AV gooorn!

Right move & a little late in my opinion.

Go hockey.

Pens are and rightly should be the favorites in this series. No shame for me saying that being a Flyers fan.

That being said a chance to see Giroux (best player on both teams this season, Crosby (arguably the best player of the past 10 years), Malkin, Voracek, Couturier , Ghost+Provy, Kessel, Letang and so on ...

The amount of all world talent in this series is ridiculous.

Go hockey.

Pens are and rightly should be the favorites in this series. No shame for me saying that being a Flyers fan.

That being said a chance to see Giroux (best player on both teams this season, Crosby (THE best player of the past 10 years), Malkin, Voracek, Couturier , Ghost+Provy, Kessel, Letang and so on ...

The amount of all world talent in this series is ridiculous.
- opeth_pa

there I changed it for you.

there I changed it for you.
- martox

I was gonna go with that but McJeebus last year.

I was gonna go with that but McJeebus last year.
- opeth_pa

sid won the conn smythe, Rocket richard, 2nd place in points and a stanley cup last year. but this year he fell on his ass hard during the season and mcdavid kept dominating ( in the second part of the year when games didn't matter anymore cuz his team sucks and was out of the playoff picture already so he had no pressure anymore). this year was the year mcdavid truely took over the "world's best player mantle" from sid. not last year imho.

sid won the conn smythe, Rocket richard, 2nd place in points and a stanley cup last year. but this year he fell on his ass hard during the season and mcdavid kept dominating ( in the second part of the year when games didn't matter anymore cuz his team sucks and was out of the playoff picture already so he had no pressure anymore). this year was the year mcdavid truely took over the "world's best player mantle" from sid. not last year imho.
- martox

All good points..

How many series this season can say they have Giroux, Malkin, Crosby and Voracek level talent let alone all the other players on both teams..

I don't think this is going to be as chaotic as some of the past series, just a different era of hockey.

sid won the conn smythe, Rocket richard, 2nd place in points and a stanley cup last year. but this year he fell on his ass hard during the season and mcdavid kept dominating ( in the second part of the year when games didn't matter anymore cuz his team sucks and was out of the playoff picture already so he had no pressure anymore). this year was the year mcdavid truely took over the "world's best player mantle" from sid. not last year imho.
- martox

So McD picking up his pace in the 2nd half of the season, does that point to something? Either teams worked out that they didn't need to mark him so hard & let him go as it usually wouldn't change the result, OR, he focused more on himself & scoring both goals & assists?

I don't follow the Oil but I'd like to get an idea what happened to lift his production.

I think it's due to teams not marking him so hard as it doesn't matter - they would win anyway.

All good points..

How many series this season can say they have Giroux, Malkin, Crosby and Voracek level talent let alone all the other players on both teams..

I don't think this is going to be as chaotic as some of the past series, just a different era of hockey.
- opeth_pa

Every single team in playoffs has star power and at least two mentionables like the four you noted. Except for maybe Jersey but they have Hall who most consider the Hart front runner.

Every single team in playoffs has star power and at least two mentionables like the four you noted. Except for maybe Jersey but they have Hall who most consider the Hart front runner.
- MattStrat

What makes Hall the front runner over Giroux?

What makes Hall the front runner over Giroux?
- opeth_pa

Arguably their team mates.

the flyers aren’t read yet. They don’t have who they want in their line up and that won’t be for another two years before we can be seen as a true contender, especially in net. As a flyers fan this can go either way and all depends which flyers team shows up. I know the pens 5 on 5 has improved but the flyers have been strong this year all season on 5 on 5. If they stay out of the box this goes 6 games. I don’t think Philly wins it but it’ll go six games and won’t be a stroll in the park for the pens.

What makes Hall the front runner over Giroux?
- opeth_pa

He doesn't have a Voracek...

There's a few over Giroux... Besides Hall there's McDavid and MacKinnon for sure.

The number one thing the Pens have to do is to protect their goalie. The Flyers love "accidentally" running over goalies, whether it is Simmonds or Voracek in the present or Hartnell (that was his specialty - he did it more than anyone) in the earlier 2000's or the Lindros-led teams back in the 90s, with players like Leclare. If any Flyers player even breathes on Murray he needs to be pummeled.

He doesn't have a Voracek...

