John Toperzer: Game Night: Statistical Analysis of Pens-Bruins Top Eastern Conference squads square off Tuesday in Pittsburgh

John Toperzer: Game Night: Statistical Analysis of Pens-Bruins
Top Eastern Conference squads square off Tuesday in Pittsburgh
- the-mitch-wilsons

Tonight will be a true test for the Pens who look to add to their 5 game winning streak at home tonight against the Bruins. Many believe that the Bruins are the toughest task standing in the way of another deep playoff run for the Pens, and tonights task will not be any easier without superstar Evgeni Malkin. This allows the Bruins to match up Chara against the Crosby line without having to worry about who is going to defend #71. Fleury will be back in the cage tonight and will look to cool off a hot Bruins team that is 8-1-1 in their last 10 games. There has been much debate about what peice of the puzzle the penguins need to complete before this April's trade deadline, and this matchup may play a decisive role in deciding what the Penguins will need to survive a 7 game series against a tough Bruins squad. Although Boston does not have nearly the star power that the penguins do, they do bring a combination of good goaltending, size, and grit that some believe is unmatched by any other team in the NHL. Should be an awesome matchup tonight, and I'm looking forward to the puck drop tonight. Let's Go Pens!

Tonight will be a true test for the Pens who look to add to their 5 game winning streak at home tonight against the Bruins. Many believe that the Bruins are the toughest task standing in the way of another deep playoff run for the Pens, and tonights task will not be any easier without superstar Evgeni Malkin. This allows the Bruins to match up Chara against the Crosby line without having to worry about who is going to defend #71. Fleury will be back in the cage tonight and will look to cool off a hot Bruins team that is 8-1-1 in their last 10 games. There has been much debate about what peice of the puzzle the penguins need to complete before this April's trade deadline, and this matchup may play a decisive role in deciding what the Penguins will need to survive a 7 game series against a tough Bruins squad. Although Boston does not have nearly the star power that the penguins do, they do bring a combination of good goaltending, size, and grit that some believe is unmatched by any other team in the NHL. Should be an awesome matchup tonight, and I'm looking forward to the puck drop tonight. Let's Go Pens!
- Killian

Not only that but they have a deep team. They have nice depth both at forward and defense whereas teams would be lucky to have depth at just one of those spots. Should be a good one.

Nice breakdown John, alot of those stats just jump off the page. Most notably how badly Boston gets screwed in their PP vs PK time.

Is it confirmed that Rask will play? The Bruins don't usually play the same goalie in the b2b's...

Nice breakdown John, alot of those stats just jump off the page. Most notably how badly Boston gets screwed in their PP vs PK time.

Is it confirmed that Rask will play? The Bruins don't usually play the same goalie in the b2b's...
- canadianpenfan

Just heard a Boston reporter say Rask is getting the night off.

Just heard a Boston reporter say Rask is getting the night off.
- madmike71

Figured as much. Khudobin is no slouch though.

The chippier this game gets the more it favours Boston, the Pens need to keep their heads on straight and make them pay when they take penalties.

We will know exactly how we stack up against the best team in the East in my opinion. Boston has few flaws, if any. Shero can use tonight's game as a measuring block and go from there. This is Pittsburgh's worst matchup as far as a play-off series.

Been really looking forward to this game, the Bruins get their first real test IMO. Same can be said for the Pens as well. I'm curious to see how the Crosby line will fair against Chara and Boychuck. I think it is going to be a tight checking game and I think Crosby and Bergeron will be getting a healthy dose of each other tonight. Should be a good one.

Been really looking forward to this game, the Bruins get their first real test IMO. Same can be said for the Pens as well. I'm curious to see how the Crosby line will fair against Chara and Boychuck. I think it is going to be a tight checking game and I think Crosby and Bergeron will be getting a healthy dose of each other tonight. Should be a good one.
- fudd1689

Yea that's what I'm afraid of. Bergeron is so (frank)ing good, if he cancels out Crosby and we don't get some PP goals it could be tough sledding. The Lucic line is going to have little resistance.

I worry more about Bergeron matching up against Crosby than I do Chara. Crosby's skating speed, agility, and strength is a matchup problem for Chara IMO.

I worry more about Bergeron matching up against Crosby than I do Chara. Crosby's skating speed, agility, and strength is a matchup problem for Chara IMO.
- Gunner Staal

True, but I know one thing...

Kunitz won't be setting up shop at the top of the crease all game like he was with the Isles with Chara out there.

