Michael Stuart: Penguins Cruise Past Lightning in Offensive Affair

I wouldn't say cruise Detroit cruised, but 5-3 is pretty close.

I wouldn't say cruise Detroit cruised, but 5-3 is pretty close.
- pker2theend

Yes, Detroit did cruise. 5-3 really doesn't describe what happened though. This game was over after 20 minutes.

Yes, Detroit did cruise. 5-3 really doesn't describe what happened though. This game was over after 20 minutes.
- Michael_Stuart

*EDIT - The Lightning did show a pretty good effort in the latter half of the game, though. I was moderately impressed.

Yes, Detroit did cruise. 5-3 really doesn't describe what happened though. This game was over after 20 minutes.
- Michael_Stuart

tampa just needs some better goaltending. offense seems solid

tampa just needs some better goaltending. offense seems solid
- deks1

Team defense could be better too, but in general I agree with you.

Team defense could be better too, but in general I agree with you.
- Michael_Stuart

bulin back to tampa for cup run?

bulin back to tampa for cup run?
- deks1

Interesting thought, though I'm not sure what pieces would be involved in a potential trade there. I haven't really thought about it. Totally depends on whether or not Yzerman thinks Khabibulin can still be a number one guy. Throw an offer at me.

Interesting thought, though I'm not sure what pieces would be involved in a potential trade there. I haven't really thought about it. Totally depends on whether or not Yzerman thinks Khabibulin can still be a number one guy. Throw an offer at me.
- Michael_Stuart

his numbers are good so far. i think he retires after this season. ufa at season end, tampa is not stuck with anything. i like to inquire bulin for a young depth roster player? otherwise i think it'll be a 3rd round pick, conditional to 2nd if tampa makes pass the first round of the playoffs.

his numbers are good so far. i think he retires after this season. ufa at season end, tampa is not stuck with anything. i like to inquire bulin for a young depth roster player? otherwise i think it'll be a 3rd round pick, conditional to 2nd if tampa makes pass the first round of the playoffs.
- deks1

I'd definitely look at something like that if the Lightning's goaltending doesn't improve within the next two to three weeks.

I'd definitely look at something like that if the Lightning's goaltending doesn't improve within the next two to three weeks.
- Michael_Stuart

looking at everyone in the system, i like brian hart..otherwise Artem Sergeev or Dylan Blujus looks good too.

Garon SHOULD get a run, but like Yzerman and Boucher have done all year, I think they'll keep supporting Lindback. My gut says Anders get one more start on Tuesday, and then go from there.

Garon SHOULD get a run, but like Yzerman and Boucher have done all year, I think they'll keep supporting Lindback. My gut says Anders get one more start on Tuesday, and then go from there.
- norbs

Thoughts on looking at bringing Khabibulin back?

It not Lindback! it's Frantz (frank)ing Jean our goalie coach. He did the same thing to Smith, Ellis and Roloson. He has no business coaching peewee hockey let alone NHL goalies.

When you hear a stat the Vinny is leading the team in hits, that's a major problem. I love that Vinny is playing that it's just not the stat he should be a team leader in. Wathching how Conacher get nailed by Letang left and right says alot about him with his willing to take a hit but why aren't we hitting people like that? We have no grit which will just get you beat up in the playoffs. I liked the effort they came out with from the second on but i can't see how our guys could even get past the 1st round if they make the playoffs.

AND NO ON BULIN WALL FOR ME!!

Thoughts on looking at bringing Khabibulin back?
- Michael_Stuart

Please no. Yes he was part of the cup winning team but he was just average all season until the playoff run when they threw away his vodka bottle.

It not Lindback! it's Frantz (frank)ing Jean our goalie coach. He did the same thing to Smith, Ellis and Roloson. He has no business coaching peewee hockey let alone NHL goalies.
- Artyukhin76

Exactly. Yes it was a back to back game but you can't give up three on ten shots anywhere and keep expecting to come back. I know Boucher says that the team has grit and know they can come back but enough is enough, knowing it and having to do it once in awhile is okay but not every night.

Please no. Yes he was part of the cup winning team but he was just average all season until the playoff run when they threw away his vodka bottle.
- tpd11

if bulin can play stellar behind edm defense, i am sure he can do even better behind tampa. i give credit tampa prob has better defense group than edm at the moment. he's also ufa, no strings attached after this season. he'd prob retire. whatever lindback will gain from having bulin around, it would be a plus. won't cost arm and leg too to acquire bulin.

