I would never want this team to lose, but I'll say this, It won't bother me as much if they do lose. It's obvious the team needs a shake-up, a loss in the first round all but guarantee's it. If I've figured it right, they've played 4 periods of good hockey in 4 games. That kind of effort won't get them anywhere close to the cup.
- madmike71

Agree with this post. The question is if this ends in a loss to a team that has one third of the talent than the Penguins, how does Shero rework the team. To me, the moves are obvious. To him, I don't think they are. He will try to force feed Letang more and more instead of admitting a mistake.

If the cap is 68 million and with out top three having 37% of the cap space, something needs to happen. In addition, our questions in goal seem to still be there. Fleury all the sudden is a good regular-season goalie, but has WTF moments in the play-offs.

Ryan says Fleury needs to sit. If we were Anaheim, SJ, STL for starters, I'd agree. However Zatkoff and Vokoun, a guy that hasn't logged a minute in goal for the Pens this year isn't the answer. Too bad we can't make a deal for that backup in Tampa, the one from Latvia. I would be more confident in him at this juncture.

If we are fortunate to get past this series, I see zero evidence we get by the second round. Our stars are AWOL. If they show up, this series is over last night. It's just that simple. It's easy to say we are up 2-1 and have received nothing from our stars. Now, its 2-2 and still the same.

Like I said, they have to start somewhere. That OT goal last night was unacceptable.

Also, give credit to Columbus. They are a very, very hard working team. It's too easy to say the Pens don't work hard for 60 minutes (it might be the case), but the Jackets appear to be on a mission. They are fast and they hit. Hard.
- Pecafan Fan

Columbus has been great at maximizing their ability.

I'm sure at times it may seem like I am ignoring that fact but there is so much on the Penguins side to cover, especially after a game like last night that I think I'll let Todd sing their praises.

Columbus has been great at maximizing their ability.

I'm sure at times it may seem like I am ignoring that fact but there is so much on the Penguins side to cover, especially after a game like last night that I think I'll let Todd sing their praises.
- Ryan_Wilson

As fans, we tend to overlook what the other team does right and instead, focus on what our favorite team does wrong. It is what it is, we're all guilty of it.

And back to your score effects comment, I agree 100%.

The good, the bad and the Fleury. That summarizes last night. However the team did not make his night easy. Where's Jacques martin's defensive input been?

Maybe someone can explain to me why Bylsma had his two worst defensemen on the ice for the last shift of regulation?

A few things I'll touch on in more depth later in the day but the Penguins are far from the only team that coasts after a big lead.

Every team does it, it is exactly why the score effects term exists. It doesn't make it right and it shouldn't happen, but it does and every NHL team is guilty of it. Just look at how many 2 goal leads have been lost in these playoffs, not just Penguins series.

It is very frustrating to watch and I know coach's aren't telling their players to hold back, it's human nature with a big lead.

2nd period was awful, 3rd period they played fine.
- Ryan_Wilson

3rd period they still played prevent hockey. They just had better positioning. They skating and speed were visibly no better than the 2nd and at roughly 70% of their speed and skating effort of the 1st half of the 1st period.

And as much as the advanced statistics are great, they can't quantify what we see with the eye test on the effort scale. When a team essentially stops working hard and does fly-bys and is slow to backcheck because they're being lazy, it doesn't really get quantified in stats unless something negative results in it. Often times, negatives don't result but over time, a bunch of non-results and then a single negative result gets written off as an aberration or not changing any quantifiable numbers. The point is, it's like playing with fire and trying to quantify not burning things down. Most times, nothing gets burned, but when it does, the minor skewing of numbers it creates doesn't accurately show that "well, bumhole... you were playing with fire. Eventually you're going to get burned".

That's what this team does. It plays with fire all the time. And the advanced statistics often cover up for their lack of effort whenever it doesn't yield negatives.

As fans, we tend to overlook what the other team does right and instead, focus on what our favorite team does wrong. It is what it is, we're all guilty of it.

