Ryan Wilson: How are the post trade deadline defense pairings doing? How are the post trade deadline defense pairings doing?

So is goaltending the reason the perceived dominance isn't there this year?

Is it that our PDO is still low?

I just don't have that buzz saw feeling I had in 2015-2016 where I knew no one could beat us over 7 games.

So is goaltending the reason the perceived dominance isn't there this year?

Is it that our PDO is still low?

I just don't have that buzz saw feeling I had in 2015-2016 where I knew no one could beat us over 7 games.
- Yonk1216

Shooting percentage, IMO, first half of the season the Pens couldn't get poop done at 5v5. They were kept afloat by a ridiculous PP. Second half of the season they are scoring a lot more at even strength.

Thanks for Cole btw, he’s really shored up our 3rd pairing!

This is somewhat reassuring. Hopefully Murray will finally get healthy. They really are going nowhere without him...

Thanks for Cole btw, he’s really shored up our 3rd pairing!
- Roadkill90

won't matter when Bob flounders in the playoffs vs. the Pens.

That’s if CBJ makes it. FLA is far from out.

Schultz, Oleksiak and Cole were all great trade pickups and Ruhwedel was a nice FA signing. Remember once upon a time when Shero paid 2 seconds for Dougy 'last legs' Murray?

CBJ has been winning a lot lately. 7 in a row. Jersey now looks like the team that may slip. FLA has 3 GIH on each of them though.

Bill Meltzer pointed out that Florida has a couple grueling 4 in 6's coming up on the road, but I think their schedule is still favorable to end out the season. Depending if Boston really cares about any of the 3 games they have remaining against them in the span of a week or so.

New Jersey is really gonna go through a test to end out the season, but I'm starting to think they are up to snuff, which imo is pretty scary.

CBJ only has 4 quality teams to play against to end the season, so I think theyre in too.

Honestly I think the teams in right now are gonna stay in with maybe Div3, WC 1+2 switching around a little, I just think the Devils have been too good recently to fall out but you never know, and hey we might just go on a 6 game losing streak again sometime to end out the season so theres always that!

Bill Meltzer pointed out that Florida has a couple grueling 4 in 6's coming up on the road, but I think their schedule is still favorable to end out the season. Depending if Boston really cares about any of the 3 games they have remaining against them in the span of a week or so.

New Jersey is really gonna go through a test to end out the season, but I'm starting to think they are up to snuff, which imo is pretty scary.

CBJ only has 4 quality teams to play against to end the season, so I think theyre in too.

Honestly I think the teams in right now are gonna stay in with maybe Div3, WC 1+2 switching around a little, I just think the Devils have been too good recently to fall out but you never know, and hey we might just go on a 6 game losing streak again sometime to end out the season so theres always that!
- PVL29

A lot of who makes and who doesn’t could really come down to tiebreakers like ROW.

I think one of CBJ or NJ doesn’t make it in place of FLA.

Thanks for Cole btw, he’s really shored up our 3rd pairing!
-Roadkill90

Vegas says the same about Wild Bill Karlsson. He really shored up their 1C!

Visiting my boy in Pitt this coming weekend and will be attending my first ever home game in PPG against the Devils.

While in Chicago this past weekend, we tried to bully our other buddy to come. He made a drunken deal with us that if his rich uncle would let us use his box, he’d come for the Flyers game. So it looks like my second game in PPG will be in one of Mario Lemieux’s friend’s boxes...

A lot of who makes and who doesn’t could really come down to tiebreakers like ROW.

I think one of CBJ or NJ doesn’t make it in place of FLA.
- Rinosaur

Don't discount the Flyers falling out, either.

Don't discount the Flyers falling out, either.
- jmatchett383

It’s entirely possible. I’m sure this could all likely come down to the last game of the season.

Visiting my boy in Pitt this coming weekend and will be attending my first ever home game in PPG against the Devils.

While in Chicago this past weekend, we tried to bully our other buddy to come. He made a drunken deal with us that if his rich uncle would let us use his box, he’d come for the Flyers game. So it looks like my second game in PPG will be in one of Mario Lemieux’s friend’s boxes...
- Victoro311

Im jelly...peanut butter and jelly all while being happy for you. Nice work.

It’s entirely possible. I’m sure this could all likely come down to the last game of the season.
- Rinosaur

The Flyers could finish anywhere from 2nd in the Metro to 9th in the conference. Honestly, I think the best matchup for the Pens would be as the 2 seed facing the Flyers. You guys are sorta custom-built to beat us. Not saying the team was built solely to beat us, but just that your roster/style is exactly what we can't defend.

Hey Vic, i think you dropped something......

So my parents made my family and I some chili a few weeks back,and we've had it in the freezer (they made us 2 large containers of it, we kept one in the fridge, one in the freezer).

So last night, I put it in the fridge to thaw and brought it to work and let it thaw out of my desk. Moether(frank)er was still frozen solid at noon.

FML (1st world problems).

You should thank Ottawa buddy.

I really wanted to keep Cole around but apparently our pairings are just fine thanks to Määttä's great year. Anyone who plays with him is benefiting from it.

You should thank Ottawa buddy.

I really wanted to keep Cole around but apparently our pairings are just fine thanks to Määttä's great year. Anyone who plays with him is benefiting from it.
- Barnaby36

Ask Matt Murray if he agrees with you.

The Flyers could finish anywhere from 2nd in the Metro to 9th in the conference. Honestly, I think the best matchup for the Pens would be as the 2 seed facing the Flyers. You guys are sorta custom-built to beat us. Not saying the team was built solely to beat us, but just that your roster/style is exactly what we can't defend.
- jmatchett383

I think considering they have 37 wins at present - the Same as the final WC position, it wouldn't be right if they qualified top 3 when other teams have more wins but are behind them. Wins should be 'the' most important factor in deciding playoff positions. There's still time for that to even itself out.

These 3 point games are really shaky in My opinion. The OT loss should be the tie breaker with no points awarded. Or give regular time wins 3 points. It's (frank)ing ridiculous.

Vegas says the same about Wild Bill Karlsson. He really shored up their 1C!
- stowerkraut

Ouch. That's gotta hurt.

1C is no 5-6D like Cole. Geez.

Ask Matt Murray if he agrees with you.
- jmatchett383

If you think Määttä has been the problem you're not watching much Penguins hockey this year jmatch.

He's been very solid all year.

I think considering they have 37 wins at present - the Same as the final WC position, it wouldn't be right if they qualified top 3 when other teams have more wins but are behind them. Wins should be 'the' most important factor in deciding playoff positions. There's still time for that to even itself out.

These 3 point games are really shaky in My opinion. The OT loss should be the tie breaker with no points awarded. Or give regular time wins 3 points. It's (frank)ing ridiculous.
- Aussiepenguin

I agree, but that's the way the system works. If they went to a system where all games were worth 3 points, or if they did away with shootouts, you'd see wins worth more points but less perceived parity, which is what the NHL wants.

Right now, there are 7 teams in the East who, when you count Florida's games in hand, can all be within 3 points of each other. If you awarded 3 points for a regulation/OT win, 2 for SO win, 1 for S0 loss, or just go back to awarding 1 point for a tie, at least 2 of those teams would be out of the race. That is not in the NHL's best interests.