Post-Game Talk: Caps 3, Pens 1 - NOW Geno is Playoff Ready

[Turin]

I like literally no options on this team for Sid’s RW besides Sid and the Kids sometimes, Except playoff Kessel would probably work but it will never happen. So.. Rust looks mediocre with Sid, Horny can’t make many plays at ES. It’s all the same and it really will all depend in a series on how Crosby and Guentzel do.

 

[PensandCaps]

Hornqvist is in their heads aswell.

 

[KIRK]

Geno doesn't have to do anything but laugh and show him his 3 rings.

Rule #1 of Hockey Club: Don't poke the bear.

 

[JimmyTwoTimes]

Only thing to worry about is Murray. Some things wont be fixed like last year(goalies made up for it) but our stars will be our stars ( hopefully phil)

 

[Treent1]

 

[xxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

You can keep your pound of flesh. I want Geno to bury Kuz on the scoreboard. This team isn't functioning well enough to have one of our big guns lose his mind and end up off the ice in the box/room/suspended. It'd likely lead to the team coming unraveled as well. Domino effect, Pens v Flyers circa 2012, etc.

Just win.

 

[zero8771]

+ Sid
+ PK

- Phil
- flubbing the puck 800 times
- d men not skating the puck up when they have time and space and instead throwing the puck wildly up ice

Was at the game and it felt like the pens cranked it up a notch in their skating early. Seemed like they were a little rusty playing at that speed. A lot of bad decisions and inability to control passes. Place was asleep after 3rd goal so wouldn't judge them on the 3rd. Overall I was actually pleased with a lot that I saw. Minus phil, hope hes humming when it counts

 

[USMC607]

I'm not sure if I missed it but why haven't they thrown ZAR back on Sids line?

Leaving him on line 4 with Kuhn and Jooris must feel like purgatory.

 

[KIRK]

I like literally no options on this team for Sid’s RW besides Sid and the Kids sometimes, Except playoff Kessel would probably work but it will never happen. So.. Rust looks mediocre with Sid, Horny can’t make many plays at ES. It’s all the same and it really will all depend in a series on how Crosby and Guentzel do.

Against the Caps?

I'd go HGH and, assuming Phil has his **** together, Phil with Sid and Jake. Then, I'd play Rust with Brass and Sheahan.

OR

I'd go Sheary-Sid-Horny, HGR, and Jake-Brass-Phil

Any other collection of combinations is silly.

 

[WayneSid9987]

Jake-Sid-____
Hags-Geno-____
____-Brassard-Kessel
Sheary-Sheahan-____

With Horny, Rust, ZAR, and Jooris/Simon filling those spots. That's the framework. Let those guys rotate in and out of those lines. And double shift Sid, Geno, Kessel and Brassard in for Jooris/Simon, ZAR, and Sheary as often as possible.

I'd just add:

Jake/Sheary-Sid-NotRust
Hags-G-Horny/Rust

to that but the guys filling the spots are correct with the caveat that it'd be nice to try Sprong again somewhere but it's impossible without a call up + we know they won't.

 

[Tom Hanks]

Time for a Pens staffer to send a video to the NHL of all the crap Hornqvist gets after a whistle and ask for a clarification of the rules.

 

[LOGiK]

Rule #1 of Hockey Club: Don't poke the bear.

 

[KIRK]

I'd just add:

Jake-Sid-NotRust
Hags-G-Horny/Rust

to that but the guys filling the spots are correct with the caveat that it'd be nice to try Sprong again somewhere but it's impossible without a call up + we know they won't.

You know, I've got to say this: I know the numbers are okay, but Jake has been pretty underwhelming with Sid.

 

[StaalForOne]

And second of back2backs against a rested opponent with something to prove against the Pens. The Pens have zero to prove against these underachieving clowns. I said before the game began, let Washington have the win, I didn't care either way.

Just looked up the remaining schedule. Only 2 games left, obviously back to back. Last game is against the Sens so hopefully they can lock up home ice and mail that one in.

Good news is Their season ends April 6th, and the last regular season game is the 8th and then all the back 2 back shit is done and over with, and the playoffs don't start the until the 12th. Almost a full week off.

