Fuck You Ballwashers, Season 9

[Deebo]

The great Hacksaw Jim Duggan, ever so hockey inclined, sees an overlap with the ball washers here and the weird primal obsession most Penguins Yinzers have with Marc Andre Fleury. After being a passenger to early success, Fleury choked away almost a decade of playoff performances before someone with balls came and stole his spot and led the team to back to back cups.
Minus the latter part, that's pretty much just Tomlin.

The ball washers are the same people who adore the mediocre slop of MAF.

They are retarded.

Eh there's a better corollary between Tomlin and Sullivan.

MAF was vital to winning the Cup in 2017. Tomlin hasn't done anything remotely close to being a net positive for this franchise since about 2010.

[Hacksaw]

If Fleury stays in the net, the Penguins bow out to the pathetic Senators in the ECF in 16-17.

His brutal Game 5 and 6 performances against Washington are the only reason that series went to 7.

Strong disagree

[Deebo]

If Fleury stays in the net, the Penguins bow out to the pathetic Senators in the ECF in 16-17.

His brutal Game 5 and 6 performances against Washington are the only reason that series went to 7.

Strong disagree

Dude won 9 of the 16 required to earn the Cup. He sported a .924 SV in that run and he was a HUGE factor in beating Washington. I saw it firsthand as I was at Game 3 in Pittsburgh. It was when Letang lined up the Caps player and got himself a game suspension.

Look at this playoff stats in 2017 and tell me that wasn't a good performance.
https://www.hockey-reference.com/player ... /playoffs/

I was all aboard the MAF hate train as he personally derailed the 2011 to 2014 playoff aspirations. I also thought he was very shaky in the 2008 and 2009 Finals. But he bounced back from his demons to ensure we got the 2nd Cup.

[Hacksaw]

Wouldn't have gotten past Ottawa with him in.

Having a good save percentage against shitty Columbus helps those numbers.

If Murray plays against Washington, that series doesn't even go to 7. Smiles tried to give that series away up 3-1, something he had already done with the Penguins before.

You're kind of proving my point about the Yinzer obsession with Smiles.

[Deebo]

Wouldn't have gotten past Ottawa with him in.

Having a good save percentage against shitty Columbus helps those numbers.

If Murray plays against Washington, that series doesn't even go to 7. Smiles tried to give that series away up 3-1, something he had already done with the Penguins before.

You're kind of proving my point about the Yinzer obsession with Smiles.

That's a specious argument.

And I clearly stated I hated MAF for blowing all those playoff series, but reading is apparently difficult when you have an agenda.
Your corollary sucks. Should probably just own it instead of doubling down.

[swissvale72]

Let's not forget Sullivan needing to make the call to go back to Murray for game 6 in Tampa in '16, down 3-2

[Deebo]

Can't believe you're making me defend MAF.
Fact is, we don't win the Washington series without his efforts. Stats speak for themselves.

You can say you hate MAF for the 2011 to 2014 playoff losses and still acknowledge he was a key contributor in 2017 Cup run. They aren't binary choices.

[swissvale72]

Memory lapse...did fleury in net for Columbus & Washington in '16? Did he also start the Ottawa series?

[Deebo]

Memory lapse...did fleury in net for Columbus & Washington in '16? Did he also start the Ottawa series?

In 2016, he only played in a couple games vs Tampa.

In 2017 he played the entire CBus and Washington series. He started the first 3 games of the Ott series while Murray was injured (again).

https://www.hockey-reference.com/player ... /playoffs/

[Hacksaw]

Memory lapse...did fleury in net for Columbus & Washington in '16? Did he also start the Ottawa series?

In 2016, he only played in a couple games vs Tampa.

In 2017 he played the entire CBus and Washington series. He started the first 3 games of the Ott series while Murray was injured (again).

https://www.hockey-reference.com/player ... /playoffs/

Has the slurp fest ended??!

What did you get signed at the Fleury signing a few months ago?

Your comparison to Sullivan makes no sense because, unlike Tomlin, Sullivan inherited a team dead in the water, far removed from being a cup darling year to year.

Tomlin inherited a stacked roster 2 years removed from a SB. Very much like Smiles, he had early success with generational players in their prime and then wilted away when roster movement occurred and he was asked to be more of a pivotal piece.

There was never an obsessive admiration with Sullivan that is comparable to your fandom for Smiles.

It's an outstanding association, and you're "they would have never done it without him!" is hilarious and proves my point.

Jeff Zatkoff won more playoff games for the Penguins in 15-16 than smiles. Guess they couldn't have done it without him.

Thank God for Matt Murray, who I noticed you seemed to give a dig that he's "always injured." Sorry he replaced your lil flowa.