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

Niskanen - successful as a top-pairing D. Still not true 1D.

Oh I know you are joking you röv
- Feds91Stammer

Also the breakdown was to show there are currently 60 top pair slots in the NHL therefore that is how many top pair D men are in the league. I did not mean that each team has top pair guys. Some may have 3 or 4 while others may have 0 or 1.

Also the breakdown was to show there are currently 60 top pair slots in the NHL therefore that is how many top pair D men are in the league. I did not mean that each team has top pair guys. Some may have 3 or 4 while others may have 0 or 1.
- Feds91Stammer

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

Niskanen - successful as a top-pairing D. Still not true 1D.
- Blackstrom2

explain

ye some teams like caps and maybe nashville are good examples of this.
- martox

Which may or may not be the reason I picked Washington to beat Nashville in my bracket.

Niskanen - successful as a top-pairing D. Still not true 1D.
- Blackstrom2

explain
- j.boyd919

sditulli logic.

- j.boyd919

That's misleading. Orlov and Niskanen led D 5v5.

That's misleading. Orlov and Niskanen led D 5v5.
- Blackstrom2

it was more to showcase that they have 4 top pairing Dmen.. as feds said.

sditulli logic.
- Blackstrom2

Oh. understood. Fack.

it was more to showcase that they have 4 top pairing Dmen.. as feds said.
- j.boyd919

No, I know. That particular comment about Niskanen was a shot at studilli saying they aren't #1 D, just 2/3. Then he said something about someone being in a top-pair and getting crushed ( Hi, Risto), which is the exact opposite of Niskanen and Carlson and Orlov, and to an extent Shattenkirk, who are all apparently just "2/3".

Oh. understood. Fack.
- j.boyd919

it was more to showcase that they have 4 top pairing Dmen.. as feds said.
- j.boyd919

This coming from a life-long (female) CAPS fan now living in Bemus Point, NY….

CAPS come in as a slight favorite but PENS are just as good and it is for different reasons. Many are laying the PENS will lose because they are missing Murray and Letang. Keeping goals out of your net is more than just a goalie and M-A Fleury is not a goalie that doesn’t bring quality. Just to the people who need to bash someone.
The difference on defense from teams under Blysma and Johnson is an unsung individual named Jacques Martin. Sullivan delegates responsibility and Martin is one of the best. Compare Toronto’s defense to that of Pittsburgh’s and I think most would conclude that Pittsburgh’s is better and have more experience. The CAPS had a hard time scoring goals against them.

Being out of the DMV area now for 10-years my only (with my eyes/no charts) games I’ve seen the CAPS play were against the Buffalo Sabres. CAPS have injuries too and because it is the playoffs we won’t know until Thursday night whether Schmidt or Alzner will be playing. Same thing goes for the Penguins.

Most everyone, including the one writing this blog, is picking or leaning to the Capitals. They do that because they think someone holds value to their opinion. Most don’t and when the series is over no one seems to care about going back to keep score.

The PENS are the Stanley Cup Champions, have won five series in a row now while all others left have just won one in a row! Penguins put out lines such as: Guenzel – Crosby – Sheary, Kessel – Malkin – Hornqvist, Kunitz - Bonino - Rust, and (friend e-mailed me) Kunitz was skating with Cullen – Kuhnhackl… and Hagelin may be back. That’s a lot of talent and they didn't play the 8th seed like the CAPS did,

CAPS have their own to toss out and Holtby (arguably, the best in the NHL) just has to get over top of being beaten by the opposing goalie playing over his head.

This may well be one of the best series played in a long while and too tough to make a selection (right now) that carries any feeling the predictor knows anything more than I do. Playoff series are vastly different than regular season games and some of these people would be well served to put their charts in the closet and learn how to watch games instead of hoping the play on the ice supports their statistics.

The CAPS are way overdue… way overdue. That could help or hinder them.
- sufi-judge

Bingo man. One of the best defensive minds in hockey.

The Penguins forwards will be very happy when Shattenkirk is one the ice. My oh my, that guy is quite below average defensively.

No, I know. That particular comment about Niskanen was a shot at studilli saying they aren't #1 D, just 2/3. Then he said something about someone being in a top-pair and getting crushed ( Hi, Risto), which is the exact opposite of Niskanen and Carlson and Orlov, and to an extent Shattenkirk, who are all apparently just "2/3".
- Blackstrom2

What is the story on the Alzner injury. Love that Schmidt is in for him as after looking at the numbers it looks like Alzner should actually be the number 7 guy even behind Orpik.

The Penguins forwards will be very happy when Shattenkirk is one the ice. My oh my, that guy is quite below average defensively.
- jmatchett383

Bingo man. One of the best defensive minds in hockey.
- MattStrat

Bingo man. One of the best defensive minds in hockey.
- MattStrat

Woman***

The Penguins forwards will be very happy when Shattenkirk is one the ice. My oh my, that guy is quite below average defensively.
- jmatchett383

Nah, the only reason they'll be happy with him on the ice is because Orpik is opposite him.

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

maybe anaheim too?

What is the story on the Alzner injury. Love that Schmidt is in for him as after looking at the numbers it looks like Alzner should actually be the number 7 guy even behind Orpik.
- Feds91Stammer

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.

You are a number 2 guy
- Feds91Stammer

lol

maybe anaheim too?
- j.boyd919

ye. I don't need to say them all do I? just wanted to use some examples

So, Niskanen and Carlson got crushed this year?
- 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.