I never thought the Penguins were a soft team. If anything, they go overboard trying to prove how tough they are. I think the issues were other things, whether it be MAF's head, injuries to key players, lack of a reliable bottom-6, etc. Team toughenss was never an issue for the Penguins, from what I saw.
- jmatchett383

The Pens' biggest problems is carelessness and not being able to play mistake free hockey, sometimes as a result of trying to force the offense. Fleury is a very good goalie but unfortunately gets hung out to dry too often by the rest of his team. He is the least of their problems. Looking at the playoff series against the Rangers last season the Rangers basically played perfect hockey from a defensive standpoint in the last three games. The Pens rarely got shots any closer than the points. Although the Pens did not make a whole lot of mistakes themselves they made enough to lose the games. Often this is what the playoffs come down to.

Let's get it on!

And yes, Marcel Goc is a healthy scratch..

http://www.nhl.com/gamece...eview&intcmpid=sb-preview

And yes, Marcel Goc is a healthy scratch..

http://www.nhl.com/gamece...eview&intcmpid=sb-preview
- hardnosed

Projected, we will find out shortly.

Let's get it on!
- HopintheCordoba

I thought it was a 7pm start but it's not. I hate it when that happens.

The NHL should adopt NFL like rules about scheduling games. All weeknight games should be at 7pm local time per given time zone. Actually, let's just eliminate weekend matinees and make every single NHL game start at 7pm local time.

The Pens' biggest problems is carelessness and not being able to play mistake free hockey, sometimes as a result of trying to force the offense. Fleury is a very good goalie but unfortunately gets hung out to dry too often by the rest of his team. He is the least of their problems. Looking at the playoff series against the Rangers last season the Rangers basically played perfect hockey from a defensive standpoint in the last three games. The Pens rarely got shots any closer than the points. Although the Pens did not make a whole lot of mistakes themselves they made enough to lose the games. Often this is what the playoffs come down to.
- PghPens668771

I'm glad somebody else see's this... They've been making a bunch of poor decisions the last month or so and it's usually trying to force offense. Lot's of turnovers in bad areas.

I don't think getting to the net will be a problem this year with guys like Honqvist, Comeau, Kunitz and Perron, but I'd love to see them bear down and make safer, smarter plays.....especially on their entries. You're not going to win a lot of games in this league being so careless with the puck.

Dupuis is not coming back, where is Bennet, you think Bergenheim is an improvement over a healthy bennet? Its more like Comeau Sutter Downie Spalling Goc marcobello with an ocasional Farnham infusion for energy(I still can't believe Farnham is actually a really smart kid from a VERY wealthy family) If Bergenheim costs any more than a 4th we don't need him. If he's an improvement over Spalling and the cats will take Spalling then thats fine.
- Dcoms

Slow your roll, Bennett is on the second line. Yes Spaling for Bergenheim is a win-win.

I thought it was a 7pm start but it's not. I hate it when that happens.

The NHL should adopt NFL like rules about scheduling games. All weeknight games should be at 7pm local time per given time zone. Actually, let's just eliminate weekend matinees and make every single NHL game start at 7pm local time.
- hardnosed

Probably too smart for them to even think of any of that.

I thought it was a 7pm start but it's not. I hate it when that happens.

The NHL should adopt NFL like rules about scheduling games. All weeknight games should be at 7pm local time per given time zone. Actually, let's just eliminate weekend matinees and make every single NHL game start at 7pm local time.
- hardnosed

Nothing is worse than the 8pm start times.

Nothing is worse than the 8pm start times.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

Especially when its a 7:30 start time and You tune in half an hour late

I can't wait until Hornqist bounces Spalding down to the 3rd line or 4th. Scary to think of lines when Comeau returns. Farnham needs to stay too.

Go Pens!!!

Nothing is worse than the 8pm start times.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

Neither is extremely frequent but I hate the 10:00 west coast starts

Like playing Harrington with Hoff and giving him the minutes instead of Scuds. Not a fan of the Greiss nod tonight. Flower needs a break, but I'd rather play Flower tonight and Greiss against Chicago. Chicago is far and away the better team, but we need to make a statement in the Metro. Its getting ridiculous and embarrassing. We are Pittsburgh, not Carolina, goddammit!

