Scott Burnside

  (4:01 PM)

Greetings and salutations. Let's talk some hockey.

bob (washington d.c.) [via mobile]

So if Osgood wins another cup THIS year, is he HOF worthy?

Scott Burnside

  (4:02 PM)

Bob; A question for the ages. Just how many Cups would Osgood have to win before he'd be on most people's list? Four? Five? This would be four if he does win it and he'll likely finish top 10 all time in wins before he's done. I say he's in. But there are lots who will never accept he's a Hall of Famer.

Jonathan Latrobe Pa

If the Penguins would move on and the Red Wings move on do you think sid and the boys are more well rounded to take the series this year from the red wings!

Scott Burnside

  (4:04 PM)

Jonathan; Yes I do. Sidney Crosby was talking about that yesterday, about the hurdles this year's team has overcome both in the regular season and thus far in the playoffs. I just think they're stronger mentally and that's a huge part of it when you get to the Cup final. Remember how the Wings schooled the Pens in Games 1 and 2 last year. Won't happen this year.

al hillsborough nj [via mobile]

Did I see were patrick roy might be the nextcoach for the canadiens?

Scott Burnside

  (4:05 PM)

Al; Saw that Patrick Roy had denied he's been offered the Avs' coaching job to French media in Quebec. Still think there's fire to that smoke. Watch for Roy to be back in Denver next year in some capacity.

Andy (LA)

There are no NBA chatters today and we all know it will end up being a repeat of last years Finals with the Wings and the Pens, so I ask you this: Lakers or Nuggets?

Scott Burnside

  (4:05 PM)

Who?

Jon (Boston)

I just want to say I am proud of the Bruins for forcing a 7th game when it came out today that Phil Kessel played with a torn rotator cuff and torn labrum while David Krejci is now having hip surgery while Andrew Ference is having groin surgery and numerous other players were injured as well. I know a healthy Bruins team would have won that series.

Scott Burnside

  (4:06 PM)

Jon; Not sure the Bruins would have won but your point is well-taken. It's always interesting after a series to hear/read just how badly players have been injured and still gutted it out. Not sure any other sport has that level of commitment in the face of injury or pain.

Jesse (Chicago, IL)

I know it will be a way better series this year between the Wings and Pens if it comes down to that final, but do you think the Pens WILL beat the wings?

Scott Burnside

  (4:06 PM)

Jesse; Yes.

Justin (McConnellsburg, PA)

Does Sykora ever get back into the lineup, I think the Pens could use him. Everybody goes through dry spells and he should be due for some big goals.

Scott Burnside

  (4:08 PM)

Justin; Not in the short-term. I think Miroslav Satan has actually been a nice addition to the line-up. He's added three nice assists and seems to be gaining confidence. Sykora simply wasn't 100% and given that he can't kill penalties and isn't all that accomplished a checker I think the decision to keep him out barring other injuries will be an easy one for coach Dan Bylsma.

Marian Hossa

Do you think Crosby is playing to prove me wrong?

Scott Burnside

  (4:09 PM)

Well, Marian, you really did tick all of the Pens off when you bolted in the off-season. Kind of a slap in the face when you basically tell Sid and the boys they aren't good enough for you. Will be fun, though, if you have to meet up with them in the corners in the final, no?

Andy (Sacramento, CA)

Do you think that Hossa's poor playoff performance will have an impact on him re-signing with Wings?

Scott Burnside

  (4:12 PM)

Andy, good question. He's got just seven points in 12 games and although he got off to a bit of a slow start last spring he's certainly off his pace when he had 26 points in 20 post-season games. I think the bigger factor in where Hossa plays next year and for how much will be the economy and the belief the salary cap will take a dive in 2010-2011.

Miro Satan

I love playing with the Pens, but think that if I sign with the Devils, I could have the number one selling jersey in the history of the NHL. What do you think, Devils Jersey with "SATAN" on the back. You'd buy one, right?

Scott Burnside

  (4:13 PM)

I'd buy two. Home and Away.

Andrew (Greensboro NC)

So it seems that everybody is already trying to write off the canes, just like they did prior to the boston series. Lets say this though, Canes win against Pens, which matchup would be better for them Wings or Hawks? Also if this was the same team, but in a media city like new york would there be more respect for the canes?

Scott Burnside

  (4:16 PM)

Andrew; To answer your last question, of course. The 'Canes are an exciting team but they are off the national map. I was chatting with GM Jim Rutherford at the skate this morning and he was bugging me (good naturedly of course) that we haven't been to Raleigh since the banner raising at the start of the 2007 season. Good team, good market, can't wait to get back to the tailgating this weekend. And for what it's worth the press room food is the best in the NHL. Or it was. No question the 'Hawks would be a better match-up because they are younger and more prone to mistakes. They play up-tempo, like the 'Canes, and would make for a great series. Don't think it's going to happen, though, especially after the way the Wings handled the young Hawks yesterday.

