Hopefully this game serves as an eye opener. Need to play more like Sully's been calling for. Fast, offensive (with good defense) and not so much back on their heels reacting.
2016-2017 Pens----Still with 100% more Kessel
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Hopefully this game serves as an eye opener. Need to play more like Sully's been calling for. Fast, offensive (with good defense) and not so much back on their heels reacting.
This game came down to the saves Holtby made to start the 3rd period....
And the saves Fleury didn't.
And the saves Fleury didn't.
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Eh, the Capitals pretty much controlled this game from start to finish. The Pens can't sit back and allow Washington that they look like they're on the PP for most of the game and win each night.
All teams are 3-2. Next
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It should be this was not winning hockey. I want to crush these ***** next game. Send them home.
Refs let this game be played to the Caps advantage. Not calling all the penalties that were out there. Not saying they called more against the Pens .. just that they really didn't call many, even obvious penalties against either team. This was to the Caps advantage because they play a more physical style that lends itself to more penalties being called against them. It is what it is ... See y'all Monday.
Sloppy passing finally caught up to them. Learn from it and finish this thing in game 6.
Pens got this
So, had my first night out with da wife without the kid in a long time and missed the game. Sum it up without emotion. Was it all in our end of the ice again? Should sid have sat another game.....
Not worried. Actually prefer winning at home.
Not worried. Actually prefer winning at home.
They did some things that were good. Stepped out of the "wait and see" approach a little bit, but not enough. When the game was tied, they just didn't get enough done. Washington was throwing pucks to the net left and right, as you'd expect. And it finally caught up with the Pens (too much ice time in their defensive zone). Sid played, but wasn't himself. No net front presence. Hopefully that changes at home. And again, the refs didn't call many penalties, which was to the Caps advantage.
It was basically an "eh" game.
We'll get 'em Monday.
Perfectly described.
Washington had the environment and momentum all game. I thought MAF still played well enough to steal a victory, just seemed the team's attitude was "eh". It was a warm up for Sid imo. Last hurrah for the Caps. I still feel good about this series
This game felt like an "experiment" game. The Pens have been trying to be more creative on rushes, which results in neutral ice turnovers. Usually the Pens simplify their approach, there was no push or effort in the 3rd. Just the first few minutes. After that they kinda let Waahington have their way. Trotz was throwing it all out there, I think the Pens have a lot more than they let on and they change stuff when they get series leads.
Sullivan wasn't making a ton of adjustments this game either. Definitely look forward to a home win
Wander if the refs will let that POS Wilson run around and take some more Pens out in Pittsburgh.
That is another one that needs a leg snapped in half.
That is another one that needs a leg snapped in half.
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He doesn't have many choices at this point. We miss Letang. Getting outshot 40 - 20 every game will catch up to you.
Time to end this Kunitz experiment though, he was horrible. I told you they'd keep moving him up into the top 6.
Malkin was bad too, why does he always let up when Sid comes back in?
The Pens defense has been horrible all season long. Even with Letang. It's noticeable how much his presence is missed with 5 on 5 rushes and minutes. The failure to clear pucks is what caused ugly stretches throughout the season. Murray and MAF has bailed the Pens out on occasions. The Pens are an offensive team. Right now they are trying to get too cute with their play. That's why Sullivan preaches to simplify the game. They tend to try all this cute/fancy stuff when they get leads on the scoreboard or in a series. Being up 2 games, this really looked like an experiment/throw away game.
Not worried. Just frustrating that they do this every few games. Oh well
Wilson has been a dirty player the past couple years. It's not just a Caps vs Pens thing. He's taken runs at plenty of players. But I do agree. The ****** needs a good dose of humble pie. When Cole lit him up last week, I was hoping that punk stayed down. Wilson is tough wanker though
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The Caps are skating to the puck carrier on defense, not giving them time or space to get off a shot.
In the Pens zone, for some reason, the D is skating away from the puck carrier, giving them time and space to shoot. That's why all of the goals were inside the circles. That needs fixed, because Washington has snipers, and MAF can't react to point blank shots where the shooter has the entire net to shoot at. No goalie can...
In the Pens zone, for some reason, the D is skating away from the puck carrier, giving them time and space to shoot. That's why all of the goals were inside the circles. That needs fixed, because Washington has snipers, and MAF can't react to point blank shots where the shooter has the entire net to shoot at. No goalie can...
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Bring back the HBK line!
this was the problem. The Caps had too much space and room to move the puck freely, esp in our zone. it may have worked in past game in this series to sit back, but when you don't apply pressure, they were able to have free reign on MAF. I don't think it was really Fleury's fault rather our guys standing around and playing too soft. As far a Holtby, the chances in the 3rd were decent, but didn't challenge him like the Pens needed to. Three goals in the 3rd is the push that was expected and there was little response. Sid needed that backhand early in the 3rd. That may have broke their backs.
The Pens should be playing desperate tomorrow. Something we haven't see from this team. I don't want to go back to WASH, as I'm sure our boys don't, as well.
They need to do a better job beating the craps to the puck on the boards and winning those battles too. I noticed when they are trying to move the puck out of the craps zone they are turning it back over a lot too. They need to clean that up.
Really wish they would have finished them off last night. All they did was give hope and confidence to a team that was really questioning itself.
I just don't know if they can win another cup the way they are playing defensively to be honest. Have they out shot ANYONE in the playoffs yet?
Really wish they would have finished them off last night. All they did was give hope and confidence to a team that was really questioning itself.
I just don't know if they can win another cup the way they are playing defensively to be honest. Have they out shot ANYONE in the playoffs yet?
Just the polar opposite of last years team....
This years version of the Pens are not as strong as last years Cup Champions...
The question is....can they continue to win in this manner...or will their inadequate defensive play be their Achilles heel?
So far...Fluery has been the difference maker for them in both series...
They HAVE to end it at home..
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They HAVE to end it at home.
I believe this, as well. Malkin, Kessel and Sid needs to light up the scoreboard and be very aggressive for a full 60.
I believe this, as well. Malkin, Kessel and Sid needs to light up the scoreboard and be very aggressive for a full 60.