Post-Game Talk: Emporer Penguins take the crown from the Kings

[JRS91]

I've been saying since Rakell was acquired that he should be playing with Crosby and Rust.

 

[BusinessGoose]

GrizzleSuck is pretty close, that's what I would use

 

[wheelz87]

I'm talking about when he went off the ice in OT.

Don’t think so. He went up and down the ice, blocked a shot. I think he was just gassed. He always seems to do quick changes in 3 on 3 ot regardless - which I love and wish everyone would be on board for..

 

[Icarium]

I am flabbergasted that Geno accidentally hitting Sid in the face didn't result in Sid being out for a while. Things sure have changed when it comes to the injury curse in the last two seasons. Too bad the roster is too mediocre and the coach too clueless to take advantage of that.

Nice effort and actually rewarded despite coming up against a goalie who seemed to be in the zone and a decent defense. Rakell has his disappearing spells like most wingers but when he is on, he makes all other wingers on the roster look so useless. Rust may have decent score sheet but his overall effort is nowhere near to Rakell's in most games.

Malkin looked so smooth out there and ironically scored one of the ugliest goals of his career.

 

[KareemTrustfund]

 

[AuroraBorealis]

Must admit, I didn't have us catching the Rangers in the standings on the bingo card. We were 5 games below .500 at one point...

 

[End of Line]

I do enjoy seeing Malkin perform the way he did bc it pissed off Kings fans to no end

 

[OtherThingsILike]

It's funny that we beat all three of our home games against California teams, but all three of them went to at least OT. I wonder if that trend will continue when we make our California road trip next month.

 

[IcedCapp]

ahh, above mediocre, just where I like my hockey teams. Savored a bottle of dom in the 32 minutes we sat in a playoff position.

 

[Andy99]

Exactly…I don’t get all the consternation about Sid’s goals…he’s generating a lot of offense for the team…



Also, yes…lol

 

[Randy Butternubs]

tPb still exists?

 

[Rave7215]

My personal streak is broken! Now 1-7 at home games this season! Woooo

 

[SEALBound]

I know this would be hard for Dubas to do but I would, quite frankly, be ignoring this mini "hot streak" they are on but be using to pump the value of guys you want to send out.

I would be calling teams and selling hard on Jarry, namely Montreal and Carolina. I'd continue working the phones on Petts, DOC, Acciari, Glass, Hayes, and Gryz if anyone wants him.

Realistically, this is a team that will get wrecked by the Devils or Caps in a 7 game series. I wouldn't hold off on cutting the fat anytime soon.

 

[Ryder71]

I know this would be hard for Dubas to do but I would, quite frankly, be ignoring this mini "hot streak" they are on but be using to pump the value of guys you want to send out.

I would be calling teams and selling hard on Jarry, namely Montreal and Carolina. I'd continue working the phones on Petts, DOC, Acciari, Glass, Hayes, and Gryz if anyone wants him.

Realistically, this is a team that will get wrecked by the Devils or Caps in a 7 game series. I wouldn't hold off on cutting the fat anytime soon.

Pittsburgh unfortunately is resurrecting their chances to make the playoffs.. They're much better in the middle of the ice, their team speed has noticeably improved as has their puck support, tenacity and structure. This will only serve Sullivans interests and elevate him as a cult hero. If anyone had a desire to get rid of him the absolute opposite scenario is likely playing out now. This looks like a different team.

To be clear, this isn't necessarily a good thing and it likely won't last, but it's looking like a massive turn around and somebody deserves the credit for it.

 

[SEALBound]

Pittsburgh unfortunately is resurrecting their chances to make the playoffs.. They're much better in the middle of the ice, their team speed has noticeably improved as has their puck support, tenacity and structure. This will only serve Sullivans interests and elevate him as a cult hero. If anyone had a desire to get rid of him the absolute opposite scenario is likely playing out now. This looks like a different team.

To add to that, I do think there's something happening more than just the Penguins being a smidge better. No doubt that slightly better goaltending is helping and guys like Letang producing is helping but at the same time, some teams are really slipping. There's a ton a mediocrity in the league right now.

 

[Ryder71]

To add to that, I do think there's something happening more than just the Penguins being a smidge better. No doubt that slightly better goaltending is helping and guys like Letang producing is helping but at the same time, some teams are really slipping. There's a ton a mediocrity in the league right now.

I agree that there's a lot of mediocrity, but visually they look like a team that has belief in themselves. They just won't give up. And they're carrying the play in many of these games. Their biggest improvement (despite many warts and lapses) is their puck support and slot to slot play. It's as if a light switch went on. It's also troubling to me how few injuries the core has sustained. I brought this up before but Sid and Geno missed a ton of games in their primes, like more than a couple full seasons worth! Now, nothing! Logic would suggest you're more susceptible to injuries with age and wear and tear, not in their cases. Weird!

