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Forums :: Blog World :: Ryan Wilson: Penguins have a lot of potential heading into playoffs
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Ryan Wilson
Pittsburgh Penguins
Location: Rochester, NY
Joined: 06.13.2013

Apr 5 @ 9:03 AM ET
Ryan Wilson: Penguins have a lot of potential heading into playoffs Penguins have a lot of potential heading into playoffs
jmatchett383
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: Newark, DE
Joined: 03.09.2010

Apr 5 @ 9:09 AM ET
You guys need to win if you want NYI. The Flyers are in a full-blown tailspin and will get crushed by the Canes (assuming there's anything left for the Canes to play for).
Victoro311
Pittsburgh Penguins
Location: San Diego, CA
Joined: 06.17.2014

Apr 5 @ 9:10 AM ET
Is something a luxury if it’s necessary for competing?
jmatchett383
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: Newark, DE
Joined: 03.09.2010

Apr 5 @ 9:11 AM ET
Is something a luxury if it’s necessary for competing?
- Victoro311


If it's Jordan Staal as a 3C, then yes.
MattStrat
Pittsburgh Penguins
Location: ...serial abuser...and misuser...of the ellipsis , NF
Joined: 12.12.2014

Apr 5 @ 9:21 AM ET
This is a big o'le (mostly) positive blog and I'm f'n feeling it.

Lets get this party started.
MattStrat
Pittsburgh Penguins
Location: ...serial abuser...and misuser...of the ellipsis , NF
Joined: 12.12.2014

Apr 5 @ 9:22 AM ET
Fingers crossed for the Jackets totally bombing out the next 2 games and Habs beating the Leafs....but not holding my breath for such things...
Thunderbolt
Pittsburgh Penguins
Location: Wampum, PA
Joined: 01.20.2014

Apr 5 @ 9:27 AM ET
I know I am in the minority here but a first round with Washington isn't as bad as everyone here thinks. Both New York and Carolina are first year playoff teams and will be dangerous no matter who they play. Carolina has been flying for some time now. I can't see them crashing in the first round. Trotz is great at getting teams to the playoffs that normally shouldn't be there. He did it for years at Nashville. The New York fan base will sky high and with the first round at the old coliseum, they will be flying also. Let them play each other and take care of business against the Caps may just be the way to go.
Tojo.
Pittsburgh Penguins
Location: Aliquippa, PA
Joined: 11.11.2014

Apr 5 @ 9:27 AM ET
Fingers crossed for the Jackets totally bombing out the next 2 games and Habs beating the Leafs....but not holding my breath for such things...
- MattStrat

I want CBJ to miss, but I agree with you, probably not happening. Wouldn't mind seeing them match up with Washington though. They could do some damage there.
Tojo.
Pittsburgh Penguins
Location: Aliquippa, PA
Joined: 11.11.2014

Apr 5 @ 9:34 AM ET
I'm coming around on the idea of playing Maatta with Letang. I like Dumoulin there better, but strengthening that second pair is more important and Maatta should be able to do the job well enough, especially since playing with Letang and a lot if Crosby practically guarantees playing in the other end. Don't see Sully going for it though.

With Malkin back and that line clearly the 2nd line again, playing with Bjugstad's line will be a great way to protect our 3rd pairing whatever it is.

Real excited at this team's potential, just hope we get to see it!
jmatchett383
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: Newark, DE
Joined: 03.09.2010

Apr 5 @ 9:34 AM ET
I know I am in the minority here but a first round with Washington isn't as bad as everyone here thinks. Both New York and Carolina are first year playoff teams and will be dangerous no matter who they play. Carolina has been flying for some time now. I can't see them crashing in the first round. Trotz is great at getting teams to the playoffs that normally shouldn't be there. He did it for years at Nashville. The New York fan base will sky high and with the first round at the old coliseum, they will be flying also. Let them play each other and take care of business against the Caps may just be the way to go.
- Thunderbolt


Trotz was great at getting a team that featured arguably the best defense in the league with minimal firepower up front into the playoffs every year and having them lose in the first round.

I'll take NYI over Washington, please. Second round will be tough no matter who it is (Washington, Carolina, CBJ).
Tojo.
Pittsburgh Penguins
Location: Aliquippa, PA
Joined: 11.11.2014

Apr 5 @ 9:35 AM ET
I know I am in the minority here but a first round with Washington isn't as bad as everyone here thinks. Both New York and Carolina are first year playoff teams and will be dangerous no matter who they play. Carolina has been flying for some time now. I can't see them crashing in the first round. Trotz is great at getting teams to the playoffs that normally shouldn't be there. He did it for years at Nashville. The New York fan base will sky high and with the first round at the old coliseum, they will be flying also. Let them play each other and take care of business against the Caps may just be the way to go.
- Thunderbolt

Normally though the edge goes to the team with more playoff experience if they're close otherwise.
Victoro311
Pittsburgh Penguins
Location: San Diego, CA
Joined: 06.17.2014

Apr 5 @ 9:42 AM ET
Trotz was great at getting a team that featured arguably the best defense in the league with minimal firepower up front into the playoffs every year and having them lose in the first round.

I'll take NYI over Washington, please. Second round will be tough no matter who it is (Washington, Carolina, CBJ).

