Pens v. Sharks...6.4.16...Game #3 comments

[Orangesteel]

Love your stuff Bling, always have.

I agree with it all, and want to emphasize the point regarding Malkin. I get he was injured earlier this year and I know his style of hockey, but Jesus Christ he looks like shit out there. The guy is an immense talent but when you turn he puck over like he does or just throw it around willy nilly like he does, he's a goddamn liability.

Believe me I'm a big Malkin fan, but he's been horrible. If he's 85% he's still better than most guys on the ice, but Sulli needs to have a conversation with him about the turnovers and the effort.

PUCK CONTROL is how the Pens will win this series. Malkin needs to do his part. He can't not score and turn it over. He's tits on a bull at that point.

[Legacy User]

Love you stuff Bling, always have.

I agree with it all, and want to emphasize the point regarding Malkin. I get he was injured earlier this year and I know his style of hockey, but Jesus Christ he looks like shit out there. The guy is an immense talent but when you turn he puck over like he does or just throw it around willy nilly like he does, he's a goddamn liability.

Believe me I'm a big Malkin fan, but he's been horrible. If he's 85% he's still better than most guys on the ice, but Sulli needs to have a conversation with him abou the turnovers and the effort.

PUCK CONTROL is how the Pens will win this series. Malkin needs to do his part. He can't not score and turn it over. He's tits on a bull at that point.

Right back @ you, Orange. The announcers opined tonight that the ice (which was slush) hurt the Pens. I'm sure the Sharks did their best "Al Davis" impression to slow down that speed. I get that it's June. I also get that the league needs to tell both the Pens & Sharks to keep their ice frozen to promote the best play possible. Technology is such that I believe in 2016 there are ways to keep the ice frozen better (more A/C in the building, setting the ice temperatures below 22 degrees, whatever).

One thing the Pens need to do for game 5 (and 7 if necessary) is to make sure their ice is solid. If you have a speed advantage you better take full advantage of that asset.

[AZ Stiller Fan]

The Sharks fought back and post-January had a season comparable to anyone in the league. They're not in the Cup finals by accident. I expected to drop a game or two to a very talented and hungry team. I'm not panicking - bring on game 4!

[fractalsteel]

Love your stuff Bling, always have.

I agree with it all, and want to emphasize the point regarding Malkin. I get he was injured earlier this year and I know his style of hockey, but Jesus Christ he looks like shit out there. The guy is an immense talent but when you turn he puck over like he does or just throw it around willy nilly like he does, he's a goddamn liability.

Believe me I'm a big Malkin fan, but he's been horrible. If he's 85% he's still better than most guys on the ice, but Sulli needs to have a conversation with him about the turnovers and the effort.

PUCK CONTROL is how the Pens will win this series. Malkin needs to do his part. He can't not score and turn it over. He's tits on a bull at that point.

Malkin was the best offensive forward last night for the Pens. He was flying that third period and overtime.

Do you realize that for the first time in over 7 playoff games going back to May 18th he was on the ice for an opposition goal? And it was one tucked into the corner of the goal with a few inches to spare. He dogged the goal scorer but couldn't get his stick in front of the shot in time.

The TO talk is bunk-more stuff from the past that people seem to hold onto. Malkin has taken away the puck with much more frequency this playoffs than he has turned it over.

Of course it would be nice if he could put the puck in the net-no argument there but his line has been the best defensive line this playoff run and if you would look at the numbers they would show such.

The Pens are in a position now where they have found themselves prior this playoff and they have stepped up each time. Anyone thinking this would be a sweep was not giving SJ credit.

[Suwanee88]

Some reassurance is needed. Let me provide it.

1. Letang is to blame more for the game tier than Murray. Situational hockey 101. You are @ the end of a 4 minute penalty kill. The primary issue is getting back to 5 on 5 hockey. Letang sometimes is dumber than a bag of rocks. Letang has played in the league (and in Cup Finals) long enough to understand his primary obligation in that situation. If you're down a goal maybe you're trying to make a play. That was clearly the wrong decision @ the wrong time.

2. The first Shark goal was a perfect storm -- a shot over a Penguin trying to block the shot while a Shark was skating in front of Murray. I have no issues with that goal. The 2nd goal was pathetic. That's why Murray is in the cage vs. Flower. The OT goal was weak. Murray overcompensated to protect the low shot. News flash -- ever since the Capitals series people have been going either top-shelf or wrap-around. That needs to stop and very soon.

