Post-Game Talk: Pens/Flyers - Insert groaning here

[DesertedPenguin]

I think a big issue isn't that they're rotating, it's that they're rotating without purpose.

The entire point of movement on the PP, not just the puck carrier but the other 4 guys, is for each guy to move to create potential 2on1 opportunities against the PKers. The problem is our guys without the puck just kind of move aimlessly without actually finding those open spots in coverage or without forcing the PKers to decide between covering 2 different players.

It's almost crazy how much our guys move INTO coverage rather than finding those open looks and open lanes.

Which is where a good power play coach would point that out in video sessions and practice sessions.

I've been a vocal Sullivan backer for, but if he won't force Reirden to make changes to the structure and approach of the power play, or if he won't reassign Reirden, or if he pushes back against Dubas firing Reirden, then Sullivan needs to be fired, too.

The power play went from being maddeningly inconsistent to downright crippling the team.

If they don't make changes this week internally on the road against Philly, Tampa, and Florida, then Dubas needs to act prior to the team returning home. Whether it's Reirden, Sullivan, or both, jobs should be on the line during this three-game road trip.

 

[Pens x]

Why does Todd Reirden have a job still?

 

[Honour Over Glory]

I kind of get a kick out of Lafferty having 12pts, 1 back of Smith.

The Sprong has sprung for 16pts in 23 games.

I'm sure this will trigger the usual weak minds. But it's nice to see blokes like those two, do well away from this team, so many wished they'd fail when they left, comical.

Which is where a good power play coach would point that out in video sessions and practice sessions.

I've been a vocal Sullivan backer for, but if he won't force Reirden to make changes to the structure and approach of the power play, or if he won't reassign Reirden, or if he pushes back against Dubas firing Reirden, then Sullivan needs to be fired, too.

The power play went from being maddeningly inconsistent to downright crippling the team.

If they don't make changes this week internally on the road against Philly, Tampa, and Florida, then Dubas needs to act prior to the team returning home. Whether it's Reirden, Sullivan, or both, jobs should be on the line during this three-game road trip.

Like make changes....if...

Mate you ain't new. Why do this to yourself.

 

[Smasher]

Ok so now the PP does not only not score, but is producing goals and powerplays for the OTHER team.

I watched the goals from DAL-TBL and like 5 of the Dallas goals were simple wristers where the Tampa goalie was screened. That element is completely missing from the Pens. Cycle, cycle, cycle, Malkin is open for a shot? Cycle some more.

Cross ice passes and one-timers seem a completely foreign concept to them. When will Dubas act? It's actually hilarious how bad the PP is.

 

[EliteGoaltending]

Ok so now the PP does not only not score, but is producing goals and powerplays for the OTHER team.

I watched the goals from DAL-TBL and like 5 of the Dallas goals were simple wristers where the Tampa goalie was screened. That element is completely missing from the Pens. Cycle, cycle, cycle, Malkin is open for a shot? Cycle some more.

Cross ice passes and one-timers seem a completely foreign concept to them. When will Dubas act? It's actually hilarious how bad the PP is.

That what I see too.

PP can be fixed if they'll get a body in front of the net to create havoc and distraction for the goalie and Dman. I bet we'll see more shots that way too.
Right now it's just five skilled guys passing the puck to each other.

 

[Chuck Norris Trophy]

What does it take fire someone?

 

[Ulf5]

Powerplay aside, they have to fix the second line. It's killing them right now. Smith has become a non factor and Malkin is playing really badly too.

*groan* I was against getting Boeser when there were rumors we might be interested. He probably could fix our 2nd line AND powerless play right about now. *end groan*

 

[Victor Z]

I kind of get a kick out of Lafferty having 12pts, 1 back of Smith.

First we were told he just plain sucked, and that he brought nothing except some speed and a propensity for taking o-zone penalties.

Then he went to the Black Hawks and did pretty well, but we were told that's just because Chicago was a horrible team and ONLY a horrible team would ever play Lafferty enough to do what he did. On a GOOD team he'd be just a 5-minute-a-night 4th liner (like he was under Sully) or maybe just an AHL tweener.

Now Lafferty IS with a good team (and wasn't so bad with TOR last year either) and is still doing well. Turns out that he does bring some things that a coach who isn't a complete stubborn asshole CAN see and can use to good effect.

But the idiots will still say: "it's just a fluke", "he still sux", "yore talkin bout Sam freekin Lafferty LOLOLOLOLOL", "he's not what the Penguins need", "he wouldn't solve all our problems", "we'd still be mediocre even with him", blah blah blah....

