Ryan Wilson: Deserve got nothin' to do with it Deserve got nothin' to do with it

It remains ridiculous that the 5th seeds arent guaranteed to make the playoffs like the top 4, since the 12th seeds would virtually have no chance of making the playoffs. "Well then they should have no problem beating the 12th seed!".. No, shortsighted friend, no. Yes, IF this was coming right out of the regular season. Its coming off 4.5 months away from hockey, with ONE tune-up game. Its an absolute crapshoot to decide who can play for the Cup, while these 5th and 12th seeds EARNED their positions through 70ish regular season games.. But that's thrown away for no reason other than greed.. Cuz it sure as heck isn't for safety or the integrity of the game.
Its a joke.
And i'm far from being a Pens or Oilers fan.
As a Devils fan, we need Chicago and Mtl to win so our Arizona pick can potentially be 9th instead of 11th. Even so, it's asining these 2 series are a thing. If I were a Pens can I'd be pissed. Stupid.

It remains ridiculous that the 5th seeds arent guaranteed to make the playoffs like the top 4, since the 12th seeds would virtually have no chance of making the playoffs. "Well then they should have no problem beating the 12th seed!".. No, shortsighted friend, no. Yes, IF this was coming right out of the regular season. Its coming off 4.5 months away from hockey, with ONE tune-up game. Its an absolute crapshoot to decide who can play for the Cup, while these 5th and 12th seeds EARNED their positions through 70ish regular season games.. But that's thrown away for no reason other than greed.. Cuz it sure as heck isn't for safety or the integrity of the game.
Its a joke.
And i'm far from being a Pens or Oilers fan.
As a Devils fan, we need Chicago and Mtl to win so our Arizona pick can potentially be 9th instead of 11th. Even so, it's asinine these 2 series are a thing. If I were a Pens can I'd be pissed. Stupid.
- MartysBetter88

You need to email this to Sully.. because he doesn't seem to be able to see it.

Of the 3 goals, the first one is the only one that there was traffic for. Second one was another Bad glove goal, third one got through him.

The team needs to figure out shooting around Price and not right at him.

And I don’t get changing the PP. In a restart you should go with what you know.
- Doogs

I don't think the 1st or 3rd goals were bad.

The first if I'm assigning blame goes to JJ first. We whiffed on a check that let the eventual goal scorer get position. Then took out ZAR in his scramble to get back in position and finally a late in advised hit that helped the goal go in. But don't blame him.

On the flipside, Murray let a lot of juicy rebounds that weren't goals but don't inspire confidence. So I'm with you for a change in net, I just think you're as guilty of nitpicking Murray's game as you say everyone is doing with JJ.

Of the 3 goals, the first one is the only one that there was traffic for. Second one was another Bad glove goal, third one got through him.

The team needs to figure out shooting around Price and not right at him.

And I don’t get changing the PP. In a restart you should go with what you know.
- Doogs

For the PP, if that's the case you stick with the PP they ran most of the end of the year: Malkin, Crosby, Letang, Rust, and Hornqvist. Fitting Guentzel in front, great of a talent has he is, is what they haven't figured out.

Last year's PP:
With Phil AND Hornqvist: 11.75 goals per 60
Kessel without Hornqvist: 5.13 goals per 60
Hornqvist without Kessel: 9.9 goals/60

This year:
With Hornqvist: 9.3 goals/60
Without Hornqvist: 4.05
Guentzel w/out Hornqvist (so when he's net front): 4.69

It's not even close. The PP scores more than twice as often when Hornqvist is on it. Do they miss Phil, yes, but not nearly as much as they miss Hornqvist.

I don't think the 1st or 3rd goals were bad.

The first if I'm assigning blame goes to JJ first. We whiffed on a check that let the eventual goal scorer get position. Then took out ZAR in his scramble to get back in position and finally a late in advised hit that helped the goal go in. But don't blame him.

