I dont think Malkin has been THAT bad, just hasnt produced a lot. Its a 3 game sample size. He's made some lazy errant passes for sure that have stuck out, but he's also been responsible for a lot of chances for the Pens....or at least thats why my eyes tell me...
- MattStrat

IMO Malkin has provided less than Sheary who's gotten crucified. He has less points at least. Maybe he's not hurting us like others, but Malkin v Suzuki was supposed to be our biggest edge and it's not really worked out that way. He had a brilliant year, but should not escape criticism for where we are. The bar is higher for him.

IMO Malkin has provided less than Sheary who's gotten crucified. He has less points at least. Maybe he's not hurting us like others, but Malkin v Suzuki was supposed to be our biggest edge and it's not really worked out that way. He had a brilliant year, but should not escape criticism for where we are. The bar is higher for him.
- Tojo.

I agree but like Vic said, if Malkin's play was the biggest problem this series might be over or at least 2-1 Pens.

Also... its time to reunite 59-71-17

IMO Malkin has provided less than Sheary who's gotten crucified. He has less points at least. Maybe he's not hurting us like others, but Malkin v Suzuki was supposed to be our biggest edge and it's not really worked out that way. He had a brilliant year, but should not escape criticism for where we are. The bar is higher for him.
- Tojo.

Well you can't do anything about people having bad takes.

Zucker, Sid, Rust
Jake, Geno, Hornie
Tanev, Bleugs, ZAR
Sheary, McCaan, Rod.

Letang, Dumo
Pets, Marino
Riiki, Ruh.

Shake it up Sully.
- madmike71

Having time to think on it, this is about what I'd do to.

I don't know that I switch Jake and Zucker because Jake is getting tons of chances just not finishing and I don't see how playing with Malkin changes that. His touch is just a little off. That said, Zucker sure looks better away from Malkin so maybe.

After the year they had, it's hard to separate Malkin and Rust, but we haven't seen that magic. I think Hornqvist has a much better chance of keeping up with Geno than Sid, so in the interest of getting the best 6 guys in the top 6, I support that.

McCann hasn't been good offensively but solid in the d zone and we saw last night he wasn't the biggest problem on that line. Hornqvist is only as good as his linemates at this point. I like Sheary there as an offensive spark down the lineup. Marleau is invisible and Lafferty was terrible, so Rod is all that's left to get a shot.

I'd go with...

Zucker-Sid-Sheary
Jake-Geno-Rust
Marleau-McCann-Horn
ZAR-Blue-Tanev

Letang/Dumo
Petts/Marino
Riikola/Ruh

Jarry

That third line started to find themselves in Game 2. Sully should have let them continue to settle in and that third pair just needs to go.

I've said this before, but I prefer Jarry to Murray and while one goal last night is on Murray, I'd be ok if they stayed with him. I honestly think he's been pretty damn solid and has come up with very timely saves.
- Rinosaur

Murray has been pretty good, that 4th goal aside. it's just tough when you compare him to Price who has faced far tougher chances and has been better.

I'd go with...

Zucker-Sid-Sheary
Jake-Geno-Rust
Marleau-McCann-Horn
ZAR-Blue-Tanev

Letang/Dumo
Petts/Marino
Riikola/Ruh

Jarry

That third line started to find themselves in Game 2. Sully should have let them continue to settle in and that third pair just needs to go.

I've said this before, but I prefer Jarry to Murray and while one goal last night is on Murray, I'd be ok if they stayed with him. I honestly think he's been pretty damn solid and has come up with very timely saves.
- Rinosaur

This, 100%.

Well you can't do anything about people having bad takes.
- Victoro311

Maybe just relative to expectations then, but I'm not near as disappointed Sheary's play as Malkin.

Murray has been pretty good, that 4th goal aside. it's just tough when you compare him to Price who has faced far tougher chances and has been better.
- DoubleDown

Yup...if the goalies were reversed there is a very, very good chance the Pens would of swept this...

