I think the lack of physicality will be the Achilles heal once again.
- sammy87

Delivering a hit is a situation where the opportunity has to be there. You may certainly continually dump the puck into the same corner and try to hit a certain defender, say, but largely the opponent must put themselves into inferior position to receive a hit.

Checking is a purposeful strategy to limit time and space for the opponent. It is not opportunistic; it's planned and executed. If the Penguins had very low hit totals but were able to force turnovers and counterattack, I would feel a lot better than the reverse - which is much more likely.

I think the lack of physicality will be the Achilles heal once again.
- sammy87

When you say that, can you be specific as to what you are referring to? I keep hearing this lack of physicality, but I don't understand what people specifically mean. I think the Pens are plenty physical enough. They go to the front of the net (not as successful at it as other teams, but the don't avoid it, and it will improve when Hornqvist and Comeau come back), they hit people, they don't shy away from working it in the corners. Some guys aren't very good at separating guys from the puck like Sutter and Bennett, but not every guy on the team is going to be a bruiser, those guys rely on lifting the stick, and timing to try and steal the puck that way.

I guess, what I am asking is what specifically would you like to see more of from a physical stand point?

Have the Downie haters forgiven him after his game yesterday?

Pouliot, Pouliot, Pouliot - Mike Lange said that a lot yesterday usually followed by a compliment.

3/4 of the games away to finish the season, hopefully injuries will just (frank) off & leave us alone.

Sounded like a good hard game yesterday completely different from the dribble the Pens had to go through against Giroux & his bunch of misfits.

See Rinaldos agent said he wouldn't be appearing at his hearing apparently they are still trying to get the massive boot out of his mouth.

Have the Downie haters forgiven him after his game yesterday?

Pouliot, Pouliot, Pouliot - Mike Lange said that a lot yesterday usually followed by a compliment.

3/4 of the games away to finish the season, hopefully injuries will just (frank) off & leave us alone.

Sounded like a good hard game yesterday completely different from the dribble the Pens had to go through against Giroux & his bunch of misfits.

See Rinaldos agent said he wouldn't be appearing at his hearing apparently they are still trying to get the massive boot out of his mouth.
- Aussiepenguin

I thought the whistle should have gone before Eager poked that puck in.

Injuries have been one of the three major headers for the Pens' lack of success since 2009. It's really been incredible.

Yesterday's game was much easier to watch. Pittsburgh was more focused on the puck and less on getting violent. The shootout was brutal.

When you say that, can you be specific as to what you are referring to? I keep hearing this lack of physicality, but I don't understand what people specifically mean. I think the Pens are plenty physical enough. They go to the front of the net (not as successful at it as other teams, but the don't avoid it, and it will improve when Hornqvist and Comeau come back), they hit people, they don't shy away from working it in the corners. Some guys aren't very good at separating guys from the puck like Sutter and Bennett, but not every guy on the team is going to be a bruiser, those guys rely on lifting the stick, and timing to try and steal the puck that way.

I guess, what I am asking is what specifically would you like to see more of from a physical stand point?
- PensFan1103

I see guys like Goc, Sutter, BB, Perron, Adams, Spaling, not having the ability or will to play hte body and separate the puck. They rarely go to the front of the net, and are back to being a perimeter team. 87 and 71 shouldnt be doing that work anyway but throw that in with Martin, Scuds, Pouliott, Ehroff, Maata not being very physical Dmen, I see a team like NYI, CBJ, Rags, out playing the Pens in the playoffs once again.

I would toss Pouliot out there on 1st PP. Anyone else notice that when he is out there he doesn't hesitate to fire the puck? Great shot and can actually hit the net. Once teams start adjusting to DP on the point that will free up room for the rest of the squad
- znagle

With Tanger out, hell yea. Why not give him a chance, the PP is struggling and he'd be surrounded with legitimate talent in the NHL.

#PouliotManCrush

So Adams had a 54.55 corsi effect or whatever. Doesn't that mean hes good? I always thought that as long as your corsi was 50+ it means your good?

"What if I told you that next year you could have a worse, younger player than you already have on an inflated contract?!"
- Johnny Wrath

"What if we want a young, versatile player in our bottom 6 next year instead of losing Bergenheim for nothing"

Jagr watch was never real unless one was delusional. DP played great. The maatta injury really sucks because he should be handled the same way despres was handled and be allowed to percolate in the minors. worked wonders for despres. injuries are gonna rush him though. cross our fingers it works out.

I thought the whistle should have gone before Eager poked that puck in.

Injuries have been one of the three major headers for the Pens' lack of success since 2009. It's really been incredible.

Yesterday's game was much easier to watch. Pittsburgh was more focused on the puck and less on getting violent. The shootout was brutal.
- Johnny Wrath

Yes the comments by Mike Lange in regards to the game were chalk & cheese with the game before. Just shows when 2 of the NHL's quality teams go to it talent always provides a great spectacle. I believe the Pens did a great job getting a point when it would have been easy to shut up shop & take a loss.

That's the 2nd game where they have got behind early & come back against quality opposition - Bolts now Hawks. There may just be a change for the better with the leadership group. 2 games 2 points. Not our best team on ice but still getting points, good sign.

Yes the comments by Mike Lange in regards to the game were chalk & cheese with the game before. Just shows when 2 of the NHL's quality teams go to it talent always provides a great spectacle. I believe the Pens did a great job getting a point when it would have been easy to shut up shop & take a loss.

