OFFICIAL GDT: PENS at Rangers, 1/31/13

[moondart]

Ok...did we win this game? Or did the Rangers lose it? Don't get me wrong, I liked some things we did, but I think the Rangers played horrid.

I will say the Rangers were horrific, lifeless...looked like us vs. the Isles kind of...except better defensively. Not to take anything away from the Pens, but they were not hotly contested in this one. They (Pittsburgh) did a good job of keeping the Rangers from getting emotionally involved in the game though. Didn't allow that spark.

That's what I mean...I want to say "boy, did I LOVE the way we played." But, I find myself saying "good win"...

[columbia]

Lol. This board is unbelievable some nights.

How so?

Everyone is a hockey genius. Even in easy wins there is constant complaining. Its sad

It's actually kind of weird, when I started coming here/found out about this site. It really never felt that way. Although we did have Kicksave to keep those people in check with his smarm.

Stop living in the past.

[Malkamaniac]

Man some of yinz must never look at other boards. This board is quality.

I agree with this, however compared to what the board used to be until now? We've gone soft like the Penguins.

[Rylan]

No. Quality is Kathryn Tappen tonight. Yowza

[PghSkins]

Man some of yinz must never look at other boards. This board is quality.

I agree with this, however compared to what the board used to be until now? We've gone soft like the Penguins.

Yeah, well, I blame the blingee and nose picking threads.

[Malkamaniac]

Man some of yinz must never look at other boards. This board is quality.

I agree with this, however compared to what the board used to be until now? We've gone soft like the Penguins.

Yeah, well, I blame the blingee and nose picking threads.

I can certainly get behind the blingee/mojo threads hate.

[knives of ice]

always thought Vokoun was solid, but man has he been impressive thus far with the pens. soooo calm and his puck and rebound control have been fantastic.

[The Snapshot]

Despres thrived last year with more responsibility, and he showed that tonight. Notice that he was FAR from prefect, but he made a difference.
Bortuzzo needs another game right away. He looked great in WBS being a leader on D, but he clearly had some rust. Sitting too long between starts.

Jeffrey makes plays on Malkin's line. He is SUCH and upgrade over Tangradi. When I hear they picked up Boychuk, I was half expecting to hear Tangradi was waived. I had forgotten about Niskannen possibly going on IR.

Vokoun was a calming effect, holding every rebound in control.

Maybe if the team can string together some solid play defensively, it will let Malkin and Crosby let the game come to them and stop forcing things quite as much. They are always going to try the impossible on occassion, but they don't play on the razor's edge every shift with their high risk passes like they have of late.

That was not the game from a team that wants their coach fired for that crowd on here.

This is a team that just didn't burst out of the gate with no camp. Some teams do. That doesn't make them good, it just means they got a few breaks and got confidence, whcih the Pens are still trying to gain.

[brwi]

I'll accept a 3-0 victory over the Rags on the road any time. That 2nd period was some God-awful hockey and the game itself wasn't one for the history DVD's of greatest hockey games, but hurray Penguins!

[tfrizz]

always thought Vokoun was solid, but man has he been impressive thus far with the pens. soooo calm and his puck and rebound control have been fantastic.

Pretty easy to see the difference between a vet like Vokoun versus a guy like Fleury who needs to be "worked in". With a short camp and no preseason games, it's going to take half the regular season for Fleury to hit stride.

It certainly helped that the team decided to play some defense tonight, though.

[shafnutz05]

It's been 30 minutes and there is no goaltender controversy thread?

[Tico Rick]

Caps fall to 1-5-1. Lmao.

it is funny esp living by DC but now im nervous to play them and lose to a terrible caps team

Who do you start in goal against the Caps, Fleury or Vokoun?
(How's that, Shad?)

[Rylan]

Fleury hasn't been bad. Against the Islanders he was let down by the defense. He probably wants the 2nd goal back but man that was a brutal game from the defense.

[shafnutz05]

Haha close enough Tico.

