Ot: Pens vs Bolts pre series discussion thread

[ratking17]

This could be another fun series like the caps, but this time around we get high scoring affairs. Pens got swept by Tampa Bay but had zatkoff in goal for one, and malkin missed 2 of them. I know Tampa is a little banged up, but has serious speed to match the pens. Aside from that I don't know too much about the match ups.

Series starts Friday night at 8 in Pittsburgh

 

[9nationalchampionships]

I like the Pens chances. TB has speed but I don't feel they can match our 4 lines and we are getting productivity from each line.

Pens in 6

 

[wbrpanther]

This could be another fun series like the caps, but this time around we get high scoring affairs. Pens got swept by Tampa Bay but had zatkoff in goal for one, and malkin missed 2 of them. I know Tampa is a little banged up, but has serious speed to match the pens. Aside from that I don't know too much about the match ups.

Series starts Friday night at 8 in Pittsburgh

TB plays more of a speed game than the Caps but that plays into the Pens hands because the Pens play it better.

I called Pens in 5 then Pens in 6. Both right on so far. I was going to call this one Pens in 5 but have backed off and will call Pens in 6.

If you are a Pens fans this is some mighty good stuff.

 

[PhPanther1]

This thing is going 7. Teams grossly underestimate the Lightening. Johnson and Kucherov will give our D all they can handle. Boyle will definately be testing how good Letang can keep his cool. Bishop will steal a game or 2, while getting lit up like a christmas tree a game or 2.

I see big numbers from Kessel and Malkin this series and thr return of the Flower.

 

[CaptainMurphy]

I expect a game or two where Murray comes down to earth in this series. I also expect Sid and/or Malkin to come up big against a team like the Lightning.

Penguins in 6.

 

[recruitsreadtheseboards]

All you need to know about the NHL is the following........

The Pens/Caps was a bonkers series as far as ratings were concerned. Of course, it was the 2nd rd. Now, they play the Lightening.

The Pens start the series on Friday Night. Then play game 2.....on.......MONDAY.

The Western Conference don't start until next week.

So this Saturday Night, no NBA games scheduled, the NHL has decided, "eh **** it, we don't need the spotlight to ourselves".

Just abject incompetence.

 

[Jpripper88]

All you need to know about the NHL is the following........

The Pens/Caps was a bonkers series as far as ratings were concerned. Of course, it was the 2nd rd. Now, they play the Lightening.

The Pens start the series on Friday Night. Then play game 2.....on.......MONDAY.

The Western Conference don't start until next week.

So this Saturday Night, no NBA games scheduled, the NHL has decided, "eh **** it, we don't need the spotlight to ourselves".

Just abject incompetence.

Aren't the ratings for NBA/NHL usually pretty terrible for Saturday nights?

 

[wbrpanther]

All you need to know about the NHL is the following........

The Pens/Caps was a bonkers series as far as ratings were concerned. Of course, it was the 2nd rd. Now, they play the Lightening.

The Pens start the series on Friday Night. Then play game 2.....on.......MONDAY.

The Western Conference don't start until next week.

So this Saturday Night, no NBA games scheduled, the NHL has decided, "eh **** it, we don't need the spotlight to ourselves".

Just abject incompetence.

Did they announce the Western schedule? I look for that series to start on Sunday.

 

[wbrpanther]

I expect a game or two where Murray comes down to earth in this series. I also expect Sid and/or Malkin to come up big against a team like the Lightning.

Penguins in 6.

Murray is pretty much down to earth right now. This is how he has played everywhere. That's not to say he won't have a bad game.

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

I dont follow hockey but I turned on Game 6 for a minute. It was intermission and they were showing Brooks Orpik acting a fool.

1. I had no idea he played for the Capitals. He was a borderline star for the Penguins last I knew, when did that happen.

2. That kind of goonery turns me away fr the sport. There is no place in sport for thuggishness and beyond that, how about having a basic level of respect for your fellow man. I mean Orpik won a Cup here and was loved. Now he is throwing cheap shots, trying to injure his former team? Hockey is just too weird for me.

 

[Dr. von Yinzer]

I think the bigger deal is why are they not playing on NBC national on Sunday afternoon? It seems strange to me.