And back to your score effects comment, I agree 100%.
- Pecafan Fan

I'm not overlooking what the Jackets are doing right. In fact, I'm basing my statements off the assumptions that the Jackets are being consistent. They have been. They've been playing with the same energy level for most of the games and except for when they've gotten down and laid off the hitting a little bit, they've been a pretty steady team with a high intensity level almost buzzer to buzzer with only minor let-downs during each 60 minutes.

But even their best has been shown to be not even close to good enough when the pens have played their customary 10-20 minutes of actual high-intensity hockey each game. When the Pens have gotten their legs moving and simplified their game into playoff hockey, it hasn't even been close. They've dominated the Jackets. But that's to be expected. When high talent works just as hard as mid-level talent, high-talent will win every time. But when the mid-level talent outworks the high-level talent for 40-50 minutes a game, the games become crap-shoots.

Agree with this post. The question is if this ends in a loss to a team that has one third of the talent than the Penguins, how does Shero rework the team. To me, the moves are obvious. To him, I don't think they are. He will try to force feed Letang more and more instead of admitting a mistake.

If the cap is 68 million and with out top three having 37% of the cap space, something needs to happen. In addition, our questions in goal seem to still be there. Fleury all the sudden is a good regular-season goalie, but has WTF moments in the play-offs.

Ryan says Fleury needs to sit. If we were Anaheim, SJ, STL for starters, I'd agree. However Zatkoff and Vokoun, a guy that hasn't logged a minute in goal for the Pens this year isn't the answer. Too bad we can't make a deal for that backup in Tampa, the one from Latvia. I would be more confident in him at this juncture.

If we are fortunate to get past this series, I see zero evidence we get by the second round. Our stars are AWOL. If they show up, this series is over last night. It's just that simple. It's easy to say we are up 2-1 and have received nothing from our stars. Now, its 2-2 and still the same.
- Oneonta Penguin

IMO they have been turned into a perimeter team playing against big, physical teams. Happened last year against Boston. Happening now. The stars have been completely forced out of the center of the ice. Combine that with losing most of the board battles and it's not good. I've been saying for a few years now that they need bigger players. Not more Tanner Glass types, but guys that can actually play, possess the puck and provide time and space for the stars. Obviously it's not easy to just add those types of players, but it needs to priority.

A few things I'll touch on in more depth later in the day but the Penguins are far from the only team that coasts after a big lead.

Every team does it, it is exactly why the score effects term exists. It doesn't make it right and it shouldn't happen, but it does and every NHL team is guilty of it. Just look at how many 2 goal leads have been lost in these playoffs, not just Penguins series.

It is very frustrating to watch and I know coach's aren't telling their players to hold back, it's human nature with a big lead.

2nd period was awful, 3rd period they played fine.
- Ryan_Wilson

We talking about the game last night right? The game that the Penguins were dominated in the 3rd?

Anyways, I have always been a skeptic of Fleury but there is plenty of blame to be spread around. Not to beat a dead horse but 20 million dollars spent on guys who are suppose to score hasn't yet in 4 games of the playoffs. Obviously, that is problem.

IMO they have been turned into a perimeter team playing against big, physical teams. Happened last year against Boston. Happening now. The stars have been completely forced out of the center of the ice. Combine that with losing most of the board battles and it's not good. I've been saying for a few years now that they need bigger players. Not more Tanner Glass types, but guys that can actually play, possess the puck and provide time and space for the stars. Obviously it's not easy to just add those types of players, but it needs to priority.
- madmike71

Interesting though that they built their lead last night skating in the center of the ice. They were picking the puck up in their own end and skating it out through the neutral zone with speed backing down Columbus' defenders. They were creating a lot of space for themselves while building the 3-0 lead, then it stopped. They should have put their foot down and ended it.

Serious question on Fleury and Bylsma---If things were to go south, and one or both was going to go, would you keep Fleury one more year to see if a new system in front of him helps? Fleury had his gaffes under Therrien, but nothing like it has been under Bylsma. I cant defend what happened last night, but I would be curious what he could do building some confidence in a better system ie NJ, PHX, NSH style.

As fans, we tend to overlook what the other team does right and instead, focus on what our favorite team does wrong. It is what it is, we're all guilty of it.

