Ryan Wilson: White out White out

first! poop team!

Ryan Wilson: White out
White out
- Ryan_Wilson

Dropped the ball not using this for the blog's picture:

Aggressiveness as you say, desire, hunger, motivation, intensity, etc etc are all traits of a team & players that want to win. Will do anything to win. Winning back to back Stanley Cups can quench that. The team knows what it takes to win. The sacrifices required to win.

Are they willing to go through all that again? What I've seen are teams playing us that are hungrier & want to win more than the Pens. In saying that, what I saw today, there was plenty of opportunity to score & win the game - they just couldn't score. Jarry made some outstanding saves as did Bernier. If the Avs had as much opportunity to score, I think they would have won by a lot more. There was just less pressure on Avs players when they entered the O zone.

I'm still confident they will turn this around. I don't expect their PDO to though, I think it's going to be a tough season in that respect. Guys had chances today & fanned or missed completely.
- Aussiepenguin

Not to be repetitive, but this has been a running theme; "That goalie was standing on his head tonight," "that goalie is clearly just having a really good night," "that goalie is just getting lucky tonight."

At what point do we separate that it's not luck or a hot goalie? Yeah, the Pens got some high-danger chances last night, but that really hasn't been a major problem for them.

I can see one, two or maybe even three players having scoring issues at ES for a period, but the whole team? The fact they are so good on the PP shows you they're not really creating the chances they should at ES and there has to be a root issue why. It's not all these hot goalies.

Yes, I'm bumping a reply from the other post, but I think it's relevant here.

I'm really curious to see the general advanced stats from the Pens possession-wise and creating chances.

From my eye test, when the Pens don't come out looking asleep at the wheel(like they did in the 1st period against TOR), they've really done a lot of things right for the most part aside from scoring. They're generating a ton of shots and I'll go out on a limb and say they're generating more than enough high-danger scoring chances at ES.

Some kind of bite is missing from their game. I'm sorry, but it's not this unlucky streak of running into hot goalies all year.

There's also a chicken/egg thing going on with the Pens.

The Pens have allowed too many goals this year, but I think that's part-in-parcel because they're not scoring enough which would tilt the ice. A lot of those goals really haven't been on the goalies, it's been lazy non-aggressive breakdowns with no puck-support.

I'm not blaming the coaching staff because you can only do so much to inspire your team to look alive.

Most of the players have a negative Takeaways/Giveaway ratio which tells you something about what they're doing on the ice. That doesn't come down to coaching, it comes down to the players just not being in sync.

The Pens are also THIRD in penalty minutes which is another sign they're getting out of position and taking bad penalties. This team is not gelling and not on the same page.

Some kind of bite is missing from their game. I'm sorry, but it's not this unlucky streak of running into hot goalies all year.

To quote Bane: "Victory has defeated you."

I think the "bite" that is missing is that they've won two Cups in a row. Maybe they are gassed from playing so much hockey in such a small period of time, who knows? But I do think for some players, winning the Cup sates a goal and a fire that they have, and then they become complacent. It's not even intentional, they just lose that drive and think their position is safe. That's what I think has happened with Pittsburgh.

Or maybe I'm way off. Maybe it is just lack of secondary scoring, dreadful defense, and a huge hole in the center positions. Maybe. But they need to stop losing games that they rightfully should win. It's incredibly frustrating to watch.

To quote Bane: "Victory has defeated you."

I think the "bite" that is missing is that they've won two Cups in a row. Maybe they are gassed from playing so much hockey in such a small period of time, who knows? But I do think for some players, winning the Cup sates a goal and a fire that they have, and then they become complacent. It's not even intentional, they just lose that drive and think their position is safe. That's what I think has happened with Pittsburgh.

Or maybe I'm way off. Maybe it is just lack of secondary scoring, dreadful defense, and a huge hole in the center positions. Maybe. But they need to stop losing games that they rightfully should win. It's incredibly frustrating to watch.
- simethos

I don't think you're way off at all. I've been saying that a lot and just didn't want to keep repeating myself.

While I think they need a few upgrades in the bottom six, the lack of secondary scoring is only a MAJOR issue if they're only getting goals from the primary scorers and they're not, not at ES anyway.

But your first point is spot-on IMO, which is why I think they either need to get some hungry players added to the team, or just stand pat, let the team fizzle for a year and feel driven next year.

I think the trade freeze begins on 12/19. I could see Jimmy making a move before then. All signs seem to point to a big-ish kind of trade. I just have no idea what direction to go. Wing is the only area where we are "deep" enough to trade a roster player....but even then, we already have trouble scoring so trading, say, Sheary would be counter productive. Hagelin wouldnt have much value.

