Post-Game Talk: Cole's Plus/Minus: Pens vs. Rangers SLOP FEST!!!

[KIRK]

I'm not convinced at all that this effort is turning anything around. This game was as much a result of the Rangers looking horrible as anything because the Pens still looked like crap most of the night. It was a horrible hockey game to watch.

That said, Simon Despres is a keeper. He better not be getting scratched at again.

This game turns nothing around. If you're being really generous, you could call what you saw tonight, in the words of Herb Brooks, 'not good but better. Or, if you're being more honest, then you could describe the Pens offensive play (from breakout to in zone to puck support and everything in between at both 5 on 5 and on the PP) as being, to play on the words of Herb Brooks, like a bunch of monkeys trying to screw a football.

 

[MonsterSurge]

+ Despres
+ Vokoun
- Malkin

 

[Zatch88]

kennedy has severe finishing issues, good lord.

 

[MrBurghundy]

+ for Jeffrey ... I'm was only partly joking when, in the thread asking for daring predictions, I said he'd out score Parise this season, but I was pretty effing chagrined when he started the season riding the pine. If he gets bumped for Boychuk, I will sneak into the following DB press scrum and throw a shoe at him.

I wouldn't mind trying Boychuk on Crosby's wing, but we all know that will never happen. Kunitz and Dupuis are glued to Crosby's hip.

Neal has looked pretty invisible on Malkin's wing for a few games now. I wouldn't mind changing things up and at least seeing how he plays with Crosby. I said earlier that we could try a lineup somewhat like...

Boychuk - Crosby - Neal
Kunitz - Malkin - Jeffrey

It's not like our 5v5 offense is lighting it up right now anyway. Why not try something different?

 

[Pancakes]

Am I the only one still worried that the all most all of our offense comes from three guys? I know Despres & Dupuis have scored recently but for the most part it's all been Neal, Malkin, Crosby.

No you are not the only one. We have no secondary scoring this season. That third line has to start scoring. The 4th is never going to pot much.

Sutter, Kennedy, and Cooke are relied on to be 10-20 goal (over 82) guys. None are scoring. It's a problem.

 

[Sideline]

+Vokoun had a sound start today.He makes the saves he's supposed to make and can actually handle the puck behind the net.

+Despres had another good rookie game. The mistakes were facepalm worthy, but some of the things he does with the puck show you why he's got top pair upside.

+Jeffrey is smart enough to play with Malkin.

+Vitale. Just a good solid effort every shift. He's better than Adams.

-Where in the thirteen ****s is the puck support? Any forward want to give his defense an outlet?

-Geno on the point. How does Byslma not see where this ends?

-Letang on the powerplay. Double clutching on his shots and making awkward passes. He's not a good powerplay guy.

 

[mpp9]

I honestly think that's all any linemate needs to play with Malkin. If we actually give him a real shot to gain confidence and chemistry with Malkin, he might be a great fit there. It's obviously too early to tell for sure, but I see a lot of things I like.

That's why I want Kulemin on this team. He's all Geno needs to dominate a game. He wants the puck on his stick as much as possible. He can't do it all himself, working give and go's and having his linemates win board battles in addition to helping him get out of his own end.

Jeffrey doesn't have the size or grit of a Kulemin, but he's got the hockey IQ for sure.

 

[KIRK]

I think we're a couple moves away from having the best team on paper since Sid/Geno came here.

Despres is alot farther along than I expected. He's making better players than our #1. Making mistakes but making up for them. Can't expect more from a rookie. If we move him, it better be for nothing less than Sid's ideal linemate.

Jeffrey looked very good with Malkin. Working the give and go's. High hockey IQ on that kid. May not stick here, but he's got an NHL future ahead of him.

Agree with Cole, we still look like ****. Rangers are just worse. And we have the confidence knowing we've owned them the past year. Don't like our stretch passes. Dont' like the lack of intensity.

And Malkin seemed to trust him.

BTW, good for Despres!!!

