Pens vs Capitals - Eastern Semis

[Coach]

Seed Eastern 1, 3, 5, 7 with Western 2, 4, 6, 8 and vice versa. That way if the best two are from the same side they could still meet in the finals.

[abpk2903]

The problem with the eastern conference is the 4 best teams in the East were all in the Metro. I think if Philly or NJ played in the Atlantic, they would have competed with Florida and Tampa for the top spot.

It's not going to happen like this every year but when it does, it really can make the path to the finals challenging for a few teams.

I know Konjo tried to use the outdated cliche that "you have to beat all the best teams in the end." Well it's not really true one bit.

The Pens trip to the finals as a 2 seed (if they get there) will be

-Home ice against the 4 seed
-1 seed on the road
-Finals against either the 5 or 6 seed.

In a physical sport, that can wear down a team over this 2 month tournament.

Compare that to the 6th seeded team in the Lightning whose path to the finals is:

-Home ice against the 7th seed
-Home ice against the 5th seed
-finals against the 1st or 2nd seed

[billmurray]

both goalies got burned...sloppy play by Pens...reverted back to east/west for a big...Ollie...oh my what's happened to you...going to be an epic series

[abpk2903]

Gotta scratch Maatta in game 2, right? Sullivan didn't bench him like Trotz did to Orlov but he did move him off of Letang's line to reduce his ice time a little.

He has looked like the glaring weak spot on defense for about half the playoff games so far. 

[billmurray]

you would think, just not the same after injury. Directly cost one goal last night with baaad turnover

[abpk2903]

I just think the stage is a little too big for him right now. Most of his mistakes have been due to either being caught out of position flat footed or an indecisive play. 

He really doesn't have a lot of playoff or big game experience. Shultz and Pouliot don't either but I say give them a shot and see how they handle it.

[Coach]

Will Orpik get suspended?

[12HankQB]

No, they'll give him the equivalent of a 2-minute minor like they did in the game....a fine. He'll still play just like Wilson. These Caps are taking some real cheap shots

[crfball]

Pssh probably get what Wilson did, NHL sucks at player discipline

[pudge]

Yeah they are awful with it. I mean Letang didn't get anything when he blatantly attempted to decapitate stalberg last series.