OT: Pens

[FreeportPanther]

Islanders are extremely disciplined. They stick to their system. Clog the neutral zone, force everything to the outside. Live off turnovers.

Frustrating, but not as bad as the old Devil's teams.

Best of 5 now. Need to take one in NY to regain home ice.
Seems like Pens are getting it, improving. Maybe they forgot what it takes to succeed in playoffs.
Played much better yesterday.

 

[recruitsreadtheseboards]

Islanders are extremely disciplined. They stick to their system. Clog the neutral zone, force everything to the outside. Live off turnovers.

Frustrating, but not as bad as the old Devil's teams.

Best of 5 now. Need to take one in NY to regain home ice.
Seems like Pens are getting it, improving. Maybe they forgot what it takes to succeed in playoffs.
Played much better yesterday.

That's it. Not just every game, but every shift, they play hard, don't make mistakes. You got to capitalize when you can, you have to simplify the game (which the Pens mostly did) by either getting a shot, getting it deep, but no extra passes. I just don't know how the Isles do it every shift. But you can see it, and the Pens are doing a great job (so far) of recognizing that the "1" forward in their trap is always looking to push the play after a turnover or failure to get the puck deep.

 

[FreeportPanther]

That's it. Not just every game, but every shift, they play hard, don't make mistakes. You got to capitalize when you can, you have to simplify the game (which the Pens mostly did) by either getting a shot, getting it deep, but no extra passes. I just don't know how the Isles do it every shift. But you can see it, and the Pens are doing a great job (so far) of recognizing that the "1" forward in their trap is always looking to push the play after a turnover or failure to get the puck deep.

Look how energetic the Isles are on the penalty kill. They are all over the Penguins, don't give anyone any room, even when the puck is reversed. First two power plays, I don't think the Pens got a shot on goal! That is incredible, and really neutralizes a big advantage the Pens had coming in. You'd hope that changes.

Pens very disciplined too though. No stupid penalties, until Rust lost his mind at the end. Equally great kill by Pittsburgh there. 6 on 4 and Isles didn't get a good scoring chance!

Great series, especially since Boston took one in Washington. Both series are going to drag out and take their toll.

 

[goalieman]

Some observations ......

- Great "rebound" by Jarry in Game #2 ...... he was a HUGE part of the win ! ...... his Grade = A, I would have given him an A+ but he didn't play the one Islander goal very well ..... overall, he was OUTSTANDING ....... hopefully he keeps it up.

- The "soft" goal given up by Varlamov turned out huge ...... he played well after that however and is a good goalie.

- 3rd line defense (Marino/Pettersson) played much better in Game #2.

- Letang continues to play well ..... can't say enough about his high level of play.

- BART line was very good, great forecheck which made it difficult for the Islanders to get out of their zone and good work in their own end also.

- Big help has been keeping Barzal in check ..... I worry about him having a breakout game soon.

- We did a lot better job at getting pucks in deep and forechecking well in Game #2 ...... as noted by others, much of the Islanders offense revolves around transition where they get the puck in the neutral zone or even high up in their own defensive zone and transition quickly up ice ..... when you get it in deep (past the face-off dots in their end) and forecheck, it is much harder for them to generate offense.

- Brian Dumoulin is a warrior ...... played the game after taking a hard shot to his right foot in Game#1, then I don't know how he came back to play so well after hitting into the boards so violently in last nights game ..... he was a big part of the win ...... tough as nails !

- Rust's late penalty freaked me out, but great PK bailed us out.

- Power Play 0-5 after two games, need to do better.

- Penalty kill 3-3 in killing penalties so far ..... keep up the good work.

- Carter overall played well ..... had game winning goal, good on face-offs, etc.,etc. but he made a lazy play on the Islanders goal that led to the goal ..... unusual for Carter who is a really smart, usually responsible player.

