How good is Pittsburgh?

Posted 10:49 PM ET | Comments 4

After watching game 3 against the Rangers, I'd say pretty good.

But seriously. 7-0. In all likelihood about to be 8-0.

I wouldn't have predicted it, not in a long shot, but the Pens are proving why they're the cream of the crop in the East, and they're rising to the top at precisely the right time.

Their confidence is SKYROCKETING after this win at MSG. Not only does this team continue to cruise, they've yet to suffer even one loss. If a team can't beat them once, how can they beat them 4 times in one gig? Trust me, they feel on top of the world right now, and as if no one can take them down in a 7 game series.

Rightfully so!

This team more than has what it takes to win it all.

I remember watching them in the playoffs last year. They ran into an Ottawa team that was playing great hockey at the right time - a Sens team that had confidence soaring and dismantled of my Buffalo Sabres in five games because of it. Pittsburgh is the Ottawa of last year.

I remember after their premature exit last season, everyone said, "just wait til next year." People said, "they'll be there, contending for a Cup" --and they certainly are and they certainly will.

This team is no fluke. And they're built precisely the right way to win it all.

And with Montreal and Philly likely to engage in a see-saw battle all the way to the bitter end - dare I say game 7 - I think the Pens will have the upper hand next round, too. Confidence does a ton and their mental state is on a whole different level. If they dispatch of NYR in game 4, their battle wounds will be kept to a minimal. With few injuries, they'll be a force to be reckoned with, all the way until June.

I hope my Sabres can learn a thing or two from these young Pens - and rebound in 08-09 much in the way Pittsburgh did after a tough ending their previous season.

Filed Under: pittsburgh penguins nhl playoff hockey buffalo sabres

shekkie

April 30, 2008 7:57 AM ET | Delete
When you start off saying they are 7-0 and likely to go 8-0...writing another paragraph that says they are haven't lost single game and are feeling confident right after it is quite redundant.

rwrusso

April 30, 2008 10:07 AM ET | Delete
Suffice to say none of us are literary scholars. But the post read just fine. The point was without even one loss (evident by their 7-0 record), is it likely a team will beat them 4 out of 7? Sorry, that comment just really bugged me. Well said Millertime. Pitt was my pick from the East and they definitely are looking like they should be the favorite. I hate to say it, but I'd love to see a Pitt/Philly ECF. Pitt is built for playoff success. Good goaltending (great at times), solid D, and tremendous offensive depth and skill. Not to jump ahead, but I really want to see this team vs. Dallas or Detroit.

Phigment

April 30, 2008 10:39 AM ET | Delete
Yeah the Pens have really ramped things up in the Playoffs after the regular season. They have been impressive, and some are saying not challenged. But not every game has been a blowout, the series have been - but that is the sign of a confident team. I would love to see the Battle of PA for the ECF. The games between these two teams have been amazing all year.

sm623181

April 30, 2008 10:39 AM ET | Delete
You make some great points. I think that this might be one of my biggest shockers of the playoffs so far. The fact they swept Ottawa was enough of a surprise (even though they had been having some serious problems and injuries). I mean I expected that Ottawa would at least take one game. Going on to round two I thought surely the very impressive Rangers PK would put a serious hurting on the Pens soaring PP. NO such luck. I am really very surprised that the Rangers haven't stepped up and taken a game so far. Especially with Vets like Jagr and Shannahan. I mean don't get me wrong, the pens are a great team, I just didn't think they were that good. The really must have done their research. The only thing I don't appreciate is the diving. It's a shame that such a good team has embraced that style of play (not all fo them but some of them). (disclaimer: I never said that other teams didn't dive. I just see alot more of it on the penguins than I do on other teams)

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