To 1990's point - big Pekka's save %age is definitely trending in wrong direction. I am also not too enthused by Subban's guarantee of a win for tomorrow. He could end up being fitted out for a set of horns after the match. Having said that, I ain't betting against a Preds victory. Rinne will (or bloody well better be) be back to his old form & home court advantage will be the deciding factors in what is shaping up to be a goaltender's duel (that in itself should pique your interest there Flat). Matt Murray stole those games for the Pens who have at times looked a tad vulnerable. I'll go out on a limb; 2 - 1 Preds in OT. - of course I'm batting about .200
Enjoy the game gentleman.

Cheers
JB

Rinne has some weaknesses.

Shots close to his ears are big problem for all goalies, they appear to really challenge him.

I would guess his biggest issue is confidence.

There is as lot to like (and not like) about PK. But the man gave $10M of his own money to a Montreal hospital. I won't knock him.

+1 on PK

I think Smashville is going to come out flying tomorrow, whether it is too little and too late, we will have to wait and see.

Bill

Preds could get over amped with all that's going on in Nashville. Start running around while the Pens remain calm, patient AND opportunistic. Murray staying the course during an onslaught or three.
The Big Pecca will have a very short leash, (if he even starts).
Get an early lead and the catfish go back in the compression shorts, or start flying at record numbers. Let's hope the fans keep civilized. No one wants to see a delay of day penalty decide a Cup game.

The entire first paragraph sounds like wishful thinking and betrays your last line to be less sincere. Similar to:
Not that I am one to point out dogmatic devotion to a team or a player...You should be less of a fanatic like me.


Win or lose (hopefully the little Pecca loses) tonight, I don't want the game decided by bad calls from the refs. [disclaimer: not referring to a particular player on the Pittsburgh team]

Along those lines, I like the coach's challenge but it is so ridiculous to have a goal called back because 2 minutes earlier a player was off sides due to their foot being over the line but off the ice. I've said this all season long. Millbury has said as much and proposed that if the foot is on or above the line it should be on side. I wish we could make it so that the challenge should be called immediately like in tennis. If a player wants to challenge a call they stop playing and make the challenge right then and there. If they keep playing then they can't wait to see if they won the point to then challenge. Unfortunately, the NHL won't do that because it would slow the game down even more.

The 'foot off the ice' rule was rejected by the GM's earlier this year as 'too dangerous', I do not see it being revived, but it certainly would make some of the calls easier.

Matt Duchene scored a goal two (?) seasons ago that was several feet off-side. That incident forced the league to implement the video review rule. Now we go from judging meters to millimeters. The linesmen are very good, just drop the rule and live with the outcome as the league did for the previous 98 years.

I will be shocked if Rinne doesn't start. It's inconceivable.

The only way Rinne won't start is if there is an injury.

I missed the ruling by the GMs. Why would it be dangerous?

Wasn't the Duchene debacle also in the same season that a puck went up into the netting behind the goal the refs totally missed it and a goal was scored that should have never counted?

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Of course, being a Bruin fan I have to remind you of this:
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http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1496516941.jpg

Oh I follow the Keepers closely, perhaps too much so as I get frustrated watching them flop around hoping to make a save rather than getting after the puck.

But I do think Rinne will come up with a good game and I'm duly impressed with Murrays play. MAF must be feeling like a penny waiting for change.

Well I didn't see that coming. I figured there'd be no sweep but dang that was a bigger differential than I'd have guessed.

It made my heart glad to see the faces of Crosby and Malkin sitting in the box together when the power play goal was scored. It went downhill for Murray from there.

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There is a reason that the Preds swept the Hawks and rolled over everyone else. When Rinne has his groove they are a force to be reckoned with. The Pens really didn't play all that well in Game 1. This could shape up to be a great series especially if Bonino stays out.

Speaking of video review and off side calls:

NHL competition committee will focus on offside reviews and slashing | ProHockeyTalk

Also, someone is willing to admit that Saint Sidney isn't the cleanest player in the league.

Penguins put on a clinic the first period, the best 1st they've had during the playoff. Adjustments I'm assuming from the Preds and the Pens feeling froggy about the 1st changed the game.
We'll have to see what Sully has in store for tonight. Bonino may have a fractured ankle.
Oh and Suban sure likes to hear himself yap.
Telling game 4 coming up boys.

Sooo, what was game 4 telling us?

1) Rinne is playing cup winning hockey
2) The Pens looked tired in the 3rd period
3) Seems like the Pens are missing Bonino as much as the Preds are missing Johansen.

IMO if (a very big if) the Preds win #5 they will hoist the cup in Nashville.

IF the Preds break the Pens home ice play then yes I can see a Nashville cup. BUT if home ice continues to hold then game 7 in Pitt could be an epic event. Rinne made some huge saves, none more so than the stop on Crosby midway thru the 2nd. Diving across the crease to block the rebound was a stunning move.

+1 ^^^^

Big Pekka is playing great.

BTW at the risk of spouting off as if I know what I'm talking about, does anyone else think Murray was pulled too soon? Granted an extra minute may not have made a difference, but if you tell your guys "look at 2 mins I'm pulling the Keeper, get a goal now and we're in this". Pulling MM at 3 mins made it too easy for the Preds to lock it up 4-1. If the Pens were able to make it 3-2 THEN pull Murray... I know hindsight is beautiful and "if this if that" and I wasn't behind the bench reading the teams status...but two days to game 5 I gotta fill the time.

As a Nashville fan, when they pulled Murray I told my wife that the Pred's are going to score again. Like you I thought that at the 3 minute mark was way too early.

Dave

Pulling your goalie that early is a desperation move and a sign that you don't feel that the team can get it done short of a miracle.

I hope Bonino is well enough to play in about 10 days.

Game 5 will be the telltale of who will hoist the cup. If the big pekka plays like he has the last two games, the little pekka will not be on the cup again this year.