2013 Eastern Conference Finals Pens v Bruins Thread

[MarioLives]

So instead of complaining over a half hour difference, does anyone have any opinion of what is the biggest threat to the Pens in this series? It has got to be the powerplay of the Pens versus the penalty kill of the Bruins right? The Pens relied on the powerplay a lot so far and I know the Bruins have a solid penalty kill. I think even strength scoring will be tough to come by.

The Bruins special teams has been really mediocre so far, I think--I don't think they could have played a worse team to prepare for us than the Rangers, honestly.

Because of the Rangers inablity to score? I agree with that, but I also could argue the Pens are in the same situation. Both disposed of their competition in 5. Boston scares me only because they can score, I think they are second in the East in Goals a game, to the Pens. I do not know what the comparision is between Boston's and the Penguins ESG this playoffs.

[MRandall25]

The Bruins almost lost to the Maple Leafs, then played a team who couldn't score.

[MarioLives]

it all comes down to whether Vokoun starts or FLeury starts. The difference between sweeping and being swept.

Well maybe that's a little extreme, but I do think Vokoun's puckhandling ability and his ability to deal with traffic in front will make life more difficult for the Bruins. Rask is nothing special, and if he and Vokoun play equally in this series, the Pens will win it in five. Boston is very good, but they lack sharpshooters.

The Bruins do like to crowd the crease and get ugly goals.....sometimes that works.

[RxBandit66]

So instead of complaining over a half hour difference, does anyone have any opinion of what is the biggest threat to the Pens in this series? It has got to be the powerplay of the Pens versus the penalty kill of the Bruins right? The Pens relied on the powerplay a lot so far and I know the Bruins have a solid penalty kill. I think even strength scoring will be tough to come by.

Stopping the Rangers and Leafs on the power play is one thing, but doing that against Pittsburgh is a whole different animal. Boston had better stay out of the box, because Chara can't play the entire game and if he's not on the ice following a PK or in the box himself, the Bruins defense is vulnerable.

[RxBandit66]

The Bruins almost lost to the Maple Leafs, then played a team who couldn't score.

And they looked tired, even in beating the Rangers. Not to mention the fact that the Leafs had them basically eliminated before they completely melted down in the last few minutes.

Boston has a handful of players who can and will rise to the occasion, especially with the extra rest. But the Pens will be rested too, and they will hit Chara at every possible opportunity. If the Bruins go down 2-0 to the Pens, there's no way they come back and win 4 of 5. The first two games are key in this series because it's Boston's best chance to win. With the Pens speed and depth, a longer series benefits them.

[DontToewsMeBro]

So instead of complaining over a half hour difference, does anyone have any opinion of what is the biggest threat to the Pens in this series? It has got to be the powerplay of the Pens versus the penalty kill of the Bruins right? The Pens relied on the powerplay a lot so far and I know the Bruins have a solid penalty kill. I think even strength scoring will be tough to come by.

The Bruins special teams has been really mediocre so far, I think--I don't think they could have played a worse team to prepare for us than the Rangers, honestly.

Because of the Rangers inablity to score? I agree with that, but I also could argue the Pens are in the same situation. Both disposed of their competition in 5. Boston scares me only because they can score, I think they are second in the East in Goals a game, to the Pens. I do not know what the comparision is between Boston's and the Penguins ESG this playoffs.

Not so much their inability to score, but their playing styles. Ottawa and Boston are light years closer in that respect than the Penguins and Rangers. They needed to play a real goalie like Anderson to see the damage they could do against him. The only thing I'm weary about is that the Senators claimed to boast a really good defense--I didn't see any of that (aside from Phillips who I thought played well). The Bruins are much tougher on the back end and can insulate Rask very well. One of the Penguins' biggest weaknesses is their inability (maybe more unwillingness) to crash the net. They're going to need a lot of that in this series.

[MarioLives]

So instead of complaining over a half hour difference, does anyone have any opinion of what is the biggest threat to the Pens in this series? It has got to be the powerplay of the Pens versus the penalty kill of the Bruins right? The Pens relied on the powerplay a lot so far and I know the Bruins have a solid penalty kill. I think even strength scoring will be tough to come by.

