So Brent Burnss beard... pretty sure he has a live bird living inside it when outside of the rink.
- Guile

You're being sarcastic. I am not. Look at how tight the Metro was. If Johnston didn't win the games he did would we even be in the playoffs right now?

When he was asked to do so, Mike Johnston held the door.
- Victoro311

It's actually a fair dinkum statement. MJ tried to bring in a defensive responsible system & sacrificed attack - hence showing the way for the next coach to just attack.

I say non development purely because the team couldn't progress if it continued the way it was going. The players appeared to suffocate around the change, & therefore didn't progress. What changes that MJ implemented have been kept by the players & team & helped their development to where it is now?

To say what you said is a little over doing it. They stayed afloat, & at the backend of the competition were comfortably in 2nd in the Metro.

Now in comparison, if the Rags hadn't had the afterburners on early, they really may have missed the playoffs the way the finished.

There just seem to be so many parallels to the 09 team. I hope it ends the exact same way. Had a coach sucking the life out of the team fired him bring in a new coach who takes the shackles off. Bully G played by Matt Cullen this year hagelin in season trade brought the same energy Kunitz did. Faced adversity time and time again. If people question 87's leadership ability watch the playoffs this year. Took a lot of abuse skated away all post season. I saw Callahan paste him at least 4 times but he took it and moved the puck. Tampa is a terrific team so hats off to them but wow is this group special. Enjoy every second boys it's all part of the journey

Glad to see that imbecile Callahan cost his team. Playing the body & not the puck - what a shock, after the puck had gone allowing Kuni to pass to Rust & score!

He was right I suppose, he gave it all series & now because of him he & his team can go relax on the golf course while the team he 'gave' it to go play for the Stanley Cup!

Not sure why Coop was complaining about the officials, Tampa could have been called for 10 penalties last night, they were that blatant.

Let's go shorks!!

Let's go shorks!!
- rangerdanger94

Wouldn't want it any other way

Congratulations Penguins and there fans on a SCF berth. You where the better team.

Got to ask all those saying how deep the Sharks are, who have they got after their top 6 - giving that Hertl can play top 6 or 3rd line?

Most of their goals have come from 2 or 3 players, & if anyone is saying Mr Vanilla Nick Spalding is classed as part of a deep team - you may have to re-read these blogs from last season! Joel Ward has 7 goals? Donskoe? another that has scored but will anyone say they are the threat that makes a team deep? Thornton with 15 assists (again top line), so if the top line is doing the heavy lifting where is their depth?

I haven't really researched my opinion & please feel free to cut me down but when there are a couple of hot players scoring goals that doesn't make a team deep in my opinion. I would much rather have more players scoring across the team rolling 4 lines!

Congratulations Penguins and there fans on a SCF berth. You where the better team.
- Artyukhin76

As a Bolts fan, who do you want in goal next season? A lot of conjecture in here about our 2 up until Muzza carried us to the final. Do you think Vasy is ready to take over or do you want to keep them 1-2 (Bishop - Vasy)?

Let's go shorks!!
- rangerdanger94

I have always been a firm believer of cheering for the team that beat you. If I lose I Wanna lose to the team that wins it all not bow out as losers in the next round.

As a Bolts fan, who do you want in goal next season? A lot of conjecture in here about our 2 up until Muzza carried us to the final. Do you think Vasy is ready to take over or do you want to keep them 1-2 (Bishop - Vasy)?
- Aussiepenguin

I think Bishop stays. Vasy played well, but still has rebound and second chance issues. He hasn't played well enough to send Bishop packing.... Yet.

I have always been a firm believer of cheering for the team that beat you. If I lose I Wanna lose to the team that wins it all not bow out as losers in the next round.
- martox

Isn't that a bit like going & buying a beer for the guy that just started dating your ex-girlfriend??

Isn't that a bit like going & buying a beer for the guy that just started dating your ex-girlfriend??
- Aussiepenguin

Someone's gotta tell that dude what he's in for.

Isn't that a bit like going & buying a beer for the guy that just started dating your ex-girlfriend??
- Aussiepenguin

Anologies can be used in whatever way you like

Someone's gotta tell that dude what he's in for.
- Artyukhin76

Actually married

Someone's gotta tell that dude what he's in for.
- Artyukhin76

Now that can be either a very good thing (if she bangs like a dunny door in a hurricane, or can suck a bowling ball through a garden hose), or you better put a few shots of Vodka in it!

Now that can be either a very good thing (if she bangs like a dunny door in a hurricane, or can suck a bowling ball through a garden hose), or you better put a few shots of Vodka in it!
- Aussiepenguin

You really are weird

You really are weird
- martox

You've never had a mate put shots of Vodka in your beer??

I think Bishop stays. Vasy played well, but still has rebound and second chance issues. He hasn't played well enough to send Bishop packing.... Yet.
- Artyukhin76

Man, I don't know. Pens nearly doubled the Bolts in chances and shots this series and it still went to 7. He's the sole reason for that. Hard to imagine any other goalie, even bishop, playing that well. He was the MVP of the series and his team didn't win it.

Kessel has to feel like a new man. All those years in Toronto, like Jagr said, dying alive. Well Phil this is what it is like to get a new start and actually drive the bus instead of just being one of the passengers. Phil was great and now just 4 more wins to go. Let's go Phil and Lets go pens

It's actually a fair dinkum statement. MJ tried to bring in a defensive responsible system & sacrificed attack - hence showing the way for the next coach to just attack.

I say non development purely because the team couldn't progress if it continued the way it was going. The players appeared to suffocate around the change, & therefore didn't progress. What changes that MJ implemented have been kept by the players & team & helped their development to where it is now?

To say what you said is a little over doing it. They stayed afloat, & at the backend of the competition were comfortably in 2nd in the Metro.

Now in comparison, if the Rags hadn't had the afterburners on early, they really may have missed the playoffs the way the finished.
- Aussiepenguin

I was trolling. I compared Johnston to Hodor.

Not sure why Coop was complaining about the officials, Tampa could have been called for 10 penalties last night, they were that blatant.
- Thorny

Sore loser. Third period alone Rust and Malkin were tackled Hooking all over the place in the Lightning zone Interference was a new game strategy And this guy is complaining about the refs Yikes Is he out to lunch Even my wife who knows NOTHING about hockey kept saying Why did they let that go? Because they are morons is my answer

Got to ask all those saying how deep the Sharks are, who have they got after their top 6 - giving that Hertl can play top 6 or 3rd line?

Most of their goals have come from 2 or 3 players, & if anyone is saying Mr Vanilla Nick Spalding is classed as part of a deep team - you may have to re-read these blogs from last season! Joel Ward has 7 goals? Donskoe? another that has scored but will anyone say they are the threat that makes a team deep? Thornton with 15 assists (again top line), so if the top line is doing the heavy lifting where is their depth?

I haven't really researched my opinion & please feel free to cut me down but when there are a couple of hot players scoring goals that doesn't make a team deep in my opinion. I would much rather have more players scoring across the team rolling 4 lines!
- Aussiepenguin

Joel ward has been an animal

Why is this more exciting then back to back cup finals
- Wissler

Probably because it was so unexpected as soon as 2 months ago.
Who saw this coming, even as the team ramped up in March?
And it was so hard to vanquish the Bolts, they were like a Bad cold....

The fans were awesome. I was there. And we have to admit, for the first time since 1995, the Pens won a game 7 at HOME. Many of the fans hadnt seen a game 7 win at home in 20 years (or forever for the youngsters), all we knew was frustration.

Hate waiting till Monday...