Murray has been pretty good, that 4th goal aside. it's just tough when you compare him to Price who has faced far tougher chances and has been better.
- DoubleDown

Murray was uninspired either way Game 1. Played good enough to win if the team in front of him played very well. They didn't, Price was a lot better, and we lost. Murray was very good game 2. Murray was downright bad last night. We had other issues going on, but you gotta imagine the Pens still have a chance if he doesn't let in that Petry goal. It's the Pens' own fault they folded after that, but we don't even get there if Murray makes a routine save.

Again, our biggest problem is still Jack Johnson, and maybe I don't care as much about Murray's performances (good enough, good, bad) if we didn't have another good option. But we have Tristan Jarry who had a better season than Murr and looked really sharp during the preseason. I just don't think there's a proper justification of keeping Matt "Good Enough" Murray in the crease when the rest of the team is struggling and Jarry could in theory be better.

I agree but like Vic said, if Malkin's play was the biggest problem this series might be over or at least 2-1 Pens.

Also... its time to reunite 59-71-17
- MattStrat

The series might also be over or at least 2-1 Pens if Malkin was playing at his level.

A lot of talk of Murray and Sully over the last 12 games, which is fair I'm not absorbing them, but Malkin has just 2 goals and 5 assists over his last 12 playoff games. If Malkin scores at his normal pace, they have another 5 or 6 goals. How many more games do they win then?

Yup...if the goalies were reversed there is a very, very good chance the Pens would of swept this...
- MattStrat

without question

IMO Malkin has provided less than Sheary who's gotten crucified. He has less points at least. Maybe he's not hurting us like others, but Malkin v Suzuki was supposed to be our biggest edge and it's not really worked out that way. He had a brilliant year, but should not escape criticism for where we are. The bar is higher for him.
- Tojo.

Yup, thats exactly what I mean. Im not saying Malkin has been our worst player or even bottom 7-8 but in the playoffs you need your best players to be your best players. I think Sheary has been better then Malkin and I think Sheary has been as average as expected. If Malkin was one of our top players and playing like he can like he did this season, I think its 3-0 pens and the series is over. Yes, even with JJ and shultz playing like shiiiittt.

I just went back and watched all the Habs goals. Its not just JJ...Schultz has blame too, especially on the 2nd goal. It was Schultz's man (Byron) he didn't have tied up/wasn't playing hard enough that just deflected the shot in the crease.

The 3rd and 4th goals Ive seen goalies stop many, many times. On the 3rd goal Murray doesn't stretch to cover far post with toe/pad...just not strong there at all....and that 4th goal, Ive seen him scored on like this a few times before. Over the shoulder. Down at the post when he shouldn't be. Wide open gaping hole there haha.

1st goal against was 3 rebounds. He didnt have much help with the players in front of him but he could of also not gave up 3 rebounds/tried to cover it, he was also way out of his crease.
- MattStrat

That 4th goal he makes himself so small! I think I could pick that spot Petry did at least 3/10 times.

Can’t be giving NHL caliber players that hole.

I get all the hate for JJ and Murray... Mostly deserved. I also get the hate for Sheary but don’t think he’s been horrible either. I’m not a sheary fan at all. But I think sheary has been better then Malkin all 3 games and nobody is hating on Malkin? I know Wilson tells us over and over and over it’s only cuz he has bad line mates and it’s cuz of JJ but we know Malkin many times can become disengaged and be less then half the player he can be at times and he’s showing it 100% right now.
- pens4life-66

Truth. Been saying it since game 1. Genos line was supposed to dominate. He has to much better

Anyone wanna haul up the combined fancy stats over these 3 games for the 4 forward lines?

I feel like Malkins line has had a good few chances, especially in the first game.

The series might also be over or at least 2-1 Pens if Malkin was playing at his level.

A lot of talk of Murray and Sully over the last 12 games, which is fair I'm not absorbing them, but Malkin has just 2 goals and 5 assists over his last 12 playoff games. If Malkin scores at his normal pace, they have another 5 or 6 goals. How many more games do they win then?
- Tojo.

Its a good point but nothing Malkin has done has zapped the life and momentum right out of the Pens. He's had a bunch of chances he hasn't buried and is responsible for setting up other chances that just weren't converted.

I dont like to look at sample sizes that reach over multiple playoffs against different teams in different season. For me its just these 3 games this year...and 3 games is a very small sample size.

