Greetings from Pittsburgh

[Barrie 900]

Let's hope history doesn't repeat itself.

Unless Pittsburgh is like the Buffalo Bills and we're the Dallas Cowboys. 1992 and 1993 Dallas beat Buffalo both years in the Superbowl.

[NC WINGS FAN 5]

Here's hoping this SCF rematch ends a little differently from the last :beerbuddy:

If the the Redwings get to the finals, they will have their hands full against either a red hot Pens team or one incredible Hurricanes team that only two other teams have done before.

In all fairness, Penguins have more to fear as the Redwings have to be one of the smartest and most professional teams I have ever seen. They do not let anything get to them, no matter how hard the Dicks or Blackhawks tried.

[Dabura 12,207]

"Cocaine is a hell of a drug"

He's right, though.

The Pens have the luxury of playing in the defense-starved and generally pathetic Eastern Conference. They're about offense first and second -- and maybe third, if they can be bothered to put forth the effort needed to actually play solid team D (and even then, we're talking about the EC. That's borderline posturing compared to the kind of defensive battles you get with a series like the one the Wings just won against the Ducks).

The Pens ride three players. Fleury, who has done nothing to prove he's a legitimate elite goalie in this league, is counted on to compensate for weak team D. It works against EC teams. It won't work against the Wings. The two star forwards, both of which were thoroughly frustrated in last year's SFC, shouldn't scare the Wings. Despite what the pundits want the general hockey fan population to think, these two guys are not significantly improved from last season. The heartbreak of losing in the SCF doesn't somehow magically make someone leaps and bounds better one season later. They may be more reliable scorers (in the EC), and Crosby may have finally emerged from puberty. But that's not enough. Lest we forget, Malkin completely disappeared in the last SCF. Crosby scored a few times, but spent most of his time looking utterly frustrated. Hossa was the Pens' biggest scoring threat against the Wings. And now he's a Wing.

If I'm a Pens fan, I'm rooting my heart out for the 'hawks.

Edited May 25, 2009 by Dabura

[Firehawk 305]

If the the Redwings get to the finals, they will have their hands full against either a red hot Pens team or one incredible Hurricanes team that only two other teams have done before.

In all fairness, Penguins have more to fear as the Redwings have to be one of the smartest and most professional teams I have ever seen. They do not let anything get to them, no matter how hard the Dicks or Blackhawks tried.

Red Hot Pens team? I thought the Pens were a hotter team at this time last year. Didn't they only lose 1 or 2 playoff games before facing Detroit? I think so.

This year, they battled more adversity and it may have made them a bit stronger in that regard, but they didn't do a whole lot to upgrade themselves other than just the experience of last year. I'm not too worried. I was mostly worried about Anaheim, and I don't see how the Pens are better than Anaheim, honestly. If this were a Anaheim/Pens matchup, I'd pick Anaheim hands down to win the series.

[Konnan511 1,736]

C77, welcome to the boards. You better be bias, you're a fan! Two words of wisdom for yah, don't feed the trolls and 90% of the posters on here will be respectful towards you, the best thing to do is completely ignore the other 10%.

Enjoy LGW!!!

[Firehawk 305]

He's right, though.

The Pens have the luxury of playing in the defensively starved and generally pathetic Eastern Conference. They're about offense first and second -- and maybe third, if they can be bothered to put forth the effort needed to actually play solid team D (and even then, we're talking about the EC. That's borderline posturing compared to the kind of defensive battles you get with a series like the one the Wings just won against the Ducks).

The Pens ride three players. Fleury, who has done nothing to prove he's a legitimate elite goalie in this league, is counted on to compensate for weak team D. It works against EC teams. It won't work against the Wings. The two star forwards, both of which were thoroughly frustrated in last year's SFC, shouldn't scare the Wings. Despite what the pundits want the general hockey fan population to think, these two guys are not significantly improved from last season. The heartbreak of losing in the SCF doesn't somehow magically make someone leaps and bounds better one season later. They may be more reliable scorers (in the EC), and Crosby may have finally emerged from puberty. But that's not enough. Lest we forget, Malkin completely disappeared in the last SCF. Crosby scored a few times, but spent most of his time looking utterly frustrated. Hossa was the Pens' biggest scoring threat against the Wings. And now he's a Wing.

If I'm a Pens fan, I'm rooting my heart out for the 'hawks.

Great Post.

[Firehawk 305]

Unless Pittsburgh is like the Buffalo Bills and we're the Dallas Cowboys. 1992 and 1993 Dallas beat Buffalo both years in the Superbowl.

Please don't compare a sport in which you have to win 1 game to advance to a sport where you have to win 4 to advance.

Thanks, and have a nice day.

[Guest lnvincible]

Pittsburgh had a way better team last year than this year. They struggled against Philly, struggled against Washington, and beating up on a not so hot Carolina team. Bill Guerin is no Marian Hossa. You think Hossa was motivated this game, wait till the Finals. Pittsburgh will need rockets up their asses to catch him. Detroit has shown that they can put their foot on teams throats and push for the kill. f*** Pittsburgh and f*** their fans because there are no friends in war =)

I just hope everyone is 100% for the finals IF we make that far. Dont want to jinx anything

[Guest NumbaSixty-Six]

Great Post.

Tbh, Make or break players are Zetterberg and Osgood. If Zetterberg and Osgood play out of their minds Wings take it in 6.

[Dabura 12,207]

I just hope everyone is 100% for the finals IF we make that far. Dont want to jinx anything

The 'hawks have to win three straight against the Wings. I don't mind superstition, but I don't see any harm in talking about what basically is an inevitable matchup.

