The Isles PK is no joke. Even with allowing that zone time, they severely cut off shooting lanes. One can argue you just take the shot, and sometimes that is what you do, but IMO the way the Isles were set up they were poised to block a shot go the other way shorthanded.

The Pens out-chanced the Isles 33-20 while limiting them to just 6 high danger chances to the Pens' 11.

The Pens played well enough to give Jarry breathing room most of the game, like you said, a lot of the Isles chances were from the outside, but he just blew it. Sorokin was outstanding. The Pens really didn't make life easy for him and he just came up big and Jarry didn't.

People take a few gaffs by guys like Dumo, Letang and Matheson and create this narrative that the defense stunk. They didn't. They were good by and large. The Isles are good team and will push back. They will win battles against our defense. It will happen, but that doesn't mean the defense was bad.
- Rinosaur

That’s what they do on the pk and 5x5 in their zone defensively. Keep the shooters to the outside and keep the front of the net clear. They don’t care when a team is skating around the perimeter they’re pretty methodical. It’s when teams get position in front on us when the system falls apart. The pens will 100% be focused on doing exactly that next game.

The Isles PK is no joke. Even with allowing that zone time, they severely cut off shooting lanes. One can argue you just take the shot, and sometimes that is what you do, but IMO the way the Isles were set up they were poised to block a shot go the other way shorthanded.

The Pens out-chanced the Isles 33-20 while limiting them to just 6 high danger chances to the Pens' 11.

The Pens played well enough to give Jarry breathing room most of the game, like you said, a lot of the Isles chances were from the outside, but he just blew it. Sorokin was outstanding. The Pens really didn't make life easy for him and he just came up big and Jarry didn't.

People take a few gaffs by guys like Dumo, Letang and Matheson and create this narrative that the defense stunk. They didn't. They were good by and large. The Isles are good team and will push back. They will win battles against our defense. It will happen, but that doesn't mean the defense was bad.
- Rinosaur

I thought Kris Letang played his best game in months. He was fantastic. Dumo had a couple of bonehead plays, but those happen routinely during games and overall they were strong. That's why you have a goalie there. I mean, Pettersson was apparently on the ice for only 2 scoring chances against and they scored on him.



Just looking at the heat chart for shots that is high quality play by those 18 skaters.

That’s what they do on the pk and 5x5 in their zone defensively. Keep the shooters to the outside and keep the front of the net clear. They don’t care when a team is skating around the perimeter they’re pretty methodical. It’s when teams get position in front on us when the system falls apart. The pens will 100% be focused on doing exactly that next game.
- Cptmjl

Yeah, it's a great PK and with how the Pens are on the PP, even when it's good they're susceptible to oddman rushes the other way, so it's wise they didn't just chuck it in.

I'm hoping the Pens are a bit more mobile and aggressive down low.

I thought Kris Letang played his best game in months. He was fantastic. Dumo had a couple of bonehead plays, but those happen routinely during games and overall they were strong. That's why you have a goalie there. I mean, Pettersson was apparently on the ice for only 2 scoring chances against and they scored on him.



Just looking at the heat chart for shots that is high quality play by those 18 skaters.
- burgh4life87

Image didn't come through, but Matheson was also very good. Everyone will only think about that one retard moment, but he was very good that game. The Matheson/Ceci pairing had the best HDCF% of all the Pens dmen.

just mocking the NHL and the salary cap with Kuch having a huge game
- TheGame316

They should consider putting a limit on LTIR. It was supposed to give teams room to call up reserves in case of injury, not add extra cap space for the deadline or this rare Kucherov case. Maybe say you can only add a max 5% of the cap through LTIR. That would allow 4 cheap call-ups.

The Isles PK is no joke. Even with allowing that zone time, they severely cut off shooting lanes. One can argue you just take the shot, and sometimes that is what you do, but IMO the way the Isles were set up they were poised to block a shot go the other way shorthanded.

The Pens out-chanced the Isles 33-20 while limiting them to just 6 high danger chances to the Pens' 11.

The Pens played well enough to give Jarry breathing room most of the game, like you said, a lot of the Isles chances were from the outside, but he just blew it. Sorokin was outstanding. The Pens really didn't make life easy for him and he just came up big and Jarry didn't.

People take a few gaffs by guys like Dumo, Letang and Matheson and create this narrative that the defense stunk. They didn't. They were good by and large. The Isles are good team and will push back. They will win battles against our defense. It will happen, but that doesn't mean the defense was bad.
- Rinosaur

This exactly. Barzel didn't even get a shot attempt in the first two periods. They did start to let up more chances from the 3rd on, but not the high danger ones. Solid goaltending doesn't let in four goals there.

That’s what they do on the pk and 5x5 in their zone defensively. Keep the shooters to the outside and keep the front of the net clear. They don’t care when a team is skating around the perimeter they’re pretty methodical. It’s when teams get position in front on us when the system falls apart. The pens will 100% be focused on doing exactly that next game.
- Cptmjl

I'd hope so, but the Pens can get pretty stubborn about avoiding the front of the net historically.

It's basically just me talking to myself hahaha
- MattStrat

Hey now, I was here too dammit.

Image didn't come through, but Matheson was also very good. Everyone will only think about that one retard moment, but he was very good that game. The Matheson/Ceci pairing had the best HDCF% of all the Pens dmen.
- Rinosaur

Sully rewarded them too. They played just 2 minutes less than Letang and Dumo. (at 5v5)

For the image, the Pens really lit it up around the net, the isles did not. They played pretty damn good down low.

I thought Kris Letang played his best game in months. He was fantastic. Dumo had a couple of bonehead plays, but those happen routinely during games and overall they were strong. That's why you have a goalie there. I mean, Pettersson was apparently on the ice for only 2 scoring chances against and they scored on him.



Just looking at the heat chart for shots that is high quality play by those 18 skaters.
- burgh4life87

I thought Letang made a bunch of good defensive plays early on to break up odd man rushes. I had no issues with Letang yesterday. Dumo was a little rough, Matheson had a gaffe or two but that's to be expected and the rest of his game was fine. Pens had chances to close it out, they didn't. They gotta get the PP on track and get pucks on net.

I got so drunk yesterday lol. I was helping my buddy move into his new house Saturday then we drank Sunday at his new house and watched the game. Tequila came out after that loss lol 🤣.

Hey now, I was here too dammit.
- j.boyd919

Hahaha and I apologized for this

I thought Letang made a bunch of good defensive plays early on to break up odd man rushes. I had no issues with Letang yesterday. Dumo was a little rough, Matheson had a gaffe or two but that's to be expected and the rest of his game was fine. Pens had chances to close it out, they didn't. They gotta get the PP on track and get pucks on net.
- j.boyd919

Hard to close games out when your goalie doesn't help in that process. It's one game though and they played quite well. Jarry needs to be better in his positioning and not allow those soft wristers between the ear and glove. If he is playing properly, those pucks go off his shoulder and into the netting. Either way, it's one game with a lot more positives than negatives.

"First drill for Jarry today is having skaters skate in fron the blue line and shoot from the high slot on the move. He had a difficult time tracking those plays in Game 1 and was often flat-footed and deep in his crease."

Not a good sign that you have to work on this in the playoffs, but if the Pens keep playing the way they do, Jarry is going to have to come up with these saves routinely.

This exactly. Barzel didn't even get a shot attempt in the first two periods. They did start to let up more chances from the 3rd on, but not the high danger ones. Solid goaltending doesn't let in four goals there.
- Tojo.

Exactly. Figuring out the PP also helps, but goaltending is bigger x-factor.

Dumo out and Geno still not taking rushes