 

[Hank Plank]

I know this has been beaten to death but the play of Murray is very concerning to me. He looks slow to react, and just slow in general is he out of shape? Not hitting the panic button yet but come playoff time if he is not at least competent things will get ugly in a hurray. I mean hurry, heh.

 

[WayneSid9987]

You know, I've got to say this: I know the numbers are okay, but Jake has been pretty underwhelming with Sid.

I agree with that so
I edited it to Jake/Sheary-Sid-NotRust

 

[Jaded-Fan]

Just looked up the remaining schedule. Only 2 games left, obviously back to back. Last game is against the Sens so hopefully they can lock up home ice and mail that one in.

Good news is Their season ends April 6th, and the last regular season game is the 8th and then all the back 2 back **** is done and over with, and the playoffs don't start the until the 12th. Almost a full week off.

I get this feeling that the NHL will make the Pens, and only the Pens, play all B2B games in the playoffs.

 

[KIRK]

Just looked up the remaining schedule. Only 2 games left, obviously back to back. Last game is against the Sens so hopefully they can lock up home ice and mail that one in.

Good news is Their season ends April 6th, and the last regular season game is the 8th and then all the back 2 back **** is done and over with, and the playoffs don't start the until the 12th. Almost a full week off.

The Flyers are 2 points back. They also finish at the Isles, then home to the Canes and Rangers. I'm not sure the Pens won't need to win out to clinch home ice.

That said, beating the Blue Jackets is the key. Beat the Blue Jackets, and the Pens pretty much are locked into a 2/3 with the Flyers.

I don't know that I necessarily WISH to play anyone, but I think the Flyers, relatively speaking, are the best matchup for the Pens.

 

[Tom Hanks]

I know this has been beaten to death but the play of Murray is very concerning to me. He looks slow to react, and just slow in general is he out of shape? Not hitting the panic button yet but come playoff time if he is not at least competent things will get ugly in a hurray.

Yeah that should be the only major worry but having said that he’s not lost a playoff series yet so he gets a lot of benefit of the doubt.

 

[KIRK]

I know this has been beaten to death but the play of Murray is very concerning to me. He looks slow to react, and just slow in general is he out of shape? Not hitting the panic button yet but come playoff time if he is not at least competent things will get ugly in a hurray. I mean hurry, heh.

His rebound control also is a concern. The guy who smothered most things and kicked rebounds to the least dangerous areas almost every other time the last two playoffs is pretty much doing neither right now.

 

[Ogrezilla]

I like literally no options on this team for Sid’s RW besides Sid and the Kids sometimes, Except playoff Kessel would probably work but it will never happen. So.. Rust looks mediocre with Sid, Horny can’t make many plays at ES. It’s all the same and it really will all depend in a series on how Crosby and Guentzel do.

my ideal would be throwing either ZAR or Simon there. Sid and Jake can make stuff happen anyway. Tell them to play smart and safe. Horny and Rust have both looked better elsewhere imo this year, so let them do work against lesser defenses on different lines. Dare teams to put their d focus somewhere else.

 

[Dick Sledge]

Braden come back

Any kind of fool could see

There was something in every goal you let in

 

[KIRK]

Yeah that should be the only major worry but having said that he’s not lost a playoff series yet so he gets a lot of benefit of the doubt.

Phil is a major worry

The defense, really ALL the pairings, is a major worry (Dumo-Letang is a skittish first pair, Maatta-Schultz leaves a lot to be desired for a 9.5M per pairing, and Hunwick-Oleksiask is a complete train wreck).

 

[Ryder71]

+PK was 3 for 3

 

[Hank Plank]

Yeah that should be the only major worry but having said that he’s not lost a playoff series yet so he gets a lot of benefit of the doubt.

Fair. I hope he flips that breaker soon, the playoffs start in what 10 days.

 

[Andy99]

I get this feeling that the NHL will make the Pens, and only the Pens, play all B2B games in the playoffs.

Then we’d win because we wouldn’t be playing an opposing team on the second night, automatic win.....