I thought for sure when he received the puck it was going to be a tied game and go into overtime.
- acdc1206

I watched the highlights & thought - (frank)! How 'didnt' that go in??

I've seen that so many times this year with a lot of players not just Philbo going low instead of high! No puck luck & our poop shooting % strikes again!!!

Tell me you are kidding with that comment.... PLEASE!
- MiloslavHorava

Dont you remember breaking pencils in grade school to see who could split the smallest piece?

Why doesn't it? Neal used an extremely whippy stick with a low flex(I believe it was a 75 flex) and he had absolutely no problem playing with Geno and scoring 40. I know everyone is pissed about Kessels struggles(rightfully so) and are looking for answers for it but the stick that he has used his ENTIRE career and been successful with isn't the issue.
- jaydogg1974

If you change the flex on your stick, you need to completely change the way and timing in which you shoot the puck. His stick flex isn't a problem, he is in a funk, and he will get out of it hopefully. Its like a golfer who gets the yipps.

Kessel is not the reason we lost. I agree he has been having a rough time with the puck all season. He's fumbling passes left and right and missing a lot of opportunities. But last night Geno also had two grade A chances near the crease. He shot wide on both of them and proceeded to look up to the heavens. Sometimes it happens.

Kessel has to be better and I think he will bounce back.
- Conse

BINGO!!!! they scored 1 goal as a TEAM.

When Kessel was young you couldn't even get sticks like that. Iginla played the same position his whole life most likely. I think changing a stick would take less time to adjust to than playing a different position than you have your whole life. Crosby has changed his stick a few times, especially the curve. Players try new sticks more often than you might think. Sometimes they stick with the change....pardon the pun.
- MattStrat

Again, I think its more of a skill than a piece of equipment. Iggy has a great 1-timer. Ever watch Letang try it? Thats a free puck for a lucky fan. I dont think OV is that great at it either, he seems to score mostly on writers? But its a skill doesn't have. Take James Neal, it was the only skill he had. At this point you either can or can't.

If it's not in his skill set at all then he needs to be taken off the top PP immediately.
- jfkst1

It appears that it would benefit him to practice this more...if he doesn't already...because he gets his chances with it.

Kessel...in his defense...is a wrist shot goal scorer. He has been for a long time.

The Penguins have very few guys who one-time the puck with major authority...Malkin being the most obvious example of someone who does.

http://thepensnation.com/...oser-look-at-phil-kessel/

The point is that Phil Kessel is who we thought he was. If he has drastically missed the mark for you, your expectations were most likely way out of line.

Again, I think its more of a skill than a piece of equipment. Iggy has a great 1-timer. Ever watch Letang try it? Thats a free puck for a lucky fan. I dont think OV is that great at it either, he seems to score mostly on writers? But its a skill doesn't have. Take James Neal, it was the only skill he had. At this point you either can or can't.
- sammy87

I can't do it to save my life. Never could

When Kessel was young you couldn't even get sticks like that. Iginla played the same position his whole life most likely. I think changing a stick would take less time to adjust to than playing a different position than you have your whole life. Crosby has changed his stick a few times, especially the curve. Players try new sticks more often than you might think. Sometimes they stick with the change....pardon the pun.
- MattStrat

Actually according to Neal in the Players Tribune article, not only is it very difficult for a shooter/goal scorer to switch sticks, it can drastically throw off their whole game using their regular stick if it isn't prepared just right. I saw a video he did explaining his stick preparation and he said point blank that he
goes to the stick rack and starts picking up sticks and he knows within seconds if he's going to be able to use the stick in the game by how it feels in his hands. I thought it was a pretty accurate comparison since they were very similar style players who both used very whippy sticks and Neal makes it sound that it would be near impossible to switch sticks without screwing up his game.

Actually according to Neal in the Players Tribune article, not only is it very difficult for a shooter/goal scorer to switch sticks, it can drastically throw off their whole game using their regular stick if it isn't prepared just right. I saw a video he did explaining his stick preparation and he said point blank that he
goes to the stick rack and starts picking up sticks and he knows within seconds if he's going to be able to use the stick in the game by how it feels in his hands. I thought it was a pretty accurate comparison since they were very similar style players who both used very whippy sticks and Neal makes it sound that it would be near impossible to switch sticks without screwing up his game.
- jaydogg1974

Cut to actual footage of James Neal trying out sticks by slashing and crosschecking store employees

I can't do it to save my life. Never could
- dbell646

No I played LW in high school and I was useless on a lot of plays. My SR yr and in college I switched to RW. I would practice it so much and could never do it. You either can or can't.

After not getting to watch the 3rd last night and just now finally seeing a GIF of the last shot by Kessel I find myself baffled by all the female dogging, the pass was on the outside of his back foot which is what forced him to catch the puck and slide back to get the shot off, there isn't a player in the league that is going to 1 time that puck because the pass wasn't in a position to be 1 timed.

