Penguins To Move?

[NJCardFan]

ESPN reports that Mario Lemieux says that the Penguins are no longer for sale and that he is exploring the possibility of relocating the team for next season. Apparently Pa. turned down a bid for one of the new incoming casinos to build a new arena. I hope this doesn't happen because the Penguins are an NHL mainstay coming in with the expansion of 1967. Something tells me that things will get worked out. Can't imagine Mario being public enemy #1 in Pittsburgh.

[SunDevilDon]

We'll take 'em!!!

At least we could watch Crosby.

[Gee!]

So let me get this straight.. The penguins are gonna move from one city that doesnt come out to watch them to another city who wont watch them? lol NICE!

BTW.. Even Canadians cant keep their teams in their own country, what makes you think Americans will keep this sorry excuse for a league up and running? Its just a matter of time till its all gone.. No one watches that crap..

[SunDevilDon]

So let me get this straight.. The penguins are gonna move from one city that doesnt come out to watch them to another city who wont watch them? lol NICE!

BTW.. Even Canadians cant keep their teams in their own country, what makes you think Americans will keep this sorry excuse for a league up and running? Its just a matter of time till its all gone.. No one watches that crap..

First of all, I don't know a whole lot about hockey other than what takes place on the ice. I enjoy going to a hockey game, especially when we put a good team on the ice and nothing beats going to a "White-Out" game as far as excitement from the crowd when it comes to AZ sports.

With that said, hockey is screwed. I don't know what they can do, or what they will do, but the simple fact that the NHL is NOT on ESPN killed the TV viewing, what little they had, right there. I just can't get back into it anymore. All the marquee players I knew growing up are gone and I couldn't keep up with who went where after the lockout. As far as the Coyotes are concerned, OH MAN...we are putting out crap for talent and skill with OVER THE HILL MARQUEE players like Roenick, while Daniel Briere is in highlights I see every night. Khabibulin won a stanley cup in TB and that was just depressing. This franchise got screwed up because of finances and I doubt it will ever bring itself back up to the mediocracy I enjoyed in the late 90's.

[NJCardFan]

Personally, I'd rather watch a hockey game then an NBA game any day but that's me. The NHL screwed itself long before this season and the blame is squarely on Bettman. He expanded too much too quickly and now he keeps changing the game all in the name of trying to get more fans but he alienated the hard core fans. Hockey was doing just fine before there was an ESPN but when ESPN started carrying the NHL, they(NHL) thought it was a great idea to put teams in strange places. Nashville? Dallas? Phoenix(no offense)? Please and then they put a team back in Atlanta, who couldn't support the Flames and moved a team that although not all that successful on the ice but drew quite well in Hartford to an area so apathetic toward the sport it wasn't funny, unless the team went to the finals in Carolina. Then 2 teams in Florida and 2 more in California? ***? Expansion will probably be the thing that kills the current version of the NHL. To save the NHL, here's what needs to be done:

Get rid of teams in silly places for hockey so wave bye-bye to the Ducks, Sharks, Panthers, Lightning, 'Canes, Thrashers, Predators, Stars(so the Wild can rename to the North Stars), 'Yotes. Not move them, just do away with them. Re-pool those players to other teams via a draft and if you have to, if you have a team that can't seem to support itself, kill those as well(Ottawa, Buffalo)and bring back the Whale! Being in too many cities just kills a league. This is what I feel is happening to the NBA as well.

[Reckon]

I rarely watched NHL hockey after they doubled the size of the league through expansion back when the Penguins came about. The last NHL game I went to was Boston at Detroit back in the early 70's. It used to be a good game. Now it is so watered down that I'd rather go to a minor league game instead of paying a major league price for minor league entertainment.

[AussieCardinal]

ESPN reports that Mario Lemieux says that the Penguins are no longer for sale and that he is exploring the possibility of relocating the team for next season. Apparently Pa. turned down a bid for one of the new incoming casinos to build a new arena. I hope this doesn't happen because the Penguins are an NHL mainstay coming in with the expansion of 1967. Something tells me that things will get worked out. Can't imagine Mario being public enemy #1 in Pittsburgh.

Say it aint so. I couldnt bare to see my Penguins in another city!

[Westgate]

Penguins might move to Kansas City next season; a new arena, The Sprint Center is being built right now there. KC used to be home to an NHL Team the KC Scouts, from 1974 through 1976.

http://www.sprintcenter.com/

[NJCardFan]

Penguins might move to Kansas City next season; a new arena, The Sprint Center is being built right now there. KC used to be home to an NHL Team the KC Scouts, from 1974 through 1976.

http://www.sprintcenter.com/


I have a problem with this. This is something the NHL seems to be doing by moving or putting expansion teams in cities that couldn't support a team when they had one. Ottawa, Atlanta, and now KC if that happens. Like I said, keep the Penguins in Pittsburgh and collapse a few teams so the player pool wouldn't be so diluted.

[AussieCardinal]

I have a problem with this. This is something the NHL seems to be doing by moving or putting expansion teams in cities that couldn't support a team when they had one. Ottawa, Atlanta, and now KC if that happens. Like I said, keep the Penguins in Pittsburgh and collapse a few teams so the player pool wouldn't be so diluted.

If Mario expects me to support a team in KC he has another thing coming!

Leave the team in Pitts!

[NJCardFan]

If Mario expects me to support a team in KC he has another thing coming!

Leave the team in Pitts!

And what are they going to call them, the Scouts?

[AussieCardinal]

And what are they going to call them, the Scouts?

Dont tell me they would have to lose the Penguins name! I hate this thread!

[NJCardFan]

I'm not sure if they would. I just said that because the original KC franchise name was the Scouts. They are now the NJ Devils.

[AussieCardinal]

I'm not sure if they would. I just said that because the original KC franchise name was the Scouts. They are now the NJ Devils.

NJ ur killing me here! Tell me this is all a dream and that i will wake up and still be able to fly to America next year and watch the Penguins play in Pittsburgh

[Westgate]

Mario Lemieux visited Kansas City first hand with the Penguins executives to see the Sprint Center and evaluate the city's fan base and potential support for a future NHL team on Thursday. Kansas City Scouts of the NHL played in the Kemper Arena from 1974 to 1976. Colorado Rockies of the NHL also played in the same time period and are now and have been since the New Jersey Devils.

http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/sports/16378442.htm

[Westgate]

Hi, everybody! :) Mario Lemieux and his group of his Penguin ownership reached a deal for a new arena over the weekend. Groundbreaking is scheduled this September for an October 2009 opening. It will also be built in Downtown Pittsburgh near Mellon Arena.

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/penguins/s_497444.html

[NJCardFan]

This is good news. The Penguin fans are very loyal and didn't deserve to lose their team. However, it would have been interesting to see a team in Vegas.

[NightHawk11and81]

Good to hear, Pittsburgh belongs in the NHL. Now, let's get KC a team from somewhere that doesn't care. I suggest Florida.

[RipperEagle]

Good to hear, Pittsburgh belongs in the NHL. Now, let's get KC a team from somewhere that doesn't care. I suggest Florida.

:pointup:

But seriously, the city of Pittsburgh deserves to have this team. I mean, it's like the one democratic congressman said (forget his name) in Pittsburgh that our former mayor Tom Murphy LED the way for the loser Pirates to get THEIR own stadium (PNC Park) and the Steelers got THEIR own (Heinz Field) but the Pens STILL play in the oldest stadium in the NHL and have been in the league since 1967.

Is that fair? No. Now, thinks will be. I personally think the Pens had a lot of stock in the Casino deal coming through but another Gambling business got the deal on the North Shore.

And the Pens win their first game since the good news...it gets no better! :stpats:

[AussieCardinal]

:pointup:

But seriously, the city of Pittsburgh deserves to have this team. I mean, it's like the one democratic congressman said (forget his name) in Pittsburgh that our former mayor Tom Murphy LED the way for the loser Pirates to get THEIR own stadium (PNC Park) and the Steelers got THEIR own (Heinz Field) but the Pens STILL play in the oldest stadium in the NHL and have been in the league since 1967.