Anyone else a bit worried that Sullys BS of playing people over more deserving players will end up costing the team this offseason? What’re the chances Jarry says screw it im out of here you chose Murray and walks, same with Riiky who is by far our 5th best d-man.

I’m kind of glad I missed last nights game now based on what I read and the snippets posted elsewhere. I’m really done with this current regime and having to bring in the Marleaus and Shearys of the world. If we by the grace of God get Lafrenniere I’d love to see Murray, Schultz, Sheary, Marleau all set sail and bring in 1 more top 4 D and another scoring winger wishfully top 6.

This team will not advance past the next round against Boston or even Philly. So why not take a chance at what would be the best wing on the team should they win the lottery?

Anyone else a bit worried that Sullys BS of playing people over more deserving players will end up costing the team this offseason? What’re the chances Jarry says screw it im out of here you chose Murray and walks, same with Riiky who is by far our 5th best d-man.

I’m kind of glad I missed last nights game now based on what I read and the snippets posted elsewhere. I’m really done with this current regime and having to bring in the Marleaus and Shearys of the world. If we by the grace of God get Lafrenniere I’d love to see Murray, Schultz, Sheary, Marleau all set sail and bring in 1 more top 4 D and another scoring winger wishfully top 6.

This team will not advance past the next round against Boston or even Philly. So why not take a chance at what would be the best wing on the team should they win the lottery?
- iworkatinitech

Jarry is restricted so he can’t just walk. I will be thoroughly surprised if Riikola is back. Seems like Sullivan doesn’t want him at all and he’s been hosed this year so why would he want to stay?

That 4th goal he makes himself so small! I think I could pick that spot Petry did at least 3/10 times.

Can’t be giving NHL caliber players that hole.
- Thorny87

Yeah its truly f'n pathetic for that to be the game winner in such an important game...what makes it even worse is Ive seen him scored on like this before.

I'm going to predict that both Murray and JJ are out next game. Now, the only caveat is I could see them dressing Ruhwedel to play his off-side rather than Riikola getting the nod.

I'm going to predict that both Murray and JJ are out next game. Now, the only caveat is I could see them dressing Ruhwedel to play his off-side rather than Riikola getting the nod.
- Rinosaur

And then get hit with the shocked Pikachu face by the coaching staff that Chad playing his off side with an under preforming Schultz ended up being a bad pairing, justifying giving Johnson his spot back next season.

Jarry is restricted so he can’t just walk. I will be thoroughly surprised if Riikola is back. Seems like Sullivan doesn’t want him at all and he’s been hosed this year so why would he want to stay?
- Victoro311

Oh for whatever reason I thought Jarry was now going to be a ufa...losing Riiky will stink as I see him as a modest improvement over Ruw and much better than JJ and current Schultz.

And then get hit with the shocked Pikachu face by the coaching staff that Chad playing his off side with an under preforming Schultz ended up being a bad pairing, justifying giving Johnson his spot back next season.
- Victoro311

That's what Sullivan does though. Makes a bad decision (i.e. Ruh on his off side) to prove his original bad decision (i.e. playing JJ) was correct. Rather than put the team in the best position to succeed, he wants to prove he was right even if both decisions are actually wrong.

Biggest difference for me(however as an outsider without really knowing many details) between now and your previous Cup runs is the lack of that 3rd legit scoring line. The secondary scoring depth isn’t there, and I might consider a serious shake up of the line combos on those top 3 lines(ZAR-Blueger-Tanev should remain in tact as the 4th line).

Again I’m sure there are other issues and things I’m not aware of, but regardless I’m positive at least some of the blame should go towards the lack of a Cup caliber 3rd line.

While it is true that the Pens' third line has not been scoring much I would say that a scoring third line is typically the difference between a solid playoff team and a Stanley Cup winner. The current Pens roster has more serious and fundamental problems, like a mediocre starting goalie and a third defense pairing that would look bad in the AHL and kills this team every time it steps on the ice, even if it is less than 10 minutes per game.

To me the really shocking thing is that this is a contract year for Murray. He was in line to make big money, regardless of his less than ideal play in the 2018-19 and 2019-20 seasons. I don't even think the Pens should re-sign him at this point.

Sully and Ruth are the real problems here.