Game 19 vs Bolts - Thoughts from the Morning After

[Penspal]

Pens win 5-3

- Bennett gets his first on home ice (game winner!), very nice. Thrilled to see the drama unfold and the look on his face
- Crosby, Sutter, Vitale all step up in Malkin's absence (Joe 8-1 on face offs, the rest < 50%)
- Pens start another game with early goal. It has been very key factor to the success this year
- Pens stuck to the game plan - played physical on a smaller, tired TB team/players, wore them down
- Another Pplay goal. However, its the effort pre-play which sets up the Powerplays that deserves MOAR credit
- Vitale vs Hall - what a battle!!!! Sometimes the light middleweights really entertain. I was scared that one of them would land one of those crazy swings...
- Despres is finding his legs, a little quicker plays on "in close battles" will only further solidify his game
- Has anyone seen stats on blown leads this year? Its not just the Pens, honestly....
- The ice at Mellon does not appear to be great (was it a factor on Malkin's tumble into the boards???)
- Favorite play of the nite - Sid's faceoff win, slipped beside opponent, got decent shot on net while being taken down. (Can another NHL'er even visualize that play, let alone execute?)

A couple of TBay thoughts as well.

- If James Neal is the "Real Deal", what is Stamkos? A shooter's shooter, don't want to see him in games that count (Can't imagine his confidence ever getting down like it was 3 yrs back)
- TBay may win the SE Div, but unless they rectify goaltending, they'll need major luck to advance
- Lots of money tied up in guys not getting it done... Stevie Y still has his work cut out for him.

[tfrizz]

Pens stuck to the game plan

Get a lead then stop playing?

[Guinness]

LOVED the look on Bennett's face after that goal. Almost like he didn't realize it at first.

I'm starting to man-crush on Joe Vitale.

Crosby's first goal was ridiculous. How does he place that puck over the shoulder there?

[Pavel Bure]

Super sloppy passing leads to odd man breaks. I don't like it, too much east/west. Still good game, Pens went up, Pens tried to give it back, Pens got their resolve back. Pens prevailed*

*It's nice they scored on the 5 on 3 but they can't hope for that to keep them up or in a game

[Penspal]

LOVED the look on Bennett's face after that goal. Almost like he didn't realize it at first.

I'm starting to man-crush on Joe Vitale.

Crosby's first goal was ridiculous. How does he place that puck over the shoulder there?

Sorta with you on Vitale. He's underpaid and brings extra like Talbot did when he was good

Agreed, Sid's goal was elite. I'm almost hard on him when he's not scoring goals like that because you get used to him doing it.

[MarioLives]

I apologize, I missed the game. Can someone tell me what the lines were?

[Pavel Bure]

I apologize, I missed the game. Can someone tell me what the lines were?

14-87-18
uhhhh
uhhhh
uhhhh

[Penspal]

I apologize, I missed the game. Can someone tell me what the lines were?

14-87-18
uhhhh
uhhhh
uhhhh

LOL, uhhh is Pavel's Russian for win win and moar win.

[Penspal]

- Pens sit atop the Eastern Conference Standings
- Crosby 2nd in pts, assists
- Neal 2nd in goals
- MAF 1st in wins (tied with often rumoured trade partner Price)

[Idoit40fans]

All it took was getting Malkin out of the lineup. Amar'e Stoudemire?

[Pavel Bure]

- Pens sit atop the Eastern Conference Standings
- Crosby 2nd in pts, assists
- Neal 2nd in goals
- MAF 1st in wins (tied with often rumoured trade partner Price)

Neal had some really good rips last night. One was labeled for the top right corner if not for the very nub of Garon's stick. His shot is just so wicked.

[Shakes]

This was one of those games where we gave up 3, but I feel like MAF played well. Stopped 2 breakaways, and it seemed like the Tampa shooters all were going five hole, which he seemed alert to and shut down several times.

I'm sick of seeing other teams (St. Louis last night) take whacks at his pads after the whistle with no response from the Pens.

Bennett looks like an NHL top 6 winger in the making.