The Bruins special teams has been really mediocre so far, I think--I don't think they could have played a worse team to prepare for us than the Rangers, honestly.

Because of the Rangers inablity to score? I agree with that, but I also could argue the Pens are in the same situation. Both disposed of their competition in 5. Boston scares me only because they can score, I think they are second in the East in Goals a game, to the Pens. I do not know what the comparision is between Boston's and the Penguins ESG this playoffs.

Not so much their inability to score, but their playing styles. Ottawa and Boston are light years closer in that respect than the Penguins and Rangers. They needed to play a real goalie like Anderson to see the damage they could do against him. The only thing I'm weary about is that the Senators claimed to boast a really good defense--I didn't see any of that (aside from Phillips who I thought played well). The Bruins are much tougher on the back end and can insulate Rask very well. One of the Penguins' biggest weaknesses is their inability (maybe more unwillingness) to crash the net. They're going to need a lot of that in this series.

Yep, I think the Pens are going to have to change up their style this series. More of a physical price will have to be made to win this one. Less perimeter play and more net crashing will be needed.

[Idoit40fans]

Yeah I always forget about Phillips till I watch him play in the playoffs.

[headh]

Inability and/or unwillingness to crash the net? Someone better tell Iginla, Morrow, Malkin, Crosby, Dupuis, Cooke and Kunitz that they are finesse players. They must not know because they ALL seem to be crashing the pi$$ out of the nets located in Ottawa, Pittsburgh and New York.

The Pens have too much talent AND too much GRIT for any team to beat them. The only team capable of beating the 2013 Penguins is the 2013 Penguins. If they keep their cool they win...bottom line

[iWonTheCup87]

Looks like the New Kids on the Block are the whole reason this schedule starts so late and the earliest it could have started was Thursday apparently

http://www.fannation.com/truth_and_rumors/view/387551-new-kids-on-the-block-blocking-bruins-pens?eref=fromSI

like REALLY??? THEY are the REASON?!?!?!?

[BurghersAndDogsSports]

So instead of complaining over a half hour difference, does anyone have any opinion of what is the biggest threat to the Pens in this series? It has got to be the powerplay of the Pens versus the penalty kill of the Bruins right? The Pens relied on the powerplay a lot so far and I know the Bruins have a solid penalty kill. I think even strength scoring will be tough to come by.

The Bruins special teams has been really mediocre so far, I think--I don't think they could have played a worse team to prepare for us than the Rangers, honestly.

Because of the Rangers inablity to score? I agree with that, but I also could argue the Pens are in the same situation. Both disposed of their competition in 5. Boston scares me only because they can score, I think they are second in the East in Goals a game, to the Pens. I do not know what the comparision is between Boston's and the Penguins ESG this playoffs.

Not so much their inability to score, but their playing styles. Ottawa and Boston are light years closer in that respect than the Penguins and Rangers. They needed to play a real goalie like Anderson to see the damage they could do against him. The only thing I'm weary about is that the Senators claimed to boast a really good defense--I didn't see any of that (aside from Phillips who I thought played well). The Bruins are much tougher on the back end and can insulate Rask very well. One of the Penguins' biggest weaknesses is their inability (maybe more unwillingness) to crash the net. They're going to need a lot of that in this series.

Yep, I think the Pens are going to have to change up their style this series. More of a physical price will have to be made to win this one. Less perimeter play and more net crashing will be needed.

Boston cycles well and their top 2 lines play good defense. Plus they win faceoffs like crazy. I still believe it was Ottawas offense that caused the issue. They were so inept the Pens had breakouts starting above the faceoff circles everytime. It wont happen this series and will allow the Bruins to trap better than Ottawa could. Because of that we wont be getting clean breaks and wont be able to get a creative offense going as easily.

Because the Bruins lack pure goal scorers on multiple lines the Pens still should have the advantage but its going to take some patience and I still believe all 4 lines will have to play a bit dirtier behind the goal in the Bruins zone. Try to cycle better if you will.

[Rocco]

The Bruins almost lost to the Maple Leafs, then played a team who couldn't score.

True, but they were up 3-1 in the series before Reimer managed to put a force field behind him for Games 5 and 6.

