Sheary could still become something... but maybe he is just getting gassed now with these higher minutes. Yeah, he got those minutes in WBS, but its a damn harder and rougher game up here.
- Guile

yeah i'm not saying he needs to be jettisoned to mars. but right now, he is just hurting things.

same with maatta. i dont think he should be cut or anything. but right now, he is a detriment on the ice.

the question for me is what are the lines to start next game. does sheary draw in? if so, do they give him another shot?

I've seen him in person. He's not bulky like Sid but he's also not undersized like Sheary or Wilson. He's on the low end of average size for an NHL forward.
- Victoro311

Yes that's what I thought.

Sid picked it up once Sheary was benched. Just saying.

I have no idea how we arrange the lines in game 3 without calling someone up or breaking up HBK. We need a top 6 winger. Do we play Cullen with Geno?

Kuni - Sid - Horn
Cullen - Malkin - Rust
HBK
Kuhn - Fehr - Sund

I think that is too much to put on Cullen. I like idea of calling up Sprong, I know people are talking about his poor defense but I think best defense vs tampa is offense.

Rust Sid horn
Kuni geno Bennett
Hbk
Kuhn Cullen fehr

Same D as tonight.. Or replace lovejoy with DP..
- nh4442

Bennett is not healthy, yet to be cleared. So don't count on him. And Lovejoy played well tonight. Plus you can not take out Lovejoy and maatta. Means 2 of Daley, Shultz and DP have to be on the PK. Not a good idea.

Keep Schultz in... and maybe give 19 another shot.

Sid picked it up once Sheary was benched. Just saying.

I have no idea how we arrange the lines in game 3 without calling someone up or breaking up HBK. We need a top 6 winger. Do we play Cullen with Geno?

Kuni - Sid - Horn
Cullen - Malkin - Rust
HBK
Kuhn - Fehr - Sund

I think that is too much to put on Cullen. I like idea of calling up Sprong, I know people are talking about his poor defense but I think best defense vs tampa is offense.
- mmonana120

If you called sprong up you would have to really protect him and limit him to 8-10 minutes. I would only play him in a very sheltered role

yeah i'm not saying he needs to be jettisoned to mars. but right now, he is just hurting things.

same with maatta. i dont think he should be cut or anything. but right now, he is a detriment on the ice.

the question for me is what are the lines to start next game. does sheary draw in? if so, do they give him another shot?
- stayinthefnnet

I see no reason to scratch Sheary... because what is the next player up? Bennett or Sund?

Just jostle the lines a bit, maybe try Sheary with Geno, or give him to Cullen.

He's not an NHL calibre top 6, his upside is being negated out there by a very fast team, nothing he can really do. Unfortunately there isnt really anyone to take his place on Sids line, Sundqvist isn't going to cut it either.


Although Sid getting that monkey off his back is huge.
- stackthepads

Kunitz isn't considered a top six either but he made the most of his opportunities. Sheary can still be an NHL player, not going to badmouth him. He has changed my tune about him. Having said that, Kunitz will be with Sid for the next couple games.

Now we need to get Malkin going.

I think Crosby really came alive when he was reunited with Kunitz with Hornqvist.
- MattStrat

Yeah I think you're right. Sid wants to play with Kunitz, they should just leave that line alone. As much as it pisses me off how much Kunitz shot has fallen off, he is a tough guy to play against and knows exactly how to play with Sid.

Id go with

Kuni Sid Horn
HBK
Rust Malkin Sundqvist
Khun Cullen Fehr

Just tell Malkin that he's on his own, Sundqvist needs to keep an eye on the defensive side of things and Rust needs to jar that puck loose to Malkin.

Kunitz isn't considered a top six either but he made the most of his opportunities. Sheary can still be an NHL player, not going to badmouth him. He has changed my tune about him. Having said that, Kunitz will be with Sid for the next couple games.

Now we need to get Malkin going.
- Thunderbolt

Sheary has been great, he just isnt a good fit for this series. Kunitz hits I want him hitting Hedman as often as possible, best way to do that is to play him with Sid.