[Guinness]

- Pens sit atop the Eastern Conference Standings
- Crosby 2nd in pts, assists
- Neal 2nd in goals
- MAF 1st in wins (tied with often rumoured trade partner Price)

Neal had some really good rips last night. One was labeled for the top right corner if not for the very nub of Garon's stick. His shot is just so wicked.

I'd love to see him keep it up and compete for the Richard.

[Guinness]

- Pens sit atop the Eastern Conference Standings
- Crosby 2nd in pts, assists
- Neal 2nd in goals
- MAF 1st in wins (tied with often rumoured trade partner Price)

Neal had some really good rips last night. One was labeled for the top right corner if not for the very nub of Garon's stick. His shot is just so wicked.

I'd love to see him keep it up and compete for the Richard.

[Hawkeynut]

- Great game all around for the Pens, looked scary when starting the 2nd but they managed to get back to it.
- Bennet and Despres have been drafted by Shero. Both will be legit top line players in the NHL.
- If Malkin is out for an extended time, Shero had better start getting some irons in the fire for a replacement of some sort. Teams will gang up on the #1 line and choke the offense out of this team.
- Flower looked good.

[Shakes]

I apologize, I missed the game. Can someone tell me what the lines were?

14-87-18 (looked good of course)
9-16-24 (would be a great playoff 3rd line)
48-15-19 (a couple good shifts and then meh)
27-46-10 (typical solid night and played against top Lightning line quite a bit)

[Beveridge]

- If Malkin is out for an extended time, Shero had better start getting some irons in the fire for a replacement of some sort. Teams will gang up on the #1 line and choke the offense out of this team.

If last year is any indication, it won't.

[pekkasteele]

I apologize, I missed the game. Can someone tell me what the lines were?

I asked the same question a few days ago, got this link:

http://www.sportsnet.ca/fantasy/hockey/ ... o_central/

Great for "up-to-date" lines.

[RisslingsMissingTeeth]

- not sure if it is Malkin's absence, but everyone just seemed to be playing hungrier. I wouldn't be surprised given what we've seen the past 2 years when Sid or Geno went out. I think guys spend too much time waiting for the 'stars' to do something but when the stars are missing, they go ahead and do what they know they can do.

- I did not think the game was a strength for Despres. Just some plays where he looked young and like he was being caught underestimating the level of players on the other team.

- As Bennett gains confidence and comfort level, I see another Neal in him. My feeling has always been, just wait. Maybe not right now but in the next 2 to 3 years. He will have up and down games now as should be expected.

- Could we just try Boychuk over Glass? Why is Glass set in stone out there? It isn't like he is the best PK player and he has no hands around the goal. All I'm saying is try.

- Letang and Orpik are just amazing.

[darkstar57]

No love for Cookie Monster? Come on Guys he played a great game

[llipgh2]

No love for Cookie Monster? Come on Guys he played a great game

Agreed. I think Cooke played one of his best games of the season last night.

[Gaucho]

- Could we just try Boychuk over Glass?

Nope.

[PghSkins]

The view from 120 last night was tremendous. Best game I've been to in awhile (not saying much given that the last 2 were the debaculous game 2 vs Flyers and 4-1 loss to NYI).

- Best moment, no doubt Bennett goal. Incredible play, kid didn't miss. Got a standing ovation, showed him on the big screen trying not to smile, or cry, or whatever he was going to do.

- Woo-ing started as early as the 1st. Please God no.

- Sat behind a corporate group from Marriott. 80% of their three rows of people left at the first intermission. Made the view good for my kid but... seriously?

- Kid missed the fight because he was putting together his Zamboni bank (plus mine and 3 others people around us gave him).

[RisslingsMissingTeeth]

- Could we just try Boychuk over Glass?

Nope.

I mean, I get it and all it is just that I saw something in Boychuk that impressed me creativity wise. I think a line with he, Bennett, and Sutter could be a potential goal scoring threat everytime. I just would like to see it tried. Too bad there aren't any practice games once the season starts. Oh well.

[Kovy27]

- Woo-ing started as early as the 1st. Please God no.

It was started by a couple of idiots behind me in 216. They made my night pretty miserable. We got our season tickets this year and have been pretty disappointed that we were put in a section that there are not many season ticket holders. I know a co-worker left 216 because of this.