I left those parts out because I agree with the two of you. The problem is those who disagree with us tend to ignore those performances and act like they happened 20 years ago instead of 2.
Ot: penguins
- Thread starter SoufOaklin4Life
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I left those parts out because I agree with the two of you. The problem is those who disagree with us tend to ignore those performances and act like they happened 20 years ago instead of 2.
Again, what concerns me more than Murray, because MM has been playing at a greater than .930 save % since his return in mid December, is:
1) Malkin's injury
2) Kessel's scoring drought
3) Hornquist's scoring drought.
I mean, without them and as the team is performing, they are NOT the Penguins that competed for Stanley Cups. And are not long for a playoff run.
Malkin being out is the biggest worry......the team just did not appear to be as dangerous offensively with him out. Hopefully this helps the team focus a bit more, gives him a much needed break and he comes back fresh........Its clear he was suffering from some sort of upper back injury given the way he reacted to cross checks in the back
He got viciously cross checked in the ribs under his arm pit below the padding.
More than likely a broken, or at least badly bruised rib.
Not clear at all what it is, but what is clear is it's bad enough to keep him out for an extended period of time, at the absolute worse time for the Penguins.
In fairness, it is a team game, and lots of players have responsibilities.
That said, when everything breaks down, there is still the goalie who can save the day. Plenty of NHL goalies do just that and we've seen about 4 of them stone the Penguins on great scoring chances in the past couple of weeks.
Murray has made his share of great saves as well. Without those saves, the Pens would be losing these games by 4 goals instead of 1. No doubt about that.
But in a way it's like a baseball player (Pedro anyone) who is comfortable when the score is 6-0 or greater and can hit tape measure HR's when there is no pressure. It's the guy who comes up with 2 outs and one on in the 9th, against a top closer, and comes through and wins the game that ends up in Cooperstown. All saves aren't created equal, some are more important than others in the moment.
Call it cherry picking or nit picking or whatever you want, but when you're clinging to a 1 goal lead, in the final minutes/seconds of an important game, great goalies win the game for their team, even if their teammates let them down. Some goalies refuse to be beat.
Murray has been mostly brilliant and steady. The team is struggling to score and need him to stay brilliant, stead, even spectacular for 2 more minutes a game.
Until Kessel and Hornqvist and yes Crosby amp up the scoring, Letang gets back to full speed, and Malkin gets healthy, Murray has to be 60 minutes of superman to give this team a chance. Otherwise, it's going to be a quick playoff visit.
Pens late game, defensive zone face off losses and puck management has also not been good. Especially when they are playing down a man (due to penalties or other team pulling the goalie for an extra attacker).
It is critical to win the puck in those situations. Then to manage it to clear the zone and run out the clock. Why are they struggling so much to win face offs and control the puck in those end of game situations? Poor decisions? Fatigue? I'm sure Mike Sullivan and his staff are really burning the midnight oil trying to figure that out. But it has become a very noticeable negative trend in these end of game blown leads.
Timely goals and timely saves are important.
Our last 3 opponents have players and goalies making them
The pens haven’t
I’ll point out again- this isn’t asking the goalie to steal a game ( which is frankly reasonable on occasion)
These were games with a lead in the final 2 minutes and sometimes seconds.
The save has to be made to preserve a win.
Our last 3 opponents have players and goalies making them
The pens haven’t
I’ll point out again- this isn’t asking the goalie to steal a game ( which is frankly reasonable on occasion)
These were games with a lead in the final 2 minutes and sometimes seconds.
The save has to be made to preserve a win.
How many cups does Matt Murray have? How does that compare to the other two best goalies in Franchise history?
How many Eastern Conference teams can claim they have a goalie in which to be more confident in that Matt Murray? How many of those guys can claim they’ve won 7 of the 8 SC series they’ve played?
Matt Murray should be traded immediately. Somehow override the deadline. It’s whats best.
How many Eastern Conference teams can claim they have a goalie in which to be more confident in that Matt Murray? How many of those guys can claim they’ve won 7 of the 8 SC series they’ve played?