And back to your score effects comment, I agree 100%.
- Pecafan Fan

People know all about Columbus and the dangers that team brings despite having a roster that has 33% of the talent than does Pittsburgh. That is not an insult, that is a fact. We handled them in the regular-season 5-0 and I think that does play into the minds of the players, even though they don't want to admit it.

Columbus is a gritty team that has a tremendous work ethic. They make up for the lack of talent with that. Pittsburgh struggles with teams like that. See our regular-season with Florida.

That said, I don't think there is anything wrong with saying this series is more about the ineptness of Pittsburgh than what Columbus has done. To their credit, they have made it 2-2 and for the most part they have dominated the series. That said, last time I checked, we have a combined 0 goals from Sid, Malkin and Letang ... we have one each from Adams and Orpik, not exactly hot scorers. That speaks volumes to me.

People know all about Columbus and the dangers that team brings despite having a roster that has 33% of the talent than does Pittsburgh. That is not an insult, that is a fact. We handled them in the regular-season 5-0 and I think that does play into the minds of the players, even though they don't want to admit it.

Columbus is a gritty team that has a tremendous work ethic. They make up for the lack of talent with that. Pittsburgh struggles with teams like that. See our regular-season with Florida.

That said, I don't think there is anything wrong with saying this series is more about the ineptness of Pittsburgh than what Columbus has done. To their credit, they have made it 2-2 and for the most part they have dominated the series. That said, last time I checked, we have a combined 0 goals from Sid, Malkin and Letang ... we have one each from Adams and Orpik, not exactly hot scorers. That speaks volumes to me.
- Oneonta Penguin

Last night I thought Malkin was having a very good game. Of course he didn't score, but he's strong along the boards and has good possession of the puck. I suspect Letang isn't 100% yet. And poor Sid is stuck with Dubinsky in his pants all game long (which probably drives him nuts).

BTW, Scuderi is, well, terrible.

- drexel

What the....

Interesting though that they built their lead last night skating in the center of the ice. They were picking the puck up in their own end and skating it out through the neutral zone with speed backing down Columbus' defenders. They were creating a lot of space for themselves while building the 3-0 lead, then it stopped. They should have put their foot down and ended it.

Serious question on Fleury and Bylsma---If things were to go south, and one or both was going to go, would you keep Fleury one more year to see if a new system in front of him helps? Fleury had his gaffes under Therrien, but nothing like it has been under Bylsma. I cant defend what happened last night, but I would be curious what he could do building some confidence in a better system ie NJ, PHX, NSH style.
- Rawdog9755

Up 3-0 and getting ready to go on the power play ... this is where the leader stands up and says one more goal ends this game. Right here, right now. Columbus wasn't coming back from 4-0 deficit. It didn't happen. Stupid penalties on Kunitz for embelliishing and Neal for interference (they should have called Wiz for embellishment if that was embellishing for Kunitz). That mistake gave Columbus their first goal.

Fact is, I don't think there is a team out there that surrendered more goals that the opponent doesn't have to work for than the Pens - the last two being prime examples.

I think DB will have to take the fall if this ends early, even in the second round. Fleury? I don't know. He isn't a play-off goalie anymore that can be trusted. That said, who else will be out there? Hiller? Miller? Miller will go for north of 6 million, so we can't afford to pay that due to cap situation ... unless the right thing is done - trade Letang.

A ballsy move would be to trade Malkin. If someone comes in and knocks your socks off - say Winnipeg for example (Schieffle, Wheeler, a good prospect like Petan and a 1st), I might think long and hard about that. Winnipeg would never do it ... probably can't afford to, but ...

Last night I thought Malkin was having a very good game. Of course he didn't score, but he's strong along the boards and has good possession of the puck. I suspect Letang isn't 100% yet. And poor Sid is stuck with Dubinsky in his pants all game long (which probably drives him nuts).

BTW, Scuderi is, well, terrible.
- Pecafan Fan

After watching Sid for the last couple of years quite a bit, I think we all know there is another gear. It's not hard to figure it out. Dubinsky is a good solid hockey player - one I'd love here on this roster. However, he isn't that good. It's not hard to see.

