I get that it's cool to trash Scuderi, but he actually hasn't been playing bad, and the stats back it up.

Edit: And I know, for the contract, blah blah blah.
- cap1681

His puck skills don't promote any offence. He plays the puck just to get the puck off his stick. That's just my opinion, I noticed as much in last nights game. He will continue to look OK and not awful while Johnston has made the forwards more responsible.

Pouliot might be a good start...

I see you typed Pouliot but I think you meant Scuderi.

Pens are mediocre in HDSC% and SC%. Even with good goaltending, teams that have significant negative shot attempt differentials don't win SCs. Pens goal is to win it all so they should recognize that they need to make improvements. There's plenty of time to do so.
- jfkst1

The past only informs probabilities of future performance, it doesn't preclude future eventualities. What the Penguins are doing right now is not unsound, they have a team well-built for a bend-but-don't-break defense and a sniping, low shot-volume offense.

I could counter that with if it ain't broke don't fix it. Right now they are winning playing the way they are playing, obviously everyone would love for them to score more goals while winning but there is no way for any of us to know if that is what will actually happen if the open up and try to score more. For all we know that change could lead to them losing 6-5 regularly as opposed to them winning 3-2 regularly. Not sure if it's really worth the risk while what they are doing is working, if/once things change and they are struggling to win games playing this way then by all means open the system up and focus more on scoring goals, as of now they should focus on continuing to win games doing what they are doing.
- jaydogg1974

Not to mention that the offense is coming along. If the Pens would have been able to stay on sides last night I counted at least 6 more odd man rushes. Kessel and Malkin are finding their respective grooves, and, if not for some bad puck luck, Crosby could easily have 10-12 points right now and no one is complaining about him.

How do I know that? Because that's his style. Every coach has a style. His is fast moving offense that scores a lot. That's why they hired him. Yes I know there needs to be time to gel for new players. And I know winning is the ultimate goal. But if we are winning with something other than his system why is he needed? Just because things are good doesn't mean improvements can't be made.
- Zac_O

I'm trying to understand where this misconception that Johnston is an offensive minded coach came from, I can only assume that it is another fan created fantasy that depicts what they want to be true not what is actually true. Johnston is and has always been a more defensive minded coach, his system is built on playing sound defense and the creating offense through quick, puck supported breakouts where the defense is active as a breakout option, nothing about Johnston's system at Portland was designed to be an offensive system even though it generated a lot of offense in juniors, it is and always has been a system built on good possession and strong puck support. He has made some tweaks to the amount of risk taken in the system and has changed the focus to an extent but they are still running the exact same system he ran in Portland and that the Pens ran at the beginning of last season.

I also don't recall the organization every saying he was hired for his offensive system or mindset, I remember them talking a lot about the possession aspects and the added puck support that wasn't there with the previous coaching staff and how his system fit the talent in the D corps well but I don't recall the organization ever once saying they hired him so they could score more goals.

The past only informs probabilities of future performance, it doesn't preclude future eventualities. What the Penguins are doing right now is not unsound, they have a team well-built for a bend-but-don't-break defense and a sniping, low shot-volume offense.
- hardnosed

When we, or any other team with lousy shot differentials win the Stanly Cup I'll shut up and be happy about it and we can all have a beer together. For right now I want the probabilities in our favor.

His puck skills don't promote any offence. He plays the puck just to get the puck off his stick. That's just my opinion, I noticed as much in last nights game. He will continue to look OK and not awful while Johnston has made the forwards more responsible.
- nelson911

It's actually the forward group making Scuderi look better by pressuring once he glasses the puck out of the zone. He's not bad, but we have better.

I'm trying to understand where this misconception that Johnston is an offensive minded coach came from, I can only assume that it is another fan created fantasy that depicts what they want to be true not what is actually true. Johnston is and has always been a more defensive minded coach, his system is built on playing sound defense and the creating offense through quick, puck supported breakouts where the defense is active as a breakout option, nothing about Johnston's system at Portland was designed to be an offensive system even though it generated a lot of offense in juniors, it is and always has been a system built on good possession and strong puck support. He has made some tweaks to the amount of risk taken in the system and has changed the focus to an extent but they are still running the exact same system he ran in Portland and that the Pens ran at the beginning of last season.

