+we still don't have cros and kennedy and my jaw hasn't shut from that game
TK played.
Crosby and Michalek are the key missing pieces and I imagine both are back within 2 weeks. Sure hope everyone else can stay healthy until then (and after then).
Why are posters on here so adamant about defending Geno's play in our own end?
I don't - when he actually does deserve critique or commit mindless turnovers in critical positions, I point them out.
But it becoming group speak that Geno is often/frequently/naturally lazy or defensively disinterested, that I think silly. And wrong. As in factually wrong.
So you think it's factually wrong that Geno's been lazy in his own end quite a few times this season?
As I said before, I'll make sure to document the instances so I can point them out to you next game. He needs to show as much effort on the backcheck as he does creating plays in the offensive zone. I don't see it.
I don't - when he actually does deserve critique or commit mindless turnovers in critical positions, I point them out.
But it becoming group speak that Geno is often/frequently/naturally lazy or defensively disinterested, that I think silly. And wrong. As in factually wrong.
No one ever claimed it was often, frequent, or natural for him to be lazy.
I am not seeing all that much of these games but I don't have a problem with what Geno is doing.
I think we have a great complement of styles when Sid comes back.
Geno is a game-breaker. Even when he's not breaking games the other team will have to respect the chance that he might. He can center his own line and play wing to Sid or Staal. With that kind of flexibility the best a team can hope for is what the Red Wings did in our cup finals. Of course even that won't work with the way Staal is looking. I don't think any team is capable of creating good matchups against 3C, and especially when any of the three can be double-shifted on the fourth line or with each other.
I love the team. If healthy I think we should be considered the favorites for the cup. God help the rest of the league if we actually add a guy like Hemsky to the mix.
If there's one guy I don't want, it's Hemsky. He's injury prone, so he'd probably fall into a coma on this team. Add to that his play style, and he's not a good fit at all imo. He's got a lot of skill and he can help offensively, but I don't see him fitting in with this system.
Having the best fun with my iPhone that I acquired a few days ago and yes I have got the Penguins app. I must admit, Mike Lange and the Ol' 29er are way better than The Odd Couple.
Michalek can't come back soon enough because it seems like Martin really misses him.
I just don't think this has anything to do with it. What has Michalek being out with an injury to do what Martin just gettin pwmed by Jones or getting deked out of his skates by Skinner? It's not like this stuff happend because he was unfamiliar with his partner, he just sucks really bad right now defensively and when you're totally impotent offensively, you don't have to wonder why people question that cap hit. Martin does nothing better than Matt Niskanen at the moment, nothing. Or Engelland for that matter.
That said:
+ Staal. Wow, nice shot and some nice dekes. And he's now finding the soft spots much more frequently.
+ Letangs skating, just amazing. And a very nice goal too. I guess he read on HF that his last ES goal was almost a year ago.
+ Kennedy, nice seeing him again and slick pass to Staal for the goal.
+ Sullivan on the pp
+ Neal's playing with so much confindence right now, last season, you just know he would have muffed that scoring chance with all the bad luck he had
+ Duchene's goal, wow
+ Getting rewarded for another 3rd period comeback
+ Asham is such a good fighter
- Letangs passing on the pp. God damn, I could hit those one-time passes better, WTF is he doing? Don't they practice that at all? We lost two long 5 on 2's because of his crappy passes the last two games.
Michalek can't come back soon enough because it seems like Martin really misses him.
I must be one of the few, but I don't think the Martin and Michalek pairing were doing all that much better. Yes, earlier in the season they were, but they were having trouble and even seeming like they were stepping on each others toes just before Z got hurt.
Moving forward I'd like to see some mix up on the D.
Don't confuse this as me saying Niskanen is better or anything like that and see it more as balancing the pairings. He is playing like a top 2/4 though.
I truly love this team and when healthy my love is candidly unhealthy, too say the least.
+ Staal
Hes practically dangling guys coming into the zone, and when thats not possible he was making nice chip plays then trying to go around the defender.
Finishing checks, getting open for nice scoring oppurtunities, finishing on them. Not to mention the passing. So good right now.
-A random Malkin debate sprang up in the Plus/Minus thread. Is this a carry-over from the GDT?(if so cant it stay there?) I see one person adamantly defending Malkin who hadnt ever been insulted.
Indeed, only in this case Kirk brought a random one sided debate and took over the +/-.
As Malkin didnt get a single minus before he got started. Carry over from another thread I'd guess.
In regards to the disparaty in PP oppurtunities I like seeing a game where the refs arent looking to call even-up PIMs all the time.
You can guarantee anytime Malkin is mentioned, kirk will be there.
In my defense, I initiated it before I saw the GDT thread. And, in my defense, I've taken what really is the position of Tender Rip and a few others here. I've got zero problems with critique of anyone, including Malkin, for specific play. It's the generic lazy/floating BS and then silence that's kind of annoying. It's the same garbage people have pulled with just about every other player they dislike (see Staal, Jordan), and my attitude is the same on those: If you've got a specific critique, then make it. If it's 'he's got no vision' or 'he's lazy' and then crickets when someone asks for specifics, then it's bull. That's got nothing to do with liking or disliking a player. That's got to do with showing a honest and consistent standard. But, this is a message board, so crickets . . .
