Game 78 vs Wild - Thoughts from the Morning After

[Penspal]

Pens lose 4-0

- Got down early, poor goaltending, can't score = g.a.m.e. o.v.e.r.
- Martin didn't play well & cost the Pens 2 goals (rust?, 100+ fans in stands, > 23 mins, whatever)
- Bennett passed up a couple of shooting opportunities in a game where there were few good ones
- Neal gets rattled easily, he was looking for trouble last night (Pens players should jump in & stop him when they see it)
- Zatkoff accepted some blame for this loss postgame, good to see him own up (goalies can't score & 0 goals for doesn't win games)
- Despres stepped up and got a big hit but it resulted in a goal against. I don't expect to see him next game.
- When Craig Adams is your best player (as could be argued last night...) well, you see the result
- Pens get a chance to prove they are alive in a game tonight, going to be tough with travel though
- Starting to get into fan playoff mode. Expect that the Pens will win 4 of the next 7 (BUT expect losses to occur)

[skullman80]

Turned the game off after the first period. I think I made a good decision.

[meow]

Ouch

[Gaucho]

Ein Haufen Schrott.

[Southern Fan]

Felt like we were watching a preseason game last night.

[columbia]

That was some serious crappola.

[shmenguin]

Felt like we were watching a preseason game last night.

That's the only scenario where Ebbett should dress so this makes perfect sense.

What a seriously nothing player.

[Idoit40fans]

Teheran was seriously fighting it but still only gave up 2 runs and a 1 WHIP through 7 innings. This guy is the real deal.

Freeman was on base 5 times.

BJ Upton actually contributed in a positive way.

So did Dan Uggla.

The Braves are in the Nats' collective head.

[brwi]

Teheran was seriously fighting it but still only gave up 2 runs and a 1 WHIP through 7 innings. This guy is the real deal.

Freeman was on base 5 times.

BJ Upton actually contributed in a positive way.

So did Dan Uggla.

The Braves are in the Nats' collective head.

OOOPS, wrong place, but definitely agree with you here Good game, Braves!

[Inkio]

Maybe the pens are saving all of their energy for playoffs? Wishful thinking? Hah

[Idoit40fans]

Teheran was seriously fighting it but still only gave up 2 runs and a 1 WHIP through 7 innings. This guy is the real deal.

Freeman was on base 5 times.

BJ Upton actually contributed in a positive way.

So did Dan Uggla.

The Braves are in the Nats' collective head.

OOOPS, wrong place, but definitely agree with you here :D :D :D Good game, Braves!

Given my expectations for the post season, i think its actually the same team.

[Gaucho]

Now Payerl recalled? ffs

[columbia]

Let the good times roll.

Who the hell is he replacing?

[Gaucho]

Maybe Pyatt. Save some $$$ on the lettering.

[Take the Body Shoot the Puck]

Might as well call up Payerl. Not like the Pens are concerned with winning or getting ready for the playoffs. Might as well give some guys a look.

[iWonTheCup87]

just saw some highlights, that was embarrassing wow. I know we are not going to catch Boston but man we couldnt even try???

[penny lane]

A fast team v an injured, secured #2 spot in the conference- another loss.
#0 for the wild earned- a joke, nevertheless, has another shut-out courtesy of his penguin pals.
Happy for Matt Cooke, the wild seems like a good fit for him.

Thumbs up on the wild green-machine uniform.

I'm not expecting different play in Denver. You never know what response and effort you
will see from this penguin team. I would start Zatkoff again tonight.

[bhaw]

A fast team v an injured, secured #2 spot in the conference- another loss.
#0 for the wild earned- a joke, nevertheless, has another shut-out courtesy of his penguin pals.
Happy for Matt Cooke, the wild seems like a good fit for him.

Thumbs up on the wild green-machine uniform.

I'm not expecting different play in Denver. You never know what response and effort you
will see from this penguin team. I would start Zatkoff again tonight.

I didn't even think of starting Zatkoff, which might not be a bad idea. Maybe they start Fleury, and if the team is in shutdown mode, they put in Zatkoff to start the 2nd. I mean, if we're treating the game as meaningless, why put Fleury through the extra work and risk having him lose confidence in the d in front of him?

[IanMoran]

Moved to msp 2 years ago... Was looking forward to pens game there last year, cancelled. Kind of wish this one was cancelled as well

[MalkinIsMyHomeboy]

All I need to know is will Vokoun be ready for the playoffs?

[slappybrown]

A fast team v an injured, secured #2 spot in the conference- another loss.
#0 for the wild earned- a joke, nevertheless, has another shut-out courtesy of his penguin pals.
Happy for Matt Cooke, the wild seems like a good fit for him.

Thumbs up on the wild green-machine uniform.

I'm not expecting different play in Denver. You never know what response and effort you
will see from this penguin team. I would start Zatkoff again tonight.

I didn't even think of starting Zatkoff, which might not be a bad idea. Maybe they start Fleury, and if the team is in shutdown mode, they put in Zatkoff to start the 2nd. I mean, if we're treating the game as meaningless, why put Fleury through the extra work and risk having him lose confidence in the d in front of him?

Fleury should get the Wings Wednesday at home and then be done. I'd play Zatkoff tonite and the back to back this coming weekend against OTT/PHI. Fleury should have been playing in fewer games the past two weeks to begin with. The back-to-back a weekend or two ago was particularly an egregiously stupid decision.

[Hugo Stiglitz]

What thoughts could anyone really have about last nights game? It shouldn't even be considered a game because in order to play you actually have to show up.

[MalkinIsMyHomeboy]

Wow I just watched the highlights...Zatkoff looked pathetic out there. Like a junior hockey goalie.

[Chirpin' Grinder]

I can't recall seeing a team so in need of a coaching change for so long. Anyone that thinks that this team will be able to flip a switch 10 days from now and all of a sudden start playing winning hockey is delusional. I love the Pens and don't want to see another flame out. DB is driving this team off a cliff. They have so many bad habits that its impossible to think that just getting healthy will cure what ails them as a team.

-We thought the low point was the PHX game, then came the Hurricanes and now this.
-Anyone notice how lousy the Pens passing was all game? Looks like a team that hasn't practiced in a month.
-Pens were out worked and beaten to and knocked off of pucks all night long.
-Pens cannot get through neutral zone because the forwards are way too far up ice. Long passes through the neutral zone do not work against any competently coached team when the talent is even remotely similar. This obvious flaw in the team's approach changes the minute DB is out the door.
-props to Scuderi for playing with the nose gash
-Sweet chip pass by Moulson on the first goal
-Incredible save by Bryz on Neal
-Despres stepping up on the McCormick goal was ill advised. But it was then compounded by Niskanen stepping up and by Sid being incredibly soff/confused in the slot. Lousy team goal, but surely Despres will be scapegoated.
-Parise always seems to be extra fired up to play against 87.
-Wild will not be a friendly first round opponent. A lot of talent that seems to be coming together at the right time. Sochi stud Granlund wasn't in the lineup (olympic injury?) and Dany Heatley was a healthy scratch. A lot of young legs and veteran talent. A first round series versus either Anaheim or San Jose will be one to watch.
-Interesting match up tonight as the Avs are coming off a big victory in St Louis.

[tfrizz]

Wow I just watched the highlights...Zatkoff looked pathetic out there. Like a junior hockey goalie.

So you're saying he's in playoff form?

http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=10457