Clint (Pittsburgh)

Rob Scuderi has had a coming out party in this year playoff's. Are the Pens going to be able to resign him if he continues his awesome play?

Scott Burnside

  (4:17 PM)

Clint; I think GM Ray Shero will do his level best to keep Scuderi in the fold but expect he will likely need to offer a home-town discount. We saw Brooks Orpik take less than he could have likey received on the open market and I wouldn't be surprised to see Scuderi and the Pens come to a similar agreement.

Chicago Blackhawks

So we have no chance it seems? It was just one game.

Scott Burnside

  (4:18 PM)

Agreed. But I think like the Pens a year ago the Blackhawks are going to find it very difficult to come back on this battle-tested Red Wing squad. Of course the 'Hawks have made an art of coming from behind this spring so perhaps we shouldn't be so hasty.

Chris (Falls Church, VA)

I was talking with someone last night, and we were wondering when the last time a team seeded 5th or lower knocked off 3 of the top 4 seeds in a conference to reach the Stanley Cup Finals was. Any idea?

Scott Burnside

  (4:20 PM)

Edmonton knocked off number one Detroit and 5th seeded San Jose in 2006. That's the best I can do off the top of my head.

Jon (Haslett, MI)

Nikolai Khabibulin, Jussi Jokinen, it seems all the "unwanted" players are having an impact in the playoffs. Any truth to the rumor that Roman Cechmanek is considering a comeback?

Scott Burnside

  (4:22 PM)

Jon; Good point. How about Sergei Samsonov and Miroslav Satan to add to that mix. Don't know about Cechmanek although he did put up some good numbers during his NHL days.

Eric Staal

Scott, you have written off me and my team. If we win, which we will...can you send me an autographed picture of Barry Melrose?

Scott Burnside

  (4:22 PM)

Eric; I didn't know you were going to be so touchy. And shouldn't you be pre-game napping? Of course I'd be happy to. Will even throw in an autographed Pierre LeBrun glossy, too.

Pierre Bristol CT

Bill guerin seems to be fitting nice with Crosby. Any chance of the Pens signing him in the offseason

Scott Burnside

  (4:24 PM)

Pierre; Agreed. I think Guerin is getting better as the playoffs go along. I think it will all come down to dollars and whether Ray Shero will be looking for a younger stud winger to play with Crosby with Satan and Ruslan Fedotenko likely headed out the door when free agency hits.

Bill (Morgantown, WV)

Does Geno have to keep playing at the level he was at the end of the Caps series in order for the Pens to win?

Scott Burnside

  (4:25 PM)

I think his continued strong play will be crucial against the Canes and even more so if they end up playing Detroit.

Ben (Cape Coral, FL)

Who needs to step up their game more- Chris Kunitz or Jordan Staal?

Scott Burnside

  (4:26 PM)

Ben; Good question. I think we saw glimmers of Jordan Staal emerging from his playoff funk late in the Washington series. Kunitz is in a huge goal-scoring slump (I am a trained observer after all) and in this series the Pens' chances of success go up exponentially if he can find the back of the net for the first time this spring.

Matt (Los Angeles, CA)

To answer Chris from Falls Church...The 6 seeded Flames in '03 beat #3 Vancouver, #1 Detroit, and #2 San Jose to end up losing the the Lightning in the Cup Finals.

Scott Burnside

  (4:28 PM)

Matt; Many thanks. I had forgotten they had come out of the six hole. Well done. A LeBrun photo is headed your way.

ryan kalamazoo mi

do you think the activation of the players from the wilkes- barre team is from the lack luster play of sykora and satan. Even though satan has had a couple of points in the last couple of games. I think a couple of those youngs guys getting a chance and wanting to prove themselves could be a boost for the pens wingers.

Scott Burnside

  (4:29 PM)

I think it's more a function of the Baby Pens being eliminated from the AHL playoffs. Most teams, 'Canes included, have a group of 'black aces' that come up and hang around the big team in the playoffs to get a taste of playoff life.

Dibbs - Raleigh

Scott; The Hurricanes seem to be the underdog accross the board, but isn't the real difference in the net? Cam Ward is building a Hall of Fame resume in his low 20's. He might be the next Brodeur.

Scott Burnside

  (4:30 PM)

Dibbs; Cam Ward has been magical this spring. Heck, the guy's won four straight Game 7s dating back to 2006. He can be the difference in this series. Let me restate, he has to be the difference if the 'Canes are going to win.

