McCann doesn’t have a direct passing lane so he airs one out. His wingers are flying up and are applying pressure to the other teams D and they ice the puck. I’d call that a good adjustment. Now that it’s in the tool chest it keeps Toronto honest from playing such a strong side lock all the time and should open up a bit more room on future breakouts

This was my complaint about Sullivan in the playoffs during our first cup runs. Every time he makes an adjustment like this it’s between the 2nd and 3rd period

That's not what I'm talking about. I'm talking about more than two players entering the zone. they need more support. Get more guys in on the rush, skate to the net (players without the puck).
- Rinosaur

Think about it. You defend and defend and defend. You’re tired and now you’re supposed to go 200 feet and go forecheck. We were getting eaten alive in our zone and it was making us tired (I think Mike noted that we looked gassed, that’s a big reason why). By my count we’ve flipped the puck out three times in the first 10 minutes and it’s really opened things up. Now that we’re not using so much energy defending it opens up more energy to forecheck

I'd be pleased with just salvaging 1 point...

Nice fake by Marleau

I'd be pleased with just salvaging 1 point...
- MattStrat

These are times loses to teams like the Devils really hurt.

Words can't describe how much I can't stand Johnson

I wonder what contains more concrete... JJ's hands or his feet?

I wonder what contains more concrete... JJ's hands or his feet?
- madmike71

Neither, it's his head.

If the Pens want the Bjugstad-Kessel combo to work, that might be a good spot for Simon as that line could use a playmaker.

Gets Pearson back with Malkin and they can figure who gets Rust and who gets Hornqvist who've both had success with Sid and Geno.

4th line gets interesting with Teddy playing so well and Cullen's spot seemingly secure (even if it shouldn't be). McCann probably gets the last spot. ZAR and Wilson both probably deserve to play over Cullen.

I wonder what contains more concrete... JJ's hands or his feet?
- madmike71

Neither, it's his head.
- Rinosaur

I choose all of the above

I don't know how many times I've said to myself "If only the Pens played the whole game the way they did in the 3rd."

I choose all of the above
- Tojo.

Honestly, when I watch him skate it looks like he's got cinder blocks for feet.

I don't know how many times I've said to myself "If only the Pens played the whole game the way they did in the 3rd."
- Rinosaur

For much of the 3rd Toronto was content to flip pucks out and trap while chewing up minutes. Happens a lot when you have the lead. The only times they really turned it over was when they went soft up the boards. Really, you could pretty much say the same for both teams but Pitt went soft up the boards way too often.

When your center is low all the time and he’s just bumping up to the strong side winger who’s constantly getting pinched down on, who are you really breaking it out to? It’s like we said, you send one guy up who gets the puck deep but his teammates are so far behind him he has no support.

My favorite team to watch break the puck out is Dallas. They’re constantly sending their wingers out and it opens up a ton of space. They also have the fewest goals against in the league

Honestly, when I watch him skate it looks like he's got cinder blocks for feet.
- madmike71

Man, go easy on him. The burden of debt is quite heavy

Btw Brass gets a primary assist in Florida. How? He flipped it out to his winger who was already moving his feet in the neutral zone. Crazy

For much of the 3rd Toronto was content to flip pucks out and trap while chewing up minutes. Happens a lot when you have the lead. The only times they really turned it over was when they went soft up the boards. Really, you could pretty much say the same for both teams but Pitt went soft up the boards way too often.

When your center is low all the time and he’s just bumping up to the strong side winger who’s constantly getting pinched down on, who are you really breaking it out to? It’s like we said, you send one guy up who gets the puck deep but his teammates are so far behind him he has no support.

My favorite team to watch break the puck out is Dallas. They’re constantly sending their wingers out and it opens up a ton of space. They also have the fewest goals against in the league
- WSCTeton17

Incorrect.

I wonder what contains more concrete... JJ's hands or his feet?
- madmike71

I’m not joking I would do very harmful things to myself to get this dude off of the ducking team

Incorrect.
- Cptmjl

They’re second to last in GA/game, the Islanders must’ve just passed them

They're not fast enough to keep up with Toronto, so they need to play a slightly more conservative game and not play so deep. They're allowing far too many chances right in front of Murray, so that adjustment will allow them to spread Toronto out a bit.

Conversely, they need to get more traffic in front of Sparks. That will draw some more Toronto players inward which won't keep the Pens to the perimeter as much.
- Rinosaur

Pens need to trap the neutral zone against teams like Tampa and Toronto. It’s their only chance to neutralize their speed.

Honestly, when I watch him skate it looks like he's got cinder blocks for feet.
- madmike71

I actually think he’s a decent skater but he’s just a (frank)ing retard in the ice. He’s so bad. The only reason is got drafted where he did is because he’s a superior athlete to others and in juniors/college and what not, that poop will get you by and into the eyes of scouts but when you get to the NHL, you’re (frank)ed.

Pens need to trap the neutral zone against teams like Tampa and Toronto. It’s their only chance to neutralize their speed.
- j.boyd919

If they faced them in the playoffs, yes, they'd definitely have to.

I really like what I'm seeing from Bjugstad. I'm excited to see what this team looks like when Geno comes back.

I actually think he’s a decent skater but he’s just a (frank)ing retard in the ice.
- j.boyd919

That's why I said the cement is in his brain.

If they faced them in the playoffs, yes, they'd definitely have to.

I really like what I'm seeing from Bjugstad. I'm excited to see what this team looks like when Geno comes back.
- Rinosaur

I missed the game tonight. Was out getting ramen. What did I miss?

I missed the game tonight. Was out getting ramen. What did I miss?
- j.boyd919

Typical of the bad Pens games this year. They took the lead despite being outplayed. Murray kept them in it, Toronto dominated territorial play and eventually erased a 2-0 deficit to go ahead 3-2. The Pens, as usual, played in the 3rd how they should have the whole game but couldn’t get the equalizer.

Positives: Bjugstad looked solid, Rust was flying and Bleuger is looking more comfortable. He’s taking over Tyler Kennedy’s old goal spot.

What do you think?
Jake Sid Mccann
Panarin Geno Horni
Zar Bjugstad Rust
Simon Cullen Teddy

Letang Dumo
Schultz Johansson
Olli Rikko
JJ

Trade away
Kessel fore Panarin
Perfect team!