So with maatta out and Schultz in, can we petition for DP to get on game in for lovejoy....


Pens are rolling, still need to tweak a few things like getting puck out of d zone and more of a controlled Nuetral zone break out.. As well as stop with the drop passes in neutral zone or d zone( looking at you geno!)
- nh4442

Not sure why people are knocking lovejoy. He has played quite well for a 3rd pairing guy and has even chipped in a goal. I feel like he's still getting ripped for last year when he was thrown in a top pairing role when all the defense was hurt. I want to see DP play as well, but lovejoy has been holding his own and shouldn't be pulled unless that changes.

We'll probably get to see Pouliot in full action next season unless he's traded

An observation from a Flyers fan... the Caps used Backstrom's line to shut down Giroux's line in the first round... We Flyers fans were wondering if G had some sort of injury that would be revealed after they were eliminated... but he said he was healthy even after the season ended. So I guess we needed to give Backstrom's line more credit for their defensive effort.

I haven't seen any of the action in this series so far, but if the Caps are using Backstrom et al against Crosby, then you might expect to see Crosby's production down compared to the last round. Of course, the Penguins have a lot deeper scoring potential in their other lines than the Flyers did... and that by itself should give the Caps worry... they only scored 2 goals in the last 3 games against the Flyers, which was good enough to finish the Flyers off, given the Caps' 3-0 start. That most likely won't get it done against the Penguins.

Pouliot will only see time in an emergency. Lovejoy has been just fine. In fact, given the circumstances last night I thought he played a great game. He's got a really nice mixed skillset, can do a lot of things and help in a variety of ways.
- hardnosed

I agree, I do believe that DP is a higher risk, higher reward player right now, but the staff obviously wants the steady hand of Lovejoy....and as much as I have bashed him, he has been pretty solid in the playoff so far, to the point where he hasn't played himself out of the lineup. My fear is, I don't see the Pens being able to win very many more 2-1 games or 1-0 games With the last change for the next two games, I think Sid will get more open looks...he needed to bury that one from right in front, he just shot it into the chest of the goalie.

We'll probably get to see Pouliot in full action next season unless he's traded
- drummer829

Which would be disappointing to say the least

An observation from a Flyers fan... the Caps used Backstrom's line to shut down Giroux's line in the first round... We Flyers fans were wondering if G had some sort of injury that would be revealed after they were eliminated... but he said he was healthy even after the season ended. So I guess we needed to give Backstrom's line more credit for their defensive effort.

I haven't seen any of the action in this series so far, but if the Caps are using Backstrom et al against Crosby, then you might expect to see Crosby's production down compared to the last round. Of course, the Penguins have a lot deeper scoring potential in their other lines than the Flyers did... and that by itself should give the Caps worry... they only scored 2 goals in the last 3 games against the Flyers, which was good enough to finish the Flyers off, given the Caps' 3-0 start. That most likely won't get it done against the Penguins.
- copelal

I always thought Backstrom was the best player on the Caps. I read an article earlier this year and he was voted by players as the most underrated in the league. Factor in the Cap hit, Id take him over Toews as a 1C.

OV isn't getting many chances which is great and their PP looks lost.

We'll probably get to see Pouliot in full action next season unless he's traded
- drummer829

I have him being traded at draft with a few other guys.

Especially with Pens picking up that swede from overseas. Hopefully they let lovejoy walk and resign Schultz, even though I'm 99% sure Schultz walks bc pens do t play him even though they traded for him and he has done nothing to warrant him being sat..

An observation from a Flyers fan... the Caps used Backstrom's line to shut down Giroux's line in the first round... We Flyers fans were wondering if G had some sort of injury that would be revealed after they were eliminated... but he said he was healthy even after the season ended. So I guess we needed to give Backstrom's line more credit for their defensive effort.

I haven't seen any of the action in this series so far, but if the Caps are using Backstrom et al against Crosby, then you might expect to see Crosby's production down compared to the last round. Of course, the Penguins have a lot deeper scoring potential in their other lines than the Flyers did... and that by itself should give the Caps worry... they only scored 2 goals in the last 3 games against the Flyers, which was good enough to finish the Flyers off, given the Caps' 3-0 start. That most likely won't get it done against the Penguins.
- copelal

That has been the case so far. Coming home with last change might spring him. Crosby unit has generated some good opportunities but haven't finished. The way our team is built if they shut Crosby down we still should score which we have. Crosby vs backstrom was even on the score sheet that's a win for us. I feel for the past 3 months we have had a deeper team scoring wise then the caps. If both lines held to 0 I think it favors the pens.

Which would be disappointing to say the least
- DeflatedPucks

Which one....seeing him play or having him traded? If they can get Shultz signed I think DP is a goner.

Not sure why people are knocking lovejoy. He has played quite well for a 3rd pairing guy and has even chipped in a goal. I feel like he's still getting ripped for last year when he was thrown in a top pairing role when all the defense was hurt. I want to see DP play as well, but lovejoy has been holding his own and shouldn't be pulled unless that changes.
- mw630

I think he's had a pretty good year. About as good as you can expect from a 3rd pairing guy.

An observation from a Flyers fan... the Caps used Backstrom's line to shut down Giroux's line in the first round... We Flyers fans were wondering if G had some sort of injury that would be revealed after they were eliminated... but he said he was healthy even after the season ended. So I guess we needed to give Backstrom's line more credit for their defensive effort.

