What has he done in this first round? Honestly? Some will say "oh his face off percentage is reason enough to keep him out there", but he's not doing anything else. Vitale had incredible numbers in the face off category. I think, with this team needing a shot in the arm, adding guys like Vitale and Kennedy to the lineup could be exactly what this team needs. Speed, energy, and they both have something to prove. Both work their asses off when the game is on the line.
- simethos

JJ can play anywhere. He got bumped way down with Crosby coming back. TK was good in the cup run, but that was 4 yrs ago. You knwo who else was good in the cup run? MAF. 4 yrs is a long time for a pro athlete. I think DB is doing another piss poor job managing this team. Malkin and Iggy are horrendous together. A lot of ppl are terrible with Malkin. Iggy has to be on Sids line.

Useless stat of the day: In Penguins games I have attended this season against the Islanders, the penguins went 2-0 scoring a combined 11 goals and only allowed 1. Let's hope the streak continues!!!!

LETS GO PENS!!!!

Because he hasn't played well the entire season. The only team he has played well against this year, was, well ... your team. If we were playing the Flyers, he'd be in the lineup for sure. I think he will bring it hard tonight though. The effort with him is usually there.
- Oneonta Penguin

Got it. Well, motivation for him should certainly be no problem and I agree, the work ethic is always there with him.

Vitale and Kennedy are in!!! The speed and forecheck we need. Now my question is who's sitting?? Adams and glass?

I'd love to see Vitale-jokinen/sutter-Kennedy on the 4th

If I had any say in game planning....

Kunitz meet your new linemates Geno, and Neal.

Iggy Congrats you've been promoted to line 1A.

Juicy you will be seeing a lot more ice time.

Hiy anything and everything hard!!

My nutty prediction for tonight 6-2 Pens.

JJ can play anywhere. He got bumped way down with Crosby coming back. TK was good in the cup run, but that was 4 yrs ago. You knwo who else was good in the cup run? MAF. 4 yrs is a long time for a pro athlete. I think DB is doing another piss poor job managing this team. Malkin and Iggy are horrendous together. A lot of ppl are terrible with Malkin. Iggy has to be on Sids line.
- sammy87

The best thing about Malkin and Neal, and what makes them so great, is that they are friends, but brutally honest and not afraid to piss each other off. We've seen it on the "in the room" series. When you put Iginla on there, all it turns out to be is a defer-fest. Iggy defers to Malkin, Neal and Malkin defer to Iggy... Malkin and Neal had the two on one last game, where Malkin kept it the whole time and scored. If that was him and Iggy, he would have passed it.

If I had any say in game planning....

Kunitz meet your new linemates Geno, and Neal.

Iggy Congrats you've been promoted to line 1A.

Juicy you will be seeing a lot more ice time.

Hiy anything and everything hard!!

My nutty prediction for tonight 6-2 Pens.
- Francois Leroux

It has always amazed me how easy it is for everyone but Bylsma to see the easy changes that need to be made.

The best thing about Malkin and Neal, and what makes them so great, is that they are friends, but brutally honest and not afraid to piss each other off. We've seen it on the "in the room" series. When you put Iginla on there, all it turns out to be is a defer-fest. Iggy defers to Malkin, Neal and Malkin defer to Iggy... Malkin and Neal had the two on one last game, where Malkin kept it the whole time and scored. If that was him and Iggy, he would have passed it.
- rival22

I liked Cooke with them. I still really think Kunitz should be with Malkin though and bring Iggy to the 1st. Kunitz is a very solid 2 way player who will back check when Neal and Malkin are too lazy/slow to do so

Kunitz-Crosby-Dupuis
Neal-Malkin-Iginla
Morrow-Sutter-Cooke
Adams-Vitale-Kennedy
Glass-Jokinen-Bennett
(Jeffrey)

Orpik-Martin
Murray-Niskanen
Despres-Letang
Eaton-Engelland
(Bortuzzo)

PP 1: Letang, Iginla, Crosby, Malkin, Kunitz/Neal
PP 2: Niskanen, Martin, Dupuis, Kennedy, Morrow

Looks like Jokinen probably sits, which surprises me a little, and Eaton is likely out as well. I'm happy to see Glass finally out of the lineup. It's about freaking time.

Team speed is an issue if you continue to allow a team with speed to use it.

Byslma has to adjust his strategy if his offensive approach keeps resulting in a 1 shot and out...or turnover and out...of the offensive zone situation.

In the playoffs, we have watched team after team take the Penguins forechecking/pressure offense and turn it against them. Some of those teams weren't even known for having great speed.

When the system is working and they are able to keep the puck in...it's great...but when they fail to keep the puck in at all, it can quickly turn into lots of room for speedy opponents to counter attack. Especially if they haven't been able to "invest" by hitting the opposing forwards and D. Instead of wearing down the opposition, we end up with 2 or three guys out of position as the opponent comes on the counter attack.

The answer seems pretty simple...if the aggressive approach is not working...or if you have the lead...switch into something less likely to give the Isles the ice they want.

Its a risk reward system the Pens play...and too often in recent playoffs the risk has been much bigger than the reward.

Team speed is an issue if you continue to allow a team with speed to use it.

Byslma has to adjust his strategy if his offensive approach keeps resulting in a 1 shot and out...or turnover and out...of the offensive zone situation.

In the playoffs, we have watched team after team take the Penguins forechecking/pressure offense and turn it against them. Some of those teams weren't even known for having great speed.

