The U wrote:BleuLineLady wrote:The thing I notice the most is the way that Philly puts pressure on the Penguins players constantly. The forecheck and backcheck are relentless. That is definitely more of recent change over the past couple seasons since laviolette has been the coach. The Flyers make it uncomfortable and hard to play against and for a team like the Pens who are used to just using their offensive talent to glide through games sometimes, it can frustrate players like Malkin. I dont know if the Flyers play this intense every game, I doubt it, theyre 8-9-1, theres reason why. But when it comes to playing the Penguins, they know the formula to beat them. Just frustrate them and they get thrown off. I wish the Pens played more like that and maybe Shero needs to trade for a couple guys who play more of that style of a game. They need more guys who are like Kunitz, Dupuis, Sutter...players who have some scoring touch but are tough to play against and are defensively responsible. We have too many guys on the team who are thinking offense, instead of playing both sides of the ice.
Agreed. Pens were getting hit and harassed all over the ice in every zone. We played that way in 2009.
Philly doesn't play like this all the time, only against us.
Unfortunately for us they have our number right now. How many games they win or lose vs Florida, Caps, Toronto, etc...are meaningless. They play well vs the Penguins. Throw out seeds and records. We need to find a way to beat them and NJ.
Shero has 13 million to spend and we are coming off three incredibly disappointing playoff runs. Pressure is on.
Physical defensive dman, tough bottom 6 forward or two, and a top 6 scoring winger are all needed. Between now and April I wouldn't be surprised if 4 new guys are added and 3 or 4 current Pens are demoted or traded.
I think Shero needs to find players that go against Byslma's system or prototypical player. If you cant change the coaches style and youre not going to fire him (Byslma is still a good coach imo), then its the job of the GM to find players that will balance Bylsma's offensive style. Meaning dont go out and trade for Setoguchi or some player who is a one dimensional offensive type player. Go out and get players who good 2 way players, who are smart, tough and who can add a spark to this team.
Also youth always breeds hunger. So for starters, in many of these games, Engelland should not be playing. I would have been perfectly fine with him not playing even against the Flyers. That's why they have Glass, Adams, Cooke etc. Despres and Bortuzzo are better than Engelland. Theyre young, skilled and faster than him. Bennett should be playing as well. This teams needs more youth not less.