Pens are getting straight-up out-played right now.

I feel bad for Rust.. getting dropped to Rowney and Reaves. Ouch.

I feel bad for Rust.. getting dropped to Rowney and Reaves. Ouch.
- j.boyd919

Yup. They seem to have a hard to finding him a spot, but I don't know why.

What a save by Fleury... similar to the closing seconds of the Game 7 win against the Wings.

EDIT: I'm watching the Vegas feed and seconds after I wrote that they said the the same thing lol

The Pens have been very easy to play against in this game. They don't beat teams to the puck like they used to. I don't know how Ruth fixes that when it's throughout the whole roster.

Yup. They seem to have a hard to finding him a spot, but I don't know why.
- Rinosaur

Line combos up right now is hard because you can't have any combination of Hagelin, Hornqvist, or Rust playing on the same line. That means one of them needs to play on the third line, which has no skill on it, which leads everyone on that line to struggle. This is why there's been so many line shakeups this season. I'm pretty convinced at this point that Sheary, Guentzel, and Kessel all need to play on different lines until either Simon gets acclimated or we acquire a middle six winger who plays more of a skilled game. Until then, whichever one of Hagelin, Hornqvist, or Rust has the grave misfortune of finding himself on the third line will keep finding himself in the dog house.

The Pens have been very easy to play against in this game. They don't beat teams to the puck like they used to. I don't know how Ruth fixes that when it's throughout the whole roster.
- madmike71

He needs to add quality players who are hungry.

He needs to add quality players who are hungry.
- Rinosaur

It's beyond that IMO. Not to pick on Sid, but there was a play late in that period with a free puck in the corner. Sid just made a soft play. Didn't put pressure on the D and the puck was easily cleared. If he skated just a little harder, that puck was up for grabs and possibly turned over. It's those kind of plays by nearly every player that's hurting them. I don't see how Ruth can add enough players when the stars don't "bring it" enough. I'm not saying they can play every shift like it's a playoff game, but the lack of urgency on most nights is killing them.

It's beyond that IMO. Not to pick on Sid, but there was a play late in that period with a free puck in the corner. Sid just made a soft play. Didn't put pressure on the D and the puck was easily cleared. If he skated just a little harder, that puck was up for grabs and possibly turned over. It's those kind of plays by nearly every player that's hurting them. I don't see how Ruth can add enough players when the stars don't "bring it" enough. I'm not saying they can play every shift like it's a playoff game, but the lack of urgency on most nights is killing them.
- madmike71

Gonna be tough to do when you've played two long seasons like they have. Not easy to keep that intensity going.

(frank)ing Dumo.

Nice turnover Dumo.

Gonna be tough to do when you've played two long seasons like they have. Not easy to keep that intensity going.
- Rinosaur

That's the root of the problem IMO. I'm not sure it's fixable if our best players are gassed.

That's the root of the problem IMO. I'm not sure it's fixable if our best players are gassed.
- madmike71

Which is why I'm not a proponent of any major moves unless it's a real long-term hockey move.

I don't think the Pens should give up any assets, whether picks nor top prospects for a rental.

Unless a REAL upgrade is possible at 3C, just keep Sheahan to finish the season.

That was some pad save by Murray.

Which is why I'm not a proponent of any major moves unless it's a real long-term hockey move.

I don't think the Pens should give up any assets, whether picks nor top prospects for a rental.

Unless a REAL upgrade is possible at 3C, just keep Sheahan to finish the season.
- Rinosaur

I really like how the hags-sheahan-sheary line is playing tonight. They're generating chances on every shift.

If someone told me before the season started that the Knights would have more points than the defending champs at this point in the season I would call you an idiot.

If someone told me before the season started that the Knights would have more points than the defending champs at this point in the season I would call you an idiot.
- acdc1206

It's hard to believe.

Disgusting.

Catch all y'all in the rumor mill.

I really like how the hags-sheahan-sheary line is playing tonight. They're generating chances on every shift.
- j.boyd919

They had some good moments, but also got grossly out-played in others as did the entire team.

This team is what it is this year and while I'm disappointed, I fully expected this type of season.

It's fun to think about different trades, but I think they need to just stand pat and wait till after the season to make some real calculated moves. No desperation moves.

Why even bother putting out a fourth line? They do absolutely poop out there.

They had some good moments, but also got grossly out-played in others as did the entire team.

This team is what it is this year and while I'm disappointed, I fully expected this type of season.

It's fun to think about different trades, but I think they need to just stand pat and wait till after the season to make some real calculated moves. No desperation moves.
- Rinosaur

I could be wrong but this particular season mirrors many of the cup winning seasons of years past. Both 09 and 16 were seasons that looked lost about this time in the year (92 aswell for that matter)....only to make a move or two...fire coaches and poof a cup. Now this is not a year to fire the coach, but make moves..why not. Anytime a team has sid geno and phil they can win.

I could be wrong but this particular season mirrors many of the cup winning seasons of years past. Both 09 and 16 were seasons that looked lost about this time in the year (92 aswell for that matter)....only to make a move or two...fire coaches and poof a cup. Now this is not a year to fire the coach, but make moves..why not. Anytime a team has sid geno and phil they can win.
- taleisyreXIII

I understand that line of thinking. However, this season is following two extremely grueling years. Like we've been talking about, it will be hard to make a long run if our best players are too gassed. That's what it looks like to me. They have periods where they look like superstars, but not too many entire games at that level.

Still point being that its a one timer at a controlled glide on an open net. Its not this ungodly thing that only the best goal scorers in the league can do. Its a pretty standard fast break goal. The way Aussie sold it I was expecting Buch to still be skating at full stride.
- Victoro311

Well il say after today's game Dumoulin cant do it!

I think it's safe to say decisions were made in constructing this team this year that were financially necessary. However the personnel on balance have created a team that lacks any significant scoring threat on the last two lines. Defensively we may be a tad better, but offensively there is a cliff of a drop off. So, shut the top two lines down and you got us.