Playoff Schedule Woes

By December 25, 2012 most hockey fans were at the end of the rope. The end of the NHL lockout was nowhere in sight and fans wanted to see the game they loved. We waited, and waited, until an agreement was finally reached and a huge sigh of relief was breathed by players, coaches and fans alike. So when the NHL playoffs began everyone was excited- if you don’t love playoff hockey please check for a pulse.

The issue is these playoffs have been absurd in terms of scheduling. The fact that two days go in between some games is actually ridiculous for a league that was so “concerned” about how late everything was that they could not schedule the Boston/Penguins regular season game after the season was supposed to end because playoffs HAD to start.

 As Penguins fans and Boston fans twiddle their thumbs waiting for the Eastern Conference Finals to start it is beginning to become ridiculously clear that TV scheduling is OWNING these playoffs- so much so that it has been said that the Pittsburgh/Boston game will start at 8:00 PM Saturday BECAUSE of TV.

Think about this- a week after both games have ended, so both teams have players and coaches that are going to hang out for a week before the game starts. I get the whole “heal injuries” argument, and I know some will claim it but a week is excessive for a fast paced game. Mentally and physically both teams are getting hurt by waiting a week to play- because of TV. And those that love the NHL are being punished- yet again, but because of TV this time.

It is kind of pathetic that the NHL still has no loyalty to their faithful whatsoever- the people that flock to arenas around the U.S. and Canada to see their teams play. Maybe one day they will get it, but apparently not yet, so I guess that means I will see most of you at 8:00 PM on Saturday. 

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Mike Wallace Like Miami Better than Pittsburgh.

"Everybody has a college mentality around here. It's a lot different than where I came from. Everybody's hungry. Everybody wants to get better, get to where we need to be -" that's a winning record."

"In Pittsburgh, I knew I was [in] a six-month lease every time, a furnished apartment," Wallace said last week. "I'd just bring my bag and be ready to go. Down here, I have to buy me a house, get settled in." - Mike Wallace talking to the Miami Herald 

Those are direct quotes from Mike Wallace. The former Pittsburgh Steelers receiver continues to rant and rave about how much better he likes Miami over Pittsburgh. I'm so happy for him. Wallace is enjoying the Miami weather, the college mentality, and of course mother fucking jet-skis.

Wallace is a douche, and although he went to college I highly doubt his brain has evolved past a 8th grade mentality. Wallace talks about how great the atmosphere is in Miami and how hungry they are....Funny, the Dolphins sure havent' had much success over the years, even when they have brought in other big-time receivers (see Brandon Marshall).

I'm sure the Dolphins are hungry, I mean you can really build up a big appetiate being at beach parties all day, banging hot chicks, and riding jet-skis. Wallace says the atmosphere is better for the team but who's the Steelers player that missed pretty much every team activity last year? Oh yeah it was Wallace.

Wallace was very productive in Pittsburgh but he's not worth the headache or the money he's getting in Miami. Without Ben Roethlisberger, Wallace's stats will diminish big time and the only reason they won't go down in totals is because Miami really has no other legitimate threats in the passing game.

Look, I get it Mike, you're doing what most people would do in your situation. You're trying to hype up a franchise that has made the playoffs ONE TIME in the PAST TEN YEARS. He didn't like Pittsburgh and Pittsburgh really didn't like him.

I guess Miami is football Utopia compared to Pittsburgh.......Sigh 

Wallace is just another punk and I won't be surprised if this dude is bankrupt in 10 years.

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EVERYONE GETS A GOAL!!!!!!!!!!!! #OprahVoice

The Pittsburgh Penguins are entering Memorial Day Weekend leading all teams in playoff scoring. The Penguins had 25 goals while beating the New York Islanders in six games during Round One of the Stanley Cup Playoffs and have amassed 16 more thus far against the Ottawa Senators, seven of which came Wednesday night.

Time to let the Jussi Loose

Should the Pens put Jussi Jokinen back in the lineup?

For me personally, this is an easy yes. Why, you ask? Really, why not? Jussi has been a strong, intense player. He fits in well for the Pens and was, quite frankly, a steal from Carolina. 

The Penguins have a lot of strengths but left circle face-offs have been a weakness. Insert Jussin Jokinen, who has been fantastic on face-offs, going 24-13 in the first four play-off games and holds the team high with a 64.9 % face-off success rate during the post season.That is a key element the Pens need to look to improve on going into Game Four tonight, and one that would have a boost if Jussi was available and played.

Bruce Arians Talks About Big Ben Being Dissed

Big Ben vs Flacco: NFL Network's Top 100

Over the past three years, NFL Network has been taking polls by players to rate the best 100 players from the previous year. I actually enjoyed the show the past couple years. Obviously, I am going to be a homer when it comes to the Steelers, but not anything over the top. This years list isn't even half way done and I am ready to stop watching.

According to the "players" Ben Roethlisberger is the 12th best QB and the 61st best player in the NFL. The only QB's he is in front of are Mathew Stafford and Colin Keapernick. HA! You have got to be joking right? I can maybe put three quarterbacks ahead of Ben: Aaron Rogers, Tom Brady, and Peyton Manning. To have guys like Andrew Luck, RGIII, Russell Wilson, Cam Newton, Matt Ryan, and Drew Brees a head of him is laughable. But lets talk about the real issue. How far ahead of Ben is Joe Flacco?

Tomas Vokoun- Game 5 Savior?

I do not believe that Tomas Vokoun is going to come into CONSOL and suddenly be a game changer for the Pens. I think he will add a fresh pair of legs and he will rest an unconfident goaltender in Fleury but , I do not that he is a complete changer.

 It is nothing against Vokoun, who has been strong this season with a 13-4 record in twenty games. It is simply the fact that regardless of how you look at Fleury this year, or last year, regular season versus playoffs, these issues go way beyond a goaltender. They go way beyond any amount of soft goals he let up, and they go way beyond the coaching staff that half of Pens fans think needs to go.

It Was a Damn Penalty, Now Get Over It.

http://nyc.barstoolsports.com/

This just in: The NHL still has no idea how to market their game to casual sports fans. Yesterday, the Pittsburgh Penguins beat the New York Islanders in overtime thanks to a Chris Kunitz power-play goal. The power-play came thanks to a holding penalty on former Pens' defenseman, now Islanders' defenseman Brian Strait, when he held Sidney Crosby. 

Since then people have lost their minds. Now the internet is full of conspiracy theories, people bitching, and of course Mike Milbury and Jeremy Roenick giving their great opinions. 

Does Beau Know Playoffs? #CupOrBust

With the Stanley Cup Playoffs just beginning I decided to choose a player on the Pens roster that could potentially gain a lot of attention. The issue with this is that the guy I want to choose may or may not have an ample amount of playing time. With that said, I chose Beau Bennett as my breakout star.

Beau has played in 26 games this year logging 3 goals and 11 assists for 14 points, not a particularly bad stat for a young guy in the NHL. I thought he had look particularly strong during the black and gold scrimmage this year but was sent back to the AHL as a result of the Pens preferring the services of Eric Tangradi.