 

[dr robbie]

Forgot,

+ to the pipes for saving us 2 goals against

 

[Darth Vitale]

+ MSG announcing crew (Ogre has been refuted with skillful announcing). Not only were they not homers most of the game but they couldn't shut up about how great Neal's goal was and when they talked about teams complaining they called both teams out. Meantime like a normal human being of an announcer, the PbP guy called the game professionally without Steigerwald's non-stop, fill-every-second-of-air-time-with-gibberish policy. This game could've used one pickle-stabber comment but that's about it. I love not listening to Steigy and Errey and this weekend will provide me two more chances.

+ ELMER has arrived. Recognize. Hopefully Bylsma doesn't bench him for taking a penalty.

+ Did a better job of controlling the puck in the offensive zone at least this game.

+ Geno and Neal on the board again finally.

- Sid looks flatter than a stale pancake.

- Letang is out of sorts

- No Boychuk. We're lucky we pulled out the W without him.

+ We now have a player whose name ends in "chuk", making us a real hockey team.

 

[mrzeigler]

He's the anti-Fleury, in terms of composure. And PUCK-HANDLING. Perfect for this team.

I hope it'll spur MAF to reflection and self-improvement.

I hadn't thought about it until now, but I suppose that if we have to switch goalies in a playoff series, the difference in their style could make it tough for an opponent. Like facing a knuckleballer one day and a fireballer the next

 

[MrBurghundy]

That's why I want Kulemin on this team. He's all Geno needs to dominate a game. He wants the puck on his stick as much as possible. He can't do it all himself, working give and go's and having his linemates win board battles in addition to helping him get out of his own end.

Jeffrey doesn't have the size or grit of a Kulemin, but he's got the hockey IQ for sure.

I think Jeffrey's hockey IQ will allow him to be a good 3rd wheel LW'er on any line. Be that here or wherever else he ends up playing.

I want it to be with the Pens though because of his versatility. This is why I've always said he should be in the lineup LOOONG before Adams ever is.

 

[KIRK]

PP#1 is sorted.
Still need a guy to lug the puck up but Letang and Malkin are the guys to do it right now.
Once they set up in the O-zone they're very dangerous.

If DB's goal is defensive efforts like tonight and vs Ottawa, he's certainly on the right track for establishing a playoff ready hockey team. Just has to be more consistent with it though.

Love that we pulled Voukon in the off season. A key position this team needed was a #2 capable of pushing for the #1.

I'm not buying that. The Sens were way off in their offensive game (even Karlsson looked pedestrian). And, tonight, the Rangers were matching us passionless shift for passionless shift. Those two defensive efforts are what you'd seen from a one and done playoff caliber team, nothing more.

 

[MrBurghundy]

I hadn't thought about it until now, but I suppose that if we have to switch goalies in a playoff series, the difference in their style could make it tough for an opponent. Like facing a knuckleballer one day and a fireballer the next

If we have to change goalies in the playoffs, I finally have complete confidence in the other guy.

 

[IcedCapp]

+ MSG announcing crew (Ogre has been refuted with skillful announcing). Not only were they not homers most of the game but they couldn't shut up about how great Neal's goal was and when they talked about teams complaining they called both teams out. Meantime like a normal human being of an announcer, the PbP guy called the game professionally without Steigerwald's non-stop, fill-every-second-of-air-time-with-gibberish policy. This game could've used one pickle-stabber comment but that's about it. I love not listening to Steigy and Errey and this weekend will provide me two more chances.

Really?

I turned them off after the first because they were horrible? I remember thinking they were good the first time these two teams played, but talking about things that should or shouldn't have been a penalty in the 1st was pretty painful. Maybe they got better in the 2nd or 3rd...

 

[wtbipyo]

That's why I want Kulemin on this team. He's all Geno needs to dominate a game. He wants the puck on his stick as much as possible. He can't do it all himself, working give and go's and having his linemates win board battles in addition to helping him get out of his own end.

Jeffrey doesn't have the size or grit of a Kulemin, but he's got the hockey IQ for sure.

