Haha and that wasn't even a real breakaway - more like a partial.
- Pixote Andolini

For Sykora to even pull that off. That guy is slow as dog poop.

Excited to get out of that one with a win considering the slow start. Looked really solid in the 2nd. I missed a good chunk of the third, but I read/heard they played pretty well. Caught the OT though, which was nice. Awesome to see JVR looking like last year's playoff version. Just gotta get Bryz to keep his stick down and guard the 5 hole and we're all set.

Because we all know how large that market is, and that doesn't include outside the metropolitan area like San Diego, however, PHX population size is often overlooked.
- _Zippy_

i grew up there. i didn't know hockey existed in the US.

For Sykora to even pull that off. That guy is slow as dog poop.
- _Zippy_

congrats on that accidental exact pass from voracek.

Do you see how good Voracek is playing on the point?

Have to get the puck to the net against NY to matter who is at the net against them.
- MJL

All the point men are playing well, I don't see why Voracek is being singled out. The point men forward or not have played well all season long. It seems to me the issue with not scoring on the Rangers was not getting many bodies to the net, Power Play or not. On Briere's game winner, it wasn't a Power play and where was JvR? I'm encouraged with how our Power Forwards are playing. Simple as that.

How about that JvR eh?

Honestly I think that Jeff Reese is part of the goalie problem. We havent had good goaltending with him coaching and just look at Phoenix's coach, turned Bryz into a good goalie and now Mike (frank)ing Smith into a good goalie. Time for Reese to go this offseason might be wise.

Honestly I think that Jeff Reese is part of the goalie problem. We havent had good goaltending with him coaching and just look at Phoenix's coach, turned Bryz into a good goalie and now Mike (frank)ing Smith into a good goalie. Time for Reese to go this offseason might be wise.
- Richieattack18

It wasn't that long ago that Reese was heralded as a miracle worker for making Leighton a passable goaltender, no?

All the point men are playing well, I don't see why Voracek is being singled out. The point men forward or not have played well all season long. It seems to me the issue with not scoring on the Rangers was not getting many bodies to the net, Power Play or not. On Briere's game winner, it wasn't a Power play and where was JvR? I'm encouraged with how our Power Forwards are playing. Simple as that.

How about that JvR eh?
- roenick97

having JVR step up is huge. also great to see Danny and jake working well together. the key to that whole line is voracek's back pressure effort which allows lavi to pair briere and JVR w/o them being a liability so much on the def end of things.

It wasn't that long ago that Reese was heralded as a miracle worker for making Leighton a passable goaltender, no?
- BulliesPhan87

Seriously, how short are some people's memories? There are no jokes about Leighton and being "Leight" without Jeff friggin' Reese

i know jvr was a rags fan growing up, but he's a jersey boy, and something tells me he's going to play well this round against his home state squad. i hope so anyway.
- hammarby31

bump. cookie.

It wasn't that long ago that Reese was heralded as a miracle worker for making Leighton a passable goaltender, no?
- BulliesPhan87

I think Leighton had a pretty average playoffs for the games he played in. Awful goal he let in on Kane, no?

Seriously, how short are some people's memories? There are no jokes about Leighton and being "Leight" without Jeff friggin' Reese
- eayost

I'm just saying maybe we are better off with a different goalie coach, you don't have to agree. Just my opinion

I'm just saying maybe we are better off with a different goalie coach, you don't have to agree. Just my opinion
- Richieattack18

Your opinion of "we haven't had good goaltending since he took over" or however it was stated is pretty hard to back up with facts. Was Jeff Reese on vacation during the entire month of March? Does Jeff Reese need to teach Bryz to cover the 5 hole with his stick when he goes butterfly? So when the goaltending is good, the goalie gets credit, but when it's subpar, it's on the goalie coach?

Mike Smith was a fairly well regarded prospect if I remember right when he was in Dallas. Obviously it didn't work well in Tampa (what does work well there). I think a better case could be made that Smith did have some real tools along with Phoenix's overall system, rather than solely on the goalie coach they have there. Just my opinion

having JVR step up is huge. also great to see Danny and jake working well together. the key to that whole line is voracek's back pressure effort which allows lavi to pair briere and JVR w/o them being a liability so much on the def end of things.
- isaiah520

Also doesn't hurt that all 3 players have great hands.

