ESF (1) Pittsburgh Penguins vs (7) Ottawa Senators (Penguins win 4-1).

[zamler]

Originally Posted by Oling_Roachinen

Cherry: "Believe it or not tonight Crosby won 21 draws with a broken jaw."

Does the broken jaw matter that much in a faceoff?

It does matter because Crosby is not 100%, it's really obvious. Watch some game tape of him before he got injured, he's skating faster and harder he almost looks like a different player. Not sure exactly why, but Crosby is not anywhere near back to normal.

[Free Ben Hur!]

Originally Posted by PeteLFan

Who wins the conn smythe off Pittsburgh it's a huge list, this might be the hardest choice ever.

Ya, you're a round and half early.

[puckluck2]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

ESPN shows 10:09.

Fair enough. TSN just changed to 10:09 as well.

[trackercowe]

Fwiw, Pittsburgh was 3-0 against Boston this year, but they were all one goal games. I think that series will be a lot closer than people think, especially now that a few players on Boston have finally woken up (Lucic in particular).

They need Seidenberg and Ference to be healthy to stand a real chance though.

[Oling_Roachinen]

Originally Posted by zamler

It does matter because Crosby is not 100%, it's really obvious. Watch some game tape of him before he got injured, he's skating faster and harder he almost looks like a different player. Not sure exactly why, but Crosby is not anywhere near back to normal.

For everything else that's an argument. Taking faceoffs? Nah.

[zamler]

Originally Posted by Oling_Roachinen

For everything else that's an argument. Taking faceoffs? Nah.

Why not? It requires strength and quickness.

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by trackercowe

Fwiw, Pittsburgh was 3-0 against Boston this year, but they were all one goal games. I think that series will be a lot closer than people think, especially now that a few players on Boston have finally woken up (Lucic in particular).

They need Seidenberg and Ference to be healthy to stand a real chance though.

Who thinks it won't be close?

Just because I think they can consistently score 3-4 goals a game vs the Bruins doesn't mean I think it will be an easy series.

[wittynickname]

Originally Posted by Oling_Roachinen

Cherry: "Believe it or not tonight Crosby won 21 draws with a broken jaw."

Does the broken jaw matter that much in a faceoff?

Given that he's commented on the fact that seeing pucks near his feet is the biggest issue with the jaw protector he's wearing, I think faceoffs have been a big challenge for him these playoffs. He's generally much better at them than he was in the first round and the first three games of this round. He's finally figuring it out, though.

[WCW Nitro]

Really want to know what Nieuwendyk was thinking when he traded Neal for Goligoski.

[dirk diggler]

Pittsburgh clearly lucked out getting Crosby and Malkin in back to back years but unlike the Oilers, they have made great trades and filled out their roster quite nicely with other picks. even Matt Cooke is playing well and making things happen... credit goes to Shero and their management.

[Mango]

Originally Posted by trackercowe

Fwiw, Pittsburgh was 3-0 against Boston this year, but they were all one goal games. I think that series will be a lot closer than people think, especially now that a few players on Boston have finally woken up (Lucic in particular).

They need Seidenberg and Ference to be healthy to stand a real chance though.

I think it's going to be a fantastic series. Boston definitely has the advantage in goal, but I'd say Pittsburgh will be able to come out on top because of their ridiculous forward depth.

As mentioned, some Bruins players are finally getting into the groove (Seguin, Lucic et al.) and it's great to see how their role players, Paille, Kelly, Campbell, continue to show up for big games.

I'm really looking forward to it.

After saying all that, watch the Rangers come back....nah....

[doctajones428]

IGGY!!!!!!!!!!!! CONFERENCE FINALS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Pittsburgh vs. Boston will be a glorious!

[Yamer]

Originally Posted by zamler

Why not? It requires strength and quickness.

And precision, timing, and concentration. Can't imagine it's all that easy to concentrate with a half-healed broken jaw.

[Otto29]

Iggy's new team versus the team that thought they got him.....should be a good one.

[gargamel]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Only 10 minutes ice time for Iggy. When's the last time in his career he's played only 10 minutes?

Apparently he had some equipment issues in the 1st period and spend part of it in the dressing room, which explains why his time was a little below Neal's. At least that's what I heard on the Penguins radio feed while changing the 2nd flat tire that I got on the way to the game.

[t0rrent98]

Neal gets 4 points and none of them were assisted by Iggy... Booourns. He was just a +/- of 1.

[t0rrent98]

Also, if the Pens do play the Bruins in the East Finals, I think Pittsburgh has got it in the bag. The Pens seem to score from all cyclinders from all 4 lines no matter what the situation, while boston's scorers are a bit streaky at times.

The only way I see the bruins getting past the pens is if Jagr gets hot at the right moment (seriously can't believe he hasn't scored yet), and their 3rd and 4th lines grind out the pens.

[Hockey]

If the Bruins don't get healthy on D they don't stand a chance. Pens should still win regardless.

[moon]

Pittsburgh reminds me of Team Canada in the WJHC if they play their best nobody can touch them but they have that weakness and a tendency to not go 110% like some teams against them.

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by moon

Pittsburgh reminds me of Team Canada in the WJHC if they play their best nobody can touch them but they have that weakness and a tendency to not go 110% like some teams against them.

And questionable goal tending too.