GDT: 5/24/16 - 8:00PM EDT - #2 Pittsburgh VS #2 Tampa Bay [ECF GAME 6]

[Bolts265]

If we lose this series, they have no one else to blame but themselves. They have two games to advance and if you can't muster up a win in neither of them, you don't deserve to win a series. It should've been over after tonight. I believe we can win but the Pens are probably the favourites.

Yes, it should have been over. To have a letdown like that at home in an elimination game is quite disturbing. Can we win yes, will we win, I doubt it. I just don't think 3 wins on Pens ice is in the cards. We are just not a SC champion team in 2016 there is still something missing, heart, desire and coaching come to mind.

 

[Bolts265]

I really want the East to win normally to shut up those West fanboyts, but with a couple first time cup winners on the other side (particularly the Sharks who I like)... :/

Amen to that can never root for the Pens over a possible first time winner.

 

[Bolts265]

-4 in an elimination game, Norris candidate my Hiney. He does give great pre game quotes, just has a problem actually executing them on a consistent basis. Please also go to shooting accuracy school this summer. They may also teach you to shoot quicker instead of taking time to tee up everything while the defense and the goalie position themselves for the block or save.

 

[HoseEmDown]

Hedman and Stralman together just isn't working, it's great in the regular season against weaker competition but against teams with speed and skill throughout the lineup it's bad. Both want to pinch in on every play and get caught deep far too often. Sustr-Garrison works because they know to stay back when one pinches and don't give up constant breakaways or odd man rushes.

 

[Hoek]

I just think it's not working because Stralman sucks right now coming off that injury, and Hedman is having to do too much to cover him. Wasn't an issue last year. Honestly I would just scratch Stralman, sorry to say.

 

[Sky04]

I just think it's not working because Stralman sucks right now coming off that injury, and Hedman is having to do too much to cover him. Wasn't an issue last year. Honestly I would just scratch Stralman, sorry to say.

Not just stralman holding him back, their speed and quick passing is giving hedman fits. Someone used the term "playing swords" to describe Hedmans defense this series, he's always caught reaching and jabbing because someone got around him.

They arent working together right now. I wouldnt sit him for nesterov or carle but move him to the 3rd unit.

Hedman-Coburn
Garrison-Sustr
Koekkoek-Stralman

 

[Hockeyfan02]

Listening to Engblom last night on the postgame show and this morning on 620 he said a big problem was the D was stopping behind the net too much limiting their breakout options instead of skating or moving the puck between the corners to set things up. Pittsburgh was also moving on the receiver of breakout passes quickly and not giving them a lot of time. He also felt they were overthinking last night to what Pittsburgh was doing "if they do this, I have to do this" and that's why they looked slow. Maybe nothing earth shattering there but I thought it was interesting.

There just wasn't enough desperation until they went down three goals. It just seems like they get too comfortable with a series lead and expect the other team to roll over. Game 6 against Montreal last year and Game 5 against the Isles this year they went after it and wanted to put them away. In other chances we've had to eliminate teams they haven't played desperate enough and it's frustrating they haven't learned that lesson yet. I almost feel better going into tomorrow night's game since our backs are against the wall than last night where they had the edge in the series. Maybe that Drouin goal would've settled them down and gotten them to play their game, but right call was made and it was a tough break. I just want them to come out aggressive like they did in games 4 and 5. Their goalies aren't playing great, put pucks on net(looking at you Fil and Vlad). When this series has been relatively even we've come out with wins, when Pittsburgh has dominated they've won. Can't let Pittsburgh dictate things again or they'll be heading home.

 

[CarpeNoctem]

Yehp, team waited too long to kick it into gear and Hedman/Stralman has been a huge issue. Compare this series to last series with Hedman in mind. If he played that well this time around, we'd be heading to the finals right now, 100%.

Stralman has been a big liability too, and until he gets it together, he needs to be seeing sheltered minutes more often.

 

[Volodya Krutov]

The problem is that if you let an opportunity to a team of Pittsburgh's level to get back in the series, they're likely to seize it. When you play with fire, you end up getting burned.

 

[AlphaCatalyst]

Not really Coops fault on this one...he played the lines pretty well, and used Drouin exceptionally.

Coops fault Hedman and Stralman completely **** the bed in their roles last night? Or that Johnson had half a dozen turnovers?

That's what we read almost every time we lose a game. That's not what Cooper wants, he wants to keep the Pens on their heels, he wants to create turnovers, he wants a sustained possession. When you see guys sitting in their own end, it is also related to bad execution (poor passing, decision making, effort, positioning and all). We don't have the puck, we don't have the shift-per-shift momentum, we're getting tired, we're giving up one, two, three goals. We lost.

But it is not just last night or after a loss. It is not a recent problem. In the Islander series we were outshot badly in the first period every game because of sitting back. Bishop was able to weather the storm and the team kicked in during the 2nd instead of the third like we are seeing in this series. Have we really had bad execution, poor passing, decision making, effort, & positioning for the beginning of 9 out of the last 11 games? Or is it a system the players have been taught? It really does not matter because if the answer is yes to either of those questions then that's on Cooper for not correcting the problem.

