millz58

yeah, pretty clean game, great goaltending by Fleury (he seems to do this during the playoffs' later stages, ratcheting it up), I was happy to see how guys like Letang and Gonchar contributing when Crosby and Malkin were not (at least in terms of points). I think back to last year this time, when similar things were happening against the Caps, particularly Letang in game 7. "role" players stepping up... So again, the bell center will be rockin' tomorrow night. I can't believe I'm seeing Vancouver up 3-0 right now against Chicago, but hey they've got heart and have done to screen Niemi in the O zone, while playing fairly conservative defense. Will Philly go quietly vs. Boston tomorrow night? I guess not, with Gagne back and the Bruins missing Kreijci; but I'd like to see Pens v. Bruins (my wife and I will possibly be at odds here.) That is of course, over-reaching in assuming Pens get past the Habs... . I feel good for SJ getting into the Western Conference finals, even more with Vancouver looking to push it to game 6.

I didn't see that game (I got back from my trip just in time to watch Thursday's game) but I agree star players (like Crosby) do tend to get away with stuff that others get nailed for. I don't like it it all. Anyway the Habs are doing a great job against Crosby and Malkin, and seem to be pretty steady, while Pens seem to be getting a little frustrated. I'm a bit surprised at how SJ and Boston have handled their respective series, but I'm totally cool with those teams in their conference finals.

Nice Habs win, I didn't see it cuz I was at the Yard; but Montreal seems to be frustrating Crosby and Malkin like they did Ovechkin and Semin; if Staal can play and the Pens lose depth down the middle, Montreal could make it really tough on Pittsburgh. Then again, Crosby seems to be able to regroup and figure out how to progress through difficulty, as does Bylsma. I will have to wait until Thursday afternoon to know the outcome of Tuesday's game and prep for game 4, but I wouldn't be suprised to see the Pens staring at a possible 3-1 deficit going into next weekend. But I've been wrong before...

Here's the back of the dude who was sitting in front of me.

Nice game today, Millwood pitched great, we had some great defensive plays, and I always love seeing Red Sox fans hang their head (it's not often at the Yard, but sweeeee-eet). I got hella sunburn in section 358, even though the sun was outta my way by 2:30 or so.

agreed; I think MTL did look a bit flat and their PK wasn't there but both are understandable given the Habs trek thus far. We'll see about Markov. Also Staal, he is really valuable to the Pens as well. I'm gonna be out of it for the next couple of games, I'll post later after the Sunday game (got ticket to the O's/Red sox Sunday game) but will be out of the loop for the Tuesday game, hopefully back in the loop for the Thursday game (going on a backpacking trip well out of reach of most signals). peace edit: no, wait a minute, I'd be remiss (and what the heck does that mean anyway) if I didn't mention that, when the Pens scored their first goal tonight, Gonchar's, there was a visible shot of Bylsma "blowing" a relief breathe, as if to gesture "whew, I'm sure glad we got that one back that quickly". The chalk talk is that the Pens are all cool and collected "like their coach" but let's face it, Dan's still a young'n and maybe he is more a product of his team's collective composure than the other way. But he's got a chance to prove he's better than Thierren. Hopefully he will.

Again it's almost like the Pens were running an even-strength PP type set against the Habs, and now Gill takes a penalty... this could be the back-breaker if Pens score here. edit: 4-on-4? didn't catch that...; this kid Subban's getting valuable minutes in the playoffs, he's big as hell, and skates well, handles his body well, shields off bodies well, handles the puck pretty well, he'll be a keeper... edit(:45) Guerin gets the EN goal, 6-3 game 1 for the Pens, but the Habs played well. Not sure how long this series will go, I saw Fleury wake up a bit and show some of his better playoff form, and saw Halak get a bit uncomfortable. Seems like Pens have the personnel and attitude to pull this series off. edit: speaking of personnel, the Subban-Stall tie-up might cost Jordan Staal a game or so, hopefully not, but he looked gimpy and injured; he's not missed a game, and Pittsburgh's 3rd Center is more valuable on defense and in general does things not recognized easily when eyes are too focused on the Crosby's and Malkin's of the team; Staal's a great player and his absence would be a serious advantage for the Habs.

