GDT: Game 4: Washinton Vs Pittsburgh 7pm EST

[Gurglesons]

I would have been calling for JR's head if he even signed Schultz for one season at $2M. Definitely not the guy you go looking for to help prolong a cup window. However he is currently a +3 which is his 4th best +/- in his 10 year career.

Wait are we not calling for Rutherford's head anymore?

 

[Ugene Magic]

But Kappy is back!!!!!! Who cares who the goalie is

 

[ColePens]

Who leads the team in giveaways? Sidney Crosby. Followed by Letang and Geno doing their best.

Now can the stars show up? Or we still waiting?

 

[ColePens]

IS THAT A PART DOWN THE MIDDLE? WHAT IN THE BLUE HELL?!

 

[CrosbyMalkin]

I would have been calling for JR's head if he even signed Schultz for one season at $2M. Definitely not the guy you go looking for to help prolong a cup window. However he is currently a +3 which is his 4th best +/- in his 10 year career.

Let's see how he looks after 20 games. I don't judge anybody good or bad after short sample sizes. I seen enough of Schultz to know our forwards could take advantage of him. I do trust the small sample size of our 3rd line. They have played a solid game in all phases of the game. They seem like they will generate chances every game and you don't need your 3rd line to score every night. That is what your top 2 lines are supposed to do. Can someone tell them that please!

Although I blame Sullivan for this. We all saw Guentzel-Malkin-Rust be the top line in the game and we also saw Zucker work well with Crosby. Why with this slow start go to that? I really think this team could do the 2009 and 2016 thing again if we have a mid season coaching change. Hopefully Sullivan does figure it out but I don't think he makes it past the halfway point if he doesn't.

 

[dogthateats]

 

[ColePens]

GDT will open around 3-4pm EST. Let's use the off day thread until then

 

[Ugene Magic]

I would guess Kap will PK with McCann. Jank and Tanev and then sceviour and TB.

 

[Tom Hanks]

I would guess Kap will PK with McCann. Jank and Tanev and the sceviour and TB.

Im not sure Kap will PK first up. He was probably spending most of his time with Sid/Jake last session

 

[SEALBound]

I think the Oshie and Sprong swap is a countermove to how effective our 3rd line was. I think Lavy is adjusting based on Sullivan's inability or unwillingness to adjust (which makes sense with Kapanen in). I don't see it being based on merit because Sprong was meh and Oshie was Oshie.

 

[Ugene Magic]

Im not sure Kap will PK first up. He was probably spending most of his time with Sid/Jake last session

It was more about pairings, I agree.

 

[Jesse]

I think the Oshie and Sprong was is a countermove to how effective our 3rd line was. I think Lavy is adjusting based on Sullivan's inability or unwillingness to adjust (which makes sense with Kapanen in). I don't see it being based on merit because Sprong was meh and Oshie was Oshie.

Watching Sprong try and take Juuso Riikola wide was funny. Riikola just lifted his stick and took off the other direction. You can't be going wide on a guy that cut his teeth on much wider ice surface. Don't think this move makes any sense for the Caps, but agree with your premise about why it's being done.

 

[ncm7772]

Guentzel-Crosby-Kapanen
Zucker-Malkin-Rust
McCann-Jankowski-Tanev
Rodrigues-Blueger-Sceviour

Dumoulin-Letang
Pettersson-Marino
Riikola-Ruhwedel

DeSmith
Jarry

See? Not saying this is a Cup-level talented roster , but it’s not nearly as bad as what we’re seeing. Hoping it comes together. LGP.

 

[The Great Mighty Poo]

Tanev's hair is his power source, Connor Sheary falls down like a drunken horse.

 

[CheckingLineCenter]

Ultimately it falls on the stars, but hoping Kap can unlock some spark in this top 6.

Dumoulin has to be better as well.

 

[Tom Hanks]

Guentzel-Crosby-Kapanen
Zucker-Malkin-Rust
McCann-Jankowski-Tanev
Rodrigues-Blueger-Sceviour

Dumoulin-Letang
Pettersson-Marino
Riikola-Ruhwedel

DeSmith
Jarry

See? Not saying this is a Cup-level talented roster , but it’s not nearly as bad as what we’re seeing. Hoping it comes together. LGP.

It's certainly achievable with our current roster.

Consider January an up and down of results type situation league wide considering how pre season was. Some will benefit more than others but it'll start to level out soon. Unfortunately we've taken it hard but there a signs of life. The Philly games we weren't outplayed, just our ****-up's were much more egregious

 

[K Fleur]

Who leads the team in giveaways? Sidney Crosby. Followed by Letang and Geno doing their best.

Now can the stars show up? Or we still waiting?

All three of those players need to play better but giveaways is a garbage statistic.

One of those 3 players has lead the team in giveaways every single season since 2011-2012.

 

[Honour Over Glory]

Those 3 need to play better but giveaways is a garbage statistic.

One of those 3 player has lead the team in giveaways every single season since 2011-2012.

Really, it's Geno, but Letang is like off by 14 GVA's since that time.

 

[K Fleur]

They made it through one game without a Sheary goal. Doubt they make it through 2

 

[RSPens]

KK will definitely play PK at some point, but I don't think it would be wise to slot him in there for this first game. Now if he is struggling in the first period, maybe give him a little PK time to try to find a rhythm, but he should definitely not be relied upon as the #1PK guy tonight.

 

[Randy Butternubs]

I had quite the aggravating day today so I'm hoping for the Pens to blowout the Caps.

Please.

 

[RSPens]

Now if only someone could convince the caps that one of Sheary, Hagelin or Sprong can play centre...what a 4th line that would be (poor Hags). Ahh...who am I kidding, if the Caps were to play them as a line, they would score like 10 goals against the Pens.

 

[Daeni10]

I really wanna stay awake to watch that game but it's such a shit idea. Please let the grown up in me prevail so I get some sleep tonight.

 

[Tom Hanks]

 

[The Old Master]

KK will definitely play PK at some point, but I don't think it would be wise to slot him in there for this first game. Now if he is struggling in the first period, maybe give him a little PK time to try to find a rhythm, but he should definitely not be relied upon as the #1PK guy tonight.

with wanting the first line to come back on right after a pp kill. i don't think he will be used as much as he should imo