3. Jones wasn't @ fault on either Penguin deflected goal. The Pens were up 2-1. Early in the 3rd period they almost made it 3-1. Late in the 3rd period they had a great chance to win it 3-2. Playing desperate hockey @ home with a great performance the Sharks arguably still should have lost the game.

Here's what we need to win this series 4-1.

1. Come out smoking on Monday night. CRASH THE NET. IMPOSE YOUR WILL. SCORE EARLY & OFTEN.

2. Tell Letang to let someone else score the goals. Just hang back & protect Murray. No more careless cross ice passes. No more give-aways going the other way. Just play defense. We have enough other people to score goals.

3. Enough with ICING the puck already. Guys are standing alone with time & space and insist on trying to make a "Larry Murphy" pass along the boards or up the middle. One way to help Murray is to keep the Sharks from getting offensive zone face offs & cycling the puck. Another thing is to carry the puck out of the defensive end to center and then dump the puck behind Jones.

4. Murray, when in doubt, it's ok to hold the puck. Take the face off. Tie up the Shark during the face off & have another man come up to help clear the puck out of the zone.

Excellent thoughts Blinger- on your first point, LeTang for sure at fault but have to add Crosby too on that play. And agree about the passing game, was frustrating to watch at times last night!

[jeemie]

The Pens are in a position now where they have found themselves prior this playoff and they have stepped up each time. Anyone thinking this would be a sweep was not giving SJ credit.

Agreed, but the way they lost this one feels more deflating than any loss they've had in the playoffs to date.

They had this one and ended up losing because they were stupid.

That said...win Monday and all is forgiven.

I do agree with Bling on one thing. I don't know how the NHL can do it, but the ice has GOT to be better. It's been a disgrace the last two games. I get it it's warm and humid outside but with modern climate control, that can't be controlled? At all? It looked like they were skating on gravel, and I think it has had an effect on the Penguins' game.

It shouldn't be allowed.

[Legacy User]

Malkin was the best offensive forward last night for the Pens. He was flying that third period and overtime.

Do you realize that for the first time in over 7 playoff games going back to May 18th he was on the ice for an opposition goal? And it was one tucked into the corner of the goal with a few inches to spare. He dogged the goal scorer but couldn't get his stick in front of the shot in time.

The TO talk is bunk-more stuff from the past that people seem to hold onto. Malkin has taken away the puck with much more frequency this playoffs than he has turned it over.

Of course it would be nice if he could put the puck in the net-no argument there but his line has been the best defensive line this playoff run and if you would look at the numbers they would show such.

The Pens are in a position now where they have found themselves prior this playoff and they have stepped up each time. Anyone thinking this would be a sweep was not giving SJ credit.

1. Crosby & Malkin are on a short list of players considered to be among the world's best. They are paid accordingly. They receive the accolades accordingly. Fair or unfair that's at least the perception if not the reality of the situation. It's good that they know how to play defense and are willing to do so. Crosby in particular is under consideration for Conn Smythe because of his overall play in this series. Defense is not their primary function. Their primary function is to put the puck with some regularity behind the opposing net minder. If that job description has changed then someone else must do it because relying on Ben Lovejoy to generate offense on deflected shots probably isn't the preferred solution longer term.

2. Few here were assuming a series sweep before the series started. Realistically it still wasn't likely after winning the first two games. What is frustrating is that everyone hoped to get at least 1 win in SJ. That is still possible but now will require > effort against a reinvigorated SJ team.

3. What is more frustrating is that Murray did his job until he didn't do his job. Part of that is because a veteran "Norris" candidate first didn't do his job. Still, Murray held the Sharks to 2 goals through regulation. I would take my chances the rest of the way relinquishing 2 goals in 60 minutes to any team, especially one as talented as SJ. Unfortunately, that just wasn't quite good enough in game 3 because the Pens didn't score at least one goal that wasn't originated by a guy named Lovejoy.

[jeemie]

The Penguins have scored 7 goals this series. Only two of those were "generated" by Lovejoy.

Two were scored by the HBK line, our best line in the playoffs, two by the Crosby line, an one by the Malkin line.

You're making it sound like only the muckers and grinders are scoring.

