Actually I think he's awful at playing the net front man, I don't know how many times I've seen the guy in front of the net score the goal because Scuderi is busy puck watching and not tying up the stick or the body.
- j.boyd919

Some of this is the system. The system allows net front guys to stand there. Helps to keep lanes clear, but too often lately the net front guy has had way too much time with the puck, which just leaves MAF out to dry.

It's a very passive system overall, which has helped cut down on goals against and especially the constant jailbreak counterattack by the opposition that we've become accustomed to. It's a system that plays the percentages in avoiding risk.

Some of this is the system. The system allows net front guys to stand there. Helps to keep lanes clear, but too often lately the net front guy has had way too much time with the puck, which just leaves MAF out to dry.

It's a very passive system overall, which has helped cut down on goals against and especially the constant jailbreak counterattack by the opposition that we've become accustomed to. It's a system that plays the percentages in avoiding risk.
- hardnosed

The system has him standing right next to guys in front of the net and not tie their stick up or move their body? I disagree with that. You're not supposed to let a forward in the goalies kitchen and get Clean whacks at pucks. Any defensemen knows that.

I can't believe the guy that hates Sutter, is defending Scuds...and said his play has been good. Scuds needs to see the presser for a few games, he needs to be held accountable for his play just like everyone else. He has been piss poor lately. The first goal they scored last night, Scuds gift wrapped that....seems to me, he is missing Despres a lot.

I can't believe the guy that hates Sutter, is defending Scuds...and said his play has been good. Scuds needs to see the presser for a few games, he needs to be held accountable for his play just like everyone else. He has been piss poor lately. The first goal they scored last night, Scuds gift wrapped that....seems to me, he is missing Despres a lot.
- Thorny

I think he's been terrible since Despres was shipped out. Many of us have been saying all season, Despres was uniquely qualified to bail him out.

I'm sure they'd like to give him a few games off down the stretch, but cap issues and injuries are preventing them from sitting him. He's starting to resemble the player from last year.......and we all know that's not good for our chances.

If the puck is off the glass and out of the zone, the puck is almost always going to land closer to the opposing D-man, giving them the ability to pass back and forth to make another zone entry while the Pens fowards forecheck and try to make a turnover. If someone with some puck skill had that puck they would either find an open spot where a forward/other D can reach the puck and push it out for an outlet pass, or they would make that outlet pass themselves. The latter version is what Letang/Martin/Ehrhoff/Pouliot etc. look for first, whereas Scuderi's first instinct is to clear the puck off the glass. In these instances I'm referring more to the loose puck battles in front of the net/tipped passes not necessarily the breakouts from behind the net/etc. they have planned. In that sense he knows what he's going to do before he gets the puck, but when its an instinctual moment, I hate his decisions. I don't always get to watch the games, I do stream as many of them as I can but for some damn reason, Pens games are always on when I'm working for the Bolts.

The net front play I'm talking about more is when the opposing team has some sustained cycling and are trying to create traffic in front, shots come in or passes from below the goal line and Scuderi is busy puck watching instead of covering his man, tying up a stick, planting someone on his ass. I know all players are guilty of it sometimes, I just notice is a TON more with Scuderi and it shows in the 2nd most on ice goals against on the team.
- j.boyd919

Hockey is a game of transitions (i.e. from one state to another). Moreover, the flow of a hockey game can be described by a set of states (e.g. offensive giveaway, retreat, defensive giveaway, zone entries, zone exists, zone specific face-offs, or goals). Strategy, score effects, and/or player usage impact the flow of the game. In terms of strategy, we’re talking about on-ice decisions, given a set of alternatives, which will deliver the maximum likelihood of success. A team that retreats into their own zone, while retaining puck possession, in order to facilitate a line change, is such an example. The alternative…. dump the puck into the opponent’s zone and make a fire wagon line-change. We’ve all watched games where goals and/or scoring chances were the result of bad line changes. So, retreat is the safer play.

