Anyone who watched last nights game could see they stopped playing for that second. Anaheim also started playing better which made it a whole lot worse. I think the 4th is the only group that didn't really quit. Probably because those guys are fighting for a job and can't afford to.

The Pens of old could throw a period away then absolutely dominate the next and score 4. Not so much this team. I don't think they've figured that out yet though.

Anyone who watched last nights game could see they stopped playing for that second. Anaheim also started playing better which made it a whole lot worse. I think the 4th is the only group that didn't really quit. Probably because those guys are fighting for a job and can't afford to.

The Pens of old could throw a period away then absolutely dominate the next and score 4. Not so much this team. I don't think they've figured that out yet though.
- Thorny87

This team has been guilty at many times this season of letting their foot off the gas when it seems like they've got this and for years have walked into games they should have won like it will be a cakewalk, only to get dumped.

Now, I'm going to give credit to this ANA team. I watched a Caps/Ducks game a few weeks back. The Caps were up 5-1 and eventually lost. This Ducks team can make you pay.

BURN IT DOWN!

This team has been guilty at many times this season of letting their foot off the gas when it seems like they've got this and for years have walked into games they should have won like it will be a cakewalk, only to get dumped.

Now, I'm going to give credit to this ANA team. I watched a Caps/Ducks game a few weeks back. The Caps were up 5-1 and eventually lost. This Ducks team can make you pay.
- Rinosaur

They have always had games like this it's true. What I was pointing out was they used to have the ability to pour it on and score 3-4 in a period to make up for it. Not anymore.

From Jesse Marshall

Derrick Brassard is 4.5 goals below replacement level for the Penguins. This thing is just not working at all. No signs of improvement, either.

You know, it’s funny. I always think about how in beer league people complain like “dude why is this guy on our team. He doesn’t belong in this league. He’s (frank)ing useless.” I couldn’t imagine what the guys that actually produce (Sid, Geno, Phil, Letang) all say to each other about scrubs on this team making millions and ruining Stanley cup chances hahaha kinda like that Senators Uber video.

From Jesse Marshall

Derrick Brassard is 4.5 goals below replacement level for the Penguins. This thing is just not working at all. No signs of improvement, either.
- Thorny87

Yeah I saw that too. That’s (frank)ing rough.

I was thinking about this earlier and I wonder how much of Brassards lack of success is attributed to playing with lesser Dmen.

The Pens have been on a roller coaster and injuries haven't helped. Something I really criticized Sullivan for began to change.

The Pens started going back to style of transition game that worked in 15/16 and seemed to stop overusing the long stretch-asses followed by the dump and chase.

With Rust finding this game, I'll be curious to see how this team looks when both Hornqvist and Simon come back into the lineup.

I still would like to see them add a Dzingel or Panik type player to this lineup and just stack the lines, but I'm more curious to see how much a fully healthy forward group exposes the issues on defense.

I don't think you "anti-numbers" people really understand much about anything, especially concerning...well numbers, when you say things like this.
- Blackstrom2

Not "anti-numbers" at all. I just don't think they're the be-all and end-all like some people do. I also don't believe numbers quantify things like confidence and momentum, which the Ducks are playing with right now. Sure, over the long haul, if you give up more chances than you take you'll lose more than you'll win, but to say the Ducks are a bad team when they've won 9 of 10 and 5 in a row on the road is ridiculous. They're not bad right now.

You know, it’s funny. I always think about how in beer league people complain like “dude why is this guy on our team. He doesn’t belong in this league. He’s (frank)ing useless.” I couldn’t imagine what the guys that actually produce (Sid, Geno, Phil, Letang) all say to each other about scrubs on this team making millions and ruining Stanley cup chances hahaha kinda like that Senators Uber video.
- j.boyd919

I think we may have seen that a bit last night between Phil and JJ

I think we may have seen that a bit last night between Phil and JJ
- Thorny87

JJ is just a joke. He's not an NHL player.

Legitimate yes or no question.

Are you comfortable with your team bleeding shot attempts and high danger chances against to the opposition on a nightly basis?
- j.boyd919

Of course not. But I also have to take into consideration we're without one of our top D (Fowler), thus currently playing with 3 rookies on D (Mahura, Larsson, and Dotchin - who just joined the team). You're talking about a 20, 21, and 24 year old D playing at the same time. There's a huge learning curve.

Plus it helps to have a stud in goal.

Who would we want back if indeed the Jets rumors are true?

