What did Malkin do for his misconduct? I think I missed that
- Guile

Called the ref a poopy head

Alot of people around here freaking about even making the playoffs...I'm here with my eyes on 1st in the Metro. 3rd in Metro, 6 points out of first, 21 games left so a possible 42 points. That wasnt even close to a must win game last night.

Alot of people around here freaking about even making the playoffs...I'm here with my eyes on 1st in the Metro. 3rd in Metro, 6 points out of first, 21 games left so a possible 42 points. That wasnt even close to a must win game last night.
- MattStrat

The Pens play Columbus three times in the next two weeks, these are big games. Columbus is the one that is not in the playoffs right now, and in reality they are the only team that could knock someone out. Philadelphia and Buffalo are six points behind and let's face it that is a lot.

After the third CBus game the Pens travel schedule really lightens up with only one road trip remaining.

I am with you, I like our chances.

Alot of people around here freaking about even making the playoffs...I'm here with my eyes on 1st in the Metro. 3rd in Metro, 6 points out of first, 21 games left so a possible 42 points. That wasnt even close to a must win game last night.
- MattStrat

I'm not saying it was must win, but good lord, it didn't even look like they were trying through most of that game. You'd think the Pens could get up for a game against a really good team. The old "measuring stick game". From the drop of the puck they looked as bad as I've seen them the entire season.

As far as the Kessel thing goes... He had a really rough game. I would only trade him if I could replace his production, but my suggestion they might trade him is based on the general perception that him and Sully aren't exactly besty's and there were solid reports after last season they were looking to trade him. Not rumors... Multiple reporters confirmed he was on the market.

By the way, I don't exactly blame him for another shorty. Sure, he could have dumped it in instead of trying to carry it, but nobody else even considered that the puck might get turned over. Every other player got caught going the wrong direction.

I'm not saying it was must win, but good lord, it didn't even look like they were trying through most of that game. You'd think the Pens could get up for a game against a really good team. The old "measuring stick game". From the drop of the puck they looked as bad as I've seen them the entire season.

As far as the Kessel thing goes... He had a really rough game. I would only trade him if I could replace his production, but my suggestion they might trade him is based on the general perception that him and Sully aren't exactly besty's and there were solid reports after last season they were looking to trade him. Not rumors... Multiple reporters confirmed he was on the market.

By the way, I don't exactly blame him for another shorty. Sure, he could have dumped it in instead of trying to carry it, but nobody else even considered that the puck might get turned over. Every other player got caught going the wrong direction.
- madmike71

That JJ penalty in the first minute resulting in a goal against in the first two minutes is the absolute worst way to start a home game. It killed the crowd immediately. I want to go back and watch it because A: it was so quick to happen in the game and a lot happened after and B: I was vaping Bruce Banner, a lovely green, but to me I couldn't figure out why JJ had so much downward pressure on his stick when he didnt have puck and he didnt have a guy on him. He was completely back on to the guy he tripped, his stick was so strong to the ice the Shark skater he tripped was just trying to skate past him and ran into the iron stick...or thats how it seemed to me at the time. Was he expecting a pass there behind the net like that? Did the Shark perhaps embellish at all? I'm going to use the NHL live app now to rewatch.

Then theres the short handy against. That and a goal against in the 1st 2 mins of a game are f'n killer. Even still, the Pens could of had 5 or 6 goals last night, Kessel could of had 2 or 3 himself. They were really sloppy with the puck. Just kept getting flubbed, missed and away from them in the offense zone.

I'm not saying it was must win, but good lord, it didn't even look like they were trying through most of that game. You'd think the Pens could get up for a game against a really good team. The old "measuring stick game". From the drop of the puck they looked as bad as I've seen them the entire season.

As far as the Kessel thing goes... He had a really rough game. I would only trade him if I could replace his production, but my suggestion they might trade him is based on the general perception that him and Sully aren't exactly besty's and there were solid reports after last season they were looking to trade him. Not rumors... Multiple reporters confirmed he was on the market.

By the way, I don't exactly blame him for another shorty. Sure, he could have dumped it in instead of trying to carry it, but nobody else even considered that the puck might get turned over. Every other player got caught going the wrong direction.
- madmike71

The shorty is on Sullivan as much as anyone else. The first unit was out there for :59, had two full ice rushes, one after losing the draw and the second resulting in an off side. Both Mears and Errey brought up the point the second unit was hot before the puck drop. Hind sight is perfect but I agreed with the announcers when they first stated their view.

Yeah so the Shark player (Donskoi) didn't embellish at all. The puck was about 6 or 7 feet from JJ but Kane gave JJ a little shove that made JJ lean forward down on his stick right at the same time Donskoi was trying to skate past. Trip.

I look at it this way...

1. No you don't trade Kessel unless he's completely unhappy then there's no point keeping him (see Brass). He's got something going on, he's not shooting like normal at all and that's a concern.
2. JMFJ at this point it may be worth it to dump a 1st to get him off the roster...which is just plain sad, and completely unrealistic based on our fearless leaders
3. Sully is incapable of making adjustments, sounds familiar right (Bylsma)...and this is going to prevent any meaningful playoff run, if they make it.
4. PP - the first unit needs to be demoted entirely, start the 2nd unit for the time being (a few games) as if they were the 1st unit. Also as stated above no more 1 minute straight shifts for a PP unit it's moronic!

That JJ penalty in the first minute resulting in a goal against in the first two minutes is the absolute worst way to start a home game. It killed the crowd immediately. I want to go back and watch it because A: it was so quick to happen in the game and a lot happened after and B: I was vaping Bruce Banner, a lovely green, but to me I couldn't figure out why JJ had so much downward pressure on his stick when he didnt have puck and he didnt have a guy on him. He was completely back on to the guy he tripped, his stick was so strong to the ice the Shark skater he tripped was just trying to skate past him and ran into the iron stick...or thats how it seemed to me at the time. Was he expecting a pass there behind the net like that? Did the Shark perhaps embellish at all? I'm going to use the NHL live app now to rewatch.

