NHL general discussion thread

[pyro120]

Originally Posted by hcky21rskor

Don't quote me, but I think Colorado has been talking to Toronto's coach Paul Maurice. Don't know if it's anything serious or if it's just talks.

Quoted, lol.

Pens are playing tonight at 7:30, should be physical. We have to score first and keep putting the pressure back on them. This is pretty much a must win for them so if they don't win here, they could be in serious trouble.

Wings-Pens cup finals?

[Pvt.Dirt]

Penguins win tonight 4-1. They continue to outplay philly in many huge aspects, I think it'll be over next game to complete the sweep.

[Cylon]

Originally Posted by pyro120

Wings-Pens cup finals?

It's looking a lot like that now after the Penguins win last night. I'm sure Pittsburgh has a chance to sweep Philly, but once they reach the Cup Finals against Detroit, I think they are going to see the loses pile up, which is something they haven't seen since the regular season (with the exception to the 1 playoff lost to the Rangers in round two).

Pittsburgh and Detroit both have high scoring offenses, but I'm going to have to give the edge in goaltending and defense to the Red Wings.

Of course, this is all speculation since the two series are not over yet, and based on the assumption that neither Dallas or Philly will make Sports history.

[hcky21rskor]

Originally Posted by Cylon

Pittsburgh and Detroit both have high scoring offenses, but I'm going to have to give the edge in goaltending and defense to the Red Wings.

I wouldn't give the edge in goaltending to the Red Wings. They have played Nashville, who completely took Hasek out of the playoffs for the Wings, and Osgood only came in a cleaned up a few games. Colorado had really none of it's top players for the Detroit series so Osgood really wasn't tested. In the series against the Stars he hasn't faced too many quality shots.

Once Osgood starts getting peppered with shots from Malkin, Crosby, and Hossa he will crack.

Fleury has faced a lot of quality shots and time after time he has risen to the occasion. I think he'll play even better going into the series with Detroit. He knows that this is his time to shine and help bring the cup to Pittsburgh.

My prediction for the Stanley Cup finals are Wings vs. Pens, Pens in 6.

[Cylon]

Originally Posted by hcky21rskor

I wouldn't give the edge in goaltending to the Red Wings. They have played Nashville, who completely took Hasek out of the playoffs for the Wings, and Osgood only came in a cleaned up a few games. Colorado had really none of it's top players for the Detroit series so Osgood really wasn't tested. In the series against the Stars he hasn't faced too many quality shots.

Once Osgood starts getting peppered with shots from Malkin, Crosby, and Hossa he will crack.

Fleury has faced a lot of quality shots and time after time he has risen to the occasion. I think he'll play even better going into the series with Detroit. He knows that this is his time to shine and help bring the cup to Pittsburgh.

My prediction for the Stanley Cup finals are Wings vs. Pens, Pens in 6.

I think just the opposite with Fleury. I don't even count the series with Ottawa because they were injury-ridden and barely put up a fight. The Rangers were a pathetic test as well, and the one game they did show up, they easily put pucks past Fleury. Philadelphia has been the most challenging, but even they don't come close to comparing to the offense Detroit has. I keep hearing how great Fleury is, but I honestly I don't think he's a great goalie....I would say he's average at best. I'm waiting for him to break and I think that will be in the Finals.

[hcky21rskor]

Originally Posted by Cylon

I think just the opposite with Fleury. I don't even count the series with Ottawa because they were injury-ridden and barely put up a fight. The Rangers were a pathetic test as well, and the one game they did show up, they easily put pucks past Fleury. Philadelphia has been the most challenging, but even they don't come close to comparing to the offense Detroit has. I keep hearing how great Fleury is, but I honestly I don't think he's a great goalie....I would say he's average at best. I'm waiting for him to break and I think that will be in the Finals.

I agree with you on the Ottawa point, but how can you say the Rangers "were a pathetic test as well." Jagr had some great chances that Fleury shutdown. The Rangers were also always in his face, screening him, and Fleury was always able to see the puck.

Philly has been a decent test for Fleury and he's robbing them as well. Briere can't seem to beat Fleury, and when he can't generate offense for the Flyers just don't look good.

Also, Detroit really only has 3 quality, consistent, scorers on their team, Datsyuk, Zetterberg, and Franzen. If Fleury can find a way to shut these guys down Pittsburgh will easily win the Cup, but most of shutting these guys down is going to have to be from Pittsburgh's defense.

[pyro120]

Originally Posted by Cylon

Pittsburgh and Detroit both have high scoring offenses, but I'm going to have to give the edge in goaltending and defense to the Red Wings.