Thomas (High Point, NC)

Do you think Rutherford is enjoying the decision he made now to replace Laviollette during the year, given that the Hurricanes have made an impressive run through the playoffs?

Scott Burnside

  (4:30 PM)

Thomas; Hard to know who is happier he made a switch, Jim, Ray Shero or Chicago GM Dale Tallon.

George (Windsor)

Do you see any weaknesses in Detroits game? I would've said Osgood a few weeks ago but that isn't the case today...

Scott Burnside

  (4:33 PM)

George; Being a Windsor boy (okay, Essex) happy to answer. No team is perfect but the Wings are close. They have gone this far this spring without their best player, Pavel Datsyuk, playing at his best so it's a scary proposition. And Osgood? .922 save percentage and 2.06 GAA. Ho hum. No, no chinks in this Red Wing armor I'm afraid.

Eric Cole

Do you really think there won't be any emotion? Don't forget about Orpik almost paralyzing me. I know I will not.

Scott Burnside

  (4:34 PM)

Erik; Good point. Be careful out there, though.

Andy (Denver)

Is there anyone on the Wings that would deserved the Conn Smythe with thier play so far?

Scott Burnside

  (4:36 PM)

Andy, great question. I remember the debate heading into Games 5 and 6 last year about who deserved the Conn Smythe and there were four guys including Chris Osgood that deserved consideration. This year, at this point, it's even more difficult. How about Johan Franzen? Nine goals, 18 points.

Chris (Knoxville, TN)

Scott, do you see the Canes power play improving in this series? I know the Pens defense is strong, but Fleury has not quite played to the level of Brodeur and Thomas. How will the Canes stack up?

Scott Burnside

  (4:37 PM)

Chris; the 'Canes power play will have to produce if they're going to keep the Pens honest. If the power play continues to fizzle it gives the Penguins an edge to play closer to the line in terms of their physical play.

Jon (Omaha)

Datsyuk looked liked he had more room to work yesterday than he did against the Ducks. Do you think he'll break out in this series?

Scott Burnside

  (4:38 PM)

Jon; Yes, this series should give him more space in which to work and the flow of the games should be more to his liking.

Brandon (Mountain Home, ID)

Why do people continue to write in a player's name on the chat? It was clever once, but now it's getting a little silly.

Scott Burnside

  (4:38 PM)

Is this Brandon Dubinsky?

Zach, Bloomfield, MI

With the way depth has played a factor in the postseason, would the Wings be better off re-signing Hudler and Sammulson rather than Hossa?

Scott Burnside

  (4:40 PM)

Zach; Interesting point. Might be able to get both signed for what Hossa will be looking for. Interesting decision for GM Ken Holland. Hard to walk away from an elite player like Hossa even if he hasn't produced in the playoffs like he did a year ago. Jiri Hudler is having a great spring, though.

Matt (Grand Rapids)

It seems like every year there is talk about replacing Osgood and every year he steps it up in the playoffs. He is a winner and an underrated player. Will Ozzy be the #1 goalie for the Wings next season? They don't seem to love Howard.

Scott Burnside

  (4:41 PM)

Matt; I'm sure Ken Holland would like to find the next Wings goalie and start grooming him. Agreed that there doesn't seem to be a strong sense that Jimmy Howard is that guy. Imagine Osgood will once again be the guy splitting time with either Howard or Ty Conklin or a Ty Conklin look-alike.

Stormy

Scott; as the Canes mascot I am confused about one thing....am I a pig, a dog, or something in between?

Scott Burnside

  (4:42 PM)

Stormy, I try not to think too much about it but you do make me think of the Amityville Horror.

caniac nation

Do you see Rod Brind'Amour come around and becoming a factor in this series?

Scott Burnside

  (4:43 PM)

Yes, I think this is the kind of series the 'Canes will be looking for leadership from Brind'Amour. It may not be offense, necessarily, but perhaps in disrupting what Crosby and Malkin do. Remember the '06 playoff run and Brind'Amour was the guy that kept the 'Canes on the rails right to the end.

Amy Pittsburgh, PA

I understand that Fleury didn't play awesome during the Washington series, but he's had some epic performances in the playoffs and has never choked. Why no love for him?

Scott Burnside

  (4:45 PM)

I don't think it's a function of not loving Fleury, Amy, but wondering how he will stack up against Cam Ward whose play has been so crucial to the 'Canes success. Agreed that Fleury has shown great resolve making crucial stops, especially after allowing goals that might have been suspect. If the Pens win this series, how much discussion will there be of Fleury as a possible Canadian Olympic candidate? There should be some I think.

Nicholas

Would the canes or blackhawks be a more surprising upset?

Scott Burnside

  (4:45 PM)

Blackhawks given their youth and the Wings' experience and talent.

