Post-Game Talk: Phoenix 3, Penguins 1. One? ONE? ONE *** **** GOAL?

[Malkin112*]

Took this picture from emptynetters blog:

Game against Phoenix Nov. 6, 2010

 

[Tumty]

Haven't liked what I've seen from 87 and 14 lately, especially Sid. He looks disinterested and disengaged on more shifts than not. Maybe they're trying to save up a bit for the Olympics. Fatigue? Slump? Tired from carrying the team when it was half Baby Pens?

I dunno, but I hope these guys come back from Sochi reinvigorated to get into playoff form down the stretch.

Tired of he's winger situation? About how much bylsma/shero cares about that etc..

 

[PGHSports]

Malkin melted? I agree he should have done way better than he did in the Boston series, but it didn't help that he had Iginla on his LW. If Malkin has a real LW on his line in that series, maybe it makes a difference.

It also didn't help he was totally taken off his game, was fighting on the PP, and took needless penalties.

I said it before a good coach going against the Pens will have his team smother Crosby and play very physical against Neal and Malkin. Those two hate getting hit.

 

[Black Label]

Bødker didn't even have that great of a game and I still want him on the Pens so badly. Would be such a great Dupuis replacement. Does so many small things well.

 

[Honour Over Glory]

I enjoy games in which Sid is useless and Bylsma is thoroughly out coached.

One happens rarely, the other happens far too often.

 

[Honour Over Glory]

Bødker didn't even have that great of a game and I still want him on the Pens so badly. Would be such a great Dupuis replacement. Does so many small things well.

I've always wanted him on the Pens, kid has so much speed and untapped potential, I think he can be a better player than he has shown to be in Phoenix.

If Phoenix ever showed interest in Sutter, I'd do that in a heart beat, see ya later Sutter, don't pack, we'll fed-ex your stuff.

 

[Tender Rip]

It also didn't help he was totally taken off his game, was fighting on the PP, and took needless penalties.

I said it before a good coach going against the Pens will have his team smother Crosby and play very physical against Neal and Malkin. Those two hate getting hit.

Hello Madden!
Lets just agree that our best forward in the series was the biggest problem. And let's dig this topic up after a game where 71 took an unsportsmanlike late in a game where he was by far our best player. It makes tremendous sense. Raa ra rah!

 

[MeticulouslyDishevel]

On a side note, this one was sure a shame to play in front of all the moms...

You're right. Well at least the moms are there to console them I guess...

 

[MtlPenFan]

Oh no. I'm not picking on Gibbons. Gibbons has given more than I reasonably could have expected.

Point was that part of Sid and 14s late drop in production is attributable to Dupuis not being there. Gibbons can only do what he can do. But it's also not lost on me that Sid is obviously banking **** for Sochi.

Alas, no.

Sid's line isn't going because Sid isn't going, just like Geno's line wasn't going earlier in the season because Geno wasn't going. Christ are people new here? Their lines will ALWAYS depend on how THEY are playing.

Sid's production suffering because Dupuis is gone is one of the funniest things I've heard. Gibbons made a play to a pinching Martin in the second period that should have been a goal. He also made about about 2 or 3 other type plays I have never seen Dupuis make. Gibbons is actually faster than Dupuis, and since that's pretty much the only use Dupuis has...

 

[Shrimper]

Took this picture from emptynetters blog:

Game against Phoenix Nov. 6, 2010

How times stay the same.

Although it is worth noting that we won that game.

 

[penguins2946*]

The Pens rack disciprine

 

[MrBurghundy]

Is it wrong that I'd rather have Letestu than Sutter atm? I'm 100% sure my view is skewed by Sutter sucking recently, and Letestu being far removed from my memory, but still.

 

[Ogrezilla]

Is it wrong that I'd rather have Letestu than Sutter atm?

yes, that's incorrect.

 

[cheesedanish87]

Gibbons has done some nice things with Sid, but hes had 2 open nets that he missed in the last 3 games, and hes had 2 awful turnovers in the last 3 games(buffalo phoenix) that led to a goal and a great scoring chance.

 

[Get To Our Game]

+Kobasew didn't play on the moms trip. I can't imagine him being around too much longer, but I've been wrong before.

 

[PensFanSince1989]

Gibbons has done some nice things with Sid, but hes had 2 open nets that he missed in the last 3 games, and hes had 2 awful turnovers in the last 3 games(buffalo phoenix) that led to a goal and a great scoring chance.

He had a good 2nd period yesterday, forgettable 1st and 3rd.

 

[WhatsaMaatta]

I don't understand the thought process some people have with Gibbons vs Dupuis and Sid's line. Dupuis' play has never been that of a first liner. And he was playing like absolute ******* before he was injured. So exactly how has his absence hurt Crosby?

