GDT: | Game #LXIV | Pens vs Jackets | 1900hrs EST | Start of the ZARless era

[Zirakzigil]

vs

Columbus Blue Jackets (32-28-3, fifth in the Metropolitan)

vs.

Pittsburgh Penguins (38-16-9, third in the Metropolitan)

Pittsburgh; Tuesday, 7 p.m. EDT


BOTTOM LINE:
Pittsburgh hosts the Columbus Blue Jackets after Sidney Crosby scored two goals in the Penguins' 4-1 victory against the Coyotes.

The Penguins are 11-4-2 against the rest of their division.

The Blue Jackets are 8-12-0 against the rest of their division.

In their last meeting on Feb. 27, Pittsburgh won 3-2.


TOP PERFORMERS:
Crosby leads the Penguins with 61 points, scoring 22 goals and adding 39 assists. Jake Guentzel has 9 points over the last 10 games for Pittsburgh.

Patrik Laine has 48 total points while scoring 25 goals and totaling 23 assists for the Blue Jackets. Oliver Bjorkstrand has five goals over the last 10 games for Columbus.


LAST 10 GAMES:
Penguins: 7-2-1, averaging three goals, 5.1 assists, 3.5 penalties and 8.4 penalty minutes while giving up two goals per game with a .935 save percentage.

Blue Jackets: 5-3-2, averaging 3.4 goals, six assists, four penalties and 8.6 penalty minutes while giving up 3.9 goals per game with an .882 save percentage.

It is with great sadness and much fanfare, that we say goodbye to ZAR!

​

Per usual, stats and info from TSN, ESPN, NHL.com and are most likely inaccurate

Click to read more...

 

[SomeDude]

The ZAR and Simon rage is about to get redirected onto Kap and E-Rod. I hope they're ready for the increased load.

 

[Zirakzigil]

 

[Zirakzigil]

 

[Rodgerwilco]

Going to my first game of the season tonight, apparently Rakell will be playing, so that'll be cool to see him!

 

[ColePens]

100 likes for the GDT name

 

[Zirakzigil]

Rakell confirmed in tonight.

 

[dogthateats]

 

[orby]

Pens just brought in a brand new scoring winger...opposing team's goalie has a .878 save percentage...get ready for the boys to put up 50 shots and lose 1-0 somehow.

Just kidding...I hope.

 

[Zirakzigil]

Pens just brought in a brand new scoring winger...opposing team's goalie has a .878 save percentage...get ready for the boys to put up 50 shots and lose 1-0 somehow.

Just kidding...I hope.

 

[orby]

I'm going for the reverse jinx.

 

[Andy99]

I'm going for the reverse jinx.

It works!

 

[Buddy Bizarre]

I said this in another thread, but i'll bring it up here:

I'm very interested to see if the PK suffers due to ZAR being out. Like him or lump him, he's a darn good PKer. That's the special teams battle I'll be focused on tonight

 

[Flying Dego]

I said this in another thread, but i'll bring it up here:

I'm very interested to see if the PK suffers due to ZAR being out. Like him or lump him, he's a darn good PKer. That's the special teams battle I'll be focused on tonight

The guy was not some gift. We have plenty of guys that can effectively PK. His absence will not be missed...not to be harsh but he really had some people in a trance about his "excellent" defensive skills.

 

[Victor Z]

I said this in another thread, but i'll bring it up here:

I'm very interested to see if the PK suffers due to ZAR being out. Like him or lump him, he's a darn good PKer. That's the special teams battle I'll be focused on tonight

Last 3 games (all without ZAR): 12 for 12 on the PK.

It's just 3 games, but tough to improve on what they've done in his absence.

 

[SomeDude]

I said this in another thread, but i'll bring it up here:

I'm very interested to see if the PK suffers due to ZAR being out. Like him or lump him, he's a darn good PKer. That's the special teams battle I'll be focused on tonight

If this organization could survive the loss of Craig Adams, I have a feeling we'll do just fine without ZAR.

 

[BlindWillyMcHurt]

Does ZAR play 5 on 3 PK or critical situations PKs?

I feel like I actually don't see him out there sometimes when I expected to in clutch situations like that.

 

[Gurglesons]

Evan Rodrigues is an excellent PKer. I think adding him to the 4th line is going to really improve this team.

 

[Buddy Bizarre]

Last 3 games (all without ZAR): 12 for 12 on the PK.

It's just 3 games, but tough to improve on what they've done in his absence.

Fair point.

Trust me, I'm not a ZAR fan by any stretch

 

[Randy Butternubs]

Didn't the PK suffer while Bloog was out?

 

[KrisLetAngry]

Didn't the PK suffer while Bloog was out?

Blueger is definitely more important to the PK.

We have PK options.
Kapanen knows how to PK and honestly pair him with like Boyle and he can skate up the ice and be the guy that slows them in the neutral zone.

Erod PKs to so maybe give him a little more there.

 

[BlindWillyMcHurt]

From what Toronto fans have said... Kap was an absolute terror (in a good way) on the PK.

Honestly, as I've said for a while, I think the idea of specialized PKers is a bit overstated. It's more about sheer willingness, schemes and on-ice communication.

 

[Gurglesons]

From what Toronto fans have said... Kap was an absolute terror (in a good way) on the PK.

Honestly, as I've said for a while, I think the idea of specialized PKers is a bit overstated. It's more about sheer willingness, schemes and on-ice communication.

Kappy was good offensively on the PK. Not really good at PKing.

 

[AuroraBorealis]

The PK was 27th in the league with ZAR on it and Blueger out.
Blue returns and it became strong again.

Blue and McGinn are more effective at it imo.

ZAR was good at shot blocks and maintaining good positioning of the box with stick in lanes
But I feel like Blue and McGinn are better at the things that kill a lot of time: zone entry prevention, successful clearances, ragging the puck in the other 2/3rds of the ice and disruption of progression up ice.

ZAR was a good PK'er. Don't get me wrong. Particularly good at situations where the opposition PP is really strong and pressuring.

But I question if he's as essential at it as some people have been brainwashed to believe.

 

[BlindWillyMcHurt]

Kappy was good offensively on the PK. Not really good at PKing.

I guess I can't really comment since I didn't watch him at all in TOR.

But frankly a guy like that put in the right position can be valuable. Have him terrorize the pointmen and get the opposing team gripping their sticks super tight due to the threat of a breakaway against.