On the flipside, Murray let a lot of juicy rebounds that weren't goals but don't inspire confidence. So I'm with you for a change in net, I just think you're as guilty of nitpicking Murray's game as you say everyone is doing with JJ.
- Tojo.

I just don't understand Sully's reluctance to play Horny on the PP... it's mind boggling.

Pens had 7 PPs last night including a minute and a half 5 on 3 and a penalty shot. They lost because they didnt capitalize on their many, many chances.

Hornqvist should be on the PP and Jarry should be in the crease.

What does a Hornqvist PS look like? Probably just skate right at the goalie full speed and try to jam it through him.

“He is not a true top line player, and doesn’t have natural finishing ability. It doesn’t mean he is a scrub and should be in the express lane for a demotion. ”

I think it does. If he isn’t finishing he isn’t really helping. He’s not lightning fast, can’t really win a battle or cycle and avoids traffic.

For the PP, if that's the case you stick with the PP they ran most of the end of the year: Malkin, Crosby, Letang, Rust, and Hornqvist. Fitting Guentzel in front, great of a talent has he is, is what they haven't figured out.

Last year's PP:
With Phil AND Hornqvist: 11.75 goals per 60
Kessel without Hornqvist: 5.13 goals per 60
Hornqvist without Kessel: 9.9 goals/60

This year:
With Hornqvist: 9.3 goals/60
Without Hornqvist: 4.05

It's not even close. The PP scores more than twice as often when Hornqvist is on it. Do they miss Phil, yes, but not nearly as much as they miss Hornqvist.
- Tojo.

Thanks for digging this up.

I think his effect could be greater given that Price saves 99.9% of the shots he sees and is calm. Having Horny in his face all night wouldn’t be a cake walk like it was most of last night.

It might even effect the deployment as no one wants him handling the puck down low. Maybe it forces Sid to his best area below the circles.

Put me down too on the stupid configuration factor on the PP.

Lots of whining happening, I guess that happens when you lose. the Pens had like 7 power plays, a penalty shot & a lengthy 5 on 3, but yeah, the loss is because of a 3rd pairing d-man!

What's some potential long term solutions for the left wall problem? Be it free agents or trade possibilities? A Matt Murray trade would help but don't know of a team that fits well. Maybe sign Barrie, trade Letang is on the table as well?

It's one game where the Pens dominated. Yes, they have to go 3-1 in the next 4. But if they collectively play like they did last night, they should (should) be just fine.

I don't think the 1st or 3rd goals were bad.

The first if I'm assigning blame goes to JJ first. We whiffed on a check that let the eventual goal scorer get position. Then took out ZAR in his scramble to get back in position and finally a late in advised hit that helped the goal go in. But don't blame him.

On the flipside, Murray let a lot of juicy rebounds that weren't goals but don't inspire confidence. So I'm with you for a change in net, I just think you're as guilty of nitpicking Murray's game as you say everyone is doing with JJ.
- Tojo.

I totally agree. Part of the reason why Murray replaced Fleury is that he lacked Fleury's two biggest weaknesses. He had better rebound control and was much better at playing the puck outside of the crease. It seems like he has regressed a lot on the former. To me the most shocking thing is that this is a contract year for him. Even if he doesn't want to play for the Pens anymore he is not making a good case for a big next contract, with whomever that may be.

Even though none of these rebounds actually went in I definitely think it is time to play Jarry.

Lots of whining happening, I guess that happens when you lose. the Pens had like 7 power plays, a penalty shot & a lengthy 5 on 3, but yeah, the loss is because of a 3rd pairing d-man!
- Jrw10

In the playoffs, every goal is critical and JJ bears a good bit of responsibility for the second. In many cases, it just comes down to who makes less mistakes. This is especially the case when playing against a coach like Claude Julien (which is why the Pens usually do not do well against him, regardless of how talented his teams actually are). The Pens outplayed them but made more mistakes.