 

[Dr. von Yinzer]

I dont follow hockey but I turned on Game 6 for a minute. It was intermission and they were showing Brooks Orpik acting a fool.

1. I had no idea he played for the Capitals. He was a borderline star for the Penguins last I knew, when did that happen.

2. That kind of goonery turns me away fr the sport. There is no place in sport for thuggishness and beyond that, how about having a basic level of respect for your fellow man. I mean Orpik won a Cup here and was loved. Now he is throwing cheap shots, trying to injure his former team? Hockey is just too weird for me.

So you don't watch college or pro football then? Not much respect for their fellow man in those games either.

 

[recruitsreadtheseboards]

Aren't the ratings for NBA/NHL usually pretty terrible for Saturday nights?

The ratings for anything is not good on a Saturday night hence the term "date night". But when there is no competition, it is certainly better than Friday Night, hence the term "drunk night".

 

[Pitt79]

Hockey is just too weird for me.

I kind of agree with this sentiment. I have been a band wagon Pens fan for 30 years, not really a "hockey person" just a "Pens Guy", but I do watch Pens games all season, not every one, but maybe a couple a month-then get fired up for Pens Specific NHL Playoffs. And once the Pens are eliminated, I quit watching and usually don't remember or care who won it all or how. I've never watched a hockey game that didn't include the Pens, other than the Olympics.

And hockey is REALLY WEIRD in a lot of ways. Like how they seem to want the crappy slug, muckers and grinders from Ontario to destroy the stars they should be trying to prominently market to grow the sport? How they don't want to call penalties in the playoffs? How they don't just plain stop all fighting like in every other sport in the world except boxing and MMA, lol! They go so far as to not wear full face masks and get their teeth shattered, so their jaws will be open to be punched! LOL! And why can you pass the puck with a kicking motion, but can't kick it into the goal? And the analysts and announcers might even call you a "good character guy" for starting a fight! LOL! Oh yeah, and they have Don Cherry who is still allowed to be racist and hate foreigners in 2016!

I do enjoy following a good Pens playoff run, but hockey ranks beneath all the other team sports to me other than baseball, which I hate with a passion and can't even watch an entire at bat anymore. But for now, I'm hard core hockey as long as the Pens keep moving forward. It is fun to watch this time of year.

 

[Jpripper88]

I think the bigger deal is why are they not playing on NBC national on Sunday afternoon? It seems strange to me.

Potential NBA Game 7 doubleheader on Sunday. Of course there may be 0 games.

 

[recruitsreadtheseboards]

I dont follow hockey but I turned on Game 6 for a minute. It was intermission and they were showing Brooks Orpik acting a fool.

1. I had no idea he played for the Capitals. He was a borderline star for the Penguins last I knew, when did that happen.

2. That kind of goonery turns me away fr the sport. There is no place in sport for thuggishness and beyond that, how about having a basic level of respect for your fellow man. I mean Orpik won a Cup here and was loved. Now he is throwing cheap shots, trying to injure his former team? Hockey is just too weird for me.

Nah, I would rather watch shows about conference expansion. Or Soccer, the world's sport. Because nothing "goofy" ever goes on there.

 

[Old School1]

I dont follow hockey but I turned on Game 6 for a minute. It was intermission and they were showing Brooks Orpik acting a fool.

1. I had no idea he played for the Capitals. He was a borderline star for the Penguins last I knew, when did that happen.

2. That kind of goonery turns me away fr the sport. There is no place in sport for thuggishness and beyond that, how about having a basic level of respect for your fellow man. I mean Orpik won a Cup here and was loved. Now he is throwing cheap shots, trying to injure his former team? Hockey is just too weird for me.

 

[Old School1]

I dont follow hockey but I turned on Game 6 for a minute. It was intermission and they were showing Brooks Orpik acting a fool.

1. I had no idea he played for the Capitals. He was a borderline star for the Penguins last I knew, when did that happen.

2. That kind of goonery turns me away fr the sport. There is no place in sport for thuggishness and beyond that, how about having a basic level of respect for your fellow man. I mean Orpik won a Cup here and was loved. Now he is throwing cheap shots, trying to injure his former team? Hockey is just too weird for me.

