Pens scored 2.94 goals per game in the regular season
Pens scored 3.04 goals per game in the playoffs.

If goals were harder to score, I don't think they would average 3 goals a game.
- j.boyd919

Not with these lines they didn't. Come on. Let's stay focused. HBK worked and they had Bonino down low. HMK has never been a line in the playoffs.

Not a fan of the Hagelin - Malkin - Kessel line. Who is going to the front of the net to screen the goalie, get deflections and put in rebounds? It's a recipe for tons of possession and perimeter shots with nothing to show for it. I also think having Kunitz and Rust on the same line is a little bit redundant. I'm glad Fehr isn't playing, but what has Wilson done to prove he belongs over Guentzel?

Jagr is a mixed bag from this fan's perspective, but I'm glad he will soon be surpassing that dirty Ranger Messier.
- T-Train

Do you not remember how dangerous Hagelin-Malkin-Kessel looked last year before Geno got hurt? Who went to the net in the HBK line? Who went to the net when Jokinen-Malkin-Neal were together? Sometimes lines don't need a trash man to work well.

Not with these lines they didn't. Come on. Let's stay focused. HBK worked and they had Bonino down low. HMK has never been a line in the playoffs.
- T-Train

Bonino was in now way shape or form a net front guy.

I disagree with the idea that the lines need to be settled in December.

Nothing needs to be settled in December. Front loading the top two lines now is just fine as long as they're winning and maintaining their playoff position.

You don't really need depth in the regular season because matchups aren't pushed like they are in the playoffs. Coaches generally roll lines and pairings. They can figure out how they want to configure things for the playoffs three months from now.

Bonino was in now way shape or form a net front guy.
- Victoro311

He scored plenty of rebound goals down the stretch, but so did Hagelin and Kessel.

Hagelin is actually pretty courageous at the net front.

I disagree with the idea that the lines need to be settled in December.

Nothing needs to be settled in December. Front loading the top two lines now is just fine as long as they're winning and maintaining their playoff position.

You don't really need depth in the regular season because matchups aren't pushed like they are in the playoffs. Coaches generally roll lines and pairings. They can figure out how they want to configure things for the playoffs three months from now.
- hardnosed

I fully agree with this. I think tinkering in December is the perfect time to do it. They haven't exactly played the most consistent hockey, but their ability to flip a switch and pummel teams reminds of the early 90's teams. It's exciting to watch. They'll be fine.

If their PK still stinks while constantly falling behind in April, I'll worry then.

Do you not remember how dangerous Hagelin-Malkin-Kessel looked last year before Geno got hurt? Who went to the net in the HBK line? Who went to the net when Jokinen-Malkin-Neal were together? Sometimes lines don't need a trash man to work well.
- Victoro311

HMK were dangerous in the playoffs? Yes, I remember epic playoff failures by Jokinen - Malkin - Neal. Thanks for proving my point.

He scored plenty of rebound goals down the stretch, but so did Hagelin and Kessel.

Hagelin is actually pretty courageous at the net front.
- hardnosed

Hornqvist is a rare breed, one who relishes the attention in front of the net. You don't need someone to go in front and live there. You just need someone who isn't afraid to go there. Hagelin, Bonino, Rust, Wilson, Sheary, Malkin and Crosby all do this, even more-so against teams that lock down the front of the net. When Disco was here, is was too easy for opponents to take advantage of Malkin and Crosby because it was a win-win when you got into a physical confrontation with them. Refs don't call a penalty you just get more physical next time, refs call a penalty 99% of the time it was coincidental.

Bonino was in now way shape or form a net front guy.
- Victoro311

That's a little extreme. He does very well in that role. Sure, he doesn't have the physique and probably not the toughness to set up camp in the crease area, but he excelled at screens, rebound goals and stickwork in close.

He scored plenty of rebound goals down the stretch, but so did Hagelin and Kessel.

