Post-Game Talk: The Russian Bear Wakes Up - Pens Win!

[Will Hunting]

Good to know that Murray sucks as well. It looks like we had no good option to choose from at that goaltending position so we went with the cheaper guy. I still think that we need a new goalie. Can´t go with DeSmith as a starter. That´s comical and hopeless. At most, he can maaaaaybe be a very lightly used backup, but that´s it. I really really don´t want to see us to go with him now. Jarry needs to do something or we need a new goalie.

 

[Human]

 

[Tacitus Kilgore]

Big win, nice to see them come back and take it

Just like my ex

 

[EightyOne]

WELL WELL WELL

I dont like the lack of regulation wins...

BUT...

 

[The Great Mighty Poo]

Talk to me Goose.

 

[FunkySeeFunkyDo]

Remove Zucker off Malkin's line. Jesus

Replace him with who? Break up Crosby’s line?

 

[radapex]

Wrong goalie!

Seriously kind of a rough move by Vegas if they move him.

He's been listed as day-to-day with an upper body injury. Wonder if he re-aggravated his shoulder.

 

[Ryder71]

We still need to get to some level and degree of structure where by giving up two goals a night becomes the norm.

 

[Turin]

Replace him with who? Break up Crosby’s line?

Trade him for Mantha or Meier or Forsberg or Arvidsson (idk just listing names with Pixies help)

 

[radapex]

Dear Pens,

Please don't leave POJO all alone to thwart off Barzal again anytime soon or ever again.

That's where not having Dumo really hurts. Even if he's not playing as well as he could/should (he seemed to be turning the corner just as he got hurt). It means you don't have to force POJ into a situation like defending Barzal... you can ease him into things better.

 

[EightyOne]

The SO goal by Sid should have been disallowed

That was just rude as f*** by him

 

[Ryder71]

Replace him with who? Break up Crosby’s line?

Exactly! Who are we gonna replace him with. ZAR? DOC? Come on. lol

 

[Tom Hanks]

Trade him for Mantha or Meier or Forsberg or Arvidsson (idk just listing names with Pixies help)

Zucker for a RW is not the best idea

 

[Tacitus Kilgore]

Yea that Sid goal in the SO looked like a patty kane type of goal in the shootout

 

[madinsomniac]

Look this team doesn't need trades for the sake of trades. Geno and Sid aren't washed up. Jake and Zucker didn't forget how to play hockey. There is plenty of talent that needs maximized here... maybe its a strategic change, maybe its a new voice in the room... maybe its tweaking who plays with whom or what matchups you are trying to get them in....


DeSmith didnt have a great game until the ot... he still plays back too much and is tentative with the poke check... both of our goalies look like they have no confidence and its not like both of them suddenly fell off of a cliff.... this team is pathological with goalies... they play well in front of them until they get comfortable with them then they play stupid hockey and hang them out to dry....

And as for PO and Marino.... you can physically see them overthinking everything now.... heck the whole team is doing that at times... they are all gripping their sticks and playing tight... forcing passes, fumbling pucks... if you are going to make a trade... I suggest a glue guy like a Talbot or Hagelin type to loosen things up...
....but he younger defensemen will be fine... it usually takes years to settle into the NHL... you can have stints where you look like the next all star then follow it with horrible ones where you look like a bust... it takes patience and good coaching to get the most out of them... when they are losing confidence you need to drop their responsibility level down and get them better matchups...

 

[ncm7772]

I love how much old Pens love the team

Me too!

 

[radapex]

I tend to agree. TBH I wasn't all that enamored with Kapanen either.

That's pretty much Kapanen for ya. He's a consistent defensive forward, but hit-or-miss offensively so some games he's just not great.

 

[Gurglesons]

That's pretty much Kapanen for ya. He's a consistent defensive forward, but hit-or-miss offensively so some games he's just not great.

He’s been a top six RW for us and great tbh.

 

[dogthateats]

 

[Turin]

Zucker for a RW is not the best idea

Idk. Team needs a goalie and they need a power play.

 

[radapex]

Exactly! Who are we gonna replace him with. ZAR? DOC? Come on. lol

This roster has a severe lack of skilled depth. Top 6 is nice enough, bottom 6 are a bunch of 4th line types. They'll grind shifts out, mostly play some responsible defensive hockey, but outside of the currently injured McCann (at times) none of them show any real top 6 skill.

 

[Ryder71]

He’s been a top six RW for us and great tbh.

Not tonight he wasn't. Seemed to have trouble managing the puck. He's good in open ice but with the Isles structure and positioning, I don't think he looked all that good.

 

[radapex]

He’s been a top six RW for us and great tbh.

I've been very happy with him overall. But I do see what my Leafs fan buddies were talking about. He's skilled, he skates hard, he plays two-way hockey... but sometimes he leaves you wondering if he even dressed that night.

 

[vodeni]

Geno's line got advantage playing with Marino and Matheson that could potentially be a good pairing if Marino get back to his old form, at least had a lot of OZ time, although did not do much with that

 

[SEALBound]

Ceci and Ruh weren't bad either. I give Ruh a ton of credit. Playing on his offside like that cannot be easy. One thing about Ceci, he'll shoot the damn puck. And while his execution isn't always good, I like his effort.

Outside of POJ, Rudwedel has been the biggest surprise to me. I thought he was #8 blah and I almost regretted resigning him but his play has been fantastic. It's not top pairing quality but its definitely 4/5 caliber and it's been a welcomed surprise in the face of injuries.

Ceci also had a couple of real good sequences where he held the zone and made something happen. For a guy we've nearly written off, it was a good bounce-back game and I hope the trend continues.

The biggest positive I take out of this win is that we came back against a very stringent, structured and disciplined team. It's a good sign if nothing else.

We've come from behind in damn near every game. While there's a lot lacking at the moment, the will to fight is as least there.

WELL WELL WELL

I dont like the lack of regulation wins...

BUT...

Losses are better?