GDT: #15 | Penguins vs Islanders | 02/18/21 | 7:00PM ET

[Dipsy Doodle]

I don’t touch L1. Swap ZAR & Zucker is about the only option with McCann out. Zucker has similar results with Sid as Malkin so it seems like L1 would drop more than L2 would gain.

Other than that it’s up to the GM to figure out because I can’t see Sully breaking up his top line when they’ve been our best shot at winning.

The other thing is Kappy is underperforming too and we don’t have great forward depth so Hextall needs to do something.

But you'd know whether it was a Malkin problem or a "these wingers don't cut it" problem.

Which is something we should figure out sooner rather than later.

 

[Andy99]

And Jarry starts in net...

 

[Ugene Magic]

You know, once you go worm, you never go back.....

 

[Pens x]

Might be one of the worst offseasons this team has ever had. I know Rodrigues was signed on day one. Jankowski was either day one or shortly after. Neither of them would be above the taxi squad on a contending team. But nope, that's who we want. On day one.

Jank and ERod were signed on day one of free agency. The clip of “in the room” showed they wanted Simon, ERod, and Jank on day one. The only reason why Simon didn’t come back is because the other two dumbies can play center.

 

[Pittsburgh1776]

this line is +4 since started playing together, not overrated, probably not as dominant as the media is pumping. but still I agree with @Jesse ...need points against Isles in bothe directions...ride them until it stopped working, adjust other lines and strategies

So not as dominant as the media is saying is what is meant by overrated....

 

[SUBdrewgANS]

Yea the Isles have won three straight. Talk about crucial string of games coming up with 3 against the isles, 2 against the Caps, and two against the Flyers.

When the hell do we play Buffalo?? haha

 

[Pittsburgh1776]

But you'd know whether it was a Malkin problem or a "these wingers don't cut it" problem.

Which is something we should figure out sooner rather than later.

It is a Malkin problem. The guy admitted he didn't show up to camp in the best shape. Zucker doesn't fit but even great wingers aren't going to get Malkin back to his normal self, they'll just mask his lack of conditioning better. Which is all we can do this season.

 

[LOGiK]

Oh, great. Beauvillier is back.

He was out?

That guy really grew on me last year... I'd commit shameful acts for him to become a penguin.

Seeing this post reminded me all about him... so much time between the hockeying I forgot about some players...

What was his injury?



-----

Checking the sports book not one poster has a bet on the penguins winning in regulation... hah...

 

[HandshakeLine]

Well, you know once you lose your conditioning, you never get it back. I found that out the hard way when I skipped leg day once. That's why I weigh 900 lbs and eat statins like grapes from the vine.

 

[Sorry]

No yellow jerseys please.

 

[Pittsburgh1776]

Well, you know once you lose your conditioning, you never get it back. I found that out the hard way when I skipped leg day once. That's why I weigh 900 lbs and eat statins like grapes from the vine.

In season? Not really heard of in the modern NHL. At 34 you know as well as anybody that you need to work even harder to keep up let alone get better. Next season is probably when we'll know if Geno still has his legs or if this is the new normal.

 

[Pittsburgh1776]

Watched a random game from December 2015 for a few minutes today. Damn that team was fast and intense. And they moved the puck fast. Like a hurricane. We look like we're skating in mud by comparison.

 

[Extra Texture]

When the hell do we play Buffalo?? haha

Exactly what I was thinking last night. I know they've been on the shelf with COVID, but man, teams have had a field day against them notching up the wins

 

[HandshakeLine]

In season? Not really heard of in the modern NHL. At 34 you know as well as anybody that you need to work even harder to keep up let alone get better. Next season is probably when we'll know if Geno still has his legs or if this is the new normal.

I think everyone's conditioning this year has been kind of janky, tbh, but that will probably ease away as we play more and more games without interruption. This season is pretty much a lost year so I'd probably not want to extrapolate too much from it.

 

[Gurglesons]

Exactly what I was thinking last night. I know they've been on the shelf with COVID, but man, teams have had a field day against them notching up the wins

I think mid March.

 

[Darren McCord]

I think mid March.

just in time for them to find their way and crush us

 

[Gurglesons]

just in time for them to find their way and crush us

Or for them to have traded Eichel and still crush us lol

 

[Andy99]

 

[Andy99]

we are so losing this game lol....

 

[Andy99]

 

[ZorkEnchanter]

I think "big pain point" is being generous. They are an abject failure. (Just go back and look how many freebie goals we've given up from that Weak Side.

 

[Tom Hanks]

I think "big pain point" is being generous. They are an abject failure. (Just go back and look how many freebie goals we've give up from that Weak Side.

I’m not sure we’ve been this bad defensively since THAT Flyers series. Even then it was a real short sample size and seemed like their emotions were their undoing because of who we were playing.

 

[Dipsy Doodle]

It is a Malkin problem. The guy admitted he didn't show up to camp in the best shape. Zucker doesn't fit but even great wingers aren't going to get Malkin back to his normal self, they'll just mask his lack of conditioning better. Which is all we can do this season.

Interesting theory.

I don't agree with it, but I think it should be tested.

 

[The Old Master]

Interesting theory.

I don't agree with it, but I think it should be tested.

that again would be a coaching problem......cut his ice time till he gets in shape.

 

[Pittsburgh1776]

Interesting theory.

I don't agree with it, but I think it should be tested.

Why is it a theory? Malkin said he didn't work out like he normally does.