Is that fair? No. Now, thinks will be. I personally think the Pens had a lot of stock in the Casino deal coming through but another Gambling business got the deal on the North Shore.

And the Pens win their first game since the good news...it gets no better! :stpats:

Thank God! GO PENS GO!

[RipperEagle]

Yoi YOI!

Two TEAMS two NIGHTS the two BEST teams in the Eastern Conference...

Tuesday night:
#1 Buffalo 4
#5 Pittsburgh 5 SO/F

Wednesday night:
#5 Pittsburgh 3
#2 New Jersey 0 F

And on top of that...Jocelyn Thibault get's a SHUTOUT against New Jersey.

:lollollol: The Pens beat them at their own game.

Some other things to :lollollol: at...

Gary Roberts dumping poor Michael Rupp into the Devils bench...that's the most fit 40-year old I have EVER seen!

Jarrkou Ruttu scoring...off of Marty's pad!

Man did poor Sergei take a fall at the blue line on that PP leading to Madden's breakaway...ice really sucked.

I'll be adding back to this as they go along!

GO Pens GO! (since the Flyers suck!)

[RipperEagle]

Thursday Night 3-16-07

Montreal 3
Pittsburgh 6 F

Wow, did the Habs get all the stinking penalty calls or what?

Nice game for Christensen and more important for Roberts to find his touch again: once he scored that tip in goal he started hammering everything in white. Man does that guy look great still for being flippin 40!

Not ONE even strength goal for Montreal...3 of 6 on the power play.

Next up: OTTAWA! Get ready to rumble Nighthawk!

[NightHawk11and81]

We can't solve the Penguins...AGAIN. This potential series is looking ugly, I think I may start pulling for the Penguins to keep winning so we get the Devils instead.

We're equally screwed with NJ, but at least I know we can beat them a couple games. I'm HOPING we can extend Pittsburgh to 6 if we play them. I just don't want to get swept.

[RipperEagle]

We can't solve the Penguins...AGAIN. This potential series is looking ugly, I think I may start pulling for the Penguins to keep winning so we get the Devils instead.

We're equally screwed with NJ, but at least I know we can beat them a couple games. I'm HOPING we can extend Pittsburgh to 6 if we play them. I just don't want to get swept.

Ottawa 3
Pittsburgh 4 F/SO

Good game again Nighthawk, although for the entire third period I kept saying "Pittsburgh is in TROUBLE if they cannot score here in the third." And that almost held true as they AGAIN got to Overtime and beyond.

But of all people to score Jarrkou Ruutu? Even Mr. Ray Emery said himself on NHL.com that for Ruttu coming in as slow as he did even he had no idea what Jarrkou the Jerk was going to be doing.

And by letting them go into overtime shootout, the Pens and Sens (LOL what a rhyme) are now tied for fourth place in the Eastern Conference with 92 points each and the Pens with ten games left and Sens with nine.

[NightHawk11and81]

Ottawa 3
Pittsburgh 4 F/SO

Good game again Nighthawk, although for the entire third period I kept saying "Pittsburgh is in TROUBLE if they cannot score here in the third." And that almost held true as they AGAIN got to Overtime and beyond.

But of all people to score Jarrkou Ruutu? Even Mr. Ray Emery said himself on NHL.com that for Ruttu coming in as slow as he did even he had no idea what Jarrkou the Jerk was going to be doing.

And by letting them go into overtime shootout, the Pens and Sens (LOL what a rhyme) are now tied for fourth place in the Eastern Conference with 92 points each and the Pens with ten games left and Sens with nine.


Yep, but the Penguins are just two points back of Jersey, which could be slightly better news for the Sens if Pittsburgh catches them. I know we're in that 4-5 series, I just don't know who we play.

[RipperEagle]

Monday 3-19-2007

Penguins 1
Rangers 2 F

(Sigh) not sure if Hendrik Lundquist was that good but Pittsburgh came under a lot of fire which is rare when Jocelyn Thibault plays because they play better defense for him. And when Pittsburgh FINALLY scores after 55 minutes of minimal shots, head scratching home team calls, and a lot of time for the Rangers in the Pens end, Rob Scuderi, who has been the opponent's best player STRIKES AGAIN!

Rest assured when Mark Eaton returns (looks at watch) **** he's over due but when he DOES get back if I'm Coach Mute I send this idiot down.

Next game: 3-22 vs. Islanders.

[AussieCardinal]

RipperEagle u are my Hero! thank u for posting on this year's Stanley Cup Champions!:yourock:

[NightHawk11and81]

The Devils got ripped 7-2 in their last game with Carolina, so the lead remains at 2 points with NJ holding a game in hand. The Devils have a difficult five-game road swing up next, though, visiting Toronto, Tampa, the Islanders and Buffalo (Florida is also in there), so the Penguins could make up some ground in the Atlantic.

The Penguins have a much more forgiving next five games. The opener on Long Island's not easy, nor is a home game with the Thrashers, but then they get Boston at home and travel to Washington and Boston before closing with a brutal four game stretch of Toronto, Buffalo, Ottawa, and the red-hot Rangers. If Pittsburgh wants to win the Atlantic, it must make its move now.

[RipperEagle]

The Devils got ripped 7-2 in their last game with Carolina, so the lead remains at 2 points with NJ holding a game in hand. The Devils have a difficult five-game road swing up next, though, visiting Toronto, Tampa, the Islanders and Buffalo (Florida is also in there), so the Penguins could make up some ground in the Atlantic.

The Penguins have a much more forgiving next five games. The opener on Long Island's not easy, nor is a home game with the Thrashers, but then they get Boston at home and travel to Washington and Boston before closing with a brutal four game stretch of Toronto, Buffalo, Ottawa, and the red-hot Rangers. If Pittsburgh wants to win the Atlantic, it must make its move now.

Yeah I completely agree and last night was a good chance.

Even if they lose the game like they did, had they done it in overtime they then have a one point lead over idle Ottawa and are one point behind the Devils.

But Rum Rob couldn't wait until overtime to do that...well he's not out there anyway during OT but no matter.

I gotta wonder how New Jersey will play after they got destroyed by Carolina 7-2. Don't forget there is that HUGE problem that happened between Toronto and NJ last time with Cam Janssen and Thomas Kaberle.

Thanks Hawk and good posts. :yourock:

[RipperEagle]

RipperEagle u are my Hero! thank u for posting on this year's Stanley Cup Champions!:yourock:

http://thepassenger.typepad.com/the_passenger/images/penguin.jpg

They sure took the team nickname to heart last night though for sure!

[NightHawk11and81]

The Sens got a gift in their win over the Blues, a clear goal for St. Louis was disallowed because of a premature whistle when the Sens were up 3-2 with a little more than a minute left. We tacked on an empty-netter for the final margin, but there's no question we stole this win. Either way, it moves us to a two-point lead on Pittsburgh.

Edit: St. Louis had ANOTHER goal that was disallowed. The Blues should have won this game.

[AussieCardinal]

http://thepassenger.typepad.com/the_passenger/images/penguin.jpg

They sure took the team nickname to heart last night though for sure!


do i have to remind u that u are a Flyers fan??:lollollol: :lollollol:

[NightHawk11and81]

Ottawa wins at Florida 4-2, and Pittsburgh falls on Long Island 3-1. The Senators move to four points up on the Penguins, but Pittsburgh has a game in hand. Tampa Bay is up next for Ottawa, and the Lightning sits 6 points back of the Penguins with 86. Pittsburgh's got a home game with Atlanta, who leads Tampa in the Southeast by 2.

