Stanley Cup Finals Thread: Penguins vs. Predators

[12HankQB]

All the hype over Rinne coming into the finals appears to be vastly overblown.  I'm not impressed at all with him.  He has given up some very easy goals, unlike Anderson who stood on his head the entire previous series.

Agreed, without a doubt. Anderson was a machine.

[abpk2903]

The hype of Rinne was/is ABSOLUTELY deserved. I know most of western PA watches about 20 hockey games a year (playoffs and a few here and there) but Rinne has been a top 3 goalie in the league for about 5 or 6 years now. At 34, he is in his prime as a goaltender and he has had an absolutely amazing playoff run up until game 1 of the SCF.  
Even with the goals he has given up, he still has had a positive impact in the series. His ability to play the puck is second to none in the league. If you have noticed he Pens not possessing the puck as much, or struggling to get in on the forecheck, or the lack of ability to get an effective cycle going that is primarily due to Rinne's play.
For some reason, Rinne just can't beat the Penguins. He is something like 0-9 in his career starts against the Penguins. 
Even with his sub-standard play through the first 2 games of this series (and his entire career against the Pens for that matter) if Penguins fans think for a second he is not fully capable of going out and stealing a few games in this series they are out of their minds.  He is a world class goalie playing behind 4 of the best defenseman in the league.

[CMM52]

Rinne not the problem. Exactly as I stated earlier is how game 2 played out. The Preds are playing right into their hands right now and unless they are disciplined enough to settle things down, play defense and rely on their great goaltender with good defense in front of him to keep them in the game they won't win one. This would mean fewer scoring opportunities for them, but at least you're keeping the score low and always in reach. I'm not sure they have the guys to capitalize on fewer oppertunities tho, so not sure if that even results in wins. If they want to keep playing over aggressive hockey offensively the pens will continue to score goals at a high rate bc they capitalize on their oppertunities. End of the day tho Preds just not good enough.

[konjo78]

Ive been too busy to enjoy a great nhl playoff season but ill get to watch game 5 just like i watched tonight! Is there something wrong with fleury? He did so well against washington why is a lesser goalie like murray doing in?

This series is far from over and its easily the best sport on tv right now

[12HankQB]

Well Murray isn't a lesser goalie for one. He won a Stanley Cup last year and is very good, but I am with you on Fleury. The hot goalie should've stayed in and should still be in.

[Manfred]

Agree. Murray came in after Flower had one bad game, after practically standing on his head to get the Pens through Columbus & Washington. Murray has looked OK, but maybe he's cooled off and MAF needs another shot.

[12HankQB]

Agreed, flower was a monster. If he stays in for the entire playoffs, he would've had a legitimate chance at winning the CS 

[Manfred]

Either in goal, Pens in 7. Win it at home.

[223113]

Either in goal, Pens in 7.  Win it at home.

Agreed. Thank goodness they have home ice advantage. Gotta take care of business in Game 5, because I just don't see them going back to that beehive and winning Game 6. The last 2 games reminded me of when I was a kid. Our neighbor had a dog, chained to a pen, that never got any attention. When I would go over to pet it, it morphed into a whirling, frenzied maniac,...and I don't know that I ever really did pet it. Like the Tasmanian Devil, from the Bugs Bunny cartoon. Those fans in Nashville are Rabid-Catfish-Chucking-Lunatics,...and that is putting it mildly.

[12HankQB]

konjo78:This is why i cant stand the NBA. The officials in this game are horribly calling towards cleveland favor.... Golden state are being fouled underneath with no calls and are getting whistles on the smallest things
12HankQB: Maybe this is due to the fact that Crosby is a top ten player....
konjo78: Wrong thread?

I feel someone has been avoiding us..waiting for the Pens to lose?