Hahaha yeah I hear that. They've been pretty lackluster.

It's such a a different and weird feeling playoffs headed in. Everything about it. Even around here it's different haha.
- MattStrat

Watching the Oilers skate circles around them was tough. Feels and looks like the end of an era. If the Pens go out in the first round, I expect big changes.

Poor MAF, not even 5 minutes in and he's facing the 2nd St. Louis PP not to mention a penalty shot as well.

@jmatchett

Of course you are correct. Furthermore he has owned the Pens this year for the most part.
However, if we get in his grill and affect him physically it could take him out of it a bit mentally. Hey, in hockey if you are not cheating a little you are not trying hard enough. There is a better chance of shenanigans in the NHL than the Olympics and worlds, certainly. What do we have to lose? I know not everyone will appreciate this strategy. However if I were Sully I would do this from game one. Just my opinion.
- powerhouse

I would employ this tactic too, like many competitive teams. But the pens won’t.

I just watched the whole LA game till the 3 minute remaining mark before I noticed maatta is still playing with them lol. I guess not being noticed isnt always a bad thing though

I was hoping they would sit Reaves because the Pens team is so docile. No doubt about it, when he’s out there throwing his weight around it has a trickle down swagger affect on his team. Rangers already believe they can beat the Pens at their own game. Reaves is a series changer here.

In order for the Pens to win they need to win with goaltending and special teams.

And go with your three best lines. Screw the bottom six, if ERod, Kapanen, and McGinn play more than ten minutes a game we're cooked.

In order for the Pens to win they need to win with goaltending and special teams.

And go with your three best lines. Screw the bottom six, if ERod, Kapanen, and McGinn play more than ten minutes a game we're cooked.
- Thunderbolt

Or some bounces/puck luck, good/bad calls either team, stars being stars, Rangers goalie to not look the same in his first playoffs, Rangers be out of sync, get an early lead and silence MSG, and so on and so forth. So much random variance to the sport of hockey. We shall see what happens.

Pressure is more on the home team to win game 1 in their own barn. Get to them early and ya might have a chance....

Hank is one of the best goalies to ever play the game. Put some respect on his name you bum.
- j.boyd919

Not arguing that he was good, but so many on here bash Fleury who has clearly been the far better (and more respect worthy) goalie. If he didn't play in NY, I don't think he would be revered as he is. Luongo was better but played in Vancouver and Florida so his name tends to slide under the radar. Rinne probably in that same boat.

Good luck tonight pens fans! This ranger fan is just happy to be in the dance and FINALLY have a competitive team going forward.

I dreamt last night that Zatkoff was starting tonight and the Pens pulled off a game one victory...

Maybe they spelled DeSmith wrong in my dream; I hope that's the case.
Lets Go Pens!

LET'S FRIGGIN' GO BOYS!!

I dreamt last night that Zatkoff was starting tonight and the Pens pulled off a game one victory...

Maybe they spelled DeSmith wrong in my dream; I hope that's the case.
Lets Go Pens!
- BeefCoon

I like this

Good luck tonight pens fans! This ranger fan is just happy to be in the dance and FINALLY have a competitive team going forward.
- Bobd62

Should a good series I think. Best of luck to you and your fanbase as well!

Not arguing that he was good, but so many on here bash Fleury who has clearly been the far better (and more respect worthy) goalie. If he didn't play in NY, I don't think he would be revered as he is. Luongo was better but played in Vancouver and Florida so his name tends to slide under the radar. Rinne probably in that same boat.
- MacPatty

Fleury has definitely not been a better goalie in Lundqvist. Neither is Luongo or Rinne.

https://russianmachinenev...k-lundqvist-rangers-suck/

I dreamt last night that Zatkoff was starting tonight and the Pens pulled off a game one victory...

Maybe they spelled DeSmith wrong in my dream; I hope that's the case.
Lets Go Pens!
- BeefCoon

Now this is what us pens fans need. It gets the people going!

Chatting with my Avs loving buds this morning and they're complaining about how slow and sluggish the Avs looked the past few weeks and that theres a non-covid related illness bug going through the locker room...

...sounds super familiar...

Fleury has definitely not been a better goalie in Lundqvist. Neither is Luongo or Rinne.

https://russianmachinenev...k-lundqvist-rangers-suck/
- j.boyd919

Hank was phenomenal for 10 years consistently. He would have had 4 cups on the Pens.

Hank was phenomenal for 10 years consistently. He would have had 4 cups on the Pens.
- nyrangers2

Hank is an all time great goalie but MAF was so f'n good in that 2008 run ... its just that:

Pavel Datsyuk
Henrik Zetterberg
Nicklas Lidstrom
Brian Rafalski
Daniel Cleary
Jiri Hudler
Tomas Holmstrom
Mikael Samuelsson
Johan Franzen
Valtteri Filppula
Niklas Kronwall
Kris Draper
Brett Lebda
Tomas Kopecky
Chris Chelios
Andreas Lilja
Kirk Maltby
Dallas Drake
Brad Stuart
Darren McCarty
Chris Osgood

Were really f'n good haha, a special group. Obviously impossible to know for sure but I dont think the Pens get it done in 2008 even with Hank in net.

The biggest thing that can’t happen tonight is the Rags come out flying and score in the first minute. Dump and change if you have too, give Desmith sometime to settle in.

Chatting with my Avs loving buds this morning and they're complaining about how slow and sluggish the Avs looked the past few weeks and that theres a non-covid related illness bug going through the locker room...

...sounds super familiar...
- MattStrat

If its the same bug that went through my home....no bueno.

Or some bounces/puck luck, good/bad calls either team, stars being stars, Rangers goalie to not look the same in his first playoffs, Rangers be out of sync, get an early lead and silence MSG, and so on and so forth. So much random variance to the sport of hockey. We shall see what happens.

Pressure is more on the home team to win game 1 in their own barn. Get to them early and ya might have a chance....
- MattStrat

I'll be pulling for all that to happen. I think the three things I mentioned are the keys to a Penguin victory. That's what I'll be watching as the series progresses.

My heart is in Pittsburgh but my wallet is on New York.

I'll be pulling for all that to happen. I think the three things I mentioned are the keys to a Penguin victory. That's what I'll be watching as the series progresses.

My heart is in Pittsburgh but my wallet is on New York.
- Thunderbolt

I just hope sully actually makes both in game, and in between game, adjustments. I doubt it but who knows.

I just hope sully actually makes both in game, and in between game, adjustments. I doubt it but who knows.
- 10inchTerror

I'm prepared for 60 minutes of the Pens dumping it up the boards to the Rags while they pinch and hold it in. They perfected it over the last 2 games against us.

Hopefully Rust has made his sacrifice to the gods because he was pretty invisible the last month of the season.

I'll be pulling for all that to happen. I think the three things I mentioned are the keys to a Penguin victory. That's what I'll be watching as the series progresses.

My heart is in Pittsburgh but my wallet is on New York.
- Thunderbolt

I put $50 on the Rangers to win in 5.

I probably put $50 on the Rangers to win in 5.
- Rinosaur

I see a frustrating series for the Penguins. The Penguins are good enough talent wise, but I think their general lack of finishing plus a good NYR goalie means a lot of low scoring games where it feels like the Penguins deserved a better result.