[AussieCardinal]

Ottawa wins at Florida 4-2, and Pittsburgh falls on Long Island 3-1. The Senators move to four points up on the Penguins, but Pittsburgh has a game in hand. Tampa Bay is up next for Ottawa, and the Lightning sits 6 points back of the Penguins with 86. Pittsburgh's got a home game with Atlanta, who leads Tampa in the Southeast by 2.

unfortunate lose today with the Devils also losing, we could have had a real good chance over leveling with them

[NightHawk11and81]

unfortunate lose today with the Devils also losing, we could have had a real good chance over leveling with them

That would have made me happy, I want to play the Devils.

[RipperEagle]

do i have to remind u that u are a Flyers fan??:lollollol: :lollollol:

Well, at least I am talking highly about the Penguins eh?

[RipperEagle]

It SURE was a hockey night (afternoon) in Pittsburgh on Saturday and Sunday...

March 24th 2007:
Atlanta 1
Pittsburgh 2 F

Match 25th 2007:
Boston 0
Pittsburgh 5 F

Bouncing back from a tough loss on Long Island AND one very close loss to the Rangers on Tuesday and Thursday, the Pens faced two teams back-to-back in early afternoon games here in the EST. The Pens had a tough foe on Saturday with the Southeast division leading Atlanta Thrashers but prevailed over the visitors with a 2-1 win. Jocelyn Thiabault grabbed his 7th win of the season now at 7-8-2 with a 2.69 GAA and 9.13 SV%. The game winner was posted by Jordan Staal as his 29th goal of the season was a simple shot off the side of Kari Lehtonen's leg and into the net. Michel Oullett scored the first goal of the game while Scott Mellenby broke Thiabault's shutout bid 6:18 into the final period with a tip-in off of a Greg De Vires shot.

On Sunday The Pens tangled with the Bruins and...let's just say the game was over 11:58 into it as Evengi Malkin scored what would be the game winner on the power play as the Pens bombed the Bruins 5-0. Malkin, Sidney Crosby, and 40-year old Gary Roberts all scored in the opening period ALL on the power play, while Ryan Malone scored short handed 1:09 into the second and Sir Sid added his second of the game 4:28 into the third period. Young sensational goalie Marc-Andre Fluery made 29 saves for his 5th shutout of the season and 7th as a pro.

Points count for ATL-PIT game:
Oullet, Staal (1 PT on goals) and Roberts, Malkin, Malone, and Melichar (1 PT a piece on assists)
Thiabault: 25-26 saves for a 9.61 SV% and a 1.00 GAA.

Points count for BOS-PIT game:
Crosby (3 PTS on 2 goals and 1 assist)
Gonchar and Roberts (2 PTS on two assists each)
Malkin, Malone, Whitney, Staal, Eaton, Armstrong, and Christensen (1 PT a piece with Malkin and Malone scoring goals and the others after them adding one assist per player)
Fluery: 29-29 saves for a 1,000 SV% and a 0.00 GAA.

After Sunday's game, the New Jersey Devils and the Pittsburgh Penguins are tied for the Atlantic Division lead with 96 points each but the Devils have a tie breaker and a game in hand while Pittsburgh still sits at #5.

Next game: Tuesday 3-27 7:00 PM EST @ Washington

[AussieCardinal]

:yourock: :yourock:

[NightHawk11and81]

Devils play on Long Island tonight, the Penguins can move into first if they win and the Devils lose.

Pittsburgh's magic number for a playoff spot is three points. A win tonight, coupled with a regulation loss by the Rangers or a loss of any kind by the Islanders, Lightning or Hurricanes clinches a spot for the Penguins.

So basically, win tonight, and the Penguins are all but guaranteed a spot.

[NightHawk11and81]

Pittsburgh won, and the Islanders, Lightning, and Hurricanes all lost (and the Rangers are down a goal with 9 minutes left), so the Penguins and Senators have both sealed no worse than the #6 seed, and that improves to #5 if the Rangers do end up losing.

[RipperEagle]

March 3-27-07

Penguins 4
Capitals 3 F

Too close for comfort: not quite sure what the team was thinking letting Washington come out like they did. Three third period goals were huge for this team because they still can win the division but it's odd cause as Pittsburgh was winning New Jersey is and when they were losing so were the Devils.

Points count for the PIT-WAS game:
2 pts: Crosby (1 goal 1 assist) Whitney (2 goals) and Malkin (2 assists)
1 pt: Ouellet (goal) Christensen, Orpik, Gonchar, Malone, and Laraque (assist)
Fluery: 27-30 saves for a 9.00 SV% and a 3.00 GAA

Although that's misleading: the last Caps goal sucked because that guy interfered with Fleury in front of the net but whatever. I liked the staredown between Donny Brashear and Georges Laraque before they actually fought. Orpik is one hell of a hitter too...leads the team in hits.

Pittsburgh now has 96 points with five games left and are tied with the Devils for the divison lead. Pens are still in fifth place with Sens at 98 points.

Next game: 3-29-07 @ 7:00 PM EST in Boston

[RipperEagle]

Pittsburgh won, and the Islanders, Lightning, and Hurricanes all lost (and the Rangers are down a goal with 9 minutes left), so the Penguins and Senators have both sealed no worse than the #6 seed, and that improves to #5 if the Rangers do end up losing.

Pens win...check
Isles lose 3-2 to Devils...check
Rangers lose 6-4 to Habs...check
Hurricanes got wiped out by the Leafs 6-1...check

:yahoo:

[NightHawk11and81]

Pens win...check
Isles lose 3-2 to Devils...check
Rangers lose 6-4 to Habs...check
Hurricanes got wiped out by the Leafs 6-1...check

:yahoo:


Yep, all in, worst both Pittsburgh and Ottawa can do is 5th. But the Penguins are now in position because the Devils lost their game in hand. Five games left, Pittsburgh and Jersey are both at 98 points (as well as the Sens). Jersey would have the tiebreaker because of wins (45-44)

Games remaining:

PIT: @BOS, @TOR, BUF, @OTT, NYR

NJ: PHI, BOS, OTT, @PHI, NYI

OTT: MON, @NYI, @NJ, PIT, @BOS

With the remaining schedule, I'd say the Devils have the edge since their only tough game is Ottawa, while the Penguins also play the Rangers and Sabres in addition to the Sens.

[RipperEagle]

Yep, all in, worst both Pittsburgh and Ottawa can do is 5th. But the Penguins are now in position because the Devils lost their game in hand. Five games left, Pittsburgh and Jersey are both at 98 points (as well as the Sens). Jersey would have the tiebreaker because of wins (45-44)

Games remaining:

PIT: @BOS, @TOR, BUF, @OTT, NYR

NJ: PHI, BOS, OTT, @PHI, NYI

OTT: MON, @NYI, @NJ, PIT, @BOS

With the remaining schedule, I'd say the Devils have the edge since their only tough game is Ottawa, while the Penguins also play the Rangers and Sabres in addition to the Sens.

Yeah but around this time Nighthawk I think the Pens and Sens would rather play teams that are still viable to make it: The Devils have two games against Philly yet who is LONG dead and can do anything they want to New Jersey because the Devils will be too worried about playoff posistioning. Losing both games or spliting them with Philly would be more pheasable.

We'll see when it gets to April 7th.

[AussieCardinal]

Yeah but around this time Nighthawk I think the Pens and Sens would rather play teams that are still viable to make it: The Devils have two games against Philly yet who is LONG dead and can do anything they want to New Jersey because the Devils will be too worried about playoff posistioning. Losing both games or spliting them with Philly would be more pheasable.

We'll see when it gets to April 7th.


We have taken the division lead!:wave:

[RipperEagle]

March 3-29-07

Penguins 4
Bruins 2 F

With the win tonight and the idle Devils sitting still, as Aussie said above, the Pens have taken control of the division for the first time in the 06-07 season. This becomes only the fourth time in team history that the team has eclipsed the 100 point mark: even the first time they won the Stanley Cup they did not manage that.

