Ryan Wilson: Flame out Flame out

I'm watching it now and up to the end of the 2nd period. After the first like 5 to 7 mins of the game the Pens were clearly the better team for the most part... so far.

Fourth line expensive but very improved, check
Third pairing D playing well on expensive contract, check
Starting goalie ....

Couldn't find cap space to replace Guentzel or add a top four defensemen

Lots of core players having rough starts: Sid, Rust, Bunting, Letang, Karlsson, Pettersson

They're lucky they are close to .500. Hopefully the core guys can get going.

i only saw the 3rd and OT but that 1st line isn't jiving at all. Both Sid and Rust look banged up and sometimes completely disinterested. Rust was particularly bad in OT with multiple WTF moments just turning it over.

Fourth line expensive but very improved, check
Third pairing D playing well on expensive contract, check
Starting goalie ....

Couldn't find cap space to replace Guentzel or add a top four defensemen

Lots of core players having rough starts: Sid, Rust, Bunting, Letang, Karlsson, Pettersson

They're lucky they are close to .500. Hopefully the core guys can get going.
- Tojo.

I'm seeing some rough starts with regards to some decision making and gaffes but production-wise its not THAT rough for most of the guys you've listed

Sid: 8 games, 7 points
EK: 8 games, 6 points
Petts: 8 games, 4 points
Rust: 6 games, 3 points
Letang: 8 games, 3 points

Bunting is 1 point in 7 games, that is sh!t for top 6...but then you have Rakk with 4 G's/5 points in 8 games and Geno with 11 in 8.

Their biggest problem to my eyes have been the looseness of it all. Mostly on the D but the forwards haven't done a lot of favours in this regard, either. They were giving up too many odd man breaks. Last night was much, much better.

I just watched the whole game. Flames were lucky to get a point out of that one, the Pens should have had 2.

Why all the long faces with negative comments mixed in? I mean this is what all yinz wanted right? The core to ride off into the sunset. It's just wayyy shorter of a ride to get there than what you expected.. No? With sullivan playing the elder players 25 min a game and sully already playing malkin and sid together with less than 10 games into the new season reeks of desperation with sullivan. Keep riding them elders sulliy, horses getting tired though.. Yikes…

-- jb55

Trolling will never go away… actually, it's an art. Some have perfected it - not so much you. You are both repetitive and redundant.
Trolling will never go away… actually, it's an art. Some have perfected it - not so much you. You are both repetitive and redundant.

I will also add, through the fist 7 games up to last night, if I were to put a % on board battles, loose puck battles, 50/50 battle success rates I would say the Pens would be around 20%. So, around 2 out of 10 times they come away with the puck in these situations in most of the time in the first 7 games. Again, they were better last night.

Flames were lucky to get a point out of that one, the Pens should have had 2.

-- MattStrat


There appears to be a situational awareness problem whereas the game doesn't change, when it should. You mentioned *decision making and gaffes*.

For example, a one-point lead with a little over a minute remaining being played like they are down one-point. When backing off and running time off the clock instead of attempting a showboat pass would be a better decision.
They do the same thing late in periods… sometimes it's just wise to eat it rather than forcing plays.
It may have worked better when they were younger and faster, but it's been biting them in the ass now for the third season.

I'm seeing some rough starts with regards to some decision making and gaffes but production-wise its not THAT rough for most of the guys you've listed

Sid: 8 games, 7 points
EK: 8 games, 6 points
Petts: 8 games, 4 points
Rust: 6 games, 3 points
Letang: 8 games, 3 points

Bunting is 1 point in 7 games, that is sh!t for top 6...but then you have Rakk with 4 G's/5 points in 8 games and Geno with 11 in 8.

Their biggest problem to my eyes have been the looseness of it all. Mostly on the D but the forwards haven't done a lot of favours in this regard, either. They were giving up too many odd man breaks. Last night was much, much better.

I just watched the whole game. Flames were lucky to get a point out of that one, the Pens should have had 2.
- MattStrat

Sid and Rust don't look right, but offense hasn't been the issue. We are getting scoring throughout the lineup.

We have given up 3 or more goals in every game so far. You're not going to win much if you need to score 4 every night.

Defense looks optional. Dzone structure is non-existent. Pinching every chance you get is a recipe for disaster. Goalies haven't helped much at all. Ned made some big saves but still gave up 6 and 3 in his 2 starts.

I'm seeing some rough starts with regards to some decision making and gaffes but production-wise its not THAT rough for most of the guys you've listed

Sid: 8 games, 7 points
EK: 8 games, 6 points
Petts: 8 games, 4 points
Rust: 6 games, 3 points
Letang: 8 games, 3 points

Bunting is 1 point in 7 games, that is sh!t for top 6...but then you have Rakk with 4 G's/5 points in 8 games and Geno with 11 in 8.

Their biggest problem to my eyes have been the looseness of it all. Mostly on the D but the forwards haven't done a lot of favours in this regard, either. They were giving up too many odd man breaks. Last night was much, much better.

