Only players playing well 87, 72, 29? Fleury definitely has been hung out to dry more times than not and played decent for few periods but pretty sure past 10-11 games he has poor numbers. Obviously not all on him because they don't have 2 top defense men that he had the first 3/4 the season but looking around the league goalies are standing on their heads for their teams. Jets, Sens, Wild all spring to mind. Steal a game here and there would warrant being in the convo for playing well.
- kgrpitt

Seems like every goal we give up is point blank from a guy wide open. Aside from the shot KUNITZ missed blocking last night

1.How would you get rid of Scuderi? This team is up against it with the cap as is, let alone buying out a player. There is NO trade market for him. Unrealistic.
2.After the trade the majority of posts i read on here stated that Despres was going nowhere, that two regimes had given up on him and that Lovejoy had become a stud in Anaheim.
3.Ill give you this one although i didnt hear much of it at the time. People love fan favorites and thats what Letang is, but i agree his contract was risky and a mistake.
4. Gotta add that "grit".
5. For all the complaining and absolute disregard for him and his play, what trade market is out there? They need a third line center and unlike many pipe dreams ive read on here you cant trade trash for gold.
- did109

1. Buyout would be better than keeping him. Or not signing him would have been best.
2. Completely false, the vast majority severely disliked the Lovejoy trade.
3. The majority thought Letang was a defensively liability (untrue) and injury prone and would have produced a good return (very true).
4. Grit and experience is ALWAYS a poor roster addition when it brings nothing else.
5. Sutter has 19 goals. He's not unmoveable like Scuderi. It would be an addition by subtraction.

I think the pens are lucky to get 1 point out of buffalo, maybe 2 but I truly wouldnt be surprised if they lose out...theyve just looked so bad the last 2 months and at no point have shown they have what it takes to get to the next level or succeed in the face of adversity...i love everyones optimism but I just dont share in it, we dont deserve it anyway, ottawa at least has players that clearly want to be there and play their hardest and dont quit, the pens on the otherhand...

my wife cant stand watching games with me, hell I dont even enjoy it anymore I think...at 3-0 I go ya know they are going to tie it up and she says stop no they wont, as soon as they scored that 2nd goal right at the start of the 3rd I go this games over...of course I still wasted my time watching this lousy half assed team lose it to a couple rookies...

malkin must be hurt still because he is playing like he just stepped out of one of coloardos finest shops and doesnt know where he is or how to do anything, he was just a body last night nothing more
- JLT168

My girlfriend came over after the first period and was really surprised we were up 3-0, I told her it would be tied. When the rush on the OT goal started I called the goal and got up to get the remote before it even happened. She asked how I knew, I said c'mon it's the Penguins, you've seen every game. This team is too predictable.

u guys had one job!

My girlfriend came over after the first period and was really surprised we were up 3-0, I told her it would be tied. When the rush on the OT goal started I called the goal and got up to get the remote before it even happened. She asked how I knew, I said c'mon it's the Penguins, you've seen every game. This team is too predictable.
- znagle

If anyone thinks the pens have any chance at success this offseason please pass along whatever you are smoking or drinking because at no point has this team shown heart or even a glimpse of triumph when facing adversity. LA had to win a series they were down 3-0 in to eventually go on to win the stanley cup, I dont see the pens coming back from a 1 game deficit let alone a 3 game deficit

u guys had one job!
- wingz4life

to blow a lead? bc we are reallllly good at that, im talking 99th percentile

u guys had one job!
- wingz4life

Sucks to be us right now. Hope you guys Make the playoffs.

There is certainly room for criticism on not playing certain players more (Bennett) and having that lineup out there on the final faceoff (Sutter had a weak overall game before those faceoffs BTW).
- jfkst1

Sutter getting owned on those two face-offs drove me nuts. Got away with the first one. If you supposedly got Lappy for those kind of situations, you got to give him a shot. Both Lappy and Sutter had bad nights at the dot last night.

I think my biggest critique is playing guys that are dead tired over fresher players. I'm no fan of Adams and Lappy, but even they are better than a guy that literally can't move because he can't catch his breath.

