Here we, the real season. It almost feels like the Pens won the cup just a few months ago. I think they are motivated to repeat but there are so many good teams to get through to win it all. That is why the Stanley cup playoffs are the most difficult to win.
I think the current D lines are about the best we can hope for considering that Letang is done. Is it enough, can they match up for a full 7 game series?
The good news is that Hagelin has been skating on his own and is close to joining practice. His overall speed gives us a big advantage against Columbus.
The bad news is that Werenski seems to be healthy. He is key to their D corps. The other side of the bad news is that Columbus is going to be physical against us-every shift, every period every game. A long series where they can wear us down could give them the advantage at the end.
No doubts that the top line will give Columbus fits. If they can escape the clutch and grab that the Jackets will employ against them then the Pens will be in good position to win the series.
On a side note, I worry that Malkin tries to do too much in tonight's game. After long absences he sometimes takes a game or two to round out. We don't really have that luxury in a seven game series.
I'm going with a sticky series with some incredible moments. Pens in 7
Penguins projected lineup
Jake Guentzel -- Sidney Crosby -- Conor Sheary
Bryan Rust -- Evgeni Malkin -- Phil Kessel
Scott Wilson -- Nick Bonino -- Patric Hornqvist
Tom Kuhnhackl -- Matt Cullen -- Carter Rowney
Brian Dumoulin -- Ron Hainsey
Ian Cole -- Justin Schultz
Olli Maatta -- Trevor Daley
Matt Murray
Marc-Andre Fleury
Scratched: Cameron Gaunce, Josh Archibald, Mark Streit, Tristan Jarry
Injured: Kris Letang (upper body), Carl Hagelin (lower body), Tom Sestito (upper body), Chris Kunitz (lower body), Chad Ruhwedel (upper body)
Pens vs Jackets Game 1 4-12-17
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fractalsteel
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bradshaw2ben
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Wow. I'd so much rather see Archibald or Gaunce on Bonino's wing vs Wilson.
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Louis Lipps Service
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About damn time fractal got this thread up. I had to *gasp* do work today instead of anxiously awaiting some Pens talk! (THE HORROR)
LET'S GO PENS!!!!
LET'S GO PENS!!!!
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fractalsteel
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bradshaw2ben wrote:Wow. I'd so much rather see Archibald or Gaunce on Bonino's wing vs Wilson.
Wilson is a bit more physical then either of them and he has lots more experience in the playoffs.
Louis Lipps Service wrote:About damn time fractal got this thread up. I had to *gasp* do work today instead of anxiously awaiting some Pens talk! (THE HORROR)
LET'S GO PENS!!!!
I wait until the NHL site gives up the lines and they are so lame as not to make such available until mid afternoon. In the AM when you go to the match up pages and click on 'read more' it forwards to the full rosters. The NHL is so lame in so many ways.
Oh, the game is on USA tonight. I don't know who the announcers might be but I'll give em' a try over Steigie and drunk Errey for a bit.
Excellent. The best show in sports is about to begin. The Stanley Cup Playoffs.
I always thought Hornqvist did well on Crosby's line. Maybe Haglin will appear with Bonino sometime later in the series?
Go Pens!!
I always thought Hornqvist did well on Crosby's line. Maybe Haglin will appear with Bonino sometime later in the series?
Go Pens!!
Arguing with idiots is like playing chess with a pigeon. No matter how good you are, the pigeon is going to shit on the board and strut around like it won anyway.
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Hags' eventual (hopefully very soon) return really solidifies the lines nicely. Horny can move up to Geno's line and HBK can reunite.
I have no doubt this team can repeat, even without Letang.
LET'S GO PENS!!!
I have no doubt this team can repeat, even without Letang.
LET'S GO PENS!!!
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bradshaw2ben
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fractalsteel wrote:bradshaw2ben wrote:Wow. I'd so much rather see Archibald or Gaunce on Bonino's wing vs Wilson.
Wilson is a bit more physical then either of them and he has lots more experience in the playoffs.Louis Lipps Service wrote:About damn time fractal got this thread up. I had to *gasp* do work today instead of anxiously awaiting some Pens talk! (THE HORROR)
LET'S GO PENS!!!!
I wait until the NHL site gives up the lines and they are so lame as not to make such available until mid afternoon. In the AM when you go to the match up pages and click on 'read more' it forwards to the full rosters. The NHL is so lame in so many ways.