 

[T REX]

Stralman has been a hot steaming pile of poo since his return. Nothing by a liability. We played better without him.

 

[Leonardo87]

Stralman has been a hot steaming pile of poo since his return. Nothing by a liability. We played better without him.

If we do advance, and imagine getting Stamkos back next series, who has not played in nearly two months? If we get to the SCF with this lineup, I like our odds. Question is, which ****ing team will show up tomorrow.

 

[Brie]

It's sad that it's come to the point where, when the team says that they will be ready tomorrow, that you just don't believe them, however if they want to surprise us all I think we're all for it but I don't think anyone here expect much.

 

[RDTBay4]

It was a much more successful playoffs than I could have imagined given the key injuries. Should be an interesting off season in terms of contracts etc.

 

[DaBolts]

Hedman and Stralman together just isn't working, it's great in the regular season against weaker competition but against teams with speed and skill throughout the lineup it's bad. Both want to pinch in on every play and get caught deep far too often. Sustr-Garrison works because they know to stay back when one pinches and don't give up constant breakaways or odd man rushes.

It was better with Hedman/Coburn and Sustr/Stralman. Hedman has been horrid the last two games and Stralman just can not get physical enough or outskate anyone yet.

The sad thing is that I think Garrison can cover for Carle's mistakes so its futile to think Coop's going to change it much going into game 7. Ah well, it was a good run while it lasted....

 

[DaBolts]

But it is not just last night or after a loss. It is not a recent problem. In the Islander series we were outshot badly in the first period every game because of sitting back. Bishop was able to weather the storm and the team kicked in during the 2nd instead of the third like we are seeing in this series. Have we really had bad execution, poor passing, decision making, effort, & positioning for the beginning of 9 out of the last 11 games? Or is it a system the players have been taught? It really does not matter because if the answer is yes to either of those questions then that's on Cooper for not correcting the problem.

What's on Cooper is not putting 25 in the pressbox again forever.

 

[Stammertime91]

Considering the comebacks we've had in the last 12 months in playoffs, and this year in particular, not sure why anyone is mailing it in already. Sure it's going to be a monumental effort and it's something they haven't done this series, playing 60 minutes, but don't give up guys.

I was heartbroken last night but we can still do it. We really need our big time players to play their best game of the year tomorrow. Need the depth to help out and the high profile secondary players to have a great performance. There's no reason why we can't beat them. We have beaten them 6 times this year and 50% this postseason. We can do it. Believe.

 

[Todd1a]

Stop crying on this board! We knew
This series was going to be hard! I picked Tampa bay in 7 games! And I'm sticking to it! Did you guys really think we would beat the Penguins 3 straight games to win game 6? There a good hockey team and so are we.

 

[The Macho King]

It's game 7. We've got as good a chance as anyone.

Win and we're in. Lose and we're out.

 

[Todd1a]

Be honest did anyone on this board think back in November we would be in game 7 in the ecf ????

 

[Raymones]

Considering the comebacks we've had in the last 12 months in playoffs, and this year in particular, not sure why anyone is mailing it in already. Sure it's going to be a monumental effort and it's something they haven't done this series, playing 60 minutes, but don't give up guys.

I was heartbroken last night but we can still do it. We really need our big time players to play their best game of the year tomorrow. Need the depth to help out and the high profile secondary players to have a great performance. There's no reason why we can't beat them. We have beaten them 6 times this year and 50% this postseason. We can do it. Believe.

Agreed. It was the same gloom and doom last year after a deflating loss to the Rangers in game 6, at Amalie. That game was worse than this one in so many ways.
It's a missed opportunity for sure, and it stings, but I think they can do it.

 

[CupsOverCash]

It's game 7. We've got as good a chance as anyone.

Win and we're in. Lose and we're out.

Yup. I think as long as we put forth our best fight I think we got a great shot.

 

[Bozo Nicholson]

I wanna see a game 4 repeat up in this *****!

(minus the Pens comeback part)

 

[Coburn and Condra]

Optimism for your evening: 10 of the last 15 playoff Game 7s have been won by the road team. Bolts have also won a Game 7 at Consol in the past 5 years (2011 Quarterfinals).

It's a brand new game, new slate. The stats say home/road doesn't matter very much, and we've played better at Consol than at Amalie this series anyway.

My money's on Kucherov taking this ****ing game over. BELIEVE, you guys!

 

[RDTBay4]

Optimism for your evening: 10 of the last 15 playoff Game 7s have been won by the road team. Bolts have also won a Game 7 at Consol in the past 5 years (2011 Quarterfinals).

It's a brand new game, new slate. The stats say home/road doesn't matter very much, and we've played better at Consol than at Amalie this series anyway.

My money's on Kucherov taking this ****ing game over. BELIEVE, you guys!