That was an extremely unfortunate bounce but when you consistently make mistakes you're not gonna garner any sympathy
- Victoro311

Mark Madden calls him the human hand grenade. Pretty accurate I'd say.

Still, that unfortunate chain of events started with really sloppy play by Malkin's line at the opposing blue line. Really bad turnover there.

it blows my mind how kessel is so god damn opposite of what conventional wisdom dictates he should be. i actually enjoy his play away from the puck all things considered, but jesus he looks like he has absolute zero offensive instinct or confidence.

Like I said in an earlier post, next season I'd love to see MAF/Murray do a 60/40 split. Come playoff time MAF would be plenty rested and not over extended and abuse and Murray will gain a wealth of experience with consistent play as a back up for his rookie season.
- Reverend Killtaker

It all depends what the schedule looks like. This year, if you give Fleury a non-back-to-back night off, he might not play for a week. The schedule does get more hectic down the stretch.

Well at least after this game, maybe the coaches sit Cole and put Pouliot in. I hope they dont waste this effort tonight though. Grr Cole is so frustrating! Its Scuds reincarnated
- Weisenheimer

If there is a hockey God, knowing how trigger happy Jimmy is, he will make a move in his sleep tonight, Cole for a 3rd rd pick!

I'd have to imagine Murray would be the backup next year. Maybe not 60-40 split, probably 70-30 or so. Zatkoff won't be resigned.

No shots this period after dominating the first 2 periods
- Pens_Burgh

It would be a matter of trust coming from sully, but I see Murray being fully capable of handling the work load.

Zatkoff is God (frank)ing awful.

I'd have to imagine Murray would be the backup next year. Maybe not 60-40 split, probably 70-30 or so. Zatkoff won't be resigned.

No shots this period after dominating the first 2 periods
- Pens_Burgh

71/62/81 will be phenomenal once they learn to play together.

If there is a hockey God, knowing how trigger happy Jimmy is, he will make a move in his sleep tonight, Cole for a 3rd rd pick!
- Weisenheimer

its clear plot isnt an option. id look at cole for a 3rd or 4th line winger. sheary and rust stay, but im not a fan of porter or kuhn. even cole for a rental wouldnt be awful to get some help down there and get cole off this damn team.

Thing about defensemen is that no matter how good your top 6 is, somebody is going to be the worst of the bunch.

It would be a matter of trust coming from sully, but I see Murray being fully capable of handling the work load.
- Reverend Killtaker

Definitely agree here. I can't handle Zatkoff flopping around like a fish anymore. He makes every chance look way harder than it actually is.

71/62/81 will be phenomenal once they learn to play together.
- hipcheck_goalie

Hagelin's speed was evident a few times this game and he had some solid defensive plays early on. Didn't get to catch the game yesterday so this is my first time getting to see him.

its clear plot isnt an option. id look at cole for a 3rd or 4th line winger. sheary and rust stay, but im not a fan of porter or kuhn. even cole for a rental wouldnt be awful to get some help down there and get cole off this damn team.
- buckster2342

If we hadn't just traded for Hagelin I'd love for us to target Cogliano but no way Anaheim departs with all that speed

game over.

zatkoff's (frank)ing garbage.

I have this awful feeling Zatkoff is going to lose us this game. I feel like we're controlling play but every time they get a rare opportunity Zatkoff makes it look hard
- Victoro311

^bump

a win puts us in a WC spot and zatkoff cant stop wristers...

Hot damn Zatkoff is exposed this period yikes.

Thing about defensemen is that no matter how good your top 6 is, somebody is going to be the worst of the bunch.
- hardnosed

True, but they dont have to cost you games when you are trying to gain momentum/start a winning streak of some significance.

F N ZATKOFF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The worst backup in the NHL!

cole and zatkoff for a backup goalie?

^bump
- Victoro311

it sucks. they were playing well. they deserved at least a point out of this game. blues are a good team, but they were holding their own. i just think that cole/zatkoff special deflated them. theyre done for the night.

i know backups are backups for a reason. but he doesnt even keep them in games.

and (frank). even if it goes in they still lose i think, but that would have been big for phil. that is exactly his type of goal

I see adding a D-man as a bad move at this point. Looking at it long term. Unless Cole is traded there isnt much room in the D next year if Pouliot is half as good as people think he is.
Maatta-Letang
Dumo-Daley
Pouliot-Cole
Thats likely the D for next season. Really it doesn't look bad. So why trade assets to improve what isn't that bad?
- Zac_O

Cole is a -18.

cole and zatkoff for a backup goalie?
- buckster2342

They need to start thinking about calling Murray up for these games. Can't afford losing these points because you have a minor league goalie.

cole and zatkoff for a backup goalie?
- buckster2342

For a Chocolate chip cookie for Rutherdud

Cole is a -18.
- Emperor Filonius

People hate +/-, but that number is real.

Guess we should have expected this to be honest. When they announced earlier today that Zatkoff was starting, it was a little deflating. They have the next 2 days off which is kind of irritating when your a team fighting to get in to the playoffs, Fleury is your stud, ride him!