Yea that's what I'm afraid of. Bergeron is so (frank)ing good, if he cancels out Crosby and we don't get some PP goals it could be tough sledding. The Lucic line is going to have little resistance.
- canadianpenfan

I think it will be key for Bylsma to use the last change to his advantage and try and keep Crosby away from Chara and Bergeron. If he can get the mismatches then it could greatly benefit the Pens. I'm concerned with the matchup of 3rd lines tonight. Caron was just inserted into the lineup and hasn't gotten his NHL legs back yet and Kelly will not be playing. I think this game will come down to who's bottom 6 can be more effective.

I think it will be key for Bylsma to use the last change to his advantage and try and keep Crosby away from Chara and Bergeron. If he can get the mismatches then it could greatly benefit the Pens. I'm concerned with the matchup of 3rd lines tonight. Caron was just inserted into the lineup and hasn't gotten his NHL legs back yet and Kelly will not be playing. I think this game will come down to who's bottom 6 can be more effective.
- fudd1689

Yea, Bylsma doesn't really do that...

I'm hoping for the best, but I honestly won't have a true feeling of how these teams stack up until Malkin is back. That's a huge hole that the Bruins will most likely expose in these 2 games.

True, but I know one thing...

Kunitz won't be setting up shop at the top of the crease all game like he was with the Isles with Chara out there.
- canadianpenfan

Other than the Islanders how many teams are actually going to allow that to happen? haha

Other than the Islanders how many teams are actually going to allow that to happen? haha
- Gunner Staal

On the plus side Chara's crease clearing cross checks will probably hit Kunitz in the head unless Chara is on his knees, maybe we get a couple PP's out of it...

Yea, Bylsma doesn't really do that...

I'm hoping for the best, but I honestly won't have a true feeling of how these teams stack up until Malkin is back. That's a huge hole that the Bruins will most likely expose in these 2 games.
- canadianpenfan

Very true, it will be hard to pass judgement on who is the better team till they meet with healthy rosters. I dont envision these teams meeting up in the playoffs till the ECF, which I think will happen.

I worry more about Bergeron matching up against Crosby than I do Chara. Crosby's skating speed, agility, and strength is a matchup problem for Chara IMO.
- Gunner Staal

The same can be said about any defensemen in the league. Being that Crosby is the best player in the world, his speed, agility, and strength is a mismatch for anybody. However, that doesn't change the fact that Chara is still one of the best defenders in the game, and now Claude Julien doesn't need to worry about who to match him up against with Geno out of the lineup.

The same can be said about any defensemen in the league. Being that Crosby is the best player in the world, his speed, agility, and strength is a mismatch for anybody. However, that doesn't change the fact that Chara is still one of the best defenders in the game, and now Claude Julien doesn't need to worry about who to match him up against with Geno out of the lineup.
- Killian

Even though it doesn't hurt him the Cooke's and Kunitz's on this roster need to punish him and the rest of their D on the forecheck all game long.

True, but I know one thing...

Kunitz won't be setting up shop at the top of the crease all game like he was with the Isles with Chara out there.
- canadianpenfan

Remember the game against the Bruins last season, when Neal ran Chara early in the game, and every chance he got after that? Really took Chara out of the game.

Remember the game against the Bruins last season, when Neal ran Chara early in the game, and every chance he got after that? Really took Chara out of the game.
- rival22

Kunitz has a habit of bombing into him like a kamikaze as well.

The same can be said about any defensemen in the league. Being that Crosby is the best player in the world, his speed, agility, and strength is a mismatch for anybody. However, that doesn't change the fact that Chara is still one of the best defenders in the game, and now Claude Julien doesn't need to worry about who to match him up against with Geno out of the lineup.
- Killian

It will be interesting on how Byslma uses Crosby tonight with the last change. Like you said, with no Malkin, Julien is going to do his best to get Bergeron and Chara out there every chance he can against Crosby.

Obviously we won't match their physicality but we can try our best. Speed is the best medicine to force some penalties on their end. Glad this game will be broadcasted to Brazil on ESPN+

Even though it doesn't hurt him the Cooke's and Kunitz's on this roster need to punish him and the rest of their D on the forecheck all game long.
- canadianpenfan

Absolutely...as the should, and they will because that's there role on the team and that is what they do best. The penguins have the blueprint on Chara, this isn't the first time they are playing against him. It's all about executing Bylsma's gameplay without #71 in the lineup. The only point I was trying to make, is that it's usually a tough coaching decision for Julien to try to figure out who he is going to match his top defensemen against...and it's a coaching decision that he doesn't have to worry about making this evening.

Kunitz has a habit of bombing into him like a kamikaze as well.
- Gunner Staal

That's why we love him.

Well that and the Stamkos-like scoring pace. 3.725 mill well spent.

Obviously we won't match their physicality but we can try our best. Speed is the best medicine to force some penalties on their end. Glad this game will be broadcasted to Brazil on ESPN+
- Orpik44

That's not true. Also if we don't, we'll lose.