Oh, the game is on USA tonight. I don't know who the announcers might be but I'll give em' a try over Steigie and drunk Errey for a bit.
You want more D, Gaunce has the wheels to get to plays and a great knack-- tremendous deflections in front of the net, too. Archibald for scoring... that release... wow. Wilson is JAG and his physicality often misses the target because his skating is poor. Not a fan.
“We are the stupidest fucking franchise ever.” — Smithessmokin
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fractalsteel
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I was wondering what you meant by Gaunce at wing.
Wilson has been hot and cold this year. I think when he came back from the injury he was really rusty but got better as the year went along.
Sullivan has enough D now to make maneuvers if a player back there doesn't make plays.
I like the third pairing with Daley and Maata as long as Maata keeps his gap when Daley takes off and gets low in the offensive end.
I wonder why the Pens are carrying three tenders right now.
Wilson has been hot and cold this year. I think when he came back from the injury he was really rusty but got better as the year went along.
Sullivan has enough D now to make maneuvers if a player back there doesn't make plays.
I like the third pairing with Daley and Maata as long as Maata keeps his gap when Daley takes off and gets low in the offensive end.
I wonder why the Pens are carrying three tenders right now.
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bradshaw2ben
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whoops... I didn't mean Gaunce. 
Just... find me someone else beside Wilson! (yes I know Hagelin is probably destined for that spot soon).
Just... find me someone else beside Wilson! (yes I know Hagelin is probably destined for that spot soon).
“We are the stupidest fucking franchise ever.” — Smithessmokin
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fractalsteel
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bradshaw2ben wrote:whoops... I didn't mean Gaunce.
Just... find me someone else beside Wilson! (yes I know Hagelin is probably destined for that spot soon).
Somewhere, someone is blaming Tolmin for this...ha ha ha ha.
I get Wilson and Rust mixed up all the time as well-again it's Tomlin's fault.
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fractalsteel
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Fleury took over for during the pregame for Murray. ROOT wasn't sure why but it might be equipment or...
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fractalsteel
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Fleury is in net and Murray is out with Jarry as the backup.
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bradshaw2ben
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whoa
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bradshaw2ben
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I knew it seemed weird with Jarry not sent down.
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Orangesteel
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WTF?
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bradshaw2ben
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Anyone else glad at the moment that MAF wasn't traded?
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bradshaw2ben
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Murray hurt during warmups... groin?
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bradshaw2ben wrote:Murray hurt during warmups... groin?
Certainly looked like it. He seemed injured vs NJ. Doubt it's a short term injury
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Wondering what dbag dubinski said to MAf early
And I saw they gave MAf a snowshower
And I saw they gave MAf a snowshower
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Orangesteel
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Someone needs to put Douchinski on his ass
“Thoughts are a waste of time for me.” - Michael Pettaway Tomlin
Pens getting manhandled.
Malkin is trying to find his conditioning.
Somebody better do something physical on the boards.
Malkin is trying to find his conditioning.
Somebody better do something physical on the boards.
Arguing with idiots is like playing chess with a pigeon. No matter how good you are, the pigeon is going to shit on the board and strut around like it won anyway.
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fractalsteel
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Pens are sluggish and haven't found the speed to get around the clutching. Columbus is playing to the very edge.
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bradshaw2ben
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The Pens had it going in the middle of the period--the goal should be to avoid faceoffs and stoppages. Every time the clock stops is a victory for the BlowJobs
“We are the stupidest fucking franchise ever.” — Smithessmokin
Guentzel is getting beat up
We are giving these guys way too much space defensively- where is the bumble bee forechecking
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fractalsteel
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They called that after all the other bullshit.
Sloppy as fuck, Flower saved our ass!
Fleury did well. Defense will give up goals if this continues.
Practically zero offense so far.
Blowjobs will tire after a while I hope.
Practically zero offense so far.
Blowjobs will tire after a while I hope.
Arguing with idiots is like playing chess with a pigeon. No matter how good you are, the pigeon is going to shit on the board and strut around like it won anyway.
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Hainsey looks lost out there. It's his first playoff game but looks like his first time on the ice. Wake up bro!
Flower was solid.
Flower was solid.
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fractalsteel wrote:Fleury took over for during the pregame for Murray. ROOT wasn't sure why but it might be equipment or...
maybe murray lost his glove?
he don't use it anyhow! 
flower showing up!
