EF: (1) Pittsburgh Penguins vs (4) Boston Bruins. (Bruins SWEEP Pittsburgh 4-0!!).

[trackercowe]

Originally Posted by MrMastodonFarm

He's really really really bad at defense.

He's usually quite good, just hasn't looked great this series (none of the Penguins have).

He's played his best game tonight though.

[Hockey_Ninja]

How have the Bruins not ended this by now? The Penguins can't create anything.

[puckluck2]

Hate Marchand all you want but I'd LOVE him on the Flames.

[zamler]

Vokoun generally plays like that, slow side to side and makes "unconventional" saves. I'm surprised he's done as well as he has TBH.

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by trackercowe

He's usually quite good, just hasn't looked great this series (none of the Penguins have).

He's played his best game tonight though.

Totally disagree. Letang is honestly a bit of a gong-show in his own end. He consistently makes poor decisions.

Can't speak too much about this game or this series, this is the first bit I've watched of any of the third round but it's pretty typical Letang.

[puckluck2]

Originally Posted by trackercowe

He's usually quite good, just hasn't looked great this series (none of the Penguins have).

He's played his best game tonight though.

No, he's always terrible defensively.

[CalgaryFan1988]

Even on the PP a while ago Letang looked terrible. His cross ice passes almost were intercepted a couple times.

[GirlySports]

Rask is so solid.. is he one of the best goalies in the league now and people just don't know it?

[Flash Walken]

Lucic is such a monster.

[Stay Golden]

good job Lucic

[zamler]

That's how you drive to the net, and that's how you take a guy out in front of the net. Good hockey.

[GirlySports]

run over by a what?

[puckluck2]

Good call Hughson after watching Lucic land on his head.

[MrMastodonFarm]

Great play by Engelland

[puckluck2]

Bruins took some lessons from the Canucks. They're flopping like fishes.

[trackercowe]

Originally Posted by MrMastodonFarm

He's really really really bad at defense.

Originally Posted by MrMastodonFarm

Totally disagree. Letang is honestly a bit of a gong-show in his own end. He consistently makes poor decisions.

Can't speak too much about this game or this series, this is the first bit I've watched of any of the third round but it's pretty typical Letang.

Most people in the know would disagree with you. He's not the greatest defensively, but he's most definitely not as bad as your making him out to be.

“He’s known for his offensive ability, but he’s so good defensively. It was tough playing without him for that long stretch when he was out with the concussion. He gives a big boost back to the lineup. The way he uses his shot on our power-play, he’s such a great player. The way he defends guys might be unnoticed, and the way he passes the puck helps us out as forwards,” Neal explains. “Letang’s skill level, the way he can pass and shoot, he’s a threat all over the ice. That’s something we missed. Give him a little bit of time, and it’s in the back of the net.”

All-star co-captains Daniel Alfredsson and Henrik Lundqvist drafted the speedy Letang early in February’s fantasy draft.

“Why not? He’s so skilled. Both me and Alfie like the way he plays the game. He’s very talented, a great skater,” Lundqvist says.

Fleury points out that because Letang’s offensive contribution is so abundant — taking over the No. 1 defenceman role from Sergei Gonchar in 2010-11, Letang was the Pens’ second-leading scorer (to Crosby) with 50 points — his defensive game gets overlooked.

“He takes the puck out of the zone very quickly, often by himself. He’s quick on offence but works hard to get back and help out in our zone. Every year he seems like he’s improving and maturing, so it’s fun to watch him go,” the goaltender says. “He’s a French guy, and there’s not too many of us around. Since he came in, we’ve gotten along very good. He fits in very easily and likes to have a good time with the guys.”

"Kris doesn't get a lot of notoriety for his defensive game," Penguins coach Dan Bylsma said. "With the way he skates, the way he moves the puck, he's more viewed as an offensive guy. But if you overlook his defensive play and how he can play defensively against the other team's good players, you're really overlooking a part of his game as well."

Despite all that defensive responsibility, Chara has found a way to generate offense. He has 11 points, 42 shots and is a plus-7.

"Aside from the obvious differences," Penguins defenseman Matt Niskanen said, "they're pretty similar -- in the way they control the game, the minutes they play, the situations they play in. He's their best player on their defense and [Letang] is our best player on the back end.

"They're both outstanding defensemen."

And so forth

Heck he was named the Best Defensive Defenceman in the QMJHL

At the season's end, he was the recipient of three major QMJHL awards. In addition to receiving the Emile Bouchard Trophy, as the best defenceman, and the Paul Dumont Trophy, as the best personality, Letang also received the Kevin Lowe Trophy, as the best defensive defenceman, indicative of Letang's abilities on both ends of the ice.

[MrMastodonFarm]

Krecj is so underrated.

[zamler]

Are the Pens skating in slow motion? The entire team looks gassed.

[M*A*S*H 4077]

Boston is just grinding down the Pens

[Stay Golden]

crucial icing Pens are gassed