all sports. That is why the first goal for Tampa in game six being called off was such an important call for the Pens. Maybe the Pens would have still won that game but it is a much different game if it had counted. No matter it was a great series and could have gone either way.

I think we have faced stronger goaltending and defensive play in each series as we have advanced. I find it hard to believe that San Jose can match both Washington and Tampa's play in those facets. It will be a great final.
- Thunderbolt

Makes you feel regret about game 5, as it could have avoided this game 6 and game 7 do-or-die drama. That was like the only loss this season after we led after 2 periods or sumthing

Tampa was a much better team with a lead than they were playing from behind. As most teams are and that includes all sports. That is why the first goal for Tampa in game six being called off was such an important call for the Pens. Maybe the Pens would have still won that game but it is a much different game if it had counted. No matter it was a great series and could have gone either way.

I think we have faced stronger goaltending and defensive play in each series as we have advanced. I find it hard to believe that San Jose can match both Washington and Tampa's play in those facets. It will be a great final.
- Thunderbolt

It will be a great final indeed. I think one thing thats really important for the Pens now is how that Kunitz-Malkin-Rust line started to gel the last few games. Its huge.

Those great prospects have to develop into solid NHL players. Not all of them will.
- Oneonta Penguin

Agreed. I put a lot of confidence in their management. I think they're saavy and experienced enough to overdevelope players before binging them into the N, and they're saavy enough to polish a few stones into gems otherwise over looked.
Great managment and great prospects should make for a great team. The stars are finally aligning for the Leafs.

It will be a great final indeed. I think one thing thats really important for the Pens now is how that Kunitz-Malkin-Rust line started to gel the last few games. Its huge.
- MattStrat

Kunitz has really turned up a gear in this round especially. Dude hit a post or two in the Rags series, but has been great against Tampa

Wow, what a ride these playoffs have been. Going back to December, i never would have guessed the Pens would be 4 wins away from their 4th Stanley Cup. The "kids" of this team have been the difference. Rust with his two goals and just being all over the ice, Sheary and Kuhnhackl driving play in the offensive zone and just being a pain to play against, and what can be said that hasn't already about Murray. Adding Wilson and possibly Sprong to this team next year, and this success can be easily sustained for years to come. Great job by GMJR and HCMS going for team mentality instead of loading up for a run.

On D, Gardiner is a decent 2nd line guy signed to a good deal. I'm very intrigued by Nielson and Dermott as prospects, both did very well for their respective junior teams this past year. I'm also interested to see what Connor Carrick can do - he's only 21 and the last time I looked was leading all AHL playoff scoring. Beyond that Percy and Valiev should round out into decent NHLers, even if it's as lower pairing guys; neither are liabilities out there, they just don't chip in a load of offense from the back.
- lumlums

BLASPHEMY. TANNER SAYS GARDINER IS NO. 1 D.

Here is the bottom line on MAF
1.. Chosen first overall in his draft year...not just first round First overall
2 Why does Team Canada never call on him for their team
3 Maf has won a Stanley Cup.....So what
4 Carey Price and Roberton Luongo have never won a Cup but Team Canada calls on them. Can anyone tell me the answer to question 2?
I will give you the answer THEY DON'T TRUST HIM
5 He should have been out of here after the 2012 disaster
6 They will never win another Cup with him as their go to guy. Folds under pressure
That has been his weak point. Not mentally strong enough. One Cup with the teams he was playing behind is not acceptable
He should be gone.
Don't take this as a personal attack on him. He is a real nice guy very likeable but nice guys will not take you to the promised land 2009 is a long time ago in a galaxy far far away
- holeinone

I don't agree withe every point, but I do agree with the overarching sentiment and theme of your post. MAF is a helluva regular season goalie. Thats where I'll leave it.

Finalized Worlds rosters come out today. Was already gonna root for the Kids over USA with Torts at the helm, but if The Phil doesn't make USA it will seal the deal for me.

Finalized Worlds rosters come out today. Was already gonna root for the Kids over USA with Torts at the helm, but if The Phil doesn't make USA it will seal the deal for me.
- Victoro311

I personally hope he doesn't. It's going to be a short offseason for the Pens already, and playing in the Worlds will make it that much shorter.

I personally hope he doesn't. It's going to be a short offseason for the Pens already, and playing in the Worlds will make it that much shorter.
- cap1681

Definitely get the point but I still can't help but wanting him in there. I love watching my guys play international hockey.

It will be a great final indeed. I think one thing thats really important for the Pens now is how that Kunitz-Malkin-Rust line started to gel the last few games. Its huge.
- MattStrat

Said this earlier. Can't be overstated how huge this is. Malkin's going to finally break through next series. You could see the chemistry finally form in Game 6 and it carried over into Game 7. We finally have the three lines Sullivan's been trying to run ever since Geno came back. Time to unleash the hydra...

