Post-Game Talk: Flyers? More like fallers. Pens - 6, them - 2

[Waffle Fries]

Did Sullivan ever end up giving an update on Fleury?

 

[Zen Arcade]

Did Sullivan ever end up giving an update on Fleury?

Not that I can recall.

But him being there at the end for the jersey giveaway might bode well, at least in terms of how he's feeling. If he was dealing with major symptoms, I'd think he'd be avoiding the bright lights and noise.

 

[madinsomniac]

The lines had more or less nothing to do with why they lost to Boston.

No but failing to get Crosby and Malkin from the matchups Claude wanted coupled with the predictable breakout and a completely useless 4th line that got overused in addition to the absurd lineup decisions did have a lot to do with us not scoring during that series... Well plus we actively tried not to go to the net and score gritty playoff goals for the umpteenth year in a row... It was all parameter play... Makes me feel so much better about this team

 

[MtlPenFan]

If you want to have a good laugh, read Bill Meltzer's twitter timeline during the game.

 

[WayneSid9987]

did sullivan ever end up giving an update on fleury?

But like Zen said, he was there for the shirt off thier backs presentation.

 

[Ugene Magic]

But like Zen said, he was there for the shirt off thier backs presentation.

That means nothing. He wasn't knocked out, he only felt symptoms.

 

[Zirakzigil]

That means nothing. He wasn't knocked out, he only felt symptoms.

Doubt its anything serious. Murray is playing well and the team is on a roll, bring him back for the last game or two for a tune up leading into the playoffs. Otherwise rest him so hes ready to go for round 1.

 

[KrisLetAngry]

16 freaking games under Sully with 5+ goals. Sixteen.

We had one such game under MJ. The change is just astounding.

Even if he doesn't carry on past next season (don't know what his contract situation is)

His contract is a 3 year deal.

 

[Ogrezilla]

Doubt its anything serious. Murray is playing well and the team is on a roll, bring him back for the last game or two for a tune up leading into the playoffs. Otherwise rest him so hes ready to go for round 1.

but if you're just looking to rest him, the injury you make up isn't a concussion.

 

[NMK11]

but if you're just looking to rest him, the injury you make up isn't a concussion.

Probably is a concussion, but maybe if its a milder one, and there are concussions you recover from shortly, they'll probably just stretch it out. That being said, would be nice to see him get in a game before the playoffs. He's been stellar for us this year but I'd prefer him not starting in the playoffs after a two week break.

 

[Ogrezilla]

Probably is a concussion, but maybe if its a milder one, and there are concussions you recover from shortly, they'll probably just stretch it out. That being said, would be nice to see him get in a game before the playoffs. He's been stellar for us this year but I'd prefer him not starting in the playoffs after a two week break.

Sure, but also maybe its not a milder one. We have no idea really.

 

[HandshakeLine]

symptoms from concussions vary but I can't imagine wanting to be in a loud arena with bright lights if and lots of noise if Fluery had a severe concussion. That just seems unbearable.

 

[Gold Diamond]

If you want to have a good laugh, read Bill Meltzer's twitter timeline during the game.

That dude is complete Philthy trash. If I had a twitter account, I'd so be trolling him right now.

 

[Jaded-Fan]

but if you're just looking to rest him, the injury you make up isn't a concussion.

Why not?

It isn't an injury that you can check if the team is lying about.

'I felt nauseous, really I did. It couldn't have been because of the fifteen Carl, Jr's. That I had last night. Likely is a concussion.'

 

[BHD]

If you want to have a good laugh, read Bill Meltzer's twitter timeline during the game.

Or after. "*******."

 

[wgknestrick]

Did Sullivan ever end up giving an update on Fleury?

Does it matter when our backup is better than him? We can win the cup with Murray playing every single game. Despite MAF playing much better this year, I don't know if I say the same about him. Murray is just significantly better with his rebound control and positioning. He is the real deal.

 

[Extra Texture]

His contract is a 3 year deal.

