Game 14 at Blue Jackets - Thoughts from the morning after a hat trick

[Three Stars]

- This was a game that, had it been played a month ago, they would have lost in horrifying fashion. A weak first period, lots of giveaways, Jarry was not yet sharp. Yet, Jarry channeled the Tom Barrasso of old and made the saves that mattered later.
- At the very least they're at the point where they can overcome taking their foot off the gas for part of the game and can win on talent.
- It also helps that Sidbot has finally cleared his cache, installed his critical updates, and purchased the Playing with Karlsson DLC. Expert shot-passer, meet expert shot-pass tipper.
- Sid just tied Guy Lafleur in all-time goals with 560.
- Speaking of critical updates, Kris Letang continues his quest to be latter day Larry Robinson, You gotta hand it to him. Tanger was told he had a new role as a defensive specialist and top PKer, and he just up and decided to play that new role to the utmost.
- Also speaking of critical updates, I think Ryan Graves needs to download how to play in this system. Continuing the fine tradition of Sergei Gonchar, Paul Martin, Zbynek Michalek and others, the big defensive UFA signing is taking a while to figure out what to do.
- I'm kinda thinking that the 3rd defensive pair could use an upgrade. Ryan Shea wasn't good, but overall he's not the one I'm worried about. I'd really like to see Mark Pysyk's achilles magically heal so they can bring him in, and considering that he's still hanging around a locker stall, I'm fairly sure that the Penguins are hoping that too.

[KG]

- It's a pleasure watching Karlsson the maestro out there. Sid and Geno deserved to play with a player of that talent level. He has made a huge impact on this team and is only getting better.
- PK was real strong. Acciari, Eller both strong smart players. I still think Acciari's game is best suited on the wing at even strength so he can get in on the forecheck. But we'll see how things progress.
- That 2nd goal against reminded me of the Panarin elimination goal a couple year ago. Good to see Jarry battled back and held the fort down when it mattered most.
- Sid looks great out there. The addition of Karlsson can't be understated.
- 3rd line created and buzzed. That line, with its size and speed would actually be a good grind line come playoff time. Let's make it there first though!
- Next 3 games against Devils, Canes and Knights won't be easy. Looking forward to seeing how they fare against the strong metro teams that they couldn't beat last season.
- 5 game win streaks are always nice. Not much to complain about!

[Coffey Break]

- Sid looked dynamite. May be the best he's looked (certainly all year) but maybe even going back the last 2-3 years. He was possessed every shift - great to watch. I really think we take for granted watching this guy still playing at this level 18 years later. Just an absolute treat. That deflection game-winner...my oh my.

- EK65, not sure what else to say. The dude is an absolute wizard out there with the puck. Two things really pop-up in my mind with him: 1) He has developed expert chemistry with both 87 and 71 (particularly 71 because he's sharing most shifts with Geno) and man, look out. He is starting to get really comfortable on this team. 2) I honestly do not think he is this defensive "black hole" that everyone said he was before getting traded here. If you watch him, he's actually really good with his stick in the d-zone and he's an absolute savant when it comes to maneuvering out of high-danger areas to get the puck up the ice with possession. It's a skill truly very few (if any) d-men in this league possess. It really bears to light that perhaps alot of his defensive deficiencies truly may have been a byproduct of his entire team.

- Marcus Pettersson - amazing to see how many people (myself included) were ready to destroy that contract and find any way for him to eat nachos in the press-box just 2 years ago. He has quickly turned into probably the one defenseman they absolutely cannot afford to lose in any way whatsoever. He is just so so good in the defensive zone - and can you think of a better partner to complement EK65? We need to give this guy all the credit and props he deserves.

- As a known Sully detractor here, I will gladly also mention that he deserves some credit when the going gets good here. Last night was not their best performance, especially within the overall winning streak - but making the hard decision around taking Letang off PP1, benching Carter, and perhaps most notably changing the forecheck and neutral zone coverage a bit to clamp down defensively, those are some welcome changes from the coach. Let's hope it keeps up and adjustments continue to be made as necessary. BTW, I'd still like for him to switch 17 and 67.