Pretty obvious Flower on Saturday, Vokoun on Sun

[The Snapshot]

It's been 30 minutes and there is no goaltender controversy thread?

There isn't one, but it is very nice to have a guy like Vokoun who is every bit the guy who could in fact turn a playoff series around if the coach needs a to play that card. Last year pulling Fleury would always have signaled surrender.

What I do like about him in tandem with Fleury is that they are POLAR opposites in terms of strengths. Fleury is liquid and Vokoun is rock. There are ways to beat each, but they are a real contrast.

[Rylan]

It's been 30 minutes and there is no goaltender controversy thread?

There isn't one, but it is very nice to have a guy like Vokoun who is every bit the guy who could in fact turn a playoff series around if the coach needs a to play that card. Last year pulling Fleury would always have signaled surrender.

What I do like about him in tandem with Fleury is that they are POLAR opposites in terms of strengths. Fleury is liquid and Vokoun is rock. There are ways to beat each, but they are a real contrast.

I like the analogy. Though it will get spun around saying that Fleury is terrible

[The Snapshot]

Fleury hasn't been bad. Against the Islanders he was let down by the defense. He probably wants the 2nd goal back but man that was a brutal game from the defense.

I'm not at all suggesting a controversy, but he was useless on three goals, including the first in a 0-0 game. He helped the Pens implode. He certainly did nothing to prevent it.

Overall he has been good though.

[Rylan]

Honestly the 2nd goal was the only one I'd like him to save. The 4th looked bad but it was a weird play in which 2 defenders left a man wide open on the crease.

The first goal he protects pass and the guy sneaks other side while Fleury misses his push. It happens.

I'm being general Snapper, I am just getting my thoughts before the inevitable asinine comments on this topic tomorrow.

[guiner]

It's been 30 minutes and there is no goaltender controversy thread?

There isn't one, but it is very nice to have a guy like Vokoun who is every bit the guy who could in fact turn a playoff series around if the coach needs a to play that card. Last year pulling Fleury would always have signaled surrender.

What I do like about him in tandem with Fleury is that they are POLAR opposites in terms of strengths. Fleury is liquid and Vokoun is rock. There are ways to beat each, but they are a real contrast.

Agree 100% The last time we had something similar might be Barrasso and Wregget. Still, I don't ever recall this board being capable of supporting 2 goalies. Someone must be whipped.

[Rylan]

...sigh

[malksby8771]

Fleury through 4 starts: 2-2-0, 2.95 gaa, .890 sv%, 0 SHO
Vokoun through 3 starts: 2-1-0, 1.85 gaa, .940 sv%, 1 SHO

Yea you guys are totally right, no controversy here...

[columbia]

Small (and skewed for other reasons) sample size is small.

[malksby8771]

Okay, columbia, fair enough. Small sample size. How's this for you? Top 20 goalies sv% since 2005, Vokoun #2 starter on the list. Where exactly is Fleury, I don't see him?

http://kuklaskorner.com/psh/comments/be ... he-lockout

[mikey287]

Fleury through 4 starts: 2-2-0, 2.95 gaa, .890 sv%, 0 SHO
Vokoun through 3 starts: 2-1-0, 1.85 gaa, .940 sv%, 1 SHO

Yea you guys are totally right, no controversy here...

You've missed a pretty interesting roller coaster ride this season, tune in for our next game...it's Saturday afternoon.

[mikey287]

Ok...did we win this game? Or did the Rangers lose it? Don't get me wrong, I liked some things we did, but I think the Rangers played horrid.

I will say the Rangers were horrific, lifeless...looked like us vs. the Isles kind of...except better defensively. Not to take anything away from the Pens, but they were not hotly contested in this one. They (Pittsburgh) did a good job of keeping the Rangers from getting emotionally involved in the game though. Didn't allow that spark.

That's what I mean...I want to say "boy, did I LOVE the way we played." But, I find myself saying "good win"...

Same.