Ryan Wilson: Unfamiliar territory Unfamiliar territory

shambles

shambles
- Nucker101

You spelt fist wrong.

We were robbed last game. Should be 3 to 2 series in our favor. Actually we were robbed in every game so far, so 5-0 series in our favor. The dumb flyers were also gifted a win, so we have been robbed 4 full games so far! I appeal to the league to give us a 4-0 series head start vs the bolts, in fairness.

We were robbed last game. Should be 3 to 2 series in our favor. Actually we were robbed in every game so far, so 5-0 series in our favor. The dumb flyers were also gifted a win, so we have been robbed 4 full games so far! I appeal to the league to give us a 4-0 series head start vs the bolts, in fairness.
- halo63

What the poop are you talking about?

IDK, I just don't feel it this year. Even if we bounce back and win two straight against Washington, I don't see how this team beats TB or whatever powerhouse team comes out of the West. We are simply not playing dominant hockey, and Murray is not playing at a level to steal the odd game to keep us in series that we aren't in full control of.

Back to back Cups makes it a bit easier, otherwise I'd be about as infuriated as I was 2013-2015 when I was positive Sid and Geno would never win another Cup in their careers. I think this team is really well constructed and should be one of the most dominant in the league, but we have just not been playing to our potential consistently this season.

We were robbed last game. Should be 3 to 2 series in our favor. Actually we were robbed in every game so far, so 5-0 series in our favor. The dumb flyers were also gifted a win, so we have been robbed 4 full games so far! I appeal to the league to give us a 4-0 series head start vs the bolts, in fairness.
- halo63

I like, no, I love your thinking.

IDK, I just don't feel it this year. Even if we bounce back and win two straight against Washington, I don't see how this team beats TB or whatever powerhouse team comes out of the West. We are simply not playing dominant hockey, and Murray is not playing at a level to steal the odd game to keep us in series that we aren't in full control of.

Back to back Cups makes it a bit easier, otherwise I'd be about as infuriated as I was 2013-2015 when I was positive Sid and Geno would never win another Cup in their careers. I think this team is really well constructed and should be one of the most dominant in the league, but we have just not been playing to our potential consistently this season.
- Victoro311

I don't feel it this year either and I don't think they come back against the Caps. You last thought is the issue and mainly with the defense.

Letang has just been subpar this year. I fully expected him to take over half of a season to come around after his injury issue, but he's just hasn't been the player they need him to be.

I honestly think letting Daley walk hurt the Pens defense, but I can't argue with the financial/contract issues on why they let him walk; they had to. I also think moving Cole was a mistake.

Next season, IMO the Pens need to tweak the defense just a little bit and they'll be back to where they should be.

IDK, I just don't feel it this year. Even if we bounce back and win two straight against Washington, I don't see how this team beats TB or whatever powerhouse team comes out of the West. We are simply not playing dominant hockey, and Murray is not playing at a level to steal the odd game to keep us in series that we aren't in full control of.

Back to back Cups makes it a bit easier, otherwise I'd be about as infuriated as I was 2013-2015 when I was positive Sid and Geno would never win another Cup in their careers. I think this team is really well constructed and should be one of the most dominant in the league, but we have just not been playing to our potential consistently this season.
- Victoro311

Can't put the puck in the net when they should be doesn't help.

Quote nor working but I agree with you guys. Im not feeling it this year aswell.
Kessel is hurt, Letang hasnt come back to the level he was before injury yet. Brassard is not looking too comfortable. Crosby and Guentzel are a treat to watch but the rest of the team is not stepping it up.

I still think beating the capitals is very possible, we have been playing better but Holtby has been amazing and they are taking full advantage of our mistakes.

Anything can happen if we go on but I don't see we stacking very well against TB. They will also be very well rested since they eliminated boston today and we have 2 more games if we advance.

I think our team has the pieces in place to come back strong next year if we fall but its gonna need some adjustments.

I don't feel it this year either and I don't think they come back against the Caps. You last thought is the issue and mainly with the defense.

Letang has just been subpar this year. I fully expected him to take over half of a season to come around after his injury issue, but he's just hasn't been the player they need him to be.

I honestly think letting Daley walk hurt the Pens defense, but I can't argue with the financial/contract issues on why they let him walk; they had to. I also think moving Cole was a mistake.

Next season, IMO the Pens need to tweak the defense just a little bit and they'll be back to where they should be.
- Rinosaur

I disagree about Daley. He truly was bad last season. I think we could have had the Maatta bounce back he enjoyed this season as early as last season or so, but Daley bogged him down.

I think Cole was a really important loss to this team. The Oleksiak-Cole pairing was really solid for us in a way that our current bottom pairing make up just isn't and it let Sullivan comfortably keep Maatta and Schultz together. Since trading Cole, Sully's been known to stick Maatta with Ruhwhedel to keep 3 useable pairings, but I think that makes our middle pairing a lot weaker.

Really hope next season we can get a surprise out of someone who can take over the 5/6 D role with Oleksiak.

I disagree about Daley. He truly was bad last season. I think we could have had the Maatta bounce back he enjoyed this season as early as last season or so, but Daley bogged him down.

I think Cole was a really important loss to this team. The Oleksiak-Cole pairing was really solid for us in a way that our current bottom pairing make up just isn't and it let Sullivan comfortably keep Maatta and Schultz together. Since trading Cole, Sully's been known to stick Maatta with Ruhwhedel to keep 3 useable pairings, but I think that makes our middle pairing a lot weaker.

Really hope next season we can get a surprise out of someone who can take over the 5/6 D role with Oleksiak.
- Victoro311

I don't know that I'm sold on Oleksiak. I'm not saying I can think of a better option, but I just don't know that the Pens should invest him.