Its a contact sport in case you didn't notice.
The players are skating fast banging eachother into the boards, knocking eachother down, hitting eachother with sticks until they get caught, hitting frozen pucks over 100mph at eachother, and at a guy in a little net. They even nail a fan in the stands once in a while.
Next time you stubble on a hockey game check out the players teeth if you can find any.
Not many fights in the playoffs, but plenty of good hitting.
Soon and I'm sure it'll happen the US will have professional Badminton which might be right up your alley. Seems to be the kind of sport a lot of Americans might like going forward. You can be their first official superfan. And remember you can always watch bowling!

Watch hockey while you can the way things are going I'm sure it'll be a first level felony for a cross check, boarding or hitting the puck at another player as that could be considered mean or bullying behavior.

 

[ratking17]

Glad to see an intended thread on potential match ups get hijacked by people trying to bash other sports.

 

[Dr. von Yinzer]

I like soccer but let's be honest, it is the most corrupt sport in the world and plenty of curious things happen out on the pitch. Hell, the head of UEFA and FIFA are both under international indictment as we speak.

According to prominent bookmaker Henry Hill, more soccer matches are fixed than boxing matches.

Also, the loose soccer rules are very European and alienate some Americans.
Q: Where do we line up for the free kick?
A: Eh, how about over there-ish.

Q: How much time is left in the game?
A: Eh, somewhere in the neighborhood of 3–4 minutes (depending on a bunch of other factors). I will let you know when we have reached that point.

Mine is not an attempt to impugn soccer. As I said, I like it very much. However, plenty of goofy things happen in soccer.

Now, I do have a major problem with some Americans trying to Eurofy soccer here and co-opt their morays and traditions but that's not a soccer issue, it's a cheesedick Americans issue.

Listening to Bob Ley, for example, talk how about soccer is positively nauseating. It couldn't be more pretentious.

I just don't know why a pro team in Kansas City has to take on a German name like Sporting KC or a team in Salt Lake City has to be Real Salt Lake. It's just so cheesy and inauthentic that it does impact way I look at the MLS. Again though, that's not a soccer issue, it's an MLS issue.

Here's my feeling about hockey. I love it but it definitely has its flaws and I can see why others don't like it as much as I do. It's not for everyone and that's just fine.

I like Radiohead a lot. I think they are brilliant and transformative. However, not everyone agrees. That's fine with me.

Some people prefer Prince or The Band Perry or Taylor Swift. It's all good. There's plenty of money to go around and that is why Baskin-Robbins has 31 flavors of ice cream.

My only real bone of contention is when people who admittedly don't follow the sport make all kinds of random suggestions for how to improve it.

I don't mean to be rude but how can you fix anything that you don't really know or understand? That would be like me offering my ways to fix NASCAR. I don't watch stock car racing and I don't care about it. However, it would be ridiculous for me to offer all kinds of suggestions for ways to improve the product with which I am mostly unfamiliar.

Personally, I don't think they can make hockey anything more than it is now - the fourth most popular sport in North America behind football, baseball and basketball - in that order. Soccer may catch it too in our lifetimes but it still has a ways to go.

They could eliminate fighting, improve the officiating, increase goal scoring, you name it. It wouldn't mean a hill of beans to most Americans for any number of reasons.

That's just how it goes.

 

[Pitt79]

Next time you stubble on a hockey game check out the players teeth if you can find any.

This is part of what makes hockey stupid! Even with all the physicality, why wouldn't you wear a shield over your mouth to avoid massive dental surgery and keep your teeth? For what? To prove manhood? LOL, that's just some of the stuff that makes hockey like the man said, "weird".

 

[Old School1]

Watching Euro football ( soccer) in Europe with the locals is lots of fun. Did that a bunch of times when killing time in Europe on business trips.
Somehow pro soccer isn't the same when watching it here.

 

[Old School1]

This is part of what makes hockey stupid! Even with all the physicality, why wouldn't you wear a shield over your mouth to avoid massive dental surgery and keep your teeth? For what? To prove manhood? LOL, that's just some of the stuff that makes hockey like the man said, "weird".

I suppose they use temp tooth repair techniques and get everything redone when their hockey career is over. I always wondered about that anyone know how that works?

 

[Dr. von Yinzer]

This reminds me of a fascinating experience I once had at a bar in Orlando, Florida.

I watched the Chargers/49ers Super Bowl with a group of British friends and colleagues and they were not understanding what they were watching at all and they could not for the life of them fathom why we Americans are all so obsessed with it?

