Nope. Downie has too much skill. Shawn Thornton or Prust would be better.
- Victoro311

John Scott has the best analytical numbers of them all - is he too skilled for that line?

I don’t disagree that the goaltender is the last line of defense but they work as a team with the defensemen. IMHO ‘goals allowed’ is a major factor indicating how well they work together.

They win 9 out of 10 games, lead the NHL in goals allowed and you guys want to pick them apart! LOL. Btw, I am not a Pittsburgh Penguin fan… but if I was I’d be happy about how they are playing right now.

You said, "It's really not an indicator of a team's defense at all," -- I disagree.

Then again if picking them apart with analytics floats your boat… so be it.
- sufi-judge

The 'silent majority' are!

What about Zatkoff with his 50 saves? Is it a case now that both our goalies are high end? Or maybe Zatkoff was an 'anomaly' that will 'return' to normal?
- Aussiepenguin

I be lying if I said a return to normal didn't scare the poop out of me tonight.

And the Pens DO NOT limit close shot attempts at all. No idea where that narrative is coming from. Fleury is just stopping them.
- jfkst1

Nobody is pushing that narrative, at all. At least I haven't read it.

I could care less how close a shot is on some shot chart. That tells me nothing about quality chances, and it's not the point I've been making.

And there's a difference between running a system designed to limit breakaways and odd man rushes and eliminating them altogether, which simply isn't going to happen.

Point is that Fleury isn't having to scramble like he did during the Flyers/Islanders series of a few years ago, it's because of the system, and it's got him playing near his potential, which based on talent is to be a top-tier goalie.

The confidence alone that he's been given due to a more conservative system is worth its weight in goal. Doesn't even really matter that much if it works or not, the presence of that kind of narrative alone has been a boon to his confidence, and he's playing like it.

Defensive systems have little to do with save percentage. In fact, your beloved Pens blogger on here wrote a paper for Hockey Prospectus regarding that. Bad defenses give up lots of shots. Opponents try to score no matter who they are facing. And the Pens DO NOT limit close shot attempts at all. No idea where that narrative is coming from. Fleury is just stopping them. You must not be watching the games because last game alone Pens gave up two breakaways.
- jfkst1

Defensive systems have everything to do with save percentage, how can you claim otherwise. Save percentage is exactly the number of saves made be shots. The more shots saved the better the percentage. It doesn't care if it's the team icing the puck but it hits the net or a breakaway. A sound defensive system reduces quality shots.

Fleury is making more saves but facing far less dangerous shots. Are you watching full games or just highlights, because most of the shots Fleury is saving are shots from the perimeter that are taken either through frustration because the defence has closed of every other option, or a shot intended to generate a rebound which the defenders are excelling this year at clearing from the front of the net.

More shots do not equal more goals in the defensive system we employ.

Somebody wanted some positive news.

Another blurb from Yohe on DK's site.

• It’s difficult to articulate how well the new Penguins have fit into the locker room. Matt Cullen, Nick Bonino, and Eric Fehr are clearly leaders and are already respected in the locker room. Phil Kessel, it must be mentioned, has also been a wonderful fit, as his teammates clearly have developed a liking for the polarizing Kessel.

I be lying if I said a return to normal didn't scare the poop out of me tonight.
- jaydogg1974

If someone asked me could Zatkoff save 50 I'd have said no way. So it's just a coincidence that he did that, Flower is playing well & our GA is in good order? Or the D is actually playing ok? D as in D men & F doing the work?

Somebody wanted some positive news.

Another blurb from Yohe on DK's site.

• It’s difficult to articulate how well the new Penguins have fit into the locker room. Matt Cullen, Nick Bonino, and Eric Fehr are clearly leaders and are already respected in the locker room. Phil Kessel, it must be mentioned, has also been a wonderful fit, as his teammates clearly have developed a liking for the polarizing Kessel.
- madmike71

Veteran presence only works if the player doesn't suck donkey balls. That is why no one gave a poop about Adams being a "leading voice" in the locker room and players on the team didn't like him. Ya don't have to be a superstar, Cullen certainly isn't. But he is DAMN well good enough for many team's bottom 6/4th line and belongs on the ice. That is all that is needed.

Veteran presence only works if the player doesn't suck donkey balls. That is why no one gave a poop about Adams being a "leading voice" in the locker room and players on the team didn't like him. Ya don't have to be a superstar, Cullen certainly isn't. But he is DAMN well good enough for many team's bottom 6/4th line and belongs on the ice. That is all that is needed.
- Guile

Yes, of course, they need to be able to play. And certainly these guys are a significant improvement over the last several years. But there's been plenty of rumors out there about lack of leadership and/or a negative "feel" to the locker room in recent years.

