That would be a shame. However being a greatcoach requires some learning from what doesn't work. Maybe he can but we shall see. Put up or shut up time and Flers smell blood for sure. Look out!
- powerhouse

Going back to the two blown leads in the regular season, it appears he's a slow learner because those games were lost the exact same way. Somewhere, mike therrien is laughing...

i do wish hed look like he cared for a change. i hate to be drastic, and as much as i loved what he has done, but he may cost himself his job relatively soon. this team is too good to waste.
- stayinthefnnet

I'd be shocked if the Pens don't win at least 1 of the next 2. For one thing the Flyers really aren't a good home-ice team .... and secondly, there's just too much freaking talent on the Pens to go down 4 straight games.
- FlyerGuy

I don't know. I just watched a team give away a 3-1 lead again, give up 2 shorthanded goals, get lit up by a 19 year old rookie and generally look like a team that doesn't belong in the playoffs.

I'd be shocked if the Pens don't win at least 1 of the next 2. For one thing the Flyers really aren't a good home-ice team .... and secondly, there's just too much freaking talent on the Pens to go down 4 straight games.
- FlyerGuy

In order for the Pens to win a game that would mean they would have to actually protect a lead so I don't think you have to worry much about that.

Even if it's not the system, grab Letang by the neck after one of his last man back dipsy franking doddle giveaways and get in his face. Start holding them accountable for their piss poor effort.
- canadianpenfan

They have not been held accountable in that manner since DB took over. No one misses a shift or gets nailed to the bench for failing to get it through their head. That has never happened with DB behind the bench. Guys need their asses nailed to the end of it now and then.

I don't know. I just watched a team give away a 3-1 lead again, give up 2 shorthanded goals, get lit up by a 19 year old rookie and generally look like a team that doesn't belong in the playoffs.
- Ben37

Other than that, how was the play Mrs. Lincoln?

Giroux had 10 shots to go along with his 6 points. Someone has to put him on his ass once in a while.

- FlyerGuy

So that's what your face looks like when you get another atomic wedgie from Lavy?

- FlyerGuy

"I think I left the light in the garage on tonight"

They have not been held accountable in that manner since DB took over. No one misses a shift or gets nailed to the bench for failing to get it through their head. That has never happened with DB behind the bench. Guys need their asses nailed to the end of it now and then.
- akane13

True, but it's hard to hold guys accountable when they're executing his system. I really think they need to trap and try to capitalize on the other teams mistake. Really need to protect our soft defense. If you watch the other playoff games, no team is playing this way at this pace and that's on the coach.

I go back to seeing the interview with Granato. You could see he wasn't a believer. He knew.....

I understand the frustration with the losses and the manner in which they occurred, but it is unbelievable how some are trashing Bylsma on here. He led the team to a Cup win in a season in which the Therien-led Pens appeared on the verge of missing the playoffs, and now some would prefer Therien ? Let the series play out and then evaluate.

"I think I left the light in the garage on tonight"
- canadianpenfan

The light sure as hell isnt on in his head

One of the things I found interesting was the contrast between the two time outs..I know that sounds silly but Lavy calls his and looks like he is going to have a stroke getting the team going...Pens call theirs and DB was not involved.

I understand the timing was different..the situation different but still interesting to see the two contrasting styles.

True, but it's hard to hold guys accountable when they're executing his system. I really think they need to trap and try to capitalize on the other teams mistake. Really need to protect our soft defense. If you watch the other playoff games, no team is playing this way at this pace and that's on the coach.

I go back to seeing the interview with Granato. You could see he wasn't a believer. He knew.....
- madmike71

I don't see the interview...NBC sports here. Would have been interesting to see. I kinda wonder if the team doesn't believe it either.

True, but it's hard to hold guys accountable when they're executing his system. I really think they need to trap and try to capitalize on the other teams mistake. Really need to protect our soft defense. If you watch the other playoff games, no team is playing this way at this pace and that's on the coach.

I go back to seeing the interview with Granato. You could see he wasn't a believer. He knew.....
- madmike71

8 goals for in 2 games, both losses. Having to score 5 goals a game to win in the playoffs should speak volumes about the ineffectiveness of your system. Problem is he's not listening. Same thing as sticking with the inept powerplay set up until game 2 of the playoffs. He's stubborn.

i do appreciate some calming reason, however this is just pathetic. yet again, they crap the bed mentally. id rather watch the team that lost last years first round. at least they were noble and gave it all and scrapped to a loss. this team is beyond words right now, whatever it is. whatever is to blame for things like lovejoys attempted pass that coots knocked down. if thats DB doing something to make his players think that things like that are okay, or if the players just feel they can take this upon themselves.
- stayinthefnnet

Don't get me wrong, I'm probably as mad as I have been since David Volek and the 1996 Conference Finals. I have no answers for much right now. They are failing consistently in the elementary elements of the game. How do you score 5 in the playoffs and lose by 3?