Jeffrey was one of our only forwards winning battles on the wall tonight. Don't even get me started on Chris "I'm sick...but I'll still give it a go tonight" Kunitz. Anyone else hope he calls it a weekend and Boychuk gets a couple games with Sid and Super Duper?

 

[MtlPenFan]

+++Vokoun
+Post to the left of Vokoun
+Despres
+Bylsma for staring Vokoun

----Everyone who is finding room to b#*ch and complain after a 3-0 win against a division foe on the road.

*****ing about the stretch pass for the sake if it is simply that. For the sake of it.

There really wasn't much of it tonight.

There's also love for the sake of love. Despres was good, but made a few glaring mistakes, one in particular that almost led to a goal behind the net. He's not fast enough or strong enough yet to fend guys off beside him while he's carrying the puck.

And there's going to be line "juggling" when half the game is played on special teams.

And don't complain about lack of offensive creativity while in the same breath, openly acknowledging that we have zero talent on the wing save for Neal.

 

[MrBurghundy]

Jeffrey was one of our only forwards winning battles on the wall tonight. Don't even get me started on Chris "I'm sick...but I'll still give it a go tonight" Kunitz. Anyone else hope he calls it a weekend and Boychuk gets a couple games with Sid and Super Duper?

See the lines that I mentioned earlier.

 

[Darth Vitale]

kennedy has severe finishing issues, good lord.

Where have you been / what have you been smoking the last 3 years? Welcome back to reality.

 

[Big Poppa Pump]

So who gets the next start? Vokoun or Fleury?

Should be Vokoun imo. He's playing better right now. Nothing against Fleury.

Considering we have back-to-back games Saturday and Sunday, expect both MAF and Vokoun splitting starts.......Vokoun should play Saturday.......Cause it doesn't matter if he plays lights out again or if he somehow ***** the bed, MAF gets the call on Sunday.

 

[mrzeigler]

I wouldn't mind trying Boychuk on Crosby's wing, but we all know that will never happen. Kunitz and Dupuis are glued to Crosby's hip.

Neal has looked pretty invisible on Malkin's wing for a few games now. I wouldn't mind changing things up and at least seeing how he plays with Crosby. I said earlier that we could try a lineup somewhat like...

Boychuk - Crosby - Neal
Kunitz - Malkin - Jeffrey

Like Norm Macdonald reviewing gay porn, my reaction to those lines is interested ....interested ... Very interested .... Then Tyler Kennedy gets a cameo.

 

[KIRK]

+ MSG announcing crew (Ogre has been refuted with skillful announcing). Not only were they not homers most of the game but they couldn't shut up about how great Neal's goal was and when they talked about teams complaining they called both teams out. Meantime like a normal human being of an announcer, the PbP guy called the game professionally without Steigerwald's non-stop, fill-every-second-of-air-time-with-gibberish policy. This game could've used one pickle-stabber comment but that's about it. I love not listening to Steigy and Errey and this weekend will provide me two more chances.

+ ELMER has arrived. Recognize. Hopefully Bylsma doesn't bench him for taking a penalty.

+ Did a better job of controlling the puck in the offensive zone at least this game.

+ Geno and Neal on the board again finally.

- Sid looks flatter than a stale pancake.

- Letang is out of sorts

- No Boychuk. We're lucky we pulled out the W without him.

+ We now have a player whose name ends in "chuk", making us a real hockey team.

Ouch. Harsh, but true.

BTW, ditto on Joe and Sam. One of the best tandems in hockey.

 

[MrBurghundy]

Like Norm Macdonald reviewing gay porn, my reaction to those lines is interested ....interested ... Very interested .... Then Tyler Kennedy gets a cameo.

Well it's certainly not ideal.

 

[Dipsy Doodle]

I hadn't thought about it until now, but I suppose that if we have to switch goalies in a playoff series, the difference in their style could make it tough for an opponent. Like facing a knuckleballer one day and a fireballer the next

Very true.

 

[Darth Vitale]

Really?

I turned them off after the first because they were horrible?

They got better as the game wore on. Someone must've warned them after the Staal debacle that this was an NHL broadcast. Sid will not be disrespected like that.