I miss Buts. Could use his positive energy.

MAF was in position to make the saves and preserve the win. THat's all you can ask of a goalie...as far as what if's, if STaal's shot doesn't hit the post in the 3rd period of game 1, its 4-1 Pens and its game over...could be a much different series..shoulda, woulda, coulda...
- Emperor Filonius

I agree. But....

There is a difference when you feel snakebitten because you are absolutely getting stoned by a goalie (see: Flyers against many Lundqvist and Thomas starts over the last year) or when you feel like you couldv'e scored if the puck just bounced a little differently.

As much as MAF's confidence got a boost last night, I don't think the flyers feel like they can't score on him either.

Agreed. Sometimes you just don't get the bounces, and the Flyers didn't give a 60 minute effort in this one, so they got the result they pretty much deserved. Does that mean that they can't take some positives from this game? Absolutely not, but they need to be better if they want to finish off the Pens on Sunday.
- LordStanley88

The Flyers definitely came on at the end last night and its a miracle the Pens were able to preserve the lead. I thought of all the games that last night's was the most evenly played.

You can't compare every players action to "what if it was Crosby" who did that. Crosby is the best player in the game, has received tremendous hype for years (and rightfully so), has won everything there is to win, and will probably go down as the greatest player of his era.

Everything #87 does is going to be put under the magnifying glass. It's just who he is. Giroux is not on that level.
- FlyerGuy

I agree, but because of that magnifying glass it gets over exposed. Thats all I'm saying.

Another example is when Taylor Hall shouted "Why did we pull the (frank)ing goalie" when the Oilers were down 5-2 to the Flames in a regular season game. Oiler fans and media made an issue out of it saying that he was showing poor sportsmanship and disrespecting his coach but other than that there was nothing. But if it had been Crosby, the whole NHL and the NHL media related types would have lost their minds.

It's a double standard that the NHL has created. Giroux and Hall are both very marketable guys who the Flyers and Oilers are going to build around, but they just lack that media shine right now.

Broke his stick over the goal in frustration over the goal last night, made a few negative remarks about the fans here in Pittsburgh (then taunted a few in the warmups)...

None of this is a big deal, nor should it be, but the central point is if Sid did it, it would be front page news...so yeas, the NHL does shove him down everyone's throat, but the downside is he's held to a ridiculously strict standard of conduct that other stars are not...
- Emperor Filonius

I agree. I like the frustration Giroux displayed, it shows he hates losing and will hopefully come back with a better effort. But there's little doubt if that was Sid opposing fans and some of the media would be all over it.

To be honest, I never had much of problem with Crosby (beyond him wearing another team's jersey), until those comments about not liking any of the players on the Flyers... I'm guessing he would like those words and the petulant tone back, but maybe not...

Just like there aren't nearly as many non Pens posters in our thread today.

I stop in here win or lose, because most of you are good knowledgeable fans.
- Emperor Filonius

To be fair, the vast majority of trolls have already won their 2-weeks off.

I agree. But....

There is a difference when you feel snakebitten because you are absolutely getting stoned by a goalie (see: Flyers against many Lundqvist and Thomas starts over the last year) or when you feel like you couldv'e scored if the puck just bounced a little differently.

As much as MAF's confidence got a boost last night, I don't think the flyers feel like they can't score on him either.
- TheGreat28

Agreed, its far from a situation where MAF is stoning them. The Pens were also much more defensively responsible in their own end last night...they did a better job boxing out in front of MAF and cut off a number of backdoor passes (finally)

As a Pens fan, I take heart in the fact that they were able to protect a one goal lead for almost a period and a half, which as we know is like an eternity, considering how the first few games went.

I miss Buts. Could use his positive energy.
- LordStanley88

We do seem to be missing the guy that says "here, get on my shoulders" like a Pronger. Nobody stepped up last night with a big hit or a fight or anything to wake the team up and push them toward the next level of competitiveness.

Just like there aren't nearly as many non Pens posters in our thread today.

I stop in here win or lose, because most of you are good knowledgeable fans.
- Emperor Filonius

First, Flyers threads are WAY more active that the Pens threads. Second, there was WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY less posts from you guys on Monday

Understandable

To be fair, the vast majority of trolls have already won their 2-weeks off.
- bodiva88

Lol. And both boards have been much more civil because of a few noted absences. You, OB and CP are doing a nice job.

- LordStanley88

Saved.

I agree. I like the frustration Giroux displayed, it shows he hates losing and will hopefully come back with a better effort. But there's little doubt if that was Sid opposing fans and some of the media would be all over it.

To be honest, I never had much of problem with Crosby (beyond him wearing another team's jersey), until those comments about not liking any of the players on the Flyers... I'm guessing he would like those words and the petulant tone back, but maybe not...
- wolfhounds

"We don’t really like the fans here. It’s like something we have to prove to the fans that we’re better than them,"
-Claude Giroux

I have no issue with that statement. He's just being honest like Sid was.

Nice chatting with you folks, I need to stop ignoring my daughter and help my wife with some stuff around the house...

Just like there aren't nearly as many non Pens posters in our thread today.

I stop in here win or lose, because most of you are good knowledgeable fans.
- Emperor Filonius

LOL. Your thread has 24 posts. HAHAHA. You have to be here, otherwise you are talking to yourself.

Agreed, its far from a situation where MAF is stoning them. The Pens were also much more defensively responsible in their own end last night...they did a better job boxing out in front of MAF and cut off a number of backdoor passes (finally)

As a Pens fan, I take heart in the fact that they were able to protect a one goal lead for almost a period and a half, which as we know is like an eternity, considering how the first few games went.
- Emperor Filonius

Agreed. As a Flyers fan, it's more troubling to see the lack of quality rushes (i.e. improvement in Pen's D) vs. improvement in MAF's game. That having been said, I would rather have a tight-checking game right now as we're forced to ride the big 3 D and a wide open game would likely wear them down too much.

