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.

2nd Round Predictions And Key Performers

The Penguins are going to have their hands full in this 2nd round playoff series. The New York Rangers have a tough blend of skill, grit, sound defense, and outstanding goaltending with King Henrik. Both of these teams are equipped to play any brand of hockey.Whether that be a tight checking defensive game or a lights out shootout. In order to win the Series the Penguins MUST win at Madison Square Garden.

Prediction: Penguins in 6 games

Key Performers:

Rangers

Jaromir Jagr

Will we see a motivated Jag's playing for his last big contract and chance at The Cup ? Or will we see the disgruntled, egotistic crybaby that has been wearing # 68 all season long. He holds the key to The Rangers success.

Sean Avery
Where do we start with this Vogue intern? Wow this guy is the ultimate super pest. The Rangers will rely heavily on his ability to get inside Pen's star players heads. If things get crazy, I don't think Mr. Avery will find it very fun to play in Mr. Roberts Neighborhood

Henrik Lundqvist
He will be the x-factor for the Ranger's. As a vezina finalist he has shown the ability to take over games and dictate the tempo throughout. Shooting as much as possible and scoring early is the game plan The Penguin's should adhere to. It wont be easy but King Henrik is beatable.

Penguins

Hal Gill

The USS Gill will almost certainly be deployed against The Jagr Line. In the past he has been able to take Jag's off his game which will certainly be his focus in this series. By using his big body down low, he can match him step for step which will prevent those patented wrist shots from the slot that we are accustomed to seeing from Jaromir.

Marc-Andre Fleury
The Flower needs to continue to blossom this series. This team will go as far as Marc will take them. He needs to be sound positionally as well develop an edge to his game. Avery no doubt will cause havoc in front of the net and Marc Needs to respond accordingly. Expect big things from the two-niner.

Gary Roberts
This man is no mere mortal. You cannot say enough to what he contributes to this team. He needs to set the tone early and show The Ranger's exactly what it is like inside Mr. Robert's neighborhood. Look at the water ... look at Roberts drinking the water...

Game 3 Review

Game 3 had all the elements of a classic Stanley Cup Playoff Game. From the bone crunching body checks and tight defense, to the onslaught of shots and offensive chances this game had all the makings of a down to the wire showdown . That was until Sidney Crosby had something to say about it.

Through two periods of play the Pen's and Sen's were tied at one a piece thanks to goals by Nick Foligno and Maxime Talbot of the Pen's. At the 12 second mark of the 3rd period Sidney Crosby took matters into his own hand ripping a Snap Shot Five hole on Martin Gerber propelling the Penguins to their first lead of the contest. Followed up with goals by Jordan Staal at the 1:30 mark and Marian Hossa on the power play. With a 4-1 lead the game was quickly out of reach.

Lost in the shadow of the incredible offensive performance is the play of Marc- Andre Fleury who's 33 saves on 34 shots was the reason the penguins were in the game long enough to build an offensive attack. Not only does Fleury have the confidence in his own abilities, he has his teammates believing that he is the guy they can count on to win a game for them single handedly.

"He was big for us early and really shut the door at the end," "He got us the win." said Penguins
Defensemen Ryan Whitney.

The Penguins now have a reliable bonifide # 1 goaltender who is playoff tested to go along with their fast strike scoring. That combination should prove deadly to any opponent challenging for Lord Stanley's Cup.

Jesus walks on water, Gary Roberts skates on it.

..and scores two goals. Gary Roberts is a BEAST. He showed the young pens how IT IS DONE.
Fleury looks like a veteran; won't make comparisons until the finals but I've been making this comparison since he was drafted...ask Tony.
Don't forget Coach Therrien (who always looks like he walked off the movie screen of Eastern Promises, sends shivers down my spine with his slick hair & euro-dad suit). Do you think it was a co-winky-dink that the fourth line was out in 68 seconds? Set the tone & scored a hard-working goal around the cage. Coaching. Boo-yah, B. Murray.

Did Gerber play street hockey before the game. Yikes.
Schubert WHO?
Wade Redden...how is your face? Jersey over your head like 1978. You're lucky Gary wasn't in your vicinity.
Volchenkov...glad your okay. I've played goal for 15 years & I would never want to take one like that. But you should still sit a couple games to get better All my best, AK.
Crosby & Hossa playing tic-tac-toe looked pretty.
I can't wait til they DECIDE to score.

Can't wait for Friday.