OT: WTH Sully?

[recruitsreadtheseboards]

As bad as things are for the Pens, they're worse for the overall Cup favorites, the Lightning! They're also down 2-0, but they lost 2 home games!

Our series is turning into a nightmare. After two games, seems the Pens have no idea of how to deal with the Islanders. They are clearly frustrated as evidenced by the fighting after they lost convincingly. Giving them 6 PP's isn't a very good strategy, for sure!

Now, they have to win 4 out of 5 against a team that is playing them perfectly and is flush with confidence.

Trotz has made chicken salad out of chicken crap. He's seen the Pens enough to know how to get them off their game, and his guys have bought in, as they have all year with their tight checking, take the body, use speed to beat them down ice and hold the Pens up and contest their entry.

I doubt the Pens survive this. They have no room to operate, and on the rare occasion that they have the man advantage, their PP reeks! Even in desperation time with our goalie pulled, no one was shooting the puck. Just passing it around the perimeter looking for God knows what??

This team is out of sync right not. Malkin is pretty much a non factor, the first line has been dormant, the defensemen have played really bad, the PP sucks, and the goaltending has been pretty meh at critical times. Not having McCann on the kill hurts too.

Seeing a young hungry team out hustle, out speed, and out hit an aging bunch. Not pretty, but maintaining a championship team in the salary cap era is a high mountain to climb.

Well........... yeah.

Look, we have seen so many teams come back 0-2 deficits, the Caps did it last year, losing two home games in Rd 1. The Pens did in 2009 against the Caps. But. Does this Pens team look capable of doing this? No. Not now. They are completely out of sorts, and it is one thing if Leonard is playing out of his mind (he is playing well) but the Pens are generating very few if any, primo scoring chances and none off of the break. I think they lack the fortitude to get dirty goals anymore.

It is ironic, perhaps it was best to not tie the Rangers the last game and get the losers point. Perhaps a WC spot and matchup with the Caps would have served this team better. 1) The Caps would get their full attention, 2) The Caps are a better stylistic matchup. OR........this run could be over, Father Time wins all battles.

We focus on Olli Maatta or Matt Murray, or other whipping boys (Letang). While Sid hasn't been bad, Josh Bailey has been better. Jordan Eberle has been better than Jake Guentzel. Everyone has been better than Geno Malkin and Patrick Hornquist. Phil has been okay, but again, the Isles counterparts have been better. Clutterbuck and Cezikas have been better than Bjugstad or Cullen. The Isles blueline overall have been better.

The Isles are playing better, have been the better team. But if the Pens win Game 3 tomorrow, it will get interesting. Obviously it is truly now a must win. No need for the post mortem yet, but if it comes, I have a lot to say on the construction of this team.

 

[SoufOaklin4Life]

I'd blame Murray.

Surrendered 3 and 4 goals.

The opposition goalie playing better

 

[recruitsreadtheseboards]

Surrendered 3 and 4 goals.

The opposition goalie playing better

As is the entire Isles team. I would look to the Islanders forwards especially. He is far, far from the problem.

 

[Jakey_John]

People are blaming Murray. That’s funny. In game one he stopped the initial game winner and the defense was no where to be found to clean up the rebound. Same exact thing happened on the tying goal yesterday but it is clearly all his fault. If DeSmith were in this series would somehow be over right now.

 

[88Pitt88]

As is the entire Isles team. I would look to the Islanders forwards especially. He is far, far from the problem.

Agree. They simply are playing complacent as a team. They look like they are content to bow out and live off the fact that they have won two of the last three cups. There has been to this point, no sense of urgency or push back whatsoever from the Pens. I find it hard to believe the Isles are that superior to us overall. If game three at home looks even remotely similar to the first two games, then you can say goodbye to the cup years for good.

 

[recruitsreadtheseboards]

Agree. They simply are playing complacent as a team. They look like they are content to bow out and live off the fact that they have won two of the last three cups. There has been to this point, no sense of urgency or push back whatsoever from the Pens. I find it hard to believe the Isles are that superior to us overall. If game three at home looks even remotely similar to the first two games, then you can say goodbye to the cup years for good.