 

[CheckingLineCenter]

Realistically, this is a team that will get wrecked by the Devils or Caps in a 7 game series

I agree this likely a random distraction hot streak

And that the Devils or pretty much anyone else would kill us

But idc about the Caps record. We own them. We would win a 7 games series.

 

[Buddy Bizarre]

I know this would be hard for Dubas to do but I would, quite frankly, be ignoring this mini "hot streak" they are on but be using to pump the value of guys you want to send out.

I would be calling teams and selling hard on Jarry, namely Montreal and Carolina. I'd continue working the phones on Petts, DOC, Acciari, Glass, Hayes, and Gryz if anyone wants him.

Realistically, this is a team that will get wrecked by the Devils or Caps in a 7 game series. I wouldn't hold off on cutting the fat anytime soon.

That's the unfortunate part of this streak.
I fully believe the FO is now convinced they might be a player or 2 away from a legit playoff push.

 

[Ryder71]

I agree this likely a random distraction hot streak

And that the Devils or pretty much anyone else would kill us

But idc about the Caps record. We own them. We would win a 7 games series.

I think the Caps will fade! Although I believed we were aged out and stale and clearly that's not the case anymore. I believed the coach wouldn't adjust or tailor a system to the teams personnel, I was wrong about that as well. What's up is down and what's down is up. Sincerely seems like a twilight zone nightmare! #Toservemankind

 

[SEALBound]

That's the unfortunate part of this streak.
I fully believe the FO is now convinced they might be a player or 2 away from a legit playoff push.

Things change a lot throughout the season but, if current trends hold, they probably are. Keeping Pettersson and adding a guy like Kakko or Hoglander may be enough to get us to WC2. It doesn't mean thats what I want though.

 

[IcedCapp]

we didn't buy last season, I don't think Dubas will be a buyer* this season. I still think Petts gets moved. But yeah, this is why I was a lot... happier isn't the word, but less concerned? when they were like 1 point out of last place. They were obviously a few more losses away from selling anything not nailed down.

*Now, like I said, I still think Petts gets moved, but with Tomatillo looking like he fits with Geno, I could see them moving one or two pieces but also convincing themselves they could buy a piece or two if the age/skill set/price is right.

 

[Ryder71]

Things change a lot throughout the season but, if current trends hold, they probably are. Keeping Pettersson and adding a guy like Kakko or Hoglander may be enough to get us to WC2. It doesn't mean thats what I want though.

I doubt we'll keep MP. I don't think Kyle will permit him to leave for nothing. Nor do I see him being given a long term contract here. I don't know however if anyone else with term will be on the move.

 

[SEALBound]

That's the unfortunate part of this streak.
I fully believe the FO is now convinced they might be a player or 2 away from a legit playoff push.

Things change a lot throughout the season but, if current trends hold, they probably are. Keeping Pettersson and adding a guy like Kakko or Hoglander may be enough to get us to WC2.

 

[BlindWillyMcHurt]

we didn't buy last season, I don't think Dubas will be a buyer* this season. I still think Petts gets moved. But yeah, this is why I was a lot... happier isn't the word, but less concerned? when they were like 1 point out of last place. They were obviously a few more losses away from selling anything not nailed down.

*Now, like I said, I still think Petts gets moved, but with Tomatillo looking like he fits with Geno, I could see them moving one or two pieces but also convincing themselves they could buy a piece or two if the age/skill set/price is right.

I hope they don't buy, either.

Though for Malkin's sake I kind wish they would at least a little bit. That second line is brutal and I actually dunno how much is on Malkin for being old, slow and mostly-bad these days. I just can't agree re: Toms. I think he's kind of a nothing. Though I definitely don't mind the attempt.

 

[SEALBound]

we didn't buy last season, I don't think Dubas will be a buyer* this season. I still think Petts gets moved. But yeah, this is why I was a lot... happier isn't the word, but less concerned? when they were like 1 point out of last place. They were obviously a few more losses away from selling anything not nailed down.

*Now, like I said, I still think Petts gets moved, but with Tomatillo looking like he fits with Geno, I could see them moving one or two pieces but also convincing themselves they could buy a piece or two if the age/skill set/price is right.

To add that to what I just said, I think if Dubas wanted to take a balanced approach, a deal like:

Hoglander, Pettersson, 1st
for
Pettersson, DOC, prospect (like Puustinen or Poulin), 3rd

would safely accomplish both goals. You can also check prices on a guy like Parssinen and see if we can send Nashville another 4th. Send out guys like Beauvillier and Nieto for whatever scraps people want to give.

Raks-Sid-Rust
Hogs-Malkin-Tomasino
Bunting-Lizotte-Parssinen
Hayes-Acciari-Glass

A deal like that hits nearly checkbox: Sell valuable assets, get a 1st, trim some fat, bring in young players with upside to build for the future, and help us compete now.