And that's exactly why a strictly analytic approach to the game doesn't work either.

"Possession in this game was close but for whatever reason the amount of shots the Penguins physically put on net was lower. The Kings out shot the Penguin 31-18."

The reason was because the Kings were blocking shots left and right.... a blocked shot that is retained is good... a blocked shot that is immediately turned the other way is a possession stat padder.

Anyone who watched that game will tell you the Kings dominated and Fleury stole the 2 points with an incredible performance..... but when you look at possession numbers and only see a 52.5/47.5 split you think it was an evenly matched game.

Possession numbers will help you hang around in a game but you should lose 75% of the games you're outshot by 13 shots regardless of how many shots you've taken that aren't on net or are blocked.
- Yonk1216

The shots total was 22-40 if you count blocked shots (Corsi - & when you only have that to look at they do count in the heat of battle), so watching from a purely stats (NHL app point of view), I was 'seeing' the Pens being dominated & just waiting for the 0 to change to a 1 for the Kings - which quite often happens when the Pens get outshot, my Sunday afternoon was an interesting 1. It really wasn't till late in the game & OT that the totals approached each other.

This is why I accept the advanced stats for a review purpose but you cannot rely on them to be an indication of what is going to happen in a game.

Great win & great work by all especially Flower. Doesn't mean who had which stat when the team wins - don't kill me all you analytical genius' out there, & if we can reproduce against the Sharks & not turn the intensity off because we just beat 2 very highly talented teams it will result in a very good road trip.

The 52.5/47.5 split is Corsi. Fenwick (Unblocked Shot Attempts) will represent a wider disparity in that game. Fenwick Close has the highest predictive value.
- jfkst1

In a game situation - ignoring everything that is associated with Analytics, you feel the blocked shots - which the Kings also won, as continued pressure when only watching an app & not visualising the game. But then again what is a shot? A pass towards goal or a cannon Slapshot from Geno?

So Murray missed it by a minute or 2? That's too bad!
Correction he did get! Good for him! The Murray/ jarry tandem will be dominant in 4-6 years and so will our defense. We ll just be having difficulties scoring. Hard to imagine the penguins as a lock em down defensive team.

I actually think Sutter has been playing better recently. Maybe that is due to all the talk about replacing him with Kesler last year and Staal this year. Or perhaps improved linemates.
- jfkst1

Or he hasn't been playing 20 minutes lately, he has had his TOI reduced as Sid & Geno have had theirs increased. Also coincidently the team is playing better now those times have gone back to a normal amount. I think MJ has had enough of reducing the 2 Sid & Geno cannons & now we are warming up for the run home.

So Murray missed it by a minute or 2? That's too bad!
Correction he did get! Good for him! The Murray/ jarry tandem will be dominant in 4-6 years and so will our defense. We ll just be having difficulties scoring. Hard to imagine the penguins as a lock em down defensive team.
- Dcoms

It is quite impressive. He only let in 1 goal today as well.

Murray and fleury both have 9 shutouts this year. Not a bad year for Pens goalies

With no net front presence you're just asking them to pass it more. Horn provides a massive screen and encourages more shots. He also takes away a defender as he is busy trying to push horn out of the way. If you want to generate more shots, that's the way to do it.
- drummer829

It's not about not having a net front presence, but about having a fluid PP. If you know PH is going to park in front of the net, you know only 58 has a back door option from that side and his 1 timer kinda sucks so rush 71 on the point. IF the play is on the L side PH should be in front, if its on the R side, move 87 there so PH can get the shot. A constantly moving PP would be much harder to defend IMO.

It's not about not having a net front presence, but about having a fluid PP. If you know PH is going to park in front of the net, you know only 58 has a back door option from that side and his 1 timer kinda sucks so rush 71 on the point. IF the play is on the L side PH should be in front, if its on the R side, move 87 there so PH can get the shot. A constantly moving PP would be much harder to defend IMO.
- sammy87

Movement is key to open the lanes. Agreed. We are not doing a good job at it.

So Murray missed it by a minute or 2? That's too bad!
Correction he did get! Good for him! The Murray/ jarry tandem will be dominant in 4-6 years and so will our defense. We ll just be having difficulties scoring. Hard to imagine the penguins as a lock em down defensive team.
- Dcoms

I'd be surprised if both are with the Pens at the same time.

I can see one of them being moved in the future, at some point, to help fill voids at other positions whatever they may be at that time in a few years.

