Really good pickup by them. They also acquired Marino for a song and he was very noticeable out there. You can see why they've remained a top team despite not-great goaltending from Murray and a litany of injuries. 
John Marino has been very good from what I can tell, and I don't know what's up.They played a near-perfect first period. All downhill after that.
I like that Pittsburgh plays very sound, structured, defensive hockey that doesn't drain the life out of the game. I really like that they go out of their way to disrupt things high in the zone. Avs really couldn't get anything going down low unless they dumped it.
Rust is a fun player. I even liked some of the theatrics (he knew he flipped the puck over the glass but then started toward the bench as if nothing happened).
That said, it was yet another poor showing from Kadri (who was abysmal on the power play), Rantanen, Landeskog, and Burakovsky. Too many passengers right now, MacKinnon should be having to do less instead of the exact opposite. I don't know how much longer it's going to take for the other two-thirds of the top line to shake off the rust but everyone is running out of patience. I thought the defense was okay except for Cole, who had at least two giant brain farts, one was a terrible clearing attempt that got intercepted, then the other was a blocked shot he chased, pulling himself way outta position, which led to blown coverage and a goal against.
The defensive breakdowns were bad, but three of those four goals were completely stoppable. You know you're having a rough night in goal when the guy at the other end of the ice lets in a soft chip shot and you still find a way to lose.
The goalies have to be better. End of story.
Penguins are seriously the worst type of team to cheer for. First, they have tanked for multiple generational talent in multiple decades. Then they selected good players beyond the second round and I don't know who it is because it most definitely isn't GMJR, but they keep finding these gems. I remember when we all said that their defensive core was ageing pile of crap, but Marino decided to pull a Jimmy Vesey card which Penguins pounced on. Pettersson was a good get for a Sprong bust, Guentzel was a hella of a selection in the draft, Kahun who I always wanted was an afterthought, and there are probably more. Perhaps it is a collection, but the two guys I pinpoint and maybe @henchman24 knows more is Patrik Allvin and Ryan Bowness. Problem is Bowness just became the Director of Professional Scouting and don't know who the old one was.
Funny the same thing happens on the Girard and EJ pairing. EJ joining the rush as if hes going to do something positive with the puck
Best transition D in the league?
The Oilers have to be kicking themselves right now for not being able to convince him to sign with them. He'd do wonders for that team in a top-4 role.
You missed ny point. Putting Girard at an arbitrary 30pt ceiling at 21 its absurd and he likely has more potential offensively than some acknowledge.
You really have zero clue about Avs defensemen then if you're putting Ian freaking Cole and Erik Johnson as part of a "fantastic" d core in terms of moving the puck.