I haven't seen any of the action in this series so far, but if the Caps are using Backstrom et al against Crosby, then you might expect to see Crosby's production down compared to the last round. Of course, the Penguins have a lot deeper scoring potential in their other lines than the Flyers did... and that by itself should give the Caps worry... they only scored 2 goals in the last 3 games against the Flyers, which was good enough to finish the Flyers off, given the Caps' 3-0 start. That most likely won't get it done against the Penguins.
- copelal

Using OV Backstrom Oshie againsts Sids line is exactly what we want. Sure Sid wont generate as many points but he is going up against probably the strongest line in hockey. If those lines are a wash we should win, our two other scoring lines need to step up if Sids line is playing shut down. And so far they have.

Which one....seeing him play or having him traded? If they can get Shultz signed I think DP is a goner.
- sammy87

LOL both.

I just can't see Schultz re-signing tho. He still might be seeking upwards of $3. And I have a feeling, a non-Oilers team, would be willing to pay a higher price than Pens ever could

Which one....seeing him play or having him traded? If they can get Shultz signed I think DP is a goner.
- sammy87

We really don't have anything we need to trade dp for. Zero forward spots open next year and 2 goalies already on the roster.

An observation from a Flyers fan... the Caps used Backstrom's line to shut down Giroux's line in the first round... We Flyers fans were wondering if G had some sort of injury that would be revealed after they were eliminated... but he said he was healthy even after the season ended. So I guess we needed to give Backstrom's line more credit for their defensive effort.

I haven't seen any of the action in this series so far, but if the Caps are using Backstrom et al against Crosby, then you might expect to see Crosby's production down compared to the last round. Of course, the Penguins have a lot deeper scoring potential in their other lines than the Flyers did... and that by itself should give the Caps worry... they only scored 2 goals in the last 3 games against the Flyers, which was good enough to finish the Flyers off, given the Caps' 3-0 start. That most likely won't get it done against the Penguins.
- copelal

Excellent observation. I was pretty much thinking the same thing last night. The Pens should be happy to let those two lines cancel each other because I think they have the depth on the other 3 lines to pick up the slack. I don't believe the Caps can ultimately make up for a quiet Backstrom and OV.

LOL both.

I just can't see Schultz re-signing tho. He still might be seeking upwards of $3. And I have a feeling, a non-Oilers team, would be willing to pay a higher price than Pens ever could
- DeflatedPucks

With Maata's continued regression upgrading the D will be a priority this offseason.

Cole has stepped up lately but this season he was bad. Lovejoy will walk, DP doesn't look like he's ready now, who knows about next year. Hopefully that Swede will take a spot.

Excellent observation. I was pretty much thinking the same thing last night. The Pens should be happy to let those two lines cancel each other because I think they have the depth on the other 3 lines to pick up the slack. I don't believe the Caps can ultimately make up for a quiet Backstrom and OV.
- madmike71

HBK is killing Kuznetsov/Johanssen's line, tho they did get a ppg

For sure a dirty hit from Orpik. Maataa made a rookie mistake though, not looking up before he put on the brakes...

Probably out for 2 games.
- 21peter

Huh?

That was a great play when Orpik played for the Pens though. BTW we can read random tweets on Twitter. Cut and pasting them doesnt make an interesting blog.
- Newgod77

You can have him then.

Huh?
- Blackstrom2

HBK is killing Kuznetsov/Johanssen's line, tho they did get a ppg
- DeflatedPucks

I can't say enough about Bonino. Earlier in the year I though he was a complete bust. We were all talking about dumping him after the season. As it turns out, he just needed some quality wingers (go figure). He's got much more to his game than I thought. Great vision and hands. Not the fastest guy but makes some very slick plays.

I always thought Backstrom was the best player on the Caps. I read an article earlier this year and he was voted by players as the most underrated in the league. Factor in the Cap hit, Id take him over Toews as a 1C.

OV isn't getting many chances which is great and their PP looks lost.
- sammy87

the backstrom line has still done a tremendous job of keeping the puck down in their zone. crosby has played very well defensively, limiting the amount of good chances despite the possession.

no points for him yet, but he was very engaged last game. had 2 good set ups that could have gone either way for sheary. also, the inability of the PP right now for either side is going to obviously deflate stars numbers a little bit.

the caps are just a larger team than the caps, which isn't a death knell but it is harder for the crosby horn sheary line to cycle at will behind the net

Go cry in your own blog. This hit is apples and oranges compared to the LE hit. I am sure that I what you are attempting to whine about. BTW, where did Boston finish in the draft lottery?
- PittsPens

No one cares about the Boston blog.

I can't say enough about Bonino. Earlier in the year I though he was a complete bust. We were all talking about dumping him after the season. As it turns out, he just needed some quality wingers (go figure). He's got much more to his game than I thought. Great vision and hands. Not the fastest guy but makes some very slick plays.
- madmike71

agreed. he deserves a ton of credit right now. his work on the PK is up there with hags too.

Which one....seeing him play or having him traded? If they can get Shultz signed I think DP is a goner.
- sammy87

I think the organization has made its decision on Schultz and he won't be back.

agreed. he deserves a ton of credit right now. his work on the PK is up there with hags too.
- stayinthefnnet

It was one thing having the Sullivan system. Its a whole other having the right personnell (Hags, Bonino) and the defenseman willing to jump into the rush and drive posession