Cole's Plus/Minus: Pens vs. Caps - Oates is hilarious
Plus
+ Defense: Even with the offensive outburst in the 2nd period, I still have to give so much credit to the defense. I want to focus on 3 main players: Martin, Bort, Engo. Paul Martin is a completely different player right now. He's playing with a bit of passion and using his skills wisely. I still worry that he doesn't have another playoff level, but he's just on fire so far. This is the guy that was advertised to us. And to live up to words he said in the offseason, just so cool. He's tremendous. In every part of his game.
Bort/Engo are exactly what this team missed since losing Scuds/Gill. They have tenacity, hunger, and play mean. I love Bort's strength. He just is mean out there. He's also getting more and more patient and is playing an NHL game. These two are changing the way we play in the defensive zone. They have that urgency every shift we need.
Only thing I wish we did was played more man defense. We have the players to do it. We'd be even better with it.
+ Smelling blood: This was the first time the Pens saw a hurt team and just took advantage in every single way without stopping. That scond period could have just been 3-1, but they didn't stop. They wanted more. They fed off the crowd. They just wanted to get every bit of glory out of that period. That is something I have not seen in a long time.
+ Crosby/Malkin: Stars played like stars. I don't really know what to say that hasn't been said about these two. I just love watching them play. They were in some type of zone tonight.
+ Oates: He's worse than anything Bruce ever did. Who changes a goalie after 2-1? That was horrible and look what happened. If Bylsma did that, I'd be going insane. What an idiot. He's a terrible coach and that's a huge plus.
+ Tyler Kennedy: I thought this was TK's best game yet. He was everywhere. Forechecked/backchecked really hard. He's really coming into his own. You guys can say he chest snipes, but he's a great third liner. Good defensive responsibility. He adds tenacity.
+ Fourth Line: Continuing their dominance with limited minutes. They were the line that started punishing the Caps defense.
big plus for MAF, he looked good. 2 GA on 25 shots, I would take that any game.
Edit: Oates thought that Neuvirth had no confidece, because he played really deep in the net. I think that Oates wanted to anticipate the 3rd GA and thought that Holtby could save that - good that it didn't work.
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Plus
+ Oates: He's worse than anything Bruce ever did. Who changes a goalie after 2-1? That was horrible and look what happened. If Bylsma did that, I'd be going insane. What an idiot. He's a terrible coach and that's a huge plus.
That was a big headscratcher. If I were Neuvirth, I'd be pissed right now.
+ Oates: He's worse than anything Bruce ever did. Who changes a goalie after 2-1? That was horrible and look what happened. If Bylsma did that, I'd be going insane. What an idiot. He's a terrible coach and that's a huge plus.
That was totally baffling. Especially given Neuvirth's strong track record against the Pens and the performance Holtby put in on Sunday.
That was a big headscratcher. If I were Neuvirth, I'd be pissed right now.
Not really - IMO that showed Oates that Neuvirth is better right now, I mean Holtby looked brutal in both games. You can not wish for more if you want to get chances to play.
That was a big headscratcher. If I were Neuvirth, I'd be pissed right now.
I think it was more of a wake up call to the team more than anything else.
But Oates should of pulled the goalie for the last 2 minutes, what could they lose at that point, the caps where able to control the puck while on the PP pretty well.
I wonder if they would fire him because after him getting fired, they would have changed coaches how many times? This would just cause McPhee to lose his job and so I doub't he fires Oates.
Anyone else really like what sutter and dupuis brought when they found them selves out together? Could be imagining it but I swear they generates a few good looks tonight
I wonder if they would fire him because after him getting fired, they would have changed coaches how many times? This would just cause McPhee to lose his job and so I doub't he fires Oates.
Something has to happen down there, coach, McPhee or a big trade
Anyone else really like what sutter and dupuis brought when they found them selves out together? Could be imagining it but I swear they generates a few good looks tonight
Seems to validate those who have suggested that Cooke-Sutter-Dupuis would be the ideal playoff checking line.
Said it once, I'll say it again... Sutter is everything people hoped Staal would be. And he's about 2x as fast as Staal. That mini-breakaway he got...he was freaking flying out there.
+Sid and Geno. Pair of 3 pointers, sick shot by Geno, awesome hand-eye by Sid.
+Neal. PP all star
+Matt "Real Deal" Cooke
+TK
+Fleury. Shaky 1st but great 3rd.
=Boychuk. Hustle is still there but he should've had a few today... probably oughta show up on the scorecard one of these games...
-3rd period play.
Props to Bort for laying some nice hits. He is so goofy though.
I want to give props to Fleury, but I'm also not blown away by tonight. He did what he had to. I'm happy with his performance, but the defense made it what it was.
+ Our powerplay. They were all making quick decisions with the puck, especially Sid with those ridiculous one touch cross-ice passes.
It's tough to tell, because the Capitals were a collection of skating cluster*****, but I thought Martin lent a level of patience and stability at the point that Letang hasn't.
Kudos by the way to Geno for sucking one up for the team-- again-- and playing of position.
