Series Talk: First Round: Pens (1) vs. Isles (4) - Series Tied 1-1

[SouthGeorge]

Islanders are built for playoff hockey and we aren't. If Varlamov doesn't let in weak goals this is going to be a long series. Islanders have the 2nd lowest goals against all season. Islanders have 6th best pk and we're 27th. If Sully doesn't change anything and trots in with regular season style of play we're going to lose. Simple as that.

 

[Jaded-Fan]

Islanders are built for playoff hockey and we aren't. If Varlamov doesn't let in weak goals this is going to be a long series. Islanders have the 2nd lowest goals against all season. Islanders have 6th best pk and we're 27th. If Sully doesn't change anything and trots in with regular season style of play we're going to lose. Simple as that.

How are the Pens not built for playoff hockey?

Most compare this team to the 2016 team. And that team was compared to previous cup juggernaut teams such as Chicago built on enormous depth and skill.

If that is even remotely true the team would be hard to stop in the playoffs.

 

[Pittsburgh1776]

Well shit. What happened to "We don't anticipate any issues going forward."

 

[SouthGeorge]

How are the Pens not built for playoff hockey?

Most compare this team to the 2016 team. And that team was compared to previous cup juggernaut teams such as Chicago built on enormous depth and skill.

If that is even remotely true the team would be hard to stop in the playoffs.

Well that's a start

Islanders have 6th best pk and we're 27th.

 

[Big Friggin Dummy]

Keep Sid's line away from the Isles' top blueline pair, win the special teams battle, and hope TB's line can handle Barzal. That's how we advance.

 

[Tom Hanks]

Islanders are built for playoff hockey and we aren't. If Varlamov doesn't let in weak goals this is going to be a long series. Islanders have the 2nd lowest goals against all season. Islanders have 6th best pk and we're 27th. If Sully doesn't change anything and trots in with regular season style of play we're going to lose. Simple as that.

 

[Tom Hanks]

 

[AuroraBorealis]

16-5-2 without Malkin this year.

We'll be fine as long as we don't play stupid. Don't feed their counter-attack and I like our chances.

This week-long wait is frying my nerves. Just want it to start already, for better or worse.

 

[Tom Hanks]

16-5-2 without Malkin this year.

We'll be fine as long as we don't play stupid. Don't feed their counter-attack and I like our chances.

This week-long wait is frying my nerves. Just want it to start already, for better or worse.

 

[Big Friggin Dummy]

As much as fans may hate early games, I'd bet the players love 'em. Like Carter says, over and done with early instead of stewing all day.

 

[vodeni]

So It looks like Geno won’t be in probably until game 3 or 4. Whatever, rest him as much as it takes, he will get hurt in the first game back anyways. They will have to this one without him. f***ing Tinrodi

 

[Peat]

As much as fans may hate early games, I'd bet the players love 'em. Like Carter says, over and done with early instead of stewing all day.

Problem is it feels like most of our team doesn't. They've got their routines and hate having them disturbed.

Honestly, I'd love early games if this team did.

 

[SouthGeorge]

It's just hard when you know the outcome. You dare say anything during the regular season in hopes they might change something and you're criticized.

 

[Pittsburgh1776]

So It looks like Geno won’t be in probably until game 3 or 4. Whatever, rest him as much as it takes, he will get hurt in the first game back anyways. They will have to this one without him. f***ing Tinrodi

Didn't he miss the first game in 2016? Let's hope the rest of the playoffs follows the same script.

 

[Big Friggin Dummy]

Problem is it feels like most of our team doesn't. They've got their routines and hate having them disturbed.

Honestly, I'd love early games if this team did.

I think that's probably just Sid who is super into his routines/superstitions.

I wonder what our record is in early games. I feel like we probably make way too big a stink about the team's performance and it's not as bad as we may think.

 

[Peat]

I think that's probably just Sid who is super into his routines/superstitions.

I wonder what our record is in early games. I feel like we probably make way too big a stink about the team's performance and it's not as bad as we may think.

From a Yohe article April 19th:

"During night games this season, the Penguins are 24-9-2. During afternoon games, they’re 4-5-1. This trend has been taking place for years. In road games that begin in the afternoon hours, the Penguins are 2-4-0.
Three of their most embarrassing performances of the season took place in the afternoon. They were at their stagnant worst on Long Island in a 2-0 loss Feb. 28, imploded defensively in an 8-5 setback in Boston on April 1 and lost to the NHL’s worst team Sunday. All road games, all with afternoon starts. And though two of them occurred in back-to-back settings, the opposition played the day before in both cases."

 

[Big Friggin Dummy]

From a Yohe article April 19th:

"During night games this season, the Penguins are 24-9-2. During afternoon games, they’re 4-5-1. This trend has been taking place for years. In road games that begin in the afternoon hours, the Penguins are 2-4-0.
Three of their most embarrassing performances of the season took place in the afternoon. They were at their stagnant worst on Long Island in a 2-0 loss Feb. 28, imploded defensively in an 8-5 setback in Boston on April 1 and lost to the NHL’s worst team Sunday. All road games, all with afternoon starts. And though two of them occurred in back-to-back settings, the opposition played the day before in both cases."

Huh. I think it's probably more the fact that they were away games, but interesting nonetheless.

 

[BrookswasHere44]

This first game is huge imo...if the Isles take a lead and get in their comfort zone and win that game, the series is probably over for the Pens unless Jarry stands on his head...first game will show a lot

This is the type of analysis that keeps me coming back

 

[Randy Butternubs]

I think this series probably goes 6 or 7. Toss up who wins, imo.

Same with this analysis @BrookswasHere44

 

[Gurglesons]

From a Yohe article April 19th:

"During night games this season, the Penguins are 24-9-2. During afternoon games, they’re 4-5-1. This trend has been taking place for years. In road games that begin in the afternoon hours, the Penguins are 2-4-0.
Three of their most embarrassing performances of the season took place in the afternoon. They were at their stagnant worst on Long Island in a 2-0 loss Feb. 28, imploded defensively in an 8-5 setback in Boston on April 1 and lost to the NHL’s worst team Sunday. All road games, all with afternoon starts. And though two of them occurred in back-to-back settings, the opposition played the day before in both cases."

Isles haven’t lost a game this season played before 7.

 

[ncm7772]

Eh. I’m actually not losing my mind over Malkin being out. It’s obvious he’s not close to 100%, and I think the team will play more a more structured game defensively without him.

Of course, I wish he was healthy. But if he’s not close to 100%, it’s the correct decision.

Great news about CDS, too!

 

[Big Friggin Dummy]

Same with this analysis @BrookswasHere44

Didn't know I was on The Athletic payroll. I'll put together a more comprehensive and researched analysis as soon as I get my paycheck.

 

[BeatenLikeRentedMule]

Without the gimped Russian, MS might get more flexible with the lines.

If we win the Cup without the Russian, that makes him expendable; do we consider trading if the offer is good this Summer?

 

[Big Friggin Dummy]

Without the gimped Russian, MS might get more flexible with the lines.

If we win the Cup without the Russian, that makes him expendable; do we consider trading if the offer is good this Summer?

This reeks of "sunglasses profile pic, username with Q-something" boomer facebook post.

The Russian

 

[BeatenLikeRentedMule]

This reeks of "sunglasses profile pic, username with Q-something" boomer facebook post.

The Russian

I don't like using one's name when it's a person I'm not particularly fond of.

And winning without the guy would make it the perfect time to dump his $9.5 million cap hit to go for younger, less brittle talent.