Your opinion of "we haven't had good goaltending since he took over" or however it was stated is pretty hard to back up with facts. Was Jeff Reese on vacation during the entire month of March? Does Jeff Reese need to teach Bryz to cover the 5 hole with his stick when he goes butterfly? So when the goaltending is good, the goalie gets credit, but when it's subpar, it's on the goalie coach?

Mike Smith was a fairly well regarded prospect if I remember right when he was in Dallas. Obviously it didn't work well in Tampa (what does work well there). I think a better case could be made that Smith did have some real tools along with Phoenix's overall system, rather than solely on the goalie coach they have there. Just my opinion
- eayost

It's part system in Phoenix. Smith showed a ton of promise in Dallas and TB before he got into injury situation.

I still don't think Bryzgalov is 100% healthy.

Your opinion of "we haven't had good goaltending since he took over" or however it was stated is pretty hard to back up with facts. Was Jeff Reese on vacation during the entire month of March? Does Jeff Reese need to teach Bryz to cover the 5 hole with his stick when he goes butterfly? So when the goaltending is good, the goalie gets credit, but when it's subpar, it's on the goalie coach?

Mike Smith was a fairly well regarded prospect if I remember right when he was in Dallas. Obviously it didn't work well in Tampa (what does work well there). I think a better case could be made that Smith did have some real tools along with Phoenix's overall system, rather than solely on the goalie coach they have there. Just my opinion
- eayost

I think he needs to help Bryz practice covering five hole, that's for sure. Bryz has recently been keeping his arms down and his stick not covering five hole, the goalie coach should help to fix that as soon as possible by practicing those situations.

I've been iffy about Jake on the point on the powerplay at times this season but he's been incredible so far in the post season, and has played really well on the PP. Kudos to the coaching staff to stick with that setup, because I thought it looked to be going no where during the regular season

It's part system in Phoenix. Smith showed a ton of promise in Dallas and TB before he got into injury situation.

I still don't think Bryzgalov is 100% healthy.
- Jsaquella

he's probably not. but that doesn't preclude him from getting his 5 hole close and actually getting and keeping his stick blade there rather than flailing it off to the side. it's very sloppy technique.

I think Leighton had a pretty average playoffs for the games he played in. Awful goal he let in on Kane, no?
- Richieattack18

He posted a shutout streak of 172 minutes and 55 seconds, so he did something right. I wasn't trying to claim Leighton became Patrick Roy, just that Reese was highly regarded at the time for his work with Leights.

It's part system in Phoenix. Smith showed a ton of promise in Dallas and TB before he got into injury situation.

I still don't think Bryzgalov is 100% healthy.
- Jsaquella

I thought he was actually moving around in net pretty well in the 1st period, and his play was encouraging. I'm not trying to pile on Bryz late(wasn't around here during the game), but you just want to see that 3rd goal stopped, and it just seems like a focus thing on that one. Just focusing on good technique. His clearest trend this year has been that he plays better the more often he gets into games, so hopefully he's better the rest of the series after getting through this first game back after a layoff.

I thought he was actually moving around in net pretty well in the 1st period, and his play was encouraging. I'm not trying to pile on Bryz late(wasn't around here during the game), but you just want to see that 3rd goal stopped, and it just seems like a focus thing on that one. Just focusing on good technique. His clearest trend this year has been that he plays better the more often he gets into games, so hopefully he's better the rest of the series after getting through this first game back after a layoff.
- eayost

The good thing is that there is no other offenses as good as the Pens so if he plays well, we go far.

I've been iffy about Jake on the point on the powerplay at times this season but he's been incredible so far in the post season, and has played really well on the PP. Kudos to the coaching staff to stick with that setup, because I thought it looked to be going no where during the regular season
- eayost

Agreed, although still not keen on the idea of Read on the second unit on the Point. It's nothing against Read but the Penalty happens to end and he's still playing D, that's too much of a gamble. I'm not sure if Meszaros will be able to take slap spots but I would permanently place Meszaros in Read's spot for the safety of defense.

having JVR step up is huge. also great to see Danny and jake working well together. the key to that whole line is voracek's back pressure effort which allows lavi to pair briere and JVR w/o them being a liability so much on the def end of things.
- isaiah520

jake was instrumental in all moments from today. i wish they had already locked him up long term.

Wheres my buddy Joey Russumanno!? I remember me telling him that Danny would turn into the star playof performer, but Danny sucked! He sucks so bad!