Let's Get Physical: PENS 4 Flyers 1... PIT leads series 1-0

Most of the experts who picked the Flyers to win the series were banking on their more physical presence and nature to beat the more shifty and finesse Penguins. Boy, the outcome of today's game disproved that prediction (at least for one game). The Pens set the tone early with a Chris Kunitz hit to Kimmo Timonen that obviously rattled and bothered him the entire game. It was the shifty Penguins who was hitting more and making life miserable for everyone wearing orange and white. From Brooks Orpik, to Craig Adams, they were hitting anyone in their vicinity. The first period tally was scored by Sidney Crosby, who in my opinion really needed to make the first true statement to this series. The goal was reviewed but it stood. 1-0 Pens after period one.

The second period proved my notion that Jordan Staal needed to be a presence in not only this series but the entire Stanley Cup run. Though he only had one assist tonight; a 3 on 1 goal by Tyler Kennedy (1st ever playoff goal), he was everywhere! He had countless opportunities to score but just missed, he backchecked, played physical and used his long reach to his advantage. The man should've gotten a star tonight. 2-0 Pens after two.

The third was a tale of the ever popular momentum. The Flyers apparently had gained some back at the end of the second and beginning of the third, but then Mike Richards hit the post and the game stayed at 2. Then a ghastly error by Philly which made things worse that the NHL's scoring leader Evgeni Malkin capitalized on the turnover and made it 3-0. Blowout central was on four minutes later as Mark Eaton of all people scores from the point after a Crosby faceoff win. The whole Kimmo Timonen injury was actually a focal point on that goal. The man just did not look comfortable out there and the puck ended up behind the net. Philly scored a meaningless goal on the power play late, and typical Flyer antics: gooning it up. First Arron Asham and Andrew Alberts start slashing and roughing guys, then Ryan Parent cross-checked Staal to the boards. Then Billy Guerin of the Pens had enough, fighting Braydon Coburn. Oh don't forget, Mr. Ass Scott Hartnell got ejected too. Needless to say it was a tactic that will carry over to Game 2. Hope it didn't phase the Pens one bit. Penguins win 4-1 and lead the best of 7 series 1 to 0.

Plus (+)
*Jordan Staal: Best player on the ice tonight.
*Marc-Andre Fleury: Made some difficult saves routine. Seemed to have his "A" game tonight.
*The grinders (Adams, Dupuis, Talbot, Cooke): Great shifts from them. Matt Cooke was a pest all night. Adams had a hell of a game. Dupuis had some great chances. Talbot was excellent in the PK.
*Sidney Crosby: Nice to see him make the first statement on the scoresheet

Minus (-)
*The Power Play: Needs work. It's to cute. They need to keep it simple. Too predictable.
*Petr Sykora: Where art thou Sykie?
*Hal Gill: Horrible turnover on the Philly goal. You can't give these guys any opportunites.

Good win, but put it behind you! Game 2 is Friday, and its gonna be tougher and more physical. I expect the Flyers to correct their mistakes and try to steal one in Pittsburgh.




We Gotta Ways To Go!

Philadelphia Flyers vs. Pittsburgh Penguins Round 1

It's one thing to be excited about being in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. It is even more exciting knowing you'll be playing one of your hated rivals. This is what we have here. The battle of Pennsylvania is known to always be a knockout drag with both teams countering with physicality and even more hatred. Of course there is some history. Let's open our history books shall we

1989 Playoffs: Game 5, the Penguins ended up stomping on the Flyers 10-7 with Mario Lemieux finishing with 7 points, but the highlight of the evening was Rob Brown's goal and being chased by an obviously frustrated Flyers goalie Ron Hextall



You thought the Pens had all the momentum after that game, but no, the Flyers came back and won the last two games to win the series 4-3.

1997: The Flyers ended Mario Lemieux's career. The Pens were down 3 games to 0 but Super Mario gave them one more memory.



To this day, I still get chills watching that goal. It was just fitting it was in Pittsburgh. Needless to say, the Flyers ended the Penguins season 2 days later.

2000: Another crack at Philly. It was almost inevitable when the Pens took a 2-0 lead after winning the first two in Philadelphia. But then two OT memories that will never go away and change momentum.

Game 3: Andy Delmore cuts it in half...


Game 4: Keith Primeau rips my guts out in five overtimes



The Flyers go on to win the final two games and steal the series from Pittsburgh.

2008: REVENGE IS A BITCH MY FRIENDS!!! Finally Pittsburgh gets on the board in this one sided rivalry. The clinching Game 5 video relieved the Pens of all the frustrations from past years. So I am happy to post the entire highlight reel from that game.



Whatever the case, this series will be determined by who has the most will and skill and capitalize on their opportunities. Let's face, the Pens are the more finesse team, but the Flyers can be a tough, rugged bunch. For me it is the goalies. Which Martin Biron will show up for Philly? I sure do hope its the one from last year. Overall I just feel that Pittsburgh has so much more fire power than Philadelphia that they can out gun them anyday of the week, plus we have an All-Star caliber goaltender that can steal the show also if it ended up being a defensive struggle. However, for the sake of the rivalry, this game goes SEVEN. Philly losing to the Rangers on the final day is really going to haunt them and not getting Game 7 in their barn. Pens in 7.

