NHL Eastern Conference Finals Predictions & Performers

Well well well... It looks like rocky has felt the Penguins wrath, maybe he can give the Flyers some pointers.... ha ha.

This Eastern Conference finals has the making of a true classic. The hated rivalry and storied history of each of these franchises should prove for an outstanding series. Look for a high offensive output from the Penguins big guns as Philly ( without Timonen ) does not have the mobile defense needed to to shut them down. If it turns into a defensive checking game the only remedy in my opinion is to compensate with MORE Malkin and Crosby. Mike Richards and his gigantic contract ( gag) can only be in one place at one time. Laraque, Ruutu, and Roberts are coming for you Hartnell....

Prediction: Penguins in 5

Key Performers

Filthydelphia

Mike Richards

Wow. Is he really more then a glorified 3rd line center? If you put him on the Penguins he would be the 4th line center. Be that as it may, he is still a decent defensive hockey player with some offensive flair in the John Madden mold. He will almost certainly be deployed against the Crosby line.

Martin Biron

A glorified back-up getting the chance to finally play in the playoffs. Marty is a decent goalie who has fared well at times against the 'Guins. He is a headcase which should prove an easy challenge for Jarkko and the gang inside the crease. Sorry Marty, if Henrik Struggled, imagine how tough its going to be for you... making a call to Ron Hextall will not help you now.....

Scott Hartnell

This wiley little punk has been a known agitator who can chip in offensively. He is a dirty player and will stop at nothing to get a little revenge on Sarge for rearranging his face back in the regular season. Just like the Pens did with Avery; ignore him, he will go away.

Pittsburgh

Marc-Andre Fleury

(Career vs Philly ) Games - 18, Wins/Loss 15-2-1 , Shutouts - 2 , GAA- 2.58, Sv% - .913

Enough said.

Marian Hossa

Big Poppa Pump has finally got the proverbial playoff monkey off his back.. The telepathy between he and Crosby is scary. Look for big things....

Sergei Gonchar

The Sarge needs to come up huge in the series. He makes everything happen for the Penguins powerplay and given the Flyers tendency to take up residence inside the penalty box, he should get a ton of chances. We need to see the angry Sarge that pummeled Hartnell right in the face.

Game 5 Review

The Penguins jumped out to a 2-0 nothing lead halfway through the second period on goals by Marian Hossa and a sweet back-hand goal By Evgeni Malkin. The Rangers countered by scoring 2 goals in less then 2 minutes apart in the third period to bring the game to a tie at the end of regulation. It was Marian Hossa however who shined beating Lundqvist 5 hole scoring his second goal of the game at the 7:10 mark of overtime.

Game 5 was a bit of a coming out party for Hossa who has been deemed a playoff slouch in previous seasons. His teammates and on man in particular General Manager Ray Shero who sent 2 roster forwards , a highly touted prospect, and a 1st round pick to land him at the winter trade deadline could not be happier with his success.

"Getting the series-winner, geez, it's hard to write a better script than that for him," general manager Ray Shero said.

"I think you're going to see bigger and better things from him," left winger Ryan Malone said.

The Penguins now have 2 bonifide top scoring lines. There is not a team in the entire NHL that can match The Pen's Firepower. The have gone from legitimate cup contenders to cup favorites before our very eyes. To win as they did in game 5 will go along way to build their mental makeup.

Look out Filthadelphia the Penguins will be in the cup finals before you know what hits you.....

Pirollo's Peak Performer Game 5

# 18 Marian Hossa

2 Goals, 5 SOG , #1


What a game by big pappa pump. This is the player we thought we acuired at the trade deadline. He was a monster at both ends of the ice not to mention the nifty OT winning goal. The Chemistry is there between him and Crosby. Look out Marty Biron... look out.

Pirollo's Peak Performer Game 4

# 30 Henrik Lundvqist

29 Saves , Shutout.

King Henrik really stole game 4 for The Rangers. He made some jaw-dropping acrobatic saves that make you realize exactly why he is a Vezina Finalist. The only chance the rangers have albeit a slim one, is for Henrik to play lights out.

Game 4 Review

The penguins entered Madison square garden Thursday looking to dispose of the rangers with a second straight playoff series sweep. Unfortunately the blue shirts had a something to say about that.

The rangers led by a 3 point performance from Jaromir Jagr , and a breathtaking 29 save performance by Henrik Lundvqist sent the series back to Pittsburgh for game 5. The game was filled with dominating defense play by the rangers as well as a lackluster performance by the flightless birds. The Penguins looked like a completely different team then we have grown accustomed to.

"For whatever reason, we didn't play the way we used to play, the first three games," Penguins defenseman Sergei Gonchar said. "We turned the puck over a lot. I don't know. Maybe it's a lack of experience."

I would say that a combination of bad play by the penguins and superb play by King Henrik led to the penguins demise in game 4. ( not to mention a little help for the rangers from Toronto when they were reviewing the non goal call on Malkins breakaway.)

Now is not the time to panic however the Pen's know exactly what they have to do in order to respond after such lack luster efforts.

"We had a couple of sloppy games during the year," "And we usually answer pretty good." Said Penguins winger Jarkko Ruutu