Ahh okay, thanks for filling me in

 

[Asuna]

One thing I noticed about the Philly game, is the Pens seemed to take a page out of the Rangers playbook. They had long east to west passes to stretch the Philly defense.

It was interesting to me.

 

[XanderCrews34]

One thing I noticed about the Philly game, is the Pens seemed to take a page out of the Rangers playbook. They had long east to west passes to stretch the Philly defense.

It was interesting to me.

That's been a Sully staple, really.

Speed down the wings absolutely killing teams. Will only get tougher when/if Malkin and Rust get re-inserted into the lineup.

No one is going to be able to keep up with this team's speed for an entire series. They can still owe obviously but it such a big advantage.

 

[Shady Machine]

I've seen people compare this team to Bylsma's, and the systems, styles, etc...

One thing i'll say is that the breakout is WAY better under Sullivan. I can't remember the last time we've had a breakout discussion on this board, and that's because it's SO good now.

Part of that is, in the past, you'd always say, "wow, a team could just forecheck us into submission," but now you have a Daley - Letang pair playing 25 minutes a night. Have fun forechecking what you can't catch.

The puck support and structure is SO Much better now. Night and day.

Completely agree. They are getting the puck up the ice quickly like DB hockey, but it's always with speed and support. They really are like a well oiled machine.

The ONLY time I've seen issues moving the puck out of the zone lately is when it's on Lovejoy's stick. Replace him with Pouliot and I doubt we'd have any issues.

 

[Shady Machine]

That is another of those old truisms at HF that everyone always assumes is true, but stats do not bear out evidence of.

If you go solely by PP opportunities, there actually are MORE most years in the playoffs than less. I got this chart from a HF thread a couple of years ago, but know that PP opportunities last year for instance were similarly more than the regular season:

Year|PPO/G Reg|PPO/G Post
05-06|5.85|5.80
06-07|4.85|5.14
07-08|4.29|4.40
08-09|4.16|3.94
09-10|3.71|4.19
10-11|3.54|3.95
11-12|3.30|3.74
12-13|3.32|3.35

Now I suppose that you can make the argument that despite the increase in PP's in the playoffs they still allow more obstruction, and I do not know how you could prove that one way or another.

But at least by measurable ways, PP opportunities, refs do not seem to be letting up on calls as is widely assumed at HF and elsewhere.

PP's don't decrease but the bar to get a penalty is definitely raised. I have no way of proving that with data, but the game definitely seems to turn into an obstruction fest.

 

[XanderCrews34]

Completely agree. They are getting the puck up the ice quickly like DB hockey, but it's always with speed and support. They really are like a well oiled machine.

The ONLY time I've seen issues moving the puck out of the zone lately is when it's on Lovejoy's stick. Replace him with Pouliot and I doubt we'd have any issues.

Back end speed is the biggest difference, IMO. It doesn't seem likely Bylsma would have adjusted from the stretch pass strategy but he may have had the D core consisted of as much speed as this one does.

How many times has Daley or Letang destroyed a trap by just gliding through it? Unreal to watch.

 

[wgknestrick]

Completely agree. They are getting the puck up the ice quickly like DB hockey, but it's always with speed and support. They really are like a well oiled machine.

The ONLY time I've seen issues moving the puck out of the zone lately is when it's on Lovejoy's stick. Replace him with Pouliot and I doubt we'd have any issues.

I agree. Lovejoy should be replaced by DP. Sadly, that will never happen though. It's hard to ***** though with the team playing so well, and it's also nice having someone who is actually an improvement waiting to replace an injured player.

DP is currently our best 5v5 scorer on D
our best SF% D
2nd best GF%

Regardless, the kid is much more talented and effective that both Cole and Lovejoy.

 

[Asuna]

Fun little fact. Matt Cullen is on pace to play all 82 games. The last time he did that was in 2000-2001

 

[Shady Machine]

That means nothing. He wasn't knocked out, he only felt symptoms.

Uh it definitely means he's not having major sensitivities to light and sound (common symptoms of a concussion). He wouldn't be there if he had a major concussion.