Ryan Wilson: Penguins should be OK with some simple adjustments Penguins should be OK with some simple adjustments

female doges I am first.

Suck it!

"Olli Maatta had a special case of galaxy brain when he iced the puck with NOBODY on him in the third period to cause his teammates to stay on the ice after an incredibly long shift where they already had to navigate a previous icing. It was one of the most unacceptable icings of the year that I’ve seen from any team in any game. Total rubbish. "

100% that was awful. The most time he had all night with no pressure and he iced it.

#teamJJ

I don’t think the Pens should change a thing. It’s 1 game.
- j.boyd919

The ONLY thing I'd change is Bloog in for ZAR or Wilson which IMO should have bee the decision from the get-go.

think it is gonna be "Penguins should be OK with some simple adjustments"
- martox

Oh you

Does Jim Rutherford still think that Jack Johnson wasn't playing in the playoffs last year for something other than performance?

Oh you
- Rinosaur

damn I was right.

Leave it to RW to find a way to criticize JJ in a game he didn't even play in. It's actually impressive how much he hates the guy

I really don't understand why GWil started over Blue.

Two things I'd change going into Game 2:

1) Scratch either ZAR or Wilson (preferably ZAR) in place of Bloog

2) Swap Horn and Kessel

Simon-Bjugstad-Hornqvist was very effective down the stretch. While I can't disagree with idea of spreading the wealth having Kessel as a scoring threat on the 3rd, with the way he's playing though I'd get him with Geno STAT.

I think the 3rd can still be awesome with Hornqvist.

The ONLY thing I'd change is Bloog in for ZAR or Wilson which IMO should have bee the decision from the get-go.
- Rinosaur

I normally support ZAR, but he was bad last night. Wilson isn't much of a threat to score, but he was effective at the down low game the Pens want to play and doesn't make many dumb turnovers

Solid blog. I like seeing the systems/adjustments sort of stuff.

Two things I'd change going into Game 2:

1) Scratch either ZAR or Wilson (preferably ZAR) in place of Bloog

2) Swap Horn and Kessel

Simon-Bjugstad-Hornqvist was very effective down the stretch. While I can't disagree with idea of spreading the wealth having Kessel as a scoring threat on the 3rd, with the way he's playing though I'd get him with Geno STAT.

I think the 3rd can still be awesome with Hornqvist.
- Rinosaur

I personally keep them apart again. It was effective and they play a simpler game when separated which is good for a series like this.

That being said, if those lines struggle I wouldn't hesitate to swap them, but I'd leave them alone for now.

Leave it to RW to find a way to criticize JJ in a game he didn't even play in. It's actually impressive how much he hates the guy
- IamRyanD

Where did he criticize him?

Good blog.

To me the most noticeable player on the ice last night was Barzal. The Pens best player was Phil. He was battling hard in all areas....cant believe he hit that post on the wide open cage.

Where did he criticize him?
- j.boyd919

Well, he basically implied that Schultz' improved play and no JJ isn't a coincidence. He's not wrong.

Well, he basically implied that Schultz' improved play and no JJ isn't a coincidence. He's not wrong.
- Rinosaur

If that’s what qualifies for criticism than this world is soft as baby shït.

Good blog.

To me the most noticeable player on the ice last night was Barzal. The Pens best player was Phil. He was battling hard in all areas....cant believe he hit that post on the wide open cage.
- MattStrat

Barzal is insane at creating space with his feet.

As I said in the last blog, this game was way more open and loose than I was expecting, and that greatly benefits the Penguins. We have more talent and better finishers. If the defense can tighten up (and for the love of God don't put Johnson back in), we should win. Sid won't play this badly again and the Isles' 4th line probably won't play that well again. At the end of the day, it's still Martin, Cizikas, and Clutterbuck. They're a pain in the ass, but they're not actually good.

Sullivan needs to have some restraint here. Keep the lineup as is with the same blue line personnel and the top 3 lines as they are (could stand to have Blueger on the 4th) and make some minor X's and O's adjustments. Major line shuffling or putting Jack MF Johnson back in would be an overreaction to a symptom and would make me extremely worried that Sullivan is focusing on the wrong things and on course to lose the series.

Two things I'd change going into Game 2:

1) Scratch either ZAR or Wilson (preferably ZAR) in place of Bloog

2) Swap Horn and Kessel

Simon-Bjugstad-Hornqvist was very effective down the stretch. While I can't disagree with idea of spreading the wealth having Kessel as a scoring threat on the 3rd, with the way he's playing though I'd get him with Geno STAT.

I think the 3rd can still be awesome with Hornqvist.
- Rinosaur

The second and third lines were so good last night, though, and controlled play. With the current configuration you have two lines that are dominating play AND can score. If you were to swap Hornqvist and Kessel, it takes serious offense out of the third line and turns it into a pure shut down line. A good shut down line is good, but it's the lesser of two goods when the other option is a dominant two way line with scoring punch.

The second and third lines were so good last night, though, and controlled play. With the current configuration you have two lines that are dominating play AND can score. If you were to swap Hornqvist and Kessel, it takes serious offense out of the third line and turns it into a pure shut down line. A good shut down line is good, but it's the lesser of two goods when the other option is a dominant two way line with scoring punch.
- Victoro311

Yeah I can’t see any reason to put break up lines 2 and 3 if they are going to continue to play like this.

The second and third lines were so good last night, though, and controlled play. With the current configuration you have two lines that are dominating play AND can score. If you were to swap Hornqvist and Kessel, it takes serious offense out of the third line and turns it into a pure shut down line. A good shut down line is good, but it's the lesser of two goods when the other option is a dominant two way line with scoring punch.
- Victoro311

It's just something I'd try. I don't think it's NECESSARY, but that 3rd line was producing down the stretch. I just think with how Phil is playing, him and Geno would be a wrecking crew and having Hornqvist on the 3rd isn't hurting things, but I get it.

Just a thought.

Did anyone else think that Letang was all over the place last night? I know the defense (as a whole) was not very good, but it seemed like Letang was just erratic. I'm not blaming him for the loss, I'm not saying that, but I think he was trying to do way too much. OT being a clear example of that.

I also got to agree with others that said Blueger should be playing. I was surprised to see the starting lineup last night, and Teddy wasn't listed. I hope that's one necessary tweak made before Game 2.

Did anyone else think that Letang was all over the place last night? I know the defense (as a whole) was not very good, but it seemed like Letang was just erratic. I'm not blaming him for the loss, I'm not saying that, but I think he was trying to do way too much. OT being a clear example of that.

I also got to agree with others that said Blueger should be playing. I was surprised to see the starting lineup last night, and Teddy wasn't listed. I hope that's one necessary tweak made before Game 2.
- simethos

In terms of poopty D I think it goes
Dumo
Maatta
Letang
Pettersson
Schultz
Guddy