Trading Cole for a 3rd line C makes some sense if we get an overpayment....even still, we would need to bring another Lovejoy type D man to replace Cole. And unless its a high end 3C, not sure how much that helps the team.

I also think we could use an upgrade on D but that seems very unlikely to happen through trade.

I think the trade freeze begins on 12/19. I could see Jimmy making a move before then. All signs seem to point to a big-ish kind of trade. I just have no idea what direction to go. Wing is the only area where we are "deep" enough to trade a roster player....but even then, we already have trouble scoring so trading, say, Sheary would be counter productive. Hagelin wouldnt have much value.

Trading Cole for a 3rd line C makes some sense if we get an overpayment....even still, we would need to bring another Lovejoy type D man to replace Cole. And unless its a high end 3C, not sure how much that helps the team.

I also think we could use an upgrade on D but that seems very unlikely to happen through trade.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

I don't think they're deep at Wing at all. Their bottom 6 is bad. Sheahan has been playing well, but Hags, Reaves, Kuhn, Rowney all suck. Sheary's ES scoring has taken a step back (if he ends the season with 30+ points I'm still happy though.) But those other 4 all need replaced, somehow, whether it be internally with Simon and Sprong, or not.

Simon has played well in his last 2 games. If him and Sid click... that should allow the talent to slide down the lineup some more. He's put up good numbers with limited time with Guentzel and Sid. Rust-Geno-Kessel has played well, which leaves a 3rd line of Sheary-Sheahan-Hornqvist... and looking at the numbers, that line generates some chances. That 4th line though is still gonna be gross anyway you slice it. I just don't understand the shift from what led to team success to what the team is now. It's frustrating to watch as a fan and to see them deviate from what worked.

I don't think they're deep at Wing at all. Their bottom 6 is bad. Sheahan has been playing well, but Hags, Reaves, Kuhn, Rowney all suck. Sheary's ES scoring has taken a step back (if he ends the season with 30+ points I'm still happy though.) But those other 4 all need replaced, somehow, whether it be internally with Simon and Sprong, or not.

Simon has played well in his last 2 games. If him and Sid click... that should allow the talent to slide down the lineup some more. He's put up good numbers with limited time with Guentzel and Sid. Rust-Geno-Kessel has played well, which leaves a 3rd line of Sheary-Sheahan-Hornqvist... and looking at the numbers, that line generates some chances. That 4th line though is still gonna be gross anyway you slice it. I just don't understand the shift from what led to team success to what the team is now. It's frustrating to watch as a fan and to see them deviate from what worked.
- j.boyd919

Agreed, I don't think we see the old man go back on it now after he made those statements. He needs to swallow his pride. Reaves looked like an old tired dog against the Leafs.

The scouting report on Simon said that he's not a good skater. One site, not sure which one, said that Kuhnhakel is even a better skater. I'm not saying that Kuhnhakel is bad, but Simon is SO MUCH quicker. His ability to stop on a dime and make a headsy offensive play is incredibly impressive.

Agreed, I don't think we see the old man go back on it now after he made those statements. He needs to swallow his pride. Reaves looked like an old tired dog against the Leafs.
- Thorny87

I think Rowney's a more useful player than given credit for. But, yeah, Reeves has no point on this team and Kuhnhakel has become useless. Simon's already more productive than either. I'd like to see the following lineup before they make a trade.

Simon-Sid-Hornquist
Guentzel-Geno-Phil
Sheary-Sheahan-Sprong
Hags-Rowney/Blueger-Rust

Obviously Rust would get some extra shifts as he's not a 4th liner. Probobly some for Simon, Sprong, whoever. And, with Blueger, why not? He may never be the player that we hoped, but he's positionally sound and a very good defensive player. I mean, who would have thought that Rust or Sheary would stick so soon and be so good? Do it for a couple games before making a trade. If it doesn't work move someone for that center, or the top prize, EK9.

Oh, and please just trade a pick and get Lovejoy. He's nothing special but we know that he can play well in almost any role in this system.

Agreed, I don't think we see the old man go back on it now after he made those statements. He needs to swallow his pride. Reaves looked like an old tired dog against the Leafs.
- Thorny87

The whole 4th line is just trash. I'm not expecting them to light up the world, but they just are not a threat to score, like.. ever. Sure they can have some zone time, "wear opponents down," and what not, but they contain zero finishing ability. At least last year you had Cullen and Willson, they had some finishing ability with 21 goals between the 2 of them, Kuhn added 4. Right now that 4th line is on pace for like 10 goals, if that.