As far as tonight's game went, the first period had all but one goal in it. The Pens gave up two goals in the first 11 minutes but not another over the final 49 as they matched Boston's output in period one and added one more with an insurance marker with 8:30 left in the game.

Points cap for the BOS-PIT game:
-3 PTS: Sidney Crosby (3 assists) and Erik Christensen (2 goals and one assist)
-2 PTS: Michel Ouellet (2 assists)
-1 PT: Evgeni Malkin and Colby Armstrong (goal each) Jordan Staal (assist)
-Fluery: 31-33 saves for a .939 SV% and a 2.00 GAA

Penguins tallied 100 points for first place in the Atlantic Division, and the second best mark in the Eastern Conference (Buffalo has 105) and become the fifth team to reach 100 points in the NHL (Buffalo, Nashville, Anaheim, and Detroit).

Next game: 3-31-07 in Toronto @ 7:00 PM EST.

Pittsburgh has four games left (@ Toronto, Buffalo, @ Ottawa, NYR).

[NightHawk11and81]

March 3-29-07

Penguins 4
Bruins 2 F

With the win tonight and the idle Devils sitting still, as Aussie said above, the Pens have taken control of the division for the first time in the 06-07 season. This becomes only the fourth time in team history that the team has eclipsed the 100 point mark: even the first time they won the Stanley Cup they did not manage that.

As far as tonight's game went, the first period had all but one goal in it. The Pens gave up two goals in the first 11 minutes but not another over the final 49 as they matched Boston's output in period one and added one more with an insurance marker with 8:30 left in the game.

Points cap for the BOS-PIT game:
-3 PTS: Sidney Crosby (3 assists) and Erik Christensen (2 goals and one assist)
-2 PTS: Michel Ouellet (2 assists)
-1 PT: Evgeni Malkin and Colby Armstrong (goal each) Jordan Staal (assist)
-Fluery: 31-33 saves for a .939 SV% and a 2.00 GAA

Penguins tallied 100 points for first place in the Atlantic Division, and the second best mark in the Eastern Conference (Buffalo has 105) and become the fifth team to reach 100 points in the NHL (Buffalo, Nashville, Anaheim, and Detroit).

Next game: 3-31-07 in Toronto @ 7:00 PM EST.

Pittsburgh has four games left (@ Toronto, Buffalo, @ Ottawa, NYR).


Seeing as how we can't finish lower than 5th, that Pittsburgh-Ottawa game may be the first time I ever root against my own team, losing might benefit us more than winning.

[RipperEagle]

Seeing as how we can't finish lower than 5th, that Pittsburgh-Ottawa game may be the first time I ever root against my own team, losing might benefit us more than winning.

Yeah, at this point and the way the Devils have been playing lately, the Sens might want the Devils more.

Just let the Penguins waddle away with the division...hopefully they are ready for the playoff type menality cuz a lot of these kids ain't been there yet. And with G-Rob out that isn't helping things.

[AussieCardinal]

Yeah, at this point and the way the Devils have been playing lately, the Sens might want the Devils more.

Just let the Penguins waddle away with the division...hopefully they are ready for the playoff type menality cuz a lot of these kids ain't been there yet. And with G-Rob out that isn't helping things.


We'll be ready

[RipperEagle]

We'll be ready

Yeah but having Gary back and 100% will be a big help.

You should have heard the talk here Aussie...everyone was foaming at the mouth about George Laraque when he came here and Roberts was on the back burner. Gary has skated circles around George in my opinion.

[NightHawk11and81]

Yeah but having Gary back and 100% will be a big help.

You should have heard the talk here Aussie...everyone was foaming at the mouth about George Laraque when he came here and Roberts was on the back burner. Gary has skated circles around George in my opinion.


That's dumb, I would LOVE to have Gary Roberts in red and gold right now. It's almost impossible to match his toughness and leadership. One of the few current or ex-Leafs I can respect.

And you're right Ripper, we DEFINITELY want the Devils.

[RipperEagle]

That's dumb, I would LOVE to have Gary Roberts in red and gold right now. It's almost impossible to match his toughness and leadership. One of the few current or ex-Leafs I can respect.

And you're right Ripper, we DEFINITELY want the Devils.

Dumb indeed but as Metallica once sang, 'SAD BUT TRRRRRUUUUUEEEE YAH!"

Roberts, most Penguins writers thought, would be an aformentioned 2nd and at worst 3rd line winger who would hopefully stand in front of the net and try to hit goals with various parts of his body.

Boy, where these people wrong.

I was glad though to notice one thing: before last night then Coach Mute told Roberts to take the game off vs. Boston he was on the top unit during the power play NOT Mark Recchi. I like Recchi lots, but he AIN'T BEEN DOIN' NUTTIN'.

[NightHawk11and81]

Sens and Devils both won, beating Montreal and Philly, respectively. All three teams are now at 100 points. Ottawa and Pittsburgh play tomorrow, facing the Islanders and Maple Leafs respectively.

[NightHawk11and81]

Sens-Devils tonight. This is the most important game left in the regular season. We have to win.

[NightHawk11and81]

Killer. We lose 2-1 in overtime, and the Devils now lead the Penguins by 3 points with two games to play for each team. The Devils win the Atlantic with a loss in overtime, a win, or a Penguins loss of any kind. So basically, Ottawa must lose its next game to have any chance to advance to the second round. Ironically, win and it's over for the Senators. Of course, even if the Senators do lose, it will be tough because Jersey plays Philly and the Islanders.

[RipperEagle]

Pittsburgh really sucked last night.

It's almost like they mailed it in. I mean, at least they came back against the Leafs and STILL earned a point (no thanks to Jocelyn for that getting us down 4-1) but last night it was like Pittsburgh was petrified of Buffalo.

Of course, Buffalo knew what they were playing for: first place overall in the East and the the division lead.

[NightHawk11and81]

Pittsburgh really sucked last night.

It's almost like they mailed it in. I mean, at least they came back against the Leafs and STILL earned a point (no thanks to Jocelyn for that getting us down 4-1) but last night it was like Pittsburgh was petrified of Buffalo.

Of course, Buffalo knew what they were playing for: first place overall in the East and the the division lead.


If the Pens play like that, we may have a shot against them. The problem is that I don't think they will. Man, I never thought I'd need the Sens to throw a game.

[RipperEagle]

If the Pens play like that, we may have a shot against them. The problem is that I don't think they will. Man, I never thought I'd need the Sens to throw a game.

Thing is that even IF Pittsburgh beats Ottawa AND (and that three letter word is pretty big) the NY Rangers, New Jersey has to lose their final two games at Philly and against the Islanders in order for Pittsburgh to win the division. Currently, New Jersey is three points ahead of Pittsburgh locked into 2nd place UNLESS Pittsburgh wins both and NJ losses both.

Question is, can the uselss Flyers do anything to stop NJ from going 7-0-1 against them? I think the Isles could beat them but by the point well guess what, the Sens are stuck with the Pens in the first round.

the only thing left then would be seating.

Can't wait until tomorrow night: we will certainly know a lot more about this.

:peace:

[NightHawk11and81]

Thing is that even IF Pittsburgh beats Ottawa AND (and that three letter word is pretty big) the NY Rangers, New Jersey has to lose their final two games at Philly and against the Islanders in order for Pittsburgh to win the division. Currently, New Jersey is three points ahead of Pittsburgh locked into 2nd place UNLESS Pittsburgh wins both and NJ losses both.

Question is, can the uselss Flyers do anything to stop NJ from going 7-0-1 against them? I think the Isles could beat them but by the point well guess what, the Sens are stuck with the Pens in the first round.

the only thing left then would be seating.

Can't wait until tomorrow night: we will certainly know a lot more about this.

:peace:


Yeah, I've studied it, I can't root for us to lose, no matter what it means. It's not like it means a thing, we are screwed either way. There were three teams I wanted to avoid, Jersey, Pittsburgh, and Tampa, and we're guaranteed to see either Jersey or Pittsburgh. It's been a nice regular season, at least.

