James_Taipei: Seth, if you were a betting man would you bet on the Penguins to close out the series today?(p.s. I don't want to place a bet.)

Seth Rorabaugh: I'd stick money on it. They don't want to extend this series any more than it has to.

steve_downie: Am i sitting tonight? I just wanted to know if my cheapshot on Sykora is going to be my final appearance of the series.

Seth Rorabaugh: I think the Flyers would be better off dressing 19 players than having you in the lineup. No offense.

James_Taipei: What does Michel Therrien do to get the Penguins motivated to put this series away tonight?

Seth Rorabaugh: I don't think he needs to motivate this team at all. If you need your coach to motivate you at this point of the season, you have no business playing for the Cup.

GronmansGhost: Coburn's out again tonight. Opportunity knocks. Is it over in 10 hours?

Seth Rorabaugh: I'd be surprised if we're watching a Game 5 Sunday.

malkin71: Are you buying into this "if the Flyers had Coburn and Timonen it would be a different series" stuff? The Pens beat the Flyers 7-1 and 4-2 with them in there. How much of a difference can they make?

Seth Rorabaugh: You have to discount the regular season in something like this. The Flyers beat the heck out of the Penguins 8-2 in December. That has no more bearing on this series as the two Penguins wins you mentioned. If Timonen and Coburn were playing, I'd think the Flyers would get at least one win.

CindyCrosby: Did you know every 33 years a team comes back from 3-0? Did you know it was 1942, 1975 and now 2008? Did you know the Orange Crush is coming back? You saw it here first

Seth Rorabaugh: It seems just about every series where someone goes up 3-0 someone has to mention that 33 year thing. Hopefully for this years' Penguins, we don't have to hear about it again.

Broad_Street_Bully: It ain't over til it's over. You guys do understand that we're gonna make a comeback. And if that fails, we take out a few of your sissy "star" palyers. Either way, the Pens lose

Seth Rorabaugh: 1975

Fan_Since_The_70s: LOL Jeff Jimerson. Is he singing before we start?

Seth Rorabaugh: Jeff Jimerson I trust is somewhere running his hands through his butt cut blasting "Don't Stop Believing" to anyone lucky enough to listen.

GronmansGhost: Funny how "trap" isn't as dirty of a four-letter word these days, eh?

Seth Rorabaugh: Amen to that. If the Devils do it, lot of us are complaining about how it's boring. The Penguins do it, its smart hockey.. Brilliant screen name by the way.

CindyCrosby: 1975 eh? Wasn't that the year the Pens blew a 3-0 lead?

Seth Rorabaugh: Touche... it was... it must be an important year...

west_coast_pens_fan: I am looking past the Flyers - Who does the Pens match up against better - the Stars or Wings?

Seth Rorabaugh: The Stars, but I don't really think that's going to be a possible match up unless the Red Wings' team bus gets lost or something. Detroit will be hosting Game 1 of the final at some point here...

Korn: Any idea who is announcing tonight's game? Will my ears once again be punished by Beninatti?

Seth Rorabaugh: I have to believe Joe Beninati will be getting the call tonight....

Jeff_Jimerson: Seeing the long faces and tears in the stands Tuesday night was better than Super Bowl XL for me. Only a Cup parade in a month can top it.

Seth Rorabaugh: As nice as it is making Philly fans suffer, getting to the Cup final and hopefully winning it seems like it would be much more satisfying...

west_coast_pens_fan: theres some brotherly love - huh?

Seth Rorabaugh: Lord knows how that phrase has stuck with that toxic pit of hate on the other side of the Commonwealth.

Broad_Street_Bully: you guys made it personal after desecrating our Rocky statue. Another of another team, maybe you've heard of them, the number 1 seeded canadiens did the same and you know what we did to them. you're gonna wish you never messed with our sacred italian stallion

Seth Rorabaugh: I think Carey Price's glove hand turning to stone had a bit more to do with that than putting a Habs jersey on Rocky...

dws: In a previous chat, you dismissed the awesomeness of Pascal Dupois. Care to comment now on: how awesome is Pascal Dupois?

Seth Rorabaugh: Well he was just regular awesome before. He's beyond awesome now...

CindyCrosby: It was. The greatest franchise in the history of hockey won the Cup that year. When we win the Cup this year, would it be too soon to chant "1992"?

Seth Rorabaugh: You'll be putting on your Jimmy Rollins jersey tomorrow....

PrisionerBrennick: Seth, what do you think of the Hossa trade now?