FWIW, I've read Adams is just sour dude. I also read that Orpik wasn't exactly easy on the young guys. Nobody want's to come to work to be around douchebags....whether you're pushing paper in an office or getting paid millions to play a sport.

Yes, of course, they need to be able to play. And certainly these guys are a significant improvement over the last several years. But there's been plenty of rumors out there about lack of leadership and/or a negative "feel" to the locker room in recent years.

FWIW, I've read Adams is just sour dude. I also read that Orpik wasn't exactly easy on the young guys. Nobody want's to come to work to be around douchebags....whether you're pushing paper in an office or getting paid millions to play a sport.
- madmike71

Orpic was a hardass, but he could play and garnered respect at least. Adams... ugh, he sucked, tried to be a hardass and tough guy when he wasn't. Should have just kept his head down.

Orpic was a hardass, but he could play and garnered respect at least. Adams... ugh, he sucked, tried to be a hardass and tough guy when he wasn't. Should have just kept his head down.
- Guile

Keep his head down and fetch the coach some coffee.

I'm sure some of the negativity revolved around realizing there were way too many bums on the roster to be successful.

Point is that Fleury isn't having to scramble like he did during the Flyers/Islanders series of a few years ago, it's because of the system, and it's got him playing near his potential, which based on talent is to be a top-tier goalie.
- hardnosed

Fleury isn't scrambling because he isn't moving excessively like he used to.
http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=786441

More shots do not equal more goals in the defensive system we employ.
- stackthepads

Agreed. Because the "defensive system" the Pens employ = depending on the goalie to bail them out.

Fleury isn't scrambling because he isn't moving excessively like he used to.
http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=786441
- jfkst1

And his form modifications fit neatly within the sea-change around him. Kind of how "improved team defense" is also cited in the article.

It's a lot easier to stay under control when there isn't chaos around you.

Agreed. Because the "defensive system" the Pens employ = depending on the goalie to bail them out.
- jfkst1

The 2012 playoff Penguins (the Flyers debacle) had a 56.4 CF% and a CA/60 of 46.1, lowest of the Crosby era.

Was that system more sound than the current system? Because the numbers say it was.

So the only change today is Zatkoff? Dinger & DTM both scratched?

(frank)!

Agreed. Because the "defensive system" the Pens employ = depending on the goalie to bail them out.
- jfkst1

He is not bailing the team out, he is making the saves he should be expected to make and the fact that he is an elite goalie means he makes a couple save he shouldn't be expected to make. He is not making highlight reel save after highlight reel save.

The 2012 playoff Penguins (the Flyers debacle) had a 56.4 CF% and a CA/60 of 46.1, lowest of the Crosby era.

Was that system more sound than the current system? Because the numbers say it was.
- hardnosed

The reason Pens lost that series was penalties and Fleury couldn't save a beach ball. It certainly wasn't from getting outplayed at ES.

He is not bailing the team out, he is making the saves he should be expected to make and the fact that he is an elite goalie means he makes a couple save he shouldn't be expected to make. He is not making highlight reel save after highlight reel save.
- stackthepads

He's also let a couple in I bet he'd like back. So it's not gold on every shift!

They must be trying to trade Scudsmuffin! That's it, they are trying to trade him - ok then I see the logic. Dinger will just have to wait to get his chance to slot into this team, because he would be part of the future D for us! They are trading Scuds, must be it!

They must be trying to trade Scudsmuffin! That's it, they are trying to trade him - ok then I see the logic. Dinger will just have to wait to get his chance to slot into this team, because he would be part of the future D for us! They are trading Scuds, must be it!
- Aussiepenguin

Or they don't want to mess with a team that's winning.

DP is detoxed and back in the WBS lineup. Other than that this team could use some toxing tonight.

So the only change today is Zatkoff? Dinger & DTM both scratched?

(frank)!
- Aussiepenguin

sprong is

dinger is not

They must be trying to trade Scudsmuffin! That's it, they are trying to trade him - ok then I see the logic. Dinger will just have to wait to get his chance to slot into this team, because he would be part of the future D for us! They are trading Scuds, must be it!
- Aussiepenguin

I sense a lot of sarcasm in this post... but you can't really believe Scuds should be playing over Clendening/Pouliot (not the cluster(frank) of a bad player Pouliot that was the preseason btw, last season Pouliot).

Anyone mention Duper being out tonight... possible Blot Clot relation..


http://penguins.nhl.com/c...733&cmpid=pit-fb-penguins