The game was given away by a mistake yesterday, not because we're relying on the Ben Lovejoys of the team to generate offense.

This is how these games are going to be. If you're expecting a 7-2 blowout where Crosby and Malkin each pot two, you're dreaming. If you'd even just "appreciate it", you're expecting way too much.

I'm waiting until Monday until I make a judgement as to how this series will finish out. Every time a team has punched these playoffs, the Penguins have counter-punched. If they do it again this time, all is well. If they don't...well, it's anyone's series, and then we may look back and see this giveaway as the turning point in the series.

Totally up to the team to make sure that doesn't happen....and they've proved they can do that even if Crosby and Malkin aren't the ones scoring the goals.

[V DUB]

That Kessel breakaway.

Also a lot of clutching & interference creeping back in.

Even with that, it took some shitty luck & OT to lose the game. I thought we had it. I was SURE we had it. I bet the boys are more pissed than any fan to let that one slip away. On a mission Monday.

[jeemie]

That Kessel breakaway.

Also a lot of clutching & interference creeping back in.

Even with that, it took some shitty luck & OT to lose the game. I thought we had it. I was SURE we had it. I bet the boys are more pissed than any fan to let that one slip away. On a mission Monday.

Speaking of clutching and grabbing, I'm not one to complain about the officiating...really I'm not.

But the officiating this series has been really slanted towards the Sharks.

I see 8 PPs for the Sharks (one a double minor) to 5 for the Penguins.

I see the same penalties not being called equally for both teams (i.e. The aforementioned interference and high sticking as well. And it is really true it wasn't a penalty when Crosby got dragged down because "he was off balance anyway"? Seriously?)

You want to swallow the whistles...fine. Swallow the whistles.

But swallow the whistles for BOTH teams.

PS The Kessel breakaway failed because he couldn't settle the puck down. Again...a condition of the absolutely atrocious ice. A little home cooking for the Sharks to negate our speed? I can't believe it's that hard to control ice conditions that they couldn't help the ice being that bad. It was bad at Consol game 2 as well, but not as bad as last night.

[Legacy User]

I was expecting a split in SJ. We can't have expected to go up 3-0 on a team in the Finals. Win game 4 and then bring it home for a chance to win it on home ice and permanently exorcise the CEC demons.

[swissvale72]

I'm taking the blame for this one, boys. Of the 21 playoff games thus far, I've watched three not in my own home. Yup.....Game #1 vs. Capitals, Game #5 vs. Lighting, Game #3 vs. Sharks....all overtime losses.

[jeemie]

I'm taking the blame for this one, boys. Of the 21 playoff games thus far, I've watched three not in my own home. Yup.....Game #1 vs. Capitals, Game #5 vs. Lighting, Game #3 vs. Sharks....all overtime losses.

Well...if you'd told us THIS in your "where to watch the game" thread, we would have advised you much better!

Don't be leaving critical pieces of information out the next time you ask for help, Swiss!

[jeemie]

I was expecting a split in SJ. We can't have expected to go up 3-0 on a team in the Finals. Win game 4 and then bring it home for a chance to win it on home ice and permanently exorcise the CEC demons.

I'm hoping Sid, Tanger, and Murray are pissed at their roles in letting this game slip away and come out with a vengeance next time.

Again- the good news is twofold- 1) every time in these playoffs the Pens have been challenged,mother have responded, and 2) the Sharks played their best game of the series to date, and it took overtime and Penguins' screw-ups for them to eke out a win.

That said- Pens can't give away another game.

[swissvale72]

I'm taking the blame for this one, boys. Of the 21 playoff games thus far, I've watched three not in my own home. Yup.....Game #1 vs. Capitals, Game #5 vs. Lighting, Game #3 vs. Sharks....all overtime losses.

Well...if you'd told us THIS in your "where to watch the game" thread, we would have advised you much better!

Don't be leaving critical pieces of information out the next time you ask for help, Swiss!

I'm going to equate this to last night's tying goal, Jeems....complete fuck-up on my part....hadn't entered my consciousness until this morning. The question is whether my PEI cottage would equate to my New Hampshire abode when it comes to Penguins, and should I have had the good sense to just stay the fuck in New Hampshire??

No worries....I'll be back in NH in time for gametime tomorrow and going forward, I'm staying the fuck home!!

