I completely agree. I don’t think the Pens have a primary threat on their PP. Whether it’s Phil walking in off the half wall or Genos one timer, I wish they would make a distinct primary threat, but they don’t. I do agree that their PP tends to pass it around. That’s why I wish the Pens would work the triangle on Phil’s side of the ice much like the Caps do with Backstrom/Oshie/Kuzy before trying to get the puck back over to Ovi for the one timer. It would spread the PKers out and make them “forget” about Ovi because you have to respect that puck movement on Phil’s side of the ice with Sid down low and Kessel on the half wall

Edit: let me correct myself. If they were to play that triangle on the opposite side of Geno it would require a left hand shot on the slot so I would imagine that to be Guentzel but I also understand how important Hornqvist is to the PP in front of the net so I’m not sure if it would work as well.
- j.boyd919

The problem is that you would have to switch Crosby over low with Kessel, which takes away his one timer too. So now you switch horny for Jake and put Sid on his weaker side.

I think their powerplay would be perfect as is if Kessel could one time the puck. A guy like Laine, Ovi or Kovalchuk would absolutely feast in that spot. Just the treat of having a one timer there would make the entire PP more dangerous. Teams know that if Kessel isn't sliding up inside the dot they have time to get over. I think that's one of the reasons they get pass happy.

I've actually been hoping they try out Schultz (maybe even Bjugstad) in Kessels spot. Both can rip it and then you could do what you mentioned on the second PP unit.

I don’t really think he floats around out of position as much as you think he does. As one of the wingers, depending on what side of the puck is on, he’s supposed to float around. If the Pens gain control of the puck in the defensive zone on the oppposite side of the ice as Kessel, he should be floating to the middle of the ice to provide an outlet instead of staying on the RW boards. If the player meant to pass to Kessel at the top of the zone for an exit fails to do so (which happens a lot Depending on forecheck pressure), he gets caught in no man land and has to scramble to get back to position and can often look like he’s out of position when in reality he was doing the right thing.

In terms of winning board battles, the only time he should be battling on the boards is when the puck goes to the point where he’s covering. He shouldn’t be downlow unless that Dman pinches. And let’s be real, if you’ve ever played with a wet noodle (60-70 flex) you know how difficult it can be to win a board battle with a heavier twig.

Is Kessel responsible for some of his struggles? Sure. I’d say agree to some of them, but I don’t believe it’s nearly hasn’t big as you make it. He back checks, plays his position, provides an outlet, etc. just too often the team isn’t capable of getting him the puck in stride which limits how effective he is and that comes down to D is my opinion. Again, there is a reason that everyone’s shot rates suffer when JJ is on the ice. He drags everyone down. It’s a fact and I believe he holds more of the reason to his teammates struggles than guys who are ppg players.
- j.boyd919

The problem with Phil in the D zone is he floats to his assignments too. He coasts towards the boards or battles like he's killing a penalty. Like someone said, it's almost as if he hopes the puck is gone before he gets there.

This Phil stuff is all so amazing. I can't wait to see everyone shut up when he scores.

This Phil stuff is all so amazing. I can't wait to see everyone shut up when he scores.
- Rinosaur

Yeah but dude we are talking about the D zone.

This Phil stuff is all so amazing. I can't wait to see everyone shut up when he scores.
- Rinosaur

When he is scoring, I don't really care how he does anything else. The good out ways the bad as others have said.

When he isn't scoring it just magnifies other parts of his game that aren't great. That's what people are seeing now.

This whole thing started because someone said he should't be above criticism and he's not. When a players play isn't up to their usual standards they're gonna take heat.

This Phil stuff is all so amazing. I can't wait to see everyone shut up when he scores.
- Rinosaur

Trust me, everyone wants to see Kessel score. I can't wait for you guys to give JJ credit for driving the offensive play when it does happen.

When he is scoring, I don't really care how he does anything else. The good out ways the bad as others have said.

When he isn't scoring it just magnifies other parts of his game that aren't great. That's what people are seeing now.

This whole thing started because someone said he should't be above criticism and he's not. When a players play isn't up to their usual standards they're gonna take heat.
- Thorny87

Exactly this. Thank you.

The problem is that you would have to switch Crosby over low with Kessel, which takes away his one timer too. So now you switch horny for Jake and put Sid on his weaker side.