[Antonio]

Agreed with Petterson for sure. Probably the player and contract I've been most wrong about (although in total fairness, it was a few years of it before I was wrong) but he's been steadily improving into a quality piece for the price. For sure some credit to Sullivan to finally making some small changes... only took him half a decade plus. Not been playing great teams but still happy to see 5W in a row at any time. Happier to see Sid marching up the stat totals.

[Pruezy11881]

In regards to the defensive change...

Kudos to Sully for it. The Pens aren't giving up nearly as many odd man chances and are generally having better coverage. It is also leading to similar or more chances for when going the other way.

[Pitts]

My one dumb thought: Brian Trottier on the studio team - why? Where did that idea come from? He looks just so out of place. Never looks at the camera, stammers for words... is he that hard up for cash?

[Pitts]

- EK65, not sure what else to say. The dude is an absolute wizard out there with the puck. Two things really pop-up in my mind with him: 1) He has developed expert chemistry with both 87 and 71 (particularly 71 because he's sharing most shifts with Geno) and man, look out. He is starting to get really comfortable on this team. 2) I honestly do not think he is this defensive "black hole" that everyone said he was before getting traded here. If you watch him, he's actually really good with his stick in the d-zone and he's an absolute savant when it comes to maneuvering out of high-danger areas to get the puck up the ice with possession. It's a skill truly very few (if any) d-men in this league possess. It really bears to light that perhaps alot of his defensive deficiencies truly may have been a byproduct of his entire team.

Here's a mic-d up video of EK65 from DK Sports:


He really has settled in very quickly.

[yinzer69]

The good:

-Sid's hat trick
-Pens won despite maybe not playing their best game

The bad:
- winning streak goes to 5
- the self-absorbed Pittsburgh hockey media profits- the Penguins winning isn't good for business, negativity sells. Winning doesn't sell in the media business.

[Antonio]

My one dumb thought: Brian Trottier on the studio team - why? Where did that idea come from? He looks just so out of place. Never looks at the camera, stammers for words... is he that hard up for cash?

He's terrible. Been terrible since the first time I saw him on the broadcast and all I could think is, what the hell?

[FLPensFan]

My one dumb thought: Brian Trottier on the studio team - why? Where did that idea come from? He looks just so out of place. Never looks at the camera, stammers for words... is he that hard up for cash?

He's terrible. Been terrible since the first time I saw him on the broadcast and all I could think is, what the hell?

I also think Potash doesn't seem comfortable in his new role. He seemed to be stumbling a lot in his words, either last night or the other night when I watched.

On the Penguins side of things...still waiting for Matt Nieto to do something that impresses me. Somebody like Poulin gets healthy, and I'd try bringing him up as 4C, with Acciari and Hinostroza on the wings. Said it before...Hinostroza is playing how I expected Nieto to be playing.

Rakell needs a goal.

[largegarlic]

- This was a game that, had it been played a month ago, they would have lost in horrifying fashion. A weak first period, lots of giveaways, Jarry was not yet sharp. Yet, Jarry channeled the Tom Barrasso of old and made the saves that mattered later.

That is what I was thinking too. It seemed very much like earlier in the season when they were controlling play, outshooting and out chancing the opponent, but were getting undermined by defensive lapses and soft goaltending. But like you said, to their credit, they battled through it, got some timely saves and goals later in the game when they weren't getting those before, and came away with 2 points.

I'm still a bit skeptical of their ability to hang with the top teams, but they'll make the playoffs if they mostly take care of business against the bad and mediocre teams and snatch a few wins here and there against the better teams.

[Tico Rick]

My one dumb thought: Brian Trottier on the studio team - why? Where did that idea come from? He looks just so out of place. Never looks at the camera, stammers for words... is he that hard up for cash?

He's terrible. Been terrible since the first time I saw him on the broadcast and all I could think is, what the hell?

I also think Potash doesn't seem comfortable in his new role. He seemed to be stumbling a lot in his words, either last night or the other night when I watched.

Agreed on both counts. And yet they let Errey go? It's as if Hextall were making these moves.

[penny lane]

Captain O Captain! Loved seeing all the hats fall for Sid.

[Southern Fan]

Someone really taught Lars Eller well in how to play hockey. His stick always seems to be in the right place (except for the occasional hooks), and he seems to hang on to the puck or pass it at the optimal time. If he gets injured, the bottom six will be a mess.