I'd be surprised if both are with the Pens at the same time.

I can see one of them being moved in the future, at some point, to help fill voids at other positions whatever they may be at that time in a few years.
- acdc1206

Just like Bernier Was moved? Anyway we'll get good assets (hopefully Top 6 prospects) If we have to trade any of our goalies.

Ryan Wilson: Fleury Leads Penguins Past Kings + Some Power Play X's and O's
Fleury Leads Penguins Over Kings + Some Power Play X's and O's
- Ryan_Wilson

I rarely disagree with Ryan...but if this was such an easy fix... X's and O's deal then why has this PP struggles for three months???!!! Malkin and Crosby should be separated (for more then 1 game!) and Letang should be put on the second unit... The Pens need to simplify and do the Dirty work in front... I also disagree about Kunitz... He was a big part of that 40 percent the first 2 months ... Horny and Kuni up front with Crosby Martin and Pouliot... I understand Geno has a great shot but when will we see it?????
A second unit of Perron Malkin Bennett with Hoff and Letang at the points is solid... though I d put Downie in Bennett's spot

I rarely disagree with Ryan...but if this was such an easy fix... X's and O's deal then why has this PP struggles for three months???!!! Malkin and Croby should be separated (for more then 1 game!) and Letang should be put on the second unit... The Pens need to simplify and do the Dirty work in front... I also disagree about Kunitz... He was a big part of that 40 percent the first 2 months ... Horny and Kuni up front with Crosby Martin and Pouliot... I understand Geno has a great shot but when will we see it?????
- Brianandr1

I know it's probably a reach to prove either way, but how did the PP go when either of the cannons were injured?

Also, a couple of weeks ago we scored a PP goal when Sid went into Gretzky's office, I haven't seen him do that since. Get someone behind the net - I think Grinder said something like that earlier as well.

Seeing that love you have for Kuni - he's your boy for sure (nothing wrong with that - I think he's playing fine).

I know it's probably a reach to prove either way, but how did the PP go when either of the cannons were injured?

Also, a couple of weeks ago we scored a PP goal when Sid went into Gretzky's office, I haven't seen him do that since. Get someone behind the net - I think Grinder said something like that earlier as well.

Seeing that love you have for Kuni - he's your boy for sure (nothing wrong with that - I think he's playing fine).
- Aussiepenguin

I d prefer Malone in his prime in front for the "dirty work" but Honry and Kuni are the best they got...

I rarely disagree with Ryan...but if this was such an easy fix... X's and O's deal then why has this PP struggles for three months???!!! Malkin and Crosby should be separated (for more then 1 game!) and Letang should be put on the second unit... The Pens need to simplify and do the Dirty work in front... I also disagree about Kunitz... He was a big part of that 40 percent the first 2 months ... Horny and Kuni up front with Crosby Martin and Pouliot... I understand Geno has a great shot but when will we see it?????
A second unit of Perron Malkin Bennett with Hoff and Letang at the points is solid... though I d put Downie in Bennett's spot
- Brianandr1

I disagree. The guys on the PP have suceeded in the past so that tells me it's more of a X's and O's problem than it is a personal issue.

I disagree. The guys on the PP have suceeded in the past so that tells me it's more of a X's and O's problem than it is a personal issue.
- willi

an x 's and o's problem for 3 months???

Agree completely Ryan.

I think the issues aren't even necessarily x's and o's but mentalities though. They are pro's, they should know how a powerplay works. I would be encouraging them to think only two things:

1) Puck carrier attacks the net constantly
2) Movement

We do the PP as if our PK is the perfect mentality. We like to leave guys alone at the half wall and at the side of the net on the PK because we don't use those positions effectively on the PP. We need Sid/Geno to be attacking the net from the half wall with both feet and the puck instead of just looking for outlets or ridiculous seam passes. Those things open up when you attack the net and create movement.

We're looking for a "play" rather than trying to just score goals.

What's shaking? Everyone asleep

Looks like another 10PM EST start vs San Jose.

Looks like another 10PM EST start vs San Jose.
- powerhouse

Isn't it a 9PM game? Here in Brazil is showing it will be 11PM

an x 's and o's problem for 3 months???
- Brianandr1

X & O's problems can persist when the 2 best players fail to execute the X &O's and instead just decide that they want to play "fancy" hockey because they have the talent to do so. And it's hard to hold them accountable when they fail to produce. As a coach, could you really sit 2 of the best players on the planet on the PP because they ignore your dictate to "play simple, get movement, get shots & cash in on rebounds & dirty goals"? Not really.

