No but Kurri and Gretzky were the goal scoring leaders back to back in the 80s
- Feds91Stammer

Yeah I figured if anything remotely similar had been done it would of been involving the 80's Oilers

Pens played a well structured defensive road type game last night. Very encouraging. A couple of lapses but considering it was the 2nd night of a B2B it was impressive. Gonna have to keep it up.

My guess is that Laine wins the rocket with a decent margin of separation from Malkin and Ovechkin and Geno wins a tight Ross race against Kuch.

I really, really want Geno to win the Rocket though because he doesn’t have one of those.
- Victoro311

Yeah thats the one major award (no disprespek to the Mark Messier Leadership Award) that Geno doesn't have. He's gonna need a strong finish to challenge Laine who will have a few games in hand.

Pens played a well structured defensive road type game last night. Very encouraging. A couple of lapses but considering it was the 2nd night of a B2B it was impressive. Gonna have to keep it up.
- madmike71

All teams will have some lapses during the course of a game.

That being said, I think this game was by far their best game since the deadline.

-Brassard looking more comfortable.
-Jooris looked solid.
-Big Rig was outstanding
-Ruhwedel quietly doing his business as usual
-No Hunwick

I just dont know anymore
- MattStrat

I'm just saying teams in the ATL and METRO have 91.4% of the same schedule.

Looking at the Pens' next four games, they really have an opportunity to distance themselves from Philly. NYR, MTL, NYI and MTL again.

PHI's next four: Vegas, CBJ, CAR and Wash


I focus on Philly because I still believe the Caps finish either 1st or 2nd, so I'm hoping for the Pens to lock up home ice regardless. Finishing 2nd IMO is more beneficial than first as the likely first round opponents would be FLA or NJ; they worry more more than Philly or Washington. That's not to say I think Philly or Washington would be cakewalks by any means.

Looking at the Pens' next four games, they really have an opportunity to distance themselves from Philly. NYR, MTL, NYI and MTL again.

PHI's next four: Vegas, CBJ, CAR and Wash


I focus on Philly because I still believe the Caps finish either 1st or 2nd, so I'm hoping for the Pens to lock up home ice regardless. Finishing 2nd IMO is more beneficial than first as the likely first round opponents would be FLA or NJ; they worry more more than Philly or Washington. That's not to say I think Philly or Washington would be cakewalks by any means.
- Rinosaur

Have you seen the Devils upcoming schedule? not fit. Its possible they slip right out of the picture.

I'm just saying teams in the ATL and METRO have 91.4% of the same schedule.
- Feds91Stammer

Well not necessarily...I dont think any other team besides the Pens in the Metro or Atlantic had 19 B2B's this season. Then theres the issue of some years one team gets two home game, 1 road...

Well not necessarily...I dont think any other team besides the Pens in the Metro or Atlantic had 19 B2B's this season. Then theres the issue of some years one team gets two home game, 1 road...
- MattStrat

Not sure how the numbers of b2bs stack up in the NHL, but its interesting how years of vocal displeasure and teams flouting rules regarding resting stars led the league to finally step up in and reduce b2bs in the NBA. (I think most have between 14-16 now; prob was 16-19 before the changes)

Caps & Jets tonight. We shall see who triumphs among Laine/Ovi for the D!ck race

Well not necessarily...I dont think any other team besides the Pens in the Metro or Atlantic had 19 B2B's this season. Then theres the issue of some years one team gets two home game, 1 road...
- MattStrat

Okay brb. I am developing a matrix that calculates b2b, travel distance, time zone change, and home and road splits.

All teams will have some lapses during the course of a game.

That being said, I think this game was by far their best game since the deadline.

-Brassard looking more comfortable.
-Jooris looked solid.
-Big Rig was outstanding
-Ruhwedel quietly doing his business as usual
-No Hunwick
- Rinosaur

I'm wondering if they'd consider moving Brassard to wing on Sid's line. Sheahan back to 3rd line center and Jooris as 4th line center. Brassard did look somewhat better last night, but still seems lost IMO. I know they probably won't do it, but I'm wondering if Brassard is thinking too much. He seems slow to react a lot of times.

I knew Jooris could play. Nice under-the-radar pickup.

I'm wondering if they'd consider moving Brassard to wing on Sid's line. Sheahan back to 3rd line center and Jooris as 4th line center. Brassard did look somewhat better last night, but still seems lost IMO. I know they probably won't do it, but I'm wondering if Brassard is thinking too much. He seems slow to react a lot of times.

I knew Jooris could play. Nice under-the-radar pickup.
- madmike71

Well he's shifting from a 1-3-1 defensive trap system to a really up tempo speed based system with the Pens, it might take some getting used to and I don't think switching the role he was picked up for would help speed up the process.

I'm wondering if they'd consider moving Brassard to wing on Sid's line. Sheahan back to 3rd line center and Jooris as 4th line center. Brassard did look somewhat better last night, but still seems lost IMO. I know they probably won't do it, but I'm wondering if Brassard is thinking too much. He seems slow to react a lot of times.

I knew Jooris could play. Nice under-the-radar pickup.
- madmike71

That is questionable. Guess it depends on the definition of "play"

That is questionable. Guess it depends on the definition of "play"
- Feds91Stammer

He can skate a little bit and he's not inept with the puck on his stick. I think he can be an effective 4th line center if you gave him a little speed on the wings. Plus, he's not Carter Rowney. Who can't skate or play.

