Trotz loves Alzner. Trotz indicated he'll go with 7 once he's back, which I think is a mistake unless it's for scratching Beagle. Love the dude, but he's getting crushed. But Trotz will take Connolly out instead, who's received very little ice as the series progressed, but has generated tons of scoring chances.

I say ride Orlov and Niskanen as much as you can, followed by Carlson and Schmidt, and let the bottom pair hopefully not get eaten alive by Malkin or Crosby's line.
- Blackstrom2

Didn't I say their more of a number 2.

Personal opinion 1D are guys who are frequently in the Norris Discussion/potential Hall of Famers - Letang, Doughty, Karlson, weber, chara, a bunch of other guys.
- sditulli

And your personal opinion is terrible and lacks any logic or critical thinking.

Dude. You're delusional. And your opinion on this subject might be one of the worst I've ever laid eyes on. Not even trolling in the slightest, being honest.
- j.boyd919

(frank) it man. I make 20 times what you make a year.

Your a troll job. I clearly define what I consider a 1D etc. We differ on that opinion.

- j.boyd919

Just as a reference, the pens "Game Score" but when the hell was this taken? No Malkin, no Guentzel.

(frank) it man. I make 20 times what you make a year.

- sditulli

Oh, God. Lets keep it somewhat civil, and not into a Neanderthal rock measuring contest.

(frank) it man. I make 20 times what you make a year.

Your a troll job. I clearly define what I consider a 1D etc. We differ on that opinion.
- sditulli

Joke is on you buddy cause I make 50 times more than you.

Just as a reference, the pens "Game Score" but when the hell was this taken? No Malkin, no Guentzel.
- seaofgreen

March 27th

(frank) it man. I make 20 times what you make a year.

Your a troll job. I clearly define what I consider a 1D etc. We differ on that opinion.
- sditulli

Oh good. Four pages of Boyd and Feds bullying people again. Man, Thursday needs to come quick so we can either stone Fleury haters or Fleury lovers depending on who's right that particular day.

Oh good. Four pages of Boyd and Feds bullying people again. Man, Thursday needs to come quick so we can either stone Fleury haters or Fleury lovers depending on who's right that particular day.
- Victoro311

Bullying? FFS you guys are soft.

(frank) it man. I make 20 times what you make a year.

Your a troll job. I clearly define what I consider a 1D etc. We differ on that opinion.
- sditulli

Cool story bro.

Oh good. Four pages of Boyd and Feds bullying people again. Man, Thursday needs to come quick so we can either stone Fleury haters or Fleury lovers depending on who's right that particular day.
- Victoro311

Sums up my thoughts. This defence discussion is pointless. I don't know how many times we heard this same crap last year. The pens d is weak and inexperienced. There is more to d than just 3 pairs of players on the blue line. As five man units I feel our forwards make up for some perceived lack of quality d. Now the loss of tanger is huge. But the loss of Murray could be a blessing for this series. I feel Murray's weaknesses have become obvious and he wasn't likely to repeat his performance from last year against the caps. Maf is a wild card....he could implode....but he could also completely destroy the caps (As he has done before). Let's see how the games go...but I feel pressure heart effort intangibles are gonna play a big role in this one. those all fav the pens.

Oh good. Four pages of Boyd and Feds bullying people again. Man, Thursday needs to come quick so we can either stone Fleury haters or Fleury lovers depending on who's right that particular day.
- Victoro311

Enlightenment and bullying are way different lol

Joke is on you buddy cause I make 50 times more than you.
- Feds91Stammer

ya except mines real.

ye some teams like caps, st louis (the one with shatt 100%) and maybe nashville are good examples of this.
- martox

Caps in 3 and a few minutes...

ya except mines real.
- sditulli

ya except mines real.
- sditulli

only 1 person here caring and that is you.

Sums up my thoughts. This defence discussion is pointless. I don't know how many times we heard this same crap last year. The pens d is weak and inexperienced. There is more to d than just 3 pairs of players on the blue line. As five man units I feel our forwards make up for some perceived lack of quality d. Now the loss of tanger is huge. But the loss of Murray could be a blessing for this series. I feel Murray's weaknesses have become obvious and he wasn't likely to repeat his performance from last year against the caps. Maf is a wild card....he could implode....but he could also completely destroy the caps (As he has done before). Let's see how the games go...but I feel pressure heart effort intangibles are gonna play a big role in this one. those all fav the pens.
- taleisyreXIII

How so?

ya except mines real.
- sditulli

Buddy I run 17 different multi level marketing schemes and am a master options trader...

I would argue Orlov is at a level by himself. Definitely a number one level player. I don't know sh*t about Shatty, other than he seems to be pretty dirty. I guess he is a level one. At least many say so. Nisky has offensive upside and I am sorry we let him go but them is the breaks. A poor mans number one level player. Carlsson is meh to me. Others get excited about him but not me. He is a second line player to me. I think we will handle all of them in there own end except Orlov. He is elusive, can stick handle and is smart and very good on the wall.

It's our end I'm worried about. Can we skate well enough and be smart enough to handle their attack in our zone. The answer obviously is if we possess the puck enough or cause enough turnovers we can minimize time in our zone. I think most hockey folks think no, we cannot. The other thing that may happen is yes, our forwards are super smart, minimize turnovers and are super good in our end helping the D get it out. Will we be exhausted playing defense with our forwards that they don't have the stamina to go a long series and produce. I think that is also a big concern.

Pens Caps series last year was as even as you can get.

Caps adding Eller and Shatty > Pens adding Jake G, Schultz bigger role, and losing Letang.

I give a slight edge to Washington.

ya except mines real.
- sditulli

Sounds like you got a micro

How so?
- Feds91Stammer

I feel the caps have all the pressure to win. The pens are champs..nothing to lose here. Caps are consistently coming up short and anything but the cup is a failure and this is likely their last chance with this crew. I also feel that heart and desire to win always starts with your leaders. Sid and sully are proven winners...time and time again. Ovie and trotz are most definitely not. Little details like this can separate two close teams.

I feel the caps have all the pressure to win. The pens are champs..nothing to lose here. Caps are consistently coming up short and anything but the cup is a failure and this is likely their last chance with this crew. I also feel that heart and desire to win always starts with your leaders. Sid and sully are proven winners...time and time again. Ovie and trotz are most definitely not. Little details like this can separate two close teams.
- taleisyreXIII

Oh so basically you just agree with the simplest most lazy narratives out there. Well said...

I feel the caps have all the pressure to win. The pens are champs..nothing to lose here. Caps are consistently coming up short and anything but the cup is a failure and this is likely their last chance with this crew. I also feel that heart and desire to win always starts with your leaders. Sid and sully are proven winners...time and time again. Ovie and trotz are most definitely not. Little details like this can separate two close teams.
- taleisyreXIII

Definitely agree with the bolded. But the Pens have the exact same to lose as the Caps. The cup. If not they have more to lose as defending champs.. Proven winners debate is silly, 29 teams are not proven winners every year. I'd probably say there isn't a guy that shows more desire to win and passion than Ovi, IMO.