ECSF : (5) New York Rangers vs. (2) Pittsburgh Penguins

[Hockeytown0001 7,652]

Eastern . Conference . Semi . Finals

(5) vs. (2)

Edited May 1, 2014 by Hockeytown0001

[Hockeymom1960 5,107]

GO RAGS!

[cusimano_brothers 1,655]

This series is great for TV ratings.

Win it Dominic!

[vladdy16 2,154]

I think it's pretty safe to say NY's bandwagon is pretty much groaning under the weight of all the Wings fans that jumped on it last night.

[VM1138 1,921]

I would love to see an Original 6 final. I Lo e the resurgence of O6 teams the past few years. Great for hockey.

I just wish we could join them...

But I have a feeling Pittsburgh will prevail, as much as I want to count them out.

It could be a really bitter year for the Wings. There could be a Pittsburgh, Boston, Chicago, LA final four...all teams who have won recently.

Remember when we were that good?

[toby91_ca 620]

I think the Rangers are a better matchup for the Pens (from a Pens perspective) than Philly. When the Pens play Philly, there is the greater chance of a meltdown by the Pens. There is a bit of that with the Rangers as well, but not as much. They don't have Dubinsky or Callahan anymore, but they do have Carcillo.

[GoWings1905 2,694]

The Rangers play back-to-back in Games 6 and 7 against the Flyers. Then they have to turn around after one day off and play three in four nights to open the series with the Penguins. Funny how that always seems to work out when Pittsburgh is involved.

[rick zombo 3,739]

The Habs will upset the Bruins, then it's Pitts vs Chicago for the cup dream match-up of the universe (!!!!!!), and Bettman will slather himself in baby oil and slide around a room carpeted with Crosby and Toews posters.

[Hockeymom1960 5,107]

So what's the "yellow" out?

[Dabura 12,206]

Pens win 3-0. Rangers looked flat, sloppy, tired.

[vladdy16 2,154]

Boooooooo. I haven't been watching because I'm the kiss of death for the teams I like this year, but maybe I'll start watching since they're losing anyway. It's the attitude I took with the Wings.

GO RAGS!

[Bring Back The Bruise Bros 1,029]

Man, Carcillo has calmed down a lot these past few years. Guys was absolutely insane when he broke into the league with Phoenix.

[DmitrifromRussia 0]

I wonder, is Crosby still able to score in the playoffs?

[toby91_ca 620]

I caught a lot of yesterday's game, he looked head a shoulders above everyone else on the ice. That didn't translate to any points though.

From what I've read, the same couldn't be said for his earlier games thus far.

[wings_fanatic 677]

I find the nhl scheduling ridiculous. Rangers play back to back game 6 and 7 and then play back to back game 3 and 4, making it 3 games in 4 nights. I mean you could tell the Rangers, besides the King, were gassed last night. I find it halarious that the Penguins ALWAYS seem to get favourable scheduling like this. I remember in 2009 the stanley cup finals schedule was released and then when the Red Wings beat the Hawks, Lidstrom and Pav were injured. Lidstrom played in game 1 but Pav did not play until game 5. After the Wings beat the Hawks, the NHL adjusting the schedule to start the finals series a few days earlier, which CLEARLY benefited the Penguins. I still blame that for us not winning the cup that year.

I really hope the Rangers find their legs and come out flying tonight because they are a far better all around team then the Penguins and deserve to go on.

[toby91_ca 620]

What's with people suggesting the Pens ALWAYS get the scheduling breaks? I don't get it. No facts or examples are provided to back it up of course, it's just stated as if it is a fact.

The facts are, teams that finish off their opponents quicker should get the breaks and do. If you play to 7 games, you should expect to have less rest than the other team.

If someone is truly interested in digging into the reasons why the PIT v NYR schedule is as it is....you will actually determine that is has everything to with scheduling around MSG and nothing really to do with PIT....or, we can just pretend it is because of PIT getting the favoritism, that might work better.

In terms of the example provided with DET and PIT in 2009, I don't get it. Again, PIT swept their opponent, DET took a bit longer, should get less rest (while DET actually only got 1 day less rest than PIT). There was 2 off days before the finals, why wait longer, that would make zero sense and would be very poor for the league (killing momentum, etc.). The biggest problem the NHL has as it gets later in the playoffs is that you start to have nights with no hockey....killer at this time of year. 2 days off with no hockey is an eternity.

[MTU_Huskies963 398]

The NHL scheduling can be irritating. What I'm getting really irritated is by the NHL bending over backwards for NBC. Holding off the start of a series so that game can be the main focus on a weekend or friday night.

[Dabura 12,206]

Kristopher Letang. Something something Kristopher Letang. Something something Kristopher Letang. Something something Kristopher Letang.

Oh, Crosby just scored.

[Euro_Twins 4,475]

What's with people suggesting the Pens ALWAYS get the scheduling breaks? I don't get it. No facts or examples are provided to back it up of course, it's just stated as if it is a fact.

The facts are, teams that finish off their opponents quicker should get the breaks and do. If you play to 7 games, you should expect to have less rest than the other team.

If someone is truly interested in digging into the reasons why the PIT v NYR schedule is as it is....you will actually determine that is has everything to with scheduling around MSG and nothing really to do with PIT....or, we can just pretend it is because of PIT getting the favoritism, that might work better.

In terms of the example provided with DET and PIT in 2009, I don't get it. Again, PIT swept their opponent, DET took a bit longer, should get less rest (while DET actually only got 1 day less rest than PIT). There was 2 off days before the finals, why wait longer, that would make zero sense and would be very poor for the league (killing momentum, etc.). The biggest problem the NHL has as it gets later in the playoffs is that you start to have nights with no hockey....killer at this time of year. 2 days off with no hockey is an eternity.

I just get annoyed when they have back to back games scheduled in the playoffs. If that's not job laziness I don't know what is.

[Dabura 12,206]

Danny Bylsma. Danny O'Halloran. Kristopher Letang.

Pierre is feelin' it tonight. He's in the zone.

[brett 1,029]

something about the rangers and scoring..i bet you could put ovie on the NYR hed be a 20 goal scorer

[frankgrimes 1,836]

something about the rangers and scoring..i bet you could put ovie on the NYR hed be a 20 goal scorer

Rangers just aren't built for playoff hockey and lack depth

As great as King and McDonagh are, Stepan has no winger and Nash so far has been a huge disappointment.

Game 4 sadly is now a highly recommended win for them.

Edited May 6, 2014 by frankgrimes

[toby91_ca 620]

I guess it is a good thing that I don't have to watch the games on NBC

[cusimano_brothers 1,655]

Rick Nash...still MIA.

[Dabura 12,206]

Man. The Rangers suck.

I think I just heard someone yell, "NASH, YOU BUM!" And then the Rangers scored just now. 3-2. Still in it.

Kunitz from Malkin, Rangers suck.

St. Louis has been bruuuutal.

Is it possible for a person to feel bad for Henrik "Perfect" Lundqvist? Cuz I kinda do.