I admitted almost everything you said up until the end. What I said was the Pens put up big goals in big spots more then the Caps did. Yes, Fleury was great, but so were most of the goals the pens scored. How is a goalie playing great and high end skill goals luck? - Brianandr1
A guy with a .912 regular seasons career average save percentage and .908 career playoff average playing at a .924?
Yeah that was extremely unlikely. Especially given the amount of shots and quality of chances the Penguins were giving up. Fleury hasn't played that well in the playoffs since 2008, with the exception of Grinder (Gotta give credit where credit is due.), no one expected Fleury to carry the team like that.
I was reading a quote today from Sid and it was in regards to dealing with all of the injuries and the fact that they are one win away from another Cup Finals...
“I think I had that appreciation coming in, but I think just going through it and understanding how tough it is to win, you need some bounces, you need some luck along the way. But we've done a great job of just going a game at a time here and embracing those challenges.”
If the (frank)ing captain can acknowledge that the Pens got some luck, why is it so difficult for the fans? It's comical.
A guy with a .912 regular seasons career average save percentage and .908 career playoff average playing at a .924?
Yeah that was extremely unlikely. Especially given the amount of shots and quality of chances the Penguins were giving up. Fleury hasn't played that well in the playoffs since 2008, with the exception of Grinder (Gotta give credit where credit is due.), no one expected Fleury to carry the team like that.
I was reading a quote today from Sid and it was in regards to dealing with all of the injuries and the fact that they are one win away from another Cup Finals...
“I think I had that appreciation coming in, but I think just going through it and understanding how tough it is to win, you need some bounces, you need some luck along the way. But we've done a great job of just going a game at a time here and embracing those challenges.”
If the (frank)ing captain can acknowledge that the Pens got some luck, why is it so difficult for the fans? It's comical. - j.boyd919
That was a perfect example. Hockey players including our captain are superstitious to the point of craziness yet cherry picking this one quote to prove a point is so perfect!
A guy with a .912 regular seasons career average save percentage and .908 career playoff average playing at a .924?
Yeah that was extremely unlikely. Especially given the amount of shots and quality of chances the Penguins were giving up. Fleury hasn't played that well in the playoffs since 2008, with the exception of Grinder (Gotta give credit where credit is due.), no one expected Fleury to carry the team like that.
I was reading a quote today from Sid and it was in regards to dealing with all of the injuries and the fact that they are one win away from another Cup Finals...
“I think I had that appreciation coming in, but I think just going through it and understanding how tough it is to win, you need some bounces, you need some luck along the way. But we've done a great job of just going a game at a time here and embracing those challenges.”
If the (frank)ing captain can acknowledge that the Pens got some luck, why is it so difficult for the fans? It's comical. - j.boyd919
I did not say luck does not exist or that there were not a few lucky bounces. Your misquoting Crosby: he said "some luck along the way". That's a far cry from James Tanner's conclusion.(that the pens were lucky in 3 out of 4 wins) The Pens won game 2 6 -2, but the analytics say Washington was the better team. I say these tools have clear limitations and that scenario should prove it. The Pens scored 6 "lucky" goals?
That was a perfect example. Hockey players including our captain are superstitious to the point of craziness yet cherry picking this one quote to prove a point is so perfect! - ChrisMS
Perfect example of what exactly? The fact that luck is something that exists? That players also believe in luck and bounces? Or that I don't rely solely on analytics? That I acknowledge lucky bounces, stick tips, pucks off skates, etc.?
Location: Drinking the tears of the defeated from Lord Stanley's chalice. Joined: 01.18.2007
May 22 @ 9:47 PM ET
What kind of blog did the other guy before RW run? What were some of his blogs like? Yeah see... There's no need for a biased pens blog written by yinzers. There are plenty of sites for that already. I would much rather read an objective blog based on my team than some terrible homer bullpoop like DK or Rossi. The only thing I see any of those blogs worth anything for are quotes and with social media nowadays I don't need to pay for bad subscription sites to read quotes. Thankfully. Pens blog, pensburgh, dk, Rossi, trib, post Gazette... there is plenty of Pittsburgh flavor and homerism in any of those. No need for it here. If rather learn more about stuff i was unfamiliar with when I found hockeybuzz. And I personally believe this blog is about hockey. I don't see the need to separate pens and analytics because they are one in the same. Analytics about the Penguins. And more. - j.boyd919
There have been several bloggers for the Pens in the 10 years that I have been coming here. Brian Metzer, who is now with the Pens in a multimedia capacity was the first and was consistently great.
