Ryan Wilson: Individual Player Matchups That Pittsburgh Can Take Advantage Of Individual Player Matchups That Pittsburgh Can Take Advantage Of

#FancyStatGameplan

I don't believe Hoff will be a significant factor for us. Even if he plays, he can't be in game shape.....let alone ready for the most intense version of the game.

I expect AV to play Steps against Geno, and our top line against Crosby with Girardi and McD paying against Crosby and Staal playing against Geno...

Personally i think the biggest match up will be each teams 3rd line. can Sutter shut down Hayes?? the top 2 lines are most likely a wash but the 3rd and 4th lines will be key.

I don't believe Hoff will be a significant factor for us. Even if he plays, he can't be in game shape.....let alone ready for the most intense version of the game.
- madmike71

Not sure of the save % against Rags lines of forwards or even if they have that data, but I think Flower is the key. Watch for Kreider to do a 'Kreider' if things get close & Flower is playing strong. Sid & Geno are the obvious powers for us so let's hope they're up to the task V the Rags & get in stride early to put pressure on them.

Game on people.

Edit: Just going to bed for a quick 7 before puck off.

Go Pens.

I expect AV to play Steps against Geno, and our top line against Crosby with Girardi and McD paying against Crosby and Staal playing against Geno...

Personally i think the biggest match up will be each teams 3rd line. can Sutter shut down Hayes?? the top 2 lines are most likely a wash but the 3rd and 4th lines will be key.
- richardson30

How is Hayes going to handle playoff pressure? Big big question.

I expect AV to play Steps against Geno, and our top line against Crosby with Girardi and McD paying against Crosby and Staal playing against Geno...

Personally i think the biggest match up will be each teams 3rd line. can Sutter shut down Hayes?? the top 2 lines are most likely a wash but the 3rd and 4th lines will be key.
- richardson30

Not sure how you can call the top 2 lines a wash when Pittsburgh has the best 2 players out of the top 2 lines for both teams and the difference between the rest isn't enough to overcome the difference of those 2. The issue for Pittsburgh is going to be the large discrepancy between the Rangers 3rd and 4th lines and Pittsburgh's 3rd and 4th lines.

To me the top 2 lines is the only place the Penguins do have an advantage. Rangers have clear advantages in bottom 6 and defense. Goaltending is an advantage for the Rangers as well, but not as big as the bottom 6 and defense.

What's your thoughts on;

1. possession stats if they stay the same will they impact the series for the Pens (more a question for our stats gurus on here & not everyone as a lot hate the thought)? If they do how big of an advantage are they? Let's get some stats backed predictions people (those that adhere to Analytics anyway)?

2. The King, is he at risk of being benched due to Talbot being in form - dare I say better form than the King?

Not sure how you can call the top 2 lines a wash when Pittsburgh has the best 2 players out of the top 2 lines for both teams and the difference between the rest isn't enough to overcome the difference of those 2. The issue for Pittsburgh is going to be the large discrepancy between the Rangers 3rd and 4th lines and Pittsburgh's 3rd and 4th lines.

To me the top 2 lines is the only place the Penguins do have an advantage. Rangers have clear advantages in bottom 6 and defense. Goaltending is an advantage for the Rangers as well, but not as big as the bottom 6 and defense.
- PensFan1103

The Rangers wingers are beyond superior to any Penguin winger; Hornqvist the only exception as he is a good player.

But how can you compare Winnik, Comeau, Bennett, Downie and the rest of Pittsburgh's wings to Kreider, Nash, St. Louis and Zuccarello and say there isn't a significant difference in the wing department?

The Rangers wingers are beyond superior to any Penguin winger; Hornqvist the only exception as he is a good player.

But how can you compare Winnik, Comeau, Bennett, Downie and the rest of Pittsburgh's wings to Kreider, Nash, St. Louis and Zuccarello and say there isn't a significant difference in the wing department?
- MidnightMarauder

Is MSL going to resign or haven't you got the cap space?

What's your thoughts on;

1. possession stats if they stay the same will they impact the series for the Pens (more a question for our stats gurus on here & not everyone as a lot hate the thought)? If they do how big of an advantage are they? Let's get some stats backed predictions people (those that adhere to Analytics anyway)?

