Post-Game Talk: Plus/Minus: Pens vs. CBJ - Backs against the wall edition

[Mr Jiggyfly]

Do we finally have a Bonino replacement in McCann

No, this guy is a winger. Not sure why people keep thinking he should be a pivot. Its not a coincidence he’s looking better now that he’s back at wing.

 

[EightyOne]

Assuming he’s ok...

Screw it. Put kessel RW3 and run no RW2. Will still be an improvement.

 

[Ryder71]

I like the cut of your jib.

You would!

 

[Empoleon8771]

After that buildup, that was one of the least funny things I've ever seen. Boo you.

Oh spare me, that is gold. I'm a big fan of the obnoxiously loud Piano Man type vines

 

[Ogrezilla]

You would!

I do.

 

[SouthGeorge]

5 goals and didn't give up 10 odd man rushes/breakaways. Great team win. Trending in the right direction.

 

[Ogrezilla]

Oh spare me, that is gold. I'm a big fan of the obnoxiously loud Piano Man type vines

I don't know what that is. Damn Millennials

 

[KIRK]

Someone in the GDT also made that observation. Helped transition as everyone was playing close to one another. Helped in our zone, obviously. Good way to hide our lack of talent on d... to a degree. Transition was still very "meh" as @ColePens said.

We still gave up a lot of odd-man rushes and quality chances. Jackets missed some, Murray saved some.

Lot of work to be done defensively, no matter the alignment. However, without Letang, playing deeper and counting on turnovers might be a good plan.

One thing I will say though, Geno looks great when he has to help down low.

I've always said Geno was a better 200 foot player under Therrien and Johnson than under Bylsma and Sully. Support low, trap more in the neutral zone with less chasing hard all over the ice, and force turnovers in the neutral zone and counter always has been his strength as a 200 foot player.

I mean, when he's ON, he can play it any way, but the way we played it tonight plays to his 200 foot strengths.

 

[DesertPenguin]

Pettersson Letang - Pets is Dumo lite
JJ Schultz - seemed to work, don't mess with it
Riikola Gudbranson

I doubt wed ask Trotman or Gudbranson to play on their weak side

 

[Ryder71]

I do.

Exactly!

 

[BlindWillyMcHurt]

That was my favorite vine until I saw this one



I still cry of laughter whenever I see this. That first note in the harmonica kills me.

You're my kinda weird, son.

It's like they blasted "Piano Man" through the worlds shittiest set of laptop speakers.

 

[SirBrad]

Islanders lost, 5 points out of first place.

 

[Ryder71]

Thought Trotman had a solid game.

Yep, when we simplify things even depth defensemen can be effective.

 

[WayneSid9987]

No, this guy is a winger. Not sure why people keep thinking he should be a pivot. Its not a coincidence he’s looking better now that he’s back at wing.

I 100% agree with this.
ATM let Bjugs, Cullen and Blueger figure out C.
And moving forward I'd tinker with him up in the top 6 if ZAR starts suckin'.

 

[Ogrezilla]

No, this guy is a winger. Not sure why people keep thinking he should be a pivot. Its not a coincidence he’s looking better now that he’s back at wing.

agreed. Luckily I've also really liked Bjug at 3C.

 

[Big Friggin Dummy]

Imagine how much better we're gonna get when we get Bigs McPunchy.

 

[scrappylilnobody]

Lots of under 25 guys contributing to a big win: ZAR, Guentzel. Murray, Pettersson, and McCann. That’s exciting for the Penguins future and important for a team with aging stars.

 

[Ogrezilla]

Imagine how much better we're gonna get when we get Bigs McPunchy.

never getting cheap shotted again will be very helpful for sure.

 

[vodeni]

how come Geno did not get assist on EEN

 

[Ryder71]

Boy, if Phil could just elevate his game a little, ZAR-Geno-Phil would've done a number on Columbus tonight on the scoreboard like Rust-Geno-Phil did in the 2017 playoffs.

And, the more I think on it, the more I think ZAR kind of reminds me of Malone with Geno. Not super fast, but the speed works with Geno, he knows how to support and when to give Geno a little space, he wins enough battles on the forecheck (or otherwise mucks it up so Geno can swoop in), and he's getting Geno the puck (a) when he wants it and (b) with that little bit of time and space that makes all the difference in the world.

Funny . . . I've lamented that the guy Geno's really missed all these years is Malone, and while still a little early, is it possible that of all people it sort of might be ZAR?

We've talked about it before but ZAR while unremarkable is a very solid and smart player. He plays heavy and is good low in the zone. I think Rust would be a great final piece to that line.

 

[66-30-33]

Hey JR take notes here.

Goals beat out hits, once again we proved it. Guessing JR is angry about the win because we did not hit enough! Now we need more hitters like Lucic, McQuaid, Kassian, etc etc. When we hit we win.

 

[td_ice]

Man where has this Jack Johnson been all year? If Dumo and Letang come back, and he can keep up this level of play that'd be huge.

As some in the media pointed out, being on his natural side has made a huge difference.

 

[BlindWillyMcHurt]

how come Geno did not get assist on EEN

I was wondering the same thing? I noticed they correctly gave JJ the helper but Malkin pretty clearly dug it to JJ.

Not the biggest deal but still.

 

[Ogrezilla]

I was wondering the same thing? I noticed the correctly gave JJ the helper but Malkin pretty clearly dug it to JJ.

Not the biggest deal but still.

it is to my fantasy team, dammit!

oh wait it doesn't matter because I'm screwed because Jimmy Howard just got lit the f*** up

 

[WayneSid9987]

As some in the media pointed out, being on his natural side has made a huge difference.

Was the hope for me as well that you'd see an uptick in competence.
So far so good...