Daley was terrible Sat. Not gonna lie. But we know they aren't taking him out. I guess I'm a DP fanboy, but I think he can help this team. And Lovejoy drives me crazy. I just can't put Maatta out there right now. He has 0 confidence and can't keep up
- tpcg402

I've been calling for Maata to have his role reduced for a long time now and I would have no problem injecting Pouliot into Maata spot on the roster, although I personally prefer using Shultz. I just find it amazing that many fans refuse to let go of this notion that Lovejoy somehow hurts the team when in the lineup, right now Lovejoy is hands down 1 of the top 6 defenseman on the roster and he was the 3rd or 4th best in Game 2, he actually had the 2nd best CF% at 52% behind only Ian Cole at 55.56%. I just get irrated when fans keep trying to generate reason that aren't there to get Lovejoy out of the lineup because of this incorrect mindset that he's hurting the team.

Did you use graphs, tables, and/or twitter quotes?
- jmatchett383

No I'm just a small timer.

Because #shot_differentials.
- jmatchett383

Lovejoy - 13sf/12sa
Dumoulin - 14sf/17sa
Maata - 10sf/13sa
Daley - 11sf/19sa
Letang - 17sf/17sa
Cole - 10sf/8sa

Lovejoy was 1 of 2 defenseman that was on the ice for more shots for than shots against if that helps.

Better get this next one it's not going to get easier when McDonaugh returns
- dbell646

McDonagh practiced in a regular jersey today. Should be back tomorrow

McDonagh practiced in a regular jersey today. Should be back tomorrow
- RAGSareDANGERus

We'll see. Hasnt played in a few weeks either, so id be totally fine with him in the lineup tomorrow night. Bones dont heal that fast.

Lovejoy - 13sf/12sa
Dumoulin - 14sf/17sa
Maata - 10sf/13sa
Daley - 11sf/19sa
Letang - 17sf/17sa
Cole - 10sf/8sa

Lovejoy was 1 of 2 defenseman that was on the ice for more shots for than shots against if that helps.
- jaydogg1974

You can have all the shots for/against that you want, but the only thing that matters in the end is whether that translates to goals for or against.

I've been calling for Maata to have his role reduced for a long time now and I would have no problem injecting Pouliot into Maata spot on the roster, although I personally prefer using Shultz. I just find it amazing that many fans refuse to let go of this notion that Lovejoy somehow hurts the team when in the lineup, right now Lovejoy is hands down 1 of the top 6 defenseman on the roster and he was the 3rd or 4th best in Game 2, he actually had the 2nd best CF% at 52% behind only Ian Cole at 55.56%. I just get irrated when fans keep trying to generate reason that aren't there to get Lovejoy out of the lineup because of this incorrect mindset that he's hurting the team.
- jaydogg1974

Fair enough. I can't believe I'm typing this, but Maatta is clearly the weakest link. Lovejoy was fine and is servicable. Just a personal preference for me to get Lovejoy out. I don't like how he has no poise with the puck. As the 5or 6d he is fine.(which is what he is) The bigger issue is limiting or benching Maatta which seems they're doing(so it seems). I don't think Lovejoy is hurting the team, but I think we have better options for our 5 or 6dman imo

We'll see. Hasnt played in a few weeks either, so id be totally fine with him in the lineup tomorrow night. Bones dont heal that fast.
- MattStrat

McDonagh at 70% is still probably our best defenseman. Would be big for our depth if he can suit up tomorrow.

McDonagh at 70% is still probably our best defenseman. Would be big for our depth if he can suit up tomorrow.
- RAGSareDANGERus

We'll see.

EDIT: That why they called up Diaz today?

McDonagh practiced in a regular jersey today. Should be back tomorrow
- RAGSareDANGERus

Any news on Girardi? The Penguins need him to come back ASAP.

We'll see.

EDIT: That why they called up Diaz today?
- MattStrat

Diaz is just an insurance policy I think. And he might play over McIlrath to help our PP. don't think his call up is related to McDonaghs status.

Any news on Girardi? The Penguins need him to come back ASAP.
- jmatchett383

Still dead

Are there even people that don't believe that Crosby/Malkin are the best duo in the league? These blogs are sort of redundant, no? (I'm not trying to troll or be disrespectful in any way)

Diaz is just an insurance policy I think. And he might play over McIlrath to help our PP. don't think his call up is related to McDonaghs status.
- RAGSareDANGERus

Cool. Why was McD on the 4th D pairing for line rushes?

Cool. Why was McD on the 4th D pairing for line rushes?
- MattStrat

To confuse simpletons such as your head coach and yourself

I guess we'll find out tomorrow if he's gonna play or not. I hope he does

Cool. Why was McD on the 4th D pairing for line rushes?
- MattStrat

MSL is a game-time decision, they needed someone to take his spot.

To confuse simpletons such as your head coach and yourself

I guess we'll find out tomorrow if he's gonna play or not. I hope he does
- RAGSareDANGERus

I'm not going to doubt he plays tomorrow but I'd think 1 practice and a game day skate are not ideal for conditioning for playoff hockey.

I'm not going to doubt he plays tomorrow but I'd think 1 practice and a game day skate are not ideal for conditioning for playoff hockey.
- dbell646

Luckily it was a hand injury so he was skating hard every day to keep his conditioning up

I knew this was going to happen. Malkin is signed through 2022 at a hit of $9.5m per, and they cant find a consistent role for him? He comes back to spare-change wrong-wing shifts...leading perhaps to centering Kuhnhackl and Rust...while the HBK line cannot be touched? This is the seductive corruption that is Kessel and Hagelin's speed game. Hagelin the Serpent. The chemistry seems so easy, until time and space are choked off in the PO's. Before you know it, disappearing production leads to finger pointing, and your run is done before it's really begun. Hags to his proper slot as an energy guy on the 4th line, PLEASE, before its too late!

Luckily it was a hand injury so he was skating hard every day to keep his conditioning up
- RAGSareDANGERus

Yes, but has he been skating on his hands? If not, his hand won't be in game shape.

Luckily it was a hand injury so he was skating hard every day to keep his conditioning up
- RAGSareDANGERus

Should be good for you guys then. Good luck

I knew this was going to happen. Malkin is signed through 2022 at a hit of $9.5m per, and they cant find a consistent role for him? He comes back to spare-change wrong-wing shifts...leading perhaps to centering Kuhnhackl and Rust...while the HBK line cannot be touched? This is the seductive corruption that is Kessel and Hagelin's speed game. Hagelin the Serpent. The chemistry seems so easy, until time and space are choked off in the PO's. Before you know it, disappearing production leads to finger pointing, and your run is done before it's really begun. Hags to his proper slot as an energy guy on the 4th line, PLEASE, before its too late!
- meta_puck_luck

hi

Maatta is gonna be a Matt Niskanen type

Great in a specific/sheltered role, might not ever be what he hoped he would be

He'll excel if used correctly, My hopes for a Lidstrom esque have faded significantly

To confuse simpletons such as your head coach and yourself

I guess we'll find out tomorrow if he's gonna play or not. I hope he does
- RAGSareDANGERus

I hope he plays too. No way his bones healed that fast.

Are there even people that don't believe that Crosby/Malkin are the best duo in the league? These blogs are sort of redundant, no? (I'm not trying to troll or be disrespectful in any way)
- Hossa1881

Take a few seconds and read through the comments on the last blog and you will see that there are a large number of Pens fans who honestly thing they aren't good together.