Agreed. Look at how much better Shattenkirk is than the two scrubs we got and he didn't cost that much more. Presuming the Pens and Washington meet in the next round, I think this could easily become the difference of who wins the series.
- T-Train

To be fair, the Leafs seem to be generating plenty of chances against the Caps, and it's not like the Caps got some modern day incarnation of Ray Bourque or Bobby Orr.

As far as the cost, the Caps essentially paid a first and 2 seconds for Shattenkirk...the Pens traded a second and a career minor leaguer for Hainsey and a 4th for Streit.

Paying a first and two seconds for one player is a whole lot different than playing a second and a 4th for two guys, and keep in mind, at the time, the Pens NEEDED to get two defensemen because of all the injuries they had on the blue line.

GMJR made the moves he needed to make to plug the holes that existed at the time. It is also impossible to know what the medical staff was telling GMJR back at the trade deadline. I got the sense that they really believed that Letang was going to come back, and therefore GMJR acted accordingly. They weren't in position to replace Letang anyways, but what they did appears to be enough. I don't fear the Caps. They are very good, but so are the Pens.
Still one more game to go in this series. Hope they close it out tomorrow.

To be fair, the Leafs seem to be generating plenty of chances against the Caps, and it's not like the Caps got some modern day incarnation of Ray Bourque or Bobby Orr.

As far as the cost, the Caps essentially paid a first and 2 seconds for Shattenkirk...the Pens traded a second and a career minor leaguer for Hainsey and a 4th for Streit.

Paying a first and two seconds for one player is a whole lot different than playing a second and a 4th for two guys, and keep in mind, at the time, the Pens NEEDED to get two defensemen because of all the injuries they had on the blue line.

GMJR made the moves he needed to make to plug the holes that existed at the time. It is also impossible to know what the medical staff was telling GMJR back at the trade deadline. I got the sense that they really believed that Letang was going to come back, and therefore GMJR acted accordingly. They weren't in position to replace Letang anyways, but what they did appears to be enough. I don't fear the Caps. They are very good, but so are the Pens.
Still one more game to go in this series. Hope they close it out tomorrow.
- Emperor Filonius

A lot of people don't give the Leafs enough credit. That team is really good. A lot better than their record shows. They lost a ton of OT/SO games.. and I don't think that's indicative of how good their team is. They play very similar to the Pens this year in they like to open the game up and trade chance for chance. I hoooope the Leafs can beat the Caps. They've already shown they can, taking them to OT in 2 straight games, and winning 1. Now the games go back to TOR. That place is going to be nuts with their $15,000 tickets.

A lot of people don't give the Leafs enough credit. That team is really good. A lot better than their record shows. They lost a ton of OT/SO games.. and I don't think that's indicative of how good their team is. They play very similar to the Pens this year in they like to open the game up and trade chance for chance. I hoooope the Leafs can beat the Caps. They've already shown they can, taking them to OT in 2 straight games, and winning 1. Now the games go back to TOR. That place is going to be nuts with their $15,000 tickets.
- j.boyd919

Ive watched a fair bit of all the series' only missing big chunks of the Habs and Rags because of the Pens game but I really think the Caps and Leafs series has been the most entertaining. Such not stop fast paced games. Its going to be insane in TO tonight.

To be fair, the Leafs seem to be generating plenty of chances against the Caps, and it's not like the Caps got some modern day incarnation of Ray Bourque or Bobby Orr.

As far as the cost, the Caps essentially paid a first and 2 seconds for Shattenkirk...the Pens traded a second and a career minor leaguer for Hainsey and a 4th for Streit.

Paying a first and two seconds for one player is a whole lot different than playing a second and a 4th for two guys, and keep in mind, at the time, the Pens NEEDED to get two defensemen because of all the injuries they had on the blue line.

GMJR made the moves he needed to make to plug the holes that existed at the time. It is also impossible to know what the medical staff was telling GMJR back at the trade deadline. I got the sense that they really believed that Letang was going to come back, and therefore GMJR acted accordingly. They weren't in position to replace Letang anyways, but what they did appears to be enough. I don't fear the Caps. They are very good, but so are the Pens.
Still one more game to go in this series. Hope they close it out tomorrow.
- Emperor Filonius

I've only seen a handful of Caps games from the TDL on, but Shattenkirk has looked okay to me, not great. He's an absolute mess defensively despite his physical tools. He's a good passer, but his shot hasn't wowed me like I expected. Now, had the Pens known Letang would miss all season, maybe they make a move for a guy like him, bu I don't think the return on investment has been great so far for Washington.

Ive watched a fair bit of all the series' only missing big chunks of the Habs and Rags because of the Pens game but I really think the Caps and Leafs series has been the most entertaining. Such not stop fast paced games. Its going to be insane in TO tonight.
- MattStrat

Starting the game on the road as 8 vs 1.. I think going back to TOR tied 1-1 is all you can ask for. Game 2 was a blast to watch.