They thought American football was the dumbest thing they'd ever seen and naturally had all sorts of ways we can improve it. It was like a direct contrast to how many Americans treat soccer.

Of course, very few of their suggestions were informed but it was interesting hearing them describe what they thought they were watching and how to make it better. I find that real world hockey discussions are typically a lot like that.

 

[Pitt79]

Also, the loose soccer rules are very European and alienate some Americans.
Q: Where do we line up for the free kick?
A: Eh, how about over there-ish.

Q: How much time is left in the game?
A: Eh, somewhere in the neighborhood of 3–4 minutes (depending on a bunch of other factors).

I was born and raised in the Pittsburgh area, and this is exactly what has drawn me to soccer! This is why I now LOVE soccer, BECAUSE OF the loose rules! I have just gotten so sick of the way they micromanage American sports, video review everything, try to get it PERFECT, let's go to the monitor to determine the exact tenth of a second remaining on the clock, let's go to the monitor to spot the ball within a centimeter of the exact spot! Let's review to see if the ball "wobbled" a quarter inch, as the player rolled to the turf! And while we review, let's hear yet another message from our sponsor! LOL, the loose rules of soccer are a breath of fresh air to this irritated American sports fan.

As I watch NFL games now, I make a point of trying to not patronize the products that are being advertised during the constant stoppages! LOL!

 

[Pitt79]

I suppose they use temp tooth repair techniques and get everything redone when their hockey career is over. I always wondered about that anyone know how that works?

But why? Wear a mask and not go through the pain and aggravation.

 

[Dr. von Yinzer]

This is part of what makes hockey stupid! Even with all the physicality, why wouldn't you wear a shield over your mouth to avoid massive dental surgery and keep your teeth? For what? To prove manhood? LOL, that's just some of the stuff that makes hockey like the man said, "weird".

This is a good example of what I'm talking about.

Most guys do wear visors now. I think I read somewhere that it's around 80–85% of the players now wear some sort of protective shield. The 15–20% of players that do not wear a protective shield is a dumbass issue, not a hockey issue.

Now, the players don't typically wear shields that are so large that they cover the players' mouths but that isn't out of some sort of sense of bravado, but rather sheer pragmatism. Those shields really fog up and you don't want to be breathing on them all the time or you won't be able to see. Also, you probably wouldn't be able to breathe well either. Not being able to see or breathe would definitely affect your performance.

I suppose they could all go to cages like they do in the college ranks but that impedes a player's vision which could be dangerous/limiting for a host of other reasons.

 

[wbrpanther]

This is a good example of what I'm talking about.

Most guys do wear visors now. I think I read somewhere that it's around 80–85% of the players now wear some sort of protective shield. The 15–20% of players that do not wear a protective shield is a dumbass issue, not a hockey issue.

Now, the players don't typically wear shields that are so large that they cover the players' mouths but that isn't out of some sort of sense of bravado, but rather sheer pragmatism. Those shields really fog up and you don't want to be breathing on them all the time or you won't be able to see. Also, you probably wouldn't be able to breathe well either. Not being able to see or breathe would definitely affect your performance.

I suppose they could all go to cages like they do in the college ranks but that impedes a player's vision which could be dangerous/limiting for a host of other reasons.

Visors don't give much protection in my view. By nature pucks, sticks and skates come from the ice up in hockey so a lot of stuff gets under those visors. Better than nothing but those cages would be the best. But the players don't like them. and hockey helmets aren't the greatest protection either.

 

[ThePanthers]

1) I think this is going to be a great series and a lot of Pens fans are overlooking Tampa, at least my buddies are. I still think the Pens are the better team and will win in 6, but this is going to be a tough series IMO. Most of them are at this point.

2) This should be a high flying matchup with more goals. Pens need a quick start to the series.

3) As for why the game isn't Sunday, I thought I heard the Players Championship is on Sunday and that was the conflict on NBC. Shows where hockey ranks.

4) As for visors, the new rule is all new players must where visors. Players before the rule passed are grandfathered in. Much like back in the late 80s when helmets became mandatory. Only a few guys were grandfathered in who didn't where them.

