Looking forward

I’ve been saying it all week – I’d love to see Hossa lose this time. I wonder if he’s thinking about the possibility of irony slapping him in the face.

don’t forget, conklin also signed w/ detriot this year. but he was less vocal. just kinda fun (hopefully) beating 2 former players.

adversity

these guys have faced it time and time again this season.

loosing gooch for 50+ games
being down in game 6 vs the flyers…at thier building
being down 0-2 to the caps

then to take the canes out to the woodline like they have been the last three games, wow.
this team does not want to see anyone but them sakting with the cup and i think that is showing right now. from seeing the determination in sid and genos eyes and seeing how the grizzled vets like guerin, gill, and tank follow thier lead says a lot about the charachter of this team. should the guys pull it off i call the billy guerin trade one of the best in pens history. right up there with getting ron francis

Because, even though I didn’t join you until game 1 of last year’s SCF, I’m guessing you were saying it loudly as you assessed the Pens chances of winning the 08 Cup.

The Pens have it this year. Sure, not as much as the Wings, nor the mystical knowledge imparted by actually being able to lift the cup….but they went through the fire last year, they been to the edge and there they stood and looked down,and even though it didn’t happen in 08, maybe they saw a way across for the future…

that future may be now….but then again…

*Malkin and Crosby are playing superb
Absolutely, and a possible key, asMalkin completely disappeared in the finals last year.
Extra year, extra experience in pacing himself over the course of the season, and the way he’s stepping up against the Canes makes him a scary matchup for whoever escapes the West.

*There are other players who are stepping up a notch and scoring

Yes…but…still don’t see a consistent threat out of a 4th Pens line, regardless of how individual players might be stepping up in one game or another.

*A different coach
Bylsma is doing s smashup job so far…but Therrien was a god in Pittsburgh at this time last year. Not sure that this really will play a role. Curious as to what you guys think on this particular point?

*The Penguins seem less nervous than last year and know what to expect
the experience thing, expounded on above

*The Penguins have figured out their opposing goal tenders thus far
First round, you didn’t play that great a goalie (IMO). In the last two rounds, the defense in front of good goalies has been missing in action.

It’s arguable that if Washington had one good, physical defenseman capable of bothering Sidney Crosby in front of Varlamov’s net, the Pens wouldn’t be here today. Sid camped in front of varly, and had a field day. Carolina was supposed to be better, but so far, the Pens still have room to roam around the crease.

Detroit will be different. I’m thinking you guys are underestimating Chris Osgood, as everyone does. But you know about the Detroit defense. You’re probably not putting up 5 or 6 goals against Osgood because the Detroit defense is superior to what the Pens have been up against so far.

I think there’s a valid point in there somewhere, but the formulation of “we’ve figured out the opposing goalies” isn’t the right way to look at it, it’s more like the Pens have found space and ways to manuever against the defenses, so as to make the goalies be the barrier. And ever since game 3 of the Cap series, the Pens have owned the opposing goalie under those circumstances.