Re: The NHL Thread (where the Presidents Trophy matters!)
 

regular season record doesn't mean much right now but either way

per the hockey news:

goals per game with Letang: 3.44
goals per game w/o Letang: 3.29

"In terms of puck possession at 5-on-5, the Penguins have had a Corsi for percentage slightly below 50 percent without Letang in the lineup. In the 41 games he has dressed, though, Pittsburgh has averaged a Corsi for percentage of 51.5. Also, in terms of producing legitimate scoring opportunities at 5-on-5, it's clear Letang's presence has helped tip the scales in the Penguins' favor. In the 38 games he hasn't played, Pittsburgh boasted 50 percent of the scoring chances. When Letang has been in the lineup, though, that percentage has leapt all the way up to 56.2."

Re: The NHL Thread (where the Presidents Trophy matters!)
 

and if they had a healthy Stamkos against the Pens, a series where they lead 3-2 and went 7 games, it's more than possible that they eliminate the Pens

TB is a completely different offense, especially on the PP, without Stamkos

Pens are a completely different offense, especially 5-on-5, without Letang

Re: The NHL Thread (where the Presidents Trophy matters!)
 

The thing that makes the playoffs different is you're not just playing a team once and moving on to the next game against the next team, like in the regular season. Any team can beat another team once.

But in the playoffs, you are playing that team again and again, with adjustments being made between each game. You better believe that the Blue Jackets are going to evaluate the hell outta the Pens defense during game one and do everything they can to exploit weaknesses in game 2.

It's not just about winning. It's adjusting to win against the same team over a period of at least four games. While that other team is throwing the best they have at you. And if you happen to get past THAT team, you've got another, probably better one waiting for you. Can the Pens defense adjust to the adjustments?

Team USA beat Russia in 1980 for one game. But do you think they could beat them in a best-of-seven series? That's the playoffs, baby.

It totally sounds like I'm gloom-and-dooming the Pens, sorry. They are a great team and I do think they have a chance. Just pointing out how crazy the playoffs can be.

Re: The NHL Thread (where the Presidents Trophy matters!)
 

Youre kind of making an argument against yourself here.

Noone is saying it will be easy. It will be extremely hard for the pens to pull it off, but its not impossible, TB made a run without Stammer, Pens can still do the same without 58.

I dont think anywhere here expects the Pens to win the cup.

Re: The NHL Thread (where the Presidents Trophy matters!)
 

:thumbsup

This post sums up my argument!

-Pens can repeat
-Will be harder without Letang
-If they get past the 2nd round they are a favorite again
-I just have a feeling (not the same as saying I expect them to win)

Re: The NHL Thread (where the Presidents Trophy matters!)
 

i'm right there with you

yes, TB made a run. but they didn't win the Cup. and no Stamkos was the main reason

so again, my point was no Letang=no repeat

doesn't mean they can't make a run

Re: The NHL Thread (where the Presidents Trophy matters!)
 

If I'm the Jackets, I'm hitting everything that moves on the Pens blue line in Game 1.

Re: The NHL Thread (where the Presidents Trophy matters!)
 

I just think its silly to totally discount it. If they get through CBJ and the Caps, they will be looked at as a favorite. Never saying never with 87 and 71 on the ice, and a goalie who got super hot last spring.

Re: The NHL Thread (where the Presidents Trophy matters!)
 

Are we all at least in agreeance that the Hawks should WCF without little resistance? The Wild, Preds, Blues are all inconsistent. The Flames, Oilers are inexperienced. The Sharks are getting older and backed into the playoffs with a very rough stretch. Ducks are the one team that should meet the Hawks in the WCF and they don't match up well vs the Hawks

Re: The NHL Thread (where the Presidents Trophy matters!)
 

They tried that last week, didnt work. They should focus on winning one of these first two games. But hey, it is Torts.

Re: The NHL Thread (where the Presidents Trophy matters!)
 

yea that's their plan

lots of teams triesd that last year and it didn't work. hopefully history repeats itself

i mean, anyone who "gets through" CBJ and WSH will be looked at as a favorite though

you'd be a final four team at that point

Re: The NHL Thread (where the Presidents Trophy matters!)
 

I don't really agree with this. The Rangers were definitely the underdogs in 2014 and 2015. I think that the Pens would be given a favorite tag if they are one of the final 4 though. Especially if the Hawks are out by then.

Re: The NHL Thread (where the Presidents Trophy matters!)
 

:thumbsup

Pens would be favored over whoever they would play in the ECF, and yeah if the Hawks are out, Pens will be SCF favorite of the final four.

Re: The NHL Thread (where the Presidents Trophy matters!)
 

this isn't 2014 or 2015 though

if you beat the 2 best teams in the east, and 2 of the 3 best teams overall points-wise, you're going to get attention.

that's besides the point though. i never said the Pens couldn't make a run. just no way they repeat without Letang unless some unbelievable upsets happen elsewhere around the league.

Re: The NHL Thread (where the Presidents Trophy matters!)
 

You should (by now) realize that regular season success and postseason success are not the same thing.

Re: The NHL Thread (where the Presidents Trophy matters!)
 

:lol:lol

Re: The NHL Thread (where the Presidents Trophy matters!)
 

:: checks clock ::

still isn't 7pm, huh?

:: checks out ::

Re: The NHL Thread (where the Presidents Trophy matters!)
 

what are all the games tonight?

Re: The NHL Thread (where the Presidents Trophy matters!)
 

https://www.google.com/#q=nhl+playoff+schedule

Re: The NHL Thread (where the Presidents Trophy matters!)
 

Reading is hard

Re: The NHL Thread (where the Presidents Trophy matters!)
 

Just sinking in that we are not playing the Penguins first round. Nice to have a change!

Anyway, I am going to make my game 1 picks for tonight!

Boston at Ottawa: Senators-3 Bruins-1

Columbus at Pittsburgh: Penguins-4 Blue Jackets-1

St. Louis at Minnesota: Blues-2 Wild-1 OT

San Jose at Edmonton: Sharks-6 Oilers-3

And finally,

New York at Montreal: Rangers-4 Canadiens-2

Re: The NHL Thread (where the Presidents Trophy matters!)
 

don't get smart with me.

Re: The NHL Thread (where the Presidents Trophy matters!)
 

:lol just answering your question

the appropriate response would've been "thank you"

Re: The NHL Thread (where the Presidents Trophy matters!)
 

Leafs news:

Zaitsev out for game 1 (he's been their best D-man this year)

Andersen is a go for Game 1 (He's been their best goalie this year).

Re: The NHL Thread (where the Presidents Trophy matters!)
 

:lol:lol:lol:lol

Re: The NHL Thread (where the Presidents Trophy matters!)
 

i know it's painful to google "playoffs" and "flyers" and get zero hits but you gotta push through

Re: The NHL Thread (where the Presidents Trophy matters!)
 

In your news feed, are you seeing any injuries yet in the Pittsburgh v. Columbus series?

Re: The NHL Thread (where the Presidents Trophy matters!)
 

I lol'ed :lol

Re: The NHL Thread (where the Presidents Trophy matters!)
 

ya know what just started bothering me about philly sports?
every color scheme for each franchise is different.

at least the fine folks in p-burg keep things similar

Re: The NHL Thread (where the Presidents Trophy matters!)
 

We believe in diversity. Is that still ok in Trumps America?