Fundamentally they are bankrupt from a strategic standpoint.

Maybe the Pens can return the favor of what the Flyers did in 2000 to them when the Pens took the first two on the road in Philly only to lose four straight. We just need to get a game where it goes to 5 OTs and break their spirit with a late goal to win it!

8 goals for in 2 games, both losses. Having to score 5 goals a game to win in the playoffs should speak volumes about the ineffectiveness of your system. Problem is he's not listening. Same thing as sticking with the inept powerplay set up until game 2 of the playoffs. He's stubborn.
- canadianpenfan

And playoff problems go back 2 years...everybody says last year was an exception...but even without Sid and Geno...up 3-1, you gotta win 1 game...don't you?

In order for the Pens to win a game that would mean they would have to actually protect a lead so I don't think you have to worry much about that.
- acdc1206

yeah, but a bit of that is because they were so focused on hitting every Flyer. And the Pens had some big hits, for sure.

But, go on the road and you might be inclined to play a little more in control ... and the Flyers might be the ones looking for the big hits.

Just focusing on these monstrous hits can definitely put a player out of position. Hopefully the Flyers don't make the same mistake, but it could easily happen.

I understand the frustration with the losses and the manner in which they occurred, but it is unbelievable how some are trashing Bylsma on here. He led the team to a Cup win in a season in which the Therien-led Pens appeared on the verge of missing the playoffs, and now some would prefer Therien ? Let the series play out and then evaluate.
- MadCap2008

It's a fine line between a players coach and a disciplinarian. It's funny how teams flip flop between the two different kinds of coaches. When Bylsma took over the team, the team still had much of his defensive prowess beat into their heads. I've never seen a coach not adjust...at least somewhat, to what is being done to them. I said I only wanted Therrien for this series, because I've seen what Philly does to them. Not sure other teams would or can attack them the same way.

If Bylsma insists on playing his quick North/South system, they're toast.

I understand the frustration with the losses and the manner in which they occurred, but it is unbelievable how some are trashing Bylsma on here. He led the team to a Cup win in a season in which the Therien-led Pens appeared on the verge of missing the playoffs, and now some would prefer Therien ? Let the series play out and then evaluate.
- MadCap2008

For me it's on the players. They are the ones making awful decisions. Lovejoys giveaway was void of any logic. Watch the replay of the angle that showed what he was looking at cross ice, there was literally nothing there except a chip dump in, why in the world would you not just use the strong side boards for the same play?

I can tell you that no matter what "system" is in place at any level, there is always support to have three guys back unless you are talking about an end of the game scenario. The players are flat out careless.

I understand the frustration with the losses and the manner in which they occurred, but it is unbelievable how some are trashing Bylsma on here. He led the team to a Cup win in a season in which the Therien-led Pens appeared on the verge of missing the playoffs, and now some would prefer Therien ? Let the series play out and then evaluate.
- MadCap2008

He's had 8 games against these guys to try something that works and he fails to make any adjustments. If something works against 29 teams but the 1 it doesn't is the one you play in April it is his job to try and find something that works. Laviolette is taking him to school.

Maybe the Pens can return the favor of what the Flyers did in 2000 to them when the Pens took the first two on the road in Philly only to lose four straight. We just need to get a game where it goes to 5 OTs and break their spirit with a late goal to win it!
- acdc1206

that would really suck.

For me it's on the players. They are the ones making awful decisions. Lovejoys giveaway was void of any logic. Watch the replay of the angle that showed what he was looking at cross ice, there was literally nothing there except a chip dump in, why in the world would you not just use the strong side boards for the same play?

I can tell you that no matter what "system" is in place at any level, there is always support to have three guys back unless you are talking about an end of the game scenario. The players are flat out careless.
- Gunner Staal

Does Lovejoy make the same play if Therien is behind the bench.....not a chance. Iron Mike was ruthless when they screwed up a fundamental play like that.

I can hear it now.... "I honestly believe they want to be the worst defensive squad in the league"

I'm not saying Therrien is the answer, but I am saying there's no way this team would be so apt for these mental mistakes.

Does Lovejoy make the same play if Therien is behind the bench.....not a chance. Iron Mike was ruthless when they screwed up a fundamental play like that.

I can hear it now.... "I honestly believe they want to be the worst defensive squad in the league"

I'm not saying Therrien is the answer, but I am saying there's no way this team would be so apt for these mental mistakes.
- madmike71

Therien would be calling him and everyone else out in the post game news conference. No doubt about it. I don't need Bylsma to change his personality, but some emotion and creativity would be nice.