Salviaman 104 Report post Posted March 19, 2007 I have been watching some of the Penguins games lately and I have been very impressed with them. They have 92 points so far and Sid the kid is just a superb athlete. They have a pretty solid team. Does anyone on here think that they have a chance at making it to the cup finals? I think they do, especially since they play in the east. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
toby91_ca 620 Report post Posted March 19, 2007 Their suspect defense and inconsistent goaltending suggests they do not have much of a chance, especially when goals become tougher to come by in the playoffs. That said, if Fluery gots hot, you never know. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204 Report post Posted March 19, 2007 Very good. Crosby and Fluery are gonna do well. Gonchar , Recchi and Roberts are there vets , there gonna be good. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
StaticWithABeat 0 Report post Posted March 19, 2007 Explosive offense aside, Pittsburgh's defense is not good, and Fleury has been sub-par for most of the year. However, because the east is a pile of s*** I think they could go as far as the ECF, where I would expect them to be eliminated by Buffalo (if they get healthy) or New Jersey. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
toby91_ca 620 Report post Posted March 19, 2007 Very good. Crosby and Fluery are gonna do well. Gonchar , Recchi and Roberts are there vets , there gonna be good. I really don't think they have much of a chance. But in the playoffs, anything can happen. I just think that they have FAR TOO MANY players who have yet to play a single playoff game (their best players). Even the great Oilers in the 80's took some time. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
YoungGuns1340 1 Report post Posted March 19, 2007 (edited) The East is crap and New Jersey has an inferiority complex when it comes to the Pens. The Wings had no problem shutting them out this year. Once the Pens have to face some vets who know how to buckle down as happens in the playoffs, their mojo will disappear. They make it to the conference finals at best and get eliminated there. Thats my prediction. Edited March 19, 2007 by YoungGuns1340 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Never_Retire_Steve 35 Report post Posted March 19, 2007 Out first round if they play the Sens in 4 or 5 games Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
arnoldbuck 0 Report post Posted March 19, 2007 No shoot out in the playoffs either. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Never_Retire_Steve 35 Report post Posted March 19, 2007 No shoot out in the playoffs either. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Anomalously 0 Report post Posted March 19, 2007 True, their 9-6 record in shootouts really boosts their numbers. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jagr68 0 Report post Posted March 19, 2007 I don't know it's hard to say. They are playing some great hockey lately. And it's not like they are only beating bad teams. They have beat Ottawa twice. New Jersey three out of six. Nashville one out of one, and Buffalo two out of three, and Dallas one out of one. They are the best team in the NHL since Jan. 1st. Their defence is suspect, that is true. They do have a good powerplay, but you know they don't call as many PP in the playoffs. I actually think that hurts San Jose more than any other team. Unless something changed recently, they said that San Jose was a minus team when it came to 5 on 5 hockey. Detroit and San Jose doesn't scare me because you know they won't get 9 powerplays like the last time the Wings played them. So that's why I don't really mind if Detroit places 4th instead of 1st. They would most likely face San Jose. They struggle against 8th place teams in the playoffs as we all know lately. Back to Pittsburgh, seems that last few years their has been a sleep team that most didn't suspect. The Pens will always be the sleeper team this year because no matter where they finish, best in the league, or 7th in the conference, people will look at their defense and write them off. Anaheim, Calgary, Tampa Bay, proved if you have a hot goaltender you can get far. Fleury has the potential to be that hot goalie. He has stole some games for the Pens this year. He has lost them a game or two also. But many times the Pens just played bad, but he stood on his head and got them 1 or 2 points they didn't deserve. I think the Pens can beat any team in the East in the 1st round except for Tampa Bay. For some reason they cannot play well against them. I think they Pens have lost 12 straight games against them. Although 3 of the 4 losses this year came in OT, they just can't beat them. My opinion, they will advance to the 2nd round and most likely lose in 6 games to whoever. I wish it was the Pens year, this has been a dream come true for a die hard Pens fan. After years as the leagues worst team, bottom feeder, just a joke of a team, they finally are playing great hockey. And their 92pts puts them 8pts away from the best team in the NHL. Look for the Pens to improve next year. If Recchi retires (which he should) they may go out and sign a free agent a little younger and can score goals. Crosby needs a linemate who can score. Malone is bad and Recchi isn't much better. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Viperar 16 Report post Posted March 20, 2007 I think they will reach the conference semifinals. Their play is explosive and their team isnt lacking of playoff experience with recchi and gonchar on the team. Combined with the young talent of Crosby (leader in points), Malkin (most goals for a rookie), and Staal, who leads the nhl in shorthanded goals...i think their play is explosive and unique. I see them taking this show to the playoffs with real desire to re-establish themselves as the pens of old. As far as fleury goes, i think thibault is slowly earning the start for them, hes been phenomenal recently. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
livediehockey80 0 Report post Posted March 20, 2007 The Penguins should beat certain teams like Ottawa and Atlanta. But they will struggle against Buffalo and New Jersey. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CrossCheck24 2 Report post Posted March 20, 2007 Their suspect defense and inconsistent goaltending suggests they do not have much of a chance, especially when goals become tougher to come by in the playoffs. That said, if Fluery gots hot, you never know. Ive got a dog and his name was BINGO They pick up 1-2 defenseman in the offseason and lookout next year Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Agalloch Report post Posted March 20, 2007 Their goalie is Marc-Andre Fleury. They'll get swept by Ottawa in the first round. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CMatt89 63 Report post Posted March 20, 2007 (edited) If they win the cup, people will be suspicious towards the fact that the only player the NHL is promoting, won the Stanley Cup at the age of 19, with a mediocre team. Predetermined?. .... Yes, their offense is sick, but, their defense is lacking along with Mr. Iconsistency in net. If they do win, I think it will help the NHL, only because Crosby is the NHL's only known star to people who don't pay much attention to the sport. Now, in reality, they could make a nice run. I don't think they have what it takes to win. Although, their young, fast, and full of energy..they'll burn out due to the grind of the seven game series...due to the fact that their young, and inexperienced. Their being young can help them in earlier series', but will be their downfall down the road. The key to their success will be if Sidney Crosby can produce, and average at least 1 point per game. Now to do that with the opposition gunning to shut you down...It'll will be a real test to reveal his stardom, stamina, composier, mental/physical toughness and maturity...Sid, if you want to be the NHL, you've got to beat the NHL first. My prediction: They'll win their first series 4-2, then lose in the second round 4-3. Edited March 20, 2007 by CMatt89 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MacK_Attack 108 Report post Posted March 20, 2007 Their goalie is Marc-Andre Fleury. They'll get swept by Ottawa in the first round. The way things are going, they'll overtake the Devils and get somebody like the Islanders or Rangers in the first round. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
