Post-Game Talk: Cole's Plus Minus: Pens vs. Preds - Face to face with the demons and the demons win again

[bigkam]

We need to start finishing. The chances are there, but we’re just not making them count. You can’t keep trying to win games 1-0.

 

[Honour Over Glory]

+++++++++++++++ MURRAY: I am so tired of people dogging on him. He's terrific. That's all.

Murray has been fantastic since he came back from that mystery injury that kept him out a while. He's had few stinkers, sure, but overall...he's done exceptional.

 

[domaug]

Murray absolutely kept them in it. i won't blame that fluke goal on him even though the Pens continue their trend of giving up late tying goals and going into OT.

they NEED to start closing out games, but that's especially hard to do when you only score 1 goal in regulation.

oh well, they won.

 

[PensandCaps]

This trend isn't going to work in the POs. MM finally had a good SO but it 100% should not have gone there.

yah they shoulda lost in reg, but murray came up huge all game.

 

[ncm7772]

I'm sick of this BS. Team is mentally weak. But they got a fake a$$ win, so I can live with it.

Canes and Isles lost, too.

Murray great, but again allowed that late goal. Infuriating.

 

[BHD]

Am I the only who thinks Bjugstad and Kessel look decent together?

 

[Shady Machine]

Big 2nd point. Concerned about giving up goals late but that was huge.

 

[Coastal Kev]

Pens used to be about high flying scoring.... used to be.

 

[2wayPlay]

I think she has about 10 handles on HF Pens

 

[Honour Over Glory]

Murray's great for 8 innings but we need a closer

 

[ColePens]

Who cares if we blew the lead? We won.

The team is playing near perfect. It's literally the only thing holding them back. It's worth a discussion.

Just trying to be fair here.


Oh....and #30 is f***ing awesome.

 

[Andy99]

+ 2 points and competition lost tonight and all is right with the world!

+ there are no 3 on 3 OT in the POs

— we can’t defend a lead

— we can’t score goals

— I have no confidence in this team and neither do they apparently

 

[Jaded-Fan]

So the Pens picked up two points on almost everyone, and Columbus is tied with the Oilers.

 

[Pengwins]

not a ROW but whatever. good night so far, hope CBJ loses

+++ Murray, Rust, Crosby, Letang, Hornqvist, Bjugstad, McCann, Petterson, Dumo, JJ
+ Guds
--------- Kessel

 

[mpp9]

I would be embarrassed I'm collecting 8 million dollars if I'm Kessel. Star players don't go near half of the freakin season without an ES goal.

 

[LittleSpoon]

That feels pretty nice eh boys? Awesome game. Sleep at peace for a night my friends.

 

[Ogrezilla]

This trend isn't going to work in the POs. MM finally had a good SO but it 100% should not have gone there.

He saved 2 of the first 3 in the last shootout too. And yeah, we should have scored more than 1 goal that regulation, agreed.

edit: seriously, that's a rough goal. Last game's too. But man, these collapses are a team effort.

 

[JimmyTwoTimes]

Hopefully this gives Murray the confidence back late in games. Not to mention our team starting to score during the last 7 games. These last 3 games should have been easy wins. Murray playing well throughout but a late goal. Team expecting him to get a SO.

And people are mad hes letting them up late. Nobody is saying he sucks overall. Stop being so damn sensitive.

 

[2wayPlay]

Canes lose we get two.

They say be careful what you wish for but please please give us NYI

They suck!

 

[Peat]

I mean it is an ongoing trend. Yet another 1 goal lead that we cannot hold on to. It's the demon they keep facing. It's the demon they keep losing to. It's the only topic that should be discussed over and over and over again by the Penguins. I thought they, once again, played tremendous hockey. They really owned the play. But if you cannot finish the game, you won't end up with the ultimate prize. One game given up in a playoff series is all you need to lose a series.

Sid's line and Bjug line were terrific. Dumo/Letang/JJ were incredible. I thought the team played great hockey. Muz was a beast. Rust was a beast. I have nothing but positives and yet here we are again. Same situation and same result. There is a very fine line between good and great. The Pens are good. They aren't great because they cannot lock it down when it matters the most.

The obvious issues are final minutes and the powerplay. The powerplay cannot get us that next one. We just needed to finish the game strong. That is all. Trust me - we will lose a playoff series if we cannot figure it out.

This one must respectfully disagree. If you constantly find yourself in the dying minutes without separation because your team can't score, that in itself it a topic that must be looked at again and again.

 

[PensandCaps]

No no not forsberg or granlund but brian boyle

 

[Beauner]

I'll go against the grain and look at the silver linings over the past few games.

They're playing a great 55 minutes, and giving up 0 or 1 goals. If and when Malkin is back and line 3 starts burying chances, we'll be in business.

Horny was awesome. Great game from him

 

[heysmilinstrange]

Great team win and Murray was able to shut the door in the end. I rescind my previous negative comments about the team in the game thread. It's easy to forget sometimes that this is just a game and is purely for enjoyment.

 

[LOGiK]

Huge 2 points. Huge.

 

[Nakawick]

4 out of 6 points. Not concerned with losing the lead late at all really. Concerned with the lack of offense, but Geno is out and ZAR is a sneaky scorer too.

Bjugstad and JMFJ were great.
Kessel and Horny had chances.