When the system is working and they are able to keep the puck in...it's great...but when they fail to keep the puck in at all, it can quickly turn into lots of room for speedy opponents to counter attack. Especially if they haven't been able to "invest" by hitting the opposing forwards and D. Instead of wearing down the opposition, we end up with 2 or three guys out of position as the opponent comes on the counter attack.

The answer seems pretty simple...if the aggressive approach is not working...or if you have the lead...switch into something less likely to give the Isles the ice they want.

Its a risk reward system the Pens play...and too often in recent playoffs the risk has been much bigger than the reward.
- icedog97

Well, Bylsma isn't exactly known for being able to deviate from his plan on-the-fly. Also, the Pens are not a great puck retrieval team, they're a much more efficient puck possession team. I think the real problem is the neutral zone turnovers. If the forwards will come further back, the defense can move the puck more quickly, and let the forwards carry it instead of throwing it up the boards and having the Isles counter with it.

Vokoun's in, we know that. Kennedy's a probable. Who else is coming into the game tonight?

I'm thinking with all the changes it might be:

Kunitz-Crosby-Dupuis
Neal-Malkin-Iginla
Morrow-Sutter-Cooke
Kennedy-Vitale-Adams (Glass and Jokinen sit)

Orpik-Martin
Eaton-Letang
Engelland or Despres - Murray (Niskanen sits)
- simethos

Wait, why would Jokinen sit? Hasn't he been the best faceoff man on the team? Plus playing well?

Sit Adams, if anyone.

Wait, why would Jokinen sit? Hasn't he been the best faceoff man on the team? Plus playing well?

Sit Adams, if anyone.
- TommyDeVito

I hear you there, but it looks as though the 4th line will be Adams/Vitale/Kennedy

Vitale and Kennedy are in!!! The speed and forecheck we need. Now my question is who's sitting?? Adams and glass?

I'd love to see Vitale-jokinen/sutter-Kennedy on the 4th
- drummer829

I'm guessing Jokinen, Bennett, and Glass

Well, Bylsma isn't exactly known for being able to deviate from his plan on-the-fly. Also, the Pens are not a great puck retrieval team, they're a much more efficient puck possession team. I think the real problem is the neutral zone turnovers. If the forwards will come further back, the defense can move the puck more quickly, and let the forwards carry it instead of throwing it up the boards and having the Isles counter with it.
- jmatchett383

Turnovers in general, are a big problem for the Pens right now. It's a similar story as the past few years in the playoffs.

I don't know how many turnovers have been neutral zone...but their play in the neutral zone has been a problem...especially when defending...even after losing the puck in the offensive zone.

They should play a smarter, more patient game...isn't that what a team with all these kinds of star players should be able to show...patience and hockey smarts?

Glad to see Vitale back in... The guy has been able to spark this team with energy after missing games. Love how he hits everything. This is what we need in this series.

TK is always capable of a big game.

Just hope these moves don't hurt PK and faceoffs to bad.

The best thing about Malkin and Neal, and what makes them so great, is that they are friends, but brutally honest and not afraid to piss each other off. We've seen it on the "in the room" series. When you put Iginla on there, all it turns out to be is a defer-fest. Iggy defers to Malkin, Neal and Malkin defer to Iggy... Malkin and Neal had the two on one last game, where Malkin kept it the whole time and scored. If that was him and Iggy, he would have passed it.
- rival22

Put Kunitz with them. It seems like no matter where Kunitz plays, he always is working his ass off, and helps his line. One of the most underrated wingers in the NHL, outside of Penguins fans that is.

vokoun cannot falter. hes doesnt have to be that good really. look at Nabokov, horrible numbers. Vokoun just needs to make timely saves.

vokoun cannot falter. hes doesnt have to be that good really. look at Nabokov, horrible numbers. Vokoun just needs to make timely saves.
- wingz4life

Agreed. Vokoun needs to make saves at the right time, and play with confidence/composure. I have a feeling that they Pens will play smarter and slower (in a good way) tonight knowing that he is between the pipes.

Glad to see Vitale back in... The guy has been able to spark this team with energy after missing games. Love how he hits everything. This is what we need in this series.

TK is always capable of a big game.

Just hope these moves don't hurt PK and faceoffs to bad.
- lloyd095

ALWAYS capable of a big game? I guess anyone is capable of it, and achieving it is 2 different things. Last time I saw TK play he made a no look behind the back pass across his own end to a guy on the other team.

Agreed. Vokoun needs to make saves at the right time, and play with confidence/composure. I have a feeling that they Pens will play smarter and slower (in a good way) tonight knowing that he is between the pipes.
- kill.monsters

he knows the pens are going to score 3-4 goals. comes on, that should be enough for any playoff goalie to work with.

he knows the pens are going to score 3-4 goals. comes on, that should be enough for any playoff goalie to work with.
- wingz4life

You'd certainly think so.

ALWAYS capable of a big game? I guess anyone is capable of it, and achieving it is 2 different things. Last time I saw TK play he made a no look behind the back pass across his own end to a guy on the other team.
- sammy87

Tk is the most selfish shooter on our team and with a very shaky Nabby... I like dressing him especially is it's over Glass

If Geno continues his rash of dumb penalties, you will need Adams or Glass to kill penalties. One of them has to remain in the line-up. While BB has played well givent his chances, it's up to the veterans to play through this series.

I know that he's playing hurt, but I have a feeling that Crosby is going to have a monster game either tonight or Saturday...maybe both?