I honestly did not expect Sid and Guentzel to be completely shut down. But I said going into these playoffs, what has always made the Penguins be, "THE PENGUINS" is also Evgeny Malkin. And as he goes, so will the Pens. And well...........

Hornquist is scary, they just signed him to that big contract last year, he is lucky that it was not up this year, because he looks like he is finished as a player.

 

[88Pitt88]

I honestly did not expect Sid and Guentzel to be completely shut down. But I said going into these playoffs, what has always made the Penguins be, "THE PENGUINS" is also Evgeny Malkin. And as he goes, so will the Pens. And well...........

Hornquist is scary, they just signed him to that big contract last year, he is lucky that it was not up this year, because he looks like he is finished as a player.

Very worried about Hornquist as well. On the other hand, I thought Geno looked really good in game 1. Game 2, he started the penalty parade which kind of set a theme for the night.

Like I said, the Isles are good but, I think Syd and Guentzel are partly responsible for how things look. As I said before, if the team and certainly Syd and Jake look like they looked in the first two, in game three, then the Cup Window can be closed for good and it will be time to rework the team.

 

[recruitsreadtheseboards]

Very worried about Hornquist as well. On the other hand, I thought Geno looked really good in game 1. Game 2, he started the penalty parade which kind of set a theme for the night.

Like I said, the Isles are good but, I think Syd and Guentzel are partly responsible for how things look. As I said before, if the team and certainly Syd and Jake look like they looked in the first two, in game three, then the Cup Window can be closed for good and it will be time to rework the team.

Sid. Sid. Sid. Sidney. Sid.

 

[Phillypanther2]

Don’t worry everything will be alright, Sully put Simon on Crosby’s line.
WTF?? Does he truly have something on Sullivan, or he is that susceptible to someone kissing his butt.
I’m a long time hockey fan, and the extent of my experience is playing some street hockey. But when it comes to Simon, me and most of the people on this board, can make better hockey decisions.

 

[SoufOaklin4Life]

People are blaming Murray. That’s funny. In game one he stopped the initial game winner and the defense was no where to be found to clean up the rebound. Same exact thing happened on the tying goal yesterday but it is clearly all his fault. If DeSmith were in this series would somehow be over right now.

Not blaming

Simple stating he’s being out played by the isles goalie.

Which has been the trend the past month

Murray flopping like a fish out of position while giving up a big rebound isn’t on the defense to bail him out

 

[recruitsreadtheseboards]

Souf is too quick to blame. We know. Just like you will contort yourself into knots to excuse his poor play.

The entire team stinks. Including Murray.

Thank you. The entire team is "stinking" right now, and to be honest, I have been dubious about their chances all year. I just don't think they have it. I think this team needs some BIG changes coming up. But that can wait.

Souf just focuses on the goalie, and I understand when you don't know anything about the sport, that is all you do. Murray has to be better, I guess because no one on his team is able to score, nor do they defend particularly well. Souf has a hard on for Murray like Del has for Ben. Remember Del blaming Ben on the Steeler playoff loss to Jaxville a couple of years ago. Because well, the other team scored more. And that is technically correct. When you hate and want to be partisan and only focus on one player, that is all you got.

I am kind of thinking the fact that neither Sid nor Guentzel having a point in the first two games, Geno only having one, Phil only having one, Hornquist being completely ineffective might have a bit more to do with it. Yes, most goalies stand on their heads every game and shut out every opponent, maybe the occasional bad game where they let in a goal.

I just prefer to have some intelligent analysis other than "the goalie sucks".

 

[SoufOaklin4Life]

Souf is too quick to blame. We know. Just like you will contort yourself into knots to excuse his poor play.

The entire team stinks. Including Murray.

Again-
Souf is not blaming Murray for the losses.

But Murray certainly isn’t winning the games either


Through 2 games he’s in the bottom quartile of playoff goalies.

 

[SoufOaklin4Life]

Thank you. The entire team is "stinking" right now, and to be honest, I have been dubious about their chances all year. I just don't think they have it. I think this team needs some BIG changes coming up. But that can wait.