Indeed, only in this case Kirk brought a random one sided debate and took over the +/-.
As Malkin didnt get a single minus before he got started. Carry over from another thread I'd guess.
In regards to the disparaty in PP oppurtunities I like seeing a game where the refs arent looking to call even-up PIMs all the time.
Strange, I must have missed the couple of people who mentioned Malkin's lazy defensive play in this thread too . . .
-The first period
-All the fans who left early just to get out of the car park quickly, seriously whats wrong with you guys?? You've got probably the best managed team, with excellent coaching and a great roster, show some damn respect and appreciation guys!!
Coming to Pittsburgh next year for 6 games in Feb, all the way from England too, think I'm gonna leave early, win or lose........hell no!
People also have to remember it's a school night and some probably have their kids up well past their bed time just being there for the second period.
I'm sure there are people who'll just leave for the traffic and noting the construction of certain bridges and what not around the rink isn't helping none.
Not making excuses but some things to consider.
You need to dig up one of our out of town threads to find the where to go, and what to see/eat.
I must be one of the few, but I don't think the Martin and Michalek pairing were doing all that much better. Yes, earlier in the season they were, but they were having trouble and even seeming like they were stepping on each others toes just before Z got hurt.
Moving forward I'd like to see some mix up on the D.
Don't confuse this as me saying Niskanen is better or anything like that and see it more as balancing the pairings. He is playing like a top 2/4 though.
I truly love this team and when healthy my love is candidly unhealthy, too say the least.
The Martin and Michalek pairing wasn't that great, but Orpik was out, which jumbled things and meant mega minutes for Martin. Why not see what happens when the defense is fully healthy and planned pairings are tried first?
BTW, huge + for Niskanen's play all year. Much as we rightfully talk about how Neal getting acclimated has made all the difference, that might actually apply more to Nisky.
I sadly have been one of those criticizers in the past. Something has changed in him...he has more moves, better puck control, more awareness, and smarter passes. Not to mention he's been working on a shot....maybe James Neal taught him something. I got soo used to seeing "stone hands" Staal.
-- Martin
He's looking bad out there. Not a $5M man!
+ Fleury
He wasn't dominant, but was good.
- overall play by the D.
We just seem confused out there. Either that or the teams we are playing are faster, cuz we often seem a step behind. Our breakout plays were bad..how many times did we almost turn or turn it over?
++ Neal
Everybody keeps saying this is a typical Neal strong start. I hope it continues. This guy seems really happy out there. I also hope they just keep him with Malkin until things stop working then test him with Crosby (when he comes back). Worse thing is to get the guy to lose his groove playing with another superstar.
++ Penguins resiliency.
This reminded me of their play 2-years ago...I can't count the number of times they strung a 3rd period comeback...never give up attitude!
- 5 on 3 PP
Damnit man...Letang passes to Geno.
I bet it's because he plays RH. He needs to swing back further before making the pass so it's further back. This is why he doesn't screw up the passes to Sully.
++ Malkin
30 seconds in, he goes end-to-end and almost scores a goal?
That goal he scored...the look on his face of "damn it's about time".
More on next post....
If there's one guy I don't want, it's Hemsky. He's injury prone, so he'd probably fall into a coma on this team. Add to that his play style, and he's not a good fit at all imo. He's got a lot of skill and he can help offensively, but I don't see him fitting in with this system.
From your lips to Ray Shero's ears. I definitely do see Shero targeting a top six forward, but, like you, I hope to God it's not Hemsky, even if the top options don't pan out.
So you think it's factually wrong that Geno's been lazy in his own end quite a few times this season?
As I said before, I'll make sure to document the instances so I can point them out to you next game. He needs to show as much effort on the backcheck as he does creating plays in the offensive zone. I don't see it.
You will note where I stand on the issue. And, no, I don't think it's wrong that Geno has been both lazy and selling out his responsibilities to try to make a low percentage play at times this season. There even were a few bad ones last night. My critique-- and I think the critique of others like Tender Rip-- is of the recent generic laziness/floating charge. I mean, people can disagree about anything, and we do here, but I see this 'Geno lazy' generic critique as being no different than the BS I've seen about Staal and others here. But, it's a message board, and a defense against a 'generic Geno is lazy' charge is rebutted with an 'aha, so you say Geno can do no wrong' straw man post instead of an honest discussion about specifics. Oh well . . .
EDIT: For an example of what I mean, I've had big debates here with Cole, who I consider just about as knowledgeable about the game as any poster here. We debate a specific play. He tells me what he saw. Sometimes, I agree and say 'I missed that'. Sometimes, I'll still disagree but will do so with a complete understanding of where he's coming from. That's what an honest hockey discussion SHOULD look like.
