missed saying this after last game...

you have a lead with a PP and you put Manning out there, once again you tell your team to protect the lead and not play their game.
- wcorvette

If you're referring to the PP very late in the third period, I agree. That was maybe the lamest PP I've ever seen.

Top PP points -- Jake 29, G 28, Ghost 24, Simmonds 16, Couts 11.

I love Couts, but he's not a great PP player, he's good, not great. Can you say that Couts generates a lot offensive chances on the PP? He's usually the guy who stuffs home a rebound, or redirects a slap pass in the net. He's not the one who is firing a rocket into the back of the net or threading the needle to find someone back door.

That PP is missing an interior shooter. Schenn was probably the best player to play that position as he had a rocket from there. Took him a while to goals from that position, but finally figured it out.
- VladDrag

Couturier is 3rd on the team in PP goals.

I agree. Just trade a mid round pick for a generic backup and cross your fingers that Neuvy holds up. If they are looking for a vet to pair with Hart for his first 2 seasons, they could just extend Elliott for 2 years at probably no greater cap hit than he has now. And, since Hart will be on his ELC, the total hit for goalies would be under 4 million for those 2 seasons which is excellent cap management.
- BiggE

See i don't want a generic back up. When hart is up this team should be a playoff team as more talent should be here.

So having a solid goalie to pair with your rookie I think would be beneficial.

missed saying this after last game...

you have a lead with a PP and you put Manning out there, once again you tell your team to protect the lead and not play their game.
- wcorvette

I think this is inventing something that isn't there. I don't think players look at one player out on the PP and consciously decide based on that how they're going to play the rest of the game.

http://www.espn.com/nhl/s...iers-ahead-trade-deadline

http://www.espn.com/nhl/s...iers-ahead-trade-deadline
- Doctor DOOM

I'll show myself out

http://www.espn.com/nhl/s...iers-ahead-trade-deadline
- Doctor DOOM

Funny about Snow, but the article is proof ESPN has no one with hockey knowledge.

Gotta get at least a point at cbj tonight and 2 vs nyr. That blown game vs nj hurt. Ugh.

I really don't know what hexy will do re a goalie. My gut tells me unless neuvy really blows it or gets hurt, he'll stand pat. The cost for the prime guys is too much and makes no sense long term. A temporary guy would create a log
Jam once elliott returns. Just can't see it but I've been wrong before.

I think this is inventing something that isn't there. I don't think players look at one player out on the PP and consciously decide based on that how they're going to play the rest of the game.
- MJL

your opinion but it is natural for people to follow the leader, attitude, confidence and approach can all be affected. Putting Manning out for the first time on the PP no doubt was noticed by the team. I forget the last time something similar happen but the results were the same, a team that sat back and tried to protect.

I also agree with the poster that Manning was not playing well enough to think he would prevent any short handed attempt.

I think this is inventing something that isn't there. I don't think players look at one player out on the PP and consciously decide based on that how they're going to play the rest of the game.
- MJL

FYI- I do agree it is not conscious it is a sub-conscious reaction.

True, and if you are going to do that, Manning is probably not the guy you want anyway as he’s been a hot mess defensively the last couple of weeks.
- BiggE

That move made no sense to me. I see the merit of two d on the pp, but not him. Also, there's something to be said for going for the dagger. Playing rope a dope can cost you.

See i don't want a generic back up. When hart is up this team should be a playoff team as more talent should be here.

So having a solid goalie to pair with your rookie I think would be beneficial.
- J35Bacher

Elliott is a solid vet to pair with him and as an added bonus, he’s an excellent teammate who should be perfect in a mentor role.

Funny about Snow, but the article is proof ESPN has no one with hockey knowledge.
- EducatedOpinion

That article is ridiculous.

Again, that pass isn't there lately.

If the pass isn't there it, doesn't matter who is in the high slot there.

I think one wrinkle they should use more is sliding Gostisbehere down to the half wall where voracek usually is because I think that shot creates rebounds there with the goalie going from side to side.
- J35Bacher

Look, I'm not advocating to have Couts removed at all costs. He's obviously not hurting the PP by any stretch, but I think that is a position where we can improve.

Getting Ghost to fire one timers on net is always a good idea.

That article is ridiculous.
- Hextall271

ESPN has as much hockey knowledge as my mini poodle. However, unlike ESPN, my poodle is fun and a joy to watch!