Andrew (Houghton, MI)

Fedotenko has finally seemed to find his game during the series against the Capitals, generating many shots and scoring opportunities. Do you think he will be able to keep up his play against the Canes and potentially the Wings?

Scott Burnside

  (4:47 PM)

Andrew, agreed that Ruslan Fedotenko has picked up his game as the playoffs have gone along. That may be a function of Malkin playing better but they've found some nice chemistry that is mindful of what we used to see with Sykora and Malkin.

Joe Sakic (Denver)

Will I be playing in the Olympics?

Scott Burnside

  (4:47 PM)

Don't think so Joe.

Oscar (Mexico city)

Without Gonchar, what are the Penguins chances of winning the stanley cup this year?

Scott Burnside

  (4:48 PM)

Oscar, I think Sergei Gonchar will continue to play at least limited minutes. If he, for some reason, can't go, it's a big blow. The Pens might beat Carolina without him (no disrespect meant to the 'Canes) but it would be tough to see the Pens beating Detroit without their best defenseman.

Shane (Chardon, Ohio)

Scott, who do think, in the Hurricanes vs. Penguins series, will be the key player for the Penguins throughout the series.

Scott Burnside

  (4:49 PM)

Shane; I think you'll see Fleury play well but at the risk of being predictable having seen Crosby play the way he has for two rounds he is on fire.

Justin (PA)

Scott, The controversy with the coyotes possibly moving makes me wonder, If you could add teams in three cities right now which would they be and which three teams would you get rid of, please tell me there will be no more sun belt teams and you have my vote to be the next comish.

Scott Burnside

  (4:52 PM)

Justin; If I could wave a magic wand I'd disappear the Florida Panthers, New York Islanders (unless I can magically make them a new arena) and the Atlanta Thrashers based on those teams' inability to put a winning product on the ice and/or make inroads in their markets. I'd put another team in Southern Ontario, one in Seattle and one in Winnipeg providing they could retrofit their new arena to NHL standards. Las Vegas would be my fall-back position.

jason, raleigh

Dont get me wrong, the caps-pens series was amazing...but where is the love for the canes-devils series? I think there were 3 OT games and all but game one were decided by one goal, with a game winner being scored with .2 left and 2 goals within the last 1:30 to win the series. Show the canes some love!

Scott Burnside

  (4:52 PM)

Jason: Agreed, an overlooked series that had it all. Can't think of a playoff year that has had the kinds of compelling series we've seen so far.

Zach Rastall (Marinette, WI)

Who's gonna end up getting the Avalanche coaching job?

Scott Burnside

  (4:54 PM)

Zach; Great question. Must not be great time for Tony Granato who, of course, is still the Avs head coach. Still figure Patrick Roy figures into all of this somehow.

Nik (Los Angeles, CA)

Optimistic Kings fan here... any hope for the playoffs next year?

Scott Burnside

  (4:56 PM)

Nik; Yes. The Kings are one of the few teams that has money to burn this summer and GM Dean Lombardi wants to add a top-notch forward to help guide his impressive crop of youngsters. Yes, I like the Kings to be in the playoffs next year.

Pete (Cupertino, CA)

How uncommon is it for a team to make it this far in the playoffs after a mid-season coaching change? Is three out of four a record?

Scott Burnside

  (4:57 PM)

Don't know if it's a record but Larry Robinson won a Cup after taking over for Robbie Ftorek in the last week or so of the regular season.

Mark (VA)

Rank the remaining 4 rinks in terms of atmosphere.

Scott Burnside

  (4:57 PM)

Chicao, Carolina, Pittsburgh, Detroit.

Henry NY

3 hours to go! Lets get this thing started already! Which team is stronger on defense? I know Gonchar isn't completely healthy, but the Pens seem to have the upper hand on the blue line right? The Gill-Scuderi group will have its hands full with Staal, but after Ovechkin, they can probably handle just about anything. What about the Canes blue line? I don't know much about them.

Scott Burnside

  (5:01 PM)

Henry, with you. Bring it on. The 'Canes blue line reminds me very much of their blue line in '06. Defense by committee. Joni Pitkanen has turned into a solid contributor (he's second in the league in ice time in the playoffs), Niclas Wallin has been there, Joe Corvo. No studes a la Scott Niedermayer or Chris Pronger but very capable and they all have the potential to chip in offensively. That they haven't yet suggest they're due.

Tom Woodstock GA

Do the players get bonus money for playoffs? You never hear anyone talk about it.

Scott Burnside

  (5:01 PM)

Tom; Players' salaries are just for the regular season but they do get money depending on how far they advance in the playoffs. Compared to their salaries, though, it's a pittance.

Scott Burnside

  (5:02 PM)

Okay folks, off to Mellon Arena. Til next week.