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n/a
deleted
4809 Posts |
 Posted - 05/15/2009 : 05:04:48
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Poll Question:
Quite simply, who takes the series, and how many games?
Key match-ups? What kind of series will it be? Who will we be talking about when it is done?
"Take off, eh?" - Bob and Doug
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JOSHUACANADA
PickupHockey Veteran
Canada
2308 Posts |
Posted - 05/15/2009 : 09:10:11
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| I figure Hurricanes in 6. Maybe 5, it depends on game 2. If they steal game 2 in Pitsburg its in 5. This Carolina team is a hell of a closing team. |
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JOSHUACANADA
PickupHockey Veteran
Canada
2308 Posts |
Posted - 05/15/2009 : 09:12:48
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| Pitsburg may be the easiest team Carolina has faced so far this playoff's. Pitsburg does not have the d-1st d-men and Elite goalie that Boston had. |
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Guest2265
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Posted - 05/15/2009 : 09:17:08
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| Pens in 6 they have face the toughest teams in the past and the toughest teams in the playoffs this year such as the Caps. Carolina is just a cinderella team there lucky to get pas the devils and lucky to get past Boston but now comes a team who has been to the cup last year and have made the playoffs 3 years in a row. So its going to be a Pens vs Red wings final. |
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Matt_Roberts85
PickupHockey Pro
Canada
936 Posts |
Posted - 05/15/2009 : 09:27:05
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I took Pitt in 7. Carolina will be really tough, they seem to have everything going their way. im just banking on Crosby magic carrying the pens to the final. Last year the pens were so close and I dont think they are going to let this opportunity slip away.
Fleury could very well cost the pens this series though, I dont think hes as good as ward.
Staal vs Staal will be interesting to watch. Id imagine Bylsma will have Jordan try to check the Staal line, should make for a great side bar story.
Pitts D is underrated if you ask me. Scuderi has been a rock, Orpik as well. Gonchar and Letang are awesome PP players and are also very reliable 5 on 5. Gill is a bit of a plug.. but is usually pretty mistake free (save for a game here or there..)
Carolina will need speed on the rush in order to expose the pens defense, and they have plenty of that. Pitt would be wise to try and play a puck posession game and not let the hurricanes come flying in full speed on the breakout.
The carolina D will have their hands full with Crosby, Malkin and Staal. IF they can stop Sid, they can stop the pens.
I think the high end players on each club match up pretty well, but im giving the pens the edge in that category. The depth players match up well as well, but Id give Carolina the edge there. And that could be the difference.
If guys like LaRose, Walker, Samsonov, Ruutu and Cullen can out perform Kunitz, Guerin, Sykora, Fedotenko and Kennedy it could decide the series.
There is no "I" in team, but there is an "M" and an "E". |
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Bozonator
Top Prospect
57 Posts |
Posted - 05/15/2009 : 23:37:55
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| Did anyone notice these were the two hottest teams in the east going into the playoffs. They were on the rise in the last couple of months and did great. This should be a great series. Then you add on Staal vs Staal!!! Wow! |
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fly4apuckguy
PickupHockey Pro
Canada
834 Posts |
Posted - 05/15/2009 : 23:38:39
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Pens in 5.
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Porkchop73
PickupHockey Pro
640 Posts |
Posted - 05/16/2009 : 05:25:31
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| I gonna go with the Pens in 6. My key match will be goaltending. Both goaltenders are world class. I give the edge to Cam Ward for already having a cup and a Conn Smyth, that gives him a playoff edge. Having said that I choose the Pens because they still have the bitter taste of losing in a cup final. That usually is enough motivation especially since they could get another shot at the Wings!!! The gritty play of the Canes could take this seven. |
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Alex
PickupHockey All-Star
Canada
2816 Posts |
Posted - 05/17/2009 : 04:35:51
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Both teams play an offensive game, which could really open things up. It also changes the equation a bit.The Penguins don't have bad defense at all, but most would agree that the squad's specialty is offense (Gonchar on the PP, Letang's puck-moving ability, etc.) No one on their squad is a bonafide stay-at-home type of guy.Which has me worried that they may leave Fleury out to dry more than they'd like, if the series does take the turn that it is expected to. All things being equal, I would expect Cam Ward to come up with the save more often than Fleury.
That being said, it's rare to see a Conference Final explode with goals, or feature a team that isn't playing strong two-way hockey. The Penguins have a strong backcheck, they have a good breakout, and guys, why in the world is anyone doubting Fleury? Has he made any mistakes this postseason? Seriously unfair to the guy. He's not a wash.
The Hurricanes have two weapons: Cam Ward and Eric Staal. I think the Pens can contain Eric (thinking especially of Jordan getting that assignment), and I think that their offensive talent is bound to solve Ward.
Therefore, although we've been going against the Canes all postseason and it hasn't worked, I see the Pens coming out on top. |
Edited by - Alex on 05/17/2009 04:36:59 |
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n/a
deleted
4809 Posts |
Posted - 05/19/2009 : 07:10:16
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What an exciting finish for the first game . . . but seriously, that 2nd Canes goal should not have counted - Staal kicked away the goalie stick. Well, karma bit him in the dying seconds anyways.
I had to hold off before making my prediction . . . cheating, I know. But it's very, very close . . . and I think I'll still go with the Pens by a hair, in 7.
"Take off, eh?" - Bob and Doug |
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Matt_Roberts85
PickupHockey Pro
Canada
936 Posts |
Posted - 05/19/2009 : 08:01:33
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Alex - You dont think Scuderi and Orpik are bonifide shutdown guys..?
There is no "I" in team, but there is an "M" and an "E". |
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Pittsburgh vs. Carolina 