He can skate a little bit and he's not inept with the puck on his stick. I think he can be an effective 4th line center if you gave him a little speed on the wings. Plus, he's not Carter Rowney. Who can't skate or play.
- madmike71

Jooris > Kuhn, Rowney or Reaves....not only does the eye test show us this but RW showed us the fancy graphs when he was acquired.

Jooris > Kuhn, Rowney or Reaves....not only does the eye test show us this but RW showed us the fancy graphs when he was acquired.
- MattStrat

The bold part sure.

Personally I would prefer the likes of sprong to take that spot.

Not a guy with bad shot metrics and a 20 point ceiling.

The bold part sure.

Personally I would prefer the likes of sprong to take that spot.

Not a guy with bad shot metrics and a 20 point ceiling.
- Feds91Stammer

Id much prefer Sprong up too.

I was thinking why not go with

Brassard- Crosby- Sheary
Hags - Malkin - Horny
Geuntz - Sheahan - Kessel
Kuhn - Jooris - Sprong


Now i know theres call up limits and other things im not well versed in. I also kinda agree with Boyds point about why they acquired Brassard in the first place.

I really think Brassard is going to be great yet. Last night he looked strong to me. Always knew he was a good skater but he's faster than I thought.

EDIT: could even swap Sheary and Sprong

I'm wondering if they'd consider moving Brassard to wing on Sid's line. Sheahan back to 3rd line center and Jooris as 4th line center. Brassard did look somewhat better last night, but still seems lost IMO. I know they probably won't do it, but I'm wondering if Brassard is thinking too much. He seems slow to react a lot of times.

I knew Jooris could play. Nice under-the-radar pickup.
- madmike71

When the Pens traded for Brassard, my thoughts also were would they try Brass with Sid because at the time the third line was en fuego and was unsure if Sully would want to break that line up. Yes Brass is coming from a team that played a much different style so it will take him a bit....still I would love to see someone with Brassard's talent play with Sid.......
With Jooris looking solid maybe this may give Sully some options to experiment.

The bold part sure.

Personally I would prefer the likes of sprong to take that spot.

Not a guy with bad shot metrics and a 20 point ceiling.
- Feds91Stammer

That's all I'm saying. He's better than some other established options. RH center that I believe can be effective in the right circumstances.

For me, the Sprong issue is pretty much dead. I think it's clear they don't believe in him yet. I guarantee those comments he made a few weeks ago didn't help.

Id much prefer Sprong up too.

I was thinking why not go with

Brassard- Crosby- Sheary
Hags - Malkin - Horny
Geuntz - Sheahan - Kessel
Kuhn - Jooris - Sprong


Now i know theres call up limits and other things im not well versed in. I also kinda agree with Boyds point about why they acquired Brassard in the first place.

I really think Brassard is going to be great yet. Last night he looked strong to me. Always knew he was a good skater but he's faster than I thought.

EDIT: could even swap Sheary and Sprong
- MattStrat

I get A LOT of Pens fans want Sprong playing....but to me there is something going on behind the scene and it feels like it is Sprong's attitude not meshing with what Sully wants right now. To me the Sprong idea is "dead" for now......Haven't heard much on ZAR but when healthy Im sure he gets back into the line up.....

I get A LOT of Pens fans want Sprong playing....but to me there is something going on behind the scene and it feels like it is Sprong's attitude not meshing with what Sully wants right now. To me the Sprong idea is "dead" for now......Haven't heard much on ZAR but when healthy Im sure he gets back into the line up.....
- Darklight11

Oh its definitely dead, if it wasnt he'd of been called up sooner. This doesnt mean we wont keep beating that horse though haha.

EDIT: for the record I'm not even totally sold on Sprong yet myself.

Oh its definitely dead, if it wasnt he'd of been called up sooner. This doesnt mean we wont keep beating that horse though haha.

EDIT: for the record I'm not even totally sold on Sprong yet myself.
- MattStrat

Yeah, I just feel if Sprong could truly help this team, he would be in the line up.....but hey when you're back to back champs....some fans will find anything to bark about...

The bold part sure.

Personally I would prefer the likes of sprong to take that spot.

Not a guy with bad shot metrics and a 20 point ceiling.
- Feds91Stammer

I second that. I feel like management is screwing the pooch on Sprong. It seems like every season or two, there is one prospect that is singled out and not allowed any wiggle room for error. But you'll have guys like Hunwick, Reaves, Kuhnhackl, etc... that are given a million opportunities to play NHL games and they offer very little in terms of offense (and defense for that matter). I think it is absolute nonsense that they're not calling up Sprong because he's "not a complete player". Look around the room, Rutherford & Sullivan. I can point to a number of Penguins players that are not "complete players". Sheary can't even stay on his skates for Christ sake, and Hunwick is a trash fire. It's ridiculous.

I get A LOT of Pens fans want Sprong playing....but to me there is something going on behind the scene and it feels like it is Sprong's attitude not meshing with what Sully wants right now. To me the Sprong idea is "dead" for now......Haven't heard much on ZAR but when healthy Im sure he gets back into the line up.....
- Darklight11

Man, I can't wait for ZAR to get healthy. I was a little slow to really become a believer in him, but he brought some grit, great board play, a scoring/net front presence, and most of all... obviously... pushed Kuhn out of the lineup.

If we can infuse ZAR, Rust, and potentially Sprong into the lineup by playoff time...combined with Murray's return...I will feel very confident