-Fleury won this game, Holtby lost this game.

-Caps' 2nd half was better than the Pens' 1st half.

-Possession stats? Pssshhhh!

-Scoring chance stats? Can't argue with them and this is what can come back to haunt them.

The Pens are playing with fire and the Caps are not CBJ; they can actually play hockey. If Sully doesn't do something about how he deploys the defense, they're going to be relying on Fleury the whole series.

Great goaltending can steal you a game, a series, but not four series.

-Fleury won this game, Holtby lost this game.

-Caps' 2nd half was better than the Pens' 1st half.

-Possession stats? Pssshhhh!

-Scoring chance stats? Can't argue with them and this is what can come back to haunt them.

The Pens are playing with fire and the Caps are not CBJ; they can actually play hockey. If Sully doesn't do something about how he deploys the defense, they're going to be relying on Fleury the whole series.

Great goaltending can steal you a game, a series, but not four series.
- Rinosaur

Seems like he wants to shake-up the forward lines, when we lead the playoffs in goals, but won't touch the d-pairings... strange choices.

Great blog Ryan. Can anyone tell me how Fleury was not even chosen as one of the games three stars?? Also Ovechkin complaining about no penalty calls, holy I seen him get away with two obvious infractions and another cap with a vicious cross check. Whoever picked these stars have got it in for Fleury. imo
- joegreif17

Totally agree, on all points.

I remember the time Ray Emery skated the length of the ice to attack Holtby and was made a third star, in spite of the fact that he gave up three goals (and Mason 4) in a 7-0 home loss to the Capitals. I guess he made the home fans happy and that is what matters most in giving out the "stars of the game".

Seems like he wants to shake-up the forward lines, when we lead the playoffs in goals, but won't touch the d-pairings... strange choices.
- buckster2342

Yeah, it's a little odd. I'm fine with him keeping the pairs together, but he can't give them equal time and need to pick WHEN he deploys them a little better IMO.

I question an offensive-zone start with Sid's line and we see the Hainsey pairing, not the Schultz pairing.

I also don't believe in shaking up Geno's line. Did they play well last night? Meh, but they were one of the better lines in the first series.

Hagelin-Bones-Sheary/Hornqvist
Kunitz-Cullen-Kuhnhackl

Wilson may have helped set up the GWG last night, but wasn't as good as Kuhn as a whole.

Seems like he wants to shake-up the forward lines, when we lead the playoffs in goals, but won't touch the d-pairings... strange choices.
- buckster2342

Considering our D is really struggling exiting the zone, I kind of thought Streit would have gotten a jersey by now. I know he's not the fastest guy, but he still has puck skills. They could use more skill on D. For that matter, Ruhwedel would instantly be the best skater if he were given a spot.

Yeah, it's a little odd. I'm fine with him keeping the pairs together, but he can't give them equal time and need to pick WHEN he deploys them a little better IMO.

I question an offensive-zone start with Sid's line and we see the Hainsey pairing, not the Schultz pairing.

I also don't believe in shaking up Geno's line. Did they play well last night? Meh, but they were one of the better lines in the first series.

Hagelin-Bones-Sheary/Hornqvist
Kunitz-Cullen-Kuhnhackl

Wilson may have helped set up the GWG last night, but wasn't as good as Kuhn as a whole.
- Rinosaur

Didn't Kunitz-Cullen-Wilson play as the forth line in like the 5 games this year we actually had a healthy roster? I seem to remember them playing pretty well with Kunitz and Wilson grinding down low and Cullen doing Cullen things and controlling the puck.

I'd personally like to see Sheary get a games rest if Hags is healthy (like others have mentioned). But I'd like to see Kunitz-Cullen-Wilson get an opportunity to play a game together, I think they could do a really good job grinding in the zone and potting a few goals.

No reason to sit Sheary... at all.

Players go into ruts and Sheary isn't your ordinary player that you can afford to just sit. You want him in the game when he wakes up.

Guentzel-Sid-Hornqvist was good, but when he's not in a rut, Guentzel-Sid-Sheary is better.

Considering our D is really struggling exiting the zone, I kind of thought Streit would have gotten a jersey by now. I know he's not the fastest guy, but he still has puck skills. They could use more skill on D. For that matter, Ruhwedel would instantly be the best skater if he were given a spot.
- madmike71

This. He has a great outlet pass. Ron Hainsey should not be getting the top minutes. He uses the glass or the boards to rid of puck every. single. time.

This. He has a great outlet pass. Ron Hainsey should not be getting the top minutes. He uses the glass or the boards to rid of puck every. single. time.
- MattStrat

And fails more then half the time.