Souf just focuses on the goalie, and I understand when you don't know anything about the sport, that is all you do. Murray has to be better, I guess because no one on his team is able to score, nor do they defend particularly well. Souf has a hard on for Murray like Del has for Ben. Remember Del blaming Ben on the Steeler playoff loss to Jaxville a couple of years ago. Because well, the other team scored more. And that is technically correct. When you hate and want to be partisan and only focus on one player, that is all you got.

I am kind of thinking the fact that neither Sid nor Guentzel having a point in the first two games, Geno only having one, Phil only having one, Hornquist being completely ineffective might have a bit more to do with it. Yes, most goalies stand on their heads every game and shut out every opponent, maybe the occasional bad game where they let in a goal.

I just prefer to have some intelligent analysis other than "the goalie sucks".

Yes- hockey is very complicated.

Where are Murray’s stats ranked among playoff goalies so far?

Top quartile or bottom quartile?

 

[recruitsreadtheseboards]

Yes- hockey is very complicated.

Where are Murray’s stats ranked among playoff goalies so far?

Top quartile or bottom quartile?

Bottom quartile. As is all of his teammates. Am I right?

 

[SoufOaklin4Life]

Bottom quartile. As is all of his teammates. Am I right?

They’re playing about the same level as the previous 2-3 weeks.

Lehner isn’t giving up rebounds and the isles are preventing extended offensive pressure .
We’re essentially one and done .

Lehner is the big reason for our offensive impotence.
I know you and others consider yourselves sophisticated hockey experts-
But in the playoffs it all starts and end with the goalie play.

 

[Pitt Puck]

They’re playing about the same level as the previous 2-3 weeks.

Lehner isn’t giving up rebounds and the isles are preventing extended offensive pressure .
We’re essentially one and done .

Lehner is the big reason for our offensive impotence.

A goalie Stopping the Puck from going into the Net!!!

What a New and Innovative Plan..... Hopefully we can try this new Style of Play!!!!

 

[recruitsreadtheseboards]

They’re playing about the same level as the previous 2-3 weeks.

Lehner isn’t giving up rebounds and the isles are preventing extended offensive pressure .
We’re essentially one and done .

Lehner is the big reason for our offensive impotence.

I dunno....I really don't see us getting great chances at all. I think it is more than just goalie. It is not like Glenn Healy in 1993 for the Isles who stole games, the Pens just aren't generating much quality chances let alone rebounds. The Pens need to go get the dirty goals, bump Lehner, disrupt him, get him to move. Murray needs to stop moving so much, he is at his best when he is in position and standing up.

 

[CCHS82]

I dunno....I really don't see us getting great chances at all. I think it is more than just goalie. It is not like Glenn Healy in 1993 for the Isles who stole games, the Pens just aren't generating much quality chances let alone rebounds. The Pens need to go get the dirty goals, bump Lehner, disrupt him, get him to move. Murray needs to stop moving so much, he is at his best when he is in position and standing up.

It would help if Horny (and others) do what horny does best and get in front of goalie, just like he did on Gudbranson (spelling?) goal in game 2. Get those type goals and the garbage goals.

Let’s Go Pens!

 

[TIGER-PAUL]

Letang-Doumalin getting killed

 

[rmf05]

Last time Crosby played a good playoff game....2017. He's just not making anything happen at all.

Simon......what a huge disappointment. Too few high draft choices. Too many duds when they do have a high pick. There is almost no player development going on with the Pens.

 

[Jakey_John]

Crosby is the least of this team’s problems. He and Guentzel have pulled their weight all year.

 

[rmf05]

They've had great years but like last year. Crosby is getting owned in the playoffs. No excuses. He needs to start winning fo, stop turning it over, start scoring.

 

[PittCity]

Penguins are being outcoached . I wouldn't blame Crosby. Hornquist and Kessel and Letang all suck..... the list goes on and on..

 

[rmf05]

Again, just saying a player is playing bad is not blaming. He has 8 TO with zero takeaways. Minus 3 with only 3 shots, zero points and under 40 face off pct. Much like the Caps series last year, if you listed the top 20 players in the series, Crosby's name wouldn't be on it. We can win without him but he makes it tough.

