The Ditch part deux

Broonz-Penz.

If Julien doesn't get a little more aggressive in the offensive zone, Bruins are going to have trouble. Sitting back and letting the Pens fire off 35+ uncontested shots is not going to work for the Bruins (bitch-face Julien can't let that happen). Pit dmen (not named Letang) suck with the puck, that's where the victory sits. I think if the Bruins keep an organized forecheck and prevent outlet passes from the dmen, they'll force the Pit forwards back to support and then they'll have a very good shot. Pit is going to score, let the greedy Rask earn that extension, but keep the pressure on the offensive zone and I think the greatest team ever conceived by Bettman will be in trouble. Seguin needs to keep away from the sauce and hoes and decide if he wants to be a league stud or a dud. Most of the top players will wipe each other out.

For Pit, I think it's pretty simple (as it always is from my chair). Stay discipline (Neal, starting with you you baby), and get the puck to the forwards quickly. Don't initiate contact (Bylsma, that means putting your truck-nuts away). Vokoun needs to keep the voices at bay by taking his meds. Don't let the MAF get in there.

I wouldn't bet on this series with somebody else's money. I think Pit has the edge in roster quality and they will be able to exploit the Boston defensive pairs, but I like Julien much better as a coach. Rask is more likely to stop pucks than the guy the Pens throw in net. I expect a couple games where each team blows out the other. No idea who wins this one in a long series.

 

If I was still a sports "investor" I would have had cash on CHI-LA in the CF going into the year. Of course I would have had LA winning the Pacific too though.

Gambling for diaper money isn't healthy Matty. When you get to "gambling to stock the fridge", it's time for a new hobby. I heard that baseball Kraut guy always picks winners.

Muppets are kind of cute though. I don't think you could do a Sutter likeness.

 

We should start hearing about more SJ and Chicago or Detroit injuries this weekend. I always find it interesting to learn who was really hurt to finish a season. Adds that extra layer to the plans fans have for their favorite teams' offseasons.

Always way too much emphasis on how a team does in the postseason.

 

too late...

 

Tonight is a fitting end to the rivalry.

I don't think whoever wins this one matters as much as I hoped it would. They went 7 games. Both teams put the other one on the ropes.

Almost a shame one has to eliminate the other one.

Of course I'm half kidding. Chicago has to win to put the universe back in proper order. It's the only way to free the voices.

 

Toronto's celebration for the Leafs' postseason appearance:

 

wheres Brian Burke?

 

gee, everyone looks so happy and ... ghey

 

I wasn't aware until this morning, that this is the first game 7 between Chicago and Detroit since 1965.

 

I'm whistling away, preparing a new ditch for a team to be named later. (not chicago or Detroit). There are some storm clouds brewing. I'm a caucasian that doesn't like sunburn or putting lotion on (might be laziness or fear of applying chemicals) so I get excited about warm overcast days. good for fishing and good for ditch diggin'.

 

haha, we've been having name 'issues' and you're 100% correct. and yup 1st kid and its a girl. due date is in mid-July.

me- 'I think Tuukka is a great name for a young girl.'

her- 'if you try to name her Tuukka you can live in the shed.'

honestly the shed isn't that bad.

 

Brought out the neighborhood to help dig:






Work is progressing nicely

 

/\ /\ /\ THAT'S MY CORNER UNIT!!!/\ /\ /\

 

thats hilarious. i knew he had something to fall back on if coaching didn't work out, being a muppet stand in could be quite lucrative.

 

thats a good break down. the non aggressive forecheck killed the Rangers last series and allowing the speed of the Pens to breakout uncontested would be a recipe for disaster.

Id like to sit that young man down in the ditch so that you could talk w/ him bob. you're not wrong.

Bruins always have trouble w/ Vokoun, they always seem to have trouble w/ all lefties actually.

 

Ha, too funny, if you look close, you see toews there in the background lol.

 

Im a firm believer that anyone that tells you they win gambling is either a sociopath or just straight up a liar. Here's my story, Cliff-notes style. I bet $100 on the Bruins to win the Cup in 10/11 after a night out drinking explaining to a buddy how great those odds were. I opened an online account and deposited the money and made the bet all sitting at a bar. Probably wouldn't have sober.

So I win a little there and took most of it out. From there I played a few small ($25ish) NFL parlays and love taking the future bets (who will win the title). Say what you want about the Pats but they almost always cover and hit the over. From there I took the NYG to win the SB at something like 16-1, before the playoffs started. Withdrew most but kept a couple bucks in to play the NFL last season and took the Ravens. Obviously Ive missed on a bunch of future bets and parlays, and I emphasize a bunch, but Im still playing on my original $100 investment while having taken out a couple of nice little withdrawals. Right now I have a little on the Bruins, Kings, Wings and Pats for next SB. Monitored the line on the Hawks and Pens all season but the numbers were never good enough to take. Hawks started at something like 10-1 and Im kicking myself for not grabbing it.

Hoping to never deposit in the account again. When Im out, Im out.

 

if Pepto-Bylsma approaches this series the way he did in the regular season, then the game plan should work pretty well. i do expect the Broonz to be aggressive on D, if that is the case, then the Pens will have no option but to bring one forward back down to help out. Paul Martin scares the s**t out of me when he tries to bring the puck out of their zone, he's been better this year versus 2012, but the PTSD is still firmly there in my head. Niskanen scares me too. Orpik? he makes good passes for the most part. i don't really care if the Pens get out hit, i want to see body sacrifice. team blocked shots, guud puck handling and clean passes are the keys, especially if the Broonz are bringing the defensive heat. the Islanders kept a full on press and gave the Penguins some trouble, but the Isles are another fast team so they could afford the risk. the Broonz are VERY opportunistic on other teams' turnovers and they will make you pay. the Broonz biggest deficit is that they take a lot of penalties. they were Top-10 in penalties and the Penguins PP is clicking, while the Bs PP has gone way of the Dodo Bird. i'm not even worried about falling behind a goal or two, because the Pens have legs, are deep and can score at rapid-fire pace. i NEVER bet on my own teams (Penguins/Steelers... and {ahem} Pirates), but i like Pittsburgh's chances here. if you go with bookie info, the handicappers consider the teams' talent, recent head-to-head, records at home and away. with these factors, i'll call PENGUINS in 6 games.

 

who scores the gwg tonight?

#17 Patrick Eaves, greatest BC Eagle of the modern era....says me and only me.

 

huge difference between theses 2 teams. If the Bruins fall behind by 2 they're in deep trouble.

i dont disagree w/ ya. if i was impartial and wanted to play it Id take the Pens in something like 6 also. we'll see what happens, hoping the refs let the boys play hockey and not call it like a futbol match.