[RipperEagle]

Yeah, I've studied it, I can't root for us to lose, no matter what it means. It's not like it means a thing, we are screwed either way. There were three teams I wanted to avoid, Jersey, Pittsburgh, and Tampa, and we're guaranteed to see either Jersey or Pittsburgh. It's been a nice regular season, at least.

You shouldn't be so pessmistic.

You never know: the way the Pens are playing right now has a lot (and understandbly so) concerned because they are hot-cold-blazing-frigid-caught on fire-freezer madness lately.

Hopefully they can get some sembelence of themselves back tonight. It's like a bad team (say Philly) replaced them on Tuesday.

Good luck tonight Hawk.

[RipperEagle]

Penguins 3
Senators 2 F

Personally I found the game exciting around the stupid penalty taking like the three penalties Melichar took in the 2nd period and the Speeza elbow to the face of Jarkkou Ruutu which gave Pittsburgh two goals.

This series is set in stone for the quarterfinals thanks to the Devils pulling one out against the Flyers 3-2 and winning the Atlantic Division.

As it stands NOW:
1. Buffalo wins East conference top seed
2. NJ wins the Atlantic
3. Atlanta is in but can still lose to Tampa
4. Ottawa is in: will it be 4 or 5
5. Pittsburgh is in: will it be 5 or 4
6. NY Rangers are in: will they have Tampa or Atlanta?
7. Tampa can pole vault from #7 to #3 if they play their cards right
8. Montreal is closing in on spot with Toronto loss
9. Toronto has team above in season finale
10. NY Islanders have two games left: #8 and #9 have one game left against each other. Isles are not dead by any means.

11 to 15 are out.

Should be a fun Saturday!

[NightHawk11and81]

Penguins 3
Senators 2 F

Personally I found the game exciting around the stupid penalty taking like the three penalties Melichar took in the 2nd period and the Speeza elbow to the face of Jarkkou Ruutu which gave Pittsburgh two goals.

This series is set in stone for the quarterfinals thanks to the Devils pulling one out against the Flyers 3-2 and winning the Atlantic Division.

As it stands NOW:
1. Buffalo wins East conference top seed
2. NJ wins the Atlantic
3. Atlanta is in but can still lose to Tampa
4. Ottawa is in: will it be 4 or 5
5. Pittsburgh is in: will it be 5 or 4
6. NY Rangers are in: will they have Tampa or Atlanta?
7. Tampa can pole vault from #7 to #3 if they play their cards right
8. Montreal is closing in on spot with Toronto loss
9. Toronto has team above in season finale
10. NY Islanders have two games left: #8 and #9 have one game left against each other. Isles are not dead by any means.

11 to 15 are out.

Should be a fun Saturday!


Well, I'll be spending my Saturday watching a different brand of hockey, that being the NCAA championship between Michigan State and Boston College. North Dakota never quit tonight against BC, but took too many bad penalties. Both semifinals were excellent, and I'm glad I was there. Can't wait for Saturday.

[AussieCardinal]

The Penguins/Senators Playoff series is going to be intense!

[RipperEagle]

The Penguins/Senators Playoff series is going to be intense!

Jah ain't kiddin!

[RipperEagle]

As it stands NOW:
1. Buffalo wins East conference top seed
2. NJ wins the Atlantic
3. Atlanta wins it's first division title ever
4. Ottawa is in: will it be 4 or 5
5. Pittsburgh is in: will it be 5 or 4
6. NY Rangers are in: will they have Tampa or Atlanta?
7. Tampa is stuck because they got their **** kicked by Florida
8. Montreal is closing in on spot with Toronto loss
9. Toronto has team above in season finale
10. NY Islanders have two games left: #8 and #9 have one game left against each other. Isles are not dead by any means.

Updated!

[AussieCardinal]

Im looking forward to the Montreal V Toronto final game!

[NightHawk11and81]

I think I'm pulling for the Leafs because I think we need to beat them if we're ever going to win a Cup.

[RipperEagle]

Rangers 1
Penguins 2 F

Canadiens 5
Maple Leafs 6 F

Senators 6
Bruins 3 F

Flyers 2
Islanders 4 F

Well, the landscape is set except for #8 in the East...

#1 Buffalo vs. #8 (Isles or Leafs if Isles win against NJ they are in)
#2 New Jersey vs. #7 Tampa Bay
#3 Atlanta vs. #6 NY Rangers
#4 Ottawa vs. #5 Pittsburgh

And in the West:
#1 Detroit vs. #8 Calgary
#2 Anahiem vs. #7 Minnesota
#3 Vancouver vs. #6 Dallas
#4 Nashville vs. #5 San Jose

[NightHawk11and81]

Rangers 1
Penguins 2 F

Canadiens 5
Maple Leafs 6 F

Senators 6
Bruins 3 F

Flyers 2
Islanders 4 F

Well, the landscape is set except for #8 in the East...

#1 Buffalo vs. #8 (Isles or Leafs if Isles win against NJ they are in)
#2 New Jersey vs. #7 Tampa Bay
#3 Atlanta vs. #6 NY Rangers
#4 Ottawa vs. #5 Pittsburgh

And in the West:
#1 Detroit vs. #8 Calgary
#2 Anahiem vs. #7 Minnesota
#3 Vancouver vs. #6 Dallas
#4 Nashville vs. #5 San Jose


I'll predict the Buffalo series later. My other picks:

Devils over Lightning in 6: Both these teams are very skilled, but New Jersey has more experience and a better goaltender. That will be the difference.

Thrashers over Rangers in 7: The Rangers are playing great right now, but Atlanta has something to prove, and I think Hossa and Kovalchuk step up big.

Penguins over Senators in 6: Shame someone has to lose. But Pittsburgh has the goal scorers, and they just do it a tad better than the Senators. Don't let the seeding fool you, Ottawa is the underdog.

Flames over Red Wings in 7: Yeah, I'll go out on a limb. This is an awful matchup for the Wings. They always face a goaltender who can stone them, and it looks like that'll happen again. Kiprusoff comes up big.

Ducks over Wild in 6: Anaheim has looked strong before struggling, but Minnesota has also had its inconsistent moments. The Ducks are more talented and should take it.

Stars over Canucks in 7: Is Luongo going to be able to carry the Canucks? Probably not, Vancouver always chokes. Dallas has experience and should advance.

Sharks over Predators in 6: San Jose is looking good, Nashville is slumping. This is a shame that the matchup is this early.

[AussieCardinal]

Get ready for a great series NightHawk:toothorn: :toothorn:

[NightHawk11and81]

Get ready for a great series NightHawk:toothorn: :toothorn:

I hope it is. Every game's been close, but we haven't put anything together at the end. It should be quite a battle, however, and I hope it at least goes 6, this is the highlight of the first round in the East. Best of luck.

As for the final series of round 1, I take Buffalo in 5. They may not have that great a team IMO, but dang, did they draw an easy opponent.

[Boldin&Cards$Life]

there has been talks about coming to LAS VEGAS

[RipperEagle]

I hope it is. Every game's been close, but we haven't put anything together at the end. It should be quite a battle, however, and I hope it at least goes 6, this is the highlight of the first round in the East. Best of luck.

As for the final series of round 1, I take Buffalo in 5. They may not have that great a team IMO, but dang, did they draw an easy opponent.

I agree with all the ones you picked above originally EXCEPT FOR the Canucks-Stars and Lightning-Devils series and agree with the comment on the Buffalo-NY series.

I Say:

Buffalo takes NYI in five: let's face it, the Isles struggled mightly after Ricky Diepietro (who is done for the year) went down injured and Dunham stunk. Eventually, Wade Dub will be figured out, and Buffalo played with a phletora of injuries and STILL won the President's trophy: what does that tell you?