- Don't turn the puck over, get it in deep, go to the forecheck, put shots on goal, stay structured and our speed and talent hopefully should come through ..... need to win at least one of the next two games in New York ! ..... it's early in the 1st round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs but so far the games all around the league have been fantastic (and that is putting it mildly) !

 

[CougarClaws]

Look how energetic the Isles are on the penalty kill. They are all over the Penguins, don't give anyone any room, even when the puck is reversed. First two power plays, I don't think the Pens got a shot on goal! That is incredible, and really neutralizes a big advantage the Pens had coming in. You'd hope that changes.

Pens very disciplined too though. No stupid penalties, until Rust lost his mind at the end. Equally great kill by Pittsburgh there. 6 on 4 and Isles didn't get a good scoring chance!

Great series, especially since Boston took one in Washington. Both series are going to drag out and take their toll.

Let's hope they keep improving the defense, consistency, hustle, etc... Might actually have a chance at winning more than a round or two then.

I'm still open-minded this team can win a Cup. I saw a team that can do that for most of the 3rd period last night. Just not sure yet how often I'm going to see that team - but last night's 3rd period Pens had the look of a potential Cup Winner.

Was just so relieved to see them finish strong last night.

 

[CougarClaws]

One of the most fun games I've watched in a while. A good long while. Saw some heart, some soul, some desire - things we've been missing in the playoffs these recent years...

Jarry was fantastic.
Tanev was fantastic.
Letang was outstanding.
Dumoulin's ice-warrior routine was cool.
Pettersson's play was near revelation level.
Marino played well.
Kap played well.
Carter was great outside the goal against.
Sid played an exceptional game I thought - saw him leading brilliantly at times.
Jake showed a pulse finally.
4th line had some moments.


Guenzel looked like a 10 year old trying to deal with a couple of 13 year old playground bullies in the 1st. By the third he had grown up a bit and looked more the teenager. Was initiating contact, and at least trying to get to another level. He didn't play great, but he showed up when it counted in the 3rd with a more committed and more physical game along the boards.

Rusty, Jake, McCann, and a whole bunch more NEED to be better. I'm still in awe of Rusty's big mistake. Can't really remember a more blatant example of holding the puck. Thank God they didn't score, not sure his Pens career could have survived it. Would love to see the Rust of a month ago return.

Jarry just proved he's got ice water. HUGE, HUGE performance. Might be the catalyst for him moving forward. He's why they lost game 1. He's why they won game 2.

This team is still giving up too many chances but that was a gut check effort, and we passed after failing a bunch of those in recent years.

Process looked good a majority of the game. Saw some players throwing it deep instead of hitting the open guy bursting through the middle. They stopped doing that for a while in the middle of the game and it nearly cost them.

 

[recruitsreadtheseboards]

Some observations ......

- Great "rebound" by Jarry in Game #2 ...... he was a HUGE part of the win ! ...... his Grade = A, I would have given him an A+ but he didn't play the one Islander goal very well ..... overall, he was OUTSTANDING ....... hopefully he keeps it up.

- The "soft" goal given up by Varlamov turned out huge ...... he played well after that however and is a good goalie.

- 3rd line defense (Marino/Pettersson) played much better in Game #2.

- Letang continues to play well ..... can't say enough about his high level of play.

- BART line was very good, great forecheck which made it difficult for the Islanders to get out of their zone and good work in their own end also.

- Big help has been keeping Barzal in check ..... I worry about him having a breakout game soon.

- We did a lot better job at getting pucks in deep and forechecking well in Game #2 ...... as noted by others, much of the Islanders offense revolves around transition where they get the puck in the neutral zone or even high up in their own defensive zone and transition quickly up ice ..... when you get it in deep (past the face-off dots in their end) and forecheck, it is much harder for them to generate offense.

- Brian Dumoulin is a warrior ...... played the game after taking a hard shot to his right foot in Game#1, then I don't know how he came back to play so well after hitting into the boards so violently in last nights game ..... he was a big part of the win ...... tough as nails !

- Rust's late penalty freaked me out, but great PK bailed us out.