Seth Rorabaugh: It's working. It was the right move for now obviously. We'll see the ultimate value of it in three or four years though...

Tanger58: Do you think the flyers lineup changes (moving richards to the briere line) will cause any problems for the pens defense tonight? or have we been too good for them, no matter what set of lines they throw at us?

Seth Rorabaugh: sticking their best players on one line certainly would present a challenge for anyone. Hopefully for the Flyers, that puts a charge into Briere. He's been missing this series.

donJavier: Does VS. own a piece of Wachovia or something? Or are they just hoping any series involving the Pens developes past 4 or 5 games for the ratings boost?

Seth Rorabaugh: Comcast does own Versus and the Flyers.... Take from that what you will.

RubyTalbot: Any word whether Roberts will be back in the line up tonight?

Seth Rorabaugh: Based on the breaking news item Dave Molinari filed today, no. He has pnemonia and that's a tough thing for anyone, let alone a hockey player to deal with.

grembi: When the Pens sweep tonight, and the Wings win, do you think the extra 2 games the Wings played will impact the outcome at all?

Seth Rorabaugh: That's assuming the Red Wings-Stars series goes to six. Yeah, it would help the Penguins to have a little bit more rest. But assuming someone like Nicklas Lidstrom doesn't get hurt, I don't think it will be an ovewhelming advantage.

iWishItWas1975: There is a reason that Philly fans in general are considered the worst in pro sports. I hate 'em.

Seth Rorabaugh: No argument here....

RubyTalbot: Will Brooks Orpik be handing out "free candy" as he did in Game 2? I think he has been playing his best hockey all year in this series.

Seth Rorabaugh: Orpik has been playing with a charge this series. I hear he'll be handing out Twizzlers.

stackhouse: seth, great penguins blog, you guys ever find any stackhouse jerseys at these games?

Seth Rorabaugh: Thanks! I've never seen a Stackhouse jersey at the game but someone in Tennessee or Florida (i forget which) emailed me a picture of themselves wearing one at home...

dws: Prediction of Cotton Candy Guy vs. Rocky IX?

Seth Rorabaugh: Cotton Candy Guy in the 10th. Running up and down the steps at Mellon Arena hauling cotton Candy around gets you in better shape than running up a mountain in the soviet union with some KGB guys chasing you.

Fan_Since_The_70s: Flyer Fans: It's one thing to be confident, but a mix of that and intelligence would surely have anyone believing this series is over. Philadelphia has as much of a chance of winning this series as jean Pronovost has winning the Conn Smythe...

Seth Rorabaugh: I'll give those other FLyers fans in this room credit, they're still believing in their team. THey're maybe a bit delusional, but they still back their team.

Fan_Since_The_70s: Seth, BTW Info from the Pens V.P. of Marketing; The big TV will be brought inside to show the road games in the finals...

Seth Rorabaugh: Wow. Good news. Just another example of how well the Pens treat their fan base.

dws: Man, I'd hate to be that pneumonia when Roberts is finished with it.

Seth Rorabaugh: Gary Roberts' immune system has a stronger graviational pull than Neptune.

langer: Can we win without Gary Roberts?

Seth Rorabaugh: They have been throughout the playoffs and the regular season.

CindyCrosby: Tonight's three stars in order: Mike Richards (Hat Trick), Martin Biron (shutout), Scott Hartnell (breaking Crosby's ankle)

Seth Rorabaugh: Is this Bobby Clarke?

donJavier: The incubation period for pnemonia is 1 to 2 weeks. The incubation period for Gary Roberts is at least half that.

Seth Rorabaugh: Gary Roberts can speed up time and make the incubation period shorter than the time it takes me to type this.... or something...

levis21: seth, do you think the woman in our lives will catch on why we men have been in such good moods lately?

Seth Rorabaugh: Seems to me a lot of female Penguins fans are enjoying life as it is right now too...

Pants: How are Sid and Geno in the locker room? Are they friendly at all?

Seth Rorabaugh: Well I don't travel or cover the team on a daily basis like Dave or Shelly Anderson do, but from the few times I've seen them interact, they seem like two really good friends....

Broad_Street_Bully: Philly fans are the toughest fans in pro sports

Seth Rorabaugh: I heard they all eat glass in the parking lot before games...

malkin: im gonna get hatcher for breaking my medallion!

Seth Rorabaugh: You'll have to wear only one skate in order to approach him at his speed...

stackhouse: I've heard many rumours about this, but is it true that RJ Umberger is from Plum?

