Pens vs Bolts 5-13-16 Game 1 comments

[jeemie]

i would argue that it's much more difficult to be a pittsburgh sports fan right now than a fan of perennial losers like the cleveland sports teams

at least they don't have to get their hopes up

we have three teams that can contend year-in year-out and nothing but early playoff exits to show for it since '09

This is ludicrous. There are only four teams in the league that made it this far, and it's game one of a seven game series. Man up. LET'S GO PENS!

We also have to remember where this Penguins' team was just a couple of short months ago.

If we lose to the defending Eastern Conference champions, I'll be upset, but not completely broken up over it.

The future is way brighter than it used to be.

[swissvale72]

Few thoughts....
*When Malkin got hurt in early March, it was reasonable to believe that this team would not even make the playoffs; they're now in the semifinals.
*I apply the same fandom test to Pens as I do to Steelers. Ultimate goal is to win a championship, secondary goal is to see your team play as long as you can.....there's only four teams playing hockey, one of them is ours.
*Not at all surprised that after the intensity of the Washington series and then having only two off days before starting up again, that this team laid an egg in Game 1. I still think that the NHL scheduling could have been a bit more generous and scheduled Game 1 for today. Hell....they had four days off after the Rangers series.

All that said, yeah...Bolts are damn good. Pissed that they pulled out those couple OT wins against the Isles in Brooklyn, including scoring in the final minute to send Game 3 to OT.

Anyway....win Monday, take one in Tampa, make this a best of three with home ice.

[Suwanee88]

i would argue that it's much more difficult to be a pittsburgh sports fan right now than a fan of perennial losers like the cleveland sports teams

at least they don't have to get their hopes up

we have three teams that can contend year-in year-out and nothing but early playoff exits to show for it since '09

This is ludicrous. There are only four teams in the league that made it this far, and it's game one of a seven game series. Man up. LET'S GO PENS!

We also have to remember where this Penguins' team was just a couple of short months ago.

If we lose to the defending Eastern Conference champions, I'll be upset, but not completely broken up over it.

The future is way brighter than it used to be.

So is Tampa's - have you seen how many young guys they have on that team? And missing Stamkos last night? Their future may be brighter.

[COR-TEN]

i'm cashing in my chips, getting off the bandwagon

we got totally outclassed tonight

it was like steelers pats out there

Yeah. They ran into a buzz saw. The Bolts did to the penguins what the pens did to teams at the end of the regular season. I'm not cashing in my chips just yet, but they'd better pull it together because getting down 2 zip to that team spells the end.

It was like they played two games, and the first one lasted just a few minutes. When Bishop went down the pens had the edge and were attacking. That long pause changed the dynamic entirely. The bolts knew they had to win one because the way it looked, bishop is done for the season. The pens were stunned and it took what, 5 minutes before they put a shot on the new goalie? Hopefully it won't get in their heads. The back up for TB is who again? Kinda like "Who is Murray?" Vasilevskiy made some nice saves, and the pens had opportunities, but the bolts were all over the place. All the time.

We'll see what happens.

[Ice]

Apparently no hearing for Callahan. #garageleague

[alancac98]

Pens were emotionally and physically drained from the Caps series, but I also think they believed that this series would be easier to get through since they beat the number one team. Hopefully it will be the eye opener they need and will get back to their game, as I still believe that if they play "their" game, not team can beat them 4 times.

[Legacy User]

Wow we're losing our shit after one game? There's a reason it's best of 7. The Pens have a few days to stew about it which is a good thing. They are much better than they showed last night from everything I've read in post-game analysis.

[Legacy User]

that game was ugly..they put so little pressure on their goal it was crazy.. I wonder if sully thinks about switching up our goalies? personally I wouldn't but who knows..maybe fluerry adds a spark..

[jeemie]

that game was ugly..they put so little pressure on their goal it was crazy.. I wonder if sully thinks about switching up our goalies? personally I wouldn't but who knows..maybe fluerry adds a spark..

I thought Murray was fine...I wish he had stoned that breakaway...actually thought he did...but the other two goals...wasn't much he really could have done.

We missed our chances failing to convert on the five minute PP...thought there were way too many passes and way too many poor selections of shots...plus the words weren't out of Olczyk's mouth about how the Lightning likes to pressure the boards on the penalty kill when the Pens get surprised and overwhelmed by it.

And Hornqvist was inches away from getting a goal on the play on which Bishop was injured.

Could have been a whole different game...but wasn't.

The only concerning thing for me? I know Tampa has big fast d-men, and they have good active sticks. But I thought they matched up speed-wise...actually I thought the Pens were faster.

However, last night, Tampa was WAY faster...they made our speedsters look like turtles.

That has to change.

[Donnie Brasco]

Wow we're losing our shit after one game? There's a reason it's best of 7. The Pens have a few days to stew about it which is a good thing. They are much better than they showed last night from everything I've read in post-game analysis.

Yeah again, we’re not going to slaughter every team like we did the Rangers. That being said, can't go down 2-0vs this team. The issues the Penguins have are correctable... It's not like we're outmatched by talent here

[Legacy User]

Shameful that Callahan gets no discipline. Yeah Trotz, the league really favors the Pens.

[Orangesteel]

Pens will be fine, but make no mistake TB is deep and big. Their defense is particularly good, poke checks and shot blocking.

Need a different game plan here. If Bishop is out an extended period of time the message needs to be pass less shoot more. Crowd the net and the pucks will go in.

That said I'm damn happy Sullivan is our coach. He's done a great job and can take this team to the next level.

[Legacy User]

If i'm a Pens player i'm looking for an opportunity to plant Callahan's face into the stanchion at full speed. Or even call up Sestito to do something like this to him:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPbN72u4hxs[/youtube]

[fractalsteel]

We missed our chances failing to convert on the five minute PP...thought there were way too many passes and way too many poor selections of shots...plus the words weren't out of Olczyk's mouth about how the Lightning likes to pressure the boards on the penalty kill when the Pens get surprised and overwhelmed by it.

And Hornqvist was inches away from getting a goal on the play on which Bishop was injured.

Could have been a whole different game...but wasn't.

Looking back now that was one turning point. And Bones on the wrap around. He had a ton of net to work with but he couldn't change his angle with the time he had left to make a play. It looked to me like he realized that and tried to bank off the goalie.

I have no doubts that we see a different Pens team Monday night. They will go to the net and they will swarm. They might give up some odd man chances on the other end but they won't be limp and slow like they were for portions of the game last night.
With the state of the D corps I would dress 7 for Monday night. Schultz might give us a lift and help ease minutes to the injured Letang and Dumo.

[bradshaw2ben]

On Bonino's wraparound, the defender held off Bonino's skate blade and kept him from turning toward the goal. Fantastic defensive play.

[fractalsteel]

On Bonino's wraparound, the defender held off Bonino's skate blade and kept him from turning toward the goal. Fantastic defensive play.

So I wasn't seeing things-maybe just a little bit.

Tampa is a sound team. They do not get enough credit for how good they really are.

[COR-TEN]

Shameful that Callahan gets no discipline. Yeah Trotz, the league really favors the Pens.

The fact that he wasn’t ejected now makes the lack of suspension seem like Callahan got off far too lightly. From here :

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nh ... /84375068/

[BethlehemSteel]

If i'm a Pens player i'm looking for an opportunity to plant Callahan's face into the stanchion at full speed. Or even call up Sestito to do something like this to him:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPbN72u4hxs[/youtube]

I get your passion, fully

But never ever call me or other flyer fans or the team themselves Neanderthals

You're advocating for full goon mode.