and his production will go down because you hate the Rangers. Very good argument.
- jimbro83

No, hate is too nice of a word.

I know, just being a pain But in all seriousness, watch how effective Nash is away from the puck and how strong his defensive game is this series. Even if he goes away on the score sheet, Nash is still an incredibly important player for the Rangers. He doesn't get as much credit as he should.
- NashtyLight

For the money he's making, the line plays on, and the minutes he's given, he'd better be more than a solid defensive grinder. He's a very good all-around player, but he needs to be a top-scorer for them.

and his production will go down because you hate the Rangers. Very good argument.
- jimbro83

I'd expect Yandle's production to increase because 1) Phoenix/Arizona is a terrible team offensively and 2) With NYR's depth at D, he should see easier matchups at both ends of the ice.

No, hate is too nice of a word.
- chimpira

Why are we still talking about Keith Yandle at $2.65 mil next year? Let's talk about your offseason signings ...

I know, just being a pain But in all seriousness, watch how effective Nash is away from the puck and how strong his defensive game is this series. Even if he goes away on the score sheet, Nash is still an incredibly important player for the Rangers. He doesn't get as much credit as he should.
- NashtyLight

Hell even last season, I thought he was a beast in the playoffs. Driving to the net, forcing chances, he just couldn't get the bounces. If bounces would have went the other way for Nash, Rangers might of won the cup.

Hell even last season, I thought he was a beast in the playoffs. Driving to the net, forcing chances, he just couldn't get the bounces. If bounces would have went the other way for Nash, Rangers might of won the cup.
- j.boyd919

No one was beating the winner of LA/Chicago last year.

But he was a damn effective player during the 2 Cup runs.
- jmatchett383

I'm hoping that some team will take him from us for that very reason - past production. That and maybe he'd add a touch of veteran leadership and scoring for a fair cap hit to a young team. Fingers crossed!

I'd expect Yandle's production to increase because 1) Phoenix/Arizona is a terrible team offensively and 2) With NYR's depth at D, he should see easier matchups at both ends of the ice.
- jmatchett383

He went from 0.65 pts/game with the Yotes to 0.52/game. I guess we'll see.

No one was beating the winner of LA/Chicago last year.
- jmatchett383

I dunno, if Nash got the benefit of some bounces, the series would have at least been a little closer.. at the least.

The operative word in the previous post was APRIL. That's the onth when the playoffs start, and when Nash goes from producing 0.43 goals per game, to 0.12 goals per game.
- Emperor Filonius

How's crosby been in the postseason lately?

He went from 0.65 pts/game with the Yotes to 0.52/game. I guess we'll see.
- chimpira

Which was baffling to me. I don't like him, and I think he's very overrated, but I expected his offensive numbers to go up.

I dunno, if Nash got the benefit of some bounces, the series would have at least been a little closer.. at the least.
- j.boyd919

Closer, yes, but I didn't see any team from the East beating them.

Puck luck = Hockey God's smiling. Come on Pens!

How's crosby been in the postseason lately?
- MidnightMarauder

Not that great since 2009. How about the Rags? 21 years or so and counting?

He went from 0.65 pts/game with the Yotes to 0.52/game. I guess we'll see.
- chimpira

Hmmm, playing with a team his whole career and getting used to a different team in a 20 game span.

Watch Yandle next season.

How's crosby been in the postseason lately?
- MidnightMarauder

24 points (8 goals, 16 assists) over his last 27 playoff games (2 years). Not great, but not too shabby.

Not that great since 2009. How about the Rags? 21 years or so and counting?
- chimpira

This wasn't about the teams, somebody isolated Nash and I find that to be remiss from a fan base whose best player has been just as absent in the playoffs since 2009.

24 points (8 goals, 16 assists) over his last 27 playoff games (2 years). Not great, but not too shabby.
- jmatchett383

Nash had about 13 assists last year. He also led the league in shots on goal but couldn't find the back of the net.

Nash has not been a great playoff performer, in three tries, but Crosby's last three efforts have been underwhelming at best as well.

This wasn't about the teams, somebody isolated Nash and I find that to be remiss from a fan base whose best player has been just as absent in the playoffs since 2009.
- MidnightMarauder

Ok, has Nash had the same bad injury luck as Crosby over the last 5 years?

How's crosby been in the postseason lately?
- MidnightMarauder

Even with his recent struggles, Crosby remains 7th in all time playoff points per game. Care to try again?

Ok, has Nash had the same bad injury luck as Crosby over the last 5 years?
- chimpira

Crosby was hurt in the 2012, 2013 and 2014 postseason?

I wasn't discussing 2011 in which he couldn't participate due to his concussion. Memory serves me correct Crosby played in all six games against Philly, was there to get swept by Boston in 2013 and was on the handshake line, against the Rangers last year.

Nash had about 13 assists last year. He also led the league in shots on goal but couldn't find the back of the net.

Nash has not been a great playoff performer, in three tries, but Crosby's last three efforts have been underwhelming at best as well.
- MidnightMarauder

Nash is (primarily) known as a goal scorer. He has been god awful in that department for the duration of his playoff career.

Crosby has been underwhelming recently compared to his prior success, but he's still at about a point-per-game. Not great, but not even close to Nash' ineffectiveness.

Alright. Who cares who is better in the playoffs or who will have better production with the Rags vs the Yotes. If the Rags don't win the Cup this year with *THIS* roster, you will not hear the end of it. Ever!

I have no expectations for the Pens. But I hope they at least will give the Rags a good series. I will definitely be pulling for anyone but Rags if/when the Pens get eliminated.

Is it Thursday yet?

Even with his recent struggles, Crosby remains 7th in all time playoff points per game. Care to try again?
- Emperor Filonius

so you think his 2008 series vs the Rangers is more relevant than his 2014 series against the Rangers leading up to his 2015 series vs the Rangers

Crosby was hurt in the 2012, 2013 and 2014 postseason?

I wasn't discussing 2011 in which he couldn't participate due to his concussion. Memory serves me correct Crosby played in all six games against Philly, was there to get swept by Boston in 2013 and was on the handshake line, against the Rangers last year.
- MidnightMarauder

Crosby hasn't been the same player since the concussions. And also, he can't pull the team by himself. Who else has had a set of revolving mediocre linemates like he has in the last 5 years?