- jmatchett383

Indeed. And NYI’s defense is a far cry from those Nashville teams. If the goalies were simply playing above average and not at elite levels, they probably miss the playoffs. A healthy Penguins team with all of our elite fire power should be able to break a hyper-goalie reliant team in a seven game series.
j.boyd919
Pittsburgh Penguins
Location: Tampa, FL
Joined: 06.14.2011

Apr 5 @ 9:56 AM ET
Indeed. And NYI’s defense is a far cry from those Nashville teams. If the goalies were simply playing above average and not at elite levels, they probably miss the playoffs. A healthy Penguins team with all of our elite fire power should be able to break a hyper-goalie reliant team in a seven game series.
- Victoro311


But that 4th line doe.
Guile
Joined: 03.04.2014

Apr 5 @ 10:00 AM ET
You guys need to win if you want NYI. The Flyers are in a full-blown tailspin and will get crushed by the Canes (assuming there's anything left for the Canes to play for).
- jmatchett383



I have full faith that your flyers can screw up a tailspin and win by accident.
Thorny87
Pittsburgh Penguins
Location: Calgary, AB
Joined: 10.17.2014

Apr 5 @ 10:07 AM ET
Indeed. And NYI’s defense is a far cry from those Nashville teams. If the goalies were simply playing above average and not at elite levels, they probably miss the playoffs. A healthy Penguins team with all of our elite fire power should be able to break a hyper-goalie reliant team in a seven game series.
- Victoro311

Lots of history showing the super hot goalie winning a series too. The good thing is MM is playing at an equally elite level right now.
Victoro311
Pittsburgh Penguins
Location: San Diego, CA
Joined: 06.17.2014

Apr 5 @ 10:08 AM ET
But that 4th line doe.
- j.boyd919

You ever play against players that are annoying as (frank) to play against but aren’t actually good? Like that scrappy white guard that looks like he’s playing great d because he’s expending a lot of effort but really all he’s doing is fouling guys real hard when the blow past his unathletic ass? That’s the Islander’s fourth line.
jmatchett383
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: Newark, DE
Joined: 03.09.2010

Apr 5 @ 10:10 AM ET
I have full faith that your flyers can screw up a tailspin and win by accident.
- Guile


Honestly, I am kinda hoping for a blowout loss so that management sees just how (frank)ed the team is.
Victoro311
Pittsburgh Penguins
Location: San Diego, CA
Joined: 06.17.2014

Apr 5 @ 10:11 AM ET
Lots of history showing the super hot goalie winning a series too. The good thing is MM is playing at an equally elite level right now.
- Thorny87

Of course a hot goal tender can win a series and it happens all the time. I’m not discounting that. What I’m saying is that the Islanders have no finishing power and won’t be able to put up goals on us while they get backstopped by 94% save percentages. They’re strategy is gonna have to be winning games 1-0, and our finishers are just to good at scoring goals to let that happen. I think the Isles will have to average over two goals a game for them to take us in a 7 game series and I don’t think they have the forwards to get that done with Murray playing the way he is and Letang healthy and driving play for major minutes.
jmatchett383
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: Newark, DE
Joined: 03.09.2010

Apr 5 @ 10:11 AM ET
You ever play against players that are annoying as (frank) to play against but aren’t actually good? Like that scrappy white guard that looks like he’s playing great d because he’s expending a lot of effort but really all he’s doing is fouling guys real hard when the blow past his unathletic ass? That’s the Islander’s fourth line.
- Victoro311


Why make the basketball reference when you can just say "Darius Kasparitis?"
Guile
Joined: 03.04.2014

Apr 5 @ 10:12 AM ET
Honestly, I am kinda hoping for a blowout loss so that management sees just how (frank)ed the team is.
- jmatchett383



6-1 Flyers, and management feels confident going into next season
jmatchett383
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: Newark, DE
Joined: 03.09.2010

Apr 5 @ 10:15 AM ET
6-1 Flyers, and management feels confident going into next season
- Guile


I don't think wholesale changes are needed, but they need a legit 3rd line center and a better 2nd pair defenseman. If they can do that and get even average goaltending from Hart, they'll be fine. Hell, if they have league average goaltending this year, they'd have a playoff spot locked up by now.
j.boyd919
Pittsburgh Penguins
Location: Tampa, FL
Joined: 06.14.2011

Apr 5 @ 10:17 AM ET
I don't think wholesale changes are needed, but they need a legit 3rd line center and a better 2nd pair defenseman. If they can do that and get even average goaltending from Hart, they'll be fine. Hell, if they have league average goaltending this year, they'd have a playoff spot locked up by now.
- jmatchett383


Yeah I don’t think the Flyers are too far off either.
Victoro311
Pittsburgh Penguins
Location: San Diego, CA
Joined: 06.17.2014

Apr 5 @ 10:20 AM ET
Why make the basketball reference when you can just say "Darius Kasparitis?"
- jmatchett383

Basketball references are kinda my thing.
jmatchett383
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: Newark, DE
Joined: 03.09.2010

Apr 5 @ 10:20 AM ET
Yeah I don’t think the Flyers are too far off either.
- j.boyd919


Honestly, if you look at the Philly and Pitt rosters and compare spot by spot, I think the Flyers would actually win just as many matchups as the Penguins if not more...it's the magnitude of the Penguins wins that separates them. Having Crosby and Malkin goes a long way towards any flaws you have. If those two are healthy and they get above average goaltending from MM, they're an automatic contender.
jmatchett383
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: Newark, DE
Joined: 03.09.2010

Apr 5 @ 10:24 AM ET
Basketball references are kinda my thing.
- Victoro311


"It's like when the one team scores, and then the other team jogs down the court and they score, and then the other team jogs down the court and they score, and..."
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