I expect the Penguins come back and even up this series before they go back to Detroit.

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Hossa made the right decision

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When was the last time the same 2 teams played for the Stanley Cup in 2 consecutive years?

The NY Islanders beat the Oilers in 1983, then in 1984 the Oilers beat the Islanders in the Stanley Cup Finals.

Could it happen again? It seems that is the road we are headed down. If we do get a rematch will the results be the same as last year – or will the Penguins win it this time? What would Marian Hossa do if the Penguins do go on to beat the Red Wings?

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A Stanley Cup Finals rematch in the making?

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So now on Monday night we can get back to the Staal brothers’ drinking game when the Pittsburgh Penguins and Carolina Hurricanes meet in the eastern conference final. The Penguins lost in the Stanley Cup Finals last year and the Hurricanes have a Stanley Cup Championship from a few years ago. This should be a good series. I think the Penguins will go on to play in another Stanley Cup Finals this year – but it will be close.

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Out west the defending champions Detroit Red Wings will go up against the young Chicago Blackhawks. What type of drinking game could we come up with for this series? Help me out and I’m sure we can come up with something good. This is a tough one to call – I like the Blackhawks but something tells me to go with the defending champions.

What do you think about the conference finals? Who will be playing for the Stanley Cup this year?

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Conference finals – here we come!

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Who do you predict is going to win these games?

My (updated) predictions – gotta go with momentum:

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Ducks force 3 game sevens!

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Detroit Red Wings vs Anaheim Ducks
The Ducks were impressive in beating the leagues best record Sharks, but I can’t imagine they will be able to drop 2 of the top teams in a row. So I gotta pick the Red Wings to win this one.

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Vancouver Canucks vs Chicago Blackhawks
This one is hardly fair because I’m watching the game right now. The Canucks are up 3-0 at the 2nd intermission of game 1. They have yet to be beaten in the playoffs and I guess I have to pick them.

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Boston Bruins vs Carolina Hurricanes
Seems a lot of people think the Bruins can win the Stanly Cup. I think they can beat the Hurricanes.

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Washington Capitals vs Pittsburgh Penguins
The Capitals had to mount a pretty big comeback to send the Rangers home for the year. I don’t think they will have to do the same to finish off the Penguins.

Uh-oh, the Blackhawks got a goal back just as I’m typing this. I guess I still have to stay with the Canucks.

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2009 NHL Playoff Predictions

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While it will never be immediately known if Therrien was indeed at fault for this slump of a season that this Stanley Cup Finalist, it was made very clear of the organizations intentions think of such. Now, I will say that Shero at first seemed like he was making amazing trades… we are all now seeing the results of his philsophy. Ever since Shero stepped into the Pens GM position, he’s made trades faster than you can say Sid the Kid. Shero trades the character, heart-and-soul’ players like Armstrong, Malone, Roberts, etc. for sub-par players (Fedetenkov, Gil, Satan). Now, was this of Therrien’s doing? Absolutely not.

All I can say is that Therrien didn’t create this revolving door system, it was SHERO. Therrien is not the GM, SHERO is. Yes, I do personally beleive that Therrien had fallen into this Stanley Cup final hangover, but he worked with Wilksbarre-Scranton Baby pens the whole season! As well, I understand that it’s a big no-no to have a Stanley Cup finalist team to go from top of the league to bottom of the barrel in the matter of 50 games… but they aren’t absolutely out of the playoff picture. Pittsburgh just needs to win Key games (the Shootout lose to NY Islanders was hard to swallow, but I’ll take the point) from here on out with Bylsma, the interim head coach.

If you are going to blame someone for this 08-09 NHL season for the Pens, blame the entire organization, NOT Therrien. However, in my eyes I think this may be a blessing in disguise, since Bylsma was coaching for W-S baby pens… which is what the Pittsburgh Pens have been made up of this past season, so it may work out surprisingly well.

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Blame Shero, not Therrien

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As Pens try to regain their image as a force to reckon with, it’s definitely a bright light in what has been a cold, dark January in Pittsburgh. Even more, let’s hope that the recent trade of back-up goalied, the swap of Sabourin for Edmonton’s Garon will prove to be useful. Personally, it was a slight benefit for the Pens… but not by much.

