OT: Pens

[Crash]

That was the most intense situation I ever watched a Pittsburgh team play in.  More than a Super Bowl, World Series, Cup Finals.  

Only thing that tops last night?  OT in Game 7 of the Finals.  

This team with Sullivan is something special, NOTHING fazes them.  

[Rollers]

I really have no confidence they will beat the Predators. How sad is that? It just seems like they're missing something. Letang? I don't know. With all that talent we'll see. Just seems like they can't put it together on offense except for one game

[Crash]

What hurts them is when they waste PP's with #72 down low and Malkin rotting on the point.

No coincidence that the PP picked up once #72 got injured.

The playoffs are called tighter, and with some of the NHL's brass wanting to see a Canadian team in the Final the Sens got away with crap that they usually wouldn't have.

If the NHL allows the talent, and not the officials, dictate this series the Pens should win in five.

[Rollers]

What hurts them is when they waste PP's with #72 down low and Malkin rotting on the point.  

No coincidence that the PP picked up once #72 got injured.  

The playoffs are called tighter, and with some of the NHL's brass wanting to see a Canadian team in the Final the Sens got away with crap that they usually wouldn't have.  

If the NHL allows the talent, and not the officials, dictate this series the Pens should win in five.

I don't believe there could have been collusion from the NHL and the refs.

[Crash]

So you don't believe that Colin Campbell who was suspending Matt Cooke at the drop of a hat when he played for Mario, held any grudges for Mario calling the league a garage league, this AFTER Campbell's Rangers team failed to end the Pens season AFTER they KO'd both Mario and Mullen?

The dinosaurs in Canada want this clutch and grab garbage.

[Rollers]

So you don't believe that Colin Campbell who was suspending Matt Cooke at the drop of a hat when he played for Mario, held any grudges for Mario calling the league a garage league, this AFTER Campbell's Rangers team failed to end the Pens season AFTER they KO'd both Mario and Mullen?  

The dinosaurs in Canada want this clutch and grab garbage.

I am always leery that any pro sports league would allow themselves to be put in a position of this kind of stuff coming to light.  It would take the leadership of the NHL colluding with the refs and communicating to them the outcomes they want.  No one risks a billion dollar franchise on that stuff coming to light.  Some ref being criticized for a call would ultmiately come out and tell people what happened.  This won't be a clutch and grab series as both teams like to skate.  Penguins should be the better skating team and win in 6.  Not to pick a fight with you but to many people would have to be in on a fix like that.  It's just not logical

[Crash]

During the Capitals series NHL's on ice audio picked up a referee telling Barry Trotz: "Barry please, make your changes cleaner", as in stop having too many men on the ice.

The same series another NHL mic had a referee saying "We're not going to call much tonight".

The problem is, these dopes don't "want referees deciding who wins" by making calls, but they don't comprehend that they ARE deciding games by NOT making calls. Only league I know of where they value dopes like Chris Neil over skilled players like Crosby and Malkin.

[dbsfgyd1]

That was the most intense situation I ever watched a Pittsburgh team play in.  More than a Super Bowl, World Series, Cup Finals.  

Only thing that tops last night?  OT in Game 7 of the Finals.  

This team with Sullivan is something special, NOTHING fazes them.  

Man, I had to turn it off.  One of the Steelers tweeted after the game he pissed his pants, but he was ok with it..... I think it was Heyward.

[dbsfgyd1]

During the Capitals series NHL's on ice audio picked up a referee telling Barry Trotz: "Barry please, make your changes cleaner", as in stop having too many men on the ice.  

The same series another NHL mic had a referee saying "We're not going to call much tonight".  

The problem is, these dopes don't "want referees deciding who wins" by making calls, but they don't comprehend that they ARE deciding games by NOT making calls.  Only league I know of where they value dopes like Chris Neil over skilled players like Crosby and Malkin.

Years ago I met an NBA official, I played ( music) for his daughter's wedding. One of the things that came up in our conversation was that it would surprise most just how much dialog goes on between players-coaches and officials-refs. And it's not all on the court either. He also mentioned they are humans and sometimes emotions & agendas do come into play, but they are graded and if it's over the top, there is a process of weeding them out.