I also don't recall the organization every saying he was hired for his offensive system or mindset, I remember them talking a lot about the possession aspects and the added puck support that wasn't there with the previous coaching staff and how his system fit the talent in the D corps well but I don't recall the organization ever once saying they hired him so they could score more goals.
- jaydogg1974

Every article when he was hired bragged about his offensive mind. His defense is to have the offense have the puck. When a coach is hired the main reason they hire the coach is because of the system he can perform. In juniors his system was fast offense and possession defense. I'm not calling for him to be fired. I'm saying I want his fast possession style game to come through.

The past only informs probabilities of future performance, it doesn't preclude future eventualities. What the Penguins are doing right now is not unsound, they have a team well-built for a bend-but-don't-break defense and a sniping, low shot-volume offense.
- hardnosed

I prefer to use available information rather than infinite possibilities. Realistically, Pens are depending way too much on their goalies. And they should expect a decline in the goaltending they are getting- not a sustainment.

Because it's not a bug, it's a feature. They don't care about a large volume of meaningless shots - they're trying to prevent juicy chances. Which they're doing very successfully, to the tune of the top GA/G in the league (tied with Rangers).

Just like Sutter - he'll give you the 50 footer, but you're not getting into prime scoring areas. Which is why judging him, and this year's Penguins' defensive acumen is asinine as judging Pete Rose based on his home run totals, or Shaq based on his assists per game, or Peyton Manning on his rushing yards.
- hardnosed

I'm not so sure about them doing a good job of preventing juicy chances, granted I have only been able to catch portions of most games but in the times I have been able to watch MAF has had to make multiple game saving save from point blank quality scoring opportunities.

The biggest point is that even though they have allowed the fewest goals through 10-11 games, if they continue to allow the shot volume and good scoring chances they have allowed to this point they will not lead the league in GA at season end, they may be lucky to even be in the top half if the current trend continues.

I'm not so sure about them doing a good job of preventing juicy chances, granted I have only been able to catch portions of most games but in the times I have been able to watch MAF has had to make multiple game saving save from point blank quality scoring opportunities.

The biggest point is that even though they have allowed the fewest goals through 10-11 games, if they continue to allow the shot volume and good scoring chances they have allowed to this point they will not lead the league in GA at season end, they may be lucky to even be in the top half if the current trend continues.
- jaydogg1974

I don't know what qualifies as a "juicy chance." I don't even like saying it because it reminds me of Pierre McGuire. But the Pens are below average in high danger scoring chances and scoring chances allowed.

One of the weakest even strength and worst PP's....yet 8-1 in last 9...amazing, really.
- MattStrat

This is why PDO is commonly referred to as luck (i.e. probability based). Spikes in either shooting % or save %, albeit over a stretch of games, are not sustainable long-term. Over the course of a season PDO typically regresses around 100. #29 has been the #1 factor in the Pens ability to win (during this stretch) and is currently covering-up for many flaws in style/ ability of play. As jfkst1 often refers to process/ ES 5v5 play, this part of the Pens game needs massive amounts of improvement because of the inevitable PDO regression.

To add perspective, 5 of the 8 wins have been by 1-goal margin. So a fractional difference in #29's save % could have made a substantial difference in outcomes (especially given the low team shooting %s). Through 12 games/ 5V5 mins, Sh% of 6.32 and SV% of 95.00. Nonetheless, they're a FORTUNATE 8-2 in the last 10. Everyone on this board will happily take that winning %tage (all season).

I could counter that with if it ain't broke don't fix it. Right now they are winning playing the way they are playing, obviously everyone would love for them to score more goals while winning but there is no way for any of us to know if that is what will actually happen if the open up and try to score more. For all we know that change could lead to them losing 6-5 regularly as opposed to them winning 3-2 regularly. Not sure if it's really worth the risk while what they are doing is working, if/once things change and they are struggling to win games playing this way then by all means open the system up and focus more on scoring goals, as of now they should focus on continuing to win games doing what they are doing.
- jaydogg1974

Johnston made me hate "if it ain't broke don't fix it". That's his excuse for playing scuderi over Clendening and fish out of water plotnikov over sprong last night. just because something is good doesn't mean there isn't room for improvement.

Here's something to cheer you guys up. All your silly doom gloom doomgloom doom. Th WBS Penguins are 8-1 so far this season. Mathew Murray is 6-1 with a .944 save % and our young Tristan Jarry is 2-0 with a .946 save %. Those are really good stats for a 21 and 20 year old.

That's the thing though. Johnston is supposed to be a offense oriented coach. But we aren't seeing that. Makes you wonder why he's even coaching if his style isn't being played.
- Zac_O

The team is for sale and nothing will rapidly increase market value better than selling a champion! Being able to win close games (5v5) 2-1 or 3-2 usually works well for playoff hockey. This season is sponsored by DEFENSE!

