Typical Flyers and Flyers fans m.o. when it comes to the pens derail the game plan and act like nothing happened as their captain tries to play grabass
- Reverend Killtaker

I'm really hoping this is sarcasm. Except for the grab ass thing.

I wonder if the Rags would entertain a trade with us for Dan Boyle.

We could use a steady reliable Dman that makes a great first pass.

Plus he is age defying.

Worthy of a huge extension.

He could possibly be the one guy that could put any team over the top.

Money could not be better spent.


F Broadway

I'm really hoping this is sarcasm. Except for the grab ass thing.
- jmatchett383

There you go trying to derail again with mentions of sarcasm.

As much as I don't want to admit it, Pittsburgh's offensive futility will be short lived. Panic shouldn't set in just yet. If this is ongoing, by the holiday season, then by all means panic. But, as of now, two goaltenders stood on their head to shut the Pens down. It won't happen all season.

As much as I don't want to admit it, Pittsburgh's offensive futility will be short lived. Panic shouldn't set in just yet. If this is ongoing, by the holiday season, then by all means panic. But, as of now, two goaltenders stood on their head to shut the Pens down. It won't happen all season.
- MidnightMarauder

Shhhh... You might just stop some people from jumping off a bridge.

Shhhh... You might just stop some people from jumping off a bridge.
- Victoro311

Do they even have bridges in Pittsburgh?

There you go trying to derail again with mentions of sarcasm.
- Reverend Killtaker

Note: Not directed at you.

As much as I don't want to admit it, Pittsburgh's offensive futility will be short lived. Panic shouldn't set in just yet. If this is ongoing, by the holiday season, then by all means panic. But, as of now, two goaltenders stood on their head to shut the Pens down. It won't happen all season.
- MidnightMarauder

I'm not necessary worried about scoring, in worried about guys like Sid and geno who have looked a little lazy and unmotivated for the first 2 games. Reason I would have liked Babcock is because he would have reamed those 2 if they played lazily

As much as I don't want to admit it, Pittsburgh's offensive futility will be short lived. Panic shouldn't set in just yet. If this is ongoing, by the holiday season, then by all means panic. But, as of now, two goaltenders stood on their head to shut the Pens down. It won't happen all season.
- MidnightMarauder

The team is getting outplayed. Effort and execution aren't there and lineup decisions have been atrocious. Too early to panic but there is concern.

I'm not necessary worried about scoring, in worried about guys like Sid and geno who have looked a little lazy and unmotivated for the first 2 games. Reason I would have liked Babcock is because he would have reamed those 2 if they played lazily
- drummer829

Well I believe Johnson had them on the line doing sprints with the rest of the team.

The team is getting outplayed. Effort and execution aren't there and lineup decisions have been atrocious. Too early to panic but there is concern.
- jfkst1

When you say atrocious I'm assuming you mean Sprong on the 4th instead of the 3rd, Plot on the 2nd instead of the 3rd (which has been corrected), and finally scuds in the lineup? Doesn't seem that bad. A lot of teams would have placed Sprong on the 4th for his 1st 2 NHL games to give him limited ice time. His minutes and role should increase. And quick question if he goes up who comes down? Obvious answer for this board is Kunitz but that is unrealistic.

Do they even have bridges in Pittsburgh?
- jmatchett383

Just one and the worst mistake is crossing it from the North Side of town to the South Side

When you say atrocious I'm assuming you mean Sprong on the 4th instead of the 3rd, Plot on the 2nd instead of the 3rd (which has been corrected), and finally scuds in the lineup? Doesn't seem that bad. A lot of teams would have placed Sprong on the 4th for his 1st 2 NHL games to give him limited ice time. His minutes and role should increase. And quick question if he goes up who comes down? Obvious answer for this board is Kunitz but that is unrealistic.
- dbell646

Sprong is the least upsetting thing he's done. Playing Scuderi so much, not dressing Clendening, split PPs, Perron and Bennett on wrong sides, Plot on the 2nd line.

Just one and the worst mistake is crossing it from the North Side of town to the South Side
- dbell646

Got that backwards there, dbell!

Just one and the worst mistake is crossing it from the North Side of town to the South Side
- dbell646

Granted, I've only been to Pittsburgh twice (and haven't spent more than about 12 hours total walking about), but 2 districts seem very strange to me. There's The Hill District (as opposed to the not-quite-as-hilly portions of the city) and the North Shore (more of a North River Bank than a shore).