Seth Rorabaugh: I've hear stuff like that, but I want to see a birth certificate before I buy that rubish...

pensin5: Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila?

Seth Rorabaugh: I think a Packers defensive end could skate better than Hatcher

Pants: How is the Pens showing the games showing on the screen differnt from the Steelers showing the playoff games at heinz field. I remember they were not allowed to because it effected ratings.

Seth Rorabaugh: I can't speak for either team, but something tells me the NFL is a little bit more worried about making sure people watch their three hours of Coors Light commercials than the NHL is making sure everyone watching gets to see those hideous Edge shaving bits...

CindyCrosby: I'm honored to be mistaken for thegreat Bobby Clarke, but no. I'm just a die hard Flyer fan that can't wait to crash this chat after the Flyers come back and win this series

Seth Rorabaugh: You're honored to be mistaken for a demented old man? To each their own I guess...

donJavier: Has Hal Gill made it to the Philly locker room yet? Last I heard he was still somewhere around center ice. Love the guy, but man... build some rockets into those skates or something

Seth Rorabaugh: Hal Gill is now fast.. that's not hard to dispute... but the Pens have found way to team him with a quicker partner... and he's so good at positioning himself where he needs to be... being 6-7 too help with that long reach...

donJavier: Tonight's three stars: Malkin's broken stick (defensive juggernaut), Tyler Kennedy (spinning his arms around until someone runs into him), and the boards behind Fleury (breaking Scott Hartnell's nose)

Seth Rorabaugh: Malkin's busted stick might be the best defensive entity on the ice...

dws: Dave Molinari said we can't do a "Blackout" in pittsburgh because it would make it too hard for Fleury to see the puck. My suggestion: fans bring a black and white shirt, whiteout the end facing Fleury and blackout the end facing the opposition. At intermission: switch shirts.

Seth Rorabaugh: Ha good idea... somehow I'm not sure something like that could be that cooridinated....

Pants: Is there any chance of you reformatting EN so the newest entries are always at the top?

Seth Rorabaugh: After the season, I'm going to sit down with my editors and figure a few new ways to do EN... that's something I may consider....

donJavier: More rare find: Jimmy Paik Pens jersey or Richard Park Pens jersey?

Seth Rorabaugh: I would say Richard Park. Jim Paek actually won the Cup twice here... I saw a Jim Paek game-worn jersey on display at the draft last year in Columbus too...

Broad_Street_Bully: hey, you got any more of these chats scheduled, cause we'll be seeing you in pittsburgh real soon

Seth Rorabaugh: If there's a game 6, you guys will get me....

Korn: There's lots of love for Marian Hossa these days. Any idea if Shero will be showering him with love come July 1?

Seth Rorabaugh: I'd be surprised... they have a lot other free agent issues to address July 1. Fleury, Malone, Orpik, Ruutu, etc. For what Hossa will get, they could sign two or even three of those guys....

Korn: How are the Pens playing a trap? It's a strong forecheck and backcheck. It's not like they're lining up in the neutral zone. Marian Hossa skating back and pickpocketing a Flyer is my favorite occurance each game.

Seth Rorabaugh: It's not a straight up trap... It's not like John Madden or Jay Pandolfo are clogging up the neutral zone... It's more of an aggressive trap...

Jeff_Jimerson: Will Steve Downie's name be etched on the Cup if the Pens win it all? Should be, seeing how he's their MVP this series.

Seth Rorabaugh: Downie and Jimerson will be on there....

Tanger58: If Downie dresses tonight, do you think that would mean that he is only out there to hurt one of our star players, because he can't possibly be out there based on his playing the past 2 games

Seth Rorabaugh: I'd be shocked if he dresses tonight. I have a hard time Patrick Thoresen can't do what he does minus the brutal turnovers...

levis21: hey hey what ya say?? i hate versus

Seth Rorabaugh: Versus isn't good...

oldiesfanjohn hi seth,all..not sure this is feasible or it would work..but with all this --in the crease when a goal is scored...could they enact a 3 to 5 second rule where a player could only be in the crease like they do in basketball...with 4 pair of eyes,ref and linesman,i realize they have much more to do...but is it feasible,you think?

Seth Rorabaugh: Given how inconsistent the officials are right now... I'm hesitant to believe such a rule would be handled well on a regular basis

Fan_Since_The_70s: I heard Briere has a tee-time scheduled for tomorrow morning. I don't hink he will show up for that either...

