- znagle

I cant believe you read that

me too but if ur the flyers and u can hurt the penguins while u have nothing to play for besides draft position.. im sure players dont think this way but they are aware no doubt.
- wingz4life

I'll put it to you this way Dude.. In Aug or Sept 2012 - I think that was the year- the Bucs weren't all that far out of a WC spot and the Cubs were in town playing the Bucs. I have two friends who work for the Pirates one is now the equipment manager - at the time I think he was still the asst equipment manager- the other runs the visiting clubhouse along with the bat boys for the visitors. Therefore, he has a close rapport with a ton of MLB players bc he has to take care of them and the players often regard to him being one of the top in MLB at his job. Anyway, after a game I was in Primantis with both of them when Kerry Wood, Jeff Samardzija, and two other Cubs were taking pics while waiting for their food when we strolled in. So Kev and Scott end up bs with them and they introduce me to them. Me and Samardzija are talking football when I just decide to ask him if maybe the Cubs - since they're way out of it- can drop the next two since we haven't seen the playoffs since I was like 11. He thought it was hilarious at first, but then stopped laughing and explained that intentionally laying down isn't in an athletes dna these days. So regardless of the Pens/Flyers rivalry I don't see it. Especially when it's Philly's last home game and fan appreciation night. BTW Kerry Wood and Samardzija are two of the coolest ball players out of the 100 or so visitors that I've ever met especially since Wood - and his at least $40,000 watch- picked up our tab. Vogelsong is definitely #1, but I've known him and Nicole since his days with the Bucs, so that's why he's a fav.

I cant believe you read that
- Cptmjl

Slow morning at work #yolo

I'll put it to you this way Dude.. In Aug or Sept 2012 - I think that was the year- the Bucs weren't all that far out of a WC spot and the Cubs were in town playing the Bucs. I have two friends who work for the Pirates one is now the equipment manager - at the time I think he was still the asst equipment manager- the other runs the visiting clubhouse along with the bat boys for the visitors. Therefore, he has a close rapport with a ton of MLB players bc he has to take care of them and the players often regard to him being one of the top in MLB at his job. Anyway, after a game I was in Primantis with both of them when Kerry Wood, Jeff Samardzija, and two other Cubs were taking pics while waiting for their food when we strolled in. So Kev and Scott end up bs with them and they introduce me to them. Me and Samardzija are talking football when I just decide to ask him if maybe the Cubs - since they're way out of it- can drop the next two since we haven't seen the playoffs since I was like 11. He thought it was hilarious at first, but then stopped laughing and explained that intentionally laying down isn't in an athletes dna these days. So regardless of the Pens/Flyers rivalry I don't see it. Especially when it's Philly's last home game and fan appreciation night. BTW Kerry Wood and Samardzija are two of the coolest ball players out of the 100 or so visitors that I've ever met especially since Wood - and his at least $40,000 watch- picked up our tab. Vogelsong is definitely #1, but I've known him and Nicole since his days with the Bucs, so that's why he's a fav.
- PghBorn

Paragraphs

That's moronic and idiotic at best, and delusional and silly at worst.. Not your cycle theory that in fact is spot on on how the sports cycle works. However, your saying/thinking that the Pens down slope is beginning is absolutely absurd!!!! Their two stars will be 28 and 29 for the entire 2015-16 season with Letang turning 28 at seasons end and MAF turning 31 around Thanksgiving. Has the play declined of 87 and 71? No. Have their teams declined? Absolutely. Obviously I don't have a crystal ball and can't predict the future, but saying that the two centers play is dropping is foolish. I would think the Pens can still get 5-6 years of good hockey left out of those two health permitting.. With Crosby only missing 19 games over the last 3 seasons and Malkin missing 51 health has been an issue for only one.. We can all blame the CEC ice or Maroon 5 for the rut that Malkin caught against Bos for his latest injury issue. If Kapanen, Sundqvist, Pouliot, Maatta, are all on the 2015-16 roster this team will be much improved.. In fact Sundqvist should have made this club out of camp. Plus they will try and sign Bluegar to an ELC this summer. The Pens have somewhere close to $13 million coming off the books with all 4 of those players being on ELC that's a good savings but too bad the FA pool isn't all that great. What kills this team are the contracts of Kunitz and Scuderi especially Scuderi's LTC.. If the Pens somehow eliminate 60-75% of those two contracts - even eat some salary to part ways with them- the better off they'll be. Dupuis contract hurts as well but at least they can get cap relief by keeping him on LTIR. Crosby and Malkin aren't on the decline YET, like Dats and Zetts are. People want to blame JR for this mess, but this is Shero's mess as he arrogantly tried to change the NHL and he foolishly thought others would follow which they didn't. He tried turning this team into a Euro trash team by acquiring smaller faster players while other teams in the East bulked up. The constant drafting of puck moving defensemen has yielded only 1 true blue chip player and unfortunately he had to rush himself back into play.. Thinking the Pens are on the decline is like thinking the Flyers core is on the decline with Vorchek and Giroux being 26 and 28 next season. The Pens' issue has been a few over priced contracts of mediocre players mixed with their two stars big contracts being a year or two in front of other stars around the league. Chicago will have this problem next season when Kane and Toews go from a combined cap friendly $13 million yearly to $21 million. Philly will find the following season when Vorachek, Schenn 2x's, and Couts, are all do for a nice raise in pay. Pgh really has to find a way to land Saad bc Chi can't keep Kane, Toews, Crawford, Hossa, Sharp. Seabrook, Bickell and Keith and give Saad the raise he'll want.
- PghBorn

