To be honest, right now I don't even want Niskanen in the lineup when he is back. Not that he isn't better than some of the ones who play, but this right here should be what we are working on. Ie. to get Despres and Bortuzzo on to this team for good. They add just the qualities we've been short off (well, short of being PP QBs ), and once they iron out a few kinks, this is a naughty D that has insane value for money.
I think Despres, Letang and Martin are good enough for the PP point. I still remember that quick pass by Despres to Geno against the Rangers, it was like he was playing on this team for years and just knew where Geno was going to be by instinct.
I like Niskanen on this team, a lot actually, but if the defense is solid with Bortuzzo in and they're starting to play better defensively as a cohesive unit, then maybe he's a trade chip Shero should maybe think about using to get some help on Geno's line.
I still want to see Boychuk given a chance though, it's not often you get a kid that was drafted so high on waivers, this could be a "Grabner" type situation for this team if he starts to click.
Also, Cooke is so underrated offensively, he does things that makes me think "holy crap, if he wasn't so distracted being the pest on this team, he could do better than last year's #'s."
Five minutes before he went after McDonald, whose wife then came in and fought his battle for him, Glass on the penalty kill lifted the stick of an Islander and cleared a fat rebound in front of an empty net to the other end of the ice in one motion, saving a tap in goal.
In other words, something Arron Asham would never do, because he had the defensive nous of a doorknob.
Five minutes before he went after McDonald, whose wife then came in and fought his battle for him, Glass on the penalty kill lifted the stick of an Islander and cleared a fat rebound in front of an empty net to the other end of the ice in one motion, saving a tap in goal.
In other words, something Arron Asham would never do, because he had the defensive nous of a doorknob.
It's almost as if Shero was trying to improve the team with his offseason signings. Crazy.
If Orpik/Martin wasn't doing so damn awesome, I think Letang/Orpik and Despres/Martin pairings would be neat to try. A more stay at home presence for Letang and Despres.
But do not touch Orpik/Martin for ANY reason now. Orpik finally having a healthy offseason has done wonders for him.
---Someone on the Isles board actually admitted that they enjoy seeing someone get injured "especially when its Crosby".
You can't let the individuals speak for a fan base. We have 10 Min come in here and admit no injury should be cheered. I'm guessing the solid Isles posters are the same way.
We have our fair share that would do the same thing. It's embarrassing for the entire fan base.
---Someone on the Isles board actually admitted that they enjoy seeing someone get injured "especially when its Crosby".
Well, unless someone actually seems really really injured, most of the time in European football the crowd will even chant "Leave him on the pitch, he is dead." Of course that has more to do with the excessive diving and pretending to be hurt (time is ticking down) in football, than pure hatred for opposing players. In most cases after a minute of rolling around, screaming like a little girl, they will jump up as if God miraculously cured their horrific injury. In hockey most of the players do not pretend (there is no use anyway, since the clock stops) and diving is not so prevalent...so it seems to me Isles fans should be very ashamed in this case. Still strange that Crosby seems to be hated everywhere he goes, especially when you take his character in account. He does not seem to be arrogant, fratboyish or sneaky...quite the contrary.
To be honest, right now I don't even want Niskanen in the lineup when he is back. Not that he isn't better than some of the ones who play, but this right here should be what we are working on. Ie. to get Despres and Bortuzzo on to this team for good. They add just the qualities we've been short off (well, short of being PP QBs ), and once they iron out a few kinks, this is a naughty D that has insane value for money.
Niskanen aside, really, and I agree. I love these pairings right now and their potential after a few more weeks together.
Our defense has went from borderline soft with Niskanen/Lovejoy to now having 5 out of 6 that like to engage physically.
Also, I thought Boychuk was fine. Unfortunately, he is still not rewarded for his offensive plays. Bortuzzo hit the iron after his nice feed and then he had a beautiful takeaway in front of Islesī net which resulted to great Nealīs chance. But Boychuk remained as the only player with -1...
Malkin was off his game especially in the offensive zone, I just canīt help myself, but I donīt realize how someone can give him a "+" for this game. His one-timer is poor right now, nowhere close to the level from last season. To be completely fair, he had one of his better games defense-wise, but offensively he really sucked. He has to help Boychuk more, I actually think that kid is fine and is not the reason why that line is still struggling. Geno has to simplify his game, become more effective and they will be OK.
Last edited by Will Hunting: 02-06-2013 at 07:29 AM.
+++++ To all of the Pens HFBoards whipping boys!
Flower showed why he is an elite #1
DB calming down the troops when the momentum shifted, and got them back on their game.
As someone else mentioned, ever since Boychuk got here, not only has he been a decent fit with Geno/Neal, but Sutter seems to have picked up his game. Good move Ray!
+ Everyone who actually gave these 3 credit instead of the normal fire/trade em talk.
+++++ To all of the Pens HFBoards whipping boys!
Flower showed why he is an elite #1
DB calming down the troops when the momentum shifted, and got them back on their game.
As someone else mentioned, ever since Boychuk got here, not only has he been a decent fit with Geno/Neal, but Sutter seems to have picked up his game. Good move Ray!
+ Everyone who actually gave these 3 credit instead of the normal fire/trade em talk.
Fleury made some great saves but very acrobatic and also I found the D cleared the front of the net and lose pucks very well for him last night cause he did give out some juicy rebounds. Fleury has not been the problem in any of our loses this year and has played very well
+++++ To all of the Pens HFBoards whipping boys!
Flower showed why he is an elite #1
DB calming down the troops when the momentum shifted, and got them back on their game.
As someone else mentioned, ever since Boychuk got here, not only has he been a decent fit with Geno/Neal, but Sutter seems to have picked up his game. Good move Ray!
+ Everyone who actually gave these 3 credit instead of the normal fire/trade em talk.
Fleury showed why he has elite #1 ability. One game never shows pure #1.
I also thought the refs took away from a great game. Both teams looked hungry. The Isles wanted to prove they could beat us and we looked hungry to fight back. The stupid penalties over and over again really took away from the hatred that I felt on the ice. It finally felt like the teams were getting some anger out and finishing big hits.
I also thought the refs took away from a great game. Both teams looked hungry. The Isles wanted to prove they could beat us and we looked hungry to fight back. The stupid penalties over and over again really took away from the hatred that I felt on the ice. It finally felt like the teams were getting some anger out and finishing big hits.
Refs stole that enjoyment from us.
I understand the point, but to be honest refs only did their job. All of those clearly were the right calls, except of maybe one. Discipline, discipline, discipline.
? Why?
.
