Penguins...

Are on the verge of collapsing and missing the playoffs.  They had a 3-0 lead on the Senators tonight at the end of the first period and lost 4-3 in OT.  They have to learn how to hold a lead.  They have done this way too much in the last month.  

Suddenly, Disco Dan Bylsma doesn't seem so bad.  At least he got us to the playoffs before we choked.

We have 2 games left to clinch our playoff spot.

"Playoffs?? PLAYOFFS????" - Jim Mora

I couldn't believe that when I saw it. As if the 3-1 meltdown last year vs. the Rangers wasn't bad enough, this year they might not even have life in the post season.

I'm not sure what is wrong with our beloved PENS.

Seems like every year they are missing two things on the roster:
1. Someone who wants to play defense.
2. Someone who wants to shoot the puck and not pass it all the damn time.

Not sure what it is but I hope it changes quickly.

I can't follow the NHL regular season because there are just too many damn games. I get excited around this time for the playoffs. If the Pens aren't in it.... I don't care.

Big game tonight.

Win and we're in..

MUST WINE.. NO CAN LOSE!!

Lokki wrote:

MUST WINE.. NO CAN LOSE!!

White Zin? Cabernet? Chardonnay?

HUGE game for the Pens tonight. Boston losing last night helped.

Just one stinkin' victory and we're in. WTH!!!!

this team has lost it's identity right now and if they don't find it in the next couple of days, then they will be a one and done team in the playoffs.

The Penguins are in the playoffs!!

Up first: the Rangers. The Penguins had the Rangers on the ropes last year 3-1 when the Rangers came back and won the series. Payback time!

As much as I would love to get payback and knock the Rangers out.  I don't have confidence in the current Penguins team, unless Flower can play lights out and get us shut outs every game.  Playing with only 5 defenders is like relying on Ike Taylor to intercept a ball.

I don't watch enough regular season hockey to have a good grasp on the team but I do know that anything can happen in the playoffs.

Lokki wrote:

As much as I would love to get payback and knock the Rangers out.  I don't have confidence in the current Penguins team, unless Flower can play lights out and get us shut outs every game.  Playing with only 5 defenders is like relying on Ike Taylor to intercept a ball.

Ok it's not that bad!!

The team certainly lost it's identity late in the season, but we've all seen it in the past. The teams barely make the playoffs and then they find themselves and erase all negative memories of the previous weeks.

That's what I'm looking forward to seeing.

The Pens haven't been built for playoff hockey since 2009-10. They barely made it to the playoffs this year.

Rangers in five.

It starts Thursday

Let's go Pens!

Penguins go for a shocker in the first round....finish off the Rangers at home in Game 6.

It starts tonight. I don't get the game at home so I have to go to the local watering hole to watch it.

Let's go Pens!

Wow, a goal by the Rangers not even a minute in. Pens look slow and out of sorts

2 to 0 after the first. Pens look over matched.

Well, at least it wasn't a blow out. They fought hard.

First time I got to watch a hockey game in a long time. I missed most of the 1st period (and both Rangers goals) though. The Pens played hard and fast and were active, but just couldn't seem to find a way to put the puck in the net. Hopefully tonight's ferocity carries over to the rest of the series and things go their way. Good game.

Lokki wrote:

Well, at least it wasn't a blow out.  They fought hard.  

They had a lot of good looks at the net but just couldn't cash in. I'm sure it was a huge moral buster when the Rangers scored 28 seconds into the game (the Pens got Rhonda Rousey'd) and then be down 2 to 0.

Hopefully the Pens come out the gate hotter in Game 2 than they did in Game 1

The way they played the 3rd period has left me with some hope for this series. Somehow, some way this team has to put it all together for 60 minutes in consecutive games and stop playing so tentatively.

YAH-YUH

Penguins even up the series despite horrible officiating, 1 - 1

They played hard last night.  Where has that Pens team been?  Suddenly the Rangers aren't so confident anymore.  I love it.

Lokki wrote:

They played hard last night.  Where has that Pens team been?  Suddenly the Rangers aren't so confident anymore.  I love it.

Once again I missed the first two periods of the game, and got home in time to watch the 3rd. When I left my location the score was 0-1 rangers, and I couldn't find the game on the radio for the hour ride home. By the time I got home it was 3-1 Pens. Got to watch the 3rd and the officiating that tried to let the rangers tie it up.

The Pens played hard and it showed in the end.

HOWEVER, I believe the score should have been 5-3 as the puck crossed the goal line prior to the clock hitting zero.

We got robbed a goal, and therefore, the Pens should recognize the mis-carriage of justice that has taken place and give the rangers further doubts by totally dominating game 3.

The ratio of penalties is a bit alarming. Are the Penguins REALLY committing that many more penalties? Has Goodell worked his way into the NHL?

It was really exciting to see Crosby have a strong game. The Pens looked more like the aggressors last night rather than sitting back on their haunches hoping not to mess up.

Tied up 1-1 going to Pittsburgh and I'm feeling pretty optimistic.