Post-Game Talk: Game XI Pens win vs Ducks: I am your father's brother's nephew's cousin's former roommate

[Icarium]

A narrow win thanks to a dirty goal by a bottom six player against a team on a six-game win streak whose goalie had a great game? And our goalie got injured halfway through? And our first empty net goal was disallowed because #59 lost his damned mind for a second? Is this real life? So many opportunities to shoot ourselves in the foot and we didn't do it.

Rakell needs a goal so badly. Graves shooting from everywhere with zero traffic is driving me nuts. And the commentators were praising him for it, the idiots. But at this point I will take a good effort and the Pens not shooting themselves in the foot.

If Jarry's out long term Sully will have a convenient excuse for the extremely tough stretch of games coming up.

 

[Ugene Magic]

It looks like they definitely pulled back the forecheck with the goal of tightening up the NZ, Ducks absolutely had a tougher get blue-to-blue than past teams have against the Pens. It seems to be a better fit for the, er, overall experience level of the current squad.

It's just one game and it could go back to shit in no time flat but at least for today, I think we may have actually seen some coaching here, folks.

Noticed not just the top 2 lines starting in the offensive zone. Makes for an easier night for all.

 

[ChaosAgent]

Nice defensive structured game.

 

[Andy99]

 

[BrookswasHere44]

What do you think Rak and Jake get us in return?

 

[OtherThingsILike]

 

[Big Friggin Dummy]

Gobbless Zoho for making me, the team, the Flames, and the Leafs eat crow so far. Keep it up.

 

[SEALBound]

2-0 in the Carter HS era.

 

[Deport Ogie]

Graves shooting from everywhere with zero traffic is driving me nuts.

It's a fair bit of tape to compile and show, Clockwork Orange style, to all the "JUST SHOOT IIIIIIIIT" dupes up in section 220.

 

[Flying Dego]

2-0 in the Carter HS era.

He'll be back in against LAK. Vinny didn't score and it's a homecoming.

Sully knows Big Jeff has sat too long and has the pulse of this group. *Insert Bylsma Smirk*

 

[Sidgeni Malkby]

My thoughts...
- Jarry played well. He had some tough saves to make, and delivered.
- Hellberg had to make some tough saves too, and also kept us in a close game.
- Top 6 didn't have to do all the work.
- Jake "Mr. empty net goals" Guentzel got selfish there hoping to pad his stats.
- Team didn't shoot themselves in the the foot and won a close game, which was impressive. Though we did have our "let's let them come back in the 3rd period moment".
- Ducks were hot winning 6 in a row, so this was a real win!
- 2 wins in a row buys Sully 20 more games to screw up.

All in all good stuff!

 

[KrisLetAngry]

Missed the game last night. I'm seeing a lot of posts about selfish play from Jake. What did he do?

I don't know if selfish is the right word to use.

Looked like a really dumb mistake where he just kept skating into there zone without waiting for the puck to enter the zone.

Was really dumb

 

[IcedCapp]

Love the fire that Geno is playing with this season.

Would like to see more of that from Sid. He's been a bit quiet so far. Producing, but not playing with the energy we're accustomed to seeing from him.

before the last couple of seasons, this was the norm for Sid out of the gate. Constantly looked old and slow and it prompted a billion, "is Sid done?!" comments every year.

Unfortunately, as he quickly approaches 100 years old, the questions have more validity. But I wouldn't worry, I'm sure he'll be fine by July

 

[K Fleur]

I’m glad Zoho is playing good.

I’m glad that I was wrong when I thought you guys just liked him because he’s tall.

 

[Gurglesons]

before the last couple of seasons, this was the norm for Sid out of the gate. Constantly looked old and slow and it prompted a billion, "is Sid done?!" comments every year.

Unfortunately, as he quickly approaches 100 years old, the questions have more validity. But I wouldn't worry, I'm sure he'll be fine by July

It’s funny bad Sid is still on pace for 40 goals and 90 pts.

 

[Harvey Birdman]

I just got home from the game tonight. Below are some photos from my seats. P.S. Lars Eller is a great two way centerman.

I’m down in San Diego. Really wanted to go to the game. But couldn’t find someone to watch the kiddos for me and my wife to come up there to Anaheim. Maybe next year.

 

[Andy99]

before the last couple of seasons, this was the norm for Sid out of the gate. Constantly looked old and slow and it prompted a billion, "is Sid done?!" comments every year.

Unfortunately, as he quickly approaches 100 years old, the questions have more validity. But I wouldn't worry, I'm sure he'll be fine by July

I have to say this tweet is driving me nuts…should be “fewer” goals, not “less”!,…

 

[Buddy Bizarre]

I’m glad Zoho is playing good.

I’m glad that I was wrong when I thought you guys just liked him because he’s tall.

This is where I think GM's, coaches (and fans) get player evaluation incorrect.

Z in a vacuum is probably a borderline AHL/NHL player. I mean he had other places where he didn't stick so there's nothing horrible or shocking about this statement.

What GMs/coaches can't see or predict is what I call "linemate compatibility". He and Lars have unbelievable chemistry. They play at the same pace and Z has found himself in the correct place to put home some goals.

That is why I've been so perturbed by this group of F's this team has collected: a bunch of floaty wingers who don't do anything else but play perimeter hockey. This is especially true of the top 6 who milk Sid and Geno for points. So for me it wasn't that I was pining for Z because "he's tall". It's because he had proven track record he's a possession monster and can keep plays alive in the Ozone. When is the last time you saw Rust or Jake or Harkins (lol) come out of the corner with a 50/50 puck?

This is another topic, but this is partly why I didn't want to see Zucker go. He was a good linemate for Geno for similar reasons: was really the only guy who would get in the corner and come out with the puck to keep possession for his line or was an engaging forechecker.

Also the reason I want less of Ruh types and more Friedman types on the backend. They come off the boards with pucks or they make the other team pay for getting it.

Z is proving that you don't have to have a mean streak/hitter to be an effective linemate but you need to support your line and he's doing all those little things that create more zone time.

 

[Gurglesons]

double post.

 

[SEALBound]

Historically, Sid starts out a little slow and then turns it on as the season goes. My only pickle to pick with him is the absurd number of low % passes he attempts. I was kind of thinking about this last night...what kind of a player is Sid now? Historically, you could always say - Sid is one of the best playmakers in the league, maybe ever! That was always his label - playmaker. Two seasons of "goal scorer". But now? I have no idea what his identity is other than star forward. Maybe "solid 2-way forward"? When I look at Sid, I see a guy who is still trying to play like he's 26 not 36. To quote Coach O'Ryan from D3: "Your little Duck tricks aren't going to work at this level" and that what I keep thinking when I see him attempt some of the passes and plays he does.

It's not anything I worry about really, it's just an observation.

 

[Gurglesons]

Petts - EK is one of the best pairings in the game.

 

[Gurglesons]

 

[Gold Diamond]

Pens looked good through 2. Ducks pushed back in 3rd, glad the defense/Hellberg kept the Ducks out of the net.

Rakell looked very good, but will he ever score again?

Jake is an idiot for that offsides.

Hope Jarry is okay - does he ever NOT get injured?

Zohorna needs to stay up permanently.

Great road win.

 

[Buddy Bizarre]

Wow, it's almost like what some posters (me included) have been saying for the past 1.5 seasons. This team doesn't have the legs to cover their gaps individually
It's funny how Sully will get credit for overcoming the adversity he helped create.

Reminds me of this

 

[chethejet]

On record I just don't like Zahorna as he is a big body who should be more physical. But he is what he is.