2. The King, is he at risk of being benched due to Talbot being in form - dare I say better form than the King?
- Aussiepenguin

I don't think the possession stats will impact the series. However, the players and the games will have a bearing on the possession stats.

I don't think the possession stats will impact the series. However, the players and the games will have a bearing on the possession stats.
- jmatchett383

But isn't there a process?

Not sure how you can call the top 2 lines a wash when Pittsburgh has the best 2 players out of the top 2 lines for both teams and the difference between the rest isn't enough to overcome the difference of those 2. The issue for Pittsburgh is going to be the large discrepancy between the Rangers 3rd and 4th lines and Pittsburgh's 3rd and 4th lines.

To me the top 2 lines is the only place the Penguins do have an advantage. Rangers have clear advantages in bottom 6 and defense. Goaltending is an advantage for the Rangers as well, but not as big as the bottom 6 and defense.
- PensFan1103

IMO, where PITT has the advantage in their top 2 Centers, the Rangers have the advantage on the Wings for those lines. Kreider, Nash, Zuccarello, St. Louis/Miller vs. Winnik, Kunitz, Hornqvist, Perron? Not to mention, when those 2 lines are out, you will see McDonagh/Girardi, Staal/Boyle out there too and thats miles better than what PITT will be putting out for their D.

Is MSL going to resign or haven't you got the cap space?
- Aussiepenguin

I think he is good for one more year and then they cut ties. Cap space is tight, for the Rangers, I believe they have around 13 millon to sign Stepan, Hagelin, St. Louis and Miller.

IMO, where PITT has the advantage in their top 2 Centers, the Rangers have the advantage on the Wings for those lines. Kreider, Nash, Zuccarello, St. Louis/Miller vs. Winnik, Kunitz, Hornqvist, Perron? Not to mention, when those 2 lines are out, you will see McDonagh/Girardi, Staal/Boyle out there too and thats miles better than what PITT will be putting out for their D.
- xcheckmajor

Sounds like a slam dunk - pardon the pun.

I think he is good for one more year and then they cut ties. Cap space is tight, for the Rangers, I believe they have around 13 millon to sign Stepan, Hagelin, St. Louis and Miller.
- MidnightMarauder

Is he contracted next season as well?

The advanced stats in the blog do not take into account a very important factor of WHO else was playing on the lines with Geno and Sid. Hockey isn't a 1 man sport. Malkin could have destroyed Staal but that involves 4 other players on the ice that contribute to the possession of the puck. The question about PITT isn't if Crosby or Malkin are good enough, we know they are, its the rest of the team around them.

Is he contracted next season as well?
- Aussiepenguin

MSL is an UFA this summer. Most are expecting him to sign a lower contract with bonuses in play out his career in NY as he's indicated he has no desire to play anywhere else and is looking to keep his family local. I wouldn't put it past him to sign for 1 more year at like $2.5M plus bonuses.

Is he contracted next season as well?
- Aussiepenguin

No, he is UFA this summer, but I think that he still wants to play and there is room for him here next season.

Beyond that I think it gets a little dicey.

But isn't there a process?
- Aussiepenguin

Not sure if the possession stats are under contract or how many minutes HCMJ will give them.

No, he is UFA this summer, but I think that he still wants to play and there is room for him here next season.

Beyond that I think it gets a little dicey.
- MidnightMarauder

Yeah, but just wait until you have to extend Duclair.

Yeah, but just wait until you have to extend Duclair.
- jmatchett383

Good one.

Yeah, but just wait until you have to extend Duclair.
- jmatchett383

- climbdenali12

sarcasm, big guy.

IMO, where PITT has the advantage in their top 2 Centers, the Rangers have the advantage on the Wings for those lines. Kreider, Nash, Zuccarello, St. Louis/Miller vs. Winnik, Kunitz, Hornqvist, Perron? Not to mention, when those 2 lines are out, you will see McDonagh/Girardi, Staal/Boyle out there too and thats miles better than what PITT will be putting out for their D.
- xcheckmajor

Lovejoy