 

[Josey Wales]

When is someone in the nut sucking media going to ask Sid if it is advisable that he still gets his birthrite spot on the PP & Geno plays the LP & he is not as good defensively as he once was

 

[Smasher]

Powerplay aside, they have to fix the second line. It's killing them right now. Smith has become a non factor and Malkin is playing really badly too.

Yup. Once Jarry and/or the first line go cold, this team is going to sink like a stone.

 

[Icarium]

The decision to keep the tired and utterly terrible first power play unit on for the whole two minutes of the power play which (to the surprise of absolutely no one) ended with a short-handed goal should be grounds for immediate dismissal of the entire coaching staff. Mind you, this doesn't excuse the players who play on that unit for all the mind-boggling decisions they made when they weren't tired. It's like they not only have never played on a good power play unit but haven't even watched one.

They moved Malkin to the right which was good but then the entire building knew he was the trigger-man and his teammates did absolutely nothing to free shooting lanes for him or, you know, fake a pass to him and instead try something else for a change. It's like they are new to the game of hockey and fail to realize that when you are 5 on 4, you can, you know, use your man advantage to get into good scoring position rather than just pass around the perimeter while standing still. And Guentzel playing near the blue line at some point was just black comedy material. Then the icing on the cake - a 4 on 3 for the final minute and they still had no clue how to use all the open ice!

The domination in OT shouldn't blind us to the fact that we got very lucky to even get a point. Two lucky bounces ending up in Philly's net and the Pens were heavily outshot for most of the game. Zero (yes, you read this correctly - 0) high danger chances in the first two periods is just beyond pathetic, especially after the game in Tampa that should have boosted the Pens' morale, not to mention playing against the local rival. If we can barely generate chances against a team sporting Ristolainen and Mark Staal in their line-up, we might as well start tanking right now.

Malkin's line in particular was absolutely annihilated chances-wise and only managed to not allow a goal thanks to Jarry and dumb luck. If the power play unit isn't going to score, we might as well rest Crosby and Malkin and hope something better happens at even strength.

Also, thank goodness for lucky bounces because at 0-0 this was one of the most boring hockey games in history. At least there was some excitement after that.

 

[ncm7772]

Mike Sullivan when an inexperienced player makes a play that causes a goal against: benched until 3 injuries force him to put him back in the lineup.

Mike Sullivan when the PP goes 0-25 and single handedly loses several games:

Thought it was 26!

 

[Ignatius]

Jay Woodcroft is the coach this team needs. He created the greatest PP of all time with the Oilers last season. I would rather roll the dice with him than maintain the status quo which only gets us first round exits if we even make the playoffs at all.

 

[Josey Wales]

Jay Woodcroft is the coach this team needs. He created the greatest PP of all time with the Oilers last season. I would rather roll the dice with him than maintain the status quo which only gets us first round exits if we even make the playoffs at all.

UMMMMMM you think they will really listen to him???? they do what Golden Boy wants them to do

 

[Ragamuffin Gunner]

Lol

Well, the Pens certainly don't have any.

Also, the PP was -1 for 5, not 0 for 5.

 

[vodeni]

I think a big issue isn't that they're rotating, it's that they're rotating without purpose.

The entire point of movement on the PP, not just the puck carrier but the other 4 guys, is for each guy to move to create potential 2on1 opportunities against the PKers. The problem is our guys without the puck just kind of move aimlessly without actually finding those open spots in coverage or without forcing the PKers to decide between covering 2 different players.

It's almost crazy how much our guys move INTO coverage rather than finding those open looks and open lanes.

they are rotating without taking the teritory and shrinking the defending zone. Thats why @Jesse is right that PP needs to get deeper and run either behind the goal or from the wall (like Kessel). I mentioned yesterday, i was watching Sid and EK, they are not even trying to fool the defense by glancing towards the goa, their entire body position is PASS around the perimeter, thats why the PK can go agressive and press the point. Another thing: The best thing we have on PP is Geno's shot from the right wall. Its absolutely worthless since neither Letang nor EK can pass to their backhand side, EK is not even looking to the right to fool the defense...Put Geno on the PP2 and give him left handed QB that can pass to him for a shot...I mean there are so many things that it can be done

 

[metalan2]

If the Penguins could score on the PP at an average clip, they'd be top 5 in the league.

