Yumcha

Haven't watch enough Pens games to make a judgment so, I believe you. And also, per your observations on the bottom 6...that's the headache for all these former-contending teams...it's not the stars, but rather the depth you lose. When the Hawks lost their bottom 6, so went their Cup chances.

This is the reality, great teams that win Cups have 3rd-liners who really are good enough to be top 6...but on the Cup teams, they are not great enough to supplant the uber-stars in the top 6...win Cup, get raise, team no longer can afford, these former 3rd-liners on top teams become top-6ers on other teams and Cup winning team begins it's downward trend because the replacements are not nearly as good.

Andrew Ladd was the Hawks' 3rd-liner. Man, think of that...


Playoffs will be interesting this year in the East...it's the most competitive and powerhouse-filled conference.

97BlackAckCL

iTrader: (6)

Yep, we lost Bonino to Nashville because we couldn't afford to keep him, then 6 years later when he's old and slow we bring him back, oh and he immediately goes out with injury.... Such is the way of the league I guess. The Pens had the same issue with Jordan Staal as their third line center when they won in 09, couldn't afford to keep him as a third line center. The most frustrating thing for me, is they kept the core together, and rather than getting younger and faster around those guys, we got even older and slower at the trade deadline. In the East we're the only team who went backwards in age and all the other teams got younger and faster, doesn't bode well for a team that was the fastest in 16/17 when they won back to back. Honestly I just have no hope left for this team the way they're currently constructed, it's a mess

Yumcha

Well, you either do a hard reset or find a lucky mix like the Bruins -- which I think takes a pile of luck. The hard-reset...you're seeing with the Hawks...brutal. They are almost unwatchable on most evenings. I am unsure what is the formula here but I can't picture Geno and Sid in other sweaters either.

CCColtsicehockey

Well, tank one more game this week. That would be appreciated.

97BlackAckCL

iTrader: (6)

The way we're playing you guys will score 10-12 easy

Yumcha

What...-ing my Hawks that badly yesterday was not enough?

CCColtsicehockey

I want to be ahead of the Wild and the Stars so they can beat each other up in the first round.

CCColtsicehockey

Well the Avs decided to play about 10 out 60 min last night. Pens actually looked really good. Jarry was playing excellent as well.

97BlackAckCL

iTrader: (6)

Yeah man, it's amazing to me how they can look like dog playing the Sens and an ECHL goalie, and show up and play well against the Avs, it's just a summary of how schitzo this team is this year

Yumcha

Well, kinda goes with the screensaver mode for a vet-team like the Pens...they know the Avs are the Champs and the benchmark: Wake up for that match. Now, go back to sorta maybe sleepwalking again...I think they'll be fine and make the playoffs.

Joneill44

Providence Bruins beat the Hurricanes on the road

e30cabrio

iTrader: (6)

Lol

CCColtsicehockey

Huge next two games for the Avs starting tonight. The outcome of these next two games likely decides the final standings in the central. Going to be a stressful two nights to say the least. I really don't want to play either team in the first round.

Joneill44

Are they healthy right now?

Joneill44

Officially official the Bruins are the name that won't be mentioned

Yumcha

Good luck in the playoffs.

e30cabrio

iTrader: (6)

Who saw that coming? Imagine my shock!

Joneill44

@97BlackAckCL great jersey game today

Joneill44

Crosby almost decapitated our goalie in the crease and the goal stands???? Sad!

Joneill44

Pasta just sucked the soul out of that building with that hatty

CCColtsicehockey

They will never be healthy. Still without two top six forwards and one top four dman.

97BlackAckCL

iTrader: (6)

His stick was lifted by the D-man

97BlackAckCL

iTrader: (6)

Pens can't hang with Boston, Boston looks unstoppable this year the way that the Avs did last year. The President's Cup curse is real, however Boston is definitely the team to beat this year and they're playing like it

Yumcha

Yeah...and until they go down (guess who draws Tampa??!? Yup, Toronnah... ), the route to the Cup from the East is possibly through the Bolts.

Yumcha

I think the East will be very entertaining this year with the powerhouse foursome: Canes, Bolts, Bruins, and Rangers. Pens are still a darkhorse because you can't say nope to their experience.

And quietly, the Isles are no pushoever either.

Yumcha

West? Good luck getting past Denver.

97BlackAckCL

iTrader: (6)

Right now I have an Avs/Bruins final, but definitely curious to see how the East shakes out, anything can happen in this crazy conference!

CCColtsicehockey

President's Cup curse is definitely real it seems and also I am just not sold Boston with how old they are can handle the grind that is going to be the east. That said I plan to watch almost every east playoff game cause its going to be amazing hockey.

CCColtsicehockey

If the Avs get healthy and can grab first in the central I can get behind this. If Landeskog ends up not playing this year at all and they are stuck playing like Dallas in the first round I am not sure they make it out of the first round.

Yumcha

You're probably not wrong. I am HOPING for an Avs/Canes final...I love how Carolina plays but I'm not sure they have enough size/sandpaper for a long Cup run.

Yumcha

Sounds like your Captain is on track to return for the playoffs. Dallas is underrated I guess but I don't see them having the 4 lines of thunder or the overall speed the Nordiques have. And if Denver does have home ice...forget about taking 4 in that altitude from them.

CCColtsicehockey

I love Carolina as a second team living here in NC. That said I am with you I just don't think they have it to make it through the playoffs. Unless the rest of the teams kill each other off and they waltz through.

CCColtsicehockey

He is going on this 4 game road trip the team is headed on. I think it is just for morale and also for team bonding before the playoffs. I don't believe he plays a minute of it. Maybe takes practice with them to start working on timing again but that is it. I don't really feel we have 4 full lines either cause I still think we have a hole at 2C they did fix when Kadri left. JTC is what he is though and it is what we have to go with so we will see.

My main fear with Dallas is Ottinger. He is the best goalie in the west and when hot could easily steal a series for them.

CCColtsicehockey

Twitter

97BlackAckCL

iTrader: (6)

Yumcha

97BlackAckCL

iTrader: (6)

Pens were beyond flat and slow last night against the Devils, at this point they do not look like a playoff team and I've given up all hope for this season completely

CCColtsicehockey

Please win tomorrow for me if they are going to bow out. The help would be much appreciated

e30cabrio

iTrader: (6)

I'd have appreciated a win from the Pens there.

Great effort last night against the Bolts, Trouba's face plant looked painful.

Joneill44

This team makes me