- Power Play 0-5 after two games, need to do better.

- Penalty kill 3-3 in killing penalties so far ..... keep up the good work.

- Carter overall played well ..... had game winning goal, good on face-offs, etc.,etc. but he made a lazy play on the Islanders goal that led to the goal ..... unusual for Carter who is a really smart, usually responsible player.

- Don't turn the puck over, get it in deep, go to the forecheck, put shots on goal, stay structured and our speed and talent hopefully should come through ..... need to win at least one of the next two games in New York ! ..... it's early in the 1st round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs but so far the games all around the league have been fantastic (and that is putting it mildly) !

While I too worry about Barzal (and Eberle a noted Pens killer) let's also remember that Sid and Jake have not really lit it up (they played well) and likely some scoring from them will come. So it is like a battle between the two sets to see who emerges first.

I don't want to jinx how well Letang is playing, but when he is playing under control like he is....he is still one of the best defenseman in the league.

 

[HOF Coach]

 

[Pittisit4me]

There goes your "bottom dollar".

Luckily I am not a betting man. It was just a feeling and I am sure I wasn't the only one to have it.

 

[Pittisit4me]

Some observations ......

- Great "rebound" by Jarry in Game #2 ...... he was a HUGE part of the win ! ...... his Grade = A, I would have given him an A+ but he didn't play the one Islander goal very well ..... overall, he was OUTSTANDING ....... hopefully he keeps it up.

- The "soft" goal given up by Varlamov turned out huge ...... he played well after that however and is a good goalie.

- 3rd line defense (Marino/Pettersson) played much better in Game #2.

- Letang continues to play well ..... can't say enough about his high level of play.

- BART line was very good, great forecheck which made it difficult for the Islanders to get out of their zone and good work in their own end also.

- Big help has been keeping Barzal in check ..... I worry about him having a breakout game soon.

- We did a lot better job at getting pucks in deep and forechecking well in Game #2 ...... as noted by others, much of the Islanders offense revolves around transition where they get the puck in the neutral zone or even high up in their own defensive zone and transition quickly up ice ..... when you get it in deep (past the face-off dots in their end) and forecheck, it is much harder for them to generate offense.

- Brian Dumoulin is a warrior ...... played the game after taking a hard shot to his right foot in Game#1, then I don't know how he came back to play so well after hitting into the boards so violently in last nights game ..... he was a big part of the win ...... tough as nails !

- Rust's late penalty freaked me out, but great PK bailed us out.

- Power Play 0-5 after two games, need to do better.

- Penalty kill 3-3 in killing penalties so far ..... keep up the good work.

- Carter overall played well ..... had game winning goal, good on face-offs, etc.,etc. but he made a lazy play on the Islanders goal that led to the goal ..... unusual for Carter who is a really smart, usually responsible player.

- Don't turn the puck over, get it in deep, go to the forecheck, put shots on goal, stay structured and our speed and talent hopefully should come through ..... need to win at least one of the next two games in New York ! ..... it's early in the 1st round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs but so far the games all around the league have been fantastic (and that is putting it mildly) !

Great summary goalieman. I definitely think our powerplay must come to life to win any series including this one. Also thought you make a good point about Carter being lazy on the islanders goal. If he takes the man there and doesn't try to play the puck, then he never gets the shot off.

 

[deepelemblues]

Power play isnt going to get better if they keep passing around the perimeter then take a low angle shot hoping for a rebound that the 1 penguin kinda in front of the net can beat the 2-3 islanders swarming him + the goalie to get the rebound and put it in the net

To consistently win on the power play you have to get the defenders out of their formation (diamond, square, whatever they're doing). You do that by busting the formation up by getting at least 2 guys inside it. Then they have to chase and battle those guys and the formation dissolves and you get shooting lanes and better dirty goal chances. Passing around the perimeter all the time lets them stay in formation, clog up the shooting lanes and be in good position to be free to grab rebounds or passes and clear.