Well if you took the time to read my entire post I clearly stated that the Penguins still have 3-5 years of powerhouse hockey left in them. Nowhere in there did i ever try and question the way the team was run or blame anyone. Secondly, as you try to make this a thing about me pinning the flyers situation against the penguins it is not. The flyers are in cap hell and will be for another year or two due to moronic moves by Holmgren. As bare as the Penguins are at forward in the prospect pool the flyers are even worse and i am not naive to think otherwise. The point i was trying to make is that after reading a lot of the comments on hear, i think that some of these penguin fans should enjoy the ride and accept the fact that this dominance wont last forever.

How does Wilkes have a chance at winning it all this year but the cupboards are bare?

Honest question.
- brienstel

The cupboards are not bare. Pittsburgh has an overall average prospect pool with the defense and goaltending being strengths and the forwards being a weakness compared to other organizations. It's worth noting that prospect pools can change substantially based on individual players' development. Comparing prospect and pool rankings before and after the same season illustrates that.

I'll put it to you this way Dude.. In Aug or Sept 2012 - I think that was the year- the Bucs weren't all that far out of a WC spot and the Cubs were in town playing the Bucs. I have two friends who work for the Pirates one is now the equipment manager - at the time I think he was still the asst equipment manager- the other runs the visiting clubhouse along with the bat boys for the visitors. Therefore, he has a close rapport with a ton of MLB players bc he has to take care of them and the players often regard to him being one of the top in MLB at his job. Anyway, after a game I was in Primantis with both of them when Kerry Wood, Jeff Samardzija, and two other Cubs were taking pics while waiting for their food when we strolled in. So Kev and Scott end up bs with them and they introduce me to them. Me and Samardzija are talking football when I just decide to ask him if maybe the Cubs - since they're way out of it- can drop the next two since we haven't seen the playoffs since I was like 11. He thought it was hilarious at first, but then stopped laughing and explained that intentionally laying down isn't in an athletes dna these days. So regardless of the Pens/Flyers rivalry I don't see it. Especially when it's Philly's last home game and fan appreciation night. BTW Kerry Wood and Samardzija are two of the coolest ball players out of the 100 or so visitors that I've ever met especially since Wood - and his at least $40,000 watch- picked up our tab. Vogelsong is definitely #1, but I've known him and Nicole since his days with the Bucs, so that's why he's a fav.
- PghBorn

Saying the Flyers are going to roll over or throw a game is fans giving each other something to rant about on these boards. If everyone took a step back and actually thought about it im pretty sure we all realize that no team will ever pack it in and lose on purpose. Granted the flyers may very well lose to a better team that is as hot as there is in the league right now, but it wont be intentional.

Saying the Flyers are going to roll over or throw a game is fans giving each other something to rant about on these boards. If everyone took a step back and actually thought about it im pretty sure we all realize that no team will ever pack it in and lose on purpose. Granted the flyers may very well lose to a better team that is as hot as there is in the league right now, but it wont be intentional.
- did109

Players don't. Front offices absolutely do.

Saying the Flyers are going to roll over or throw a game is fans giving each other something to rant about on these boards. If everyone took a step back and actually thought about it im pretty sure we all realize that no team will ever pack it in and lose on purpose. Granted the flyers may very well lose to a better team that is as hot as there is in the league right now, but it wont be intentional.
- did109

I think there is going to be fair few goals scored in this 1 & will create a circus type game. Now when push comes to shove will the Flyers care about 1 extra goal going in if it's a cracker? Are they going to really push themselves to the limit like the Sens will? In the backs of their minds especially with the Pens players 'chirping' them about playoffs, I think that they won't be breaking any records in trying to get home.

