GDT: The Return of Cole - Penguins @ Blue Jackets @ 19:00EST

[66-30-33]

This would usually mean Korpisalo would start tonight.

So we are firmly entrenched inside Bobs head. Or they are playing mind games with us.

 

[JimmyTwoTimes]

I guess, I don’t really see home ice advantage making or breaking the Pens this year.

Yeah why not give yourself better odds?

 

[3074326]

This game honestly means nothing

Also, if the Penguins abuse Ian Cole does anybody hear it?

2017-2018 Pittsburgh Penguins

29-9-2 at home
16-20-4 on road

2017-2018 Columbus Blue Jackets

26-12-2
19-17-4

It seems to mean more than nothing.

Also, many Jackets fans think this is the biggest regular season game in the history of their franchise. I hope the Pens don't come out with the same attitude.

 

[Ryder71]

I guess, I don’t really see home ice advantage making or breaking the Pens this year.

You know it's kind of interesting, kind of a double whammy either way. If we win tonight on the road our reward is likely home ice, but we have to win on the road to do it, so that'd be a big positive in both capacities. Conversely, if we lose, we'll likely start on the road, and a game we'd like to win we couldn't, so that's a pretty big negative on two fronts.

 

[Gurglesons]

Yeah why not give yourself better odds?

The data shows there is inherently no advantage.

 

[Ryder71]

Yeah why not give yourself better odds?

I think it's important for the reasons I cited in a previous post. At some point the excuses need to stop and some of the players need to step up and play solid fundamental hockey. We have two games left, enough with the uneven efforts.

 

[BlindWillyMcHurt]

I could be wrong about this but I get this notion that pixie doesn't think much of Ian Cole. He's keeping it awful vague though, so I'm just not sure.

 

[cheesedanish87]

So we are firmly entrenched inside Bobs head. Or they are playing mind games with us.

I don't think so.

I think Torts will start Korpo.

 

[Gurglesons]

2017-2018 Pittsburgh Penguins

29-9-2 at home
16-20-4 on road

2017-2018 Columbus Blue Jackets

26-12-2
19-17-4

It seems to mean more than nothing.

Also, many Jackets fans think this is the biggest regular season game in the history of their franchise. I hope the Pens don't come out with the same attitude.

They played two less back to backs then us. I’m also not really worried about the Jackets win three more road games than us in the regular season.

 

[Gurglesons]

You know it's kind of interesting, kind of a double whammy either way. If we win tonight on the road our reward is likely home ice, but we have to win on the road to do it, so that'd be a big positive in both capacities. Conversely, if we lose, we'll likely start on the road, and a game we'd like to win we couldn't, so that's a pretty big negative on two fronts.

We can’t win road games now? Interesting..

 

[Ryder71]

We can’t win road games now? Interesting..

No, what I suggested was if we can't win tonight we'll likely start on the road, which this season has been an uphill battle. If we win tonight we like gain home ice, but also prove we can beat a good team in a hostile environment, so that's doubly positive.

 

[3074326]

They played two less back to backs then us. I’m also not really worried about the Jackets win three more road games than us in the regular season.

The point was that both teams have been notably better at home this season. If you don't care, that's fine, but don't act like others are crazy for preferring home ice in the playoffs. You're just being super combative for no apparent reason.

 

[66-30-33]

I don't think so.

I think Torts will start Korpo.

If he's not hurt or sick then that's just an odd decision by Tortz.

 

[Gurglesons]

The point was that both teams have been notably better at home this season. If you don't care, that's fine, but don't act like others are crazy for preferring home ice in the playoffs. You're just being super combative for no apparent reason.

I’m not being combative. Home ice has been time and time again proven to have little relevance on the NHL playoffs.

 

[Gurglesons]

No, what I suggested was if we can't win tonight we'll likely start on the road, which this season has been an uphill battle. If we win tonight we like gain home ice, but also prove we can beat a good team in a hostile environment, so that's doubly positive.

Back to backs have been heavily weighed on the road this season. I see no reason to be convinced by those numbers. Five losses in back to backs in regulations on the road.

Our road record is nearly identical to Nashville’s last year.

 

[Ryder71]

The point was that both teams have been notably better at home this season. If you don't care, that's fine, but don't act like others are crazy for preferring home ice in the playoffs. You're just being super combative for no apparent reason.

Agreed, home ice is always a good variable to have in your favor. You sleep in your own bed, the other team has to travel to your barn, although against the jackets that wouldn't be overly cumbersome, but still the comforts of home everything else being equal, is a positive.

 

[Ryder71]

Back to backs have been heavily weighed on the road this season. I see no reason to be convinced by those numbers.

I'm convinced by the piss poor performances throughout this season. Fortunately in tonights tilt there is no such excuse, we have had three days off. So hopefully there won't be any excuses. Just good results!

 

[cbjgirl]

If he's not hurt or sick then that's just an odd decision by Tortz.

He's looked a bit shaky the last handful of games. An illness has been going through the locker room. But, I'm not sure that Korpi is a better option regardless.

 

[Scandale du Jour]

Please win, I'd like to avoid Boston.

 

[Ryder71]

Please win, I'd like to avoid Boston.

You, me and everyone who's not a Bruins fan.

 

[JimmyTwoTimes]

I’m not being combative. Home ice has been time and time again proven to have little relevance on the NHL playoffs.

Tell that to Rinne.

 

[Gurglesons]

Agreed, home ice is always a good variable to have in your favor. You sleep in your own bed, the other team has to travel to your barn, although against the jackets that wouldn't be overly cumbersome, but still the comforts of home everything else being equal, is a positive.

Except for that whole argument of teams making players not sleep in their own bed because they believe it makes the players to comfortable.

Everything I’ve seen regarding playoff advantage in the NHL is mainly 50-50. It has no impact.

 

[Gurglesons]

Tell that to Rinne.

Is Rinne our goaltender?

Nashville is a great example of why home advantage means nothing. Didn’t have it once last year.

 

[Andy99]

If he's not hurt or sick then that's just an odd decision by Tortz.

No it’s not...same reason the Caps did it...both Bob and Holtby have been bad against the Pens...CBJ like the Caps want to see if they have a better option on the payroll..not all that hard to figure out...

 

[Ryder71]

Except for that whole argument of teams making players not sleep in their own bed because they believe it makes the players to comfortable.

Everything I’ve seen regarding playoff advantage in the NHL is mainly 50-50. It has no impact.

Well then I guess tonights game is meaningless to you. I see it very differently. I don't want us backing into the playoffs, didn't work out well in 2015.