Robert
Foligno family
For the sport of it.... Derick Brassard is well known in C-Bus.... Just saying that for the new Pitt fans who may not know...
I loved the guy!! We should have kept him...
I loved the guy!! We should have kept him...
Hags has been our most consistent forward behind Geno and Phil the last 40 games. Man has he turned his game around.Hagelin had 7 attempted shots(aka Corsi) tonight, tied for the lead.
I like Jake with Phil and Brassard, that's arguably a 1st line quality 3rd line. ZAR surprisingly has meshed well with Sid, goes to the dirty areas, takes his pound of flesh and causes havoc around the net. I think that suits Sids game quite well.
He is downright brilliant when compared to a rock or household potted plant... im certain Tanger can play hockey far better than the Opossum in my back yard...
BTW @ColePens, this team reminds me of the 2009-2010 team. I'm not saying it's the same, and maybe there is some magic switch. BUT, HGH is the 2009-2010 Kunitz-Sid-Dupuis/Guerin. Rest of the team is going through the motions on most nights. Like Geno in 2009-2010, there's no cohesion for a Sid line this year. And, like 2009-2010, the mix on defense is off, as is the team defensive play. Again, I'm not saying it ends the same way, but THAT is the vibe I'm getting watching them since the deadline.
I’ll hope to count on all things but that last. MM should be in form by the post, Brassard is clicking, but our weakest link same as last post will be our D and the combo of back checking forwards and MM are going to have to bail them out.I think the team could settle into a nice groove with a more consistent schedule, with MM back as the number 1, with more games for Brassard and with more consistent play from our D.
Meh I HATE comparisons like that. Sully isn't as stubborn as Bylsma when it comes to x's and o's and creating a strategy against teams. I remember when (Ottawa?) or whatever team is was when Sully basically gave their PP the full left side breakout and it worked to perfection. He does create gameplans unlike DB. So it's not like he's going to face a Montreal team and just refuse to adjust.
But this is the NHL and there are a lot of good teams, IMO, that can make a run. I mean if you look at this year compared to last year in the East, it's remarkable. Columbus crawled into the playoffs and got injured. Now they are on a hot streak. Boston was injured and not that good. Rangers/Montreal IMO are not better than teams in the East this year.
I just think the East is stronger.
I wouldn't hate that line up but I'd prefer Rust play RW. However, giving that line up a look before the playoffs wouldn't be the worst thing.The only thing is ZAR is such a small sample size and Jake usually does well with Sid plus he led the playoffs in goals with Sid. If ZAR could play NHL on the RW that’d be awesome it would fix a lot.
Guentzel-Crosby-ZAR
Hagelin-Malkin-Hornqvist
Rust-Brassard-Kessel (that’s a fast line!)
Sheary-Sheahan-Kuhnhackl/Jooris
Pens are marginally better than some non playoff teams at home. Not the look of a contender. Bad D is bad D. Ask the Steelers what happens when your D isn't up to snuff.
@ColePens, for as good as HGH is, for the sake of the TEAM, here's my top 9 . . .
Sheary-Sid-Horny
Hags-Geno-Rust
Jake-Brass-Phil
The only way we overcome this mix on defense and the putrid team defense (even if they step up, it's going to be scary) is IF Murray stands on his head AND our top 9 can attack in waves like 2016.
I just don't see another top 9 combination that maximizes the 3 line impact like what I've put above.
Usually Errey mentions it right away. As soon as I saw that release - I flashed back to Game 1.
I wouldn't hate that line up but I'd prefer Rust play RW. However, giving that line up a look before the playoffs wouldn't be the worst thing.
We are 8-1 over the last 9 home games against playoff teams at home and 15-1 at home in 2018 against everyone
EDIT: 15-2 in 2018
was that the goal after we didn't get a shot for like 25 minutes?What a stupid ****ing game that was?
I believe our next opponent is one of those losses....
Usually Errey mentions it right away. As soon as I saw that release - I flashed back to Game 1.