Edit: Most pro athletes won't go & jump a guy who hasn't had a fight in 10000000 NHL games either!

Players don't. Front offices absolutely do.
- jfkst1

Sad but true.

While that dude you're talking to might be an idiot you might want to rethink what you say... As Josh Yohe and Mark Madden have said for years and have said this year " Beau Bennett has to play top 6"... But those two probably don't know what they're talking about. Bennett is useless anywhere else.. He's not physical enough for 3rd line duty, and playing him on the 4th line 6, 7, 8 minutes a game is advantageous. While Stone and Hoffman would both be top 6 as of right now on this Pgh team they sure as hell wouldn't have been any other year.. Maybe last year too. You're getting excited over two kids who have had one good season on a team who has a horseshoe up their butts over the last 2.5 months.. We'll see what happens with those two next year, I guess for right now everyone should hop on the Ott bandwagon though.
- PghBorn

Seriously??

Listen buddy im glad you agree with what I was referring to with Bennett, but the childish name calling has to go; its something that this Oneneta Penguins guy repeatedly does; and he does it alone. No one else here does that.... ever. So lets just keep that crap out of this thread, we all have heated debates here and only the guy with nothing better to say resorts to calling people childish names everyday. You actually look like you have some what of an original idea in your head so leave the name calling to him. Its easy to call people names when you have a screen to hide behind, I promise you O Penguin guy would not dare; don't fall into the same boat with that dude.

I think there is going to be fair few goals scored in this 1 & will create a circus type game. Now when push comes to shove will the Flyers care about 1 extra goal going in if it's a cracker? Are they going to really push themselves to the limit like the Sens will? In the backs of their minds especially with the Pens players 'chirping' them about playoffs, I think that they won't be breaking any records in trying to get home.
- Aussiepenguin

Without question the Sens will have more desperation and push. It doesnt matter the teams playing it could be Winnipeg against Arizona, if one team is playing for their playoff lives and the other is trying to stay healthy for their first tee time of the offseason theres going to be a difference in desperation. It just so happens that its going to be the flyers in that position.

Seriously??

Listen buddy im glad you agree with what I was referring to with Bennett, but the childish name calling has to go; its something that this Oneneta Penguins guy repeatedly does; and he does it alone. No one else here does that.... ever. So lets just keep that crap out of this thread, we all have heated debates here and only the guy with nothing better to say resorts to calling people childish names everyday. You actually look like you have some what of an original idea in your head so leave the name calling to him. Its easy to call people names when you have a screen to hide behind, I promise you O Penguin guy would not dare; don't fall into the same boat with that dude.
- nbartley9

In Australia we have a 'are you ok' day for our mates.

I'm thinking of going that way with you Bart's, looks as though these Pens games are getting to you. I hope not.

I want the urine filled balloon throwing man back to kick some arse & get our Pens home!

Sad but true.
- did109

Tanking doesn't bother me at all. Teams like Buffalo and Arizona (the two I think are certainly tanking) are years from being competitors. If the front office decides on that COA so be it.

In Australia we have a 'are you ok' day for our mates.

I'm thinking of going that way with you Bart's, looks as though these Pens games are getting to you. I hope not.

I want the urine filled balloon throwing man back to kick some arse & get our Pens home!
- Aussiepenguin

Your right man they are getting to me, but at the same time so are the people on this thread that bring nothing to the table but crap like this.


Don't worry buddy the urine filled balloons are being filled and saved for tomorrow when this thread is filled with Isles fans !!! haha woooo

Your right man they are getting to me, but at the same time so are the people on this thread that bring nothing to the table but crap like this.


Don't worry buddy the urine filled balloons are being filled and saved for tomorrow when this thread is filled with Isles fans !!! haha woooo
- nbartley9

Well I'll stand shoulder to shoulder with you (after I get out of bed), & we'll see those cock heads out by winning!

So... Boston lost... which means we still aren't in a bad position... we're gonna get into the playoffs without having to win in our last 7 games. Watch us lose the next two both in overtime

Tanking doesn't bother me at all. Teams like Buffalo and Arizona (the two I think are certainly tanking) are years from being competitors. If the front office decides on that COA so be it.
- jfkst1

I guess i have mixed emotions. Buffalo and Arizona arent the ones that bother me. What the leafs organization has become this year does. They have a decent roster with the likes of Kessel, JVR, Lupul, Bozak, Kadri, Phaneuf, Bernier etc. Dont get me wrong i dont think any of these players are the second coming of Mario or Bobby Orr, but they are serviceable and a few of them all stars. The players have given up, the coaches dont give a poop and frankly I think its an embarrassment. Watching them in the last two months has be atrocious. Its clear to everyone that noone in that organization cares about this year and literally looked like everyone top to bottom has decided that tanking is the best option. I just dont see how that benefits the league when a top tier team like the leafs realized that they put together a roster that doesnt mesh or whatever the case is and decided ahhh (frank) it we will start over.