[swissvale72]

In all seriousness though....and I'll preface again with my signature line of I Don't Know Shit about Hockey.....I'm putting this one on Murray.

Yes, Sid should have dumped in deep. Yes, Letang should not have joined the rush.

BUT....all that said, Murray can not miss on a 41 foot unscreened slapper right the fuck at him....and not like it was fired by Bobby Fuckin' Hull.

[jeemie]

In all seriousness though....and I'll preface again with my signature line of I Don't Know Shit about Hockey.....I'm putting this one on Murray.

Yes, Sid should have dumped in deep. Yes, Letang should not have joined the rush.

BUT....all that said, Murray can not miss on a 41 foot unscreened slapper right the fuck at him....and not like it was fired by Bobby Fuckin' Hull.

No he shouldn't. But hockey is like that...sometimes shit like that happens. Our first goal happened when technically sound Martin Jones mishandled a puck behind his net.

The best way to avoid goals from being scored is to keep shots away from the net by limiting scoring chances.

And that Ward had a scoring chance was caused by a brain fart.

Brain farts are eminently avoidable...and I hold our most experienced pair of hands more accountable when they do it.

[Legacy User]

I was expecting a split in SJ. We can't have expected to go up 3-0 on a team in the Finals. Win game 4 and then bring it home for a chance to win it on home ice and permanently exorcise the CEC demons.

[Legacy User]

In all seriousness though....and I'll preface again with my signature line of I Don't Know Shit about Hockey.....I'm putting this one on Murray.

Yes, Sid should have dumped in deep. Yes, Letang should not have joined the rush.

BUT....all that said, Murray can not miss on a 41 foot unscreened slapper right the fuck at him....and not like it was fired by Bobby Fuckin' Hull.

agree 100%..i think he was relaxing a bit as the penalty was killed.. seemed caught off guard by the shot...I really think the shot was just a frustration shot by the sharks for not scoring in 4 min pp just winged it in semi anger....i bet they shocked it went in..

[bradshaw2ben]

Murray sees the puck well, even on hard ones, but Jesus Christ he is sloppy on some easy ones.

Joel Ward's goal should never have gone in. Period. That was fucking lame.

I think he saw it go in their zone and relaxed a bit.

But like I said, all Letang had to do was dump it in, and Murray never has to worry about blowing it.

Not letting Murray off the hook, but Letang took a great penalty kill and turned it to shit.

They gotta shrug it off. I trust Sullivan. He's found an adjustment to everything every team has thrown at him. I trust him to find something here.

And we had our chances. They played their best game, and we still almost stole it.

I thought the Ward goal was Murray cheating his glove hand high because he knew they'd been trying to beat him there. Left the slightest opening beneath his arm that Ward exploited.

[bradshaw2ben]

maybe Geno could get off the milk carton and score a goal or two. He almost did in OT tonight. If Geno wants to stay on the milk carton, maybe Sid needs to carry Geno across the finish line..

Bling, you're missing the game.

Geno and his line have been difference makers on defense for this team for weeks now. As Fractal pointed out to me (and undoubtedly cursed them by doing so), that line hadn't given up a goal in like 6 games before the GW last night. Geno is playing great hockey, although I will agree that the shitty ice has definitely affecting his passing game and adjustments need to be made in that regard.

[Legacy User]

Did my eyes deceive me last night or did Sid & Geno, for a time, play 5-on-5 on the same line? Was that an accident that 1 or both forgot to leave the ice or, in fact, did Sully by design arrange for their pairing?

If Sully did plan for them to play together, why would Sully do such a thing? After all, the Pens either were tied or leading game 3 until losing in OT, and were up 2-0 in the series. Did Sully want to play even > shut down defense by combining Sid & Geno on one line?

I might be wrong, but is it barely possible that Sully wanted to jump start Sid or Geno or both offensively because, you know, they both get paid about $10 million per season for the implied purpose of putting pucks into the opposition's net more than keeping the opposition from putting pucks into the Penguin's net?

I know, it's playoff time. Time to play shut down defense. So, again, why were Sid & Geno paired 5-on-5 together? As was stated, Geno's line has been getting it done defensively so why break up that line even for a short time?

[Legacy User]

seems a lead in 2nd and 3rd has been penguin kryptonite!!