Here is the bottom line on MAF
1.. Chosen first overall in his draft year...not just first round First overall
2 Why does Team Canada never call on him for their team
3 Maf has won a Stanley Cup.....So what
4 Carey Price and Roberton Luongo have never won a Cup but Team Canada calls on them. Can anyone tell me the answer to question 2?
I will give you the answer THEY DON'T TRUST HIM
5 He should have been out of here after the 2012 disaster
6 They will never win another Cup with him as their go to guy. Folds under pressure
That has been his weak point. Not mentally strong enough. One Cup with the teams he was playing behind is not acceptable
He should be gone.
Don't take this as a personal attack on him. He is a real nice guy very likeable but nice guys will not take you to the promised land 2009 is a long time ago in a galaxy far far away
- holeinone

Why do you bring up MAF? Can't you just enjoy that we are in the final?

I know that we all recognize that Sully's biggest impact has been to make this team more mentally tough, but I think I figured out the reasons why: He looks like he cares on the bench. He looks like he'll fight for them on the bench. He's the one that yells and screams when necessary & functions as their "release valve" for the pressure that builds up from bad calls/non-calls/the antics of the opposition/etc. He blows his cork on the bench so that the players don't blow theirs on the ice. The last 2 guys behind that bench didn't do that. Dan and Johnston were both these silent guys that never showed anything. I think they felt like maybe those coaches didn't fight for their players & the players too it into their own hands. They don't have to do that now with Sully back there.

Makes you feel regret about game 5, as it could have avoided this game 6 and game 7 do-or-die drama. That was like the only loss this season after we led after 2 periods or sumthing
- DeflatedPucks

It was a real letdown losing that game and most teams would have folded in that situation. Let's not forget Mario had a few things to say to the team after their meltdown in game five of the 09 final. I understand this is a completely different team but if you look the leaders of this team now (Crosby, Malkin, Kunitz and Letang) were just young men then. It could just as easily be viewed as a learning experience for them. Just maybe they have taken Mario's confidence and leadership and used that to become the team they are now.

Said this earlier. Can't be overstated how huge this is. Malkin's going to finally break through next series. You could see the chemistry finally form in Game 6 and it carried over into Game 7. We finally have the three lines Sullivan's been trying to run ever since Geno came back. Time to unleash the hydra...
- Victoro311

The Sharks have done a good job shutting down teams top scorers, but the Pens are the deepest lineup they have faced. Should be interesting. I think Kessel has a huge series, especially if the Sharks focus on shutting down Malkin and Crosby.

Said this earlier. Can't be overstated how huge this is. Malkin's going to finally break through next series. You could see the chemistry finally form in Game 6 and it carried over into Game 7. We finally have the three lines Sullivan's been trying to run ever since Geno came back. Time to unleash the hydra...
- Victoro311

Haha and really though, Cullen's 4th line is no joke either. Really wish we could have Daley back for this series.

Here is the bottom line on MAF
1.. Chosen first overall in his draft year...not just first round First overall
2 Why does Team Canada never call on him for their team
3 Maf has won a Stanley Cup.....So what
4 Carey Price and Roberton Luongo have never won a Cup but Team Canada calls on them. Can anyone tell me the answer to question 2?
I will give you the answer THEY DON'T TRUST HIM
5 He should have been out of here after the 2012 disaster
6 They will never win another Cup with him as their go to guy. Folds under pressure
That has been his weak point. Not mentally strong enough. One Cup with the teams he was playing behind is not acceptable
He should be gone.
Don't take this as a personal attack on him. He is a real nice guy very likeable but nice guys will not take you to the promised land 2009 is a long time ago in a galaxy far far away
- holeinone

Seriously... who gives a (frank)? I'm not even reading this post, you're worse than RW and his Scuderi agenda. Pens are on their way to the finals, who gives a (frank) about whos on the bench? You are starting to elevate your donkey status to Grinder's level.

Finalized Worlds rosters come out today. Was already gonna root for the Kids over USA with Torts at the helm, but if The Phil doesn't make USA it will seal the deal for me.
- Victoro311

I have a rough time seeing PK not chosen since there are five forward spots remaining, right?

PK; Tyler Johnson; Okposo; and two of Saad; Backes; JVR?

Why do you bring up MAF? Can't you just enjoy that we are in the final?
- martox

I don't understand the vitriol towards Fleury. If it wasn't for his play early in the season, the Penguins most likely don't make the playoffs. He carried the team in the Mike Johnson era.

Here is the bottom line on MAF
1.. Chosen first overall in his draft year...not just first round First overall
2 Why does Team Canada never call on him for their team
3 Maf has won a Stanley Cup.....So what
4 Carey Price and Roberton Luongo have never won a Cup but Team Canada calls on them. Can anyone tell me the answer to question 2?
I will give you the answer THEY DON'T TRUST HIM
5 He should have been out of here after the 2012 disaster
6 They will never win another Cup with him as their go to guy. Folds under pressure
That has been his weak point. Not mentally strong enough. One Cup with the teams he was playing behind is not acceptable
He should be gone.
Don't take this as a personal attack on him. He is a real nice guy very likeable but nice guys will not take you to the promised land 2009 is a long time ago in a galaxy far far away
- holeinone