It's time...



This is not for the weak of heart.

Stanley Cup Playoffs Preview 2009 Edition

The most gorgeous piece of silver known to man. It's gonna take 2 months of hell, beards and sacrifice for a moment to lift this 35 pound trophy. But to those injured, beaten and physically drained, nothing is more gratifying. Let's meet the participants...

WESTERN CONFERENCE

#1: San Jose Sharks vs. #8: Anaheim Ducks

Clearly from a skill standpoint, San Jose is the much better squad. They have the better goalie, forwards, defense and experience. Saying that a rivalry like this Norcal vs. Socal battle makes things a little more interesting and worth glancing at. Let's also face facts that San Jose cruised through the season and are going to the playoffs backing in; which I feel may be a psychological advantage for this Ducks team. Their goalie Jean-Sebastian Giguere is a playoff tested goalie with Stanley Cup experience and can definitely steal this series. I know I may be giving more credit to the Ducks here, but I think San Jose has more sense of urgency to the fact that they don't want to eff up once again and be considered a team who couldn't win the big one.

PREDICTION


Sorry Coach Bombay... Sharks in 7, in a grueling, punishing seven game series.

#2: Detroit Red Wings vs. #7: Columbus Blue Jackets

Face it, Columbus is just happy to be in the dance for the first time in its franchise history, but they run into not only a well oiled machine that is Detroit, but the defending champs. You think their run last year was amazing, they only got better this year when they acquired former Penguin (and traitor) Marian Hossa. Good for the Blue Jackets though finally making the big show, but damn if they even win a game.

PREDICTION



Beware Of The Octopus! Red Wings in a sweep 4-0.

#3: Vancouver Canucks vs. #6: St. Louis Blues

This is an interesting matchup, because the Blues shouldn't have any business being in the dance, but they're young, they don't know any better and have practically nothing to lose... Which makes them even more dangerous. The Canucks are a veteran squad that added Mats Sundin during the season to give them more scoring for the playoffs. But damn the guy is just too Jekkyl and Hyde. The key is Roberto Luongo. If he stands on his head and owns everyones soul, Vancouver easily wins this. However if at any point he stumbles, you put the harmonicas away and the Blues will be moving on.

PREDICTION



Wrote A Song Bout It... Like To Hear It, Here It Goes...

"I Watched The Canucks and Blues... And The Blues Upset Them In Siiiiiiiiix ... Ahhhh Hahhhh! Thank You Very Much!"

#4: Chicago Blackhawks vs. #5: Calgary Flames

Man, I love this Blackhawks team! They are a bunch of youngsters. More talented version of St. Louis but can seriously make a run for it. Iron Mike Keenan bought himself a few renters at the deadline with Olli Jokinen and reaquiring Jordan Leopold, but as long as you slow down MVP caliber Jarome Iginla, you are good. The young Hawks may not have the playoff experience, but neither does Jokinen (never made the playoffs). Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews are a poor man's Crosby and Malkin (duo wise). Not saying that they are, but they are the West version of those two. They are beautiful to watch.

PREDICTION



No more crying Chief... Blackhawks in 5

EASTERN CONFERENCE

#1: Boston Bruins vs. #8: Montreal Canadiens

The Big bad Bruins beat the hell out of everyone early this year. Now they couldn't do anything the second half of the year. The Canadiens are a joke! They fired their coach midseason, their star forward is inconsistent, two brothers are involved in a mafia type ring, and now Celine Dion wants part ownership of the Habs. These 2 original six teams have had some classic battles and this one is no different. However I just can't see Montreal doing anything. Their goalie is shaky and their forwards just aren't tough enough to maintain a grueling Stanley Cup run.

PREDICTION



Bear City rules all. Fuck Celine Dion. Bruins in 5

#2: Washington Capitals vs. #7: New York Rangers

This is a story of one Alexander Ovechkin. Last year he produced so well but could not lift his team past the first round. He gets another chance. Against a Ranger team who keep trying to buy a ring but to no avail. The key? Ranger goalie Henrik Lundqvist. If he shows that he can be one of the best goalies in the world, the Rags have it. If AO and Co. come out blazing, this series will be over quickly. So for the sake of the matchup I want...

PREDICTION



Sometimes you have to win ugly... Literally... Capitals in 6

#3: New Jersey Devils vs. #6: Carolina Hurricanes

I have one darkhorse this playoff year... Carolina. This team is so solid and arguably the hottest going into the playoffs. They have a star player in Eric Staal that can score at will plus a group of veterans that can go on a huge Cup run. One thing gets in the way of that. The All-Time Winningest Goalie: Martin Brodeur. He has the ability to steal a game and a series. He is that good. However, I believe a close second in the group of 16 teams is Canes goalie Cam Ward. Don't underestimate the Devils trapping defense. Its boring as hell like the San Antonio Spurs, but it gets the job done.

PREDICTION



Hurricane, but you can call me slurricane... Carolina in six games.

TOMORROW...

Penguins vs. Flyers Preview since I am a Pens fan.

It's almost here...