NHL playoff race

[jpd]

Oh no........Tampa has a defense.......a GOOD defense(5th rated)! Their intensity level was off the charts! Beware NHL....Tampa is a legit title contender

[Dru Edwards]

Originally Posted by Jim_G

The Bruins just announced that Claude is coming back. I hope there is some master plan in the works, otherwise we'll be looking at a 3rd straight year of missing the playoffs. Claude doesn't like/trust younger players, and if they're keeping him then it's time to get busy with trades.

I like Claude. What's a shame about this season is that Bergeron and Marchand had great years but all for not. Boston needs a couple of more defenseman and Rask needs to play better, or they need to go with Gustafson. I wonder how far away PK Subban's brother Malcolm is before he's an NHL starter.

[catdaddy]

Originally Posted by Dru Edwards

Not to look ahead but a Pens/Caps 2nd round series would be great. I think that would get great ratings, Crosby vs Ovechkin #2.

As for round 1, go Pens! Even with the goalie issue they won last night despite that first period.

Well it now appears that both the Pens and Rangers have goalie issues to deal with. I'm hoping that both Fleury and Lundqvist will be in net tomorrow (I love watching the best players play). In other news for the Pens, center Evgeni Malkin went through his first full practice today in more than a month after suffering an elbow injury. He may play on Saturday. That would be a huge boost for the Pens especially on their powerplay.

[Dru Edwards]

Originally Posted by catdaddy

Well it now appears that both the Pens and Rangers have goalie issues to deal with. I'm hoping that both Fleury and Lundqvist will be in net tomorrow (I love watching the best players play). In other news for the Pens, center Evgeni Malkin went through his first full practice today in more than a month after suffering an elbow injury. He may play on Saturday. That would be a huge boost for the Pens especially on their powerplay.

Malkin back is good news although the Pens have won ... what, 14 of 16 without him? I wouldn't touch the first 2 lines at this point because they're clicking. Perhaps Malkin on the 3rd line? Then move him up if one of those lines struggles?

[catdaddy]

Originally Posted by Dru Edwards

Malkin back is good news although the Pens have won ... what, 14 of 16 without him? I wouldn't touch the first 2 lines at this point because they're clicking. Perhaps Malkin on the 3rd line? Then move him up if one of those lines struggles?

Malkin was centering Brian Rust (also coming back from an injury) and Conor Sheary in practice, so I would consider that to be the 3rd line if Rust and Malkin are good to go at game time.

[Dru Edwards]

Originally Posted by catdaddy

Malkin was centering Brian Rust (also coming back from an injury) and Conor Sheary in practice, so I would consider that to be the 3rd line if Rust and Malkin are good to go at game time.

Looks like Sullivan moved Malkin around yesterday. At least Kessel scored a couple.

[catdaddy]

Originally Posted by Dru Edwards

Looks like Sullivan moved Malkin around yesterday. At least Kessel scored a couple.

Rangers played well. I thought the adjustments that they made allowing their forwards to forecheck more aggressively put the Pens defense on their heels and neutralized Pittsburgh's speed. It seems all great hockey series are like a chess match. It's now the Pens move as they go to NYC for game #3.

[jpd]

The Wings looked alive again.....except for Datsyk-he's hurting!

[Dru Edwards]

Originally Posted by jpd

The Wings looked alive again.....except for Datsyk-he's hurting!

A change in goalie leads to a shutout, not bad. Your team is right back in it.

Did the Bruins win their playoff game last night? I didn't check the sports page yet.

[MontanaMule]

Like I expected the Wild are 0-2 already with plans to go out in 4 but hey at least they got a goal Saturday night right?

Here are my picks from before playoffs started, so far i'm not too far off.

West
Stars in 4
Chicago in 6
Nashville in 6
LA in 7

East
Washington in 5
Pits in 6
Panthers in 6
TBL in 5

[jpd]

Originally Posted by MontanaMule

Like I expected the Wild are 0-2 already with plans to go out in 4 but hey at least they got a goal Saturday night right?

Hang in there with them.......they are awake

[MontanaMule]

Originally Posted by jpd

Hang in there with them.......they are awake

That 2nd and 3rd period was a completely different team!

[Dru Edwards]

Washington is cleaning up with Philly. They may end up with a nice rest between playoff rounds.

[MontanaMule]

Originally Posted by Dru Edwards

Washington is cleaning up with Philly. They may end up with a nice rest between playoff rounds.

I cannot believe the amount of disrespect Flyers fans displayed last night. Truly was a disgrace to that city and their team.

[catdaddy]

Here's what HOF goalie Ken Dryden had to say about the Flyers in 1983. Some things never change including the attitude of their fans...