Offensively speaking, in terms of zone entries, there is debate concerning the success of dump and chase vs. carrying the puck into the zone. Here’s we’re strategy, score effect, and player usage come together. Dump and chase is a better defensive choice (decreased probability of allowing a goal against), while the possession entry is the better offensive one (increased probability of scoring). On-ice match ups, or mismatches for that matter, top six, bottom six, leading or trailing should determine which choice is the most appropriate strategy.

Alternatively, with defensive possession, the matter of strategy relates to clearing the puck (i.e. chipping off the glass), or retaining possession and pressing forward into the neutral zone. Clearing the puck is the safer, defensive choice, while carrying the puck out of your own end is the better offensive one. Again, the game presents a trade-off between on-ice strategy that increases the likelihood of scoring at the expense of preventing goals against, and one the decreases vulnerability (scoring chances against) at the expense of scoring (goals for).

Throw face-offs into the mix, specifically offensive and defensive zone, and we’re talking more in-depth about strategy and player usage. A coach’s choice of personnel has to do with maximizing the success of the current game state. Here, some players are sheltered, while others are given two-way duties. Managing the game means putting your players in the best position to succeed. There are probabilities and likelihoods behind decisions to put two centers on the ice for a late game defensive zone face-off. The team is trying to maximize it’s own success.

I’m not a #4 fan by any means, his best days are far behind him, however, I think #4 and the coaching staff are clearly cognizant of his capabilities and limitations. Yes, the ‘chip off the glass to clear the zone’ play is predictable, however the choice to clear the zone temporarily relieves scoring chances against. This is the safe defensive play. Put it this way, NO ONE on this blog wants to #4 do his best Bobby Orr impersonation.

Oye , a day game ...

Less men just means more grit and toughness.

Malkin and Horn both playing today, great news....bad news, rumor is Adams will dress

Or maybe they're fans that watch him play every night and recognize the sacrifices he makes to help us win and realize that every offensive superstar that goes against McDonagh and Girardi get shut the frank down.
- rangerdanger94

except for how poorly those two have played against the Isles this year right?

I'm glad this idiot is trolling these comments today instead of ours.

Malkin and Horn both playing today, great news....bad news, rumor is Adams will dress
- Thorny

Does that mean Bennett out?

Does that mean Bennett out?
- Grinder47

nope, Bennett on the 3rd line. Perron is out sick.

nope, Bennett on the 3rd line. Perron is out sick.
- SuperHenderson13

Downie with Sid? I have a feeling he gets a shot there and doesn't leave his side for a couple years. It amazes me how hosed Downie has gotten here and he still gives it his all every shift.

Well... we could already have 4 goals. ~_~

Nevermind... Dow... I mean Comeau done killed someone.

Nevermind... Dow... I mean Comeau done killed someone.
- Guile

Didn't seem like a direct hit from behind. Dude came up bleeding though...

Didn't seem like a direct hit from behind. Dude came up bleeding though...
- madmike71

Nope, not the worst hit for a boarding, but the result was pretty bad

Nope, not the worst hit for a boarding, but the result was pretty bad
- Guile

You had to call the 5 minute there, just not sure about the game misconduct. It was a good kill, DW is a killer on the PK...

You had to call the 5 minute there, just not sure about the game misconduct. It was a good kill, DW is a killer on the PK...
- Thorny

It would be nice to get some life from that kill. They really didn't get any good chances.

At least the team didn't come out dead like they usually do in afternoon games.

Lapierre starting to round into playoff form. Good to see.

Without Letang...

Can we catch a break? I'm almost convinced we are cursed.

Without Letang...


- hardnosed

That wasn't boarding? Launching a guy into the boards with excessive force... Against the pens? Nope, good hit.

Without Letang...


- hardnosed

That should pretty much end our season. Gotta love the NHL product.

The puck was halfway down the (frank)ing ice. And they call Comeau's penalty a game misconduct. Just sickening.