Ryan Wilson: Star Power Star Power

Phillip Kessel was the MVP of both the Pens and the Lightning last night. Just give him the Smythe already

Phillip Kessel was the MVP of both the Pens and the Lightning last night. Just give him the Smythe already
- DeflatedPucks

Win game 7 and then start talking about the Conn Smythe

kunitz has made so many little plays the past few games.

kunitz has made so many little plays the past few games.
- stayinthefnnet

He's totes jeally of Kessel

The third period sitting back resulted in 2 goals for and 1 against. It doesnt look great but the team did a good job of keeping the shots to the outside and preventing second chances.

kunitz has made so many little plays the past few games.
- stayinthefnnet

Hes bee doing it all playoffs. Hes been getting rewarded a little bit finally.

kunitz has made so many little plays the past few games.
- stayinthefnnet

He's playing as hard as he possibly can. It's nice to see. It's hard watching players you like age but he's giving us one last kick at the can.

The third period sitting back resulted in 2 goals for and 1 against. It doesnt look great but the team did a good job of keeping the shots to the outside and preventing second chances.
- stackthepads

Nothing worse then prevent defense but you're right they did it well.

Two goals for on nine shots. One goal for on eight shots while a goalie was in play. Let's not rationalize away how bad the third period was for us with unsustainable shooting percentages. To win tomorrow a repeat of the third simply isn't allowed to happen.

The third period sitting back resulted in 2 goals for and 1 against. It doesnt look great but the team did a good job of keeping the shots to the outside and preventing second chances.
- stackthepads

Didn't like the optics of that third. We had a 3-0 lead over Washington in a game and did the same thing. Sat back. They tied it up and forced overtime. Granted, we won it, but ...

Last night was the same feel as game 4, but roles were reversed. Down 3-2, Tampa had some very good chances to knot the game after winning face-offs in the DZone and getting it back to the points. Can't employ the same tactics IMO for tomorrow if we want to advance.

Two goals for on nine shots. One goal for on eight shots while a goalie was in play. Let's not rationalize away how bad the third period was for us with unsustainable shooting percentages. To win tomorrow a repeat of the third simply isn't allowed to happen.
- Victoro311

Man you guys ever just enjoy? Can we wait until tomorrow to rip them and just say things like awesome and happy

Two goals for on nine shots. One goal for on eight shots while a goalie was in play. Let's not rationalize away how bad the third period was for us with unsustainable shooting percentages. To win tomorrow a repeat of the third simply isn't allowed to happen.
- Victoro311

A repeat of the third would mean we have a 3 goal lead going into it. I'd take that chance turtling in the third if they want to spot us 3 goals.

Didn't like the optics of that third. We had a 3-0 lead over Washington in a game and did the same thing. Sat back. They tied it up and forced overtime. Granted, we won it, but ...

Last night was the same feel as game 4, but roles were reversed. Down 3-2, Tampa had some very good chances to knot the game after winning face-offs in the DZone and getting it back to the points. Can't employ the same tactics IMO for tomorrow if we want to advance.
- Oneonta Penguin

Washigton doesnt come back in that game without the 3 consecrutive delay of game penalties.

The third period sitting back resulted in 2 goals for and 1 against. It doesnt look great but the team did a good job of keeping the shots to the outside and preventing second chances.
- stackthepads

yeah, i dont like that practice. but really, the one goal was quite fluky. and the other was a perfectly placed shot with cullen in his lap.

Two goals for on nine shots. One goal for on eight shots while a goalie was in play. Let's not rationalize away how bad the third period was for us with unsustainable shooting percentages. To win tomorrow a repeat of the third simply isn't allowed to happen.
- Victoro311

By my eyes, the Pens only allowed ONE shot from the pt in the first two periods (from Hedman).

In the 3rd alone, it was definitely in the double digits. I am uncomfortable with the collapsing defense the Pens are playing in the 3rd. Too much room for pt shots and deflections.

This series Christopher has been the unsung hero for the Pens. Putting him with Malkin and Crosby has finally lit a fire in him

Can you stop calling it "offsides" when it is a single event. The call is "offside" not "offsides". FFS

Washigton doesnt come back in that game without the 3 consecrutive delay of game penalties.
- stackthepads

They were coming hard before. They put a lot of pressure and got it to 3-1 or 3-2 before everything came unglued with the penalties. Could have easily won that game with us up 3-0 heading into the third.