 

[goalieman]

Power play isnt going to get better if they keep passing around the perimeter then take a low angle shot hoping for a rebound that the 1 penguin kinda in front of the net can beat the 2-3 islanders swarming him + the goalie to get the rebound and put it in the net

To consistently win on the power play you have to get the defenders out of their formation (diamond, square, whatever they're doing). You do that by busting the formation up by getting at least 2 guys inside it. Then they have to chase and battle those guys and the formation dissolves and you get shooting lanes and better dirty goal chances. Passing around the perimeter all the time lets them stay in formation, clog up the shooting lanes and be in good position to be free to grab rebounds or passes and clear.

The Pens PP during the regular season was the 4th best in the NHL and in the 8 regular season games against the Islanders we were pretty good .... 5-20 (25%), so I don't think we will see any major overhauling of the PP, but certainly you have to make adjustments from game to game in the playoffs if something isn't working or is performing poorly, so, I agree that it wouldn't be surprising to see some tweaks to the PP especially to try and take advantage of the Islanders aggressiveness on the PK ...... it will be interesting to see what if any changes they make.

 

[CougarClaws]

Finished up the Boston-Washington double overtime game. Boston won and are up 2-1 with momentum.

Every game to overtime. Both teams emptied the tank tonight - the 5th period was slow & tired IMO. They beat the crap out of each other. Again.

It was glorious.

 

[NCanton Panther]

Finished up the Boston-Washington double overtime game. Boston won and are up 2-1 with momentum.

Every game to overtime. Both teams emptied the tank tonight - the 5th period was slow & tired IMO. They beat the crap out of each other. Again.

It was glorious.

Pretty good hustle play by Smith to get the wrap-around game winner in the 2nd OT.

 

[ShipofFools]

Finished up the Boston-Washington double overtime game. Boston won and are up 2-1 with momentum.

Every game to overtime. Both teams emptied the tank tonight - the 5th period was slow & tired IMO. They beat the crap out of each other. Again.

It was glorious.

If the Pens get past the Isles, hopefully they meet a tired, beat up, worn down version of whichever team advances from this series. Hopefully it goes 7 games.

We'll need it.

 

[CougarClaws]

That's a big deal. Impressive. This kid could really be a player. Making That National Team is no joke, and probably means he's close to NHL ready.

The kids in the QMJL are playing great this playoffs as well, and are likely to win a championship.

Pens scouting and development these days seem to still produce players, even when the perception is that the cupboard's dry.

 

[FreeportPanther]

I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm ready for some Evgeni Malkin!
We've seen what the Pens have done without him, if he's healthy enough, it's time to see what they can do in these playoffs WITH him.
The Pens offense needs a shake up. The big guns aren't hitting the mark, and the scoring has been completely underwhelming. The PP is O'fer 5. It's time to get Malkin on the ice.

Oh, we all know the knocks on Geno. His penchant for carrying the puck and pass rather than shoot ritual, but really how much worse can it get? His presence on the second line will ripple down and theoretically strengthen the third line at least. He is a HOF hockey player, he needs to be out there.

We see another Pens icon playing lights out in this series, Kris Letang. And of course, Syd is always Syd. The third leg of the Pen's legendary platform needs to give this club a boost and give the Islanders, and hopefully future opponents another big problem to deal with.

A motivated and hopefully healthy Geno on the ice from here on out is perhaps just what the Pens need to jumpstart this playoff season. I hope it begins tonight!

 

[CCHS82]

I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm ready for some Evgeni Malkin!
We've seen what the Pens have done without him, if he's healthy enough, it's time to see what they can do in these playoffs WITH him.
The Pens offense needs a shake up. The big guns aren't hitting the mark, and the scoring has been completely underwhelming. The PP is O'fer 5. It's time to get Malkin on the ice.

Oh, we all know the knocks on Geno. His penchant for carrying the puck and pass rather than shoot ritual, but really how much worse can it get? His presence on the second line will ripple down and theoretically strengthen the third line at least. He is a HOF hockey player, he needs to be out there.

