I'm beginning to wonder if it is all McD calling the shots.......I wonder if he sold Rocky that it is all marketing.
- powerenforcer

It's a shame the post season ended so quickly...now there's way too much time for idle thoughts.

Gonna be along summer.

shaw was their best player in last year's playoff vs the blues...he was a great source of energy and having knack for being in the picture when the big goal was scored; he went to the net, got the snot beat out of him..hawks do miss him...but at 4 mildo per = no way...
- bogiedoc

100% this. It wouldn't be long before fans would be like, "$4mil for a player that takes dumb penalties and doesn't score 20 goals? Trade him!"

Hartman has that ability and can score more. This was his first full season. Let him develop into that guy.

What is wrong with this Caps team? On paper they are favored, but they just can't figure it out. Pens are also missing their top two defenders....

Totally. Holtby and Bobrovsky are in danger of developing reputations of being great regular season goalies and playoff busts.
- DarthKane

Capitals have had the better of the play in both games and Fluery VS Holtby has been the difference. Same story for Bob in Round 1....

Isn't it a TMM penalty when the puck hits a player as he has 1 leg in the bench are and 1 leg over the boards in play, and his replacement is already on the ice? F' Penguins....it's obvious Bettman finally wants to make good on the draft lottery fix.

And now play is stopped with thecaps in control of the puck because Hainsey is hurt? Since when does a player injury stop play?

Capitals have had the better of the play in both games and Fluery VS Holtby has been the difference. Same story for Bob in Round 1....
- EnzoD

Could see this coming, Holtby wasn't that good vs the Leafs and neither was the rest of the team.

Fleury's been great but when Pens want to turn it on the Caps' D men can't compete going up against Crosby, Malkin and Bonino. Does anybody even notice Nik Backstrom out there?

Wonder who's going to pay Shattenkirk all that money he's expecting as a UFA.

Panarin for Rask

Or

Panarin for Horvat
- DarthKane

Canucks wouldn't do that trade.

if your a caps fan....

Isn't it a TMM penalty when the puck hits a player as he has 1 leg in the bench are and 1 leg over the boards in play, and his replacement is already on the ice? F' Penguins....it's obvious Bettman finally wants to make good on the draft lottery fix.

And now play is stopped with thecaps in control of the puck because Hainsey is hurt? Since when does a player injury stop play?
- powerenforcer

i guess when you get hit in the head with a puck off ovie's stick...

Anyone else beginning to think the Penguins actually have a decent shot at repeating?

Could see this coming, Holtby wasn't that good vs the Leafs and neither was the rest of the team.

Fleury's been great but when Pens want to turn it on the Caps' D men can't compete going up against Crosby, Malkin and Bonino. Does anybody even notice Nik Backstrom out there?

Wonder who's going to pay Shattenkirk all that money he's expecting as a UFA.
- RickJ

Franking Penguins are going to repeat. Crosby, Malkin, and Phil the Thrill are absolutely lethal. Throw in the speedy secondary scorers like Sheary, Guentzel, and Bonino and soft goaltender play, Pens might sweep. I agree the Caps Defense has been exposed at times but Fluery making huge saves while every good look for the Pens is in the net. I still don't understand how this Defense of the Penguins has been so solid.....

What is wrong with this Caps team? On paper they are favored, but they just can't figure it out. Pens are also missing their top two defenders....
- RedRevenge

hockey is a crazy weird game...

caps came out on fire...like we have see numerous with the hawks...they got stoned...game settled down and they end up getting beat badly

Franking Penguins are going to repeat. Crosby, Malkin, and Phil the Thrill are absolutely lethal. Throw in the speedy secondary scorers like Sheary, Guentzel, and Bonino and soft goaltender play, Pens might sweep. I agree the Caps Defense has been exposed at times but Fluery making huge saves while every good look for the Pens is in the net. I still don't understand how this Defense of the Penguins has been so solid.....
- EnzoD

7 nhl playoff games = 7 goals...

let me know when the hawks find a kid like this...

the return of MAF = great story; once again "experts" burried him and he makes a great comeback

Anyone else beginning to think the Penguins actually have a decent shot at repeating?
- walleyeb1

thought so from the beginning of the playoffs...

sens/rangers aint going to beat them...

the toads in the west = forget about it...

but the oil is flowing again...they remind me a bit of the 2009 hawks...