[BethlehemSteel]

Sully did put them on together on purpose

The disconnected controller motif is coming back around on social media

[swissvale72]

seems a lead in 2nd and 3rd has been penguin kryptonite!!

Is....now lost two games after leading going into the 3rd period.....this is at least the 5th time though this playoff season that Pens have lead going into the 3rd, then lost the lead....Games #2 & #6 v. Washington, Games #5 vs. TB, Games #2 & #3 v. San Jose.

[Legacy User]

Sully did put them on together on purpose

The disconnected controller motif is coming back around on social media

Thanks for the confirmation Beth.
As someone who doesn't wear Penguin tinted glasses, why Beth do you think Sully paired them if even for a short time?

[Legacy User]

The Penguins have scored 7 goals this series. Only two of those were "generated" by Lovejoy.

Two were scored by the HBK line, our best line in the playoffs, two by the Crosby line, an one by the Malkin line.

You're making it sound like only the muckers and grinders are scoring.

The game was given away by a mistake yesterday, not because we're relying on the Ben Lovejoys of the team to generate offense.

This is how these games are going to be. If you're expecting a 7-2 blowout where Crosby and Malkin each pot two, you're dreaming. If you'd even just "appreciate it", you're expecting way too much.

I'm waiting until Monday until I make a judgement as to how this series will finish out. Every time a team has punched these playoffs, the Penguins have counter-punched. If they do it again this time, all is well. If they don't...well, it's anyone's series, and then we may look back and see this giveaway as the turning point in the series.

Totally up to the team to make sure that doesn't happen....and they've proved they can do that even if Crosby and Malkin aren't the ones scoring the goals.

1. 7 - 2 = 5 goals generated by somebody not named Lovejoy. 5 over 3 games is < 2 per game, but let's just say 2.

2. I don't care if goals are generated by superstars or muckers/grinders. I do care that we score enough to win games. But, since I'm expecting too much from Sid/Geno, I must modify my expectations apparently, meaning those muckers better start mucking more and those grinders better start grinding more.

3. Do you think it's reasonable to expect 1 goal from either Sid or Geno (I probably don't dare ask for 1 from each)?

[fractalsteel]

Did my eyes deceive me last night or did Sid & Geno, for a time, play 5-on-5 on the same line? Was that an accident that 1 or both forgot to leave the ice or, in fact, did Sully by design arrange for their pairing?

If Sully did plan for them to play together, why would Sully do such a thing? After all, the Pens either were tied or leading game 3 until losing in OT, and were up 2-0 in the series. Did Sully want to play even > shut down defense by combining Sid & Geno on one line?

I might be wrong, but is it barely possible that Sully wanted to jump start Sid or Geno or both offensively because, you know, they both get paid about $10 million per season for the implied purpose of putting pucks into the opposition's net more than keeping the opposition from putting pucks into the Penguin's net?

I know, it's playoff time. Time to play shut down defense. So, again, why were Sid & Geno paired 5-on-5 together? As was stated, Geno's line has been getting it done defensively so why break up that line even for a short time?

Bling you are correct in believing both superstars should be putting more goals in the net. If you look on the other side of the ice the Sharks stars have been very quiet in that department so far in this series.
Remember 09?
Sure Malkin and Crosby were both stellar but in the finals it was other guys like Staal and Guerrin and Talbot that scored the big goals in the finals. I think a few defensemen knocked a few in.

As far as pairing them I think it was to give SJ something to consider down the road. Sullivan rarely uses them together though he did for a few shifts in both series against Washington and Tampa.

Both Kunitz and Rust moved up and down the lines as well so maybe he is trying to get some balance there. I recall one shift where Sullivan reunited Malkin with his old mates 81 and 62 as well.
I trust Sullivan so I'm not going to question his shifting of lines unless he does something crazy that backfires.

On a side note, the Pens defense had 16 shots on goal last night. I think that was in part because the ice was so bad that the Sharks jumped the forwards on the inside for most of the game.

Here is a conspiracy theory I have been thinking of all day. Last night the ice was as bad as it could be. So bad that it was almost blatant like SJ and the arena authority worked hand in hand to make it so. And I'm not going to use that as an excuse because the Sharks have to play on it as well.
But what if the Sharks do the same to their practice ice so they can practice on it? That is a slice of home advantage. Man I thought the Sharks were the better passing team last night.
What I would give to see the practice ice in San Jose.

