ECF - (A2) Tampa Bay Lightning vs. (M2) Pittsburgh Penguins - Penguins Win 4-3

[MrMike]

A great system defensively from the forwards can really help a lack of high end defencemen which we could all agree isn't Tampas strength

[2Stonedbirds]

Originally Posted by MrMike

A great system defensively from the forwards can really help a lack of high end defencemen which we could all agree isn't Tampas strength

Agreed on all counts, but gotta admit Hedman has been playing out of his mind.

[Ashasx]

"I don't think it's at the numbers"

- is absolutely at the numbers the entire way

[nik-]

Friday the 13th ... the bloodbath is real

[codynw]

Healy is garbage.

[ResAlien]

Just 2 for boarding? Sweet. I look forward to a Penguin stabbing a guy on the ice in retaliation next game and only getting a double minor because of the blood.

[MrMike]

Originally Posted by 2Stonedbirds

Agreed on all counts, but gotta admit Hedman has been playing out of his mind.

I agree. The post right before I said he looks like a Drew Doughty with more size. But other than him have you even heard another D man mentioned on Tampa this evening? Not noticeable is a great thing for D men in that situation.

[hurtin_albertan]

Originally Posted by codynw

Healy is garbage.

Love his analysis.

"George RR Martin wrote Game of Thrones, one of the strangest books you could ever read, and this has been a strange game".

Umm, ok...? Great reference there bud. Such a ridiculous old man, every time he opens his mouth I can't wait until he shuts up.

[nik-]

Originally Posted by hurtin_albertan

Love his analysis.

"George RR Martin wrote Game of Thrones, one of the strangest books you could ever read, and this has been a strange game".

Umm, ok...? Great reference there bud. Such a ridiculous old man, every time he opens his mouth I can't wait until he shuts up.

He's so on trend

[PostandIn]

TB is amazingly calm and methodical. No running around. Remind me of LA of a few years ago.

[MrMike]

Originally Posted by PostandIn

TB is amazingly calm and methodical. No running around. Remind me of LA of a few years ago.

Great structure. Shows you can do it without needing the size

[nik-]

So how many years after Crosby and Malkin retire will the Pens be in relocation danger again?

I predict 6

[MrMike]

I don't know how they even think about throwing money at Stamkos when they will need that for the likes of Hedman, Kucherov, Johnson, Druinn and Bishop. Cut ten million a year and add that to them.

[codynw]

Originally Posted by nik-

So how many years after Crosby and Malkin retire will the Pens be in relocation danger again?

I predict 6

The league will just gift them another generational talent.

[JJ1532]

Originally Posted by MrMike

I don't know how they even think about throwing money at Stamkos when they will need that for the likes of Hedman, Kucherov, Johnson, Druinn and Bishop. Cut ten million a year and add that to them.

Looking more and more like they don't need him. Got to think the more they win, the weaker his position becomes and the more likely it becomes that he goes back with some more sensible demands. I mean, wouldn't the best thing for him be to accept something in the $7.5m region and help this Tampa team dominate for the next 5 years? I think he'd be a fool to force his way out of Tampa and head north.

[MrMike]

Originally Posted by JJ1532

Looking more and more like they don't need him. Got to think the more they win, the weaker his position becomes and the more likely it becomes that he goes back with some more sensible demands. I mean, wouldn't the best thing for him be to accept something in the $7.5m region and help this Tampa team dominate for the next 5 years? I think he'd be a fool to force his way out of Tampa and head north.

Filly agree. About worth an 8. He's a Tarasenko. Game changer shot but no one in this game can drag a team on there shoulders. Depends if he is after money or happy and wanting to win.

[Har-Calgary]

Originally Posted by MrMike

I agree. The post right before I said he looks like a Drew Doughty with more size. But other than him have you even heard another D man mentioned on Tampa this evening? Not noticeable is a great thing for D men in that situation.

Garrison and Coburn are relatively well known players, some fans would know sustr as well. All three are playing well, the crazy thing is that former flame "let him go for nothing" Anton Stralman could return soon, next game even. He was arguably their best defenseman this season, I would argue against that though, Hedman is a beast. He was, IMO, their MVP in their playoff run last season. Haven't paid much attention to them this run but judging by what people are saying, sounds like he might be their MVP during this run as well.

[CroFlames]

I'm firmly in the TBay camp. Hate the pens.

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

Originally Posted by Har-Calgary

Hedman is a beast. He was, IMO, their MVP in their playoff run last season. Haven't paid much attention to them this run but judging by what people are saying, sounds like he might be their MVP during this run as well.

I've been paying pretty close attention and I'd say it's a tale of two rounds. He was fine in round 1, but nothing to write home about. In that series, it was all Killorn/Johnson/Kucherov, especially Kucherov. But in the Islanders series, he was far and away the best player on either team. 8 points in 5 games while basically eliminating John Tavares as a factor. It was one of those rare instances where you see a guy just absolutely take over a series.

Hedman is fairly underrated and deserves to be considered among the elite defensemen in the league. He's top 10, arguably top 5.

[Strange Brew]

Drouin looks great. Yzerman seems to really know what he's doing, and was so smart by being patient. He has an incredible asset on his hands.