Post-Game Talk: Flyers 4, Penguins 2 - Letang Giveth Away

[Big Poppa Pump]

If they threw some pucks at the net in the first period instead if over passing, they win. You Get on a cold goalie fast. But they passed up chances in the first 5 mins.

Neuvirth wasn't a "cold" goalie..... He wasn't brought in off the bench and he also played half a game in Game 4.

That "pepper that goalie's ass" only works when he truly is cold, like fresh off the bench.... not expecting to play.

But early on, Neuvirth wasn't tested enough....

 

[Hockeyholic]

I was just wondering about that stat. Seems they lack that killer instinct WAY too much.

I had a feeling they were going to come out flat tonight. Just the way everyone in the media was crowning the Pens & saying Philly wouldn't show up.

 

[EightyOne]

How legit is Kessel's game streak? The dude plays the softest game in the league, by far.
Even in the playoffs, when people are sacrificing their bodies, Kessel avoids contact at all costs.

Resting him prior to season end was more important than his streak*.

Top ten in Ironman Streak
And .81 points per game

It isnt a nothing-burger. But it is a nothing-burger.

 

[BlackAndGold87]

This game was beyond annoying. Felt like game 2 all over again, so many chances.

 

[zero8771]

I was pretty upbeat actually until this loss. But because the playoffs are a war of attrition as much as anything, this is a big loss indeed. The road only becomes more difficult. We could have used some rest.

8787878787 71

 

[Love the Penguins]

Letang has finally played better near the end of the season and into the playoffs, compared to the disaster of what came before. When he screws up it's not because he's not giving one hundred percent. That's why I give him credit for yelling at Phil for his lazy attempted pass that led to the shorthanded goal. Yeah, Kris contributed to that Keystone Kops play, but not because he was being lazy.

He's gotten older, his speed isn't what it was, and he's coming back from physical injuries that would have caused many players to give up and go on with what Chuck Noll used to say, their "life's work". I think he can and will be a key contributor to their Cup run this year.

 

[canadianguy77]

I'm well aware of the collision in the corner, where Geno "hyperextended his left knee"

I wasn't referring to that point. I'm saying Geno wasn't noticeable after he got released from the box and drew that slash from Ghost....

He was noticeable once or twice on his own. Problem is he had a hard time skating, and his sniper linemate can't shoot. All that's left is Hagelin, who retrieves pucks.

 

[Gurglesons]

I fully expect this to end Sunday. But if they somehow lose this series....it'll be the most dissapointing loss in franchise history.

lol. No.

2008 Game 6 or 1996 Game 7.

 

[JimmyTwoTimes]

Kessel's struggling mightily too, I don't think a single person is debating that. But what are our options? Sprong? Does anyone realistically think Sprong being slotted into a scoring line role and getting power play time six games into the post season is a scenario that's even remotely possible? Especially with Sully?

If Phil can play, he's going to play. He would have to be incapacitated to sit, and even then, I doubt Sprong is the first guy on the list. As long as Phil has the ability to change the game with one shot--and he does, hobbled or not--he'll be in the lineup, for better or worse.

Just like Letang, whose ailment is that he's just ****ing dumb, not injured. He's playing regardless.

But they knew kessel was hurt months ago. Thats when Sprong could have gotten another chance. Cant tell me 8 games was enough...when one of them was a 3 point game.

You have always be looking ahead, while trying to win in the moment. I had a feeling we would see this from Kessel. We can get by Phily with him like this but will be very tough to win it all without him. Would need others to step up...or a complete surprise by a rookie like Sprong. And maybe he wouldnt be that difference maker. But how do.we know if hes not even given a chance?

Ill be pissed if He starts off next season on a tear next to Sid and Jake.

 

[Big Poppa Pump]

He was noticeable once or twice on his own. Problem is he had a hard time skating, and his sniper linemate can't shoot. All that's left is Hagelin, who retrieves pucks.

Maybe once.... not nearly enough.