We see another Pens icon playing lights out in this series, Kris Letang. And of course, Syd is always Syd. The third leg of the Pen's legendary platform needs to give this club a boost and give the Islanders, and hopefully future opponents another big problem to deal with.

A motivated and hopefully healthy Geno on the ice from here on out is perhaps just what the Pens need to jumpstart this playoff season. I hope it begins tonight!

Did Malkin practice yesterday? Participate in line rushes?

 

[recruitsreadtheseboards]

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That's a big deal. Impressive. This kid could really be a player. Making That National Team is no joke, and probably means he's close to NHL ready.

The kids in the QMJL are playing great this playoffs as well, and are likely to win a championship.

Pens scouting and development these days seem to still produce players, even when the perception is that the cupboard's dry.

Yeah, that is big for a kid that age to make their national team. That shows that he could be one of these guys who was a mid-low round pick who has blossomed, and this happens more with Euros than North Americans.

 

[recruitsreadtheseboards]

If the Pens get past the Isles, hopefully they meet a tired, beat up, worn down version of whichever team advances from this series. Hopefully it goes 7 games.

We'll need it.

I posted in the playoffs thread but it bears repeating here. That series is epic. But let's be honest, the Caps really look worn down. They hung on by a thread that whole second part of the game into the OT's. Their goalie was great, except obviously on that last play.

I watch Ovy and he reminds me now of Prince Fielder. Fielder can hit a HR, but that's all he could do. Ovy can still score goals, but he doesn't move well, can't be affective much else. Zdeno Chara is a statue, looks really worn down. Sure, the Caps are big and like to throw their weight around...but man they are slow. And they have goaltending issues. I want the Caps badly in the next round! And part of that is, the Pens have won 5 Cups. All five have had the Pens beating the Caps along the way.

One other thing. Brad Marchand is a great hockey player. And I see some trajectory with Jake Guentzel with Marchand, just Marchand is alot quicker. But Jake gets beat up. He goes into the high danger areas and gets beat up. But so does Marchand, and I wonder how he escapes getting crushed more? I guess he is so small and elusive he avoids it, but I would like to see Washington play more physical on him.

 

[FreeportPanther]

Did Malkin practice yesterday? Participate in line rushes?

He did the optional practice yesterday, to what extent I do not know.
He did make the trip to Long Island, so he's close.
If not tonight, hopefully Game 4.

 

[recruitsreadtheseboards]

He did the optional practice yesterday, to what extent I do not know.
He did make the trip to Long Island, so he's close.
If not tonight, hopefully Game 4.

He obviously should have never come back for those last few games. He reinjured it. He is 34, he is becoming a bit of a china doll. You have to wonder if an extension is worth it.

 

[BreakingPitt]

You would be hard pressed to find many people who would extend Malkin after next year.
The team would have 9 plus million to play with .

 

[goalieman]

I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm ready for some Evgeni Malkin!
We've seen what the Pens have done without him, if he's healthy enough, it's time to see what they can do in these playoffs WITH him.
The Pens offense needs a shake up. The big guns aren't hitting the mark, and the scoring has been completely underwhelming. The PP is O'fer 5. It's time to get Malkin on the ice.

Oh, we all know the knocks on Geno. His penchant for carrying the puck and pass rather than shoot ritual, but really how much worse can it get? His presence on the second line will ripple down and theoretically strengthen the third line at least. He is a HOF hockey player, he needs to be out there.

We see another Pens icon playing lights out in this series, Kris Letang. And of course, Syd is always Syd. The third leg of the Pen's legendary platform needs to give this club a boost and give the Islanders, and hopefully future opponents another big problem to deal with.

A motivated and hopefully healthy Geno on the ice from here on out is perhaps just what the Pens need to jumpstart this playoff season. I hope it begins tonight!

Did Malkin practice yesterday? Participate in line rushes?