Sucks to be us right now. Hope you guys Make the playoffs.
- Barnaby36

C'mon Barny boy, we're still there & it will take a huge effort or a tank job for us to be knocked out. It's still in our hands & remember Ryan said a couple of blogs ago the odds of us getting in were nearly 100% (& if that's what the advanced stats say who are we to argue?)?? Unlike those steaming stinking filthy low life crawling worthless, ugly, mutha fcuffa flyer scum. They unfortunately for them are as we speak cancelling their playoff coverage for the NHL playoffs & going to book their baseball subscription for the new baseball season. And, you know the best part - apart from those fart stains not making the playoffs, they aren't even BASEBALL fans!

Now cheer up!

Sutter getting owned on those two face-offs drove me nuts. Got away with the first one. If you supposedly got Lappy for those kind of situations, you got to give him a shot. Both Lappy and Sutter had bad nights at the dot last night.

I think my biggest critique is playing guys that are dead tired over fresher players. I'm no fan of Adams and Lappy, but even they are better than a guy that literally can't move because he can't catch his breath.
- madmike71

If this happens, everyone here female doges about his personnel use at the end of the game. "Why is Adams out there?! What is he thinking!" But I do agree with you.

1. Buyout would be better than keeping him. Or not signing him would have been best.
2. Completely false, the vast majority severely disliked the Lovejoy trade.
3. The majority thought Letang was a defensively liability (untrue) and injury prone and would have produced a good return (very true).
4. Grit and experience is ALWAYS a poor roster addition when it brings nothing else.
5. Sutter has 19 goals. He's not unmoveable like Scuderi. It would be an addition by subtraction.
- jfkst1

1.The contract is bad and not handing out would have been best i agree, but they cannot afford to be eating cap space with no player to show.
2.I will retract my statement as i went back and looked and it was mainly two posters who were arguing how good and solid lovejoy has become and how this move puts the penguins in a better position to make a cup run.
3.We agree on 58.
4.Couldnt agree more, but it always seems the penguins are hell bent on brining in some over priced guy or a player who does nothing but bring one of these two attributes.
5.I just dont see who fills in at that third line center. I agree he can be moved but for what? I dont see an upgrade coming in the form of a center.

C'mon Barny boy, we're still there & it will take a huge effort or a tank job for us to be knocked out. It's still in our hands & remember Ryan said a couple of blogs ago the odds of us getting in were nearly 100% (& if that's what the advanced stats say who are we to argue?)?? Unlike those steaming stinking filthy low life crawling worthless, ugly, mutha fcuffa flyer scum. They unfortunately for them are as we speak cancelling their playoff coverage for the NHL playoffs & going to book their baseball subscription for the new baseball season. And, you know the best part - apart from those fart stains not making the playoffs, they aren't even BASEBALL fans!

Now cheer up!
- Aussiepenguin

Mr. Aussie, it seems clear to me that you are deflecting your anger and saddness at last nights loss towards other fan bases. Not all of us are as you state "steaming stinking filthy low life crawling worthless, ugly, mutha fcuffa scum." Good day.

1.The contract is bad and not handing out would have been best i agree, but they cannot afford to be eating cap space with no player to show.
2.I will retract my statement as i went back and looked and it was mainly two posters who were arguing how good and solid lovejoy has become and how this move puts the penguins in a better position to make a cup run.
3.We agree on 58.
4.Couldnt agree more, but it always seems the penguins are hell bent on brining in some over priced guy or a player who does nothing but bring one of these two attributes.
5.I just dont see who fills in at that third line center. I agree he can be moved but for what? I dont see an upgrade coming in the form of a center.
- did109

I'll put my Flyer prejudice (only obtained since commenting on here), aside for a second just to say;

5. Brad Richards, 2m this year & Hawks can't afford him next year. Brings in scoring & experience & leadership. He would be a solid pick up in my mind, whether he comes here for that who knows?? We then trade Sutter to .......anywhere else (unless he comes out & smokes the playoffs again).

