Sid's Goal Slump

[CanadianPensFan1]

I actually see some pretty good chemistry between Perron and Sid developing. There have been a bunch of games where those two have dominated possession. The big problem I'm seeing at ES is Kunitz. He's hardly ever in the right spot at the right time, and he loses the puck far too easily. I'd also like to see the Letang pairing on the ice a little more often when the first line is out there. Too often it's Scuderi on the ice with Sid and when he gets it at the point it's almost a gimme for the oppostion.

Now the PP is an entirely different matter. No one seems to want to shoot the puck. If the 1st unit wants to play like that, then it's time to separate Geno and Sid. Run two units in the hope that players become a little more selfish and start to get pucks on goal.

Agreed on both man. Tis why I suggested the possibility of moving Kunitz down and putting Horns back up on the 1st line. Maybe Geno and Kunitz can re-kindle some of the magic of a couple of seasons ago. Maybe not but it might be worth a try NOW instead of during the playoffs when the team possibly struggles to score again.

Ive mentioned that before as well (separating Sid and Geno) but got laughed off the building so I gave up.

It's very arguable that's for sure. I think for Sid to be more dangerous from that position he has to get more of a shot first mentality. That is why I would actually like to see Geno on the right boards. He waits for and wants that one-timer all day long. I just wish Tanger had a bit more "Gonchar" in his passing abilities. Gonchar tee'd it up for Geno like nobody else!

I agree with you on both counts. Sid definitely needs to shoot more, without a doubt. As does Letang. While his aim might be occasionally suspect, the guy has a rocket from the point.

 

[Shockmaster]

Agreed on both man. Tis why I suggested the possibility of moving Kunitz down and putting Horns back up on the 1st line. Maybe Geno and Kunitz can re-kindle some of the magic of a couple of seasons ago. Maybe not but it might be worth a try NOW instead of during the playoffs when the team possibly struggles to score again.

Ive mentioned that before as well (separating Sid and Geno) but got laughed off the building so I gave up.

I would only separate Crosby and Malkin on the PP if the Penguins got Jagr. Otherwise, I think they just need to change positions. I'd have Malkin in the right circle and Crosby near the left post for tip-ins and redirects.

 

[blueliner18]

Okay somebody get Tocchet on the phone we got this PP thing figured out!!! LMAO!!!

 

[CanadianPensFan1]

Okay somebody get Tocchet on the phone we got this PP thing figured out!!! LMAO!!!

LOL right? Its so simple from here, eh?

 

[blueliner18]

LOL right? Its so simple from here, eh?

Absolutely we should call and demand that we are added to the front office payroll!!

 

[blueliner18]

Hell they keep Craig Adams (aka PK specialist) on the payroll year after year... why not add us (PP brain trust). I'll work for less than half of Adam's salary!!!!

 

[Shockmaster]

Hell they keep Craig Adams (aka PK specialist) on the payroll year after year... why not add us (PP brain trust). I'll work for less than half of Adam's salary!!!!

Didn't they kind of do that with Steve Sullivan a few years ago?

 

[blueliner18]

Didn't they kind of do that with Steve Sullivan a few years ago?

Yeah I never really figured out why Shero brought him to Pittsburgh. First off he was hurt most of the year. Then when he was healthy they misused him just like every other forward Shero brought to Pittsburgh (i.e. Iginla, Morrow).

 

[Will Hunting]

TTEOT is gonna be quiet tonight, I guess.

 

[Til the End of Time]

TTEOT is gonna be quiet tonight, I guess.

I assure you, I am rooting for Sid to win the scoring title more than anyone else here. You can be a fan of a player while still objectively recognizing when he's playing bad hockey.

Nothing would make me happier than to see Sid win a bunch of scoring titles by big margins, and prove that his concussion has done no lasting damage. I don't think that's true, but I would be ecstatic to be wrong.

 

[Fordy]

no i am rooting more

i'm waiting for crosby to actually score against a good team

 

[Pancakes]

Funny how he had two goals tonight considering I thought he looked pretty ****** most of the night. He's had games where he's played five times better and got only a secondary assist or even no points to show for it.

I thought he'd take off after Calgary and then he didn't. Maybe this will finally be the game that puts him on a huge scoring tear. It would be nice to see. Tired of him having 0fers.

