Same thing as with the Sprong/ZAR/Simon thing. The issue isn't that Sullivan isn't playing a young player... it's that he's playing the wrong one, because the one(s) he's playing is not some of the fans favorites. In this case, Pettersson was traded for, so they sat Riikola to give MP some looks... he came in and played well enough to keep getting looks. Which means Riikola will just have to be patent and wait things out.
Post-Game Talk: Penguins 4, Kings 3 (OT) - The Quintessential 2018 Penguins Win
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Same thing as with the Sprong/ZAR/Simon thing. The issue isn't that Sullivan isn't playing a young player... it's that he's playing the wrong one, because the one(s) he's playing is not some of the fans favorites. In this case, Pettersson was traded for, so they sat Riikola to give MP some looks... he came in and played well enough to keep getting looks. Which means Riikola will just have to be patent and wait things out.
Malkin needs to get his head out of his ass. That changes the whole team dynamic. Can't tell if he isn't trying hard enough or trying too hard. Looks so awkward.
pi314
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Icarium
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I know that we ended up scoring but Maatta on the PP in OT? Seriously?
I usually defend Geno but this time I can't. Awful, awful performance. It's like he is moving in slow motion. If he is injured, sit him. If not, I don't know, pray he pulls his head out of his ass.
It's incredible how few points Sid has had in the last several games, considering how well he has played. But very encouraging that we find ways to win with Sid and Geno not being on score sheet much. Now, if we could only make it so that not every victory look a mighty struggle, that would be swell. Unlikely to happen with all those injuries, though, so ugly wins are fine by me for now.
I usually defend Geno but this time I can't. Awful, awful performance. It's like he is moving in slow motion. If he is injured, sit him. If not, I don't know, pray he pulls his head out of his ass.
It's incredible how few points Sid has had in the last several games, considering how well he has played. But very encouraging that we find ways to win with Sid and Geno not being on score sheet much. Now, if we could only make it so that not every victory look a mighty struggle, that would be swell. Unlikely to happen with all those injuries, though, so ugly wins are fine by me for now.
K Fleur
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Not sure your takeaway last night should be a negative on Murray’s performance when the goals were mostly on the defense.
Who else do you want Sullivan to send out there in that situation? Letang and Schultz are both injured and Maatta is a better choice on the PP than Johnson, Oleksiak, Dumo. I wouldn’t blame him for not yet trusting Riikola or Pettersson as the one dman on the ice in OT, either.
Jaded-Fan
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Icarium
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How exactly is Maatta a better choice? No goalie in the NHL has even the slightest fear of Maatta's shot and his passing isn't that good either. He is also our slowest defenceman. Oleksiak can actually score goals from the point from time to time, Johnson's shot is wildly inaccurate usually but potentially more of a threat as well. Why should Riikola and Petterson be trusted less in OT than Maatta who is much slower? I think he is sometimes criticized too much for his defensive play, don't get me wrong, but he shouldn't play on the PP unless we have like six other injured defencemen and even then a forward would probably be a better choice.
Not that the PP isn't a hot mess even when Letang is there, but still.
Sorry I missed this game and Sprong’s revival in ANA....it looks like we’re trading Geno again ... Chicago or LA? I hear he’d really love to play with Kane....
Fordy
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i thought the team was focused on putting the best lineup on the ice every night. suddenly we readily admit it’s all about money when it’s a different player
save the “poor nhl coaches and GMs” crap, i don’t feel sorry for them
EightyOne
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Lol that Pearson goal is still hilarious...
Kids this is why you don't skate the puck back into your zone when pressured lol lol
Kids this is why you don't skate the puck back into your zone when pressured lol lol
bathroomSTAAL
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pistolpete11
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It's only fair after how stacked it was for a few years there.
dogthateats
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Theres only like 8 teams in the whole league that have a better record than us over the last 10 games.
How exactly is Maatta a better choice? No goalie in the NHL has even the slightest fear of Maatta's shot and his passing isn't that good either. He is also our slowest defenceman. Oleksiak can actually score goals from the point from time to time, Johnson's shot is wildly inaccurate usually but potentially more of a threat as well. Why should Riikola and Petterson be trusted less in OT than Maatta who is much slower? I think he is sometimes criticized too much for his defensive play, don't get me wrong, but he shouldn't play on the PP unless we have like six other injured defencemen and even then a forward would probably be a better choice.
Not that the PP isn't a hot mess even when Letang is there, but still.
The PP option isn’t about the defenseman’s shot in that situation. In OT, when you have Crosby, Malkin, and Kessel on the ice, you need a defenseman you can trust to make the right play with the puck. Maatta’s issues are related to his lack of speed, not decision making, and he’s capable of moving and distributing the puck, unlike Johnson and Oleksiak. Riikola has been burnt on many occasions, so I can understand a lack of trust until he learns when the right opportunities to pinch are. And frankly, again, Maatta is much better at distributing the puck. Petterson just joined the team and Sullivan isn’t as familiar with him.
Maatta gets shit on a lot here because he lacks the speed to fit into the Pens’ style of play over the past 3 years, and our defense is ass. But he sticks out like a sore thumb in regard to his speed, so he’s an easy scapegoat. He’s still a good defenseman in a lot of ways, and it will show when he is in the right fit. Not sure where you get that he’s not a good passer.
Ginormousthumbs
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Only 7 points behind Warshington is pretty amazing considering the team’s performance and the doom and gloom of the boards.
Mr Jiggyfly
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I thought Pearson looked better two games ago after he was moved away from Malkin and then Crosby after a period or so. He seems more willing to hold onto the puck and relaxed maybe? I dunno what it is...seems like in a small sample size it looks like he doesn’t feel pressured to quickly move the puck to a star like Crosby, Malkin or Kessel.
ZAR I’m still seeing the same things that bothered me since last year when I first watched him. Does all the little things without the puck coaches like, but can’t win board battles or make clean, simple passes. I see zero synergy between him and his linemates, no matter where he plays.
He’s doing exactly what concerned me about him... being mostly a ghost, then having one nice game every so often to dummy the coaching staff. He has to make dramatic improvement with his board skills and ability to process the game with the puck on his stick.
Gurglesons
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Issue is one of them is the Ducks.
I do not think Monday night is going to be fun around here.
Gurglesons
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It’s weird Washington was really bad when Kuzy went down.
Almost like us being pretty mediocre when losing Crosby, Hornqvist, Schultz and Letang now over the last month and a half.
Can’t figure it out..
Gurglesons
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No the coach is about getting us in the playoff picture and winning.
We have been doing that a lot since Nov. 27
EightyOne
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PensandCaps
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Ogrezilla
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I personally hope Pettersson shuts him down. I dunno, I feel like I want my team to win. Maybe that's weird?
SouthGeorge
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