I'll put my Flyer prejudice (only obtained since commenting on here), aside for a second just to say;

5. Brad Richards, 2m this year & Hawks can't afford him next year. Brings in scoring & experience & leadership. He would be a solid pick up in my mind, whether he comes here for that who knows?? We then trade Sutter to .......anywhere else (unless he comes out & smokes the playoffs again).
- Aussiepenguin

A Brad Richards type player is exactly what this team needs. Even if they miss the playoffs which they wont in my opinion, this isnt a team you blow up. They arent far off, and hell they could even come out guns blazing in the first round and actually make a run. As an outsider looking in, its nowhere near as bad as everyone on here makes it seem. Yes, there are cracks but almost all teams have them.

Mr. Aussie, it seems clear to me that you are deflecting your anger and saddness at last nights loss towards other fan bases. Not all of us are as you state "steaming stinking filthy low life crawling worthless, ugly, mutha fcuffa scum." Good day.
- did109

Oh c'mon, I'm just playing around & who better to do it with? We've had a fair few 'imports' here this week, & some of the comments elsewhere, well, they're just living up to my description above. Now if I were to head on over to say.......... Your board & say something like that - well that's not going to happen. I respect the space of 'other' teams boards & rarely say anything provocative or insulting unlike others that seem to think its funny on here - not saying that it's you but nor am I directing my comment at you. I'm on the Pens board trying to lighten up the mood - there's been a few guys a little testy. So if you don't like it please........

(frank) off.

Oh c'mon, I'm just playing around & who better to do it with? We've had a fair few 'imports' here this week, & some of the comments elsewhere, well, they're just living up to my description above. Now if I were to head on over to say.......... Your board & say something like that - well that's not going to happen. I respect the space of 'other' teams boards & rarely say anything provocative or insulting unlike others that seem to think its funny on here - not saying that it's you but nor am I directing my comment at you. I'm on the Pens board trying to lighten up the mood - there's been a few guys a little testy. So if you don't like it please........

(frank) off.
- Aussiepenguin

Touche Mr. Aussie. As you were working on lightening the mood, i was trying to follow suit. I do read alot of the "troll" comments on here and am usually disgusted. Granted sometimes they are humorous but as for me, i read this board because i live much closer to Pittsburgh than Philadelphia and i watch as much Penguins hockey as most on here.

Touche Mr. Aussie. As you were working on lightening the mood, i was trying to follow suit. I do read alot of the "troll" comments on here and am usually disgusted. Granted sometimes they are humorous but as for me, i read this board because i live much closer to Pittsburgh than Philadelphia and i watch as much Penguins hockey as most on here.
- did109

1 thing guaranteed my man or woman, you live a lot closer to the Burgh than I do!

oh my

Feels like a monday

You have some of the best stats that I've seen on any blog. Being a stats guy (minor in stats in college) I truly appreciate that and your explanation behind it.

One thing you do not mention regarding Mike Johnston is the lack of control he has over this team. The game versus the Red Wings with five Pens in the penalty box. On national TV no less. Discipline starts behind the bench. There was none this game.

Penguins lead the league in penalty minutes. That's a cold hard fact. Most of them have been due to lack of discipline. Quite a few cost us games.

Penguins also lead the league in giving up short handed goals. Well coached teams do not have this problem.

The calls from the referees have been atrocious this season to say the least. In his book Johnston said that you never win an argument with a referee and that it's his and the team Captain's responsibility to get the facts from the refs. Again too many times have we seen Pens who are not the Captain do that and get on the bad side of them. And Johnston should get an explanation and plead His teams case. When this happens you gain the confidence of your team. Didn't see much of this at all.

And the numerous blunders in arguably the most important Pens game since 2009. Putting Sutter in on a critical face off who's only at 33% and Crosby as a winger ? They scored right after that. And before that whole blowing the lead thing, why not employ what even an AHL team can execute to perfection - a Neutral zone trap. Your percentages will tell you that when its executed properly it will shut down even desperate teams. And it doesn't Take the top five players in the league to do this.

Looking at Johnston behind the bench. No confidence whatsoever. The players can see that. The opposition sees that. And the fans see that.