Tampa Bay takes NJ in seven: with my logic I see a lot of players for NJ who have marginal talent and this Lou Lamerello firing his coach and promising to open up the offense should do wonders for Tampa Bay, led by mainly three top tier players (Richards, LeCavliar, and St. Louis). If Tampa figures out who there goalie is, I like this match up, but it's not an upset in my eyes.

Atlanta takes NYR in six: it became appearent to me that, while Hendrik Lundquist (or King Henry as the Rangers faithful call him) is a great goalie, he has a LOT of problems controlling his rebounds: that will be key. Atlanta will have Kovalchuck, Hossa, and the gang crashing the net and that doesn't bode well for the King.

Pittsburgh takes Ottawa in six: Sorry Nighthawk, but if the game a few days ago is telling of this series, six may be generous actually. Ottawa has to play more disciplined, but they are the type of team that will make Sidney Crosby and Evengi Malkin less effective because their style of play is more dominating on defense. The Gary Roberts, the Colby Armstrongs. and the Ryan Malones are going to have to play it up, and I think they will.

Calgary takes Detroit in seven: Detroit has not had much luck as the #1 team over the years, and usually run into a team that will stone wall them with a goalie good enough to take the team: enter Mikka Kiprasouff. Expect a ton of 2-1 and 3-2 games with "The Dominator" in net for Detroit.

Anaheim takes Minnesota in six: Anahiem has it figured out I think and that's bad news for the off again on again Wild. When Minnesota cannot get it together it takes them quite some time to recover, and Anaheim should drop bombs on them. In fact, five would probably be better, but I'll hold on six.

Vancouver takes Dallas in six: Reason being is Vancouver has enough firepower to take Dallas down. And I think that Roberto Loungo is the missing piece for the team and come Thursday he will start down a Martin Broduer like dominating streak for Vancouver.

San Jose takes Nashville in five: Risky I know, but Nashville has a LOT to prove, while San Jose is looking good, Nashville is slumping, and San Jose should be able to take advantage early and often: home ice be damned!

[NightHawk11and81]

Pittsburgh takes Ottawa in six: Sorry Nighthawk, but if the game a few days ago is telling of this series, six may be generous actually. Ottawa has to play more disciplined, but they are the type of team that will make Sidney Crosby and Evengi Malkin less effective because their style of play is more dominating on defense. The Gary Roberts, the Colby Armstrongs. and the Ryan Malones are going to have to play it up, and I think they will.


Ripper, why do you think I've wanted to avoid the Penguins so bad? I'm thinking the same thing you are. This postseason, to me, is a success if we reach Game 6. After that, I'm playing with house money.

[RipperEagle]

Okay, I'm not sure what they did with the Pittsburgh Penguins in the series opener, but I'm demanding whoever held them ransom give them back now.

Man, the defense was more PATHETIC then usual...and that takes a LOT to make it that bad.

Sure, Fleury gave up six goals but come on, how many did he give up he couldn't get to or the defense stood around? The only one who did well in the back six was Mark Eaton. Oh, and the George Laraque give away and Chris Neil goal was epic!

Advantage: Sens 1-0

next game: Saturday 4-14 at 3:00 PM EST

[AussieCardinal]

Okay, I'm not sure what they did with the Pittsburgh Penguins in the series opener, but I'm demanding whoever held them ransom give them back now.

Man, the defense was more PATHETIC then usual...and that takes a LOT to make it that bad.

Sure, Fleury gave up six goals but come on, how many did he give up he couldn't get to or the defense stood around? The only one who did well in the back six was Mark Eaton. Oh, and the George Laraque give away and Chris Neil goal was epic!

Advantage: Sens 1-0

next game: Saturday 4-14 at 3:00 PM EST


Defense Defense Defense. :Thumbdown:

Im not going to put Fleury down this game, he had no support at all.

[RipperEagle]

Defense Defense Defense. :Thumbdown:

Im not going to put Fleury down this game, he had no support at all.

I Can't either Aussie...

I mean come on you see some of them saves he made?

it could have been 12-2 or so. That defense, while we knew it was fringe-to-average, really blew up.

Coach Therien needs to find the answer soon.

[AussieCardinal]

I Can't either Aussie...

I mean come on you see some of them saves he made?

it could have been 12-2 or so. That defense, while we knew it was fringe-to-average, really blew up.

Coach Therien needs to find the answer soon.


i thought he had it when we had Transtrom and Jackman oh and Rosival. Clearly Therien knows better:shutup:

[RipperEagle]

i thought he had it when we had Transtrom and Jackman oh and Rosival. Clearly Therien knows better:shutup:

I'll take them names over Melichar, Gonchar, Whitney, and Rob "whoops I kicked another into my own net" Scuderi.

I like Brooks Oprik, but he didn't really hit anyone tonight.

It's only one game...they still need three more and I think if Pittsburgh can GET THERE PLAN BACK of cycling and working the boards then Pittsburgh will tie it up come Saturday.

[AussieCardinal]

I'll take them names over Melichar, Gonchar, Whitney, and Rob "whoops I kicked another into my own net" Scuderi.

I like Brooks Oprik, but he didn't really hit anyone tonight.

It's only one game...they still need three more and I think if Pittsburgh can GET THERE PLAN BACK of cycling and working the boards then Pittsburgh will tie it up come Saturday.


Yeah ur right it is only one game, but at least throw a better showing then that.
Arent u a fan of Gonchar?? i like his work up the ice. Scuderi i honestly have no idea what my friend sees in him that is so good.

[RipperEagle]

Yeah ur right it is only one game, but at least throw a better showing then that.
Arent u a fan of Gonchar?? i like his work up the ice. Scuderi i honestly have no idea what my friend sees in him that is so good.

I honestly think that when Ottawa came out hammering that Pittsburgh showed not much of an interest. What shocked me to all heck was the fact that Roberts (a profound Sens killer with the Leafs from 2000 to 2004) didn't do much of anything. Christensen, Oullet, and Armstrong all had good chances but either missed the net or shot it right into Emery. I'm not one to trash the enemy, but had the shoe been on the other foot and Emery had face what Marc-Andre did, he would have given many more then six. He's not a side-to-side goalie, as seen by Sid's goal when it didn't matter.

I'm not really a Gonchar fan: while he has great offensive prowness which I cannot deny I cannot understand the talk of Gonchar and Norris Trophy in the same setence let alone in the same world of reasoning. That would be like saying Crosby would be the best candidate for the Selke trophy.

[AussieCardinal]

I honestly think that when Ottawa came out hammering that Pittsburgh showed not much of an interest. What shocked me to all heck was the fact that Roberts (a profound Sens killer with the Leafs from 2000 to 2004) didn't do much of anything. Christensen, Oullet, and Armstrong all had good chances but either missed the net or shot it right into Emery. I'm not one to trash the enemy, but had the shoe been on the other foot and Emery had face what Marc-Andre did, he would have given many more then six. He's not a side-to-side goalie, as seen by Sid's goal when it didn't matter.

I'm not really a Gonchar fan: while he has great offensive prowness which I cannot deny I cannot understand the talk of Gonchar and Norris Trophy in the same setence let alone in the same world of reasoning. That would be like saying Crosby would be the best candidate for the Selke trophy.


Oh god no, i wouldnt put him near the Norris Trophy. He can play defense, but on a constant level.....he cant.

[RipperEagle]

Oh god no, i wouldnt put him near the Norris Trophy. He can play defense, but on a constant level.....he cant.

Well I'm just saying, because for a while towards the end of the season, the announcers for Penguins games on Fox Sports Net Pittsburgh (Paul Stagerwald and former Pen Bob Errey) were saying that, forgeting Gonchar was a minus five on the year.

I still think that, regardless of what happens playoff wise, that they need to address it. I am not sure what is downstairs beside Kris LeTang, but the loss of Eric Carins early in the year (all 6'6" and 243 LBS of him) really hurt.