[RoninJai 5]

My biggest fear in facing Pittsburgh is the officiating. Nothing against Pens fans, you guys should root for your team...but I think everyone who isn't a Pitt fan knows the Pens are gonna get the benefit of the doubt, if you can call it that, 110% of the time. I think if we get decent, unbiased, reffing crews, that call the game like they should, we could have an EPIC series. I still like the Wings because of their depth, but I think it would go 6 or 7.

That being said, I fully expect O'Halloran to be working at least 4 of the 7 games. This IS Bettman's NHL.

Edited May 25, 2009 by RoninJai

[Rocket Queen 30 1]

This is how it always starts....open the floodgates.

Seriously... and wtf is up with all the Pens licking? We can have a mutual respect for eachother when the series is over... and if that's not "classy" ... I give a rats... Crosby is a whiner but, Malkin is crazy good and should we meet again in the Finals, I hope my team kicks the crap out of theirs.

[Hockeytown_Ryan 119]

Wings will beat them yet AGAIN and crosby can sign a multi million dollar contract for kleenex,

[Coffey77 0]

Wings will beat them yet AGAIN and crosby can sign a multi million dollar contract for kleenex,

No shortage of Crosby hate on this board, I see. But I think you will see during this series that he has toned down the whining a bit.

And I never said the Pens are going to win, but it's a hope.

[EMALKIN 0]

Pens will handle the Wings. The series will without a doubt go to 7 games though. I think we already know what the league wants in terms of how the officials will be making calls.

[EMALKIN 0]

Also...like i previously stated....Crosby doesnt care if you guys thinks he is a whiner. He has been nothing but classy the entire playoffs. Hasnt complained ONCE. Hasn't done anything but be a class act.

Crosby and Malkin are 10x the players dats and zett are and you guys are just JEALOUS. once again...i dont care if you call me a troll...i will just laugh as we win the cup this year and hossa goes down 2x in a row.

Also...go ahead and show those pictures from last year. You will only be able to show them for a couple more weeks....

Also...i would like to point out this is your last year as true Stanley Cup contenders. Hahaha that's gotta hurt!

[Guest NumbaSixty-Six]

Also...like i previously stated....Crosby doesnt care if you guys thinks he is a whiner. He has been nothing but classy the entire playoffs. Hasnt complained ONCE. Hasn't done anything but be a class act.

Crosby and Malkin are 10x the players dats and zett are and you guys are just JEALOUS. once again...i dont care if you call me a troll...i will just laugh as we win the cup this year and hossa goes down 2x in a row.

Also...go ahead and show those pictures from last year. You will only be able to show them for a couple more weeks....

Also...i would like to point out this is your last year as true Stanley Cup contenders. Hahaha that's gotta hurt!

SOMEONE BAN THIS DISGRACE.

[Dabura 12,207]

Crosby and Malkin are 10x the players dats and zett are and you guys are just JEALOUS.

You have shown us all The Light. Thank you, my friend. Truly.

Now kindly GTFO.

[drfnr14 0]

Also...like i previously stated....Crosby doesnt care if you guys thinks he is a whiner. He has been nothing but classy the entire playoffs. Hasnt complained ONCE. Hasn't done anything but be a class act.

Crosby and Malkin are 10x the players dats and zett are and you guys are just JEALOUS. once again...i dont care if you call me a troll...i will just laugh as we win the cup this year and hossa goes down 2x in a row.

Also...go ahead and show those pictures from last year. You will only be able to show them for a couple more weeks....

Also...i would like to point out this is your last year as true Stanley Cup contenders. Hahaha that's gotta hurt!

looks like we gots our selves a though troll!!!

STFU!!!!!! and leave our forum. When we beat you, thats if we even play your team in the finals, lets see u troll this forum then!

[Stiffy 0]

No shortage of Crosby hate on this board, I see. But I think you will see during this series that he has toned down the whining a bit.

And I never said the Pens are going to win, but it's a hope.

This guy is a Wings fan messing with our minds. No Penns fan can even admit Crsoby whines! :-)

P.S. As to the troll and last year contending for the Cup... how many times have we heard this before? It's ownership and management numb nuts, not a couple of stars picked up in the first round because we sucked so bad a few years before. Get it and then get lost.

Edited May 25, 2009 by Stiffy

[Rocket Queen 30 1]

Also...like i previously stated....Crosby doesnt care if you guys thinks he is a whiner. He has been nothing but classy the entire playoffs. Hasnt complained ONCE. Hasn't done anything but be a class act.

Crosby and Malkin are 10x the players dats and zett are and you guys are just JEALOUS. once again...i dont care if you call me a troll...i will just laugh as we win the cup this year and hossa goes down 2x in a row.

Also...go ahead and show those pictures from last year. You will only be able to show them for a couple more weeks....

Also...i would like to point out this is your last year as true Stanley Cup contenders. Hahaha that's gotta hurt!

waaa waaa waaa :violin: get real dude...

[EMALKIN 0]

All I ask when it is all said and done...and Pittsburgh is holding that Cup. I would like the majority of you to admit you no absolutely nothing about hockey. You are disgracing the sport and your team. You clearly dont watch the EC if you think it's that weak.

[EMALKIN 0]

The All-Time Playoff Leaders in Points per Game

#1 Gretzky 1.84

#2 Lemieux 1.61

#3 Crosby 1.41

#4 Malkin 1.32

#5 Messier 1.25

Wow. Talk about 5 great players who played their greatest when the stakes were the highest.

Haha... That's incredible!

[Dabura 12,207]

All I ask when it is all said and done...and Pittsburgh is holding that Cup. I would like the majority of you to admit you no absolutely nothing about hockey. You are disgracing the sport and your team. You clearly dont watch the EC if you think it's that weak.

You've worn out your welcome, troll.

For the record, though, I'm from PA. So when I rant about the EC, it's because I see it. A lot.

[Rocket Queen 30 1]

Kids!!!