Yeah, things can still be up in the air, but Stemp has the inside track, just because he is healthy now and has the chance to develop some chemistry with Crosby and Kunitz. If he can have a few more games like last night before Bennett returns next week then Bennett might not even get a shot. For the first time in a while, that line looked pretty good throughout the entire game at even strength.
- PensFan1103

I think they also saw what that did to the 2nd line as a result though and that'll play a role in the decision making. Filled the hole on line 1, but opened a hole on line 3. Filled that hole with Jokinen but opened a hole on line 2. Filled that with Pyatt and Pyatt is still falling through that hole into some vortex to fracking Narnia or something.

It's about filling one hole without making a bigger hole elsewhere and not over-thinking something.

Bylsma is going to double shift guys here and there to limit the bad players minutes until Bennett gets back. Its just tough because the Pyatt and the like really drag down the others when theyre out there

Not if it also creates a void in the 2nd line as a result because you've gotta move Jokinen to fill in for Stemp on the 3rd line and you have to plug that hole with Pyatt.

They're still just throwing everything at the wall to see what sticks and going from there. They gotta get 4 lines that work and creating a hole in 1 place to fill a hole slightly smaller or bigger hole elsewhere isn't the solution. I think they're smart enough to know that.
- ScienceJesus

I don't think the Jokinen/Pyatt swap experiment has much of a correlation with Stempniak being on the top line with Crosby and Kunitz. I think keeping that top line going and returning Jokinen to the 2nd line and worrying about who takes the 3rd line spot is better than putting Stempniak on the 3rd and worrying about who takes the 1st line spot.

Yeah, things can still be up in the air, but Stemp has the inside track, just because he is healthy now and has the chance to develop some chemistry with Crosby and Kunitz. If he can have a few more games like last night before Bennett returns next week then Bennett might not even get a shot. For the first time in a while, that line looked pretty good throughout the entire game at even strength.
- PensFan1103

If Sempniak keeps having more games like last night, he can get that spot... Crosby is a creature of habit, so if Stempniak is working there, he's going to be there.

Sutter and Bennett played decent together at the start of the season... even with Kobasew on the other wing. Bennett will add some skill to that 3rd line.

I think they also saw what that did to the 2nd line as a result though and that'll play a role in the decision making. Filled the hole on line 1, but opened a hole on line 3. Filled that hole with Jokinen but opened a hole on line 2. Filled that with Pyatt and Pyatt is still falling through that hole into some vortex to fracking Narnia or something.

It's about filling one hole without making a bigger hole elsewhere and not over-thinking something.
- ScienceJesus

Personally I think they are trying to see if Pyatt fits in anywhere with this team, which he is proving he does not. If he doesn't do something and soon, he is gone when Bennett comes back. My guess is that they are deciding whether they waive Pyatt or just send Gibbons back down when Bennett is healthy. If Pyatt continues to be useless like he is, it is going to be an easy decision.

They struggled in the 2nd. It was good to see a bounce back 3rd of sorts
- Deadstar

They looked like a team at the tail end of a road trip for the most part. Going home will be good although fatigue is more than likely going to still be an issue tonight. I expect to get a better idea of where they are this weekend with the Flyers b2b after a 3 day break.

But yea, Pyatt is not good. He should have to practise with whoever broke Conner's foot yesterday.

I know Pyatt got some time there last night, but the thing about Jokinen - Malkin - Neal is that Malkin is a bit streaky, and like just about every good goal scorer, Neal and Jokinen are streaky too.

There are going to be stretches where that line scores a dozen goal in a couple of weeks, but there will be games where they disappear. You gotta take the good with the bad, and hope that they get hot at the right time.
- rival22

Jussi's gone 10 games without a goal at this point. I also think they want to see some different looks with the third line, which includes seeing if Sutter and Jokinen can rekindle their previous success and balance out the lines a little bit.

Not sure what to make of Goc playing on the 4th line and Vitale playing on the third line. I'd like to eventually see:

14/87/22
19/71/18
57/16/36
15/46/27

Or even if it were Bennett and Jokinen flip-flopped.

I don't think the Jokinen/Pyatt swap experiment has much of a correlation with Stempniak being on the top line with Crosby and Kunitz. I think keeping that top line going and returning Jokinen to the 2nd line and worrying about who takes the 3rd line spot is better than putting Stempniak on the 3rd and worrying about who takes the 1st line spot.
- PensFan1103

While I understand that point of view, I'm just going to again point out the math on this, because that's what it comes down to:

Sid & Kunitz + AHLer = net positive line.
Sutter & Goc + AHLer = net negative line.
Sid & Kunitz & Stemp = slightly higher net positive line
Sutter & Goc & Stemp = even or net positive line.

