Ryan Wilson: My Recap And Thoughts From Penguins 4-3 Shootout Victory Over Blackhawks Penguins beat Blackhawks 4-3 in a shootout during preseason action

Nice write up. I can't wait for these two teams to play when it means something.

Agree with most points. Only thing is when a PKer breaks their stick, they can't grab one if their point man has the puck or the bench is on the other side. Vitale did an awesome job though of picking his moment.

And Bennett is becoming a true all around player. He's not afraid to shoot, makes great passes, forechecks, back checks, and is throwing his body around much more. Kid has a bright future and I'm excited to see him in the regular season

Nice write up. I can't wait for these two teams to play when it means something.
- Tanuki

Arguably the most talented teams from the west and east. I'm psyched for them to play not only once, but twice

Agree with most points. Only thing is when a PKer breaks their stick, they can't grab one if their point man has the puck or the bench is on the other side. Vitale did an awesome job though of picking his moment.

And Bennett is becoming a true all around player. He's not afraid to shoot, makes great passes, forechecks, back checks, and is throwing his body around much more. Kid has a bright future and I'm excited to see him in the regular season
- drummer829

Why not? Teams kill 5 on 3 penalties all the time. Do it for 5 seconds. Or stay on the ice and in essence turn it into a 5 on 3 for 20-30 seconds

Hartzell re-assigned to WBS. Not that we didn't know that was coming---just wanted to mention it.

Hartzell re-assigned to WBS. Not that we didn't know that was coming---just wanted to mention it.
- HopintheCordoba

Fleury should be getting the whole game on Saturday.

Hartzell re-assigned to WBS. Not that we didn't know that was coming---just wanted to mention it.
- HopintheCordoba

I kinda thought that there would be a roster purge today... Maybe after one more game. You gotta think that they want to go with pretty much a full line up the last couple of games to get in the groove.

Engelland isnt good in front of the net despite being a physical defenseman. Martin is quite good at positioning himself and tying up sticks despite not being physical. Scuderi will prove big in this area as well

Fleury should be getting the whole game on Saturday.
- Ryan_Wilson

I think so too. Vokoun is clearly still ready and should geta look at starting game 1.

Hey Ryan, how do you feel about Bortuzzo's performance so far?

Hey Ryan, how do you feel about Bortuzzo's performance so far?
- WVPensFan22

He is doing his best to be noticed. He had a nice hit on Kane and unfortunately for some reason players still have to get into fights when they hit guys who are dangerous with the puck clean.

He did get beat flat footed in the neutral zone and it forced him to take a penalty early on in the game.

I would slot him ahead of Engelland right now but not ahead of Despres.

Engelland isnt good in front of the net despite being a physical defenseman. Martin is quite good at positioning himself and tying up sticks despite not being physical. Scuderi will prove big in this area as well
- Deadstar

Engelland isn't particularly physical IMO. Unless he's punching someone in the face. Then, he's real physical. I think he's a serviceable player, but there's clearly 6 or 7 better options.

I've really enjoyed Engy's time with the penguins but I think he's no longer valuable to the organization considering our other options.


Did you guys see this?
http://deadspin.com/nhl-f...rule-help-each-1355343710

Engelland isn't particularly physical IMO. Unless he's punching someone in the face. Then, he's real physical. I think he's a serviceable player, but there's clearly 6 or 7 better options.
- madmike71

I think he is to a fault. He goes out of his way to try to throw big hits. Too slow to recover. Its tough

Why not? Teams kill 5 on 3 penalties all the time. Do it for 5 seconds. Or stay on the ice and in essence turn it into a 5 on 3 for 20-30 seconds
- Ryan_Wilson

That's still a body there to keep the point from getting too low.

I've really enjoyed Engy's time with the penguins but I think he's no longer valuable to the organization considering our other options.


Did you guys see this?
http://deadspin.com/nhl-f...rule-help-each-1355343710
- WVPensFan22

Yes, there was a bit on it from Darren Dreger on TSN.ca

http://www.tsn.ca/blogs/darren_dreger/?id=432336

The principal reason for the rule is to keep players from hitting their unprotected head on the ice.

That's still a body there to keep the point from getting too low.
- drummer829

It's awkward and puts players in uncomfortable assignments the longer you let a player play without a stick. Its not hard to shoot by a guy with no stick when you know he has no ability to close the gap with a poke check. Any d man worth his salt will treat and manipulate the situation as if the guy isn't even there.

I've really enjoyed Engy's time with the penguins but I think he's no longer valuable to the organization considering our other options.


Did you guys see this?
http://deadspin.com/nhl-f...rule-help-each-1355343710
- WVPensFan22

The only thing that would have made it better, would have been if they tucked each other's jerseys in.

The only thing that would have made it better, would have been if they tucked each other's jerseys in.
- rival22

Winter Classic to be in DC next year. Rumored to be Caps vs Pens or Habs.

I think I speak for everyone when I say that even though I'd love to go to that game if it were the Pens I hope it isn't.

I'd really like to see some other teams get a crack at it. Edmonton, St. Louis, Minnesota, Columbus, Winnipeg or even Stars. Open it up a bit.

Winter Classic to be in DC next year. Rumored to be Caps vs Pens or Habs.

I think I speak for everyone when I say that even though I'd love to go to that game if it were the Pens I hope it isn't.
- HopintheCordoba

Just more fodder for the "Bettman loves the Pens" crowd

Just more fodder for the "Bettman loves the Pens" crowd
- cap1681

Yeah that's already in full swing.

Winter Classic to be in DC next year. Rumored to be Caps vs Pens or Habs.

I think I speak for everyone when I say that even though I'd love to go to that game if it were the Pens I hope it isn't.
- HopintheCordoba

Pens next tilt in an outdoor game should be against the Flyers at Beaver Stadium.

At the same time if it is the Penguins vs. Capitals that is fine too. The folks who don't realize that pro sports are big business and that the leagues are going to market who they think will sell best will still complain, but that doesn't change reality.

Take for example the Buffalo Sabres. The city of Buffalo is consistently amongst the best as it pertains to television ratings, but they haven't put forth a product that is worth a damn in a few years. If you aren't a big market, you better have star power or a team that is near the top of the standings.

Pens next tilt in an outdoor game should be against the Flyers at Beaver Stadium.

At the same time if it is the Penguins vs. Capitals that is fine too. The folks who don't realize that pro sports are big business and that the leagues are going to market who they think will sell best will still complain, but that doesn't change reality.

Take for example the Buffalo Sabres. The city of Buffalo is consistently amongst the best as it pertains to television ratings, but they haven't put forth a product that is worth a damn in a few years. If you aren't a big market, you better have star power or a team that is near the top of the standings.
- Ryan_Wilson

While I agree with you, they have a responsibility to push players from other teams and their brands.

Why not push Winnipeg? Ottawa? Columbus? Edmonton?

The game is growing in popularity and the same 5 or 6 teams shouldn't get first crack. Doesn't seem right. Think of local markets too.

It's one game. 2 points. An Edmonton/Winnipeg game would be tremendous. Plenty of other matchups to be had otherwise too.