ColePens
RIP Fugu Buffaloed & parabola
Plus
+ Bort/Maatta: Really shocked by how these two have chemistry together. Bort is playing with a new confidence. It looks like he took his offseason seriously and is making a statement. He looks so confident. Maatta is the future. I can see where some of his youth won't be able to take 82 games in the league but he plays so solid. He always skates low and is ready to pass or shoot. Rarely do you see players of his age playing so low. I want to see how these 2 play against a team like Chicago or Boston to REALLY see where they are.
+ Beau: The guy is amazing. His hands and head are all there. He is always ahead of the play or at least knows where it is going to be. I love watching him play.
+ Chucky: I like that with his limited minutes he goes to the areas to score goals. He's crafty. I like how he plays. The chemistry he brings with that 3rd line is great. Their passing in 2 consecutive games brings us a transition goal. I still don't know if he is battle tested. I'd love to see him skate with a guy who is physical and fast. It might be a match made in heaven.
+ Defense in general: I know we played against 2 bad teams, but it still looks good. They cover up the play well and support one another. That is where we've fallen apart in the past. I really like what I'm seeing. Scuds REALLY makes this defense nice. He does so many small things in the d-zone to help his partner. Even when he makes a mistake he covers it very well. I love seeing him back there. Paul Martin is another guy playing really damn good.
Only 2 games and against bad teams, but the d-zone looks pretty damn solid.
One major thing I'm seeing is the defense collapses to the net and covers that area nicely. Nobody is really cutting in on them like they did in years past. Once again... it's early so let's see.
+ Adjustments (coaching?): It's early to tell but there was a lot more support in the breakout and a little more focus on controlling the puck. The problem is... Buffalo is bad and their d-zone was TERRIFYINGLY bad. They had no push against our offense and that is what our offense struggles to handle against teams like Boston. It's still way too early. Let's see where it goes.
+ Fleury: Once again - EARLY. He's always been a great regular season goalie. Now his career here in the Burgh will be in the postseason. Regular season success is nothing new. I will say he is squaring up to the shooter instead of flopping a lot more.
+ Geno/Crosby: Love both of their effort tonight. Some stupid Geno-like plays but really strong hustle. Crosby looked great with puck possession. Sid 41 faceoffs?!?!? Wow.
Minus
- Kunitz/Dupers: Being a bit harsh here but they are playing hot potato with the puck. Calm down and make plays.
- Adams/Glass: First game they played decent for a 4th line but man they fumble the puck and suck. There is no easy way to put it. They are frustrating to watch.
- Sutter: I cannot even spot him on the ice. He floats around and gets out-muscled in corners. Pick it up. I know he covers the d-zone nice, but we need a little more now.
+ Bort/Maatta: Really shocked by how these two have chemistry together. Bort is playing with a new confidence. It looks like he took his offseason seriously and is making a statement. He looks so confident. Maatta is the future. I can see where some of his youth won't be able to take 82 games in the league but he plays so solid. He always skates low and is ready to pass or shoot. Rarely do you see players of his age playing so low. I want to see how these 2 play against a team like Chicago or Boston to REALLY see where they are.
+ Beau: The guy is amazing. His hands and head are all there. He is always ahead of the play or at least knows where it is going to be. I love watching him play.
+ Chucky: I like that with his limited minutes he goes to the areas to score goals. He's crafty. I like how he plays. The chemistry he brings with that 3rd line is great. Their passing in 2 consecutive games brings us a transition goal. I still don't know if he is battle tested. I'd love to see him skate with a guy who is physical and fast. It might be a match made in heaven.
+ Defense in general: I know we played against 2 bad teams, but it still looks good. They cover up the play well and support one another. That is where we've fallen apart in the past. I really like what I'm seeing. Scuds REALLY makes this defense nice. He does so many small things in the d-zone to help his partner. Even when he makes a mistake he covers it very well. I love seeing him back there. Paul Martin is another guy playing really damn good.
Only 2 games and against bad teams, but the d-zone looks pretty damn solid.
One major thing I'm seeing is the defense collapses to the net and covers that area nicely. Nobody is really cutting in on them like they did in years past. Once again... it's early so let's see.
+ Adjustments (coaching?): It's early to tell but there was a lot more support in the breakout and a little more focus on controlling the puck. The problem is... Buffalo is bad and their d-zone was TERRIFYINGLY bad. They had no push against our offense and that is what our offense struggles to handle against teams like Boston. It's still way too early. Let's see where it goes.
+ Fleury: Once again - EARLY. He's always been a great regular season goalie. Now his career here in the Burgh will be in the postseason. Regular season success is nothing new. I will say he is squaring up to the shooter instead of flopping a lot more.
+ Geno/Crosby: Love both of their effort tonight. Some stupid Geno-like plays but really strong hustle. Crosby looked great with puck possession. Sid 41 faceoffs?!?!? Wow.
Minus
- Kunitz/Dupers: Being a bit harsh here but they are playing hot potato with the puck. Calm down and make plays.
- Adams/Glass: First game they played decent for a 4th line but man they fumble the puck and suck. There is no easy way to put it. They are frustrating to watch.
- Sutter: I cannot even spot him on the ice. He floats around and gets out-muscled in corners. Pick it up. I know he covers the d-zone nice, but we need a little more now.