If we can fix the PP we win.

[COR-TEN]

My limited hockey experience thoughts :

One successful fucking penalty kill nullified by a bonehead mistake. Massively deflating, both for fans and I'm sure the pens.
One legitimate goal by the sharks. Nice screen. Looked like Murray didn't even know it was past him.
One softie goal allowed by Murray - usually the easy ones. As someone mentioned, wrap arounds and high goals are his weakness.
Unbalanced officiating.
Pens played really well for most of the game with a few late mistakes
Sharks played their best game of the series and still had to win in on a softie goal off a mistake and overtime. But they are still a very good team.

I'm Ok. Hugely disappointed yesterday but feel ok today. If they can play like they did yesterday without a few key mistakes, they head back to PGH with a 3-1 lead. I'm take that any day.

So home teams can fuck with ice temp to slow down skaters? Is that legal? Is that like Noll spraying the sidelines with water before a game in freezing temperatures?

[Legacy User]

Did my eyes deceive me last night or did Sid & Geno, for a time, play 5-on-5 on the same line? Was that an accident that 1 or both forgot to leave the ice or, in fact, did Sully by design arrange for their pairing?

If Sully did plan for them to play together, why would Sully do such a thing? After all, the Pens either were tied or leading game 3 until losing in OT, and were up 2-0 in the series. Did Sully want to play even > shut down defense by combining Sid & Geno on one line?

I might be wrong, but is it barely possible that Sully wanted to jump start Sid or Geno or both offensively because, you know, they both get paid about $10 million per season for the implied purpose of putting pucks into the opposition's net more than keeping the opposition from putting pucks into the Penguin's net?

I know, it's playoff time. Time to play shut down defense. So, again, why were Sid & Geno paired 5-on-5 together? As was stated, Geno's line has been getting it done defensively so why break up that line even for a short time?

Bling you are correct in believing both superstars should be putting more goals in the net. If you look on the other side of the ice the Sharks stars have been very quiet in that department so far in this series.
Remember 09?
Sure Malkin and Crosby were both stellar but in the finals it was other guys like Staal and Guerrin and Talbot that scored the big goals in the finals. I think a few defensemen knocked a few in.

As far as pairing them I think it was to give SJ something to consider down the road. Sullivan rarely uses them together though he did for a few shifts in both series against Washington and Tampa.

Both Kunitz and Rust moved up and down the lines as well so maybe he is trying to get some balance there. I recall one shift where Sullivan reunited Malkin with his old mates 81 and 62 as well.
I trust Sullivan so I'm not going to question his shifting of lines unless he does something crazy that backfires.

On a side note, the Pens defense had 16 shots on goal last night. I think that was in part because the ice was so bad that the Sharks jumped the forwards on the inside for most of the game.

Here is a conspiracy theory I have been thinking of all day. Last night the ice was as bad as it could be. So bad that it was almost blatant like SJ and the arena authority worked hand in hand to make it so. And I'm not going to use that as an excuse because the Sharks have to play on it as well.
But what if the Sharks do the same to their practice ice so they can practice on it? That is a slice of home advantage. Man I thought the Sharks were the better passing team last night.
What I would give to see the practice ice in San Jose.

If we can fix the PP we win.

I appreciate your thoughts Fractalsteel. I truly value your considered wisdom on all matters hockey. I remember 2009 well -- Geno won the Conn Smythe off what he did before the Finals (mainly against Carolina).

I also trust Sully. He said when he came to Pittsburgh & asked for the team's identity nobody could give it to him. Eventually he determined that the personnel dictated speed, speed, and yes, more speed. Kudos to JR for making trades to facilitate the need for speed. Sully also said that the bench was conspicuously quiet when he arrived. Now players are engaged in conversation during the game, sharing insights with other players and giving feedback to the coaches.

I suggested the "Al Davis" tactics myself but never took it to the extent you did -- well played. If this is true I'd suggest Mario spring for a little more in the electric budget this month and freeze out CEC for game 5 (and 7 if necessary). People can wear parkas if necessary so long as that ice is like the Edmonton ice was during the Oiler's eighties dynasty. FWIW, I blame the league for letting this happen EVERY YEAR -- the league should monitor the arena's ice surfaces during the finals (if not the entire playoffs) to ensure the best playing conditions for the most critical games of the season. It's only the showcase for the entire league.