After watching Sid for the last couple of years quite a bit, I think we all know there is another gear. It's not hard to figure it out. Dubinsky is a good solid hockey player - one I'd love here on this roster. However, he isn't that good. It's not hard to see.
- Oneonta Penguin

It's not really a question of skill.

Plekanec drives Crosby completely nuts, and yet, we all know Crosby is the better player.

Same with Dubinsky.

What the....
- Pecafan Fan

plenty of hate to go around...

I'll never understand the notion that some fans have where standing on your head for 50 minutes in a game somehow gives a goaltender some sort of license to let in a soft goal or make a bone-headed play like he did last night. There were many factors for the Penguins loss last night, but the goaltender is supposed to be the equalizer, and more often than not, Fleury hasn't been that, not over the past couple of years anyway. Having watched both the playoffs and the regular season over the years, there are certain goaltenders, especially when they are playing at the top of their game, where you just have to think "there's no way they're getting one by this guy". I've rarely ever had that feeling watching Fleury, even in the year he won the cup. It's getting to the point where you expect him to come up with a brainfart, and he delivers far too often for a team of Pittsburgh's caliber. Maybe, it's just a case where Pittsburgh has to live with that, but at some point they need to have a serious conversation about moving in a different direction.

It's not really a question of skill.

Plekanec drives Crosby completely nuts, and yet, we all know Crosby is the better player.

Same with Dubinsky.
- Pecafan Fan

He isn't good enough to hold him scoreless all by himself for four games. That is why I'm questioning the desire of our captain. I think I'm allowed to. He certainly looks like he is coasting more than doing anything else. Simply put, if he shows up - even with Dubinsky on his tail, this series is over. Worst case - we are up 3-1 getting ready to close it out in game 5. That hasn't happened. Half credit to Dubinsky.

He isn't good enough to hold him scoreless all by himself for four games. That is why I'm questioning the desire of our captain. I think I'm allowed to. He certainly looks like he is coasting more than doing anything else. Simply put, if he shows up - even with Dubinsky on his tail, this series is over. Worst case - we are up 3-1 getting ready to close it out in game 5. That hasn't happened. Half credit to Dubinsky.
- Oneonta Penguin

Having watched the entire series on CBC, there's starting to be a theme that the Penguins simply aren't respecting Columbus as a formidable opponent enough. And it seems they are paying for it.

He isn't good enough to hold him scoreless all by himself for four games. That is why I'm questioning the desire of our captain. I think I'm allowed to. He certainly looks like he is coasting more than doing anything else. Simply put, if he shows up - even with Dubinsky on his tail, this series is over. Worst case - we are up 3-1 getting ready to close it out in game 5. That hasn't happened. Half credit to Dubinsky.
- Oneonta Penguin

And what of the great Jonathan Toews?

Proud owner of a 9 game goalless streak and 10 game goalless streak all within last year's Stanley Cup run.

Last night's game as shocking as it was really should not surprise anyone. The admission of that is the biggest indictment of this team's current construction from the top to the bottom.

To blame on player in particular would be fool-hearty. That was the essence of a team loss.

I know the series is tied, but it is time to put 87 and 71 on the ice together. Let Jussi center the second line.

I thought the Pens played well in the third.... I don't like the approach of playing prevent defense, but they played it well. They were really skating, constantly moving their feet, and winning lose pucks, and then getting them deep. They were doing all of the things right. The goal came off a bad play.

He isn't good enough to hold him scoreless all by himself for four games. That is why I'm questioning the desire of our captain. I think I'm allowed to. He certainly looks like he is coasting more than doing anything else. Simply put, if he shows up - even with Dubinsky on his tail, this series is over. Worst case - we are up 3-1 getting ready to close it out in game 5. That hasn't happened. Half credit to Dubinsky.
- Oneonta Penguin

Well that's the thing.
He isn't doing it all by himself. CBJ play as a team that believes in their chances.

I don't think Crosby's desire to win can be questioned. His health? Maybe...