Series Talk: Pens vs Habs Round 1 Best of Five - Episode 5: Camme toé

[Peat]

I was thinking about this a few days ago...

JJ-Marino was a solid pair, JJ was actually a functional human being with Marino. Which left the idea that if you drop Pettersson down to the 3rd pair with someone like Riikola (Schultz is a dumpster fire, no partner can fix him, he's worse than JJ right now), I would probably roll that.

JJ-Schultz is comically bad, like you are a f***ing dipshit of a coach if you think that is a 3rd pair that won't burn you at literally every second they hit the ice as a duo.

Pettersson-Schultz has got a far bigger and just as recent record of being a working pairing. I think this might be the right idea, but JJ-Marino would be the pairing where I'd worry about it coming undone.

I suspect Sully is going to be VERY aggressive in managing their minutes and usage in those games in which the Pens don't have last change (offensive zone draws, less dangerous matchups, etc). Won't totally inoculate, but I don't think they're going to be as exposed as some here may fear.

(yes, I know . . . strange for ME to be saying that . . . maybe it's the denial speaking )

The pairing's been fine when the team has been good in front of them. Which shouldn't really be a high enough standard for them getting on the ice, but it's enough I'm not going to worry too much about it.

 

[Ms Maggie]

I get a kick out of these comments. Almost as if the Pens are going up against teams with no weaknesses, no shaky lines. I like the look of this lineup. Is it perfect? Is anything?

 

[905PENS]

Zucker and Rust.

I've been reading that they're killing it at practice

 

[Scandale du Jour]

I get a kick out of these comments. Almost as if the Pens are going up against teams with no weaknesses, no shaky lines. I like the look of this lineup. Is it perfect? Is anything?

Yeah, the chicken little attitude is a little annoying.

The Habs are trash.

They have some good players, a good system and good coaching. Their goalie CAN steal games when he is on. They CAN beat us, sure. However, we are heavily favored and losing to them would be an humiliating choke - Tampa being swept by Columbus level of choke. I do not care about the "layoff" and "rust". The Habs have been off for 4 months too... and we started practicing as a team like 2 weeks before them. No excuses. The MUCH MORE talented and well-rounded team SHOULD dismantle the trash team who shouldn't even be playing a playoff series... sorry a "play in" series.

I know for a fact that when most of our guys were already skating... only Drouin was showing up to Brossard. At least for a few days. The coaching staff was pissed. Won't reveal my source publicly, I can confirm to @BHD and @ColePens if needed.

We... have... no... EXCUSES!

 

[ColePens]

Part of me is 100% with @Scandale du Jour and part of me knows how fast a tournament can go from experience. Sometimes when it's so weird like this, the best team can go in and not come out. It happens so often.

SHOULD we win? Absolutely. Does that guarantee anything? f*** no. We've been here before. We've seen it before. And now add all the weirdness of 5 months off. I love when people say "But they played like ____ back in March!" Who cares? That was March. This is August. It is different no matter how you try to act like it's not. In fact if all the teams stayed the same and replayed in some weird strange world, it wouldn't be the same results every year.

But ideally my positivity is with Scan. I'm Team Scan here.

 

[Scandale du Jour]

Part of me is 100% with @Scandale du Jour and part of me knows how fast a tournament can go from experience. Sometimes when it's so weird like this, the best team can go in and not come out. It happens so often.

SHOULD we win? Absolutely. Does that guarantee anything? f*** no. We've been here before. We've seen it before. And now add all the weirdness of 5 months off. I love when people say "But they played like ____ back in March!" Who cares? That was March. This is August. It is different no matter how you try to act like it's not. In fact if all the teams stayed the same and replayed in some weird strange world, it wouldn't be the same results every year.

But ideally my positivity is with Scan. I'm Team Scan here.

Well, I agree with you that anything can happen. Weird things happen in the playoffs all the time and this year should be extra weird considering the layoff, the format, the bubble, etc.

We COULD lose! It would be a huge upset, but it would be "normal" for the NHL. This isn't the NBA, there is relative parity in the NHL. That being said, we SHOULD win convincingly and if we do not, it will be a BIG failure. It will rightfully be seen as a choke.

At least one team chokes every year in the first round and this year likely won't be an exception.

However, I am confident it won't be the Pens. Our guys are focused. They all came back early except for Horny. Sid and Geno LED the charge. Most players looked good in the scrimmages. Pace of play was good. Guys did not look too "training camp". Outside of ZAR's comments, which were probably said in jest, every player sounds focused and serious. They will be ready to go and I expect them to make a run.