And yes, Marcel Goc is a healthy scratch..

http://www.nhl.com/gamece...eview&intcmpid=sb-preview
- hardnosed

If true, scratching Goc over Adams and playing the Flyers, andddd Despres is out leaving us with

Martin-Letang
Harrington-Ehrhoff
Scuderi-Bortuzzo

With all do respect to HCMJ, scratching Goc and keeping Sill in the lineup is foolish. Kind of reminds when he scratched Despres earlier in the year. Not saying that Goc has been lights out, but Sill is F'n useless in the NHL. I have a feeling he thinks Sill can drop the gloves and play tough.....something he's rarely done. The Flyers aren't playing that type of game anyway...

Goc is really scratched? It's like HCMJ read this blog and wanted to stick it to RW

With all do respect to HCMJ, scratching Goc and keeping Sill in the lineup is foolish. Kind of reminds when he scratched Despres earlier in the year. Not saying that Goc has been lights out, but Sill is F'n useless in the NHL. I have a feeling he thinks Sill can drop the gloves and play tough.....something he's rarely done. The Flyers aren't playing that type of game anyway...
- madmike71

Sill doesn't even have good enough hands to get his gloves off

...ok bad joke, but I'd be a lot happier with Sill in the lineup if he was dropping the gloves on a regular basis. Why doesn't he fight anymore? Last year, he at least fought a bunch of dudes.

When was the last Penguins fight anyway? Seem to be very few this year.

Saad rfa next yr... trade proposals. . And go!
- nh4442

Going No where.. Hawks will move a veteran like Sharp or Hossa first.
Adams and Sill in, Goc out????? What????

With all do respect to HCMJ, scratching Goc and keeping Sill in the lineup is foolish. Kind of reminds when he scratched Despres earlier in the year. Not saying that Goc has been lights out, but Sill is F'n useless in the NHL. I have a feeling he thinks Sill can drop the gloves and play tough.....something he's rarely done. The Flyers aren't playing that type of game anyway...
- madmike71

I think he's pissed about how soft this team is playing. Sill is more physical. This team needs a serviceable big guy on the 4th line that can hit and fight. I miss Engo because this team gets pushed around.

Like playing Harrington with Hoff and giving him the minutes instead of Scuds.
- Victoro311

Agree. I'm actually worried about Harrington. I didn't expect him to be amazing in his first stint in the NHL...but so far he has underperformed, and more importantly, I'm not sure his skating is NHL level...

I think he's passed about how soft this team is playing. Sill is more physical. This team needs a serviceable big guy on the 4th line that can hit and fight. I miss Engo because this team gets pushed around.
- lloyd095

As I just said before...when was the last time Sill fought anyone, or even stood up for anyone. I'll pause for an answer..

Agree. I'm actually worried about Harrington. I didn't expect him to be amazing in his first stint in the NHL...but so far he has underperformed, and more importantly, I'm not sure his skating is NHL level...
- YouMeAndDupuis9

That's the ups and downs of being a rookie d man.... we were spoiled with Maatta

As I just said before...when was the last time Sill fought anyone, or even stood up for anyone. I'll pause for an answer..
- YouMeAndDupuis9

Not really talking about Sill fighting but at least he tries to hit. Goc seems really soft for a 4th line.

Projected, we will find out shortly.
- usethe1-2-2

Wow! If true this is another confusing move.

Also the worst timed blog since...probably yesterday.

Edit: I know everyone on here likes the daily blogs, but this forum drives itself off the members that post. A lot of folks have said they skip the blog and get straight to the comments simply to talk hockey, and while the blogger does offer a hard-lined analytically consistent approach, it is getting long in the tooth. Metzer did a great job appealing to the masses and interacting, this blogger has his way and nothing else. Nothing wrong with it aside from it having an expiration date. I, like many, enjoy the interaction. The charts and graphs? Not so much. I hope this blogger one day soon gets a comfy job where that is monetarily relevant.

I think he's passed about how soft this team is playing. Sill is more physical. This team needs a serviceable big guy on the 4th line that can hit and fight. I miss Engo because this team gets pushed around.
- lloyd095

They haven't been losing because they're soft. They've been losing because virtually the entire lineup is making terrible decisions at a ridiculous rate. The top line was a -7 against the Islanders.....they lost that game because they played sh*t D.

One thing I can say without hesitation, Sill isn't the answer for a serviceable big guy.