The sense around the team right now is utter exasperation … but confidence.
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16 Comments
This "finishing" practice is what was needed ages ago.
24th in GFAx 2 years ago. 31st in GFAx last year. 31st right now again.
It's about goddamn time Sullivan acknowledged the severity of the issue and tried to do something about it.
The "process" is worthless if you don't score.
All those shots don't mean anything if they're not screening the goaltender. Yeah they stand in front of them but then move out of the way when the pocket shot. They can't be afraid of getting hit by the puck.
And have a safe and awesome day today DK and Dolly.
Not converting on endless 5 on 3s and not converting after being handed bad calls for the opposition is not playing the right way im sorry
Firm validation that they're doing the right thing would somehow already have been validated if they were doing the right thing. They're not. If they were they would play more consistently as they did against Colorado. There's too much rigidity in doing the right thing Sullivan's way that the Pens cannot figure out how to better utilize Karlsson's talents. They would have been better off going after a Jarry-upgrade in goal if they're just going to use Karlsson as just another defenseman. Maybe the NHL does not have as many great offensive minds as you see in the NFL. We need a Mike McDaniel or a mad-scientist such as the late Mike Leach.
Idk man. This has been 3 years plus of the exact same thing. They can dominate play and possession all they want, they can't score because no traffic and powerplay is abysmal.
And no, they have had zero net front presence last game. They tried, but they didn't. Guentzel would kind of stand in front to the side and miss every single tip attempt, same with Sid. No one was in front, all perimeter again, even last game.
Powerplay was bad last game, besides when Smith was on it. Sully inexplicably takes him off for some reason and puts Rakell back on. Two full two minute 5 on 3s yielded one lucky Malkin one timer. Abysmal again. Issues are exact same.
Karlsson needs to fully run the powerplay. The arrogance never ceases to amaze me.
What are you even talking about with the Bruins and their 4th line being the difference that the Penguins need? Currently their 4th line consists of Danton Heinen (yes that Danton Heinen), John Beecher, and Oskar Steen. So far this season between them they have exactly one assist. Yes, if only the Penguins 4th line had one assist they'd be rolling right now. Maybe they erred on getting rid of Heinen? Get out of here.
hextall gave away matheson and marino for absolutely NOTHING!! and i dont care if we got karlsson, go look at matheson's goal against new jersey.they gave away two prime defenseman. ty smith has been a disaster, hes not even an NHL player, hextall gave away marino for a beer league player?!!!
This "if you watched the games" is funny. Yes, I watched the games and the Ducks game too where they were going to the net more. Guess what? You aren't going to get many rebounds put in for goals if you're standing there with your stick up and not on the ice. Unless they changed the rules that you aren't allowed to kick the puck in, I don't know how they are going to score after the puck is there and they are getting their stick tied up at chest/waist level. It was so frustrating watching them be there with the puck on the ice, in their feet and not being able to get a stick on it becuase they went in with their sticks up and once tied up with a Ducks player, couldn't do anything with it.
I knew the Colorado game would be the "see, they can be world beaters" argument going forward. Just like last season after they dispatched Tampa easily early on, people liked to bring that up over the next month or two on why nothing was really broken or wrong, and they just need to get back to that…whatever that really was. I have an opinion that games like this against teams like this probably better suit the Penguins because these teams are also chocked full of established and elite talent who when they play each other, thinks that skill can win out, and it's usually a landslide one way or another. It's the young, less skilled or experienced, but hungrier and more easily motivated teams like the Ottawa's, Sabers, Ducks, and you watch (The Flyers) that will be the Penguins undoing just like last season when they had no answer for the vim and vigor that Detroit and Chicago and their nothing to lose attitude brought to the table. You don't think these young teams love to be able to put these old superstars in their place when given the chance? I see 5 of these these next 6 games against the likes of the Sharks and Sabers being a harder test for the Penguins than if they were fortunate to have gotten Vegas and Vancouver instead.
Goaltending, goaltending, goaltending.
The lack of finishing has to do with 1) having no real great snipers who can beat the goalie with a great and deceptive release and 2) they take too many long, perimeter shots with no one in front of the goalie to screen him and get second chances in front of the net. The analytics are deceptive and the process isn’t working. Boston plays defense first. The Pens should play a less aggressive and more defensive system
So what’s going to happen when they get dominated in some games? This whole idea that a team this old coming off missing the playoffs last year could win the Stanley cup is so laughable. Trying to make the excuse that it’s just bad puck that they are losing is ridiculous.
They're not playing just fine. This is where analytics are misleading. Getting 40 shots without anyone close to the other team's goaltender for either screens, tips or rebounds is not fine. Giving up odd man rushes and expecting your goaltender to stop 2-on-1's and breakaways is not fine. The constant pinching that leads to these odd man rushes against is not fine. The forwards not backtracking into the defensive zone is not fine. (The only game they've done this is the Colorado game, and that was because they actually respect MacKinnon and his abilities.) The lack of focus and attention to detail in the defensive zone … because playing defense is not fun … is not fine. And the goaltending is not fine.
How many minutes is the 4th line getting? The Pens are basically a 3 lines team…an aging team like the Pens would surely benefit from having a 4th line that plays more minutes in a long season…the Pens collectively look like they;ve lost 1/2 step and that can be devastating for a team that has no Plan B
I;m still not too concerned considering all the new players and lines….I am hoping these few days off will solidify the new players and lines into the system. If it is more of same after the next game than I think it is concern time….I still think we need a goalie in any case