[AussieCardinal]

Well I'm just saying, because for a while towards the end of the season, the announcers for Penguins games on Fox Sports Net Pittsburgh (Paul Stagerwald and former Pen Bob Errey) were saying that, forgeting Gonchar was a minus five on the year.

I still think that, regardless of what happens playoff wise, that they need to address it. I am not sure what is downstairs beside Kris LeTang, but the loss of Eric Carins early in the year (all 6'6" and 243 LBS of him) really hurt.


well i may sound wrong, but i still blame the trades from before the shutout year in regards to our defense. In my opinion we got nothing for kasperatis (sp). I dont even know what happened to Laukkanen (sp only that also might be wrong) Bergervin was old so i wont complain about that. i could find afew others to sook about but i'll start with that.

[RipperEagle]

well i may sound wrong, but i still blame the trades from before the shutout year in regards to our defense. In my opinion we got nothing for kasperatis (sp). I dont even know what happened to Laukkanen (sp only that also might be wrong) Bergervin was old so i wont complain about that. i could find afew others to sook about but i'll start with that.

Point one: I cannot find Janni Laukkanen on NHL search so that tells me is playing back in Finland or what have you. I don't even remember him coming back to the NHL after lockout.

Point two: Yeah Bergervin was old for sure...no arguments there.

Point three: Darius was traded to Colorado in 2001-2002 (during the 02 portion) as NHL.com says it for Rick Berry and Ville Niemenen on March 19th 2002. To my knowledge Ville is now with the Blues and Berry is...in outter space? Kinda like the Marcus Nasland trade a few years ago too.

As a sidenote, I've been hanging on this Canucks-Stars 3OT and now 4OT thriller, but fear I'll be sleeping before Turco or Lunongo act up.

[AussieCardinal]

Point one: I cannot find Janni Laukkanen on NHL search so that tells me is playing back in Finland or what have you. I don't even remember him coming back to the NHL after lockout.

Point two: Yeah Bergervin was old for sure...no arguments there.

Point three: Darius was traded to Colorado in 2001-2002 (during the 02 portion) as NHL.com says it for Rick Berry and Ville Niemenen on March 19th 2002. To my knowledge Ville is now with the Blues and Berry is...in outter space? Kinda like the Marcus Nasland trade a few years ago too.

As a sidenote, I've been hanging on this Canucks-Stars 3OT and now 4OT thriller, but fear I'll be sleeping before Turco or Lunongo act up.


Yeah i Jannie didnt come back after shutout. And the Darius trade is exactly what im talking about.

lol im listening to the game on NHL.com sounds unreal:biggrin:

[NightHawk11and81]

My thoughts:

We attacked, it was nice to see. That's how we have to play to have any chance in this series. Having said that, the defense does need to step it up.

[NightHawk11and81]

Game 2 on NBC. Key stat: The Senators have played in 14 previous playoff series in their history, and have never led a series 2-0.

[AussieCardinal]

That streak of 14 years will continue. Nice Job Pens

[NightHawk11and81]

That streak of 14 years will continue. Nice Job Pens

Series, Aussie, not years. We've only been around for 15 years. Good win, I thought this would happen, and I think the series has turned.

[NightHawk11and81]

Sens take a 2-1 lead. With Game 6 guaranteed, there 's no way Ottawa can disappoint me now.

:toothorn: :toothorn:

[AussieCardinal]

Series, Aussie, not years. We've only been around for 15 years. Good win, I thought this would happen, and I think the series has turned.

correction. My apologises.

Sens still looking real good. Not liking the Pens chances anymore for some reason.

[NightHawk11and81]

Still a lot of hockey to be played, Aussie, Game 4 is huge. In other news, the Lightning are up 2-1 on the Devils, and the Islanders are trying to go up 2-1 on Buffalo.

[NightHawk11and81]

Gravy, we've done better than I'd hoped for. The series now returns to Canada's capital with the Senators up 3-1 on Pittsburgh. In its history, Ottawa is 3-1 in Game 5's when a win would close out the series, which I hope to see go to 4-1 in two days.

[RipperEagle]

Gravy, we've done better than I'd hoped for. The series now returns to Canada's capital with the Senators up 3-1 on Pittsburgh. In its history, Ottawa is 3-1 in Game 5's when a win would close out the series, which I hope to see go to 4-1 in two days.

Unreal: this Pittsburgh team was far and away not even being close to ready for the playoffs. They are so off and on the map it's not even funny: they score three in a loss, four in a win, and then score two and one. Is it Emery and the Sens D? Is it the OVERATTED Evengi Malkin, Mark Recchi, and the ten thousand shots of Sir Sid?

The only Pens who impressed me THROUGHOUT are Eaton, Oprik, Staal, Roberts, and sometimes Oullet. Nils Ekman had a good job in game four...TO WIPE SOMEONE'S ***!

Seriously, Georges Laraque has not played since game one: because he made a bad back pass to Chris Neil? Hell, if that's the case Malkin and Crosby wouldn't be playing PERIOD.

I like Ronald Petrovicky and was surprised Erik Christensen was benched for Ekman...at least Christensen can find the net. But he's not much with the playoffs barring shootouts.

On Ottawa's side...I don't think Chris Phillips and Anton Volchenkov played disciplined early on, but the rest of there D is solid...it's like Pittsburgh is running into a brick wall all the time.

I've been more impressed with the gritty players like Comrie, Fisher, Kelly, and Schubert as opposed to "Alf," Neil, and Speeza. (No offense Hawk).

I can't get a read on Emery...this was the best game he has played in the series in my honest opinion...even the goal he gave up to Jordan the D shoulda moved him.

Sorry, I'm ranting now...I think Pittsburgh went through the motions bottom line. Micheal Terrien, a supposive Jack Adams award front runner, was sorely outcoached by Bryan Murray (oh god how often will I say Murray outcoached anyone let alone a pet rock...oh wait I see similarities between the rock and Micheal).

Good games Hawk...I seriously doubt Pittsburgh will win three in a row so good luck in round two...

Get that monkey off your back.

[AussieCardinal]

Unreal: this Pittsburgh team was far and away not even being close to ready for the playoffs. They are so off and on the map it's not even funny: they score three in a loss, four in a win, and then score two and one. Is it Emery and the Sens D? Is it the OVERATTED Evengi Malkin, Mark Recchi, and the ten thousand shots of Sir Sid?

The only Pens who impressed me THROUGHOUT are Eaton, Oprik, Staal, Roberts, and sometimes Oullet. Nils Ekman had a good job in game four...TO WIPE SOMEONE'S ***!

Seriously, Georges Laraque has not played since game one: because he made a bad back pass to Chris Neil? Hell, if that's the case Malkin and Crosby wouldn't be playing PERIOD.

I like Ronald Petrovicky and was surprised Erik Christensen was benched for Ekman...at least Christensen can find the net. But he's not much with the playoffs barring shootouts.

On Ottawa's side...I don't think Chris Phillips and Anton Volchenkov played disciplined early on, but the rest of there D is solid...it's like Pittsburgh is running into a brick wall all the time.

I've been more impressed with the gritty players like Comrie, Fisher, Kelly, and Schubert as opposed to "Alf," Neil, and Speeza. (No offense Hawk).

I can't get a read on Emery...this was the best game he has played in the series in my honest opinion...even the goal he gave up to Jordan the D shoulda moved him.

Sorry, I'm ranting now...I think Pittsburgh went through the motions bottom line. Micheal Terrien, a supposive Jack Adams award front runner, was sorely outcoached by Bryan Murray (oh god how often will I say Murray outcoached anyone let alone a pet rock...oh wait I see similarities between the rock and Micheal).

Good games Hawk...I seriously doubt Pittsburgh will win three in a row so good luck in round two...

Get that monkey off your back.


Nice response. Wont find me complaining about this!