But mostly, like Bill I'm worried about Staal on Briere. I think if we can fix that matchup (not sure how tho) we'd be in good shape.

"We don’t really like the fans here. It’s like something we have to prove to the fans that we’re better than them,"
-Claude Giroux

I have no issue with that statement. He's just being honest like Sid was.

Nice chatting with you folks, I need to stop ignoring my daughter and help my wife with some stuff around the house...
- Emperor Filonius

"We don’t really like the fans here. It’s like something we have to prove to the fans that we’re better than them,"
-Claude Giroux

I have no issue with that statement. He's just being honest like Sid was.

Nice chatting with you folks, I need to stop ignoring my daughter and help my wife with some stuff around the house...
- Emperor Filonius

wise decision.

As for the remainder of the defense, an extremely ineffective (still injured?) Pavel Kubina played a mere 6:52 over 9 shifts. Andreas Lilja played 7:09 in 15 shifts. Rookie Erik Gustafsson, who played the best game of the three, skated 19 shifts and played 11:51.

That's just absurd. Meltz, do you think Laviolette knew he was going to be playing Kubina and Lilja so little before the game started, or was that a decision made on-the-fly based upon how poor they looked out on the ice?

And knowing what he knows, what does he do for tomorrow? Dressing 6 d-men but playing 3 for most of the game is surely a recipe for disaster.

Shut up. You said you can't mention injuries. Without injuries that's not an issue.
- bodiva88

This might be the first time I saw shut up invoked on hockeybuzz don't get me wrong I'm not complaining either

Very stressful game to watch last night. I completely thought they'd win. I really don't know what to expect.. on one hand..I kinda think that we have one more chance to win this series. If we lose tomorrow afternoon, game 7 will be an almost lock for Pitt.

On the other..I also remember game 7 round one in 08 (that team also had a young core) and how we had a 3-1 lead on a favoured Washington team only to lose 2 straight including a home game 6. I was sure we were dead..and was nervous as (frank)..to watch game 7. Lupul scored and the rest was history..

I really don't like that our D is depleted and tomorrow's game is an early afternoon game. But this team has NEVER taken the easy route.

To be fair, the vast majority of trolls have already won their 2-weeks off.
- bodiva88

I hope you banned that idiot Leafs fan troll from yesterday..

"Bo the Hammer!"

Very stressful game to watch last night. I completely thought they'd win. I really don't know what to expect.. on one hand..I kinda think that we have one more chance to win this series. If we lose tomorrow afternoon, game 7 will be an almost lock for Pitt.

On the other..I also remember game 7 round one in 08 (that team also had a young core) and how we had a 3-1 lead on a favoured Washington team only to lose 2 straight including a home game 6. I was sure we were dead..and was nervous as (frank)..to watch game 7. Lupul scored and the rest was history..

I really don't like that our D is depleted and tomorrow's game is an early afternoon game. But this team has NEVER taken the easy route.
- Hextall271

Again I have a stranger to my left tomorrow. Sure hope it isn't a Pens fan because I have NO patience for that tomorrow.

I hope you banned that idiot Leafs fan troll from yesterday..

"Bo the Hammer!"
- Hextall271

Hmm. I don't know. We need software that lets us look at who/what/when/why!

Very stressful game to watch last night. I completely thought they'd win. I really don't know what to expect.. on one hand..I kinda think that we have one more chance to win this series. If we lose tomorrow afternoon, game 7 will be an almost lock for Pitt.

On the other..I also remember game 7 round one in 08 (that team also had a young core) and how we had a 3-1 lead on a favoured Washington team only to lose 2 straight including a home game 6. I was sure we were dead..and was nervous as (frank)..to watch game 7. Lupul scored and the rest was history..

I really don't like that our D is depleted and tomorrow's game is an early afternoon game. But this team has NEVER taken the easy route.
- Hextall271

I think Lavy has to figure out what he's gonna do about the Briere vs Staal 5 on 5 scenario b/c the Pens are eating our lunch on that matchup. It doesn't help that Briere stands around with his head up where the sun don't shine on defense. I said earlier and say again, our D-corp is depleted and our goalie is banged up, ALL HANDS ON DECK. With that said, I think lavy figures something out.

If we don't get Grossmann back which looks unlikely at this point, gotta get Manning in there b.c as I understand Bourdon is hurt too. Kubina and even Lilja look stationary out there to me.

On the bright side I thought the Flyers could have easily won this thing if not tied it if Briere and Hartnell connect on a couple opportunities. Hartsy completely whiffed on a puck with a wide open net in front of him and despite my criticisms Briere is gifted enough to elevate that puck, it just didn't happen there so he gets mulligan from me there. The good thing is the Flyers were able to generate those chances late in the game. If they weren't getting those opportunities then I'd be worried.

Lilja again was the difference in a loss last night, the third goal it was definately Briere's missed assignment but once again Lilja pinched and failed.

Anyone else think Schenn has not been the same since getting cross checked accross the neck/chin by asham, Schenn has big game talent and it is not showing since the assault by asham.
Pittsburgh has turned this series around by cheap shots and nothing else. Cooter twice without the puck. Giroux, Grossman, Schenn and more.
Yet there have been incidents with Rinaldo and Grossman meanwhile Grossman is wearing 2 knee braces so i doubt he deliberatley tried a knee on knee and with Rinaldo suspend him dont spare him to justify Malkin getting away with anything and everything.
yet we commonly see Rinaldo type players consistently be the type of player getting disiplined, guess we should have Giroux and Jagr headhunting out there if thats the way to get away with it, becuase in this series it has clearly been a difference

- LordStanley88