John Toperzer: Four Points Separate Pens From First In East Sidney Crosby and Kris Letang help engineer big win in New York on Thursday

Letang was just flat out awesome last night.

A good little column on what Bill Guerin is up to these days...

http://espn.go.com/blog/n...in-beginning-a-new-career

With the added assist from last night, Crosby has passed Craig Adams, Joe Vitale, Arron Asham and Richard Park for 14th on the team in scoring. Watch out Brooks Orpik & Deryk Engelland.

i think its going to take a while to figure out better line combos, although i dont think they will ever be totally solidified. still unsure of how i feel with sid and malks on the same powerplay line

i think its going to take a while to figure out better line combos, although i dont think they will ever be totally solidified. still unsure of how i feel with sid and malks on the same powerplay line
- stayinthefnnet

I thought when Sid was at the right point, it was OK. I did not like him playing the left point however.

I thought when Sid was at the right point, it was OK. I did not like him playing the left point however.
- Gunner Staal

i still just think there is way too much talent for this team to be simply ok with the man advantage. also, sullivan gets underused, and while he isnt an all world player, i dont think his presence and our improved powerplay were totally coincidental

It seemed to me that there were several points in the game where Bylsma kind of decided..."well lets just try this and see how it works" as far as the lines were concerned...its just something they will have to do for a while, and I don't mind it at all if it helps him figure out what combos he wants to use for the playoffs.

Obviously Cookie was effective last night, but I though TK had a strong game as well. If he can channel last year's Kennedy for the balance of the season, they will be even more dangerous.

I thought when Sid was at the right point, it was OK. I did not like him playing the left point however.
- Gunner Staal

I thought the pp had a ton of puck movement. The only problem I saw was they all wanted to defer to Crosby and Malkin. I think if they let that pp unit settle in it could work very well.

It seemed to me that there were several points in the game where Bylsma kind of decided..."well lets just try this and see how it works" as far as the lines were concerned...its just something they will have to do for a while, and I don't mind it at all if it helps him figure out what combos he wants to use for the playoffs.

Obviously Cookie was effective last night, but I though TK had a strong game as well. If he can channel last year's Kennedy for the balance of the season, they will be even more dangerous.
- Emperor Filonius

Hey if he wants to tinker with lines while beating the top teams 5-2 I don't mind. It's when we are losing while he is doing it I will not be pleased.

I thought the pp had a ton of puck movement. The only problem I saw was they all wanted to defer to Crosby and Malkin. I think if they let that pp unit settle in it could work very well.
- dbell646

yeah thats exactly it. no one else out there would shoot. neal in particular. he is a player who needs to not be afraid to gun it, particularly on the man advantage. with crosby and malkin both there, the passing was great, but didnt lead to many great shots.

yeah thats exactly it. no one else out there would shoot. neal in particular. he is a player who needs to not be afraid to gun it, particularly on the man advantage. with crosby and malkin both there, the passing was great, but didnt lead to many great shots.
- stayinthefnnet

Yeah it was one game. Let it play out for a few before we get upset about it.

Yeah it was one game. Let it play out for a few before we get upset about it.
- dbell646

haha im not calling for anyones head by any means. i just wish they would at least consider 2 separate lines, although the logic of sid at the point to avoid contact is very sound. id rather have him back there than not on at all

haha im not calling for anyones head by any means. i just wish they would at least consider 2 separate lines, although the logic of sid at the point to avoid contact is very sound. id rather have him back there than not on at all
- stayinthefnnet

I know it sounds stupid to us but can you imagine what 71 or 87 would be thinking if they were moved to the 2nd pp unit regardless of what name the coach gives it? I know both players are team first guys but they do have pride. THey have to find a way to make it work. I think it will with time.

Should be a good game tomorrow.

As well as the Pens have been playing, the Devils have played them well no matter who they had. Just for the Devils recent history playing the Pens, I think there is a solid chance we beat you guys tomorrow and end the streak.

Should be a good game tomorrow.

As well as the Pens have been playing, the Devils have played them well no matter who they had. Just for the Devils recent history playing the Pens, I think there is a solid chance we beat you guys tomorrow and end the streak.
- _Zippy_

Pens always play like ass in NJ, very tough place to play

Fleury needs 16 playoff wins to pass Terry Sawchuk for 15th all time.

Not bad for a 27 year old bust.


edit- he atually only needs 14 but 16 works better.

Fleury needs 16 playoff wins to pass Terry Sawchuk for 15th all time.

Not bad for a 27 year old bust.


edit- he atually only needs 14 but 16 works better.
- canadianpenfan

Who said he was bust? Same guys who think Price sucks?

I know it sounds stupid to us but can you imagine what 71 or 87 would be thinking if they were moved to the 2nd pp unit regardless of what name the coach gives it? I know both players are team first guys but they do have pride. THey have to find a way to make it work. I think it will with time.
- dbell646

that is true.

Fleury needs 16 playoff wins to pass Terry Sawchuk for 15th all time.

Not bad for a 27 year old bust.


edit- he atually only needs 14 but 16 works better.
- canadianpenfan

I looked it up a while ago, but I believe 16 would tie (or pass) Tom Barrasso for the most playoff wins in Penguins history.

I looked it up a while ago, but I believe 16 would tie (or pass) Tom Barrasso for the most playoff wins in Penguins history.
- rival22

Not quite based on what I was looking at. I think he was 18 back.


Edit- 20 back



http://statshockey.homest...ists/alltimeplaywins.html

I looked it up a while ago, but I believe 16 would tie (or pass) Tom Barrasso for the most playoff wins in Penguins history.
- rival22

I take it back after reading more carefully Yes you are right, 5 of Tommy's playoff wins came with Buffalo/Ottawa. So 16 would do it!

I thought when Sid was at the right point, it was OK. I did not like him playing the left point however.
- Gunner Staal

Ehh there's still time to observe this set up. I personally like Sid at either the point or down low.

A good little column on what Bill Guerin is up to these days...

http://espn.go.com/blog/n...in-beginning-a-new-career
- rival22

What's scary is that last night was 11th game in two seasons Sidney Crosby, Evegni Malkin and Jordan Staal have played in the same game together.

Not quite based on what I was looking at. I think he was 18 back.


Edit- 20 back



http://statshockey.homest...ists/alltimeplaywins.html
- canadianpenfan

I just looked it up again, and I think you are right... maybe where I looked before was wrong, or quite possibly that I just can't count.