The smart move is to remove your negatives before you concern yourself about increasing your existing positives. Because the increase in your positives will likely not outweigh the existing negatives, but the removal of the negatives will very likely outweigh an increase to your existing positives.

Stemp isn't Mario or anything of the sort that the other teams need to key in on, however he's not a guy that they can ignore on the 1st line entirely like they could with Gibbons. However, he likely doesn't improve the 1st line so much that it would outweigh removing the "getting 2 or 3 goals scored against it" that is the problem on the 3rd line.

They're filling holes by creating other holes. It's a question of the least detrimental hole. I still believe that the least detrimental hole would be playing a nobody on Sid's wing (until Bennett gets back) and removing the Death Valley of possession time & +/- that was the 3rd line with an actual NHL player (in this case, Stemp. But I'd actually settle for absolutely ANY legitimate NHL player that was offered to fill this spot)

I love seeing torterella sad , I'll bet he's gone in the offseason.

Somebody should make a "controller unplugged" GIF where he clearly scores a goal. That'd be something worth posting!

EDIT: And yes, I can put my hate for the Penguins aside for my love of good GIFs
- BulliesPhan87

Instead of "controller unplugged" it should say "autopilot" or "manual override"

I love seeing torterella sad , I'll bet he's gone in the offseason.
- Bradlee3

I waited patiently for his press conference last night and was thoroughly disappointed. Brooksie need to move to Vancouver if we want to grow the game.

While I understand that point of view, I'm just going to again point out the math on this, because that's what it comes down to:

Sid & Kunitz + AHLer = net positive line.
Sutter & Goc + AHLer = net negative line.
Sid & Kunitz & Stemp = slightly higher net positive line
Sutter & Goc & Stemp = even or net positive line.

The smart move is to remove your negatives before you concern yourself about increasing your existing positives. Because the increase in your positives will likely not outweigh the existing negatives, but the removal of the negatives will very likely outweigh an increase to your existing positives.

Stemp isn't Mario or anything of the sort that the other teams need to key in on, however he's not a guy that they can ignore on the 1st line entirely like they could with Gibbons. However, he likely doesn't improve the 1st line so much that it would outweigh removing the "getting 2 or 3 goals scored against it" that is the problem on the 3rd line.

They're filling holes by creating other holes. It's a question of the least detrimental hole. I still believe that the least detrimental hole would be playing a nobody on Sid's wing (until Bennett gets back) and removing the Death Valley of possession time & +/- that was the 3rd line with an actual NHL player (in this case, Stemp. But I'd actually settle for absolutely ANY legitimate NHL player that was offered to fill this spot)
- ScienceJesus

I can't really agree with any sentiment of that argument. So I guess we shall have to just agree to disagree. Wasting the talents of Crosby and Kunitz even a little is a complete waste of this team. The only way this team goes anywhere is if Sid or Geno or both are playing at their absolute best. And I forget who said it, but I believe they said that Crosby and Kunitz's even strength production has been down 20% since Dupuis went down. The Penguins will not succeed if that continues to occur and their only hope is for Malkin to turn into Geno Machino for the entire playoffs.

While I understand that point of view, I'm just going to again point out the math on this, because that's what it comes down to:

Sid & Kunitz + AHLer = net positive line.
Sutter & Goc + AHLer = net negative line.
Sid & Kunitz & Stemp = slightly higher net positive line
Sutter & Goc & Stemp = even or net positive line.

- ScienceJesus

I've seen you post this before, so I went back and looked at game summaries... 5 on 5 with Kunitz, Crosby and Gibbons on the ice together, the Pens have scored 7 goals and given up 6. Putting an AHLer on the Crosby/Kunitz line doesn't really result in a positive line, it basically neuters your best offensive line, for the sake of slightly improving your 3rd line.

I just want to know why we aren't seeing Megna or Ebbett called up? I don't think it is possible for them to be any worse than Pyatt. They would at least bring some speed with them and help get the puck deep in the other end. Pyatt is completely worthless and shouldn't be on an NHL roster.

On a side note - Adams and Glass have been warriors since the olympic break. The shots they have been blocking have been absolutely brutal, and they keep coming back for more. They may not be the best players, but damn, that takes a lot of heart to continuously give up your body like that.

I just want to know why we aren't seeing Megna or Ebbett called up? I don't think it is possible for them to be any worse than Pyatt. They would at least bring some speed with them and help get the puck deep in the other end. Pyatt is completely worthless and shouldn't be on an NHL roster.

