BleacherCoaches.com

Totally agree with everything in that article. Sure the Pens got screwed by the playoff seedings and had to play the Flyers in the first round, but they were gonna meet up sometime anyways. Bylsma just got outcoached, it took him forever to make any adjustments, be it personnel or strategic. Depres and Strait both looked pretty solid these last two games, I don't see why they were ever sent back down to wilkes-barre after their mid season call ups due to injuries. It took til they were down 3-0 for Bylsma and the team to adjust their defensive strategies and philosophy. I think, barring any injuries, Pens gotta get out of the first round and make a deep run in the playoffs next year. If not they need to make some changes because 3 first round exits in a row is inexcusable for a team this talented.

This team is very, very talented at the top, but lacked some of the grit the 2009 team had. Just my opinion.

Crimson I agree with that assessment. Where I really noticed it is along the boards. They really lacked the guys that could win battles or had the want to win battles. They lost the races for lose pucks and as a result had it less than they were used to. They were able to get away with it in the regular season, but it caught up to them in the playoffs.

The path just got much easier for the Philadelphia Flyers as much as it sickens me to say. Boston is out. They were one of the teams that would have made it very tough on Philly in my opinion. The Rangers are the other, but they could be eliminated tomorrow, because Strangely enough away teams have a good track record in game 7's. I am on the St. Louis Bandwagon or Nashville now.