Then theres the short handy against. That and a goal against in the 1st 2 mins of a game are f'n killer. Even still, the Pens could of had 5 or 6 goals last night, Kessel could of had 2 or 3 himself. They were really sloppy with the puck. Just kept getting flubbed, missed and away from them in the offense zone.
- MattStrat

I don't know... Yes, all of those things happened, but the general tenor of that game was so blah. Virtually no energy from the Pens. Then they proceeded to get their asses kicked when San Jose rubbed their noses in it late. I don't understand how they can get embarrassed out in San Jose and when the venue shifts to Pittsburgh, they played some of the most listless 50 minutes the team has played all season. Something just isn't right with this club. I still think we'll make the playoffs, but we're not looking at a long run unless something changes.

I'm not saying it was must win, but good lord, it didn't even look like they were trying through most of that game. You'd think the Pens could get up for a game against a really good team. The old "measuring stick game". From the drop of the puck they looked as bad as I've seen them the entire season.

As far as the Kessel thing goes... He had a really rough game. I would only trade him if I could replace his production, but my suggestion they might trade him is based on the general perception that him and Sully aren't exactly besty's and there were solid reports after last season they were looking to trade him. Not rumors... Multiple reporters confirmed he was on the market.

By the way, I don't exactly blame him for another shorty. Sure, he could have dumped it in instead of trying to carry it, but nobody else even considered that the puck might get turned over. Every other player got caught going the wrong direction.
- madmike71

Agreed, I can't blame Phil for that one. Geno can't drop the puck to the last man back and still stay ahead of him. Someone has to cover. They were all within 5 ft of the blue line and standing still.

Overall Phil has been blah. He's not shooting, his passes are off. Not sure what the deal is. I'm getting tired of him missing a play, dragging his ass back slowly with his head down mumbling to himself.

He is gonna get points on the pp and playing with Malkin. Doesn't mean he's playing great.

Trading Kessel would be a RIDICULOUS overreaction IMO. He’s too good to trade, what could you possibly get in return that gives you more value for the upcoming playoff run?
- SimpleJack

Nothing. This guys a dummy.

Simmonds rumors and now Chiasson. Quit with the dumpster diving already.

Simmonds rumors and now Chiasson. Quit with the dumpster diving already.
- Thorny87

hahaha

Says who?
- Rinosaur

Lebrun.

https://wp.me/p5j8Ou-3wb

Solid article about Maatta’s impact on the Pens.

https://wp.me/p5j8Ou-3wb

Solid article about Maatta’s impact on the Pens.
- j.boyd919

I mean... we don't hate him... we just hate his speed and durability. Everything else is good.

https://wp.me/p5j8Ou-3wb

Solid article about Maatta’s impact on the Pens.
- j.boyd919

Nice find man, thanks.

If the D was:

Dumo-Tang
Maatta - Schultz
Pett - Rudy

What a difference it would make.

https://wp.me/p5j8Ou-3wb

Solid article about Maatta’s impact on the Pens.
- j.boyd919

Funny that the team that laughs out loud when someone mentions trading Maatta (They clearly see his value to the team) can say that JJ is good.

Funny that the team that laughs out loud when someone mentions trading Maatta (They clearly see his value to the team) can say that JJ is good.
- Thorny87

Yeah but JJ brings things that Maatta could never, like big hits...

Funny that the team that laughs out loud when someone mentions trading Maatta (They clearly see his value to the team) can say that JJ is good.
- Thorny87

I legitimately don’t get it lol it’s bananas.

If the D was:

Dumo-Tang
Maatta - Schultz
Pett - Rudy

What a difference it would make.
- MattStrat

Ruhd has been OK considering the time he missed. That 3rd goal was a cluster (frank) of epic proportions though. I thought originally it was Dumo that decided to leave 2 sharks alone down low to go help. It was Ruhd and I'm not sure what he was thinking.

https://wp.me/p5j8Ou-3wb

Solid article about Maatta’s impact on the Pens.
- j.boyd919

You mean to say that Maatta has been good individually and his pairings have struggled because he's been saddled most commonly with either Riikola or Johnson, a replacement level and sub replacement level defender respectively, who have been playing their offside to boot? You don't say.

I'm not a fan that the article didn't really make an argument and just kinda dumped the stats and said "here", but its pretty easy to extrapolate an argument from the data presented. While I've backed off my take that Maatta is our second best defenseman this season, I will beat the Maatta is a good top 4 defenseman drum until he's not a Penguin anymore.

https://wp.me/p5j8Ou-3wb

Solid article about Maatta’s impact on the Pens.
- j.boyd919

Great article, and I tend to agree. I've never quite understood the disdain for Maatta, albeit he's not fleet of foot. To me, he should be compared to Dumo rather than Letang or Schultz.

He's a good, positional defenseman, if not better than good. I don't think he's at the same level as Dumo but he's probably the next best defensive-defenseman the team has.

I think the Pens D isn't that bad, if/when Maatta returns he should replace Riikola (would love him to replace JMFJ but that ain't happening), and then in a perfect world they'd run:

Letang/Dumo
Schultz/Maatta
Peterson/Ruw (or if it has to be JMFJ)

Yeah but JJ brings things that Maatta could never, like big hits...
- MattStrat

If Maatta could get a little meaner I'd be all for it. I think he apologizes after he hits someone.

Same goes with Dumo. Those two never seem to get mad. It's probably better that way but I do think our D is easy to play against physically.