Agree, a healthy Malkin would be a big help to the Pens chances in the Playoffs ..... you would be putting Geno in the lineup and taking Rodrigues out and the 3rd line would be much improved (McCann-Carter-Gaudreau).

Yesterday was a travel day for the Pens to New York and they did not practice before they left Pittsburgh and Sullivan said that Malkin did not skate on his own before they left ...... I don't know if they had any on ice practice once they got to New York but I would doubt it ...... probably will have a morning skate today.

Malkin's health is the question and it's hard to tell the exact nature of the injury, but it looks like a knee injury and that he is certainly not 100% (or maybe not even close to 100%)...... he reportedly is having trouble with some aspects of skating, wearing a brace, and it's hard to tell when or if he will play in the playoffs and how effective he will be if he does play ...... sure hope he makes it back into the lineup sooner than later because as Freeport says, we need him .... I hope he is well enough to play on this trip to New York and I have no 1st hand knowledge of his injury but the longer it goes without him being able to play, the less surprised I'll be after the season to hear the word surgery.

 

[recruitsreadtheseboards]

Agree, a healthy Malkin would be a big help to the Pens chances in the Playoffs ..... you would be putting Geno in the lineup and taking Rodrigues out and the 3rd line would be much improved (McCann-Carter-Gaudreau).

Yesterday was a travel day for the Pens to New York and they did not practice before they left Pittsburgh and Sullivan said that Malkin did not skate on his own before they left ...... I don't know if they had any on ice practice once they got to New York but I would doubt it ...... probably will have a morning skate today.

Malkin's health is the question and it's hard to tell the exact nature of the injury, but it looks like a knee injury and that he is certainly not 100% (or maybe not even close to 100%)...... he reportedly is having trouble with some aspects of skating, wearing a brace, and it's hard to tell when or if he will play in the playoffs and how effective he will be if he does play ...... sure hope he makes it back into the lineup sooner than later because as Freeport says, we need him .... I hope he plays on this trip to New York and I have no 1st hand knowledge of his injury but the longer it goes without him being able to play, the less surprised I'll be after the season to hear the word surgery.

Yeah, a healthy Malkin, even a relatively healthy Malkin, certainly balances out the lineup. The lines are so much more balanced as far as trying to matchup from the opposition. I don't think he goes tonight just because the Pens won the other game and generated shots. But I am hopeful.

 

[deepelemblues]

I doubt Geno plays this series

 

[pittiswhereiamfrom2]

You would be hard pressed to find many people who would extend Malkin after next year.
The team would have 9 plus million to play with .

I would bet the Pens extend him

 

[HOF Coach]

 

[HOF Coach]

 

[CougarClaws]

He obviously should have never come back for those last few games. He reinjured it. He is 34, he is becoming a bit of a china doll. You have to wonder if an extension is worth it.

Disagree with the first part, agree with the second.

Geno looked fine - I saw the injury when it happened, watched it in super slow mo several times. The leg buckled, and it could have happened no matter the condition of his knee going into that play IMO.

Remember - I was the guy that called it out during and after the game, and was sceptical he would be ready last weekend.

 

[FreeportPanther]

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Wow, I hope that is accurate!

 

[CougarClaws]

Geno!

 

[Joe the Panther Fan]

Malkin is on the ice for the pregame warmups.

Unless he tweaks something, he's going to play.

 

[HOF Coach]

 

[HOF Coach]

 

[USN_Panther]

I'm taking today off work to watch this. Let's go Pens!

 

[CougarClaws]

I'm taking today off work to watch this. Let's go Pens!

Let's talk hockey between periods.

 

[USN_Panther]

Let's talk hockey between periods.

Already missed a goal lol. Was oncall overnight and just managed about 3 hours of sleep just now. Game is on Skytv today.

 

[USN_Panther]

Tanev wanted that shot from Marino up higher for deflection.

 

[DT_PITT]

Already missed a goal lol. Was oncall overnight and just managed about 3 hours of sleep just now. Game is on Skytv today.

How did you miss the goal if you took off work? LOL!