If you did & the PP starts scoring, you get taken to task by the media, fans & possibly even those players/ownership because you only scored on 2 out of 5 PP chances. The argument is "well, it would have been 4/5 if they were on the ice". If sitting them doesn't produce an increase in the PP scoring, you get taken to task by the media, fans & players because they aren't on the ice & maybe they would have scored. It's a lose/lose situation.

Tl;DR - if the guys on the ice ignore your coaching because they've got the talent to do it fancy, there's very little you can do to dissuade them of that notion until they decide to listen & just play a simple & effective X & O's game on the PP.

I give up on the PP. 2 realizations I've had recently:

1. Perhaps Malkin, Letang, and Sid don't shoot as much as we want them to is that they all struggle trying to get the puck through shot block attempts and the mass array of bodies between puck and net. DP is already better at that than Letang.

2. Their zone entry is still terrible. You'd think with 2 elite puck carriers in Letang and Malkin that it would be better but it isn't.

X & O's problems can persist when the 2 best players fail to execute the X &O's and instead just decide that they want to play "fancy" hockey because they have the talent to do so. And it's hard to hold them accountable when they fail to produce. As a coach, could you really sit 2 of the best players on the planet on the PP because they ignore your dictate to "play simple, get movement, get shots & cash in on rebounds & dirty goals"? Not really.

If you did & the PP starts scoring, you get taken to task by the media, fans & possibly even those players/ownership because you only scored on 2 out of 5 PP chances. The argument is "well, it would have been 4/5 if they were on the ice". If sitting them doesn't produce an increase in the PP scoring, you get taken to task by the media, fans & players because they aren't on the ice & maybe they would have scored. It's a lose/lose situation.

Tl;DR - if the guys on the ice ignore your coaching because they've got the talent to do it fancy, there's very little you can do to dissuade them of that notion until they decide to listen & just play a simple & effective X & O's game on the PP.
- ScienceJesus

66 doesn't come across as a person that likes losing especially when he has 2 of the best players 1 of them being 'of all time'. He watches the games & I realise that he should keep his opinions out of the team room BUT a lazy game of anything with his young protege I'm sure hockey may get brought up & discussed. Then over a healthy dose of filet mignon I wouldn't be surprised to see the salt, pepper & glasses of Chateauneuf-du-Pape be moved around in an X & O type movement. I wouldn't be surprised to see that at all. 66 is a winner!

I give up on the PP. 2 realizations I've had recently:

1. Perhaps Malkin, Letang, and Sid don't shoot as much as we want them to is that they all struggle trying to get the puck through shot block attempts and the mass array of bodies between puck and net. DP is already better at that than Letang.

2. Their zone entry is still terrible. You'd think with 2 elite puck carriers in Letang and Malkin that it would be better but it isn't.
- 87_71_11_29

Well plan B now must be implemented.

Any penalty we get we just throw a punch into the head of the perpetrator & we go 4 on 4. We are very good at 4 on 4.

66 doesn't come across as a person that likes losing especially when he has 2 of the best players 1 of them being 'of all time'. He watches the games & I realise that he should keep his opinions out of the team room BUT a lazy game of anything with his young protege I'm sure hockey may get brought up & discussed. Then over a healthy dose of filet mignon I wouldn't be surprised to see the salt, pepper & glasses of Chateauneuf-du-Pape be moved around in an X & O type movement. I wouldn't be surprised to see that at all. 66 is a winner!
- Aussiepenguin

In response, a bunch of salt is poured out into a pile, and with a wet finger, Sid scribbles "FANCY!" into the middle of it.

(which is essentially how I see Sid/Geno reacting to any sort of coaching from anyone on "how to improve the PP" at the moment)

In response, a bunch of salt is poured out into a pile, and with a wet finger, Sid scribbles "FANCY!" into the middle of it.

(which is essentially how I see Sid/Geno reacting to any sort of coaching from anyone on "how to improve the PP" at the moment)
- ScienceJesus

Did you see the tweet in the Kings game (I was going to say Sundays game but it was Saturday for you guys), about the Pens PP, they should score half a PP point due to the nice passing.

Did you see the tweet in the Kings game (I was going to say Sundays game but it was Saturday for you guys), about the Pens PP, they should score half a PP point due to the nice passing.
- Aussiepenguin

No, I must have missed that... but it's horribly appropriate.