 

[rmf05]

Huge 5 on 3 save by Murray!

 

[CCHS82]

WTH Sully Part II: maybe he wants to get fired by keeping Simon on with top line.

 

[mike 301]

Fork . Meet Penguin .
Even if they somehow come back in this one .

 

[McKee Place]

The Penguins is dead

 

[Jakey_John]

This team is completely disinterested. In 2016 Kessel and Malkin were screaming at each other to make stuff happen. Today they and everyone else are inconvenienced because they had a game to play.

 

[FreeportPanther]

 

[rmf05]

Some painful decisions need to be made. The ride is over for this era. Entire hockey operations staff needs booted. A new philosophy is needed. Get draft choices and young hard skating, hard working players and an aggressive coach. The country club atmosphere around the organization needs to die.

 

[McKee Place]

They should try something novel and dismiss Sullivan and the staff tonight. Let Crosby officially (as opposed to unofficially) run the final game.

 

[FreeportPanther]

Crosby and Guentzel only untouchables.
Keep McCann, Bjugstad, and Blueger.

Blow the rest up, as necessary.

 

[McKee Place]

This really be no surprise, given how crappy and lazy they've been all season. A complacent team of lazy stars resting in its laurels, and despise playing fundamental hockey or respecting coaches, from the owner down.

 

[King Of All Message Boards]

 

[Jakey_John]

This really be no surprise, given how crappy and lazy they've been all season. A complacent team of lazy stars resting in its laurels, and despise playing fundamental hockey or respecting coaches, from the owner down.

Clearly, Lemieux is the primary culprit.

 

[88Pitt88]

The Islanders are the Pens Kryptonite. They killed our Dynasty in 1993 and now they have pretty much cemented the end of the Crosby-Malkin led Penguins. It won't be long before our streak of playoff appearances is broken. Whatever happens, I hope we have a new coach next season. I am so tired of hearing that dope Sullivan saying, "We have to play the right way", and "we have to get to our game". He started the downturn last year with his handling of the Ian Cole situation. That said, I have never seen a Penguin team this clueless. They have been embarassing, there is no other way to spin it.

 

[rmf05]

1st things 1st. New GM. Interesting decisions ahead. The entire organization all the way through WB-S is soft, fragile and too passive. Everything needs rebooted. Would Crosby and Malkin have the patience for it? Murray and Letang are excellent but too fragile. Guentzel is great but needs a lot of grit around him. He and Crosby together requires a lot of new blood and more grit. This isn't the icecapades. Wasting Crosby like this is disgusting. It's not on him that every shift by his line is a waste of time.

 

[88Pitt88]

Thank you. The entire team is "stinking" right now, and to be honest, I have been dubious about their chances all year. I just don't think they have it. I think this team needs some BIG changes coming up. But that can wait.

Souf just focuses on the goalie, and I understand when you don't know anything about the sport, that is all you do. Murray has to be better, I guess because no one on his team is able to score, nor do they defend particularly well. Souf has a hard on for Murray like Del has for Ben. Remember Del blaming Ben on the Steeler playoff loss to Jaxville a couple of years ago. Because well, the other team scored more. And that is technically correct. When you hate and want to be partisan and only focus on one player, that is all you got.

I am kind of thinking the fact that neither Sid nor Guentzel having a point in the first two games, Geno only having one, Phil only having one, Hornquist being completely ineffective might have a bit more to do with it. Yes, most goalies stand on their heads every game and shut out every opponent, maybe the occasional bad game where they let in a goal.

I just prefer to have some intelligent analysis other than "the goalie sucks".

Anyone who watched this series and concludes that the Penguins lost because of their goalie needs serious help. The Pens have no answers. I had hoped that the home crowd would help, but they could play the game on a slip of ice in Antartica occupied by real Penguins and the Isles would still dominate. Nice profound analysis by Souf and others, " the goalie sucks"! Yah, that's it!

 

[mike 301]

Lehrner has been outstanding . Murray ?