The clutch and grab has been around for a while. Kind of the same thuggery that is going on in NFL secondaries of late ( thank you Seahawks and  Patriots).... But in the NHL, it is getting better.

[Rollers]

What hurts them is when they waste PP's with #72 down low and Malkin rotting on the point.  

No coincidence that the PP picked up once #72 got injured.  

The playoffs are called tighter, and with some of the NHL's brass wanting to see a Canadian team in the Final the Sens got away with crap that they usually wouldn't have.  

If the NHL allows the talent, and not the officials, dictate this series the Pens should win in five.

The Pens were seriously outskated last night.  If you had told me this team would go over a whole period and not get a single shot on goal I would have called anyone that said that an idiot.  They were dominated in every phase last night except the score.  That happens once in a while but they were totally outplayed.  Like I said there's something missing on this team this year and that's tough to say since they're playing for a cup.  Last night I saw the Pens get outplayed playing their game.  I am glad they won.  The talent differential doesn't seem to be a factor now.  They allowed that team to claw back from a 3 goal deficit.  They better skate a whole lot better tomorrow night.

[Crash]

And what did I say before this series started?

What hurts them is when they waste PP's with #72 down low and Malkin rotting on the point.

And what happened?  5-3, PP struggles with #72 fumbling around with the puck, but then leaves the ice, then Malkin scores.  

Up 3-2 with a PP, a chance to take clinch the game, PP struggles trying to feed #72 the puck, Preds tie the score about a minute later.  

Sullivan really coached a bad game last night.  As bad a game as he's coached since he got here.  Luckily Rinne continued his struggles against the Pens.

[dbsfgyd1]

What hurts them is when they waste PP's with #72 down low and Malkin rotting on the point.  

No coincidence that the PP picked up once #72 got injured.  

The playoffs are called tighter, and with some of the NHL's brass wanting to see a Canadian team in the Final the Sens got away with crap that they usually wouldn't have.  

If the NHL allows the talent, and not the officials, dictate this series the Pens should win in five.

The Pens were seriously outskated last night.  If you had told me this team would go over a whole period and not get a single shot on goal I would have called anyone that said that an idiot.  They were dominated in every phase last night except the score.  That happens once in a while but they were totally outplayed.  Like I said there's something missing on this team this year and that's tough to say since they're playing for a cup.  Last night I saw the Pens get outplayed playing their game.  I am glad they won.  The talent differential doesn't seem to be a factor now.  They allowed that team to claw back from a 3 goal deficit.  They better skate a whole lot better tomorrow night.

I have my concerns about this series as well. The Predators are no joke. That said, after a grueling 7 game series with the Senators, I'm not surprised they came out flat. But I agree, they better show up for real in the next couple of games or it's going to be "Katie! Bar the door" real quick.

[Crash]

Man, I had to turn it off.  One of the Steelers tweeted after the game he pissed his pants, but he was ok with it..... Roll Roll I think it was Heyward.

Heyward's from Pittsburgh, so he's used to this.   LOL

I would never turn it off, but I started dry heaving as the second OT began.    

It's bad enough just watching it on TV.  I can't imagine what the fans in the arena were going through.  

Rinne has to prove he can beat the Pens, I read a stat last night that he's NEVER won a game against the Pens as a starter (0-9), the ONLY win he had he came off the bench and became the goalie of record.  I knew we had success against him, but if that's accurate that's unbelievable. 

They play 1-3-1 also but they don't collapse the blue line, if they continue this I can't see them keeping up with the Pens speed for a full seven game tilt. 

If Washington couldn't do it, I can't see Nashville doing it either.

[Chucktownsteeler]

Pens up in the series 2-0.

[Crash]

Nashville keeps pinching their defensemen and the Pens speed is making them pay.

So far so good.

[Crash]

If any of you collect Pens games on DVD and use one DVD per game?  A friend of mine designed some pretty slick DVD cover art for this season's post season Cup run.  

Just PM me an email address.  

Thanks-