Though experiment.

- Detroit loses to Montreal and Carolina by a combined 4 goals
- Pittsburgh loses to NYI in regulation by one goal and loses to Buffalo in OT.
- Ottawa and Boston each do well enough in their final two games to pass Detroit and Pittsburgh.

Detroit and Pittsburgh both finish 42-27-13. One team earns the final wild card, the other misses. But which team is which?

- Both teams have 38 ROWS (first tiebreaker)
- Both teams earned 2 points against each other in the season series (second tiebreaker -- Detroit's Oct. 23 win is thrown out due to it being the "extra" game)
- Both teams have a goal differential of +9 (final tiebreaker)

Discuss.

Though experiment.

- Detroit loses to Montreal and Carolina by a combined 4 goals
- Pittsburgh loses to NYI in regulation by one goal and loses to Buffalo in OT.
- Ottawa and Boston each do well enough in their final two games to pass Detroit and Pittsburgh.

Detroit and Pittsburgh both finish 42-27-13. One team earns the final wild card, the other misses. But which team is which?

- Both teams have 38 ROWS (first tiebreaker)
- Both teams earned 2 points against each other in the season series (second tiebreaker -- Detroit's Oct. 23 win is thrown out due to it being the "extra" game)
- Both teams have a goal differential of +9 (final tiebreaker)

Discuss.
- Sven22

Simple solution, at that point it goes to who has won the most recent Stanley Cup.... HA

You actually bring up a good point, and I surely hope it doesn't come to this!!

I miss Lidstrom, more than any ex-player that is a non Pen. Is he still pretty active around Detroit?

Though experiment.

- Detroit loses to Montreal and Carolina by a combined 4 goals
- Pittsburgh loses to NYI in regulation by one goal and loses to Buffalo in OT.
- Ottawa and Boston each do well enough in their final two games to pass Detroit and Pittsburgh.

Detroit and Pittsburgh both finish 42-27-13. One team earns the final wild card, the other misses. But which team is which?

- Both teams have 38 ROWS (first tiebreaker)
- Both teams earned 2 points against each other in the season series (second tiebreaker -- Detroit's Oct. 23 win is thrown out due to it being the "extra" game)
- Both teams have a goal differential of +9 (final tiebreaker)

Discuss.
- Sven22

Shootouts count for the Goal Differentials in these tiebreakers if they tie on the 4th part... a Win is +1, a loss is -1.

Thats another -4 overall to Detroit, if it needs to be added should they be tied. Now, if our shoot records were the same, you'd have a discussion.


"The greater differential between goals for and against for the entire regular season. NOTE: In standings a victory in a shootout counts as one goal for, while a shootout loss counts as one goal against."

Shootouts count for the Goal Differentials in these tiebreakers if they tie on the 4th part... a Win is +1, a loss is -1.

Thats another -4 overall to Detroit, if it needs to be added should they be tied. Now, if our shoot records were the same, you'd have a discussion.


"The greater differential between goals for and against for the entire regular season. NOTE: In standings a victory in a shootout counts as one goal for, while a shootout loss counts as one goal against."
- Guile

Shootout wins/losses are already included in the goal differential figures on the standings page.

Detroit is currently +13, Pittsburgh is +11. If Detroit is -4 over their last two games and Pittsburgh is -2 with one extra-time loss, they'd be tied at +9.

New blog. Warning the material contained may offend some!

Shootout wins/losses are already included in the goal differential figures on the standings page.

Detroit is currently +13, Pittsburgh is +11. If Detroit is -4 over their last two games and Pittsburgh is -2 with one extra-time loss, they'd be tied at +9.
- Sven22

Eh, I'm reading it differently... but I see shootouts being added or removed to decide it.

Eh, I'm reading it differently... but I see shootouts being added or removed to decide it.
- Guile

If you're still checking this old thread:

Like I said, shootouts are already included in the goal differential figure on the NHL's standings page.

So for example, Detroit is listed as having +13 goal differential, and their shootout record is 4-10. What that means is that Detroit is actually +19 in terms of actual goals scored in game situations, but because they have 6 more shootout losses than wins the NHL considers them to have a goal differential of +13.

It's stupid and I hate it, but it's the way it works. I would tend to agree with you that, logically, the next step should be to settle the tie by removing the "goals" from shootout performance from the numbers, but that's not stated explicitly.