That's the 2nd game where they have got behind early & come back against quality opposition - Bolts now Hawks. There may just be a change for the better with the leadership group. 2 games 2 points. Not our best team on ice but still getting points, good sign.
- Aussiepenguin

Agree with the last point, for sure. Hell I was just happy to see them playing better hockey, period.

Yes the comments by Mike Lange in regards to the game were chalk & cheese with the game before. Just shows when 2 of the NHL's quality teams go to it talent always provides a great spectacle. I believe the Pens did a great job getting a point when it would have been easy to shut up shop & take a loss.

That's the 2nd game where they have got behind early & come back against quality opposition - Bolts now Hawks. There may just be a change for the better with the leadership group. 2 games 2 points. Not our best team on ice but still getting points, good sign.
- Aussiepenguin

I'm certainly not on board with this notion that Pittsburgh could finally get on with their all-skill, no rat game having lived through the Philadelphia and Islanders games on the schedule. Pittsburgh doesn't get caught up by the lowly play of other teams nearly as much as they anticipate and participate in bush league antics in games.

It's just that I've noticed Penguin fans sometimes have an unreasonably high appraisal of opposing players who do well against the Penguins. If the Penguins could amass a bottom-six forward group full of Penguin killers, Jay Pandolfo would still be in the league.
- Johnny Wrath

Marty B said in an interview his most feared opponent was alexsi morozov... he said he had nightmares about him. would he have made a good devil?

Marty B said in an interview his most feared opponent was alexsi morozov... he said he had nightmares about him. would he have made a good devil?
- ChrisMS

You know, I thought of naming Aleksey Morozov in that instance earlier. Clearly nobody in the NHL thought that Aleksey was the answer. Would he have made a good Devil? Probably not.

Alex Mogilny was a good player for the Devils but his numbers went way down. If that trend was the standard, Aleksey Morozov would have probably gotten even a more raw deal in New Jersey than he did in Pittsburgh.

RW would appreciate these advanced stats http://iguana.cs.toronto.edu/. They can even measure chemistry with graphs now.

Last night he took a fresh Sidney Crosby off of an offensive zone faceoff in the last minute of the game because Jonathan Toews was out there. I mean I understand trying to get away from that matchup over the course of a game but we are talking about the last minute of a tie game and no Evgeni Malkin in the lineup. He is Sidney freaking Crosby. Play him. Craig Adams played the last 42 seconds of regulation against the Chicago Blackhawks in a tie game.

If you could just look past your own personal bias against Craig Adams, the move makes sense, and it should tell you how much faith the organization has in their 4th line overall.

You speak of stats alot, and this is appreciated, but when you quote stats about time of possession for our dreaded 4th liners, do you consider that as a PK unit or 4th line, you aren't going to have good possession numbers if your main focus is to blast the puck out of your own end as quickly as possible? Adams wasn't hired to carry the puck and score goals, nor were any of his many linemates.

I still say he must have been mean to you during a youth camp... or something...?

Overall, I do enjoy your blog Ryan, but you give Craig Adams way to much press. Remember, he's just a solid, rugged, 4th line grinder. And a good one at that.
- skridscousin

I dont see why people have a problem with taking Sid off on that start. All night Sids line was being shut down by Toews line. With 42 second left if Sutters line could of got the faceoff and kept the puck down low for 20 seconds it would have given Sids line 22 seconds to work with in the zone away from Toews. He took a shot and it didnt work out. I think it was a pretty good coaching move to be honest.

so what's up with crosby missing the allstar game?

*I hear Brian Boitano is taking his spot.

so what's up with crosby missing the allstar game?

*I hear Brian Boitano is taking his spot.
- Isles_since_6

Hes smart and realized that he will get hurt since every Penguin is cursed.

Hes smart and realized that he will get hurt since every Penguin is cursed.
- Guile

so since if you miss the all-star game you can't play the first game after the break, the pens will have to play winnipeg without malkin or crosby, is that correct?

I'd have to think he's actually hurt and not just needing rest, just curious what it is.

Hes smart and realized that he will get hurt since every Penguin is cursed.
- Guile

Yea, wondering what the team "might" be when healthy is all we can do at this point. Who are we kidding, its never going to happen.

Maybe the league, can just insert Rinaldo, Cooke, Downie, Scott, Kaleta, Dubinsky and M. Staal into game and they can crosscheck and run each other into the boards.

Seems like that's the league they want.

Good for sid not going to the all star game..our team get run constantly..no need to do anything for the nhl. I dont believe for one second he is hurt enough to miss the weekend and the game against the jets...they make the allstar game a joke anyways..why bother

Yea, wondering what the team "might" be when healthy is all we can do at this point. Who are we kidding, its never going to happen.

Maybe the league, can just insert Rinaldo, Cooke, Downie, Scott, Kaleta, Dubinsky and M. Staal into game and they can crosscheck and run each other into the boards.

Seems like that's the league they want.
- Sell My Monkey

that reminds me of the tabletop football game where you just put the players on it and turn it on and watch it vibrate until they fall over.

so since if you miss the all-star game you can't play the first game after the break, the pens will have to play winnipeg without malkin or crosby, is that correct?

I'd have to think he's actually hurt and not just needing rest, just curious what it is.
- Isles_since_6

Thats a rule now?

Thats a rule now?
- Guile

was from 2009 when lidstrom skipped it.

I think the flyers should send rinaldo and watch the rest of the players decide not to go.

Thats a rule now?
- Guile

Yup..good we dont need them until april. The game is a joke anyways. Though be nice if we could send downie to replace them and he could start taking out other teams stars...