I’m just not a fan of what Sheary brings to the first line. Sure, he’s quick. But he’s also extremely weak around the boards and can’t win those battles. I’d like to see Marleau get a shot with Sid. Sid and Guentzel have all the skill in the world, they just need someone who’s capable of handling the puck under pressure and finishing plays. Marleau has a good track record of that.

What's some potential long term solutions for the left wall problem? Be it free agents or trade possibilities? A Matt Murray trade would help but don't know of a team that fits well. Maybe sign Barrie, trade Letang is on the table as well?
- dodo24116

Trading Letang is a terrible idea.

For the PP, if that's the case you stick with the PP they ran most of the end of the year: Malkin, Crosby, Letang, Rust, and Hornqvist. Fitting Guentzel in front, great of a talent has he is, is what they haven't figured out.

Last year's PP:
With Phil AND Hornqvist: 11.75 goals per 60
Kessel without Hornqvist: 5.13 goals per 60
Hornqvist without Kessel: 9.9 goals/60

This year:
With Hornqvist: 9.3 goals/60
Without Hornqvist: 4.05
Guentzel w/out Hornqvist (so when he's net front): 4.69

It's not even close. The PP scores more than twice as often when Hornqvist is on it. Do they miss Phil, yes, but not nearly as much as they miss Hornqvist.

This, This, and This.

crosby took one in the nuts. classic.

I think the Pens second goal is a good example of the Hornqvist factor on the PP.
Price was great, Murray was and is average.
JJ has sucked from day 1. Dont hold your breath on him being out of the lineup.

Lots of whining happening, I guess that happens when you lose. the Pens had like 7 power plays, a penalty shot & a lengthy 5 on 3, but yeah, the loss is because of a 3rd pairing d-man!
- Jrw10

To be fair, they only had 56+ minutes of playing time to compensate for the ice time of said third pairing d-man.

The Pens did not deserve to win. This game was a complete toss up, could have gone either way. The Pens had plenty of chances, no one to blame but themselves.

The only change I would make is to separate Marleau and Hornqvist. They just don't have the speed to keep up with the Habs.

Crosby and Malkin were passing into Canadiens players more than they can afford to if they want to win

can't blame the coaches or JJ for that

I’m just not a fan of what Sheary brings to the first line. Sure, he’s quick. But he’s also extremely weak around the boards and can’t win those battles. I’d like to see Marleau get a shot with Sid. Sid and Guentzel have all the skill in the world, they just need someone who’s capable of handling the puck under pressure and finishing plays. Marleau has a good track record of that.
- drummer829

It should be Hornqvist. Go to the net and open up space for Guentzal and Sid. Sullivan really pissed me off last night saying he felt they needed a better "net presence". No f'n shyt Sully. You have one of the best with fresh legs and you gave him the 2nd least TOI with 3 mins of PP time.

"Pens had 7 PPs last night including a minute and a half 5 on 3 and a penalty shot. They lost because they didnt capitalize on their many, many chances.

Hornqvist should be on the PP and Jarry should be in the crease. "

By what logic should Jarry be in the crease? They did NOT lose last night because of anything Murray DID or DID NOT do....

IF you Fleury-lovers showered as much vitriol at Jack Johnson--where it is deserved--as you did on Matt Murray, we'd all be better off and maybe the rest of the Pittsburgh media would be heaping the pressure to move Johnson instead of piling on Murray.

If you make the move to Jarry, you had better be right, because once you do there will be no going back to Murray. If wrong, you would guarantee a lost series.

It should be Hornqvist. Go to the net and open up space for Guentzal and Sid. Sullivan really pissed me off last night saying he felt they needed a better "net presence". No f'n shyt Sully. You have one of the best with fresh legs and you gave him the 2nd least TOI with 3 mins of PP time.
- madmike71

I dont think anybody bumped Price even accidentally. If youre going to let Price just sit in his office and do his thing, good luck with that. Nobody wanted any part of Weber before or after the whistle.