Starting the game on the road as 8 vs 1.. I think going back to TOR tied 1-1 is all you can ask for. Game 2 was a blast to watch.
- j.boyd919

Nashville disagrees.

Would love to see the Pens end this Tuesday, get a healthy Hags back for the next series. I think you have to sit Rowney at this point.
- Thorny

Agree on seeing the Pens end it and get Hags back HOWEVER I wouldn't sit Rowney. I'd sit Kuhnackel or Wilson before Rowney.

I'm just over here hoping the Caps-Leafs series goes 7 games and they go to overtime every game. Whoever wins will have a tough time keeping up with a rested Penguins squad.

I'm just over here hoping the Caps-Leafs series goes 7 games and they go to overtime every game. Whoever wins will have a tough time keeping up with a rested Penguins squad.
- cap1681

Yeah hopefully they get a long resting period...but...I'm not putting all the eggs in that basket yet. The 4th win is always the hardest.

Starting the game on the road as 8 vs 1.. I think going back to TOR tied 1-1 is all you can ask for. Game 2 was a blast to watch.
- j.boyd919

It was nuts. Just non stop back and forth. Pace even picked up in OT.

Nashville disagrees.
- jmatchett383

While true, I think there is a big difference between Washington and Chicago this season

Yeah hopefully they get a long resting period...but...I'm not putting all the eggs in that basket yet. The 4th win is always the hardest.
- MattStrat

Oh, i agree, but it looked like the Jackets threw their best shot last night and it wasn't enough. They are getting worn down and the Penguins are skating like it's mid season. This ends tomorrow or Thursday.

While true, I think there is a big difference between Washington and Chicago this season
- j.boyd919

Agreed, but I still think the Caps/TML series could have just as easily been 2-0 TML or 2-0 Caps as it is 1-1. As someone said yesterday: though 7 1/2 periods of hockey, Washington has led for 3 minutes.

Oh, i agree, but it looked like the Jackets threw their best shot last night and it wasn't enough. They are getting worn down and the Penguins are skating like it's mid season. This ends tomorrow or Thursday.
- cap1681

Blowing a 3-1 first period lead and losing in OT has got to be a gut punch.

Agree on seeing the Pens end it and get Hags back HOWEVER I wouldn't sit Rowney. I'd sit Kuhnackel or Wilson before Rowney.
- 98Grad

I would sit wilson.

Yeah hopefully they get a long resting period...but...I'm not putting all the eggs in that basket yet. The 4th win is always the hardest.
- MattStrat

Apart from injuries, is a long rest good through the playoffs? I think a team on a roll is more dangerous than a well rested 1 with the exception of being busted.

Apart from injuries, is a long rest good through the playoffs? I think a team on a roll is more dangerous than a well rested 1 with the exception of being busted.
- Aussiepenguin

Even though theyre up 3 games to 0 I dont feel they're rolling per say. I think rest and practice time together would be beneficial for this years edition of the Penguins. Last year I probably would of thought differently.

I would sit wilson.
- DeflatedPucks

I was thinking the same thing

At this point, I'm just going to keep talkin poop on Rust. Every time I do, the bum keeps scoring goals.
- j.boyd919

You and Feds can keep up your pillow talk about how much Rust sucks. We'll keep riding the gravy train mean time

You and Feds can keep up your pillow talk about how much Rust sucks. We'll keep riding the gravy train mean time
- Victoro311

I just don't want to stop talking poop and see the scoring dry up. I'll eat crow all summer as long as he keeps scoring while I talk poop.

Agreed, but I still think the Caps/TML series could have just as easily been 2-0 TML or 2-0 Caps as it is 1-1. As someone said yesterday: though 7 1/2 periods of hockey, Washington has led for 3 minutes.
- jmatchett383

Yeah that is true. 3 minutes... wow....

Yeah that is true. 3 minutes... wow....
- j.boyd919

I like the fact that Washington and their fans have that "oh poop" feeling going on now but I do think the Caps will wake up and turn Cinderella back into a pumpkin. I'm quite ok if they don't though.

I would sit wilson.
- DeflatedPucks

I'd keep Wilson in the line up. He's at least getting scoring chances

I've only seen a handful of Caps games from the TDL on, but Shattenkirk has looked okay to me, not great. He's an absolute mess defensively despite his physical tools. He's a good passer, but his shot hasn't wowed me like I expected. Now, had the Pens known Letang would miss all season, maybe they make a move for a guy like him, bu I don't think the return on investment has been great so far for Washington.
- jmatchett383

I've only watched him in the 2 games against TML but I agree. Nothing he's done has stood out . He takes a lot of shots but none have seemed all that dangerous.

You and Feds can keep up your pillow talk about how much Rust sucks. We'll keep riding the gravy train mean time
- Victoro311

Why you talking about me bro