Oh, and please just trade a pick and get Lovejoy. He's nothing special but we know that he can play well in almost any role in this system.
- cranktheradio

I don't see NJ trading Lovejoy... they're actually not awful this year.

I don't see NJ trading Lovejoy... they're actually not awful this year.
- j.boyd919

poope! I forgot lol. But, they're new jersey...that could always change.

That said, never trade with uncle Ray. That's one place he'll beat almost every GM.

Ryan Wilson: White out
White out
- Ryan_Wilson

Finally

Finally



- Nucker101

Lol. Tremendous.

https://globalnews.ca/new...rley-zalapski-dead-at-49/

Rules are rules (commenting on the blue line), & it was great work by Tanger that made McK have to handle the puck longer on the blue line. Having these small & insignificant rules make the game a more skillFul game. It was even better work by the Pens coach that spotted the infraction. Now 'that's hockey'.

Edit: if we are changing rules, then change the embellishment rule to only penalise the guy that ends up on the ice, Not both players as is the case now.

Not to be repetitive, but this has been a running theme; "That goalie was standing on his head tonight," "that goalie is clearly just having a really good night," "that goalie is just getting lucky tonight."

At what point do we separate that it's not luck or a hot goalie? Yeah, the Pens got some high-danger chances last night, but that really hasn't been a major problem for them.

I can see one, two or maybe even three players having scoring issues at ES for a period, but the whole team? The fact they are so good on the PP shows you they're not really creating the chances they should at ES and there has to be a root issue why. It's not all these hot goalies.

Yes, I'm bumping a reply from the other post, but I think it's relevant here.

I'm really curious to see the general advanced stats from the Pens possession-wise and creating chances.

From my eye test, when the Pens don't come out looking asleep at the wheel(like they did in the 1st period against TOR), they've really done a lot of things right for the most part aside from scoring. They're generating a ton of shots and I'll go out on a limb and say they're generating more than enough high-danger scoring chances at ES.

Some kind of bite is missing from their game. I'm sorry, but it's not this unlucky streak of running into hot goalies all year.
- Rinosaur

I don't see all the games but I watch the highlights. A lot of goals against are goals because a Pens player just doesn't get the give a (frank) meter off the floor. Yesterday's goal Jarry had no hope as it deflected twice which is basically close your eyes & hope for the best.

I don't know that the Pens attack is doing things with enough speed. Sure there are great plays that are saved, Philbo scored yesterday because the Avs Dman switched off, that didn't happen throughout what I saw of the game, the Avs were switched on & defended the hell out of the game. I saw about 2 or 3 chances missed by Pens players - I mean open net chances that just weren't converted. Simon redirect over the net for example, Ruhwedel miss hit the puck with an open net, is that a skill issue? Sometimes on the PP the opposition just get aggressive & the Pens end up back in their own end. The book is out on the Pens. In saying that they score plenty of goals on the PP so??

I think it's a mix between skill (Not only the above examples but the passes to nobody from our top guys), speed & opposition. Every team marks their calendar for a Pens game. Add that the Pens aren't playing the game as quickly as their opposition & that comes down to desire to win. You cruise you lose.

All that said, apart from the skill part although Simon showed a great move that nearly resulted in a goal, it's all fixable. If the Pens pressured their opposition & made fewer errors then they would be putting more pressure on their opposition & in turn creating more opportunities for themselves.

Less time to react, less time to defend = better opportunity to have puck hit twine.

Edit: the early calls don't help either - Zeb blows the play dead while the puck is sliding around the ice??

Finally



- Nucker101

I just moved out to the west coast, so I've only been able to catch the 2nd and 3rd period unless I can stream at work. But from what I've seen, we really need to shed hags and find a 4th line center. Our defense is OK, not good, but OK and can work as long as we find the right pieces for our forward depth.

But man, does hags need to go. He can't do anything but pull up and slapshot and dump and chase. The element of speed is nice, but that's about it because he can't build around it. Rowney isn't as good as McKegg and both are plugs who can't contribute.

The 3rd line is starting to kinda figure it out and the 4th line is full of crap. A 3rd line center and LW is what we need more than anything imo. I'd love to see a trade for jvr or someone like that. just don't think the leafs would give him up with the season they're putting together. But someone like that with skill and hopefully some term to be able to give us some options and depth.

Any takers trying to get Carlson out of the Caps - UfA at seasons end.

Any takers trying to get Carlson out of the Caps - UfA at seasons end.
- Aussiepenguin

i'd rather have karlsson