Ryan Wilson: That didn't last long That didn't last long

"The most famous example is when he played out of his mind in the 2013 Eastern Conference Finals against the Penguins and led a lot of people to overreact about how the Penguins actually played. To this day many still think the Penguins laid an egg in that series when in actuality the truth is closer to them running into a super-hot goalie."


RW and I have always agreed about this. So many people think the Pens got steam rolled in that series and didnt play well at all because it was a sweep. Few of my good buds are die hard Bruins fans and when that series was happening they would tell me the cant believe the Bruins won or were winning in those games. Rask was absolute fire.

Hoping to see the same defensive game out of the Pens that we did against Edmonton.

Hoping to see that transition game remain strong too. They were rarely hemmed into their own zone. A huge reason for the amount of shots and scoring chances.

I am hoping the powerplay can finally break through tonight. They seem to be extremely snake bitten right now.

For Matt:

Pens were 25th in shots against, 22nd in xGA, and 13th in scoring chances against.

At least this year Naturalstattrick is tracking rush chances against individuals, so if it was tracked last year, there may be a way to figure it out if I have time later.

And can we at least figure out if Galchenyuk is a fit on Malkin's line before we start trading assets?

If Rust grabs that spot next to Malkin, would we want to trade him? And if he does, Hornqvist is on the third line where he's looked better with Bjugstad than McCann. Maybe McCann ends up on Malkin's LW if Galchenyuk fails, and then again you need Bjugstad.

How about we try and figure that stuff out first before trading options away.

And can we at least figure out if Galchenyuk is a fit on Malkin's line before we start trading assets?

If Rust grabs that spot next to Malkin, would we want to trade him? And if he does, Hornqvist is on the third line where he's looked better with Bjugstad than McCann. Maybe McCann ends up on Malkin's LW if Galchenyuk fails, and then again you need Bjugstad.

How about we try and figure that stuff out first before trading options away.
- Tojo.

Nope. Trade em all now.

And can we at least figure out if Galchenyuk is a fit on Malkin's line before we start trading assets?

If Rust grabs that spot next to Malkin, would we want to trade him? And if he does, Hornqvist is on the third line where he's looked better with Bjugstad than McCann. Maybe McCann ends up on Malkin's LW if Galchenyuk fails, and then again you need Bjugstad.

How about we try and figure that stuff out first before trading options away.
- Tojo.

That sounds logical and reasonable so I say no.

I’d like to see Bjugstad play on malkin’s rw. He was good a creating space last year, and will shoot when given a chance. I think that would do well with malkin. Then McCann can slot back in to centre with Kahun and rust.

I still think before the years over Tanev will be Malkins winger. More speed than Rust, actually physical, will go to the net and a little more creative of a player.

I’d like to see Bjugstad play on malkin’s rw. He was good a creating space last year, and will shoot when given a chance. I think that would do well with malkin. Then McCann can slot back in to centre with Kahun and rust.
- 10inchTerror

I’m actually not against this. Bjugstad is good at protecting the puck with his body and helping the cycle.

I still think before the years over Tanev will be Malkins winger. More speed than Rust, actually physical, will go to the net and a little more creative of a player.
- Grinder47

I think we will see a few different looks. Rust is pretty fearless about taking the puck to the net, so this is when I question whether or not you watch the games.

Ryan Wilson: That didn't last long
That didn't last long
- Ryan_Wilson

That’s what she said.

I think we will see a few different looks. Rust is pretty fearless about taking the puck to the net, so this is when I question whether or not you watch the games.
- Rinosaur

Lol. Eye test bro. Watch the games and enjoy them. Then forget what really happened. That’s the new way.

I will be watching the net front presence on this team. That will tell me how good they are going to be moving forward. This game and the next will be great tests to measure just that.

Tough stretch ahead. We’ll get a better sense if this team can truly be a contender or will struggle to make the playoffs. Most interested in what we get from the second line, Geno in particular. Need Murray to play big tonight.

I’d like to see Bjugstad play on malkin’s rw. He was good a creating space last year, and will shoot when given a chance. I think that would do well with malkin. Then McCann can slot back in to centre with Kahun and rust.
- 10inchTerror

I think I'd try this after Rust.

I still think before the years over Tanev will be Malkins winger. More speed than Rust, actually physical, will go to the net and a little more creative of a player.
- Grinder47

I think Tanev is locked into his role for now, and he's doing a great job at it. That line played almost as much as Malkin's and more than the supposed third line.

Lol. Eye test bro. Watch the games and enjoy them. Then forget what really happened. That’s the new way.
- j.boyd919

It’s hard to have a true eye test when all he’s doing is watching Simon and Hornqvist.

I think Tanev is locked into his role for now, and he's doing a great job at it. That line played almost as much as Malkin's and more than the supposed third line.
- Tojo.

Natural stat trick had them at more TOI at 5v5 than the 2nd and 3rd line. Even the other team made some comments post game. They are a very solid 4th line. Time to figure out the middle six. It will be interesting who the odd man out is after hornqvist returns.

Just because

In the 1983-1984 QMJHL season, 18-year-old Mario Lemieux scored 282 points in 70 games, for an average of over 4 points per game. The second highest scorer average
under 2 points per game.

I don't care what the year was or if the league favored offense, those numbers are downright ridiculous.

"The most famous example is when he played out of his mind in the 2013 Eastern Conference Finals against the Penguins and led a lot of people to overreact about how the Penguins actually played. To this day many still think the Penguins laid an egg in that series when in actuality the truth is closer to them running into a super-hot goalie."


RW and I have always agreed about this. So many people think the Pens got steam rolled in that series and didnt play well at all because it was a sweep. Few of my good buds are die hard Bruins fans and when that series was happening they would tell me the cant believe the Bruins won or were winning in those games. Rask was absolute fire.
- MattStrat

LA is about to be on a full rebuild.

Living in fantasy land for a moment, what do you think it would take to get Doughty and would you do it?

A lot of unlikely possibilities would have to happen, but just for fun.

If all parties agree to waive for this block buster trade.

TO LA: Hornqvist, Schultz, Bjugstad, 1st rounder + their choice of any Penguins Prospect

TO PIT: Drew Doughty + Tyler Toffoli (50% retained

Fix, amend or suggest a better trade idea. I put Schultz in there because they can flip him for more assets.

LA is about to be on a full rebuild.

Living in fantasy land for a moment, what do you think it would take to get Doughty and would you do it?

A lot of unlikely possibilities would have to happen, but just for fun.

If all parties agree to waive for this block buster trade.

TO LA: Hornqvist, Schultz, Bjugstad, 1st rounder + their choice of any Penguins Prospect

TO PIT: Drew Doughty + Tyler Toffoli (50% retained

Fix, amend or suggest a better trade idea. I put Schultz in there because they can flip him for more assets.
- Rinosaur

Simon for Doughty + conditional 2nd (Dependent if Simon resigns in LA)

LA is about to be on a full rebuild.

Living in fantasy land for a moment, what do you think it would take to get Doughty and would you do it?

A lot of unlikely possibilities would have to happen, but just for fun.

If all parties agree to waive for this block buster trade.

TO LA: Hornqvist, Schultz, Bjugstad, 1st rounder + their choice of any Penguins Prospect

TO PIT: Drew Doughty + Tyler Toffoli (50% retained

Fix, amend or suggest a better trade idea. I put Schultz in there because they can flip him for more assets.
- Rinosaur

I know Doughty is good, but is he $11M through age 38 good? He is LA's captain and has played there his entire career - I doubt he gets moved. Also, for the next 3 years, either he or Letang would have to play 2RD which seems like a waste.