+Beau. He really is wow-ing me; he is now carrying the puck with authority and confidence; meanwhile, he continues to be tough/physical in puck battles, and his vision/passing/skill are shocking. From a creativity and play-making standpoint, I can't think of any of our forwards outside of Sid/Geno who I would say are showing more in that department. His play today moved -- in my opinion -- from the "pretty darn good, for a rookie" level, to simply "pretty doggone good, period." His confidence has really come on -- each game. You can see it. Jitters were there the first couple...fumbling pucks off of his stick, etc. Now -- he is asserting himself. He is beginning to remind me of how Jagr started to show his skill early on in his first season. Beau makes VERY few mistakes; does all the little things well. I am fully impressed, and he should not sit, nor move off the second line.
+MAF. Super game; didn't look shaky even ONCE, IMO. Steady, confident, and well-positioned.
+Martin. Excellent, tenacious, smart game.
+Duper. What a goal.
+Despres. He should never sit another game this year.
+PK. It's a different unit out there, the past few games. Problem = solved.
+Overall D play. Improved recently, to a great degree, IMO.
+Sid and his line, AGAIN.
-Glass. He had a bit more hustle today, I thought, but he has ZERO, from a "skilled" perspective, and just needs to be scratched.
-Sid having to respond HIMSELF to getting punched in the head, but...
+for the team remaining disciplined despite the cheap shot.
As has been said, there's a fine line, and I don't like cheap shots -- even to avenge a cheap shot. BUT -- I DO think we need to have a line or two, which contains a player or two who can ramp up the physicality BETWEEN the whistles when one of our guys (especially Sid/Geno) takes a cheap shot. A couple of shifts of really tough, aggressive checks as "payback," would perhaps send the message, without having to engage in a way that results in instigator/retaliatory penalties that put us short-handed. I guess I'd like to see the Pens disciplined, smart, and no dumb penalties, but with a swagger that says -- "don't jack with our superstars, got it?"