I think Kessel is a rise to the moment type player. And I think its because he's far more talented than he plays in the regular season. He's a guy who can coast in the regular season and earn his paycheck. I think he is lazy during the regular season, but it means for the games that matter he has a gear he can turn up.

Kind of the reverse of when a team gets a bunch of AHL call-ups and puts together a good 7-8 game stretch because those guys are skating at 100% when every other guy is skating like its their 40th regular season game of the year.

I think Kessel is a rise to the moment type player. And I think its because he's far more talented than he plays in the regular season. He's a guy who can coast in the regular season and earn his paycheck. I think he is lazy during the regular season, but it means for the games that matter he has a gear he can turn up.

Kind of the reverse of when a team gets a bunch of AHL call-ups and puts together a good 7-8 game stretch because those guys are skating at 100% when every other guy is skating like its their 40th regular season game of the year.
- sditulli

It's the same Kessel I've been watching all season. Shoot from everywhere, he just happens to be scoring more now. I haven't seen any difference in his play, except converting on his chances now.

Focus on the positive!! Who cares what the third period was like, too many fans focus on the negatives when the whole dynamic of the game changes constantly. Many fans want to focus on the Pens holding on in the third, when maybe credit should be given to the Lightening for coming out balls to the wall.
It is so easy to just say the Pens went to sleep in the third rather then saying the Bolts came to life. Energy changes moment to moment in life and in hockey. The things Sully says are exactly what I want a coach to say.....stay in the moment means exactly that. Do you even think the Pens players are thinking about game 6...nope they are already looking forward to game 7 and staying in the moment.

It is funny as this morning I was listening to some Pittsburgh sports radio and 3 callers in a row wanted to female dog, moan and complain about the third period and not even talk about the actual win. Some fans just dont want to be happy and those are the people that never played a professional sport in their lives and just sit in their basement angry at the world!

Focus on the positive!! Who cares what the third period was like, too many fans focus on the negatives when the whole dynamic of the game changes constantly. Many fans want to focus on the Pens holding on in the third, when maybe credit should be given to the Lightening for coming out balls to the wall.
It is so easy to just say the Pens went to sleep in the third rather then saying the Bolts came to life. Energy changes moment to moment in life and in hockey. The things Sully says are exactly what I want a coach to say.....stay in the moment means exactly that. Do you even think the Pens players are thinking about game 6...nope they are already looking forward to game 7 and staying in the moment.

It is funny as this morning I was listening to some Pittsburgh sports radio and 3 callers in a row wanted to female dog, moan and complain about the third period and not even talk about the actual win. Some fans just dont want to be happy and those are the people that never played a professional sport in their lives and just sit in their basement angry at the world!
- Darklight11

It's a concern for many. Yes, we won. However, that game was much closer than it should have been. Two or three times this play-off year we have done exactly this in the third and had to hold on for dear life. Yep, some was TB, but let's call it like we see it ... Pittsburgh wasn't forcing the issue at all in that third. They stayed back and Murray even said so. That isn't a good way to finish up.

Very happy with the win ... very happy that game 7 will be a chance for us to advance, if we win. However, if we have a 3-0 lead, we can't afford to do this sitting back thing again.

Man you guys ever just enjoy? Can we wait until tomorrow to rip them and just say things like awesome and happy
- dbell646

Oh trust me I enjoyed. Last night was a very positive game for the most part and I'm normally one of the last guys to jump on the over reaction train. I was far more concerned with our stars' lack of tangible offensive production than I was with blown 3rd period leads, and that was addressed, but the fact is that blowing 3rd period leads has officially become a trend for this team and that's a story line worth monitoring and something Sully needs to address. There was nothing good about the third period besides an isolated breakaway by a guy who has issues finishing breakaway opportunities. We won inspire that period.

It's the same Kessel I've been watching all season. Shoot from everywhere, he just happens to be scoring more now. I haven't seen any difference in his play, except converting on his chances now.
- j.boyd919

and converting on chances for the enemy too