I can’t believe we are even comparing Maatta to JJ.

Also, if Ruhwedel was available I would absolutely want him over both guys. I wouldn’t put JJ with Schultz either! When I say I don’t want Maatta in this series it’s because I want his TOI to go to 0. It doesn’t mean I want JJ to play 20 minutes. I want him to play like 12 in a sheltered role on the bottom pair. Pettersson wasn’t great last night either. Unfortunately he looks like he could use some sheltering as well. RW has said it in the past, we can only shelter one pairing

From Vensel (other PPG beat guy)- FWIW, Jack Johnson and Teddy Blueger are two of the last off the ice.

In terms of poopty D I think it goes
Dumo
Maatta
Letang
Pettersson
Schultz
Guddy
- j.boyd919

Shocking but true, Gudbranson continues to be a rock.

Letang-dumo
Schultz-Pettersson

Use whatever for the 3rd defensive pairing and heavily shelter them.

Letang-dumo
Schultz-Pettersson

Use whatever for the 3rd defensive pairing and heavily shelter them.
- drummer829

Do you type this looking in a mirror? hahah jk....you have the lefties and righties switched...

I dont think breaking up Petts and Guds is a good idea.

Letang-dumo
Schultz-Pettersson

Use whatever for the 3rd defensive pairing and heavily shelter them.
- drummer829

I think that may happen at some point next year if Pettersson's decision-making improves with experience. Right now I like him where he's at on a stable 3rd pair that allows them to put Schultz in better offensive situations.

Do you type this looking in a mirror? hahah jk....you have the lefties and righties switched...

I dont think breaking up Petts and Guds is a good idea.
- MattStrat

I’d be good with these. I wonder how the numbers of Guds with / without Petts differ

Also, if Ruhwedel was available I would absolutely want him over both guys. I wouldn’t put JJ with Schultz either! When I say I don’t want Maatta in this series it’s because I want his TOI to go to 0. It doesn’t mean I want JJ to play 20 minutes. I want him to play like 12 in a sheltered role on the bottom pair. Pettersson wasn’t great last night either. Unfortunately he looks like he could use some sheltering as well. RW has said it in the past, we can only shelter one pairing
- WSCTeton17

He was one of their best.

He had a 18.47CF%rel and a 63.91% HDSC%rel (both 5vs5 SVA)...and to my eyes he didnt have many gaffs or blunders, and especially none that led to goals against. He was putting the puck on the net when he should of been too.

I’d be good with these. I wonder how the numbers of Guds with / without Petts differ
- WSCTeton17

Has he had a different partner at all since joining them?...I honestly cant remember.

From Vensel (other PPG beat guy)- FWIW, Jack Johnson and Teddy Blueger are two of the last off the ice.
- Tojo.

Good. I mean sucks for Teddy, but good that Johnson is probably not drawing back in.

Seriously, what is the deal here? Blueger's probably been our 10th best forward this season. If this is a "rookie needs to pay his dues" thing, I'd be pissed off.

Has he had a different partner at all since joining them?...I honestly cant remember.
- MattStrat

No they've been paired together since day one.

That lineup deserves the chance to redeem themselves. Aside from getting Bloog in, do nothing.

Here’s the deal fellas, that lineup is the best the Pens have to offer. Getting JJ in doesn’t give them a better chance, so if they cannot win with who they iced last night, they can’t win, period.

That lineup deserves the chance to redeem themselves. Aside from getting Bloog in, do nothing.

Here’s the deal fellas, that lineup is the best the Pens have to offer. Getting JJ in doesn’t give them a better chance, so if they cannot win with who they iced last night, they can’t win, period.
- Rinosaur

Again, Dumoulin and Maatta sucked Richard last night and it was STILL by far the most effective Schultz has been since coming back from injury. I cannot stress enough how important Schultz driving play for the second and third lines is for this team's success in the playoffs. RW said it's no coincidence that last night was the best Schultz has played, and I'd go a step further that it's also no coincidence that the Malkin unit has looked the best it has all season: they're actually playing with a D pairing that can drive offense.

No they've been paired together since day one.
- Victoro311

Yeah thats what I leaned towards because I just couldn't recall him with anyone else at any point.

Shocking that Teddy isn't playing. Sully loves having two centers on the 4th line. Really like the way he's played too.

Good. I mean sucks for Teddy, but good that Johnson is probably not drawing back in.

Seriously, what is the deal here? Blueger's probably been our 10th best forward this season. If this is a "rookie needs to pay his dues" thing, I'd be pissed off.
- Victoro311

Slightly more detail from Mackey, but same thing: Jack Johnson, Zach Trotman, Teddy Blueger and Casey DeSmith were on the ice long after everyone else. Would be shocked if any of them played tomorrow.

I'd play Blueger, but here's what I think Sully is thinking.

He trusts Cullen a ton obviously. ZAR and Wilson can play that down low cycling game they want to play better. Wilson I think is similar to Simon that he has strong analytics numbers even though he rarely scores.

Blueger is better suited to their old speed style which they don't play anymore and is a better center than wing, which he isn't playing over Cullen.

They seriously need to protect Murray a lot more next game. His durability is suspect at best already, and clearly Trotz mentioned goaltender contact as part of the game plan because not once were they showing any signs of pulling up. Yes a few were results of Pittsburgh Defenders making contact while Islander forwards were driving the net, but as a forward, you’re responsible for quantifying within reason the fact that the defender is probably going to try and stop you and make contact and just because he does, it doesn’t mean you’ve got a green light to drop your shoulder or knee on the netminder. Lack of protection in the responses bothered me too. Beyond Geno’s left jab on one forward, no one including the Zebra’s seemed to mind Matty Murray taking shots more like he was DeMarco Murray. Ridiculous.

Good. I mean sucks for Teddy, but good that Johnson is probably not drawing back in.

Seriously, what is the deal here? Blueger's probably been our 10th best forward this season. If this is a "rookie needs to pay his dues" thing, I'd be pissed off.
- Victoro311

It's just typical for coaches to play their veterans over better, younger forwards. The vets can suck all year, but as soon as the rookie makes a mistake, they get put into the doghouse.

For the Caps, it's Brooks Orpik.

I firmly believe the only reason Bloog is out instead of ZAR or Wilson is the physical factor.

It's just typical for coaches to play their veterans over better, younger forwards. The vets can suck all year, but as soon as the rookie makes a mistake, they get put into the doghouse.

For the Caps, it's Brooks Orpik.
- Blackstrom2

I get that for Cullen, but ZAR is a second year forward and Wilson is a career AHLer, and Blueger hasn't messed up. Sullivan has only sung his praises all season.

Now how's that AMac at 50% for a 4th looking?

Now how's that AMac at 50% for a 4th looking?
- jmatchett383

Still bad

Still bad
- Guile

You did watch Maatta and Dumo last night, right?

I firmly believe the only reason Bloog is out instead of ZAR or Wilson is the physical factor.
- Rinosaur

I believe you are 100% correct.