On the other hand, I think Gibbons has looked very good on Sid's wing. He is fast and way more creative than Dupuis has ever been. I see 4-5 good offensive opportunities from Gibbons per game. I kind of feel bad for him, though, because he's working his ass off to stick in the NHL and Crosby just hasn't been himself lately.

But let's blame Gibbons for Sid's line not clicking.

 

[drpepper]

I don't understand the thought process some people have with Gibbons vs Dupuis and Sid's line. Dupuis' play has never been that of a first liner. And he was playing like absolute ******* before he was injured. So exactly how has his absence hurt Crosby?

On the other hand, I think Gibbons has looked very good on Sid's wing. He is fast and way more creative than Dupuis has ever been. I see 4-5 good offensive opportunities from Gibbons per game. I kind of feel bad for him, though, because he's working his ass off to stick in the NHL and Crosby just hasn't been himself lately.

But let's blame Gibbons for Sid's line not clicking.

I would say Crosby probably misses Dupuis of last year more than anything.

I don't blame Gibbons totally for the line not clicking. Kunitz hasn't played particularly well, and Crosby has looked average. Gibbons has shown great individual efforts. He has had some nice forechecking and passes. His speed is a great asset like in yesterday's powerplay

However, Gibbons also makes rookie mistakes. He forces passes that are not open and telegraphs his passes which has resulted in at least two goals. His off-puck positioning is out-of-sync with the rest of his line and on occassion the defensive pairing particularly transitioning out of the defensive and neutral zones and cycling in the offensive zone. He has missed some wide open shots. His defensive decision making and positioning is questionable.

I think people underrate how important positioning and predictability (knowing where a person is going to be and what they are going to do) particularly with Crosby's style. Gibbons doesn't have spectacular talent to make up the deficit and Crosby/Kunitz haven't been able to either, yet. In terms of options, I think Gibbons should be on the first line, and Crosby/Kunitz need to simplify their playing.

Gibbons isn't a bad player, and he works hard. But, how many teams in the NHL would Gibbons be starting or playing significant minutes on the first line?

 

[Fogel]

I think the bottom 6 accounted for a mighty 4 shots on goal. No offensive pressure, and frequently hemmed in on the D end way too often.

 

[Hydro]

I thought Geno was going to pot a few more, Smith played well though. Finally got to see a full game of OEL, my god he is good. Kinda let the game slip away when Geno chirped the ref, but what can you do.

 

[Fordy]

Gibbons can make all the rookie mistakes he wants as long as he doesn't make bad player mistakes like Dupuis.

 

[JimmyTwoTimes]

I don't understand the thought process some people have with Gibbons vs Dupuis and Sid's line. Dupuis' play has never been that of a first liner. And he was playing like absolute ******* before he was injured. So exactly how has his absence hurt Crosby?

On the other hand, I think Gibbons has looked very good on Sid's wing. He is fast and way more creative than Dupuis has ever been. I see 4-5 good offensive opportunities from Gibbons per game. I kind of feel bad for him, though, because he's working his ass off to stick in the NHL and Crosby just hasn't been himself lately.

But let's blame Gibbons for Sid's line not clicking.

It's funny how people quickly forget how good Dupuis was just because of his play this year( less than half a season). 25 goals(59 pts) two years ago and 20 goals(38pts) in 40 games last year. I haven't even been a supporter of his, but it's comedy seeing people already think Gibbons is better . I've yet to see another winger put up the numbers Dupuis has with Sid. Sad thing is most fans didn't even look at Pascal as a loss when he went down for the year, just because they didn't like him on Sid's line. Well we better hope we land Crosby's winger in a trade because he will be missed.

It's also funny seeing people basically wanting us to go in the playoffs with about 5 rookies .

 

[Ogrezilla]

It's also funny seeing people basically wanting us to go in the playoffs with about 5 rookies .

I'd rather go into the playoffs with unknowns (Despres, Maatta, Bennett, Gibbons, Megna, Bortuzzo) vs guys we know suck (Glass, Adams, Engelland, Orpik)

 

[IcedCapp]

I'd rather go into the playoffs with unknowns (Despres, Maatta, Gibbons, Megna, Bortuzzo) vs guys we know suck (Glass, Adams, Engelland, Orpik)

But going into the playoffs with no rookies has WORKED OUT SO WELL.

 

[ColePens]

I don't understand... why DON'T we want rookies in the playoffs? How many times have you seen rookies step up and play big time parts? Guys that make huge names for themselves and become playoff performers.

That pisses me off when people say rookies don't deserve the playoffs.