Starting to feel like this team is coming together. JR has taken a hell of a lot of heat on his trades but boy have they worked.

Petterson looks like he can replace Maata long term. Didn't like trading Sprong but I'm ok with it now.

McCann looks like Sid's other winger. Jake and McCann are both so young (and under contract control) for many years. Looking like an upgraded kunitzz-sid-dupuis in the making.

Bjugstad has been solid, looking like a really solid 3C.

Gudbransson was the missing link on this team. Led the Pens in ice time last night in a huge game and was impactful. Don't take it from me, listen to Murray rave about him.

The tie up with Wilson was a perfect example. Wilson ran over Peterson and was about to grab Jake. Instead Gud stepped in and threw him on his ass. See the look on Wilson's face? He looked shocked that someone on the Pens actually took it to him. It doesn't have to be a knockout blow to provide a conference boost to your team while also getting in your rivals head.
- MacPatty

No. Players just say that. Murray would much rather have marcel Goc sucking up the ice with his great stats.

No. Players just say that. Murray would much rather have marcel Goc sucking up the ice with his great stats.
- Grinder47

I'm not only happy that Gud has been really good so far but I'm also happy for you Grinder, that you have this to run with.

Cheers.

Gudbranson came through nicely last night. I'm not sure what is clicking for him but I hope it doesnt stop. Hes looked great.
Also, Bjugstad, despite the production not flowing like McCanns right now, is quietly putting up huge shot totals and scoring chances. Had 8 shots last night! He is something to see on that third.

They're the same ones that jerked off over Brassard and Beau Bennett's fancy stats without actually knowing they suck at hockey.

This team isn't where it is without the trades JR made.
- sammy87

And had he made decent moves elsewhere they wouldn’t have needed to make certain trades too. Goes both ways. Let’s be real, the Pens looked like dog poop to start the season.

Best 5v5 HDCF% in the league since 3/1/19

Lets see if they can sustain this.

Best 5v5 HDCF% in the league since 3/1/19

Lets see if they can sustain this.
- Feds91Stammer

If I remember correctly this was the stat they crushed everyone in during the 2016 run. It wasn't just shot volume.

Gudbranson came through nicely last night. I'm not sure what is clicking for him but I hope it doesnt stop. Hes looked great.
Also, Bjugstad, despite the production not flowing like McCanns right now, is quietly putting up huge shot totals and scoring chances. Had 8 shots last night! He is something to see on that third.
- burgh4life87

Bjugstad deserves all the accolades. Hörnqvist is just a different player right now playing with him. Our long term 3rd C with a Jordan Staal type of body and wingspan. Nice addition!

If I remember correctly this was the stat they crushed everyone in during the 2016 run. It wasn't just shot volume.
- burgh4life87

Yes. And imo if you were to choose to look at only one stat this would be the one to look at.

If I remember correctly this was the stat they crushed everyone in during the 2016 run. It wasn't just shot volume.
- burgh4life87

Although they did slaughter teams in shot volume. That was so much fun to watch. Putting up 35-40 shots nearly every game.

Although they did slaughter teams in shot volume. That was so much fun to watch. Putting up 35-40 shots nearly every game.
- j.boyd919

Yah they did. That 2016 team was something.

Bjugstad deserves all the accolades. Hörnqvist is just a different player right now playing with him. Our long term 3rd C with a Jordan Staal type of body and wingspan. Nice addition!
- Barnaby36

I agree, that line has huge potential. I feel like once they get one, it will just rain down goals.

If I remember correctly this was the stat they crushed everyone in during the 2016 run. It wasn't just shot volume.
- burgh4life87

Pretty sure they were possession monsters in 2016 as well, not so much now.

Its pretty crazy that they're doing this without Tanger.

Pretty sure they were possession monsters in 2016 as well, not so much now.

Its pretty crazy that they're doing this without Tanger.
- MattStrat

Meh. Not really. Even DET has put together very strong weeks together.

Meh. Not really. Even DET has put together very strong weeks together.
- Feds91Stammer

True enough. They're winning against some pretty quality competition though.

True enough. They're winning against some pretty quality competition though.
- MattStrat

I will give you the WSH game and thats it. Otherwise you have BOS on the 2nd night of a back to back and a bunch of mediocre teams.

I will give you the WSH game and thats it. Otherwise you have BOS on the 2nd night of a back to back and a bunch of mediocre teams.
- Feds91Stammer

Pens were on the 2nd night of a back to back vs. Boston too.

Pens were on the 2nd night of a back to back vs. Boston too.
- j.boyd919

Wow I didn't realize the schedule makers actually had a back to back game that made some sense. I figured it was like DET Sunday where they played an afternoon game at FLA after they played the night before against TBL while FLA was just chillin.

It really makes you mad that Gudbranson is a good hockey player doesn’t it? Let me guess you had a Hatty in C league the other night and big slow Gudbranson woulndt be able to catch you? P.S. the league protects Wilson and makes an honest mans job nearly impossible. Luckily Gudbranson solid hockey play is more than enough to justify the trade.
- Grinder47

Yeah, because that’s what I meant.

I will give you the WSH game and thats it. Otherwise you have BOS on the 2nd night of a back to back and a bunch of mediocre teams.
- Feds91Stammer

Meh. Pens were on B2B too...ended the B's 19 game point streak.

Ok, I'm gonna bring up something that I know will get misinterpreted, but it's just something I was thinking about, so let preface this by stating the following:

1) I DON'T think the Pens can go deep in the playoffs without Letang

2) I DON'T think the Pens are better without Letang

While they open the game up at times, the Pens have been playing a more conservative brand of hockey and that's been working for them. The Pens played this style more back in 15/16 and it allowed them to counter-attack the way they have.

My question is this; when Letang gets back, do the Pens loosen up their game? They rely heavily on Letang to do a lot of things, so I wonder if they will change their style a bit when he returns.

Also let me say I'm not saying the Pens are playing this great brand of defensive hockey. Just relative to how they have played the last two years it's more conservative.

Best 5v5 HDCF% in the league since 3/1/19

Lets see if they can sustain this.
- Feds91Stammer

The same day that Gudbranson got here. Just saying.

Ok, I'm gonna bring up something that I know will get misinterpreted, but it's just something I was thinking about, so let preface this by stating the following:

1) I DON'T think the Pens can go deep in the playoffs without Letang

2) I DON'T think the Pens are better without Letang

While they open the game up at times, the Pens have been playing a more conservative brand of hockey and that's been working for them. The Pens played this style more back in 15/16 and it allowed them to counter-attack the way they have.

My question is this; when Letang gets back, do the Pens loosen up their game? They rely heavily on Letang to do a lot of things, so I wonder if they will change their style a bit when he returns.

Also let me say I'm not saying the Pens are playing this great brand of defensive hockey. Just relative to how they have played the last two years it's more conservative.
- Rinosaur

Had this thought just a bit ago when talking to that yinz JBoyd

The same day that Gudbranson got here. Just saying.
- Thunderbolt

Yeah that is why I picked that sample which is very small at only 7 games...

The same day that Gudbranson got here. Just saying.
- Thunderbolt

You mean when Schultz returned

You mean when Schultz returned
- Guile

Was that Schultz’s first game back too?