You can definitely tell the Isles are missing Barzal out there.

It's possible I mean the isles haven't looked all that good yet or maybe thats a result of the pens game
- Upstate_isles

I think Pittsburgh’s management took a good look at the structure of ours and the Caps teams and made the appropriate changes.

I think Pittsburgh’s management took a good look at the structure of ours and the Caps teams and made the appropriate changes.
- potvin05

Possibly but the caps have a a lot more high end skill and talent than we do

I think Pittsburgh’s management took a good look at the structure of ours and the Caps teams and made the appropriate changes.
- potvin05

I think you have to credit Pittsburg. They came out hard off the drop and pushed the Isles hard and forechecked the shat out of them in the first especially.
Isles need to come out like that on Thursday and with fans in the seats at the barn I think they will.

Possibly but the caps have a a lot more high end skill and talent than we do
- Upstate_isles

They do and that’s why I was happy we avoided them first round. Not having Lee is a big loss too.

I think you have to credit Pittsburg. They came out hard off the drop and pushed the Isles hard and forechecked the shat out of them in the first especially.
Isles need to come out like that on Thursday and with fans in the seats at the barn I think they will.
- nyisles7

Agreed, I kind of touched on their forecheck in my previous post. Our fans will definitely be loud on Thursday, I think the players will respond.

Agreed, I kind of touched on their forecheck in my previous post. Our fans will definitely be loud on Thursday, I think the players will respond.
- potvin05

It's either the fans fire them up or they all rip.lines pre game

Benning is back, looking forward to the sky falling for a few days in here

Agreed, I kind of touched on their forecheck in my previous post. Our fans will definitely be loud on Thursday, I think the players will respond.
- potvin05

Agreed. Need to come out hitting. Would have been awesome to be up 2-0 but really can’t be disappointed with a split especially considering we only played a little more then a period of good hockey both games. I think we’ll see that extra gear Thursday.

The worst part of last night's game for me was having to listen to Pierre Maguire do color commentary. And yet, even he questioned one of those calls on Wahlstrom, and seemed surprised at the no call on the cross check to Pageau.

I can't understand why this team doesn't understand that when you have more guys than the other team does you need to move the puck. 6-on-4 and they are still trying to weave around 2 guys. No one in front of the net either... it's so frustrating to watch. Move the puck and once u have bodies in front ..shoot. Every single playoff game you see goals like that and our guys still try and create some incredible passing play to a wide open guy at the doorstep. ... it's bonkers.

The worst part of last night's game for me was having to listen to Pierre Maguire do color commentary. And yet, even he questioned one of those calls on Wahlstrom, and seemed surprised at the no call on the cross check to Pageau.
- JohnScammo

the game was on MSG too.

The other thing that is beyond comical at this point in Leo. It's like the whole hockey world is in denial. He has single handedly put Barzal line to sleep and NO ONE sees it.
Barzal came down the ice in a 3-on-3, drew 2 guys right and passed it to Leo who drew the 3rd guy.. Eberle is wide open between the dots and Leo passed him the puck aboiut 90MPH. would have been a golden opportunity. ..

Even with 2:30 left in the game when we need a goal. Why in God's name would LEO be out there with JGP and Palms? He messed up the entry by holding the puck at the blue line and then gave the puck away. Why does no one see this sht but the people in this room... constantly hearing about how "heavy a game" and How many hits he has... yes, He is a very good 4th line player. That is why he is making friggin millions. He is an anchor on Barzal line that is killing them...

My son looked at me when Leo did that absurdly hard pass to Eberle and said..

that guy is really friggin terrible. I have not seen a worse pass in hockey since he blasted Barzal in the face with a pass. What's wrong with him?

This call was flat out ridiculous
https://twitter.com/eyeso.../1394816821233082371?s=19

My son looked at me when Leo did that absurdly hard pass to Eberle and said..

that guy is really friggin terrible. I have not seen a worse pass in hockey since he blasted Barzal in the face with a pass. What's wrong with him?
- niteislander

That pass was terrible. It was slightly elevated too. But hey, Leo threw some hits man. Maybe its time we stop thinking of that line as a scoring line and start thinking of them as a checking line, since that appears to be their new identity

That pass was terrible. It was slightly elevated too. But hey, Leo threw some hits man. Maybe its time we stop thinking of that line as a scoring line and start thinking of them as a checking line, since that appears to be their new identity
- keaner17

They have to do something to get that line going. Barzal has only 4 shots in the 2 playoff games. I'm hoping Trotz getting the last change will find him a little more space.

They have to do something to get that line going. Barzal has only 4 shots in the 2 playoff games. I'm hoping Trotz getting the last change will find him a little more space.
- JimmyP

I'm sure that's the plan. Get him away from Letang and Dumoulin with last change and hope he can take advantage of one of the Pens weaker d-pairs

Just watched the first goal that Varly gave up last night. Yikes. He obviously turned it on but man that hurt. Gotta wonder how the game turns out if he makes that routine save.

They have to do something to get that line going. Barzal has only 4 shots in the 2 playoff games. I'm hoping Trotz getting the last change will find him a little more space.
- JimmyP

Having the last change has made a decent difference with Barry in the past. I would seriously consider juggling the Nelson and Barzal lines. I'd consider either Bailey or Beau for that top line spot.
Leo has played well from an effort standpoint, but Ebs and Barzy need help.

Dammit, new blog