Graves makes a few mistakes but he is young, fast and aggressive enough to recover , and he seems to have fit in well with Letang.

Shea is a better third pairing for Chad. They have actually looked good the past few games.

Geno keeps ignoring the memo that if you don’t have a play entering the zone, send it in deep and let your wingers forecheck.

[Puck-Lurker]

Colour me unimpressed with Jarry. Eyetest is wonky even if the score doesn't show it.

Rakell will score eventually. He needs one soon.

Eller is growing on me, solid 3C option for us. That line is doing what it needs to right now.

Karlsson is just magic out there. That guy is just ridiculously smooth and he's very quickly found ways to feed (and get fed by) Geno and Sid.

On the Pettersson/Karlsson front; both dudes are Swedes. That's gotta help when your partner is a countryman who understands your first language and has a similar cultural background. MP looks better with EK than he ever did with Tanger.

We had 'the talk' with Carter. Time to start thinking about having the talk with Nieto. Bump him down to WBS and call someone else up who hasn't been up yet,for a few games. Poulin, Gruden, Pitlick, see if any of them show a pulse. Acciari and Hinostroza could use some more help than Nieto is giving them

[Maestro]

Erik Karlsson is awesome at the point. It's like getting another cup of Coffey.

[FLPensFan]

Colour me unimpressed with Jarry. Eyetest is wonky even if the score doesn't show it.

Rakell will score eventually. He needs one soon.

Eller is growing on me, solid 3C option for us. That line is doing what it needs to right now.

Karlsson is just magic out there. That guy is just ridiculously smooth and he's very quickly found ways to feed (and get fed by) Geno and Sid.

On the Pettersson/Karlsson front; both dudes are Swedes. That's gotta help when your partner is a countryman who understands your first language and has a similar cultural background. MP looks better with EK than he ever did with Tanger.

We had 'the talk' with Carter. Time to start thinking about having the talk with Nieto. Bump him down to WBS and call someone else up who hasn't been up yet,for a few games. Poulin, Gruden, Pitlick, see if any of them show a pulse. Acciari and Hinostroza could use some more help than Nieto is giving them

Forgot about Pitlick. I think Hinostroza and Pitlick on either side of Acciari would create an extremely good 4th line of forecheckers. I also wonder if Acciari may be better at wing then center, from a production standpoint. He's been doing great defensively at center, but willing to be he'd get better looks if he was on the wing.

[Dynasty1970]

- EK65, not sure what else to say. The dude is an absolute wizard out there with the puck. Two things really pop-up in my mind with him: 1) He has developed expert chemistry with both 87 and 71 (particularly 71 because he's sharing most shifts with Geno) and man, look out. He is starting to get really comfortable on this team. 2) I honestly do not think he is this defensive "black hole" that everyone said he was before getting traded here. If you watch him, he's actually really good with his stick in the d-zone and he's an absolute savant when it comes to maneuvering out of high-danger areas to get the puck up the ice with possession. It's a skill truly very few (if any) d-men in this league possess. It really bears to light that perhaps alot of his defensive deficiencies truly may have been a byproduct of his entire team.

Here's a mic-d up video of EK65 from DK Sports:


He really has settled in very quickly.

Very nice! Thanks for his post! We are very fortunate to have landed him. He is a strong leader, all around good guy, I felt bad for him after our Game 7 OT victory....He is going to allow Crosby to put up points until he is 40.

[Sams_Dog]

My one dumb thought: Brian Trottier on the studio team - why? Where did that idea come from? He looks just so out of place. Never looks at the camera, stammers for words... is he that hard up for cash?

Like any rookie, Trots needs some time to get the hang of it. Give him a few months and I'm sure he'll be better.

[stonewizard51]

Matt Bartkowski has been on the set a few times also. All in all, Errey should have been kept.

[Badger Bob]

Matt Bartkowski has been on the set a few times also. All in all, Errey should have been kept.

You're all in on Hailey though.

[stonewizard51]

Matt Bartkowski has been on the set a few times also. All in all, Errey should have been kept.

You're all in on Hailey though.

Definitely...yeah definitely