Wow nice PP goal a rip from the point by Gionta, back to a 2-goal game; that's what I'd expected from MTL. Game on!

Habs have done well to bottle up crosby's puck-handling, rushes, chances, but he still finds ways to stay in and prolong the plays, assist, etc. He is growing as a player, rounding out his game but still being the play-maker he came into the league as a rookie. he's becoming a greater player...

Wow delay of game on Habs, PP for Pens. Pens are throwing MTL's timing off (or at least what they were used to v. Caps), Halak is having to look a bit more at the plays and see some hesitation and development, maybe dulling him a bit. edit: 17:02 Goligoski PP goal, Crosby assist... this seems like a formula that Jacques martin will have to figure out. It's been too easy to this point for the pens. edit (14:42) well, Price comes in for Halak... 5-2 pens...

Right on; maybe bringing in veterans (not to win, but to influence) is a strategy; I hadn't thought about that, but hey, Millwood, Tejada, could only do well with some youngsters I guess. And yes Markakis and Jones have done well enough in their short careers to "earn" a drop-off without criticism; stats "will out". If we've dealt with this team's disgrace for 12 years, we'll go a bit further; at least they're building and showing some growth in players if not in wins. they don't need momentum, they need consistency.

Holy **** great zone pass during a (subtle) line change, Adams with a goal; 4-2 pens at 18:36 pd. 2 I like how physical the Habs are playing now, but I don't know if that's helping them in defense. maybe they need to hunker down a bit like they did v. Washington, just to force the Pens to work for their shots. Pens are very fluid right now in their chances, quickly communicating and nicley passing; I recall how the Habs extended their defense to the blue line at times to thwart the Caps advance last round, maybe they can do some of that... If Stall doesn't come back then Gomez might have some opportunity to break through

Awesome kick-save by MAF on Gomez! edit (6:20) Crosby is schooling suppan...; (5:30) Pens basically had an even-strength PP down in the Habs' zone; pressure mounting... (4:40) Subban nice pass, whiffed on... GOAL CAMMALERI AT 4:33 this guy scares me, he makes it happen and has a great shot! 3-2 Pens... edit (3:55) Pyatt and Subban are making noise around the Pens' net, could prove pivotal

Wow, everyone's in on the PP for Pens, Letang now for Pittsburgh's 3rd man-advantage goal... . I didn't think Pens would score that easily, but there PP was 25% in round 1 vs. OTT. The had great puck movement in these goals, in-out, around, adjusting to Habs' good pressure.

That hit on Markov was close, but clean in my view, hope he's okay, Subban (!) will be very needed from here on... I love Gonchar, always have, he's so cool and effective on PP, he will be vital for Pittsburgh as Habs try to shut down the Pens' offense; special teams is the key to this series I think, other than how the Pens' C's do, and (maybe more) how Pens' D can backcheck.

I had no idea PK were Subban's initials! Until I saw the highlight of his goal! I got in late, just turned the game on and they were callin' his name! Seems like a good competitive game so far (2-1 pens at 1:03 to go in 1st) and both teams are challenging in the offensive zones. I like Pen's PP goal, and REALLY like it when Stall scores. I hope this series goes (say) 6 games, to get a flavor of what MTL can do to thwart the C's of Pittsburgh. Halak had a couple go by him early, and he has been more back-in-the-crease than vs. Washington. Is that being defensive about defending? I dunno but I'd love to see Halak play like he did last round, except maybe that had more to do with the way the Caps were playing and the Habs' D channeling shots toward their crowd ... We'll see.

My buddy had the 13-game mini-plan last season (sunday games) and the O's won 1 of them I think... I'm actually going to the 1:35 game v. Boston this Sunday (thanks to one of his free tix), missing game 2 of Pens/Habs... I love the Yard, even the team, but it is hard...

I still have 5 seniors who owe serious obligations, and time is running short. The other that have "made it through" are either not showing up (thankfully) or still showing up and being a pain-in-the-ass. yikes; at our school we have "trimesters" instead of semesters; so, passing kids into graduates is like giving birth...