 

[Hockey Freak 7]

To be fair, Kessel gets a bit more slack than Letang should, imo. Kessel's clearly injured, and has done more for this team in the three seasons he's been here than Letang has in the decade-plus with the Pens. Neither player's play is acceptable, but the factors are important; injured versus stupid.

Agree . I will always give Kessel slack and I will continue to do that..

Kessel do happens to be more hard on pucks and win more pucks battles
I know he isn’t his full self and he has done a lot for the Penguins..
So yea..

 

[Hockeyholic]

lol. No.

Disappointing is different from heartbreaking. Heartbreaking was 93 and 08. Dissapointing was 2012. This would be up there

 

[LOGiK]

He was noticeable once or twice on his own. Problem is he had a hard time skating, and his sniper linemate can't shoot. All that's left is Hagelin, who retrieves pucks.

If you can't skate, drop your minutes. f***ING Couturier was effective. Don't go out there and stand still. Even the announcer said, 'a pass to Malkin who was standing still in the neutral zone deflected in deep'.
Guy could barely move effectively and avoided carrying the puck when he had someone about to hit him because he could not get out of the way.
He's hurting.

 

[Jason15237]

Pfft...we won it after Game One!

After game 1, All I heard on DVE and The Fan was how it was gonna be a 4-0 sweep and how humorous everyone thought it was that this wasn't even a rivalry anymore.

 

[canadianguy77]

Maybe once.... not nearly enough.

You go to work with 1/4 of your body not quite there, and tell me how it works out for you. Give me a f***ing break.

 

[canadianguy77]

If you can't skate, drop your minutes. ****ING Couturier was effective. Don't go out there and stand still. Even the announcer said, 'a pass to Malkin who was standing still in the neutral zone deflected in deep'.
Guy could barely move effectively and avoided carrying the puck when he had someone about to hit him because he could not get out of the way.
He's hurting.

That's on the coach.

 

[Will Hunting]

Also, Provorov might be seriously hurt.. (collarbone I guess?) Couts is a fighter, but he is playing on one leg. We played about as bad as we could and it was still very very winnable. We will win this series, but I just hate these complications.

 

[LOGiK]

That's on the coach.

Not if the player says he is ok. Which he obviously was not. It's 50-50 then. Do you take his word or go against his word. He left the first with 4 minutes left. Guy was obviously hurt. So yeah, I'd say it was on the coach.

 

[Big Poppa Pump]

I fully expect this to end Sunday. But if they somehow lose this series....it'll be the most dissapointing loss in franchise history.

Jesus Christ I don't even want to think about that......

If that were to happen, which I still doubt will, nothing will ever trump 1975.....

 

[xxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

But they knew kessel was hurt months ago. Thats when Sprong could have gotten another chance. Cant tell me 8 games was enough...when one of them was a 3 point game.

You have always be looking ahead, while trying to win in the moment. I had a feeling we would see this from Kessel. We can get by Phily with him like this but will be very tough to win it all without him. Would need others to step up...or a complete surprise by a rookie like Sprong. And maybe he wouldnt be that difference maker. But how do.we know if hes not even given a chance?

Ill be pissed if He starts off next season on a tear next to Sid and Jake.

I'm as big a Sprong fanboy as you'll find around here, so you're preaching to the choir. He has nothing to learn at the AHL level, and only benefits greatly from time playing/practicing/learning from Sid, Geno and Kessel on a daily basis. He's NHL ready now. The whole "issues with his 200ft game" stuff is bogus. We have guys who have issues with the 200ft game in this lineup every night; Sheary can't do a damn thing without the puck on his stick or a man within 5 feet of him, Kuhnhackl can't do anything once the puck gets to the neutral or offensive zones. Sprong's got the natural talent to be a legitimate threat every time he enters the offensive zone or has the puck on his stick. You put a defensive-minded puckhound on his opposite wing like Rust or Hags and let Sprong do his thing with Geno.

But it's all pointless. Sully's not going to have Sprong called up and given a shot six games into the playoffs. If--and it's a big if--Sprong makes it to October still on this team, I hope he's given a legit shot alongside Geno for a couple of months. Enough leash to play through the inevitable growing pains and a guy like Rust or Hags to do the dirty work.