The only centers they have that we would want make more than Brass. I do think that both Perreault and little would be a better fit as a 3C.

Yes, but those changes JR made over the last season and change has hindered what Sully had as our identity for the cup runs. Youth and speed... we've gotten older and replaced players with slower versions. JR has not given Sully the tools to work with for how he succeeded in the prior years in my opinion.
- Guile

I keep coming back to this.... Do the coach and GM ever talk about personnel? You'd think there would be a collaborative mindset with the coach and GM. If the coach want's younger/faster players, why wouldn't he say this to the GM? There a couple of guys that in the AHL who can probably play the Rust, Sheary, Kuhn roles from the cup teams but they are never given a look.

Youth and speed? JR gave him Sprong and the coach wouldn't play him. I honestly have no idea what they're trying to do anymore. There's no continuity with the players they bring in and the system they're trying to play. This defense tho.... Schultz will help, but can they wait for him to come back?

Not "anti-numbers" at all. I just don't think they're the be-all and end-all like some people do. I also don't believe numbers quantify things like confidence and momentum, which the Ducks are playing with right now. Sure, over the long haul, if you give up more chances than you take you'll lose more than you'll win, but to say the Ducks are a bad team when they've won 9 of 10 and 5 in a row on the road is ridiculous. They're not bad right now.
- duxcup07

I don't know a single person who thinks they are the be-all and end-all.

Yeah I saw that too. That’s (frank)ing rough.

I was thinking about this earlier and I wonder how much of Brassards lack of success is attributed to playing with lesser Dmen.
- j.boyd919

I really think you're onto something there. He's not seeing alot of Letang Dumo when he's 3C.

Of course not. But I also have to take into consideration we're without one of our top D (Fowler), thus currently playing with 3 rookies on D (Mahura, Larsson, and Dotchin - who just joined the team). You're talking about a 20, 21, and 24 year old D playing at the same time. There's a huge learning curve.

Plus it helps to have a stud in goal.
- quackup

Fowler isn't even good. He is basically a younger version of Jack Johnson.

Fowler isn't even good. He is basically a younger version of Jack Johnson.
- Feds91Stammer

He's only been in the league for 8 seasons, so I think it's a little early for that.

He's only been in the league for 8 seasons, so I think it's a little early for that.
- Rinosaur

sample size for Fowler isn't big enough. Gotta give him time to settle into his system.

sample size for Fowler isn't big enough. Gotta give him time to settle into his system.
- j.boyd919

Usually takes 10-13 seasons to judge someone’s talent.

I really think you're onto something there. He's not seeing alot of Letang Dumo when he's 3C.
- MattStrat

There's not enough Tang to go around.

Do we handicap Sid's line against the other teams top line and pair in the hopes that it'll help? Lidstrom wouldn't help a Brass and Sheahan line right now.

Not "anti-numbers" at all. I just don't think they're the be-all and end-all like some people do. I also don't believe numbers quantify things like confidence and momentum, which the Ducks are playing with right now. Sure, over the long haul, if you give up more chances than you take you'll lose more than you'll win, but to say the Ducks are a bad team when they've won 9 of 10 and 5 in a row on the road is ridiculous. They're not bad right now.
- duxcup07

Except they are.

The difference?

11% 5v5 sh% in Dec.

7.14% prior to that

They are literally the worst team in the league in terms of 5v5 HDCF%

Who would we want back if indeed the Jets rumors are true?

The only centers they have that we would want make more than Brass. I do think that both Perreault and little would be a better fit as a 3C.
- Thorny87

Little is a legit #2C and better than Brass IMO. Perrault never seemed to stick at C for the Jets. I haven't watched them enough to know why, but they're putting Lowry there instead of Perrault.

I actually think Sheahan would be a player they could be interested in as their 4C.

On a side note I think it's time for the Pens to either move Sheahan or sit Cullen. Having them both in the lineup doesn't work and won't work once everyone is healthy.

sample size for Fowler isn't big enough. Gotta give him time to settle into his system.
- j.boyd919

It's all about the sample size.

Fowler falls into that Shattenkirk area. Shatty's numbers and ability were inflated due to being surrounded by very good dmen, just like Fowler.

Who would we want back if indeed the Jets rumors are true?

The only centers they have that we would want make more than Brass. I do think that both Perreault and little would be a better fit as a 3C.
- Thorny87

I would try for Petan and bump Sheahan to 3C