I just watched the whole game. Flames were lucky to get a point out of that one, the Pens should have had 2.
- MattStrat

Fortunately special teams is clicking. So credit for the OP. 5v5, top line is getting destroyed. Rust has been on the ice for 1 goal for and 7 against 5v5. Even still that's below standard for Sid and Rust.

And since when is Pettersson judged off points? For the defensemen, you know why I said they've been lacking.

You gotta start throwing poop together in the top six and see if it works. I’d start by just switching the wingers. Put Bunting and Rakell with Sid.

Fortunately special teams is clicking. So credit for the OP. 5v5, top line is getting destroyed. Rust has been on the ice for 1 goal for and 7 against 5v5. Even still that's below standard for Sid and Rust.

And since when is Pettersson judged off points? For the defensemen, you know why I said they've been lacking.
- Tojo.

I never said that he was...but I did say "I'm seeing some rough starts with regards to some decision making and gaffes" before stating or listing production along with "Their biggest problem to my eyes have been the looseness of it all. Mostly on the D". Its been discussed quite a bit around here that Petts struggling is that he isnt super steady and reliable most of his shifts this season like he has been for many seasons in a row...all while producing at a higher rate than he ever has before hahah

Contract years for players get talked about a lot in always in a positive way, it seems. Like they will automatically play better/produce more in a contract year. I wonder though, could it have opposite effect on some players, sometimes. Way too early to think he wont be himself again, though. Same goes for anyone we're questioning right now.

Gryz is coming from a very well organized defensive team who play a structured game. This is probably like trying to learn Chinese to him.

I wonder what the final 2 minutes of a game 6 on 5 conversation rates look like league wide annually haha. Its probably similar to the team's PP% when the season is all said in done. I mean, its a late game PP/PK...last night the Flames converted with that man advantage. Pens did several games before vs the Sabres. I cant beat a team up too much for giving up a goal in the final minute down a man.


Anyway....Pens are tied for a playoff spot today despite all the shortcomings hahah

Nah, it's much worse conversion rate since if you score into the empty net it's over.

Nah, it's much worse conversion rate since if you score into the empty net it's over.
- MickV

Yeah, true that. Good call. Perhaps it would be similar if we took out the instances an EN was scored, then hahah but probably lower as there isnt as much room on the ice...and the other team may be a smidgen more desperate in the kill as well...

how has hayes looked? see he isnt playing much but putting up some points.

is he stuck on the 4th line?

You gotta start throwing poop together in the top six and see if it works. I’d start by just switching the wingers. Put Bunting and Rakell with Sid.
- Grinder47

Whatever gets Sid and Rust apart I'm good with. I'd love to see that swap to see what happens.

how has hayes looked? see he isnt playing much but putting up some points.

is he stuck on the 4th line?
- hello it's me 2050

That's it. He's been good in his limited minutes with our $8 M fourth line. He probably deserves a bump up, but I do think they worry about putting an older and slower player next to one of our older centers.

I never said that he was...but I did say "I'm seeing some rough starts with regards to some decision making and gaffes" before stating or listing production along with "Their biggest problem to my eyes have been the looseness of it all. Mostly on the D". Its been discussed quite a bit around here that Petts struggling is that he isnt super steady and reliable most of his shifts this season like he has been for many seasons in a row...all while producing at a higher rate than he ever has before hahah

Contract years for players get talked about a lot in always in a positive way, it seems. Like they will automatically play better/produce more in a contract year. I wonder though, could it have opposite effect on some players, sometimes. Way too early to think he wont be himself again, though. Same goes for anyone we're questioning right now.
- MattStrat

I agree it can definitely have a negative effect and weigh on a player. And yes, it's early, anyone slumping can turn it around. It's a weird reversal that the PP and depth scoring are carrying so much of the load right now.

-- jb55

Trolling will never go away… actually, it's an art. Some have perfected it - not so much you. You are both repetitive and redundant.
Trolling will never go away… actually, it's an art. Some have perfected it - not so much you. You are both repetitive and redundant.
- sufi-judge

TROLLING? Wow this coming from a capitals fan boy on a pittsburgh blog..WHo's trolling?

Mark Madden: Penguins remain stuck in the past, too stubborn to see what they are:

I know you won't read this because you don't like the truth..

Here's a good article that I have been stating a long time...

Mark Madden: Penguins remain stuck in the past, too stubborn to see what they are:

I know you won't read this because you don't like the truth..

Here's a good article that I have been stating a long time...
- jb55

hahahah

I agree it can definitely have a negative effect and weigh on a player. And yes, it's early, anyone slumping can turn it around. It's a weird reversal that the PP and depth scoring are carrying so much of the load right now.
- Tojo.

Yeah, it's like we're living in an alternate Pens reality or some sh!t hahah

Mark Madden: Penguins remain stuck in the past, too stubborn to see what they are:

I know you won't read this because you don't like the truth..

Here's a good article that I have been stating a long time...
- jb55

Your bias is showing.

That article doesn't say anything that the people on this blog don't see when they watch the games lol

but that's also Mark Madden -- he caters to the less informed to the sport, the mouth breathers, so it makes sense as to why you'd read that.