 

[vodeni]

Kessel's struggling mightily too, I don't think a single person is debating that. But what are our options? Sprong? Does anyone realistically think Sprong being slotted into a scoring line role and getting power play time six games into the post season is a scenario that's even remotely possible? Especially with Sully?

If Phil can play, he's going to play. He would have to be incapacitated to sit, and even then, I doubt Sprong is the first guy on the list. As long as Phil has the ability to change the game with one shot--and he does, hobbled or not--he'll be in the lineup, for better or worse.

Just like Letang, whose ailment is that he's just ****ing dumb, not injured. He's playing regardless.

you know waht our option should not be, tie him to Malkin and Hagelin and singlehandidly kill that line too

 

[Hockey Freak 7]

Joke aside, that 4 on 3 galled me.

Geno was hobbled.

Phil refused to make any effort.

Sid got no support when he had the puck and gave none when he didn't.

Schultz refused to shoot.

It is so easy to defend a 4 on 3 in a scenario like that, where nobody moves and nobody provides support.

EDIT: One other thing . . . I have NO idea why Big Game Brass is being as underutilized as he is on the PP. Actually, I do . . . he moves his feet, he provides puck support, and there's no room for a guy like that on the top PP.

At the game Sid was getting supported by Jake.. I see that always between Jake and Sid... Letang being the d paring with him weighs Sid’s line down..

 

[Hockey Freak 7]

I'm as big a Sprong fanboy as you'll find around here, so you're preaching to the choir. He has nothing to learn at the AHL level, and only benefits greatly from time playing/practicing/learning from Sid, Geno and Kessel on a daily basis. He's NHL ready now. The whole "issues with his 200ft game" stuff is bogus. We have guys who have issues with the 200ft game in this lineup every night; Sheary can't do a damn thing without the puck on his stick or a man within 5 feet of him, Kuhnhackl can't do anything once the puck gets to the neutral or offensive zones. Sprong's got the natural talent to be a legitimate threat every time he enters the offensive zone or has the puck on his stick. You put a defensive-minded puckhound on his opposite wing like Rust or Hags and let Sprong do his thing with Geno.

But it's all pointless. Sully's not going to have Sprong called up and given a shot six games into the playoffs. If--and it's a big if--Sprong makes it to October still on this team, I hope he's given a legit shot alongside Geno for a couple of months. Enough leash to play through the inevitable growing pains and a guy like Rust or Hags to do the dirty work.

Absolutely. He will be with Sidney not Geno

 

[Big Poppa Pump]

Also, Provorov might be seriously hurt.. (collarbone I guess?) Couts is a fighter, but he is playing on one leg. We played about as bad as we could and it was still very very winnable. We will win this series, but I just hate these complications.

Provo got pretty banged up, but I think he was back in the game for a few shifts, and finished the game, after that hit???

Who knows........Provo is a GTD for Game 6....

 

[LOGiK]

I'm as big a Sprong fanboy as you'll find around here, so you're preaching to the choir. He has nothing to learn at the AHL level, and only benefits greatly from time playing/practicing/learning from Sid, Geno and Kessel on a daily basis. He's NHL ready now. The whole "issues with his 200ft game" stuff is bogus. We have guys who have issues with the 200ft game in this lineup every night; Sheary can't do a damn thing without the puck on his stick or a man within 5 feet of him, Kuhnhackl can't do anything once the puck gets to the neutral or offensive zones. Sprong's got the natural talent to be a legitimate threat every time he enters the offensive zone or has the puck on his stick. You put a defensive-minded puckhound on his opposite wing like Rust or Hags and let Sprong do his thing with Geno.

But it's all pointless. Sully's not going to have Sprong called up and given a shot six games into the playoffs. If--and it's a big if--Sprong makes it to October still on this team, I hope he's given a legit shot alongside Geno for a couple of months. Enough leash to play through the inevitable growing pains and a guy like Rust or Hags to do the dirty work.

You can put Sprong in for Letang and I would be happy. Letang is a trash bag with skates and a stick.