Hagelin is actually pretty courageous at the net front.
- hardnosed

I agree with Hags being courageous and of course he is the type of player who will do what you ask of him, but I don't think that best utilizes his skills. Bonino, on the other hand, doesn't do much else but he does excel in tight to the goal. Again, he's not going to camp out there, but he is effective at being a net-front presence. You don't want to put your speed or elite shooters in that role, but I do think you want someone in that role.

the panthers new coach read the book moneyball. they have to be good now right?

HMK were dangerous in the playoffs? Yes, I remember epic playoff failures by Jokinen - Malkin - Neal. Thanks for proving my point.
- T-Train

What failure? Jokinen-Malkin-Neal scored 6 goals for, and allowed 1 against in 78 minutes of TOI. That's pretty good in my book. Nice try, you're really missing on every attempt here.

Not with these lines they didn't. Come on. Let's stay focused. HBK worked and they had Bonino down low. HMK has never been a line in the playoffs.
- T-Train

Trust me, I'm focused. I just gave you facts that says HMK is better than HBK, and you choose to ignore them. Perhaps it is you that should stay focused.

What failure? Jokinen-Malkin-Neal scored 6 goals for, and allowed 1 against in 78 minutes of TOI. That's pretty good in my book. Nice try, you're really missing on every attempt here.
- j.boyd919

Where are you getting those numbers from? Not to mention that 78 minutes of TOI is the equivalent of about 3+ games. In other words, statistically irrelevant. What other "attempts" am I missing on?

Got home just in time to see Crosby bury that and it immediately reminded me.... I forgot to bench Luongo in fantasy.... Fawk

Another flub by Sheary and then he gets absolutely smoked for good measure.

Where are you getting those numbers from? Not to mention that 78 minutes of TOI is the equivalent of about 3+ games. In other words, statistically irrelevant. What other "attempts" am I missing on?
- T-Train

Explain to me how that is irrelevant.

Corsica.hockey has numbers for all the line combos.

2 goals on 2 shots is MAF a Panther tonight? Just kidding, kinda. Calling the natural trick for Sid tonight he is flying and Sheary is coming along for the ride.

3 goals on 3 shots maybe the Panthers need to trade for MAF?!?

Where are you getting those numbers from? Not to mention that 78 minutes of TOI is the equivalent of about 3+ games. In other words, statistically irrelevant. What other "attempts" am I missing on?
- T-Train

You think they need a net front presence instead of HMK.
Numbers are better for HMK than HBK

You think that goals are harder to come by in the playoffs
Pens had a higher goals per game average in the playoffs than the regular season

You thought that Jokinen-Malkin-Neal were an epic playoff failure
The only series in which that line was together they produced 6 goals, and allowed 1 against.

Hornqvist is a rare breed, one who relishes the attention in front of the net. You don't need someone to go in front and live there. You just need someone who isn't afraid to go there. Hagelin, Bonino, Rust, Wilson, Sheary, Malkin and Crosby all do this, even more-so against teams that lock down the front of the net. When Disco was here, is was too easy for opponents to take advantage of Malkin and Crosby because it was a win-win when you got into a physical confrontation with them. Refs don't call a penalty you just get more physical next time, refs call a penalty 99% of the time it was coincidental.
- Thunderbolt

Hornqvist and Thomas Holmstrom are pretty uniquely alone as far as where they earn their money.

Explain to me how that is irrelevant.

Corsica.hockey has numbers for all the line combos.
- j.boyd919

Because nothing remotely conclusive can be determined by a mere 78 minutes of TOI.

Got home just in time to see Crosby bury that and it immediately reminded me.... I forgot to bench Luongo in fantasy.... Fawk
- MattStrat

Seems like that was a fatal error tonight he is getting killed

Another flub by Sheary and then he gets absolutely smoked for good measure.
- T-Train

I don't get the Sheary bashing. For a million bucks a year he has been fantastic.

Hornqvist and Thomas Holmstrom are pretty uniquely alone as far as where they earn their money.
- Dcoms

Leclair and Ryan Smyth have them still have tgem both beat.