Matt Murray should be traded immediately. Somehow override the deadline. It’s whats best.
No one's arguing his pedigree or past. Speaks for itself.
His play in the present, the final 2 minutes of close games to be precise, is the issue.
The
Yes
The gag against Philly? Yes
The 4 goals on 13 shots against St. Louis?
Yes
The tying goal against Carolina?
Yes
The gag against Philly? Yes
The 4 goals on 13 shots against St. Louis?
Yes
Since hes come of the injured list in Dec he has one of the highest save percentages in the NHL. No doubt he hasnt been perfect but doesn't the TEAM get some blame as well for the collapse in the last 2 minutes.........Goaliemans analysis showed that Murray was not the only one who screwed the pooch against Carolina......had it not been for the poor defensive lapses and inability to score we'd be praising his play. Again Im not completely absolving him but the criticism seems over the top. If it were not for his play Carolina would not have had to pull their Goalie.
James Van Rymsdyke, the guy who was nationally touted as the star Sunday player to watch was left alone in between the circles. To put that on Murray is absolutely ridiculous. He shit the bed against St. Louis no doubt. We’ve discussed Carolina enough.
And before this it’s the fact that he wasn’t top 50 or he’s an alcoholic or he’s too emotionally unbalanced blah blah blah. None of that accounts for all of the two on ones he had to face, especially when the other team was shorthanded, the fact that the Pens have not had their two top defensemen healthy simultaneously for the majority of the season, Kessel probably couldn’t score with his sister’s drunk friends at this point and Hornqvist’s brain most likely resembles a bowl of oatmeal.
Let’s take a closer look at Murray though. Prior to the St. Louis game, he blanked Buffalo. He also closed the door on Boston who had up to that point had been riding a double digit consecutive games with at least a point streak. Murray also shut the door on Washington after an early defensive letdown. There was also overtime losses to Florida and Buffalo where they desperately fed Bjugstad the puck and couldn’t make it happen and an offside that was clear as day which was ruled otherwise. Overall, on the season he is 24-12-5 so it is much more prudent to argue that he needs to be starting much more than he did. I know I come off as a Murray apologist but some of you guys are just as bad with your excessive criticism.
Meanwhile, we worry about playoff standing and whether the Pens get in or not and they are only two and four points out of second and first.
I mean the St. Louis game he was bad. That's okay, Marty Brodeur and Dom Hasek had bad games too. My point, MM has around a .930 save % since his return in December. That would be right at the top of the league. Yet, we still don't believe in him for some reason. I mean, I don't get it.
Should he have made a couple of more saves? Probably. Yeah. It is not always the saves you make, but the ones you don't. But I also know the Pens have score 4 goals in 3 games. 2 of their biggest goal scoring forwards are on 2 month even strength goal droughts. Malkin's out. Letang has been out the past month. Matta the past 2 and 1/2 months.
But one person in particular, has a hard on for him, or maybe me. He thinks criticizing MM affects my life. It just shows how unreasonable of a person he is. I don't care.
You're pretty much arguing with yourself.
I have no hatred for Murray. I hope he wins another cup.
I just wish he'd tighten up a bit in the last two minutes of tight games.
Not asking for too much.
He'll have another chance to hold a 1 goal lead tonight. The law of averages says he's bound to win one of these sooner than later!
I’m not necessarily arguing with you in particular. Your post just made for a good jumping off point.
Close your eyes and wake me when it's over, a 1-goal lead with the 3rd period coming up...................Groundhog Day?
Wow, big time scoring chance set up beautifully by Letang to Guentzel. JUST MISSED!!
Shootout, this time with Letang.
Shootout, this time with Letang.
I was reading a big op ed piece the other day about how Crosby and Ovechkin were able to both live up to the hype. The NHL is going to take a huge hit in casual interest when they call it a career. We’re so lucky.
Penguins have the easiest remaining schedule by far near the top of the Metro. I think the Isles are toast. Pens will likely end up 2nd in the metro.
Letang is great 3 on 3.
5 on 5, i'd prefer to see other defenseman playing.
5 on 5, i'd prefer to see other defenseman playing.
