Ryan Wilson: Penguins leave San Jose empty-handed Penguins leave San Jose empty-handed

first! Sid sucks!

Was it 75s fault the Pens only scored one goal?

The forwards definitely had their spurts but also, the Sharks broke out of their zone pretty easily for a large part of the game. The Sharks forecheck was really effective too. I can’t say that I noticed Dea, but I thought our forwards did fine. It was our D zone which wasn’t overly impressive.
The difference in the game was the botched call on Oleksiak. It wasn’t a crosscheck at all and that was the difference maker. Maybe others disagree but I thought Kuhnackle and Reaves looked fine. It would’ve been nice to see Sprong play, but I think the forwards looked fine

I 100% agree with RW and said the same thing the day after the LAK game. Jake needs to be at 3C until they find another option. The Pens have played their best hockey with him at center.

Sheahan is just a subpar option at 3C and it really hurts the team.

Yeah sticking Dea in there and not playing him makes no sense. They are playing Guentzel at centre on the PP and the PK but he can’t play there at even strength? That makes no sense. Are they going to do the same thing with Sprong that they did with Pouliot? Jerk him around so much he’s looking over his shoulder for a coach instead of just playing his game? It’s definitely a good thing that the Pens have 3 good young goalies that can get the job done in any given night. Although if DeSmith plays any more in a row you might have to wonder if he is being showcased as a minor piece in a trade.

I know people think Jake is best used as a wing in the top-six and they're probably correct as far as getting the most production out of him, but having Sheahan as 3C makes the Pens easier to play against.

Having Sheahan at 3C the Pens are forced to play the top two lines more and makes it easier for teams to match up against them. Bonino might not have scored a ton last year, but the quality of his play allowed the Pens roll their lines more evenly making it tougher on teams.

Jake at 3C as allowed the Pens to roll 4 lines and that keeps the top-six more fresh and ready.

Yeah sticking Dea in there and not playing him makes no sense. They are playing Guentzel at centre on the PP and the PK but he can’t play there at even strength? That makes no sense. Are they going to do the same thing with Sprong that they did with Pouliot? Jerk him around so much he’s looking over his shoulder for a coach instead of just playing his game? It’s definitely a good thing that the Pens have 3 good young goalies that can get the job done in any given night. Although if DeSmith plays any more in a row you might have to wonder if he is being showcased as a minor piece in a trade.
- dcoms77

I don't think they're going to jerk Sprong around. The Pens have a few too many holes around the lineup with no real option at 3C and having Rust out of the lineup, so they're just trying different things out to see what works.

I 100% agree with RW and said the same thing the day after the LAK game. Jake needs to be at 3C until they find another option. The Pens have played their best hockey with him at center.

Sheahan is just a subpar option at 3C and it really hurts the team.
- Rinosaur

I’m with the coaching staff on this one. I don’t think Guentzel was all that unreal at center, he’s just a good forward and when he gets in the O zone regardless who he’s with he’s effective. Having said that.. I don’t see much connection between Sheahan and Kessel. I didn’t think Sid/Kessel has looked bad though. I really liked the Sheary-Sheahan-Hornqvist 3rd line from 2017. Guentzel is free to play with Sid and (Sprong or Simon), and Hagelin and play with Kessel and Geno.
Did anyone else think Letang made some really, really bad plays last game? Just when I thought he was rebounding..

a couple thoughts from the chart:

really surprised Sheahan is neck and neck with Phil.

were Kuhnhackl and Rowney left off just so Reaves would be last? I'm sure they've played more than Sprong and Simon.

I’m with the coaching staff on this one. I don’t think Guentzel was all that unreal at center, he’s just a good forward and when he gets in the O zone regardless who he’s with he’s effective. Having said that.. I don’t see much connection between Sheahan and Kessel. I didn’t think Sid/Kessel has looked bad though. I really liked the Sheary-Sheahan-Hornqvist 3rd line from 2017. Guentzel is free to play with Sid and (Sprong or Simon), and Hagelin and play with Kessel and Geno.
Did anyone else think Letang made some really, really bad plays last game? Just when I thought he was rebounding..
- WSCTeton17

I don't think Guentzal has a point at center and I think he's kind of rough with the defensive responsibilities too.

Letang had some bad moments last game, but that Ducks game was probably the worst game of his career.

I 100% agree with RW and said the same thing the day after the LAK game. Jake needs to be at 3C until they find another option. The Pens have played their best hockey with him at center.

Sheahan is just a subpar option at 3C and it really hurts the team.
- Rinosaur

The thing with that line with Jake at 3C though was it wasn't scoring. Sheary had one assist while Jake didn't have a single point.

It lengthened the lineup by pushing Sheaham to 4C, but Sheahan actually was better at 3C than Jake. As the chart Ryan showed says, Sheahan is 5th on the team in ESP/60, 3rd if you say the sample is too small for Sprong and Simon, and Phil is only ahead of him by .01. He's about the only guy actually producing at his role's level.

They do need to lengthen the lineup, but the answer isn't Jake at 3C. It isn't Rowmey either. They need at least a good 4C. If they get a 3C to bump Sheahan down even better.

For the record, I felt Jacksonville could beat New England even before the game started.

Yea but can Jax beat the Patriots AND the refs?

Yea but can Jax beat the Patriots AND the refs?
- YouMeAndDupuis9

No. I knew the flags would start flying as soon as the Jags got up by 11.

I think I heard Brady say in an interview how nice the 6th ring is going to look on his hand!

Well we are out of that WC spot now.

Flyers are on fire!

Well we are out of that WC spot now.

Flyers are on fire!
- Aussiepenguin

we sure are

Well we are out of that WC spot now.

Flyers are on fire!
- Aussiepenguin

- Nucker101

Did the Rocky steps get invaded by Vikings?

we sure are
- martox

Pretty sure the Flyers had a successful Cali trip as well. Makes a difference.

Well we are out of that WC spot now.

Flyers are on fire!
- Aussiepenguin

Everybody has games in hand on us too.

I appreciate Rutherford being patient and I'm sure prices are sky high, but this lineup is not good enough. If he's going to make a move he needs to do it quickly.

Yea but can Jax beat the Patriots AND the refs?
- YouMeAndDupuis9

Nope.

Everybody has games in hand on us too.

I appreciate Rutherford being patient and I'm sure prices are sky high, but this lineup is not good enough. If he's going to make a move he needs to do it quickly.
- madmike71

Yeah... Cole's trade value is now zero with scratching him this long..

For a long time I thought he had a master plan and was trying to play his cards just right. I'm now convinced hes going to pick out a mediocre 3rd line C and call it a day.

Speaking of...I think I saw some rumors about Chris Tierny as a target. He'd be a decent pick up but wouldnt put us over the top by any means.

Do we need to mention that Sprong is sitting while Reaves continues to get a jersey? Makes even less sense than sitting Sprong for Dea