[NightHawk11and81]

Unreal: this Pittsburgh team was far and away not even being close to ready for the playoffs. They are so off and on the map it's not even funny: they score three in a loss, four in a win, and then score two and one. Is it Emery and the Sens D? Is it the OVERATTED Evengi Malkin, Mark Recchi, and the ten thousand shots of Sir Sid?

The only Pens who impressed me THROUGHOUT are Eaton, Oprik, Staal, Roberts, and sometimes Oullet. Nils Ekman had a good job in game four...TO WIPE SOMEONE'S ***!

Seriously, Georges Laraque has not played since game one: because he made a bad back pass to Chris Neil? Hell, if that's the case Malkin and Crosby wouldn't be playing PERIOD.

I like Ronald Petrovicky and was surprised Erik Christensen was benched for Ekman...at least Christensen can find the net. But he's not much with the playoffs barring shootouts.

On Ottawa's side...I don't think Chris Phillips and Anton Volchenkov played disciplined early on, but the rest of there D is solid...it's like Pittsburgh is running into a brick wall all the time.

I've been more impressed with the gritty players like Comrie, Fisher, Kelly, and Schubert as opposed to "Alf," Neil, and Speeza. (No offense Hawk).

I can't get a read on Emery...this was the best game he has played in the series in my honest opinion...even the goal he gave up to Jordan the D shoulda moved him.

Sorry, I'm ranting now...I think Pittsburgh went through the motions bottom line. Micheal Terrien, a supposive Jack Adams award front runner, was sorely outcoached by Bryan Murray (oh god how often will I say Murray outcoached anyone let alone a pet rock...oh wait I see similarities between the rock and Micheal).

Good games Hawk...I seriously doubt Pittsburgh will win three in a row so good luck in round two...

Get that monkey off your back.


No offense taken, Alfie and Spezza have never been gritty players, finesse is more their style. That having been said, I do love Alfredsson, and I want to see him hoist the Cup so badly because of how much he's given this organization. Since I became a Senators fan in 1996, the one constant has been Alfredsson.

Mike Fisher has really stepped up this year as a replacement for Bryan Smolinski, and I have been thrilled with Mike Comrie since he first became a Senator back in January. I knew Comrie was a good addition, but I didn't think he would turn out this good. We need to lock him up for a while, I want him to be a Senator for the rest of his career.

I've been quite pleased with Emery this series, he hasn't given up the soft goals that plagued him in the Buffalo series last year. Every goal Pittsburgh has scored with the game still in doubt, they've had to earn. If he continues like this, a deep run is a legit possibility.

I honestly thought we'd see more of Laraque as well, but there's nobody to really challenge him because our enforcer, Brian McGrattan, only dresses when we know we need him. I think Laraque would be playing more if we had McGrattan on the ice.

I'm happy with the 3-1 lead, I didn't think we'd win 3 the whole series. Having said that, I can't relax yet. Coming from the Washington area, I've seen the Penguins do this too many times. I know it's not the same Pittsburgh team as those of Lemieux and Jagr, but as long as the jerseys still have that Penguin logo, I'm not relaxing until we have the 4th victory.

[RipperEagle]

It just appears to me anyhow that Pittsburgh is seriously going through the motions with little to no notions.

It's funny, they said about how the YOUNG guys are going to handle the playoffs. Well, if I am not mistaken the two youngest players on Pittsburgh (Jordan Staal and Sidney Crosby) co-lead the team with three goals each, but the 20-year old "rookie of the year" Evengi Malkin can't tell the back of the net from Ray Emery's chest cavity with the Sens logo.

On the other end of the spectrum, the oldest guy on the ice, 40-year old Gary Roberts bounces people, sets up Staal and Oullet, and scores himself. But the second oldest player on the team, 39-year old Mark Recchi, has sucked recently and it continued into this series.

Even when Marc-Andre Fluery plays a good to great game (see games 2 and 4) this team still manages to lose the game he allows only two goals because the power play was zero for everything and Emery was on the top of his game.

I don't think there is much left for Pittsburgh...even if by some God givin miricle they win Game five, they embarrased themselves in front of the Pittsburgh home crowd and worse yet made a mockery of them who valiantly fought for them to seek a brand new stadium for 2009.

But that's okay, as long as Coach Idiot continues to play his favorites and let boneheaded moves like benching Christensen for Ekman dictate the team, well everyone can say well at least we weren't SUPPOSED to be here.

Sorry I am seriously ranting again. Good luck Nighthawk tomorrow night.

[RipperEagle]

Nice response. Wont find me complaining about this!

Hey Thanks Aussie.

it's just, you know, I find it hard to belive that while I can hope they win this series still, the odds are seriously burried on top of Pittsburgh.

Oh well, the only thing we can do is watch them play and see how many moves Coach Hand on Chin makes.

[NightHawk11and81]

The Sens play an excellent second period to advance to the Eastern semifinals with a 3-0 win over the Penguins. I honestly did not expect this, but I'm certainly thrilled to be moving on. Good series Aussie and Ripper, the Penguins will only get better from here if they use this as a learning experience.

[RipperEagle]

The Sens play an excellent second period to advance to the Eastern semifinals with a 3-0 win over the Penguins. I honestly did not expect this, but I'm certainly thrilled to be moving on. Good series Aussie and Ripper, the Penguins will only get better from here if they use this as a learning experience.

Ya know Hawk I like the Pens and all but I'm always a Philly fan first. Still, I admit I was very surprised Pittburgh even made it THIS far THIS soon.

But when they lost two straight games at home I said that's it: they would be lucky to win one more game and whadda know?

Good luck in round two: we'll see how the chips fall, Right now I think Ottawa matches up well with anyone else in the East EXCEPT for maybe the Rangers.

Shame they ruined a potential semifinals between Buffalo and Ottawa since, you know, the Isles are more then likely fried.

[AussieCardinal]

The Sens play an excellent second period to advance to the Eastern semifinals with a 3-0 win over the Penguins. I honestly did not expect this, but I'm certainly thrilled to be moving on. Good series Aussie and Ripper, the Penguins will only get better from here if they use this as a learning experience.

Congrats Hawk. Pens were very disappointing. Not impressed at all with their play this series. Defense was weak for most of the series, forwards couldnt get moving like usual. Senators just shut us down.

Im liking the Sens chances for the rest of the playoffs, just stay clear of the Rangers!

Ahwell my Main team is out, and my always sentimental favourite (sometimes to sentimental) Montreal are out. So i guess i can sit back now and enjoy.

Lets go Senators, only because i hate all the other teams!:redtowel:

[RipperEagle]

I find the Rangers intriguing...

Were the Thrashers that bad or did the Rangers have the power?

We'll find out, as it appears the Rangers will have the Sabres unless the Lightning strike twice and take out the Devils.

But we're looking:
Devils-Sens
Sabres-Rangers

I dunno Hawk...how you like that match?

[NightHawk11and81]

I find the Rangers intriguing...

Were the Thrashers that bad or did the Rangers have the power?

We'll find out, as it appears the Rangers will have the Sabres unless the Lightning strike twice and take out the Devils.

But we're looking:
Devils-Sens
Sabres-Rangers

I dunno Hawk...how you like that match?


It's not ideal, but then again, nothing is when you reach this point. The Penguins were the next-to-last team I wanted to face, and the Devils were the last, so if this does turn out to be our year, we'll have definitely taken a tough road.

New Jersey is intriguing because they play a suffocating defense, but their offense is inflated because of how poor Tampa's goaltending has been. If Emery plays like he did against Pittsburgh, we have a chance. The Rangers are like a more experienced version of Pittsburgh, an offense-first team. They're playing quite well right now, but they aren't quite as speedy as the Penguins. Still, the way they shut down Kovalchuk and Hossa worries me.

The way I look at it right now, it doesn't matter if we get the Rangers or the Devils, it's going to be a war. I think our next series is going 7 no matter which of the two we get. Looking forward to it.