Kunitz is also getting chances, he isnt burying them but getting them is half the battle and Sheary hasnt had a chance in awhile.

I like the idea of playing Sprong, but not the reality. The Pens have a day off to travel and Sprong hasn't played or practiced with this team since what Dec.? That's a recipe for disaster at this point in the playoffs.

Rust Sid horn
Kuni geno Bennett
Hbk
Kuhn Cullen fehr

Same D as tonight.. Or replace lovejoy with DP..
- nh4442

Bennett? Did we acquire Sam Bennett all the sudden?

Bennett? Did we acquire Sam Bennett all the sudden?
- Oneonta Penguin

That just gave me a half chub... acquiring Sam Bennett

Bennett? Did we acquire Sam Bennett all the sudden?
- Oneonta Penguin

Cmon for one game pleeeeeaaaassseeeee

Yeah I think you're right. Sid wants to play with Kunitz, they should just leave that line alone. As much as it pisses me off how much Kunitz shot has fallen off, he is a tough guy to play against and knows exactly how to play with Sid.

Id go with

Kuni Sid Horn
HBK
Rust Malkin Sundqvist
Khun Cullen Fehr

Just tell Malkin that he's on his own, Sundqvist needs to keep an eye on the defensive side of things and Rust needs to jar that puck loose to Malkin.
- stackthepads

I'd go with those lines too. I forgot how good Cullen and Fehr play together, we haven't seen much of it in a nice while.

EDIT: I'd leave Sheary in over Sundqvist.

Im stuck in a hotel in Chicago watching this game, first time Ive had to listen to Milbury and Roenick... holy poop are they stupid. All of the doom and gloom for the Penguins when they are clearly controlling the game. Roenick insinuating Crosby is pouting.... what is he watching?
- MacPatty

Milbury and Roenick are horrible but Kathryn Tappen makes it all worth it. Did anyone see her smack Milbury down during the NYI-FLA series. She is fantastic!

Bennett is not healthy, yet to be cleared. So don't count on him. And Lovejoy played well tonight. Plus you can not take out Lovejoy and maatta. Means 2 of Daley, Shultz and DP have to be on the PK. Not a good idea.
- mmonana120

Bennett just isn't good.

Cmon for one game pleeeeeaaaassseeeee
- nh4442

Beau sucks. He would get injured in pregame. I would be rooting for that just to get him out of the lineup and someone better playing.

By the sound of Sully's comments, I would assume Schultz stays in for game three and Maatta is out.

By the sound of Sully's comments, I would assume Schultz stays in for game three and Maatta is out.
- Oneonta Penguin

Maatta just is not back up to strength from that injury. He was fine for a stretch in the regular season, then when hurt again... ugh.

Let him get healthy, see ya next season Olli.

Kunitz isn't considered a top six either but he made the most of his opportunities. Sheary can still be an NHL player, not going to badmouth him. He has changed my tune about him. Having said that, Kunitz will be with Sid for the next couple games.

Now we need to get Malkin going.
- Thunderbolt

its just hard because he does need SOME help.

but really, if we go with the obvious lines, it leaves him with rust and sheary.

By the sound of Sully's comments, I would assume Schultz stays in for game three and Maatta is out.
- Oneonta Penguin

I agree... And he should be... Now if maatta regains form hopefully Schultz stays in for lovejoy...

I agree... And he should be... Now if maatta regains form hopefully Schultz stays in for lovejoy...
- nh4442

Maatta is def hurt. He can't move. I'm by no means a Lovejoy fan, but he was good tonight.

Maatta is def hurt. He can't move. I'm by no means a Lovejoy fan, but he was good tonight.
- tpcg402

lovejoy and cole, both guys that i probably unfairly criticize too much, were both VERY big tonight.

honestly, looking at this in the drunken big picture sense, without being an overreactive baby mid game, they did play well in a lot of aspects.

i know shot totals are deceiving, but they did double them up. full on dominated play for large stretches.

accuse me of beating a dead horse if you must, but really the only alarming thing right now is still the PP. again, not scoring is one thing. but most teams can use that to generate flow in their favor at times. not the complete other way around.

i think schultz may need to stay in for this reason alone.