I did not say luck does not exist or that there were not a few lucky bounces. Your misquoting Crosby: he said "some luck along the way". That's a far cry from James Tanner's conclusion.(that the pens were lucky in 3 out of 4 wins) The Pens won game 2 6 -2, but the analytics say Washington was the better team. I say these tools have clear limitations and that scenario should prove it. The Pens scored 6 "lucky" goals? - Brianandr1
Well, one was an empty net goal, so yeah that doesn't take much skill with no goalie.
The first goal, I believe the Pens got lucky that they didn't call the hold on Matt Cullen (my friends at the bar said the same thing to me.)
On the Malkin goal, it was a double tip, his the defenseman's stick and Malkin's foot. Absolutely lucky.
Also the Caps hit 2 posts, they beat Fleury, and an inch the other way and it goes in (or an inch the other way it hits Fleury) but yeah, the Pens got lucky with a few posts too. Thus why Fleury always rubs his posts and kisses them after a ping.
There have been several bloggers for the Pens in the 10 years that I have been coming here. Brian Metzer, who is now with the Pens in a multimedia capacity was the first and was consistently great. - Emperor Filonius
Metzer was okay, but I don't think his blogs were all that different than the stuff you can find on DK, Yohe, Rossi, Post Gazette, Trib, hell even Mark Madden, his style of writing was definitely similar to a lot of those. I wasn't saying it was a bad thing, but there is just so much of that out there, I find it refreshing to see RWs blogs that don't spew the same cupcake opinion blogs. It's nice to see someone who doesn't have his homer goggles on. If you want that, there are PLENTY of options for that, but if you want an approach like RWs... what other Pens blogs do it?
Well, one was an empty net goal, so yeah that doesn't take much skill with no goalie.
- j.boyd919
The first goal, I believe the Pens got lucky that they didn't call the hold on Matt Cullen (my friends at the bar said the same thing to me.)
On the Malkin goal, it was a double tip, his the defenseman's stick and Malkin's foot. Absolutely lucky.
Also the Caps hit 2 posts, they beat Fleury, and an inch the other way and it goes in (or an inch the other way it hits Fleury) but yeah, the Pens got lucky with a few posts too. Thus why Fleury always rubs his posts and kisses them after a ping.
A non call before a goal is luck? Its the playoffs it happens all the time! Its called bad officiating, not luck.
Double tip is luck? One again happens all the time in the NHL!
Posts are posts, Washington hit their share, so did Pittsburgh. That's called hockey, and yes its a game of inches like every other. But, hardly luck.
If I follow your logic almost everything in the playoffs is luck!
A guy with a .912 regular seasons career average save percentage and .908 career playoff average playing at a .924?
Yeah that was extremely unlikely. Especially given the amount of shots and quality of chances the Penguins were giving up. Fleury hasn't played that well in the playoffs since 2008, with the exception of Grinder (Gotta give credit where credit is due.), no one expected Fleury to carry the team like that.
I was reading a quote today from Sid and it was in regards to dealing with all of the injuries and the fact that they are one win away from another Cup Finals...
“I think I had that appreciation coming in, but I think just going through it and understanding how tough it is to win, you need some bounces, you need some luck along the way. But we've done a great job of just going a game at a time here and embracing those challenges.”
If the (frank)ing captain can acknowledge that the Pens got some luck, why is it so difficult for the fans? It's comical. - j.boyd919
I don't mind saying the Pens had some luck beating the Caps, but you lose me when you imply that MAF's performance was also a part of that luck. I take nothing out of the Dan Bylsma playoff years after the initial cup win. The Pens were mostly "defense optional" under disco once he implemented his wonderful system.
If anything, I'll say MAF was extremely unlucky to have Dan Bylsma as his coach for the bulk of his career.
Metzer was okay, but I don't think his blogs were all that different than the stuff you can find on DK, Yohe, Rossi, Post Gazette, Trib, hell even Mark Madden, his style of writing was definitely similar to a lot of those. I wasn't saying it was a bad thing, but there is just so much of that out there, I find it refreshing to see RWs blogs that don't spew the same cupcake opinion blogs. It's nice to see someone who doesn't have his homer goggles on. If you want that, there are PLENTY of options for that, but if you want an approach like RWs... what other Pens blogs do it? - j.boyd919
You use terms like homer goggles and talk up Ryan's approach but fail to see that he has goggles on too and it's an agenda to build up analytics, a passion of his, and that covering the pens is a vehicle for that. What you are not seeing (and doubt we will agree on) is that many other bloggers use advanced stats to support their articles but Ryan uses his articles to support advanced stats. Ryan has homer goggles for that goal over covering the team. Pens coverage is a happy coincidence. Hey... maybe he's a pens fan... I can't really tell... maybe it's my homer goggles... you being a better smarter fan than me should be able to objectively tell
Metzer was okay, but I don't think his blogs were all that different than the stuff you can find on DK, Yohe, Rossi, Post Gazette, Trib, hell even Mark Madden, his style of writing was definitely similar to a lot of those. I wasn't saying it was a bad thing, but there is just so much of that out there, I find it refreshing to see RWs blogs that don't spew the same cupcake opinion blogs. It's nice to see someone who doesn't have his homer goggles on. If you want that, there are PLENTY of options for that, but if you want an approach like RWs... what other Pens blogs do it? - j.boyd919
We have been blessed to have fairly accurate and dependable bloggers... the Torpenzer guy was my personal favorite but the one area where I think RW lacks is a connection to his audience. He doesn't respond nor acknowledges his followers. To me, he'd gain a much bigger audience and credibility if he did.