 

[vodeni]

The decision to keep the tired and utterly terrible first power play unit on for the whole two minutes of the power play which (to the surprise of absolutely no one) ended with a short-handed goal should be grounds for immediate dismissal of the entire coaching staff. Mind you, this doesn't excuse the players who play on that unit for all the mind-boggling decisions they made when they weren't tired. It's like they not only have never played on a good power play unit but haven't even watched one.

They moved Malkin to the right which was good but then the entire building knew he was the trigger-man and his teammates did absolutely nothing to free shooting lanes for him or, you know, fake a pass to him and instead try something else for a change. It's like they are new to the game of hockey and fail to realize that when you are 5 on 4, you can, you know, use your man advantage to get into good scoring position rather than just pass around the perimeter while standing still. And Guentzel playing near the blue line at some point was just black comedy material. Then the icing on the cake - a 4 on 3 for the final minute and they still had no clue how to use all the open ice!

The domination in OT shouldn't blind us to the fact that we got very lucky to even get a point. Two lucky bounces ending up in Philly's net and the Pens were heavily outshot for most of the game. Zero (yes, you read this correctly - 0) high danger chances in the first two periods is just beyond pathetic, especially after the game in Tampa that should have boosted the Pens' morale, not to mention playing against the local rival. If we can barely generate chances against a team sporting Ristolainen and Mark Staal in their line-up, we might as well start tanking right now.

Malkin's line in particular was absolutely annihilated chances-wise and only managed to not allow a goal thanks to Jarry and dumb luck. If the power play unit isn't going to score, we might as well rest Crosby and Malkin and hope something better happens at even strength.

Also, thank goodness for lucky bounces because at 0-0 this was one of the most boring hockey games in history. At least there was some excitement after that.

that kind of sums it up

 

[Josey Wales]

that kind of sums it up

The problem is everyone from ownership on down bending over & grabbing their ankles for Sid, putting Geno on a 2nd PP Unit continues that shit

 

[BeatenLikeRentedMule]

As I said the other night, the dreadful 03-04 Pens had a top 10 PP that season with Tarnstrom as the main attraction. It really seems that systems outweigh talent on the PP.

Bring back Edzo to coach 'em up.

How many games did Mario play that season? If few you're right.

 

[Headshot77]

One step forward, one step back. One step forward, one step back. Seems like this team can't just keep that forward momentum going for more than 1 game.

The PP is just comical at this point.

This is what mid teams do.

However we have enough going on at 5v5 offense, goaltending, and D that we COULD be a good/great team. Playoff bound. Just gotta fix special teams before any of those strengths become cryptonite all of a sudden

 

[SomeDude]

How many games did Mario play that season? If few you're right.

10 and he probably left half of them early due to injury.

 

[Phil68]

He didn't get turnstiled. He was in a foot race with Scott Laughton with a head start from the red line and knew he had lost by the blue line.

The PP is the fault of the collective but the Laughton goal should shine a spotlight on how bad Malkin's footspeed is. Which is the actual cause of his decline, not Jason Zucker and Reilly Smith.

What decline sir. Malkin is still on pace for 90 points playing with non all stars while Crosby is on pace for about the same amount of point with the two best wingers on the team. What decline you talking. Every damn yeah we go through this in efficiency bullcrap regarding Malkin. Malkin has been playing very good all year playing a two way game very well. Stop your nonsense. Zucker is done by the way. He has done nothing with the Yotes this year. Malkin made him better.

He didn't get turnstiled. He was in a foot race with Scott Laughton with a head start from the red line and knew he had lost by the blue line.

The PP is the fault of the collective but the Laughton goal should shine a spotlight on how bad Malkin's footspeed is. Which is the actual cause of his decline, not Jason Zucker and Reilly Smith

 

[Rakell67]

2-0-2 last 4, all against teams above them in the standings. Not bad, keep getting points.
8-4-2 last 14.

 

[vodeni]

What decline sir. Malkin is still on pace for 90 points playing with non all stars while Crosby is on pace for about the same amount of point with the two best wingers on the team. What decline you talking. Every damn yeah we go through this in efficiency bullcrap regarding Malkin. Malkin has been playing very good all year playing a two way game very well. Stop your nonsense. Zucker is done by the way. He has done nothing with the Yotes this year. Malkin made him better.

don't worry...go through twitter and all the pens media...they all agree that Geno is the main culprit for this PP disaster, and while at it, he is also washed up and main reason the team sucks 5 on 5...this shit is getting super old...