By the way Sunday will be a huge game for Sid and Geno as far as the scoring race is concerned. Last game of the year we get against the Hawks so shutting down Kane and Sid and Geno putting some points up would be nice. Pretty tall order to hope for but you never know

 

[Will Hunting]

I assure you, I am rooting for Sid to win the scoring title more than anyone else here. You can be a fan of a player while still objectively recognizing when he's playing bad hockey.

Nothing would make me happier than to see Sid win a bunch of scoring titles by big margins, and prove that his concussion has done no lasting damage. I don't think that's true, but I would be ecstatic to be wrong.

Well OK then.. But still, you need to calm down a bit and take some RS games when Sid doesn´t score easier. He still has the speed & the jump, as I´m saying all year long. He needs to cut down some bad habits (pulling back and those back passes) but if he corrects some things in his head, he can be back to his old level. It´s more about his brain now, he just needs to SHOOT SHOOT SHOOT. All of the tools are still there.

 

[Til the End of Time]

Well OK then.. But still, you need to calm down a bit and take some RS games when Sid doesn´t score easier. He still has the speed & the jump, as I´m saying all year long. He needs to cut down some bad habits (pulling back and those back passes) but if he corrects some things in his head, he can be back to his old level. It´s more about his brain now, he just needs to SHOOT SHOOT SHOOT. All of the tools are still there.

you are illustrating why i am concerned.

crosby had a serious concussion(s), and now a his brain/head/hockey-sense/decision-making now suddenly seems to be much worse.

thats a rather curious coincidence, and any objective individual has to wonder if the two occurrences are linked.

 

[Will Hunting]

you are illustrating why i am concerned.

crosby had a serious concussion(s), and now a his brain/head/hockey-sense/decision-making now suddenly seems to be much worse.

thats a rather curious coincidence, and any objective individual has to wonder if the two occurrences are linked.

I understand what you´re saying (kinda funny) but it´s not like Sid lost his brain or that his general IQ dropped after that concussion (medically impossible). If anything, he´s overthinking things and just need to simplify the game.

There are games when he´s still showing his old level but those bad passing habits are really hurting him more often than not. It won´t be easy to cut it down and change his current style but it´s definitely still possible. It´s about his head, that´s a bottom line. Tbh, it´s a better scenario than Crosby suddenly losing speed/jump/strength (that´s not the case). All those tools are still there, fortunately.

Another thing which is missing now is his excellent hand-eye coordination he used to have. He´s just driving the net less than in pre-concussion times. I LOVED those deflections by Crosby.

 

[Son Goku]

Agreed with the poster above. He basically floated all game. It was actually getting rather annoying.

 

[Luigi Lemieux]

TTEOT is gonna be quiet tonight, I guess.

To be fair, one good game doesn't really erase the last 100. His goal scoring is still a concern.

 

[Jacob]

To be fair, one good game doesn't really erase the last 100. His goal scoring is still a concern.

It is, but I think it's safe to say his skillset isn't. His faceoffs seem to be slightly affected by the wrist thing but his shooting is pretty much as good as ever.

He's going to the net a lot more but when someone like Methot is allowed to bear hug him once he's there he's not going to score much just standing in front of the net. I'd like to see him dart in and out of the goal area, staying in motion, so he can't get engaged by the defender and maybe finds himself open more.

 

[Pancakes]

It is, but I think it's safe to say his skillset isn't. His faceoffs seem to be slightly affected by the wrist thing but his shooting is pretty much as good as ever.

He's going to the net a lot more but when someone like Methot is allowed to bear hug him once he's there he's not going to score much just standing in front of the net. I'd like to see him dart in and out of the goal area, staying in motion, so he can't get engaged by the defender and maybe finds himself open more.

Movement is a definite concern with Sid in general. I actually think he's mostly fine with the puck on his stick. Yes he does the pull up and hit trailer thing way way too much but even in his very best seasons he did that.

What he seems to be having a lot of trouble with this year is finding holes and receiving the puck when he gets in those spots. It's not a speed issue but I think a movement issue. He likes to loop low into our zone and then sprint up the ice a lot. He needs to mix up his routes more because teams sniff that play out a lot. I find myself at times wishing he would cheat a little more than he does also. It seems like in those shifts when the puck ends up in our zone that Sid spends way too much time and energy getting it back and has nothing left for the attack, whereas Geno paces himself better in the d zone and is able to take turnovers and turn them into offense.

I mean I guess it's not the worst thing for Sid to put that much focus into d but I sometimes wish he'd have to expend a little less effort in that area.