This. He has a great outlet pass. Ron Hainsey should not be getting the top minutes. He uses the glass or the boards to rid of puck every. single. time.
- MattStrat

The way I see it, they're all using the glass. Especially under pressure. It's constant......and futile at times. It's a group of Rob Scuderi's and it's killing them.

I'll be disappointed if Sully doesn't get Streit and Ruhwedel in the lineup. I know everybody thinks Ruhwedel sucks (which I disagree), but he can really skate and he also has decent puck skills. Those are missing ingredients right now.

I really want Ruhwedel back in the lineup...

The way I see it, they're all using the glass. Especially under pressure. It's constant......and futile at times. It's a group of Rob Scuderi's and it's killing them.

I'll be disappointed if Sully doesn't get Streit and Ruhwedel in the lineup. I know everybody thinks Ruhwedel sucks (which I disagree), but he can really skate and he also has decent puck skills. Those are missing ingredients right now.
- madmike71

I totally agree with you here.

I really want Ruhwedel back in the lineup...
- Rinosaur

never thought id clamor for him, but agree big time.

From Pens Twitter: Hagelin on taking contact: "It's a step in the right direction. Hopefully it feels even better tomorrow."

What does contact have to do with a broken foot?

I personally don't think Ruwhedel sucks. In fact, I think he's highly underrated and his game has really come around. I'm hoping the Pens keep him as their #6 for next year.

Rudeboy brings an element of everything and does them well.

From Pens Twitter: Hagelin on taking contact: "It's a step in the right direction. Hopefully it feels even better tomorrow."

What does contact have to do with a broken foot?
- Thorny87

Playing with contact has more impact on all parts of the body.

About 8 of those shots around the crease where in that scramble.
- MattStrat

Exactly, we are suppose to believe by that stupid graphic that the Caps are generating scoring chance after scoring chance in the slot. Barely any of those shots were a threat, they were hail mary's into a crowd of Pens defenders blocking out the rebounds.

The Penguins had more threatening chances than the Capitals. Caps can throw however many billion "shot attempts" into Penguins blockers as the wish, as long as they aren't getting the pass off the pads they arent scoring.

Exactly, we are suppose to believe by that stupid graphic that the Caps are generating scoring chance after scoring chance in the slot. Barely any of those shots were a threat, they were hail mary's into a crowd of Pens defenders blocking out the rebounds.

The Penguins had more threatening chances than the Capitals. Caps can throw however many billion "shot attempts" into Penguins blockers as the wish, as long as they aren't getting the pass off the pads they arent scoring.
- stackthepads

Welp, looks like you didn't watch the same game as most people.

Exactly, we are suppose to believe by that stupid graphic that the Caps are generating scoring chance after scoring chance in the slot. Barely any of those shots were a threat, they were hail mary's into a crowd of Pens defenders blocking out the rebounds.

The Penguins had more threatening chances than the Capitals. Caps can throw however many billion "shot attempts" into Penguins blockers as the wish, as long as they aren't getting the pass off the pads they arent scoring.
- stackthepads

So.. after watching this.. barely any of those shots were a threat? Yeah right. Get the (frank) out hahahaha

So.. after watching this.. barely any of those shots were a threat? Yeah right. Get the (frank) out hahahaha
- j.boyd919

I counted at least 6 quality scoring chances just in that clip alone.

I counted at least 6 quality scoring chances just in that clip alone.
- j.boyd919

I count 2, maybe 3 if I want to be generous to a shot that was whiffed on.

Just because they are slashing at bodies and the puck wobbles around and possibly nudged Flower's pads, doesn't make it a scoring chance... nor did two of the shots from near the point.

But I'm not pretending the Caps didn't out chance us, or had "lesser" chances, simply they got far less shots with anything on it in that sequence then some are letting on.

I count 2, maybe 3 if I want to be generous to a shot that was whiffed on.

Just because they are slashing at bodies and the puck wobbles around and possibly nudged Flower's pads, doesn't make it a scoring chance... nor did two of the shots from near the point.

But I'm not pretending the Caps didn't out chance us, or had "lesser" chances, simply they got far less shots with anything on it in that sequence then some are letting on.
- Guile

Does poking a loose puck through a goalies pads make it a goal?

Does a blind person see their dreams or dream about seeing?

Does poking a loose puck through a goalies pads make it a goal?
- j.boyd919

Yes, it does, but that does not make it a scoring chance.

Did Bonino's goal count as a scoring chance? It did not, so your counter point is simply petty and useless.

Does a blind person see their dreams or dream about seeing?
- Rinosaur