They're going to take this away.
- madmike71

Or not....

What about Bonino is it that is helping Kessel do so much better? Just dumb luck that Kessel started heating up when Bonino became 2nd line center? I havent been able to see them play together much because of busyness at work so sorry if its a dumb question.
- Zac_O

I actually think Bonino lack of speed is a positive factor with those two wingers. They just take off and do their thing and he's smart and patient.

What about Bonino is it that is helping Kessel do so much better? Just dumb luck that Kessel started heating up when Bonino became 2nd line center? I havent been able to see them play together much because of busyness at work so sorry if its a dumb question.
- Zac_O

The argument is that Kessel gets to run the offense sans Malkin.

The counter argument is that Kessel surged after getting benched and probably a stern talking to and Malkin just happened to be out.

Time will tell.

I actually think Bonino lack of speed is a positive factor with those two wingers. They just take off and do their thing and he's smart and patient.
- MattStrat

That was my next question. How much of it is Hagelin?

This brand of hockey, nightly effort level and winning is remarkable considering theres basically a full line missing consisting of a top 5 talent in the world and two top 4 defensmen.

The argument is that Kessel gets to run the offense sans Malkin.

The counter argument is that Kessel surged after getting benched and probably a stern talking to and Malkin just happened to be out.

Time will tell.
- Victoro311

He looks like he is playing much more inspired. I think the talking to is what did it.

Will we ever lose a game? Another great all around effort with 5 guys that are down and 5 guys that are significant cogs in the wheel. Just could not be more proud, as a 30 year fan of this team. Bring on any obstacle we are learning to deal with it.

He looks like he is playing much more inspired. I think the talking to is what did it.
- Reverend Killtaker

I do too. Its not the popular opinion though.

Will we ever lose a game? Another great all around effort with 5 guys that are down and 5 guys that are significant cogs in the wheel. Just could not be more proud, as a 30 year fan of this team. Bring on any obstacle we are learning to deal with it.
- Dcoms

Knock on all the woods, Compton

The argument is that Kessel gets to run the offense sans Malkin.

The counter argument is that Kessel surged after getting benched and probably a stern talking to and Malkin just happened to be out.

Time will tell.
- Victoro311

Id say the benching and talking to is no doubt part of it. Sully seem to be good at getting through to the players.

That was my next question. How much of it is Hagelin?
- Zac_O

Ive said it before, the team is so much more dangerous with Hagelin in the lineup. Better defensively too. So to answer your question: he's a huge part of it.

He looks like he is playing much more inspired. I think the talking to is what did it.
- Reverend Killtaker

This.

Kessel is responsible for Kessel playing better. I think Bonino is being helped dramatically by Kessel and Hags.

They're going to take this away.
- madmike71

nope

That was my next question. How much of it is Hagelin?
- Zac_O

While I don't think Bonino has much to do with it, the chemistry he has found with Hagelin is undeniable. There are some on here that want to keep Bones and Phil together and give Geno Hags. That's the single dumbest lineup choice we can make.

I do too. Its not the popular opinion though.
- Victoro311

Did sully coach him at all in Boston?

Did sully coach him at all in Boston?
- Reverend Killtaker

No. His last season in Boston was Sid's rookie season.

Rags lose! Hello 2nd place!

Rags lose! Hello 2nd place!
- Reverend Killtaker

The Islanders are only 2 points behind the Rags too. Pens-Ders first round match up might still be a possibility

Also, don't think I'm happy about an injury. Far from it. But that knee to knee scum bag Hartnel dealt on Hammer did not look good. If the Isles can somehow pass the Rags, that'd be a huge loss for them in the playoffs.

This.

Kessel is responsible for Kessel playing better. I think Bonino is being helped dramatically by Kessel and Hags.
- madmike71

I thought the original question was about the line as a whole not just Kessel. See I remember a Kessel that was always worried about Malkin and getting him the puck... Even on nights he looked inspired. He doesn't seem to give two franks about getting it to Bonino and it works.

This.

Kessel is responsible for Kessel playing better. I think Bonino is being helped dramatically by Kessel and Hags.
- madmike71

Kessel has proven, with a very small sample size, to be a very good under pressure player. He led the Olympics in scoring for f sakes. The poor guy has just been mired in Leaf atrociousness. I can't wait till the playoffs and he steps it up even more!!

Kessel has proven, with a very small sample size, to be a very good under pressure player. He led the Olympics in scoring for f sakes. The poor guy has just been mired in Leaf atrociousness. I can't wait till the playoffs and he steps it up even more!!
- Dcoms

Yeah it seems since the games really start meaning playoffs/no playoffs, he's stepped it up. I was one of the ones vocal about his effort levels and I've had nothing bad to say about that going on almost 3 weeks now.

Kessel has proven, with a very small sample size, to be a very good under pressure player. He led the Olympics in scoring for f sakes. The poor guy has just been mired in Leaf atrociousness. I can't wait till the playoffs and he steps it up even more!!
- Dcoms

I remember the last olympics very well. It was Junior Parents Weekend when we played Russia at like 4am. Had a full day of activities with my parents but I had to put on for my country. By the time my parents got to me at 9am I was half in the bag and they were none to pleased, but boy was it worth it.

USA came in with high hopes, but Kessel was the only one who showed up. The Kessel-JVR unit was the only line to ever do anything at even strength. That's when my obsession started. Ordered my Kessel USA jersey shortly after. What a purchase that turned out to be

I thought the original question was about the line as a whole not just Kessel. See I remember a Kessel that was always worried about Malkin and getting him the puck... Even on nights he looked inspired. He doesn't seem to give two franks about getting it to Bonino and it works.
- MattStrat

Think about the first time Malkin went down, Kessel did not raise his game at all. People were jumping off of bridges thinking about his contract. Then came the game where Sully basically sat him for the entire 3rd period........and he's been lights out ever since. Maybe there's some truth to Malkin and Kessel having conflicting styles, but Phil has not consistently engaged and skated like this until after that benching.

Frankly, he deserves almost as much credit as Letang and Sid for this latest streak.

Did we just 'overachieve' - again???

Think about the first time Malkin went down, Kessel did not raise his game at all. People were jumping off of bridges thinking about his contract. Then came the game where Sully basically sat him for the entire 3rd period........and he's been lights out ever since. Maybe there's some truth to Malkin and Kessel having conflicting styles, but Phil has not consistently engaged and skated like this until after that benching.

Frankly, he deserves almost as much credit as Letang and Sid for this latest streak.
- madmike71

He def does but it also concerns me with what will happen once malkin is ready to come back. If the Kessel line moves to the third then geno has to adjust to new line
mates.