Grading Game 66

[kirk]

Isn't this the first time the new guys have been part of one of this team's big comebacks? I'd like to hear what Roberts or Laraque has to say about what happened with the team this game and how their character affected the outcome.

I argued when they were acquired that Roberts and to a lesser degree Laraque addressed the Pens traditional problems competing with Ottawa and TB. Last night-- forget the score for a moment-- is the first time I have seen the Pens skate with and take the fight to Ottawa as much as Ottawa took it to them since I don't know when. Whether it's better forechecking or deterrence (anyone else notice that Philly and now Ottawa were a lot less chippy than usual) or some combination of these or other things, the fact is that there is something different about this Pens team with Roberts and Laraque and that the something makes them more competitive against teams that traditionally have owned them.

EDIT: I think both were pretty improtant against Philly.

[spi]

Defenese C??????????????????????

More like a Z. They, and I mean all of them were atrocious.

Strpped Buffoons a C???????????????

wow, the first 40 minutes of that game they called every little thing against the pens and nothing against the sens

[bh]

Crosby or Malkin need to play the other point. They are on top of each other and it's become rather pontless to pass between them on the right boards. 90% of the movement occurs on that side bewteen Gonchar, Malkin and Crosby. Ideally, the PP would have Gonchar and Malkin at the point, Roberts in front, EC on the left boards and Crosby on the right boards. Crosby can still try for the back door to Malkin or EC and Roberts being in front can also send lose pucks to the boards for EC and Crosby.

The PP needs a new look in a bad way. The 2nd unit could then be Malone, Rex and Staal up front with Whitney and Orpik at the point, especially at the end of the PP so then the pairings don't get messed up.

Good comments. I agree with you about them being on top of each other on the PP. Do you also ever notice that Malkin seems to follow the puck a little too much. When he gets behind the net he'll hold the puck, then dish it off to someone right next to him, and then just stay right there. He needs to start peeling off and getting to open space. I just see Sid and Geno trying to work the boards too much. They need space, sweet open space. Spread out a little more.

[prez41]

Quick question: Why has Malkin been horizontal on the ice about 15 seconds lately? It seems to me he needs to keep his feet under him.

[pcm]

Is it just me or is the plight of the PK underrated for the pens? i really worry about the stability of our Penalty Kill (at least on the road). any thoughts? (dont mean to hijack the thread...ignore if ya want...just thinking out loud)

I think Therrien should play Malkin on the PK, to get him more involved in the game (not to mention he's a fantastic PKer)...thus killling two flightless birds with one stone.

[pcm]

Regarding the "character win", I don't think its that as much as it is that this team has no fear. They are, as roberts put it, so green they don't feel the pressure. With that mentality, they can do anything.

[bh]

Is it just me or is the plight of the PK underrated for the pens? i really worry about the stability of our Penalty Kill (at least on the road). any thoughts? (dont mean to hijack the thread...ignore if ya want...just thinking out loud)

I think the biggest problem with the PK is the inability of the defenseman to get the puck down low. I saw a play yesterday where Staal made a great play to take the puck off a forward and then he poked it to Gonchar who quickly gave it back to Ottawa. Staal made a good play and Gonchar F'ed the clear attempt. It happens all the time. This year we rely on our scoring ability and with that we need great goaltending. Our defense is not going to win us games but they do make the games more exciting.

[redmosqui]

Quick question: Why has Malkin been horizontal on the ice about 15 seconds lately? It seems to me he needs to keep his feet under him.

vertical you mean?

and myself and my wife have been screaming the same thing lately...."why can't you stay on your skates!!!"...however some of it is taking the puck through 3 defenders...that'll knock one down.

[bigkam]

I really think that both Malkin and Crosby are going through dry spells right now, plain and simple. I thought both were pretty much invisible out there for most of the game, or at least until Sid won it in the SO. But should you sit either of them? No, that would be pretty stupid. You have to remember that you're still dealing with two kids that are going to go through rough stretches, and this happens to be one of them. I'm also not a fan of Malkin on Crosby's line; I think he waits for Sid to do something when he's there, instead of Malkin creating on his own. Bad move by Therrien.

I realize MCM did not call for Crosby to be sat, but if you're going to sit Malkin, why not another young star who is struggling at the same clip? And sitting either of them makes no sense.

Because Crosby has proven himself while Malkin hasn't.

Obviously, there was sarcasm there with sitting Crosby. But if we're going to spread some criticism around for the game (which is what I assumed this thread was about), then lets send some Crosby's way, too. He was just as invisible as Geno in that game until the shootout.

[CP2]

Has MT commented on MAF or TBo post game?

[mac5155]

Quick question: Why has Malkin been horizontal on the ice about 15 seconds lately? It seems to me he needs to keep his feet under him.

vertical you mean?

and myself and my wife have been screaming the same thing lately...."why can't you stay on your skates!!!"...however some of it is taking the puck through 3 defenders...that'll knock one down.

either lange or borque said it last night on the radio.. malkin and sid seem to want to carry the puck through 3 defenders, and while that may have worked in the RSL or QMJHL it wont work in the NHL. while yes, i love to see sid beat 3-4 rangers and go in to score, it just doesnt happen that often. they have skill, but quit trying to do so much. i guess thats just something that comes with maturing.

[FuturePens]

MCM, I usually like your posts, and appreciate them because you put alot of time, thought, and effort for us fans, but lately I've noticed you've been giving credit to those who score the goals, and not so much to the once working hard, but simply haven't had good luck.

Crosby a D? Malkin a F? I must laugh here, sorry. Crosby tried so hard out there last night, had like 8 or 9 shots... Malkin as well. None of them deserve to be benched, they are the light of the franchise.

Grading game 65 = F

[Elivenspire]

i know alot of people see malkin in a slump right now, but he is inches away from being on a tear. I can't remember a guy who has hit posts as often and consistently as this kid. Remember, Russian hockey is not NHL hockey. Give him a year and he'll have all the angles down and know the style a little bit more.

The powerplay is frustrating. I agree that someone needs to be in front of the net. I like Roberts on the top line replacing Recchi, because i think on the second line, having Recchi to play along with Staal and Malone (who work amazing together) would be great. Gonch has to be on the top line with a more defensive minded D-man with him, or a defensive forward, so that Gonch is willing to go in below the cirlces. Gonch could be one of the best stick-handling defensemen in the league, he skates circles around forwards.
Whitney definatley needs to be on the 2nd unit to get him to shoot more. If he wont shoot, get Micky Dupont back up here, we know he has a trippy trigger finger.

The pull of Fleury was smart. Remember, most of us are reacting to Tbo in the net in regards to his play last year, and the first half of this year. But now when Fluery is having a bad game, the Tbo switch doesnt necessarily equal two more goals for the opposition. Its nice to have a quality back-up, even if he is well overpriced.

[Eismann]

I think that's a totally accurate description about how the Sens attacked our D. The troubling thing is we don't seem to have an answer for it and most teams will try the same thing.It may be a reason we have such a problem playing Tampa.

Recent opponents, when in our zone, are getting to open space around the circles with stunning regularity, and teeing off with uncontested shots. I heap lots of this blame on the putrid coverage by our forwards, who increasingly just see to be spectating.

Oh, and in case our d didn't notice, if they challenge puck carriers when they cross into our zone, they usually break up the rush. When they coast back and basically let a multi-man rush waltz in, France-like, scoring chances ensue.