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Pens Beat the Ducks, without Crosby

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In regard to the playoff picture, Pens have dropped faster than a puck on the opening faceoff, taking the 10th spot in the Eastern Conference. Luckily, November was kind enough to Pittsburgh to give them a chance for postseason play, but so far the Pens said goodbye to 2008 and hello to 2009 with a sour start.

So, what is it going to take for the Pens to get back on the track to see Stanley again?

1.) Penguins defense needs to run a clinic during All-Star break. They started their season of very well, with Gonchar being out the whole time, and Whitney out for a good chunk of the ‘08 months. However, the whole D looks sluggish.

2.) Leadership and late ‘Pens spirit’ needs rekindled. As much as the monthly assistant shuffling from player to player is nice, it has just become an ‘A’… no meaning to it. I say if you want the ‘A’, earn it. Even more, it seems that the team lost their character that they had last postseason… which I would say is due to sending away guys like Malone and Rutuu.

3.) The Pittsburgh’s ‘Young Core’ needs to mature. Yes, they do contribute. Yes, they are talented. BUT… they still are branded as young, with much room for improvement. Not that this statement isn’t obvious OR a bad thing, it’s just that the boys need to settle their game down, and mature their talent. And, with the signing of Stall to a $4 million contract… which seals a line-up of three offense, two defense, and one goalie.

4.) Stop looking back. Pittsburgh simply needs to say “the past is the past”. There are plenty of games left, but if they keep up this slump, they’ll miss the playoffs.

5.) They need to win the key games, and bring back the presence they used to have. The Eastern Conference has been pretty tough lately, with Boston owning game in, game out. As well, let’s not forget Rangers and Montreal making their presence felt too. Pens were on top, but I know they’ll be back… and they need to do so by winning games against these teams.

I won’t include this as a factor for getting back on track, since it’s inevitable, but Shero needs to make a solid trade, DEFENSIVELY. So far in my book as the Pensfan, Shero isn’t impressing me. He has acquired two decent players, Sykora and Dupuis (which he came to the Pens via Hossa… so technically Shero made one good pick-up)… but Shero has made more misses than hits. However, (another reason why I didn’t make this a factor) trading may not be the answer… as there is TOO much talent in the Penguin’s minor league system.

Nonetheless, as the Pensfan, I got faith in Pittsburgh and I see them getting back into the playoff picture (I’m thinking 4th spot when the season’s done).

The Pens will get their act together, as they prepare several division games within four of the next seven games… not to mention they play Capitals, which is always a match-up, and a rare Aneheim game. So, here’s to the comeback!

Pensfan

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Pens Report: Looking Up at the Playoff Picture

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I am Jeff Beer (Pensfan), and I look forward to being active around the nhlfanblog.

On a more disappointing note, my boys aren’t doing so well. This slump they’re in is tough to swallow, to say the least. There is nothing more I can really say, except a lack of control. As much as I hate saying this, someone has to be sacrificed. Who? I say do it professionally (coaching-wise) work from the man wearing the ‘C’ and work your way down. *I know Crosby just scored a great goal against the Avs, and he has been throwing fists more than usual… but as Therien should, he needs to start showing this team needs a taste of reality.

So, look forward to more of these posts… and I’ll cya around.

Pensfan

P.S. – I smell a Jagr-Pens family reunion in 2 years.

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The Pensfan is Here!

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7:00 PM ET – RDS (HD),VERSUS (HD),TSN2

7:00 PM ET – Leafs TV

9:30 PM ET – 7:30 PM MT – SNET-W (HD)

10:00 PM ET – 7:00 PM PT – SNET-P (HD)

My Picks:
Canucks v.s. Ducks
Mats won’t be playing in the Canucks games but I think the Canucks will take it 3-2.

Penguins v.s. Sabres
With Sidney Crosby in a bit of a goal drought and Fleury out with a groin injury I think the Sabres will take the win 4-2

Maple Leafs v.s. Thrashers
It looks like Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Justin Pogge will get the start for the Maple Leafs and with Toronto 6-4-0 in there last ten games and Atlanta 3-6-1 in there last ten games. I’m taking the Leafs over the Thrashers 2-1

Coyotes v.s. Oilers
Dwanye Roloson has been off and on all season and tonight I belive he will be off. Look for the Oilers to lose there fourth straight tonight with the final score being 5-3 or 4-1.

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NHL Action Today!

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