Here's something to cheer you guys up. All your silly doom gloom doomgloom doom. Th WBS Penguins are 8-1 so far this season. Mathew Murray is 6-1 with a .944 save % and our young Tristan Jarry is 2-0 with a .946 save %. Those are really good stats for a 21 and 20 year old.
- Dcoms

They are fun to watch this year. Scoring goals too.

It's 'roll' and not "role."

I dislike Sutter as much as anyone, but it is much too early to determine who won that trade.
- jfkst1

I can judge that deal right now even if we hadn't gotten some serviceable pieces back.

The main thing about it though is Sutter was never going to move up the lines in Pittsburgh. He hated that. Also they weren't going to be able to re-sign him. So they traded him and got fehr. Someone who does pretty much the same of Sutter for less cap hit. Not to mention that Sid and Geno are doing pretty good on pk. So I wouldn't say replaceable but more of a team effort in doing the hard work.
- Zac_O

Yes yes I agree. I don't understand why the hate continues either for a player that has gone & is playing ok in a different role on another team that is travelling ok in their division - much better than most would have though at present. Good to see the Sid & Geno cannons succeeding at the PK also, adds another dimension to that group.

People talk & complain about Sid regressing but he is actually taking on more responsibility & becoming a better all round player.

I think fans are just not used to type of game this team is playing. Pens fans are used to high octane offence and lot's of scoring. This isn't that team regardless of the personnel. I honestly don't care about how much they score, just how much they win. I also coudnt care less who does the scoring to win.
- MattStrat

Damn strat Mattstrat, strat to the point! Strat on the strat & narrow to success!

I think in terms of play Lovejoy is almost as bad as Scuderi. In fact Lovejoy has been making more mistakes recently. The main thing that makes Scuderi worse is his contract. I would like to see Johnston play Clendenning all the time and rotate Scuderi and Lovejoy for the other defenseman. In his one game so far Clendenning had some nice up-ice passes to the offense - something you never see from Scuderi. So what if he took a few penalties.

His contract is also really the only thing I had against Sutter. I really never thought he was that bad and that he and Bonino are basically equivalent. The main advantage that Bonino has is a much better contract.

I agree with some of that, but the Pens are one of the weakest teams in the league at even strength this year. Last year they were very good. Only reason it is working is because Fleury is playing great. If/when he regresses this team will be in trouble at this rate.
- jfkst1

Jfkst - you are starting to sound like the velvetfog man & his terrible D terrible team dialogue! Every game I've seen highlights to this season the goalies are making great saves. The Rags Habs game had some excellent tending. It's not impossible for Flower to stay at a high level - he doesn't get a certain quota of great saves per year & your analytical mind tells you that a players 'average' is his skill set no matter what. He may or he may not regress, & he may just keep having a great season, some goalies can do that!

Jfkst - you are starting to sound like the velvetfog man & his terrible D terrible team dialogue! Every game I've seen highlights to this season the goalies are making great saves. The Rags Habs game had some excellent tending. It's not impossible for Flower to stay at a high level - he doesn't get a certain quota of great saves per year & your analytical mind tells you that a players 'average' is his skill set no matter what. He may or he may not regress, & he may just keep having a great season, some goalies can do that!
- Aussiepenguin

I don't see how. I post positive things too. The frog licker only posts negative things.

EDIT: And I hope Fleury keeps playing this way, if the Pens play like they did last year with this goaltending they'd be nearly unstoppable.

I think that's' certainly the case for some of the wins but not all of them and especially not the past few games. The flip side of this is if Neimi and Smith didnt stand on their heads the first two games, or if Price didn't survive that 2nd period onslaught from the Pens in game 3 they could be 11-0-0. Point I'm trying to make is that most teams start and end with their goalies.
- MattStrat

All goals are dependant on the goalies either way - except empty netters (& they would be Scudsmuffin fault).

I don't see how. I post positive things too. The frog licker only posts negative things.

EDIT: And I hope Fleury keeps playing this way, if the Pens play like they did last year with this goaltending they'd be nearly unstoppable.
- jfkst1

Starting due to the continual 'when Fleury regresses the team is DOOMED', type talk. Yes you are positive as well except when Scuds & Sutters names are mentioned.

Oh well off to Maitland for the day . Bruins to beat Caps & Isles all over Habs??