 

[Jpripper88]

Nothing "goofy" ever goes on in soccer. It's really simple and straight forward, very few rules, which never change in 100 years and no nonsense like "instant replay" or TV commercials every 5 minutes. The best thing about soccer is that they NEVER consider changing anything, never try to "tweak" it to draw fans, just say fck it, keep it the same forever. And the people who complain about people "diving" or faking injuries in soccer love watching the stupid, fake, contrived hockey fights that make hockey a joke.

People win divisions/championships by aggregate goals and get relegated. It is BY FAR the weirdest sport.

Soccer is terrible.

 

[Pitt79]

People win divisions/championships by aggregate goals and get relegated. It is BY FAR the weirdest sport.

Soccer is terrible.

That's great stuff, the Browns and Lions getting relegated to the CFL would definitely be deserved. They're near Canada anyways, so it would even save them on travel. And the reason you can't relegate in America is because it's a business 1st and a sport 2nd.

 

[Jpripper88]

That's great stuff, the Browns and Lions getting relegated to the CFL would definitely be deserved. They're near Canada anyways, so it would even save them on travel.

No. That is the epitome of weird.

 

[Old School1]

This is what happens when there's no Steelers football, no PITT football or basketball, its between hockey playoff series, nothing big for the Pirates, the Nitter Cult hasn't killed anyone lately regarding the Sandusky issue and JoePa hasn't risen from the dead yet. According to the Nitter Cult that's scheduled for 9/10/16 at Heinz field probably at halftime but who knows.

 

[recruitsreadtheseboards]

Nothing "goofy" ever goes on in soccer. It's really simple and straight forward, very few rules, which never change in 100 years and no nonsense like "instant replay" or TV commercials every 5 minutes. The best thing about soccer is that they NEVER consider changing anything, never try to "tweak" it to draw fans, just say fck it, keep it the same forever. And the people who complain about people "diving" or faking injuries in soccer love watching the stupid, fake, contrived hockey fights that make hockey a joke.

Cuz FIFA is not goofy. And just because your little girl dances around and plays soccer, now you think you are Georgio Chinaglia, but those little dives and acting like the players have been beheaded by ISIS then miraculously get off the stretcher and run a 4.5 40. All you got is hockey fights? Really? Head butting or biting other players I guess isn't goofy. Face it, soccer groupies are like PSU fans when it comes rushing to defend this "sport'.

 

[mbohn23]

It's actually illegal to wear full facial protection in the NHL without a facial injury. My guess is since it's a pro sport, the league wants to have some facial recognition.

 

[Joe the Panther Fan]

It's really simple and straight forward, very few rules, which never change in 100 years and no nonsense like "instant replay"

This statement is simply factually incorrect. For instance the offsides rule, probably the most important rule in the game, has been changed several times over the years. And of course many leagues have already started using replays to determine if there was a goal scored or not on a close play when it is difficult for the referee to make that determination. In fact the most popular soccer league in the world uses the system. Soon every league with the ability and cash to install the systems will join in.

And of course that doesn't even take into account the different interpretations of the rules that are in effect today. If a ref from today was magically transported back 30 years and called a game the same way the game is officiated today there wouldn't be much more than about a half a dozen players left on the field by the end of the game. Counting the goalies.

 

[Joe the Panther Fan]

People win divisions/championships by aggregate goals

No, they don't.

 

[Jpripper88]

No, they don't.

Yep, they do.

 

[Joe the Panther Fan]

Yep, they do.

Name me one soccer league or tournament that determines the winner based on aggregate goals.

 

[Dr. von Yinzer]

Why isn't it dangerous and limiting for the college players? I have no skin in the game so to speak, so they can do what they want. But remember a few years back, Crosby took a line drive to the mouth and it turned his face into a Chicklets box! Why the fck would you want that if you could avoid it? I just think it's some sort of macho thing, plus, I heard once, Don Cherry went on a rant about how you can't allow cages, because it would end fighting, since you need the face open to punch it and the visor reduced the punching area enough already! LOL, Yes, hockey is "weird".

First, let me say that you are preaching to the choir here. I am in favor of the cages. I agree they offer the most protection. I'm also in favor of eliminating fighting.

I just don't think it would change anything regarding hockey's popularity.

Like soccer, hockey is a foreign game to most Americans and for that reason neither sport will ever be fully embraced the majority of the American people.