Sure, we probably won't go all the way, there are other great teams out there, but it should not be the Habs who stop us. I worry about Boston, Tampa and Washington. I think these teams can beat us even if we play well. Montreal? Nah. If we play well, it doesn't matter how Price and the rest of them play, we will own the puck and win convincingly.

I also think a veteran team that has won a lot like the Pens is more equipped to deal with the bubble than a younger team. You know Sid, Geno and Letang won't be distracted. You know they will keep the rest of the guys in line. No one on the Pens will end up in a strip club or ordering junk food "illegally".

 

[Jesse]

As far as play-in series odds are concerned, the Penguins are pushing 66%+ in most models. That's the most significant advantage of any series being played in the qualifying round.

There are no locks in hockey. 65+% is as close as you get, and you still lose 35% of the time. I'd rather be there than a coin flip.

 

[Empoleon8771]

 

[Peat]

I'm on Team Positivity and believe in this team, but the nature of the NHL will always worry me and I do think Montreal are good enough if they get their system up and running that it won't take much of a slip

 

[Scandale du Jour]

4PM?

Neat!

 

[ColePens]

Great tweet. I love that little shot mixed in with reality. I laughed and thought that was well done.

 

[Ms Maggie]

4PM?

Neat!

I propose we all crack a beer at the puck drop! (Ok so 99% of peeps doing that anyway, but maybe nice to think it's being done collectively....)

 

[ColePens]

All NHL teams are in a bubble and cannot go out, right? Or am i mistaken in that. It's the only thing I cannot remember.

 

[Randy Butternubs]

I was planning on cracking open a cold one right at 4, but my boss scheduled a meeting from 4 to 5. Though I may still do it...

 

[Scandale du Jour]

I propose we all crack a beer at the puck drop! (Ok so 99% of peeps doing that anyway, but maybe nice to think it's being done collectively....)

I'll raise my glass of water to you guys

I am playing soccer at 8PM, gotta stay sharp

 

[Scandale du Jour]

All NHL teams are in a bubble and cannot go out, right? Or am i mistaken in that. It's the only thing I cannot remember.

Yes.

As we saw with the NBA, some dumb ass COULD go out and jeopardize everyone.

But so far so good.

 

[Peat]

All NHL teams are in a bubble and cannot go out, right? Or am i mistaken in that. It's the only thing I cannot remember.

Correct. There's some rules where they can leave for medical attention or family reasons, but they've got to quarantine for 4 days on re-entering the bubble. If they leave it without permission, there could be sanctions on their team. Anything they want shopping wise from outside would come via concierge or delivery.

Russo's got an article on what the Wild have taken in there and what's being laid on and it's pretty insane. Huge level of co-ordination.

I'll raise my glass of water to you guys

I am playing soccer at 8PM, gotta stay sharp

Alcohol free beer? Or just, y'know, little drunk won't hurt...

I was planning on cracking open a cold one right at 4, but my boss scheduled a meeting from 4 to 5. Though I may still do it...

I mean, if you haven't started drinking at midday during WFH lockdown, who are you? (other than sensible)

 

[ColePens]

Thank you guys!

 

[Honour Over Glory]

Yes.

As we saw with the NBA, some dumb ass COULD go out and jeopardize everyone.

But so far so good.

There are always some idiots that will think they're immune or some shit and risk it all.

 

[Honour Over Glory]

Who's ready to get drunk! Japanese gin and tonics Bay-bay baaaay-bay...

Edit: Son of a bitch. I am also stuck in a meeting from 1-3:30pm Pacific. Assholes at work have to ruin all the fun. Noooooooooooooooooooooo!

 

[Honour Over Glory]

Thank you guys!

Is it your birthday or something? Uh...Happy Birthday? Congrats? Wtf is going on.

I'll raise my glass of water to you guys

I am playing soccer at 8PM, gotta stay sharp

Mate we've played soccer after 3-4 pints. Don't be such a wanker.


Sidelines are for sick.

 

[Randy Butternubs]

Is it your birthday or something? Uh...Happy Birthday? Congrats? Wtf is going on.

His birthday was actually Saturday!

Happy belated b-day @ColePens !!!

 

[Honour Over Glory]

His birthday was actually Saturday!

Happy belated b-day @ColePens !!!

Oh shit. Happy Belated @ColePens !

 

[Honour Over Glory]

Damn it. My request to push the meeting is likely not going to happen.

 

[ColePens]

His birthday was actually Saturday!

Happy belated b-day @ColePens !!!

f***ing @Randy Butternubs

SOMEONE MAKE ME AN AVIATION