Elliott is a solid vet to pair with him and as an added bonus, he’s an excellent teammate who should be perfect in a mentor role.
- BiggE

He is.

But he is now having a big surgery and missing 5-6 weeks.

We already talk about having two goalies that might be injury risks in Elliott and Neuvirth.

So having maybe someone not with the injury history i might prefer.

Look, I'm not advocating to have Couts removed at all costs. He's obviously not hurting the PP by any stretch, but I think that is a position where we can improve.

Getting Ghost to fire one timers on net is always a good idea.
- VladDrag

I get it.

I am just curious how many more PP goals you think you get replacing Couturier. Isn't the PP 5 or 6 right now in the league?

ESPN has as much hockey knowledge as my mini poodle. However, unlike ESPN, my poodle is fun and a joy to watch!
- BiggE

But it was written by Puck Daddy.

But yes the article is garbage.

I get it.

I am just curious how many more PP goals you think you get replacing Couturier. Isn't the PP 5 or 6 right now in the league?
- J35Bacher

I think it can be top. They have arguably 3 of the top 15-20 best power player players (Ghost, Giroux, and Jake). Not to mention one of the best, if not the best net front man in NHL. To me, if this power play had a legitimate interior shooter, they would be unstoppable.

The way I view it is this: Schenn scored 17 goals on the PP last year, admittedly more of a statistical anomaly than something you can count on. But, if you can get 12-14 goals out of that spot with a better shooter, I think you should do it.
For reference, Couts has 6 powerplay goals. He's on pace for something like 8.5-10 for the year.

I think it can be top. They have arguably 3 of the top 15-20 best power player players (Ghost, Giroux, and Jake). Not to mention one of the best, if not the best net front man in NHL. To me, if this power play had a legitimate interior shooter, they would be unstoppable.

The way I view it is this: Schenn scored 17 goals on the PP last year, admittedly more of a statistical anomaly than something you can count on. But, if you can get 12-14 goals out of that spot with a better shooter, I think you should do it.
For reference, Couts has 6 powerplay goals. He's on pace for something like 8.5-10 for the year.
- VladDrag

I agree. I think Jake's shot is holding it back a bit too. It just isn't anything special.

Couterier is filling in well for Schenn, but I don't know if he is the long term solution there in that spot. He might be their best option for now though

Gotta get at least a point at cbj tonight and 2 vs nyr. That blown game vs nj hurt. Ugh.

I really don't know what hexy will do re a goalie. My gut tells me unless neuvy really blows it or gets hurt, he'll stand pat. The cost for the prime guys is too much and makes no sense long term. A temporary guy would create a log
Jam once elliott returns. Just can't see it but I've been wrong before.
- Hextall271

It really wouldn't create much of a logjam. There will only be a couple weeks left in the regular season by the time Elliott is back. They've been carrying 13F/ 7D so there is room for a goalie. Most teams carry 3 goalies in the playoffs, anyway, just with the extra guy practicing with the Black Aces or getting reps at the end of practice with the healthy scratches.

Top PP points -- Jake 29, G 28, Ghost 24, Simmonds 16, Couts 11.

I love Couts, but he's not a great PP player, he's good, not great. Can you say that Couts generates a lot offensive chances on the PP? He's usually the guy who stuffs home a rebound, or redirects a slap pass in the net. He's not the one who is firing a rocket into the back of the net or threading the needle to find someone back door.

That PP is missing an interior shooter. Schenn was probably the best player to play that position as he had a rocket from there. Took him a while to goals from that position, but finally figured it out.
- VladDrag

And yet they are still ranked 7th in the league.

Coots has always been our ES monster.

I agree. I think Jake's shot is holding it back a bit too. It just isn't anything special.

Couterier is filling in well for Schenn, but I don't know if he is the long term solution there in that spot. He might be their best option for now though
- YuenglingJagr

Could you imagine how good this power play would be if Tim Kerr (in his prime) were put in the slot?

And yet they are still ranked 7th in the league.

Coots has always been our ES monster.
- MBFlyerfan

The PP has been fine, I doubt they make a change on that top unit unless they go the next 15 games without scoring a PP goal, or something crazy like that. If you were going to change anything putting Patrick with the shot he has in that slot spot Couts is currently in would be the move to make. I wouldn't be surprised to see that next season.

Could you imagine how good this power play would be if Tim Kerr (in his prime) were put in the slot?
- biggles88

Unfortunately (fortunately) I am not old enough to imagine that