[Crankshaft]

Looks like the New Kids on the Block are the whole reason this schedule starts so late and the earliest it could have started was Thursday apparently

http://www.fannation.com/truth_and_rumors/view/387551-new-kids-on-the-block-blocking-bruins-pens?eref=fromSI

like REALLY??? THEY are the REASON?!?!?!?

That concert was probably planned a year in advance.

[iWonTheCup87]

Looks like the New Kids on the Block are the whole reason this schedule starts so late and the earliest it could have started was Thursday apparently

http://www.fannation.com/truth_and_rumors/view/387551-new-kids-on-the-block-blocking-bruins-pens?eref=fromSI

like REALLY??? THEY are the REASON?!?!?!?

That concert was probably planned a year in advance.

thats not really my point its the fact that they are the reason...

[BurghersAndDogsSports]

Looks like the New Kids on the Block are the whole reason this schedule starts so late and the earliest it could have started was Thursday apparently

http://www.fannation.com/truth_and_rumors/view/387551-new-kids-on-the-block-blocking-bruins-pens?eref=fromSI

like REALLY??? THEY are the REASON?!?!?!?

That concert was probably planned a year in advance.

thats not really my point its the fact that they are the reason...

Every building has concerts that directly effect the schedule even us this year. The Pens 10 years ago because of their schedule caused the Caps series to be a completely different set up. The league most likely did not want to start on Thursday anyway if the Det - Chi went 7 games. Having 2 days off between games isnt a huge deal or a factor either since I remember that exactly happening a mere week ago.

The time off makes sense, and so does the scheduling.

[Crankshaft]

Looks like the New Kids on the Block are the whole reason this schedule starts so late and the earliest it could have started was Thursday apparently

http://www.fannation.com/truth_and_rumors/view/387551-new-kids-on-the-block-blocking-bruins-pens?eref=fromSI

like REALLY??? THEY are the REASON?!?!?!?

That concert was probably planned a year in advance.

thats not really my point its the fact that they are the reason...

...what is exactly your reason?

[Digitalgypsy66]

Jesse said on Twitter than Bergeron's worst faceoff performance this season - not sure if regular or just playoffs or both - was 52%. Yikes. The Pens need to get to their game in the faceoff circle.

[CERV96]

They have been practicing them all week long.

[Gaucho]

Jesse said on Twitter than Bergeron's worst faceoff performance this season - not sure if regular or just playoffs or both - was 52%. Yikes. The Pens need to get to their game in the faceoff circle.

Julien would do us a favor sending Bergeron's line out against Crosby.

[columbia]

Jesse said on Twitter than Bergeron's worst faceoff performance this season - not sure if regular or just playoffs or both - was 52%. Yikes. The Pens need to get to their game in the faceoff circle.

Julien would do us a favor sending Bergeron's line out against Crosby.

http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/2013 ... y-matchup/

[Idoit40fans]

I'd rather him go up against Malkin, who is going to lose against any half decent faceoff man. Bergeron is better at it than Crosby, I'd rather Crosby go up against someone worse.

[Gaucho]

Sutter taking care of Krejci's line?

[meow]

Whenever I hear about a team that's is going to try and match-up their best defensive guys against Crosby, all I think of is:

[pcm]

Not sure I like a matchup of Cooke-Sutter-Kennedy vs. Lucic-Krejci-Horton.

But then again, I don't think Bruins will be thrilled about Iginla-Malkin-Neal vs. Peverley-Kelly-Seguin.

[Beveridge]

If I was rooting for Boston, I'd want Chara vs Malkin and Bergeron vs Sid. Malkin has a harder time vs bigger, more physical defenders and Sid is easier contained with someone who can match him with speed. It really is pick your poison if they are both on, but if Chara is paired vs Sid, then yes, good luck to him.

I think the biggest mistake Detroit made 4 years ago was going double down on Sid with Zet and Nick and only putting Dats on Malkin. Might not have changed anything, but Malkin was the hotter hand that year.

This is where the match up for Sid and Geno really becomes a problem and the only answer Boston can really have is for the lines going against our 3rd and 4th lines to score and for Rask to steal a couple of games. Their depth allows this to be possible so Pens need to make sure to take advantage of Boston's mistakes and limit their own.

I know that's not earth shattering information, but I think the obvious, in this case, is the series' key point.