Well, it looks like I'll be wrong this time……
hopefully the wings sweep they always make me nervous with their history in the first round.
Detroit has the 2nd most playoff series wins in the history of the NHL. They've advanced past the first round more times than any other team except Montreal, and most in the modern era.
I'm not too worried.
My Pens are taking care of business so far in the first round. When Crosby went down, I figured they were 1-and-done in the playoffs. While they still might be, I am truly impressed at the job this team has done. Have to give props to Bylsma. He is a tremendous coach. I only hope that they DON"T activate Crosby. I think they are much better off giving him the rest of this season and summer to recuperate. Another concussion now could actually end his career. While that would thrill some on this board, (no neeD To mEntion anyones names), that would really suck. Love him or hate him, the NHL needs all the Crosbys and Ovechkins it can get.
I wouldn't want that, Ice. I don't particularly like the guy's attitude and Bettman has TREMENDOUSLY overexposed him while completely ignoring dozens of other worthy players (even a few that have the poor manners not to wear the Winged Wheel...), but I still respect that kind of talent, and as you say, the league needs talented guys like that.Another concussion now could actually end his career. While that would thrill some on this board, (no neeD To mEntion anyones names), that would really suck. Love him or hate him, the NHL needs all the Crosbys and Ovechkins it can get.
I wouldn't want that, Ice. I don't particularly like the guy's attitude and Bettman has TREMENDOUSLY overexposed him while completely ignoring dozens of other worthy players (even a few that have the poor manners not to wear the Winged Wheel…), but I still respect that kind of talent, and as you say, the league needs talented guys like that.
Like I said earlier, I think the Pens will go further this playoffs without Cindy since the rest of the team will elevate their game, so in the end I agree with you.
I wouldn't want that, Ice. I don't particularly like the guy's attitude and Bettman has TREMENDOUSLY overexposed him while completely ignoring dozens of other worthy players
It's really not his fault although he does tend to encourage it a bit with his diva attitude. For that matter, I think Bettman's "backup posterboy" (Ovie) is starting to succumb to the attention as well. Overall, Bettman is a good businessman, stupid southern expansion notwithstanding. He's disgraceful as a representative of the sport (see his recent efforts to eliminate a few decades of tradition by arresting people for throwing the pi). Unfortunately, his bosses are the owners and they apparently are more interested in short term profits than cultivating their dedicated fan base. Only baseball can hold a candle to hockey's traditions and sense of history, and Bettman prefers to use it for toilet paper rather than market it.While I certainly understand someone having an issue with Crosbys attitude, how in the hell is it the kids fault that Bettman shoves him down everyone's throats? Blame Bettman for that, not Crosby.