There's a few over Giroux... Besides Hall there's McDavid and MacKinnon for sure.
- MattStrat

We can agree to disagree then..

IF anyone honestly thinks Giroux shouldn't be a finalist for MVP this season then Im not sure what they looked at..

The same MacKinnon that went 9 games in the stretch without a goal?

I believe it should be Giroux, Hall, Kucherov and you can make a solid case for any one of those 3 winning.

The number one thing the Pens have to do is to protect their goalie. The Flyers love "accidentally" running over goalies, whether it is Simmonds or Voracek in the present or Hartnell (that was his specialty - he did it more than anyone) in the earlier 2000's or the Lindros-led teams back in the 90s, with players like Leclare. If any Flyers player even breathes on Murray he needs to be pummeled.
- PghPens668771

That isnt reality anymore..The Flyers just dont play that way.
On paper the Pens should win just by playing their game .
The Flyers can match up with the Pens on offense but where the Pens have a clear advantage is in goalie and at head coach.

We can agree to disagree then..

IF anyone honestly thinks Giroux shouldn't be a finalist for MVP this season then Im not sure what they looked at..

The same MacKinnon that went 9 games in the stretch without a goal?

I believe it should be Giroux, Hall, Kucherov and you can make a solid case for any one of those 3 winning.
- opeth_pa

I would have it as
Hall
Giroux
Mcd
McKinnon

If you look at points leaders, after Hall there isn’t another NJ player on until Hischier at 52 points. Hall is just about everything to them.

We can agree to disagree then..

IF anyone honestly thinks Giroux shouldn't be a finalist for MVP this season then Im not sure what they looked at..

The same MacKinnon that went 9 games in the stretch without a goal?

I believe it should be Giroux, Hall, Kucherov and you can make a solid case for any one of those 3 winning.
- opeth_pa

Ok take each of your 3 out of their respective teams. Where would the teams be today?

Tampa - very little if any change.
Flyers - maybe miss the playoff spot
Devils - definately miss playoffs

Ok take each of your 3 out of their respective teams. Where would the team score be today?

Tampa - very little if any change.
Flyers - maybe miss the playoff spot
Devils - definately miss playoffs
- Aussiepenguin

Tampa I would agree
Flyers do not make the playoffs without Giroux's 102 points..
Agreed on Devils.

We can agree to disagree then..

IF anyone honestly thinks Giroux shouldn't be a finalist for MVP this season then Im not sure what they looked at..

The same MacKinnon that went 9 games in the stretch without a goal?

I believe it should be Giroux, Hall, Kucherov and you can make a solid case for any one of those 3 winning.
- opeth_pa

You talk about MacKinnon going 9 games but mention Kucherov as a finalist. He fizzled big time the past month.

Correct me if I'm wrong but didn't Giroux have somewhat of a lack luster first half and turned it on second half?

I think there's almost as much of a case for Malkin as Giroux. Almost.

You talk about MacKinnon going 9 games but mention Kucherov as a finalist. He fizzled big time the past month.

Correct me if I'm wrong but didn't Giroux have somewhat of a lack luster first half and turned it on second half?

I think there's almost as much of a case for Malkin as Giroux. Almost.
- MattStrat

Giroux has been consistent in his production all year..
I also see what you are saying on Kucherov..

Giroux, Hall are absolute finalists seems the 3rd spot is the one in question.

Tampa I would agree
Flyers do not make the playoffs without Giroux's 102 points..
Agreed on Devils.
- opeth_pa

Tie breaker?

Last time the Flyers were in the playoffs? Last time the Devils were in the playoffs?

Again, the team around both players has to be considered. You rattled off a few players in An earlier post saying how good this series could be with 'talent' everywhere. The Devils don't have that same talent. They have Taylor Hall.

Giroux has been consistent in his production all year..
I also see what you are saying on Kucherov..

Giroux, Hall are absolute finalists seems the 3rd spot is the one in question.
- opeth_pa

Brad Marchand.

Brad Marchand.
- Aussiepenguin

Not a bad choice but if you are going to argue the team around players then Im not sure how Marchand can be on the list..

I think, even with the 9 games of no goals, MacKinnon makes the most sense.

Giroux, Hall and MacKinnon with each being a viable winning choice.

A couple of other people mentioned Kopitar and looking at his year that seems valid also.