re: NHL Playoffs.

Lanny Macdonald...forgot he played for Grapes...

I love Lanny.

Mac Andre has been shite for the past 2 months, he was the same way last year but got it together during the caps series, dunno if he can this year

Phoenix is legit. Also, at San Jose.

The games were certainly interesting with both Eastern home teams losing. It's too early to panic for the home teams, but it's hard to imagine those series not going 6 or even 7. Fleury definitely brought down the Pens tonight. Every time they'd climb back in it, he'd give up another soft one. He's been inconsistent throughout his career, but he usually steps up his game in the playoffs. You can live with 2 or 3, but 5 is going to get you beat every time in the post season. Bylsma should have pulled him after the 3rd goal; it was pretty obvious he didn't have it at that point. NJ just needs to find some offense. I think both of those teams will win their second games.

After watching Phoenix tonight, it's obvious why they had so much success in the regular season. They capitalized on the PP with 3 goals and that's really the only question for them since they have a very good defense and an excellent goalie. There's nothing "flukish" about the win tonight. I would've picked them to advance had they not drawn Detroit. I just think that the championship experience is going to pull through for the Wings eventually, but I'd love to be wrong about that. Nabokov didn't play poorly tonight, but the SJ offense was nowhere to be found. That's a horrendous way for team with a fragile psyche and history of choking to start. Unlike the Pens and Devils, that was a team that really needed to win the first game. Overall, it was just what you'd expect from playoff hockey. Every game came down to the wire.

quote:

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Bylsma should have pulled him after the 3rd goal

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That seems like an easy call. Star goalies, well all goalies have fragile psyches. I know, that was my position. Bylsma is between a rock and a hard place and made the wrong call. Goalies usually take a game shift by shift, they have their favorite defence pairings that they trust and know when the checking line is out. The real question is whether Marc Andre has a short memory because Without a doubt he is starting next game...if he gets past the first 5-6 minutes without allowing a goal he'll finish series strong, if I were Ottawa the first 10 mins of next game I throw everything at him (double shift 1st line only offensive minded defenceman etc.) Ottawa is in a great position though...

Didn't take long to answer that question. Fleury is single handed bringing down the ship...damnit!!

I thought they were going to need a body bag for Leopold. That hit was devastating. Overall, it was a good period for the Pens. They recovered from the horrible start and played with a lot more intensity. They realize they can't allow ANY pucks to get to the net the way Fleury is playing.

If the AVS get this second game it's OVER.

It's so hard for the underdog that steals one on the road to have that same sense of urgency in game two.

Lets go Avalanche !
Mattie D is da man !

GO PREDS BRING IT HOME FOR SMASHVILLE!!!!!