After not getting to watch the 3rd last night and just now finally seeing a GIF of the last shot by Kessel I find myself baffled by all the female dogging, the pass was on the outside of his back foot which is what forced him to catch the puck and slide back to get the shot off, there isn't a player in the league that is going to 1 time that puck because the pass wasn't in a position to be 1 timed.
- jaydogg1974

It was def not in his wheel house. Either way though Kessel has been a disappointment.

http://thepensnation.com/tpn/division/metropolitan-division/pittsburgh-penguins/a-closer-look-at-phil-kessel/
- j.boyd919

Was just going to post that. Interesting, more rational evaluation of Kessel.

Was just going to post that. Interesting, more rational evaluation of Kessel.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

He loads his stick with so much energy its insane!

That said, Letang has that spot on the PP, Malkin for the 1-timer on the RW, Crosby down low. Letang is a QB and can get the Kessel shot off, what they down have is a 1 time threat on the LW.

No I played LW in high school and I was useless on a lot of plays. My SR yr and in college I switched to RW. I would practice it so much and could never do it. You either can or can't.
- sammy87

The only other NHL top 6 forward I can think of that doesn't one time the puck is Jagr and he makes up for it with other facets of his game. He also started playing in an era when not many players did not one time the puck.

I wonder if Ryan Wilson was post a game recap blog
- rangerdanger94

Apparently not... I wanted to hear how Letang was assaulted by Lee.

Apparently not... I wanted to hear how Letang was assaulted by Lee.
- wolfhounds

He tweeted out earlier that a blog was coming out later but it was 75° in Rochester so he was taking advantage

Apparently not... I wanted to hear how Letang was assaulted by Lee.
- wolfhounds

shades of steve downie on that one.

Actually according to Neal in the Players Tribune article, not only is it very difficult for a shooter/goal scorer to switch sticks, it can drastically throw off their whole game using their regular stick if it isn't prepared just right. I saw a video he did explaining his stick preparation and he said point blank that he
goes to the stick rack and starts picking up sticks and he knows within seconds if he's going to be able to use the stick in the game by how it feels in his hands. I thought it was a pretty accurate comparison since they were very similar style players who both used very whippy sticks and Neal makes it sound that it would be near impossible to switch sticks without screwing up his game.
- jaydogg1974

I don't think he needs to change sticks, but it is a major reason he can't one-time a puck. That said, he uses it because of the nasty whip on the wrister. If he made any change it would have to be during the off season.

Actually according to Neal in the Players Tribune article, not only is it very difficult for a shooter/goal scorer to switch sticks, it can drastically throw off their whole game using their regular stick if it isn't prepared just right. I saw a video he did explaining his stick preparation and he said point blank that he
goes to the stick rack and starts picking up sticks and he knows within seconds if he's going to be able to use the stick in the game by how it feels in his hands. I thought it was a pretty accurate comparison since they were very similar style players who both used very whippy sticks and Neal makes it sound that it would be near impossible to switch sticks without screwing up his game.
- jaydogg1974

I don't think he needs to change sticks, but it is a major reason he can't one-time a puck. That said, he uses it because of the nasty whip on the wrister. If he made any change it would have to be during the off season.

Yeah, I guess that sounds a lot better than "I hate having these goons out there. Guys like him are the reason I get concussed to begin with. I wish they would get rid of them all and let the skilled players do their thing"

What do you think hes gonna say?
- thickman1178

David Steckel (however you spell it) the goon? I think the best part about having Sestito here is how over analyzed the analytical people are on the subject. He helps the team by giving Crosby more playing time that's for sure.

Actually according to Neal in the Players Tribune article, not only is it very difficult for a shooter/goal scorer to switch sticks, it can drastically throw off their whole game using their regular stick if it isn't prepared just right. I saw a video he did explaining his stick preparation and he said point blank that he
goes to the stick rack and starts picking up sticks and he knows within seconds if he's going to be able to use the stick in the game by how it feels in his hands. I thought it was a pretty accurate comparison since they were very similar style players who both used very whippy sticks and Neal makes it sound that it would be near impossible to switch sticks without screwing up his game.
- jaydogg1974

That's all BS. Kane would still be leading in points if he used a wooden stick.

Wouldn't it be awesome if the pens went after Nelson, Tanev and Borkowski

https://www.nhl.com/news/...e-free-agents/c-279491788

Actually according to Neal in the Players Tribune article, not only is it very difficult for a shooter/goal scorer to switch sticks, it can drastically throw off their whole game using their regular stick if it isn't prepared just right. I saw a video he did explaining his stick preparation and he said point blank that he
goes to the stick rack and starts picking up sticks and he knows within seconds if he's going to be able to use the stick in the game by how it feels in his hands. I thought it was a pretty accurate comparison since they were very similar style players who both used very whippy sticks and Neal makes it sound that it would be near impossible to switch sticks without screwing up his game.
- jaydogg1974

No doubt it is. My point though is I think it'd be easier to get used to a new kind of stick rather than playing a new position for first time in life. I get a different kind of stick every time almost every time I buy a new one and I buy one on average about every two months. It's a major noticeable difference, would never argue that.