Franking Penguins are going to repeat. Crosby, Malkin, and Phil the Thrill are absolutely lethal. Throw in the speedy secondary scorers like Sheary, Guentzel, and Bonino and soft goaltender play, Pens might sweep. I agree the Caps Defense has been exposed at times but Fluery making huge saves while every good look for the Pens is in the net. I still don't understand how this Defense of the Penguins has been so solid.....
- EnzoD

Its just the same as when the Hawks played the Wild in the playoffs or the Kings vs the Ducks - you knew who was going to win.

Panarin should watch Kessel, that's what snipers do. But he's back in Russia counting all those rubles earned from regular season scoring statistics.

thought so from the beginning of the playoffs...

sens/rangers aint going to beat them...

the toads in the west = forget about it...

but the oil is flowing again...they remind me a bit of the 2009 hawks...
- bogiedoc

Its looking real good on Ryan Kesler and the Ducks. Another team that can't get it done when it matters.

What is wrong with this Caps team? On paper they are favored, but they just can't figure it out. Pens are also missing their top two defenders....
- RedRevenge

They need Crawford.... another overpaid average at best goalie to take them to the promised land and free up 6 mil in cap space to start the rebuild for us

i guess when you get hit in the head with a puck off ovie's stick...

- bogiedoc

Refs can always stop play during an injury if it looks severe/threatening to the player. Hitting the ice and putting your face down will almost always get the stoppage. Unlike in the Blue Jacket's series, when he only when onto his hands and knees.

Guentzel is for real.

A legit top line talent on any team in the league, regardless of who his center is.

His center just so happens to be the best player in the league.

Right now the Pens have 2 top lines, a 2nd line, and a 3rd line.

Same forwards as last year(which were already the best in the NHL top to bottom) only swap Eric Fehr with Jake Guentzel(major upgrade).

Best team in the league WITHOUT their #1D. That's INSANE.

The way i see it is this......if a team is gonna overtake the Hawks as the top dogs in the league, as the better "dynasty", etc.....at least its going to be a team that plays the game the right way. Exciting, fast, skilled, high caliber sports entertainment. They're a great team that deserves it. So be it. I have no problem rooting for them, especially against any of the remaining Western teams.

if your a caps fan....


- bogiedoc

They've seen this play out before. They know how its going to end. It's inevitable.

Could see this coming, Holtby wasn't that good vs the Leafs and neither was the rest of the team.

Fleury's been great but when Pens want to turn it on the Caps' D men can't compete going up against Crosby, Malkin and Bonino. Does anybody even notice Nik Backstrom out there?

Wonder who's going to pay Shattenkirk all that money he's expecting as a UFA.
- RickJ

New Jersey. Shattenkirk is looking to be in or near NYC. NJ needs D (after trading Larson). With #1 pick and Hall, plus Shattenkirk could be something pretty good.

Ryan Dzingel was a 7th round pick for the Senators and has been a fixture in the Top 6 throughout his rookie year for Ottawa. Considering the amount of Illinois hockey talent Stan has drafted over the past few years, he definitely missed on Dzingel. Not sure how bc Dzingel lit it up at Ohio State his entire career....
- EnzoD

Dzingel makes smart plays. He's willing too.

Guentzel is for real.

A legit top line talent on any team in the league, regardless of who his center is.

His center just so happens to be the best player in the league.

Right now the Pens have 2 top lines, a 2nd line, and a 3rd line.

Same forwards as last year(which were already the best in the NHL top to bottom) only swap Eric Fehr with Jake Guentzel(major upgrade).

Best team in the league WITHOUT their #1D. That's INSANE.

The way i see it is this......if a team is gonna overtake the Hawks as the top dogs in the league, as the better "dynasty", etc.....at least its going to be a team that plays the game the right way. Exciting, fast, skilled, high caliber sports entertainment. They're a great team that deserves it. So be it. I have no problem rooting for them, especially against any of the remaining Western teams.
- SimpleJack

SJ,

Bang on and this is how all Hawk fans should feel. Except I'm rooting for the Sens for now. Haha.

So Pekka Rinne is going to hand over that title this post-season?
- powerenforcer

I think that Bishop was sporting the belt recently...

SJ,

Bang on and this is how all Hawk fans should feel. Except I'm rooting for the Sens for now. Haha.
- John Jaeckel

I am with you on the Sens. Its amazing the intensity the Sens and Pens are bringing.