And the boot too I believe.

Is it me or Holtby just a "guy" who plays with a great (regular season) team in front of him?

He looks rather average at best in this series.

Holtby is an outstanding goalie when he's on his game. Her has had some bad or average games.

There's a reason he was sele3cted to Team Canada for the World Cup of Hockey.

The additional two minute minor is usually what is called.

The instigator rule did not remove fighting on its own, the speed of the game and the need for a full line-up of capable players removed it.

I don't know much about the international game but have seen some videos of massive line brawls and NHL players get beat up pretty bad when they go over there.

As I see it the instigator rule comes in when one player starts the fight and the other doesn't want to play. It has caused players to be careful to not drop the gloves until the other player agrees to dance. You'll see a lot of chatter:
Yeah?
Yeah!
Well you're a...
Back at you.
Wanna go when the whistle sounds?
You're on!
(tweet) both sets of gloves drop at the same time

Ovi should have gotten 2 in the sin bin for the errant stick but reality is that there a lot of bad/missed calls. I could start whining about bad calls that cost the B's against Ottawa but I don't want to sound like a player for the Penguins (no one in particular).

Look like the Oiler are going to even the series... 6-0 after 20:45 minutes of play

Assuming we go to game 7 then it will be brutal in the final game. What a series!

A game 7 and a game 6. Oh baby this is good!

Rags are done. The Sens really shut down mid-ice for the whole first period and much of the second plus IMO Lundy wasn't in Cup shape for this series.

BTW I hate homers...boy oh boy do I hate homers.

King Henry played a good game but not a Cup winning game.

Homers? They make life interesting. Just take their over the top optimism with a grain of salt. Phil Rizzuto or Dick Vitale are quintessential homers. Jack Edwards is reported to be one but I don't see it.

Karlsson looks to be leading the Conn Smyth with his two way play. What a player. Unfortunately whoever wins tonight's game seven will probably take them out in 5.

Tonite is the night. Pens looked horrible, (even just listening to the game online as the hotel I was in didn't have NBCSN). They'll need to find an inner fortitude to overcome the loss of key players.
I know it is the noble thing to say, Next man up. That injuries are not excuses. No they aren't but they are reasons. Splitting hairs? Maybe. Letang's absence is finally catching up with the Pens. Then Daly being out cost the Pens their two best D puck movers. Sometimes a second or third tier's best effort just isn't good enough. Especially against the best team in the league.
I will say though...



GO PENS!!

+1 Karlsson.

Most impressive player in round two has been Karlsson - playing injured and still producing.

Crosby played game 5 like a man. Punished on every turn but didn't back away from the tough places. I have to wonder if he was totally clear of the concussion or just barely enough to justify being back in. Whatever you do, don't tell Buckterrier I said this. I have a reputation to protect.

So, you gotta love game 7 no matter who is playing. #7 is win or go home for both teams.

I said it before and I'm even more convinced now that the Preds are the dark horse spoiler that look good enough to go all the way.

Rangers looked terrible. Totally unacceptable. Defeated by a team of average players with one good defenceman. Inexcusable, time for changes in NYC.

Can't hit Karlsson with the puck? No problem, hit when he doesn't have it. Can't keep up with him? Maybe don't let the second or third guy leave him alone? Maybe dump the puck into his corner every single time he is on the ice. Terrible coaching or stupid players.

WOW, simply wow. THAT my friends are your Pittsburgh Penguins. Their best game of the post season to date.

I darn near feel bad for the Caps. Almost...

Fleury played his azz off. That last 10 minutes of the second period was ridiculous.

(In my best Canadian accent), No dote abote it. I remember when Rutherford was hired. Folks in the 'Burgh were saying how the Pens had always gotten the best of him in trades with Carolina etc. At one point one of the Pens reporters actually got into a shouting match with him then wrote an article about the whole mess, (Rossi?). It wasn't pretty. around the same time the Pens couldn't even dress enough players to fill the roster for a regular season game because of cap issues. Might have been why the shouting match. Fans wanted his head, rightfully so. I have know idea what happened but these last two year he's had the midas touch. Not trading Fleury was the best non move made. Although I'm sure there wasn't a ton offered for an aging back-up goalie with a huge contract.

I also have to say what a class act Trotz is. He stood tall, (more than his players), in the press conference after the game. The first thing out was congratulations to the Pens. Then giving honest answers, or none answers when asked about Overcheckin. "Too emotional now to answer. I won't answer that".

After that game 6 the last thing I expected was a shutout but when Ovie hit the post last night I took it as an omen. Well done MAF and Crosby for really stepping up.

I really can't help but think about what's next for Ovie - need a font for "crocodile tears". At the end of the day, it ain't over for him just yet. The Earlers, a team whose star is in its ascendancy came up a bit short against the more experienced Ducks - Perry seems to have recovered from his funk at just the right time.

The Sens/Pens tilts might prove interesting - maybe some fire-wagon hockey?? The Ducks vs. Preds - I see more than a couple of 1-0 or 2-1 games although both team defences are quite mobile & capable of scoring.

Thanks to the powers that be for PVRs as mine is getting a workout. Enjoy the games Gentlemen.

Cheers
JB

Hey Flat, it took about 3 reads of your post before I finally twigged to whom you were referring by MAF - I gotta cut back on the sauce in the 'magic coffees'