With the possibility of Sprong finally getting in, I'd look to move Sheary for a solid dman. I'm not Anti-Sheary, quite the opposite, but I think he'd be a good piece to move to shore up some defense. I don't believe the Pens need to do much up front, just the defense.

EDIT: I'm being a bit extreme, but at this point I'd keep Dumo, Maatta and Schultz, and be open to all other options. I mean, Letang could have a bounce-back year, but who knows at this point in his career.

I don't know that I'm sold on Oleksiak. I'm not saying I can think of a better option, but I just don't know that the Pens should invest him.

With the possibility of Sprong finally getting in, I'd look to move Sheary for a solid dman. I'm not Anti-Sheary, quite the opposite, but I think he'd be a good piece to move to shore up some defense. I don't believe the Pens need to do much up front, just the defense.

EDIT: I'm being a bit extreme, but at this point I'd keep Dumo, Maatta and Schultz, and be open to all other options. I mean, Letang could have a bounce-back year, but who knows at this point in his career.
- Rinosaur

If you're the Pens you need to bet Letang bounces back. Like I've said all year, even this bad version of Letang does more good than bad and is a leagues better 1D option than Shultz. Schultz can't be our long term 1D. He's fine as a stop gap when Letang is out, but can't handle that role full time.

If you're the Pens you need to bet Letang bounces back. Like I've said all year, even this bad version of Letang does more good than bad and is a leagues better 1D option than Shultz. Schultz can't be our long term 1D. He's fine as a stop gap when Letang is out, but can't handle that role full time.
- Victoro311

I didn't mean to imply Schultz would be the Pens' #1. I'm saying I'd hold on to Dumo, Maatta and Schultz, then look to replace all the other openings.

I don't know what's realistic in regards to a Letang trade, but if the Pens were able to somehow nab Karlsson in a deal for Letang, or if LAK is truly looking to move Doughty, etc...

Again, not saying that's realistic, but the Pens would need to replace Letang with another #1.

Boy am I ever glad you guys stepped in and took Brassard so we could grab Stastny instead

Boy am I ever glad you guys stepped in and took Brassard so we could grab Stastny instead
- Finnisher29

I was thinking about that the other day. Then again, you never know how Brassard would have fit with Jets.

Boy am I ever glad you guys stepped in and took Brassard so we could grab Stastny instead
- Finnisher29

Lets not pretend that on the trade deadline day you would have taken Stastny over Brassard had you had the choice.

Lots of doom and gloom on here. Reminds me a lot of 2016 and 2017.

I don’t see a lot of issues that need to be fixed for this team to 3-peat.
Games 3 and 5 were lost due to stupid, unnecessary, stupid stupid risks.

Letang needs to be told to cool it, his pinching at the blue line has costed us enough. Maata needs the same talk.

Kessel had a little more jump in his game last outing, but I for the life of me can’t figure out what the hell that guy was thinking trying that idiot deke at the blue line.

The thing that defined the Pens last two runs was taking care of the defence first. They have completely gotten away from that this playoffs and these are the results of that.

Guys... None of us were feeling last year either hahahh...the Caps were pounding the Pens each game and came back to tie series after being down 3-1. When the Caps forced a game 7 I remember some people packing it and not watching game 7.

This team is capable of winning two. This team is capable of beating the Bolts. They might not but they're certainly capable.

The only frustrating part for me is that for the most part they didn't match the Caps desire to win the first 3 or 4 games. Last night they surpassed it but didn't end up winning. If they had gave their all the first few games, who knows...

The ups and downs of a post season....

I think Murray losing his dad this year has affected him. How could it not? Either the defense needs to tighten up of our man in goal needs to be super human.

No offense to anyone. However I do not see either happening this year.

I guess the other thing is secondary scoring but frankly I do not see that happening either.

Kudos to Sid, Malkin, Horny and Guentzel. God knows they have carried this team on their backs.

Pretty sure there was about 1/2 of the people in here not feeling it last year as well. Even in the Columbus series after giving up I think 50+ and 40+ shots in different games there was people saying that. And the Washington series I think about 60% said they weren’t feeling it to.

Anyways, would be nice to see brassard step up finally. When we got him it was all praise but sheahan has almost looked his equal with WAY worse linemates. Some are saying Sheahan has been better. Wonder how a brassard Malkin Hornqvist line would look. Brassard has played wing before with success and it’s not like he’s a rookie that would struggle with positioning and d zone.

Guentzel Crosby simon
Brassard Malkin Hornqvist
Rust sheahan Kessel
Hagelin rowney sheary

Won’t happen this late but GO PENS GO!!!

If Murray could bail us out a few times like in past seasons, I'd really like our chances. The Pens are the better team in every respect but goal. I think I read on DK's site that we're actually the best team still remaining at giving up shots per game. I think we're only giving up 27 shots per game. It's not so much a defensive problem as much as a gaffe problem with a tender that is fighting even the easiest shots.

For gawd sakes Sully, why would you kill the top line with Dom Simon? Why handcuff the best player in the world with a borderline NHL wing. Just like Grover said the other day.... How does a healthy scratch get called to duty because of injury and find himself on the top line?

thats the most frustrating part. i dont think this team needs a ton of personnel changes. they are loaded. its just absolute mental (frank)ery and ghost jobs.

Anybody watching the Vegas game? Reaves has played quite well.

The way I look at it, we are all playing with house $$$ at this point. It would be a treat to win 3 in a row, but its so damned hard. Its even harder when the goaltending isn't up to snuff. Whatever happens tomorrow, the world will keep spinning.