#FlyersDerail

Granted, I've only been to Pittsburgh twice (and haven't spent more than about 12 hours total walking about), but 2 districts seem very strange to me. There's The Hill District (as opposed to the not-quite-as-hilly portions of the city) and the North Shore (more of a North River Bank than a shore).

#FlyersDerail
- jmatchett383

I love north Philly!

#relevant

Got that backwards there, dbell!
- kgrpitt

Funny that we all hate crossing bridges

Granted, I've only been to Pittsburgh twice (and haven't spent more than about 12 hours total walking about), but 2 districts seem very strange to me. There's The Hill District (as opposed to the not-quite-as-hilly portions of the city) and the North Shore (more of a North River Bank than a shore).

#FlyersDerail
- jmatchett383

The hill is also known as uptown. I've never really thought about why they are named that way. And North Shore sounds much more appealing then North River Bank. With the stadiums and casino and such they opted for a more appealing name

Pens will WIN tonight!
They will have extra adrenaline being the home opener and playing a good team. I believe Crosby and Malkin will have an extra step today. Hopefully, the rest of the team can keep up.

Sprong is the least upsetting thing he's done. Playing Scuderi so much, not dressing Clendening, split PPs, Perron and Bennett on wrong sides, Plot on the 2nd line.
- jfkst1

I don't have any issue with the Power Play split personally. It struggled last year so they tried something different. I think that is over now. Plots has been moved and if Perron played the right side he'd be a 3rd liner with no hope aside from injury of getting into the top 6. Bennett on the left is likely a 4th liner. Scuds I'll give you but that might not be his call. I don't really have a grip on how I feel about Johnson up to this point. I can't put much stock into last year with all of the injuries so I'm waiting to see how this season goes. Hopefully they get on track

I love north Philly!

#relevant
- stayinthefnnet

I'm glad that, now that I'm old and don't go to punk/hardcore shows any more, I have no reason to venture into North Philly. Aside from attending Temple, any white person who goes into North Philly is just unwise.

The hill is also known as uptown. I've never really thought about why they are named that way. And North Shore sounds much more appealing then North River Bank. With the stadiums and casino and such they opted for a more appealing name
- dbell646

I would have opted for "The Section of the City that has 2 stadiums and Bettis' Steak Joint District" but that's just me.

I don't have any issue with the Power Play split personally. It struggled last year so they tried something different. I think that is over now. Plots has been moved and if Perron played the right side he'd be a 3rd liner with no hope aside from injury of getting into the top 6. Bennett on the left is likely a 4th liner. Scuds I'll give you but that might not be his call. I don't really have a grip on how I feel about Johnson up to this point. I can't put much stock into last year with all of the injuries so I'm waiting to see how this season goes. Hopefully they get on track
- dbell646

With most teams the 1st PP stays out for as long as they can keep them out there. Last year Johnston reduced the #1PP unit time which I didn't like. Now he's splitting up the two best PP players. It's idiotic to me.
Johnston might be forced to dress Scuderi (though I seriously doubt even that is the case), but Johnston absolutely is in control of his playing time. So playing him 3rd most TOI is just self-inflicted stupidity.

I would have opted for "The Section of the City that has 2 stadiums and Bettis' Steak Joint District" but that's just me.
- jmatchett383

Kind of catchy. Come on down to the section of the city that has 2 stadiums and Bettis Steak Joint District Ha Ha

I do not see any decent set plays or strategic positioning from the team as of yet; this may be because none of said plays have worked.

Escaping the defensive zone cleanly seems to be a real problem. The players are rushed by a forecheck. My opinion is that the puck should always be able to move faster than a skater, so I have to once again examine the strategies.

The defense abandons the blue line just as it did under Bylsma. I almost think the Penguins operate in a bubble within the NHL and refuse to learn from other teams' successes. There is little team play involving the natural barriers of the playing environment. The Penguins do not force teams into making compromised plays anything like enough.

Finally, Mike Johnson has every look and feel of an ineffective, cuckolded step father. "Don't make that pass again, Sid, or I'll.. (trails off). I absolutely hate the way he almost pretends not to know which player the press is asking him about unless referring to them by nickname.

Reporter: "What does Chris Kunitz need to do in order to stay up in the top six?"

Coach Cuckold: "Kuni? Oh, Kuni. You meant Kuni. Kuni needs to just play his game."

I'm on the Jacques Martin 1-2-2 counter bandwagon and I'm not getting off.