We have been blessed to have fairly accurate and dependable bloggers... the Torpenzer guy was my personal favorite but the one area where I think RW lacks is a connection to his audience. He doesn't respond nor acknowledges his followers. To me, he'd gain a much bigger audience and credibility if he did. - hipcheck_goalie
We have been blessed to have fairly accurate and dependable bloggers... the Torpenzer guy was my personal favorite but the one area where I think RW lacks is a connection to his audience. He doesn't respond nor acknowledges his followers. To me, he'd gain a much bigger audience and credibility if he did. - hipcheck_goalie
In fairness, he used to converse a good bit. Some posters around here got absolutely rude, nasty and personal. Taking personal jabs at the blogger 'cause you disagree with his opinion is ridiculous.
In fairness, he used to converse a good bit. Some posters around here got absolutely rude, nasty and personal. Taking personal jabs at the blogger 'cause you disagree with his opinion is ridiculous. - madmike71
I realize you go out of your way to not respond to me but f it. Personal jabs should be a no no. Jabs at someone's blogging, by very nature opinion driven, should be done... but in an either intelligent or speculative or funny manner . There is a certain amount of pushback to be expected when you put your opinion out there... but no reasons to get right nasty
We have been blessed to have fairly accurate and dependable bloggers... the Torpenzer guy was my personal favorite but the one area where I think RW lacks is a connection to his audience. He doesn't respond nor acknowledges his followers. To me, he'd gain a much bigger audience and credibility if he did. - hipcheck_goalie
In fairness, he used to converse a good bit. Some posters around here got absolutely rude, nasty and personal. Taking personal jabs at the blogger 'cause you disagree with his opinion is ridiculous. - madmike71
I agree that personal attacks are inappropriate and do not deserve responses. There are comments on here that I choose not to engage in and he could do the same. There are very smart and knowledgeable fans that ask and bring up very valid points and questions. It just seems like he's disconnected and even haughty.
If one goalie plays above his normal level while the other plays below his normal level, is it really just luck? Pens skaters definitely got outplayed with the one caveat that when they got chances they were burying them at a seemingly high rate, but part of that was definitely skill. Part was also Holtby seeming to just not come up with the big saves you'd expect from a goaltender of his caliber in many of the Pens wins. 9 goals on 54 shots in those first 3 wins. When you are scoring every 6 shots, you don't need as many to win.
If one goalie plays above his normal level while the other plays below his normal level, is it really just luck? Pens skaters definitely got outplayed with the one caveat that when they got chances they were burying them at a seemingly high rate, but part of that was definitely skill. Part was also Holtby seeming to just not come up with the big saves you'd expect from a goaltender of his caliber in many of the Pens wins. 9 goals on 54 shots in those first 3 wins. When you are scoring every 6 shots, you don't need as many to win. - Tojo.
I wouldn't say the Pens were spectacular, but Holtby was average at best, and bad on more than one occasion. They should've gone to Grubauer, they may have had a chance.
Location: Drinking the tears of the defeated from Lord Stanley's chalice. Joined: 01.18.2007
May 23 @ 3:48 AM ET
Metzer was okay, but I don't think his blogs were all that different than the stuff you can find on DK, Yohe, Rossi, Post Gazette, Trib, hell even Mark Madden, his style of writing was definitely similar to a lot of those. I wasn't saying it was a bad thing, but there is just so much of that out there, I find it refreshing to see RWs blogs that don't spew the same cupcake opinion blogs. It's nice to see someone who doesn't have his homer goggles on. If you want that, there are PLENTY of options for that, but if you want an approach like RWs... what other Pens blogs do it? - j.boyd919
My goal was to answer your question about previous bloggers, not yo evaluate RWs style vs those who came before. I appreciate the fact that RW puts out something every day, Im sure that isn't easy to do. His content is a bit analytics heavy for my tatste, but as you say, its fairly unique in terms of coverage and its well written, even if I dont always agree with the conclusions he reaches..and while I've been critical of his tendency to insult those who don't worship analytics in the past, he has toned down that rhetoric a great deal lately.