On a side note - Adams and Glass have been warriors since the olympic break. The shots they have been blocking have been absolutely brutal, and they keep coming back for more. They may not be the best players, but damn, that takes a lot of heart to continuously give up your body like that.
- mw630

Yeah... part of me thinks that they are just waiting to see how things shake out with the new guys and maybe even Bennett, but Pyatt is painful to watch.

I just want to know why we aren't seeing Megna or Ebbett called up? I don't think it is possible for them to be any worse than Pyatt. They would at least bring some speed with them and help get the puck deep in the other end. Pyatt is completely worthless and shouldn't be on an NHL roster.

On a side note - Adams and Glass have been warriors since the olympic break. The shots they have been blocking have been absolutely brutal, and they keep coming back for more. They may not be the best players, but damn, that takes a lot of heart to continuously give up your body like that.
- mw630

Yeah, I have been critical of Adams and he definitely doesn't have much left. But I will never question the guys heart, he is willing to lay it on the line night in and night out. Same with Glass. That shot that Adams blocked last night looked terrible, he looked like he was shot with the way his body contorted.

Yeah... part of me thinks that they are just waiting to see how things shake out with the new guys and maybe even Bennett, but Pyatt is painful to watch.
- rival22

Megna's speed will be nice in the bottom 6 and it means Pyatt is gone.

Yeah, I have been critical of Adams and he definitely doesn't have much left. But I will never question the guys heart, he is willing to lay it on the line night in and night out. Same with Glass. That shot that Adams blocked last night looked terrible, he looked like he was shot with the way his body contorted.
- PensFan1103

PK he's great on a regular shift he's right there with Pyatt for me.

Coaches are going to be a lot more likely to remember Pyatts blocked shots last night (he had a few good ones) and forget the numerous lost board battles behind Washington's net. Unfortunately.

I know Pyatt got some time there last night, but the thing about Jokinen - Malkin - Neal is that Malkin is a bit streaky, and like just about every good goal scorer, Neal and Jokinen are streaky too.

There are going to be stretches where that line scores a dozen goal in a couple of weeks, but there will be games where they disappear. You gotta take the good with the bad, and hope that they get hot at the right time.
- rival22

Don't get me wrong ... Malkin might be my favorite penguin, that being said I'll take the occasional bad turnover and his streakiness ... But the lack of hustle at times is inexcusable
As far as lines ... To get more shots and generate more possession time play jokenin Malkin Neal together...

I just want to know why we aren't seeing Megna or Ebbett called up? I don't think it is possible for them to be any worse than Pyatt. They would at least bring some speed with them and help get the puck deep in the other end. Pyatt is completely worthless and shouldn't be on an NHL roster.

On a side note - Adams and Glass have been warriors since the olympic break. The shots they have been blocking have been absolutely brutal, and they keep coming back for more. They may not be the best players, but damn, that takes a lot of heart to continuously give up your body like that.
- mw630

I have a theory on Megna. He has been playing left wing on the top line for WBS from what I am seeing. Perhaps it is in an effort to groom him as a left winger for Pens 3rd line. This would allow Bennett and Stempniak to stay as RW and Jokinen to stay with Malkin. .

They looked like a team at the tail end of a road trip for the most part. Going home will be good although fatigue is more than likely going to still be an issue tonight. I expect to get a better idea of where they are this weekend with the Flyers b2b after a 3 day break.

But yea, Pyatt is not good. He should have to practise with whoever broke Conner's foot yesterday.
- canadianpenfan

I agree with this although Pyatt had two good hits I saw, would like to see more. The penalty on Vitale was a joke. Barely touched the players right leg and then suddenly the left leg went out like he was shot from the stands. Total dive.
We will see what they are made of because they do look tired. I suspect Fleury will be lights out tonight for us to win. BTW, Zatcoff looked solid last night, good rebound game from him.

I have a theory on Megna. He has been playing left wing on the top line for WBS from what I am seeing. Perhaps it is in an effort to groom him as a left winger for Pens 3rd line. This would allow Bennett and Stempniak to stay as RW and Jokinen to stay with Malkin. .
- Ryan_Wilson

I hope that is the case. Their bottom six would look much better:
Kunitz-Crosby-Bennett
Neal-Malkin-Jokinen
Megna-Sutter-Stempniak
Glass-Goc-Adams/Vitale/Engelland/Ebbett

I have a theory on Megna. He has been playing left wing on the top line for WBS from what I am seeing. Perhaps it is in an effort to groom him as a left winger for Pens 3rd line. This would allow Bennett and Stempniak to stay as RW and Jokinen to stay with Malkin. .
- Ryan_Wilson

Why is megna in the ahl, while guys like pyatt and kobesew remain on the roster?