Cole's Plus/Minus: The Sid, Fleury, & Geno Show (Pens vs. Lightning)
Plus
+ Fleury: First and foremost because we wouldn't have had a chance to come back if Fleury didn't shut the door so many times in the 2nd period. He gave us a chance and our stars shined. Really happy to see #29 elevate his game AND get rest this season. He's playing very well.
+ Sid & Geno: This wasn't a game we won with our system or anything. It was 2 guys who just wanted the spotlight and put on a fantastic show for the fans. I hate that we play this way, but man are we ****ing lucky to have these two. Geno looked great and fast and Sid is just at a whole other level than the league.
+ Despres: He's making sure DB can't sit him. He's just so good out there. Strong on the puck, physical, plays strong in front of the net. He also makes great passes.
+ Honorable Mentions:
Kunitz - Such a troll for how much he's producing. He still looks slow on the forecheck but that might be the system as opposed to how he's skating.
Sutter/DJ - I like these two together. Good defensive skills and they have decent chemistry.
Engo - He did his best for Bort by pissing everyone off. I love when defenders play with that attitude.
Eaton - playing for a career and playing well.
Minus
- Our Game? What is it? We look like we run around and try to out skill teams. There is no reasoning for anything. We don't support the puck. We don't forecheck hard. We stand around in our d-zone. I just hate the way the Pens are playing right now. It's fun to win games but I don't believe for one bit this team can win the Cup. Unless some big changes happen and the players completely buy in - I can't think we will make it far playing this style. It's just ugly.
- Brook Orpik: If he's a man of his word and wants to be a leader, then he needs to watch that tape and point the finger at himself. His play is so bad. I hate seeing this guy play so poorly, but he's every bit as bad as Martin's worst hockey in Pittsburgh. In fact, it's probably worse. He's complete garbage. Awful game.
- Cooke: Really held down that Geno/Neal pairing. He had no clue where to be and looked out of position all game.
I really don't think it matters what Stamkos does. No way he keeps up with Sid imo
haha i know you dont care about sid and points/art ross stuff, but damn even you have to admit that kinda sucks crosby once again misses a chance at the empty net yet stamkos gets a garbage goal.
Disagree wholeheartedly with you on this game, Cole. Hold a top offensive team to 3, including one banked in off first a stick and then a face. Aside from some stupid decisions by Orpik/Letang, they played a solid game all around.
With about three minutes left, Tampa had the puck behind our net, and the Pens put three men in the slot. No chasing, just boxing out the crease. That's what Id like to see all game. . .
I thought the Pens played pretty sound defense all game aside from a few dumb plays from Letang and Orpik. This was one of the best wins of the season, IMO.
haha i know you dont care about sid and points/art ross stuff, but damn even you have to admit that kinda sucks crosby once again misses a chance at the empty net yet stamkos gets a garbage goal.
I don't think it matters because Sid will run away with it by the end of the year. He beats 2nd place by double digits imo
given the choice, I'd rather Malkin and Neal get the empty net points tonight.
I agree with all the comments about Eaton's smart stick, but his skating scares me. He's not very fast or mobile and gets turned around pretty easy off the rush. He can't skate the puck out of trouble, so he'll have to be clinical in his d-to-ds and breakout passes.
Not writing the guy off and he could be a decent 7th for us, but I really don't want him seeing regular minutes when we're healthy. Talk of him making Niskanen expendable is way, way premature.
++++++ discipline, especially in the 3rd, only took 1 penalty and you know the refs were looking for the slightest, dumbest thing to call to even up the pp totals.
Disagree wholeheartedly with you on this game, Cole. Hold a top offensive team to 3, including one banked in off first a stick and then a face. Aside from some stupid decisions by Orpik/Letang, they played a solid game all around.
Tampa barely generated anything all game, we didn't take any foolish penalties, and overall played a very good game.
But it's not still good enough for some people. See what you want to see, I guess.
how are you writing this stuff when the game is still going on? are you even watching the game?
Tough to disagree with anything in this one just the same.
I would like to thank Dan Bylsma for actually rewarding Despres with increasing ice-time in this one after his great first period. Zero reason that he only sees 14.48 and has less time than Eaton, but I'll take it as an improvement if nothing else.
If Fleury had been making less big saves in the second and we had seen a just normal conversion rate on our great chances (Garon and Lindback had loads on Geno in particular), then we could have seen the same score as against Montreal.
Fun to watch the offensive magic for sure, but we are giving up way too many chances way too easily, and it has been like that most of the season.
This team lacks an identity. Two worldclass players,two decent wingers, and a bunch of grinders who can't really cycle,forecheck,or even inflict physical punishment. I'm glad for the win but IMO Fleury was really good and Malkin/Crosby would not be denied. This will not be enough against a team like Boston or even Philly in the playoffs.
I love when defenders play with that attitude. 
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