Seth Rorabaugh: I don't see him sinking a lot of aces for whatever reason...

LGP: Seth ... Did you hear anything about the incident before practice the other day when the rink manager in Philly wouldnt turn to lights on for the pens to practice or get the nets out for them ??

Seth Rorabaugh: I'm pretty sure I did... I think The Sidney Crosby Show blog had something on it... if that's the case, it's not surprising...

viddy: Hey there.... looks like this team has incredible chemistry. I would love to see, either way, them all stay together another year. How possible is that with where they are under the cap?

Seth Rorabaugh: It will be tough as heck. Hossa's going to be somewhere else July 1. That's a given. It'll be tough to hang onto Orpik, Malone, Ruutu. Conklin's going to get a good deal too..

Broad_Street_Bully: if we didn't have downie, the series would be flyers 2, pens 1 and you know it. you can't ignore the facts, downie blew it for us, twice. with stevens taking that punk out of the lineup, the pens will no longer receive any gift-wrapped games. you're going to have to earn it for once

Seth Rorabaugh: I guess Downie was responsible for the Flyers only getting 18 shots on net in Game 3 right? Or Jeff Carter getting used like a pylon by Marian hossa. Or the economy...

CindyCrosby: One thing we both can agree on is those stupid Edge shaving commercials. UGH!!

Seth Rorabaugh: My IQ goes down watching those... It might not be high to begin with... but ugh....

donJavier: What I love are all the assumptions that if the Flyers weren't plagued by injuries, this would be a different series. Kids, allow me a cliche: "good teams find a way to win." The Pens found a way to win with Crosby, Fleury, and Roberts out for the majority of the year. So don't give me that garbage.

Seth Rorabaugh: I'm not eager to hear how the Penguins are getting lucky with opponents injuries. Yeah, Alfredsson, Avery and Timonen not playing certainly don't hurt the penguins, but the Penguins played for two months with Malkin and the near equivalent of an AHL team but still won the Atlantic Division

malkin71: The Flyers have those ridiculous "Why Not Us" t-shirts. As a Pens fan, what do you think should be on the back? "Because..."

Seth Rorabaugh: I would suggest something more vulgar that I can't repeat in this forum

donJavier: Classy move there. Always nice to see someone call for an intentional injury on another player.

Seth Rorabaugh: Bobby Clarke puffs his chest out and boasts how he broke a Soviet player's ankle back in the 70s... What do you expect from the fan base...

CindyCrosby: So when Umburger brings us back, are you guys gonna try to steal him away?

Seth Rorabaugh: I certainly wouldn't mind seeing him play for the hometown team... he kills the Penguins

malkin71: Hey Seth, love the blog. What is your take on tonight's game? Are the Flyers going to pack it in, fight hard to stay in it or try to injure Crosby and/or Malkin?

Seth Rorabaugh: I can't see the Flyers packing it in emotionally... This is a rivalry don't forget. I wouldnt put it past them to take a run at someone with bad intentions...

GronmansGhost: White out? OK. Power blue-out? Your thoughts.

Seth Rorabaugh: I could dig that... it would be better than the "Road-Cone Out" they do in Philly....

GronmansGhost: Lot of talk out here in Philly area that the Flyers' future is brighter than the Pens because the Pens won't be able to keep the top-tier players and won't be willing to spend to the cap. Delusional?

Seth Rorabaugh: I wouldn't say that... The Penguins are going to lose Hossa. Maybe Malone or Orpik. The Flyers have a lot of their talent like Richards, Timonen, Hartnell etc. wrapped up for a few seasons

PrisonerBrennick: What do you think now of the Marian Hossa trade, I know you were against it at the beginning? Also I love those new Edge shaving cream commercials, what are your thoughts?

Seth Rorabaugh: Like I stated before, the ultimate value of the trade will be felt in 3-4 years. Right now, the trade is awesome. In 3-4 years, maybe not so much...

Fan_Since_The_70s: What, you don't like women flying into your nostrils?

Seth Rorabaugh: I feel like leaving the room when those stupid things come on... I feel prouder of not shaving when those things come on

James_Taipei: Do you see any scenario in which Hossa will be in a Penguins uniform next fall?

Seth Rorabaugh: Not unless he buys one off the NHL's web site...

Seth Rorabaugh: Alright guys and girls, I need to get going. Nice chatting with all of you, even the Flyers fans. Good chat. Take care.