Pittsburgh's defense is extremely underrated and never talked about. Fleury isn't the best goalie, but he has obviously carried the team this far. pittsburgh is way more physical than the wings. that could be a big advantage.

Aren't Franzen, zetterberg, and datsyuk on the same line, or am i mistaken? If so, thats one line of scorers compared to the pens top 3 lines which can all score.

I wouldnt say losses pile up either. its going to be a great series. it think its gonna take all 7 games. were just gonna have to wait and see how it goes.

[Cylon]

Originally Posted by hcky21rskor

I agree with you on the Ottawa point, but how can you say the Rangers "were a pathetic test as well." Jagr had some great chances that Fleury shutdown. The Rangers were also always in his face, screening him, and Fleury was always able to see the puck.

Jagr was basically the only Ranger to show up the entire series. The Rangers really only had one good game in the series, and that was the one they won. Did you see game 2 of the series? The performance the Rangers put on had to be one of the worst I have ever seen by an NHL team....it was really quite embarrassing.

I'm not taking away from the fact that Fleury did make some great saves in the series, but for the most part Pittsburgh did a great job of blocking shots and limiting the Rangers to shots from the outside. The Rangers really didn't have many quality chances in the series, which I think Fleuery will be faced with in the Finals.

Originally Posted by hcky21rskor

Also, Detroit really only has 3 quality, consistent, scorers on their team, Datsyuk, Zetterberg, and Franzen. If Fleury can find a way to shut these guys down Pittsburgh will easily win the Cup, but most of shutting these guys down is going to have to be from Pittsburgh's defense.

I wouldn't just count those guys as Detroit's only scorers. Don't forget about their defense which can light the lamp just as easily and set up even more goals. One thing that Detroit has always been notorious for is having role players during the playoffs. These guys step up to the pressure and deliver constantly.Two players that come to mind off the top of my head are Holmstrom and Sammuelson.

Originally Posted by pyro120

I wouldnt say losses pile up either. its going to be a great series. it think its gonna take all 7 games. were just gonna have to wait and see how it goes.

Sorry...I should have worded my original post better. What I meant was people (not you guys, just fans in general) shouldn't expect the Penguins to sweep their way to the Cup or win out 4-1 (Although that could possible happen).

I except this series to go 6 or 7 games as well and it will be interesting to see how Fleury and the rest of the team responds to a loss. Thus far, they have had only one opportunity to show their poise in a game following a loss. What happens if they go down early in the series or loose two straight? The only reason why I'm asking these questions pertaining to Pittsburgh would be as result of their fairly young line-up. For the most part, Detroit has veterans that have experienced all of this, while for many of the Penguins this will be their first time in the Stanley Cup Finals.

There are a lot of questions surrounding a Pittsburgh-Detroit Cup match-up and it's all going to come down to which team will respond to the pressure in a positive way.

[hcky21rskor]

Originally Posted by Cylon

I wouldn't just count those guys as Detroit's only scorers. Don't forget about their defense which can light the lamp just as easily and set up even more goals. One thing that Detroit has always been notorious for is having role players during the playoffs. These guys step up to the pressure and deliver constantly.Two players that come to mind off the top of my head are Holmstrom and Sammuelson.

Other than a few goals, Detroit hasn't scored much of anything from the point. They do use the point well but there not there focal point of the offense. They use them so that Datsyuk, Zetterberg, and Franzen can set up down low and make the plays.

Also, Pittsburgh has a high powered offense and have been able to break the D of every team they have played so far. I'm not saying they have played against tremendous defense's in the playoffs but the Flyers and Canadians are pretty strong on D. Malkin, Crosby, and Hossa move the puck so well it is hard to defense's to keep up with them. I think Detroit will give them a little more trouble then they are used to, but that won't stop the Pens, they will get past Detroit's D.

That brings me to Osgood. I'm not saying that he is bad, but he hasn't really been tested yet this playoffs. When they play Pittsburgh he is going to have to come up huge, again, and again, and again, and I don't think he's capable of it.

I'm sticking with my prediction of Pens vs. Wings, Pens in 6.

[Cylon]

I think we both have some very valid points. It will be interesting to see how the series turns out.

My prediction: Detroit in 6

Dallas won last night to stave off elimination, but Detroit has three more chances to clinch a berth to the Stanley Cup Finals.

Tonight, Pittsburgh goes for the sweep against Philadelphia at 7 p.m. EST.

EDIT: Philadelphia won tonight by a score of 4-2 (last goal was an empty-net). No need for Pens fans to worry since I'm sure they were taking it easy so they can celebrate at home.