Lotsa great comments, Spen. I'm all for the Smurfs, they played huge. I think the Caps just gave up in numerous stretches of time (particularly midway through game 6) and had no heart, so you could say they never got it going, maybe because they couldn't or maybe because they wouldn't. to me the latter spells the end of Boudreau, he had no conviction or fire to change his team's mindset the last 4 games of the series, and a coach's job is to change or steady the mindset of the team and to motivate players, and manage lines; those guys already know the X-O's of the task. I'm a Pens fan obviously, and even without that I really don't care for Ovechkin. That being said, I had visceral pain watching the game 7 post-game interview with him, I really felt badly for him. But that team (and he himself) need to learn to step it up in the playoffs and play with focused urgency. And 1 for 33 on the PP after having the league lead in PP% during the regular season is RIDICULOUS (how does Boudreau explain not addressing that during the series?) I also wanted to see the Caps go far, they need to for their team, but it would also solidify a shift in power away from more traditionally favored franchises (Philly, Montreal, etc.) and the burgeoning (overly hyped, but still growing) rivalry between the Pens and Caps would have really been justified by an Eastern Conference Finals matchup. Oh well... One big reason Pens could be rightly favored to beat Montreal is Crosby, not just because he's another NHL poster-boy who has happened to step-up in the postseason, but he offers things Ovie doesn't (more East-West lateral movement in front of the net, solid play behind the net, patience when working in the zone, extends plays instead of speeding them up, etc.) Ovie tended to play into the hands of the Habs defense by going to hard directly to the net, which MTL defense was waiting for. I don't expect the Penguins to be that impatient and do expect them to be more versatile. The X-factor in my view is the Pens' PK. Not sure how they'll do against a team who's PP has been about as good this far in the Playoffs as Pittsburgh's has (and let's face it, Fleury is not exactly playing like Halak; but who is besides Luongo?) Force, post up dude! We need more hockey fans on this football website go Sharks! Lotsa cred to the 'Wings, but I also wanna see new blood in the Western conference. Particularly Vancouver. and Chicago. Heck, anyone except Lidstrom, Zetterberg, et al...

Obviously I give the Habs credit, they took out the Caps (difference there was defense and PP/PK). Chicago, San Jose made it through, I think Phoenix and Buffalo definitely still made marks. Philly was no real underdog against NJ (nor was Boston against Buffalo). Waiting for second round!

*SIGH*...

I fuckin' hate seniors..., especially this time of year. I'd rather teach 9th graders. Anytime.

Well Spen, it's on... . Pens v. Habs. I remember Hal Gill being an occasional liability in defense last year with Pittsburgh, and this year he is superman, blocking hella shots and giving a steady seasoned experienced influence to a up-n-coming Montreal team, especially Halak (who has been out-freakin'-standing). Whaddya think? edit: smurfs aren't much shorter than Penguins

... and, it's over (somber tone here); one of the best regular seasons in NHL history goes for naught (as their league-leading power-play went 1-for-forever this post-season); the #8 seed Montreal Canadiens take out the top-seeded Washington Capitals with a 2-1 victory in game 7, at Verizon center. Bring on the Penguins, as Scott Gomez says, "there will be better days". We'll see how Montreal does against Pittsburgh. ALL CREDIT TO THE HABS AND ONE OF THE BEST DEFENSIVE PLAYOFF SERIES EFFORTS I'VE EVER SEEN, AND AGAINST ONE OF THE BEST OFFENSIVE CLUBS IN RECENT MEMORY. Incredible.

HOLY SHIT THE HABS GO UP 2-0 WITH ABOUT 3 MINS TO GO! A HUGE UPSET BREWING IN GAME 7!! Bad play on the puck in the Caps' defensive zone allows an easy goal, and Montreal looks like they are going to pull the playoff upset of history, the Caps would be the only #1 seed to lose to an #8 seed after being up 3 games to 1... ...wow, as I'm typing this Laich scores to make it 2-1... Fasten your seatbelts, it's gonna be a bumpy night! edit: Now the high-stick gives the Caps a 2:00 PP with 1:44 left! Best PP in the regular season, but worst in the Post-season for Washington; we'll see! and they have Varlamov on the bench already! TWO PUCKS ALMOST GO IN THE EMPTY NET!