Post-Game Talk: Pens crash the Island: Ned puts the Carkins on his skin and so should you!

[spcastlemagic]

In the more serious analysis thing… it’s all about the defensive commitment and back pressure right now. We are more and more effectively forcing play to less dangerous parts of the ice, generating turnovers, and generally hounding dudes. The collective decision making is improving. Most excited I’ve been about this team in over a year. We could be on to something here. Dubas said “show me” and we are 7-1-1 since then. Reinforcements could be huge.

 

[CascadiaPenguin]

he had 7 minutes TOI tonight, lowest on the team

He also launched a howitzer on that sweet feed from Letang near the blue line that wasn't far from being a monster goal.

 

[Ragamuffin Gunner]

Pens are like 3rd in the East in goals against. If they could learn how to score again..

If it wasn't for the PP going a month w/o scoring they'd be 2nd in the metro right now.

 

[Zirakzigil]

@Ugene Magic

 

[Gumbercules]

A good way to end the year with two regulation wins against the isles (along with a non-conference win). This team normally would have folded after the Isles got one back, so it's a positive sign that not only did they hold on, but they actually generated some chances of their own down the stretch. That might have been DOC's best game as a Pen. If they can ever get the PP going, they will be a playoff team.

Happy New Year Folks!

 

[CascadiaPenguin]

Not wanting to cause any aneurysms or strokes in here, but for maybe the first time in his tenure here, I thought Harkins played a fine game.

 

[Honour Over Glory]

Asking Sullivan to figure out how to use a tandem correctly is asking a lot.

 

[DesertedPenguin]

Sullivan said Hinostroza for Zohorna was a coaches decision.

That's surprising. I don't think Hinostroza added anything and I don't think Zohorna deserved to come out.

 

[AuroraBorealis]

Sullivan said Hinostroza for Zohorna was a coaches decision.

That's surprising. I don't think Hinostroza added anything and I don't think Zohorna deserved to come out.

Like I told you, Z is ill. He forced it yesterday, but back-to-back is overkill in this situation.

 

[Andy99]

So Tampa won unfortunately…41 points is now WC2…however, if we beat the Caps on Tuesday and Tampa doesn’t get 2 points, we’ll be in a P.O. spot finally (at least until the Devils play lol)

 

[DesertedPenguin]

Like I told you, Z is ill. He forced it yesterday, but back-to-back is overkill in this situation.

Sullivan was outright asked whether it was related to health or just a coach's decision, and he confirmed it was a coach's decision. Not related to Zohorna's health at all.

 

[Tacitus Kilgore]

Are the Pens playing better or are the goalies just making them look good?

Yes

 

[Al Smith]

Are the Pens playing better or are the goalies just making them look good?

Yes, but probably more of the latter.

 

[AuroraBorealis]

Sullivan was outright asked whether it was related to health or just a coach's decision, and he confirmed it was a coach's decision. Not related to Zohorna's health at all.

It's a coach's decision because Z was available. Sullivan felt that he'll get more out of Hinostroza, rather than a sick Zohorna in a back-to-back situation.

Anyways, Rust is back on Tuesday, at which time they need to demote guys. Their choices there will say it all.

 

[Harvey Birdman]

What are we?

Did we underperform early? Are we overperforming now? Are guys figuring it out? I have no idea. What a wild 2023.

Great job for Neds though. Man what a great signing.

I think it’s a combination of the two things you said. I think both there was a massive change out of the roster to begin with to start the season as well as lately having called up players finally figuring each other out and the team as a whole was underperforming to start.

I’m cautiously optimistic that they are finally putting it together. But I still think at best that puts us 3rd in the division or in a wildcard at seasons end. And that’s my most optimistic outcome.

 

[Zirakzigil]

Flyers regulation loss!

 

[Rakell67]

So Rust is allowed to come back Jan 2nd for the Caps game. Hinostroza most likely to be demoted.

Guentzel Crosby Rust
Smith Malkin O'Connor
Rakell Eller Puustinen
Zohorna Acciari Carter
Harkins

 

[The Old Master]

just back from the game ... was very impressed with doc. his play away from the puck was amazing.

 

[Harvey Birdman]

So Rust is allowed to come back Jan 2nd for the Caps game. Hinostroza most likely to be demoted.

Guentzel Crosby Rust
Smith Malkin O'Connor
Rakell Eller Puustinen
Zohorna Acciari Carter
Harkins

Swap Puustinen and O’Con and that’s what I would run with.

 

[Gurglesons]

Sullivan said Hinostroza for Zohorna was a coaches decision.

That's surprising. I don't think Hinostroza added anything and I don't think Zohorna deserved to come out.

Zohorna has been rough. He's getting outplayed by Harkins. Which is just uh..

 

[Tacitus Kilgore]

Say what you want about Dubas' offseason acquistions. But this team is more fun to watch than it has been in quite some time

 

[AuroraBorealis]

What are we?

Did we underperform early? Are we overperforming now? Are guys figuring it out? I have no idea. What a wild 2023.

This is an above average defensive team that is also getting exceptional goaltending. That makes sense, because a lot of acquisitions were made with shutdown ability in mind. Jarry and Ned were coinflips, and we lucked out so far.

Also a below average offensive team, much like last year. Getting carried by L1, who've been outstanding.
A lot of guys were changed, but we didn't really bring anyone who's an upgrade offensively over their predecessor, outside of Eller and Karlsson.
Rust found his game, but then Rakell fell off...so those things canceled each other out.
Petry was actually quite good offensively, with 31 points in 61 games. Heavy defensive minutes and not on PP1. EK's gonna get what, 55 points in 82 games on PP1 all year, if he doesn't get hurt?

He's fun to watch and everything, but he's not worth 6 mil more than Petry. It's a money sink.
He started the year well defensively, but now he's getting carried by his D partners and goalies.

 

[66-30-33]

Speaking of Petry...

Ludvig-Petry would be a nice bottom pairing. I liked the guy when he was here and at that cap hit we can fit him in over Ruh.

 

[BusinessGoose]

Nice

 

[SomeDude]

What are we?

Did we underperform early? Are we overperforming now? Are guys figuring it out? I have no idea. What a wild 2023.

We're a middling NHL team who can beat anyone or lose to anyone on any given night.

The Isles are very not good, though, and they're gonna free fall in the standings after inexplicably starting well.