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2018-19 Penguins and NHL Offseason

At last a W. Good thing is they gave up 1 goal today,bad thing is they scored 1 goal. That blowing leads at the end of the game then losing just sucks. I can't think of a more deflating way to lose.
 
MTC said:
Offensive opportunity is plenty.
JJ came to hit tonight.

Murray was solid for about 85% of the game
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I don't think Kessel could hit a barn door these days. Simon is flat out horrible. Not sure what his purpose is. Heard the 29er say he was demoted to the 4th line and Cullen added to 3rd.

Jack Johnson is starting to prove his worth. Looks like a new player.

Notice that Jake is in a little scoring drought. Along with everyone else? Hopefully the flood gates open soon. It's not like they are not getting their chances.

Preds goalie is still trying to find Sids shot on instant replay.
 
Murray had shut the Pred's down for something like 250 minutes before he leaked that goal. Then comes back and stones them in the shootout. He is hard to figure.


Also hard to figure is Kessel. He actually made a few solid defensive plays. Still can't put the puck on net, let alone in it. How do you go from elite sniper to 4th line ? Still averaging almost a point per game.

The effort Sid has brought this season is amazing. He has the team on his back and it's been that way all year. 5th in the NHL scoring at 93. Seven games left and a PPG get's him 100.

Maatta took contact yesterday. He'll be ready soon. Who sits ? As much as I like his experience, I can't see putting him back in the lineup.
 
This blowing leads at the end of the game crap has to get remedied here pretty quick. I sat there watching the 3rd fully expecting it it happen and right on cue, Murray lets one in. He was the reason they actually even had a lead in the 3rd however. One thing I will say is these games the last few weeks wouldn't even be close if these goalies facing the Pens were not playing lights out. So many chances to blow these games wide open and the goalies are making miraculous saves.

Its got to turn here soon.
 
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UB, Phil Bourque fielded a question during intermission about who to sit when Maata, is ready. He pretty much said he wouldn't pull anyone and leave things as is. I'd agree with him. The D is not the reason for coming up short recently.
 
I wouldn't change anything on D.
They've picked it up.

The only key imo is Malkin's line needs to click.
There seems to be no chemistry at all.


3rd and 4th lines for the most part know their role.
Aggressive forecheck, gritty play.

Oh and the PP needs to stop being fancy.

This team isn't cup contending but they can be playoff competitive
 
MTC said:
I wouldn't change anything on D.
They've picked it up.

The only key imo is Malkin's line needs to click.
There seems to be no chemistry at all.


3rd and 4th lines for the most part know their role.
Aggressive forecheck, gritty play.

Oh and the PP needs to stop being fancy.

This team isn't cup contending but they can be playoff competitive
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I don't know. I think there as good as any of the teams out there. Definitely have the talent. They just need to get their heads out of their arses and play complete 60 minute games.
 
Anything can happen in the playoffs, injuries, slumps hot streaks. For the Pen's to be serious contenders there are a bunch of issues. Some kind of scoring will need to happen from somewhere other than the #1 line. The #2 line has to stop the transition leaks. Murray needs to be the playoff Murray. The PP needs to regain it's former glory. Funny how much of this is centered around Malkin and Kessel.

This team has all the skills, albeit aging skills. Can they put another deep run together ? I'm not so sure, but will be more than happy to be wrong. A win like last night could be the shot in the arm that was needed. The current magic number is 10. Any combination of points, Pens wins, Montreal losses seals the payoff spot. My fingers are crossed.
 
Uncle Ben said:
Anything can happen in the playoffs, injuries, slumps hot streaks. For the Pen's to be serious contenders there are a bunch of issues. Some kind of scoring will need to happen from somewhere other than the #1 line. The #2 line has to stop the transition leaks. Murray needs to be the playoff Murray. The PP needs to regain it's former glory. Funny how much of this is centered around Malkin and Kessel.

This team has all the skills, albeit aging skills. Can they put another deep run together ? I'm not so sure, but will be more than happy to be wrong. A win like last night could be the shot in the arm that was needed. The current magic number is 10. Any combination of points, Pens wins, Montreal losses seals the payoff spot. My fingers are crossed.
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The Pens have a shot just as much as anyone in the playoffs.
I don't like our match ups against Tampa.

Washington doesn't look too threatening this season. They are really physical though.
I guess the other team that seems to have the Pens number is Boston.
 
MTC said:
The Pens have a shot just as much as anyone in the playoffs.
I don't like our match ups against Tampa.

Washington doesn't look too threatening this season. They are really physical though.
I guess the other team that seems to have the Pens number is Boston.
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Pens are 2-0-1 vs Boston. and out scored them 10-7. Tough match up but I like our odds.

Pens are 1-2 vs Tampa but the goals are even at 11 each. Two of those games were early in the season before our D had a clue. Tampa is a great team and has been all year. I think we have a chance.

Pens are 3-1-0 vs the craps. Pens out scored them 15-12. This will be a brutal match up. I like our odds.
 
Uncle Ben said:
Pens are 2-0-1 vs Boston. and out scored them 10-7. Tough match up but I like our odds.

Pens are 1-2 vs Tampa but the goals are even at 11 each. Two of those games were early in the season before our D had a clue. Tampa is a great team and has been all year. I think we have a chance.

Pens are 3-1-0 vs the craps. Pens out scored them 15-12. This will be a brutal match up. I like our odds.
Click to expand...

So long as we're not matched up against a real lousy team, I like our odds. It's like the Steelers of late all over again.
 
Uncle Ben said:
Pens are 2-0-1 vs Boston. and out scored them 10-7. Tough match up but I like our odds.

Pens are 1-2 vs Tampa but the goals are even at 11 each. Two of those games were early in the season before our D had a clue. Tampa is a great team and has been all year. I think we have a chance.

Pens are 3-1-0 vs the craps. Pens out scored them 15-12. This will be a brutal match up. I like our odds.
Click to expand...

Now that you say. I think the Pens can wear down Boston in a best of 7 series.
Really just concerned about Tampa and getting in.

Caps are not scary. Again just physical. If they can step into Wilson and put a few shots on Ovie and Backstrom.
You take away the caps mojo.
 
MTC said:
Now that you say. I think the Pens can wear down Boston in a best of 7 series.
Really just concerned about Tampa and getting in.

Caps are not scary. Again just physical. If they can step into Wilson and put a few shots on Ovie and Backstrom.
You take away the caps mojo.
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Tampa is a scoring machine. Last time we played them the Florida boys had just come on board. Gudbranson was not on the team yet. Murray gave up 2 that he shouldn't have. Defensively we are much better now. It was a gritty game that the Pens should have won. It would be a great series that may drain the tank of the winner. See the two idiots waving towels ? We went to that one.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="und" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LetsGoPens?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LetsGoPens</a> <a href="https://t.co/gqEQ1OLYH5">pic.twitter.com/gqEQ1OLYH5</a></p>— Defending THE CUP (@pensownhockey) <a href="https://twitter.com/pensownhockey/status/1095068079887929349?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 11, 2019</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
Dallas is getting a ton of chances. They haven't cashed in... yet.
 
1-1 now. They are getting too many chances. The defense is allowing them to glide into the zone.
 
 
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