I think their powerplay would be perfect as is if Kessel could one time the puck. A guy like Laine, Ovi or Kovalchuk would absolutely feast in that spot. Just the treat of having a one timer there would make the entire PP more dangerous. Teams know that if Kessel isn't sliding up inside the dot they have time to get over. I think that's one of the reasons they get pass happy.

I've actually been hoping they try out Schultz (maybe even Bjugstad) in Kessels spot. Both can rip it and then you could do what you mentioned on the second PP unit.
- MacPatty

Take away who’s one timer? Sids? His one timer isn’t really a primary option with Geno on the half wall.

Kessel doesn’t one time the puck so taking that out of the equation when forming a game plan is essential. There’s no point in thinking what could be if he could one time it because he doesn’t.

Again, my idea is to make Genos one timer the primary option. Much like Washington with Ovi, just flip it to the other side of the ice. Sid on his “weak” side dishing to Kessel of Jake in the slot is easy for him, that’s not a difficult pass, not to mention he’s the best at redirecting pucks down low from weird angles.

I’m just saying it’s an option, but that would pull off Horny from the PP and I’m not sure if that’s the best option.

Trust me, everyone wants to see Kessel score. I can't wait for you guys to give JJ credit for driving the offensive play when it does happen.
- MacPatty

I’ll give JJ credit for the one play out of 50 that he drives offense. I have before. I can appreciate a good play it’s when you make 49 bad plays and the margin between good and bad is so vast that there’s a problem.

When he is scoring, I don't really care how he does anything else. The good out ways the bad as others have said.

When he isn't scoring it just magnifies other parts of his game that aren't great. That's what people are seeing now.

This whole thing started because someone said he should't be above criticism and he's not. When a players play isn't up to their usual standards they're gonna take heat.
- Thorny87

Speechless

Speechless
- Rinosaur

8 points in his last 10 games. Time to focus on defense.

I’ll give JJ credit for the one play out of 50 that he drives offense. I have before. I can appreciate a good play it’s when you make 49 bad plays and the margin between good and bad is so vast that there’s a problem.
- j.boyd919

When the Pens are already in their own zone and he doesn’t have to defend around the net, he occasionally makes some solid individual defensive moves to shut down a player with the puck... that’s about it.

As far as contributing to offense his passes can’t be stretch passes and his shots almost never get through.

When he is scoring, I don't really care how he does anything else. The good out ways the bad as others have said.

When he isn't scoring it just magnifies other parts of his game that aren't great. That's what people are seeing now.

This whole thing started because someone said he should't be above criticism and he's not. When a players play isn't up to their usual standards they're gonna take heat.
- Thorny87

No one said he isn’t above criticism. I simply said that bulk of the criticism is misguided and is lack of production likely has more to do with the defenseman he sees the ice with more as that defenseman brings down the production of all forwards he is in the ice with and I am not incorrect in that analysis.

8 points in his last 10 games. Time to focus on defense.
- Feds91Stammer

BuT bOaRd bAtTLeS tHouGh

8 points in his last 10 games. Time to focus on defense.
- Feds91Stammer

8 points in 10 games is weak sauce. It clearly exposes his weak parts.

8 points in 10 games is weak sauce. It clearly exposes his weak parts.
- Rinosaur

Board battles and floating tho.

He hasn't scored a goal in 15 games.

The statement was people will shut up when he scores, which I agree with. He hasn't scored in a while and he's taking heat.

Board battles and floating tho.
- j.boyd919

Serious floating. We all float down here.

Dumo wearing a regular practice jersey and Letang out there in non contact jersey

Dumo gtd tonight

Dumo wearing a regular practice jersey and Letang out there in non contact jersey

Dumo gtd tonight
- jchst22

F yeah, thats great news.

Dumo wearing a regular practice jersey and Letang out there in non contact jersey

Dumo gtd tonight
- jchst22

Nice! Any word on the d line up for rushes?

Nice! Any word on the d line up for rushes?
- Thorny87

If I’m a bettin man, they’re going to keep JJ with Schultz and have Dumo with Guds.

If I’m a bettin man, they’re going to keep JJ with Schultz and have Dumo with Guds.
- Rinosaur

I'd have to say I'm good with that if the other option is JJ Gud

He hasn't scored a goal in 15 games.

The statement was people will shut up when he scores, which I agree with. He hasn't scored in a while and he's taking heat.
- Thorny87

Is he not contributing to offense still?

Dumo wearing a regular practice jersey and Letang out there in non contact jersey

Dumo gtd tonight
- jchst22

No chance they rush him back and play tonight. This is supposed to be the easier game in this stretch.