Thoughts on looking at bringing Khabibulin back?
- Michael_Stuart

No. Doubt it would address real problem on team defensive system. Comments about goalie coach are interesting since I don't know much about him and his proposed approach.

In the land of make believe, instead of going after Khabibulin, I would rather the Lightning go after Miller from the Sabres who will be here tomorrow. I think he is one to the best goalies in the league year in year out. Not sure Buffalo would be willing to trade him even for our offensive stars.

if bulin can play stellar behind edm defense, i am sure he can do even better behind tampa. i give credit tampa prob has better defense group than edm at the moment. he's also ufa, no strings attached after this season. he'd prob retire. whatever lindback will gain from having bulin around, it would be a plus. won't cost arm and leg too to acquire bulin.
- deks1

I think it would be a bad assumption to expect bulin to play better than he has been. I think he is done and not better than our current goalies.

At least Guy FINALLY scratched Lee.

No. Doubt it would address real problem on team defensive system. Comments about goalie coach are interesting since I don't know much about him and his proposed approach.

In the land of make believe, instead of going after Khabibulin, I would rather the Lightning go after Miller from the Sabres who will be here tomorrow. I think he is one to the best goalies in the league year in year out. Not sure Buffalo would be willing to trade him even for our offensive stars.
- Leafsandbolts

I'm just putting two and two together. Mike Smith was up and down until he came along and then he just sucked except for his brief playoff appearance. Ellis started off ok, but stunk as the season progressed (sound familiar?) Roloson came in and wowed us and the following sason was ABSOLUTLEY terrible, but he said, near the end of last season, that he went back to his old style of play (hmmm, who introduced him to that new style I wonder?) Now Lindback, who started the season decent enough, couldn't hold down a job as a goal post and I wouldn't trust him in net for the USF Bulls. So where lies the problem? With 4 different goalies of different ages and nationalities or with a goalie coach that has NEVER had suscess here?

So where lies the problem? With 4 different goalies of different ages and nationalities or with a goalie coach that has NEVER had suscess here?
- Artyukhin76

There's definitely something there, but I wouldn't put all the blame on him.

Smith and Ellis both play(ed) in very sound defensive systems before and after they were here (Nashville for Ellis, Phoenix for Smith). For Roli, he's just gotten old and Lindback is still young, so I mean excuses can be found for all of them.

Don't get me wrong, I personally think he should be fired because there have been enough decent goalies coming through here, but to put all the blame on him isn't entirely fair.


As for the whole Khabibulin idea, I wouldn't do it. The goaltending hasn't been godawful, (didn't get to watch last night though) but until its absolutely horrendous, I don't see things changing. If anything give Cedrick a go.

There's definitely something there, but I wouldn't put all the blame on him.

Smith and Ellis both play(ed) in very sound defensive systems before and after they were here (Nashville for Ellis, Phoenix for Smith). For Roli, he's just gotten old and Lindback is still young, so I mean excuses can be found for all of them.

Don't get me wrong, I personally think he should be fired because there have been enough decent goalies coming through here, but to put all the blame on him isn't entirely fair.


As for the whole Khabibulin idea, I wouldn't do it. The goaltending hasn't been godawful, (didn't get to watch last night though) but until its absolutely horrendous, I don't see things changing. If anything give Cedrick a go.
- norbs

Lindback is 40th in the league in GAA and SV%. I'd call that god awful.

I'm just putting two and two together. Mike Smith was up and down until he came along and then he just sucked except for his brief playoff appearance. Ellis started off ok, but stunk as the season progressed (sound familiar?) Roloson came in and wowed us and the following sason was ABSOLUTLEY terrible, but he said, near the end of last season, that he went back to his old style of play (hmmm, who introduced him to that new style I wonder?) Now Lindback, who started the season decent enough, couldn't hold down a job as a goal post and I wouldn't trust him in net for the USF Bulls. So where lies the problem? With 4 different goalies of different ages and nationalities or with a goalie coach that has NEVER had suscess here?
- Artyukhin76

Thanks for the history lesson.

Sounds like Allaire with the Leafs. Allaire was credited however with Patrick Roy.