GDT: Game XX Pens VS Leafs: Should ether team even start a goalie? Would it matter?

[chethejet]

Not often I dislike a fourth line guy but Nieto is such a waste. No size not exactly a body that can take the body on a typical 4th line and is exactly what sully loves. Small skater who brings nothing but skating and speed that has zero impact.

 

[SomeDude]

I do not recall this.

Meh, just 1 of roughly 80k posts of bad takes.

 

[Empoleon8771]

Malkin is playing just fine. His linemates are trash right now

If this is Malkin playing "just fine", then he has fallen off an absolute cliff from where he was in the past.

 

[Randy Butternubs]

There's also a point of expectations with him that I don't think Smith, Rakell and Nylander have, though. Malkin is expected to drive offense on that 2nd line and guys like Smith and Rakell are just support pieces. Nylander isn't a NHLer, as you noted.



About 40% Letang, 40% Karlsson and 20% the 3rd pair. Similar to what Crosby's getting.



Crosby is literally playing with Drew O'Connor right now and he's producing well with him.

Rakell's start does not help Malkin's case. Smith going cold also does not help. Nylander will never help.

Expectations for Malkin... I don't know what I expected from a 37 year old, frequently injured player. Almost a point per game is good for me.

If you want to complain about his 5 on 5 production I think the correct wording is "the second line needs to do better".

 

[WickedWrister]

Some puck possession would be nice

 

[Randy Butternubs]

Meh, just 1 of roughly 80k posts of bad takes.

I only have 30k posts.

 

[SomeDude]

I only have 30k posts.

I’m aware. I wasn’t talking about you.

 

[Empoleon8771]

Rakell's start does not help Malkin's case. Smith going cold also does not help. Nylander will never help.

Expectations for Malkin... I don't know what I expected from a 37 year old, frequently injured player. Almost a point per game is good for me.

If you want to complain about his 5 on 5 production I think the correct wording is "the second line needs to do better".

I'm not saying Malkin has been bad all year, though. He was amazing to start the year but has been miserable over this recent stretch.

His overall year has been solid but it has been either "this looks like prime Malkin" or "he looks like he's playing injured" so far. It's the same issue Jarry has, he needs to iron out the ups and downs. Although at his age, I don't know how much Malkin can feasibly do that.

 

[WickedWrister]

Holy shit Jarry

 

[The Old Master]

who said jarry doesn't make the big save

 

[SomeDude]

What can Nylander possibly be crying to the refs about?

 

[Hotep Numminen]

now on year 6 or 7 of commentators pointing out they weren't allowed to shoot for empty nets back in their day. who care

 

[NewAgeOutlaw]

High-sticking Petterson is legal I guess.

 

[akapidots]

If this is Malkin playing "just fine", then he has fallen off an absolute cliff from where he was in the past.

You think so ?

 

[66-30-33]

High-sticking Petterson is legal I guess.

Back to back days.

 

[Pancakes]

I'm not saying Malkin has been bad all year, though. He was amazing to start the year but has been miserable over this recent stretch.

His overall year has been solid but it has been either "this looks like prime Malkin" or "he looks like he's playing injured" so far. It's the same issue Jarry has, he needs to iron out the ups and downs. Although at his age, I don't know how much Malkin can feasibly do that.

I think the powerplay has killed Malkin's 5v5 confidence as well. He's pressing so hard all over the ice right now.

And it doesn't help that Smith has completely disappeared recently too. Smith has been pretty bad the past 5 or so.

 

[ZorkEnchanter]

I love Petterson with the WWE move... holy shit, Toronto high-stick let it go. Pens with the Double arm Toss, let it go.

 

[chethejet]

Pens getting killed in faceoffs. Oh well.

 

[Empoleon8771]

You think so ?

Yeah he has looked really bad to me in their recent stretch. Not sure what's going on with him, but hopefully he snaps out of it. He was amazing to start the year so you know he still has it, but he's been going through a super rough spot recently.

I think the powerplay has killed Malkin's 5v5 confidence as well. He's pressing so hard all over the ice right now.

And it doesn't help that Smith has completely disappeared recently too. Smith has been pretty bad the past 5 or so.

Yeah he's certainly not getting any help from his wingers. I can definitely buy the idea that he's holding his stick too tight due to the struggles of the powerplay unit.

Nylander firmly does not look like a NHLer, I'm hoping that Rust getting back pushes Nylander back to the AHL. O'Connor on Crosby's line looks passable enough that I don't think you need to put Rust back there, Malkin needs him more.

 

[spfan]

WE HELD ON!!!!!!

 

[Randy Butternubs]

I'm not saying Malkin has been bad all year, though. He was amazing to start the year but has been miserable over this recent stretch.

His overall year has been solid but it has been either "this looks like prime Malkin" or "he looks like he's playing injured" so far. It's the same issue Jarry has, he needs to iron out the ups and downs. Although at his age, I don't know how much Malkin can feasibly do that.

You excluding his linemates failures isn't fair.

 

[tom_servo]

I can see how David Ayers snuck out a W against this team.

 

[akapidots]

EK GWG

 

[66-30-33]

WE HELD ON!!!!!!

Wasn't hard Leafs were trash and didn't wanna win the game.

 

[Invalid cuz QoC]

Leafs aren’t making any noise in the playoffs.