 

[penspenspens]

I think Sid looked terrific on the puck a couple of weeks ago, best I've seen him in a long time. Beating people one-on-one, dangling, toe-dragging and looking dangerous. Now he's back to his ******** pulling-up-looking-for-a-trailer. Kind of frustrating to watch, considering he's still got the ability to create offense on his own.

 

[ColePens]

I think Sid looked terrific on the puck a couple of weeks ago, best I've seen him in a long time. Beating people one-on-one, dangling, toe-dragging and looking dangerous. Now he's back to his ******** pulling-up-looking-for-a-trailer. Kind of frustrating to watch, considering he's still got the ability to create offense on his own.

It is definitely frustrating to watch Sid pull up like that. If he drove to the net, so much would open up. That threat would cause defenses to collapse to him and open up second chances. He also has an insanely quick release. He just needs to dip his shoulder and he can either shoot (pass off pads) or pass if the defense completely focuses on him.

Instead he pulls up, let's the goalie and defense set, and finds a weak side defensive trailer who now has to catch a difficult pass AND shoot through about 4 guys.

 

[penspenspens]

It is definitely frustrating to watch Sid pull up like that. If he drove to the net, so much would open up. That threat would cause defenses to collapse to him and open up second chances. He also has an insanely quick release. He just needs to dip his shoulder and he can either shoot (pass off pads) or pass if the defense completely focuses on him.

Instead he pulls up, let's the goalie and defense set, and finds a weak side defensive trailer who now has to catch a difficult pass AND shoot through about 4 guys.

Thing I don't understand is that in the last two months or so, he's been very successful at beating people with the puck. Last year, and at the beginning of this season, the D would always poke-check him and he'd loose the puck 9 out of 10 times, but his stick-handling and skating has looked great lately. Don't know why he suddenly starts to pull up again, just as he's old dangling seems to be working for him again. He had some pretty sick moves against Edmonton and Calgary.

 

[xxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

I can't believe I'm about to say this, but Sid needs to take a page out of Letang's book this year. Letang's entire game has turned itself around simply by sticking to simple hockey and playing on instinct. He's letting his skill and talent dictate his play on the ice instead of trying to over-think everything, and trying to do too much.

Sid could really benefit from playing a more simple style again. Enough trying to find a trailer through 4 people, enough no-look, behind the back stuff. If you have even the smallest of lanes to shoot and the pass option is taken away, fire it on net. Simple stuff like that.

 

[mpp9]

It is definitely frustrating to watch Sid pull up like that. If he drove to the net, so much would open up. That threat would cause defenses to collapse to him and open up second chances. He also has an insanely quick release. He just needs to dip his shoulder and he can either shoot (pass off pads) or pass if the defense completely focuses on him.

Instead he pulls up, let's the goalie and defense set, and finds a weak side defensive trailer who now has to catch a difficult pass AND shoot through about 4 guys.

I've seen him to try to do that multiple times this season, but he gets closed on quickly. Teams do a good job of that.

I think part of the problem is that his game has become somewhat predictable. Madden has been criticizing Sid quite a bit this season, and he makes some good points about his "rituals" and trying to correct things via hard work. Sometimes, you just need a change. Someone really needs to talk to the guy.

Hopefully there's just some handshake agreement between Sid and the coaching staff that he'll start driving the net more when the games matter. Doing that constantly could put him in harm's way more often than not.

 

[billybudd]

I think Sid looked terrific on the puck a couple of weeks ago, best I've seen him in a long time. Beating people one-on-one, dangling, toe-dragging and looking dangerous. Now he's back to his ******** pulling-up-looking-for-a-trailer. Kind of frustrating to watch, considering he's still got the ability to create offense on his own.

This is about Pat Kane, but it's relevant to what you're talking about.

How about Patrick Kane? In preparing for Wednesday’s Vancouver/Chicago game, one defenceman laughed and said, “He was so much more fun to play when he had only one move entering the zone.â€

That was a delay-and-wait-for-help kind of thing. Now, he does so many different things, it’s ridiculous. “I like to be in line (above) the faceoff dots,†Kane said. “Then I take what the defence gives me.â€

He’s got inside moves, outside moves, cuts to the middle. Good luck with that, defenders. Tell you something else about Kane: he is one of the best in the NHL at explaining things so even dopey reporters can understand them.

http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/...le-leafs-phil-vessel-nhl-trade-deadline-2015/

Variety and improvisation can kill. It's what makes Oshie so deadly in shootouts. He only does about 3 or 4 things, but it's all in reaction to what he sees the goaltender not looking for.