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

[Uemoda]

That was his man. He should either have cleared the rebound or tied up Filppula. Filppula got to bang at the puck twice, despite the fact Letang was literally standing with him.

I don't understand why you don't think Letang shares ANY of the blame on that sequence.

Part of the problem is that Guentzel covered back as the first forward back while the center went for a change. Both Dumoulin and Letang share blame for leaving the front of the net unguarded, for sure. But our unorthodox backcheck combined with Giroux being very slick led to a solid snipe on their end.

It's a system defect, but I can understand how it's tempting to scapegoat. It's an adjustment that needs to be made across the board.

 

[Big Poppa Pump]

I'd be absolutely shocked if Phil wasn't hobbled tremendously by some injury. He was our MVP for this regular season for months at a time, and his play just dropped off a cliff at the end of the season and into the playoffs. There's no question in my mind he's playing with a serious injury that, if not for that ironman streak, would have him in a suit in the press box right now.

People can blame Kessel's pass for that SHG, and they wouldn't be wrong, but Letang's absolutely clueless play in his own zone--shocker--while not tying the man up right around the net was just typical.

You can blame Phil, Letang or Murray and you wouldn't be wrong in doing so.....

Phil for the pass
Letang for letting Filp get 3 cracks at Muzz
Murray for not eating up any of those shots

 

[Ryder71]

Crosby getting blame for tonight is laughable. Dude is playing with Jake and a nobody and he was making plays that on most nights, end up in a few goals. Jake couldn't hit the net numerous times, and besides one play, the nobody did anything either.

This game is on Letang, an injured Phil, and the coach who thought it would be a good idea to keep 2 injured superstars (Phil and Geno) on one line.

I see two main culprits as reasons for this loss (as you cited), Sid certainly wouldn't be one of them.

 

[imouttahereEdWinger]

awful showing by idiots that never seem to get it through their head that having a series lead doesn't mean you can work at half capacity next game.

 

[xxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

If that's true than **** him for putting this silly streak ahead of the success of the team.

It's not commendable. It's not warrior-ish, it's selfish and dumb.

Gimme a break, dude. Who are we gonna play? Sprong? You think there's a snowball's chance in Hell Sully allows Sprong to learn on the job in the playoffs? Especially against the Flyers, six games in?

 

[seabs926]

Part of the problem is that Guentzel covered back as the first forward back while the center went for a change. Both Dumoulin and Letang share blame for leaving the front of the net unguarded, for sure. But our unorthodox backcheck combined with Giroux being very slick led to a solid snipe on their end.

It's a system defect, but I can understand how it's tempting to scapegoat. It's an adjustment that needs to be made across the board.

Different goal.

 

[LOGiK]

NHLcom has Sundays game listed at 3pm NBC.

 

[Gurglesons]

How they didn’t even get a real chance on the 4 on 3 was what sealed this game.

 

[Finesse]

Letang waits too long to make a decision with the puck. The end result is a puck into the skates of the defender and ultimately a turnover. He does it every game. Multiple times a game.

Yes, because his brain literally moves slowly. That's his entire thing in a nutshell.

 

[mynameisnick4]

This. My whole afternoon is shot.

And it's actually going to be nice in Pittsburgh. We have basically had a 6 month winter here so those 60 degree mostly sunny days are gold, but now I have to make sure I'm done everything by 3, fml.

 

[Tom Hanks]

you told me there would be no game 6

 

[Ugene Magic]

@ColePens You need to do the next GDT. Ice it....

Man I suck this year trying to bring home wins.

 

[xxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

That goal is on Kessel and Murray.

Murray hadn’t had a real shot in the period and fed Filp it on a platter. No reason there should be a rebound there.

Don’t take this as me saying Letang had a good game, but blaming that one on him is silly.

Literally everyone roasts Phil's part in that goal, and Murray's rebound, but saying Letang had no blame? f***ing yikes, dude.

 

[Ragamuffin Gunner]

I can still smell the winning goal from here. Yuk.

MM makes that save easily last year.

 

[cheesedanish87]

Letang didn't have a good game, but hes had a good series.

Hes playing close to 30 mins a game against the Flyers best players who haven't done anything til tonight.

 

[Will Hunting]

Sick of Kessel already. I can´t stand this version of him. Not shooting, not passing, losing every battle. That´s him for 3 months now. Malkin didn´t look right and that´s worrying. Refs tried their best and we threw away this game on our own PP. Not that worried about this series, but it´s a very bad sign going forward, this could cause some problems. Needed that rest.

 

[canadianguy77]

Literally everyone roasts Phil's part in that goal, and Murray's rebound, but saying Letang had no blame? ****ing yikes, dude.

There's no point. He's the Ragamuffin for Letang.

 

[Jacob]

I can acknowledge that Letang played like shit but that we absolutely need him to win. Both are true. He just needs to not play like shit.

 

[Gurglesons]

Literally everyone roasts Phil's part in that goal, and Murray's rebound, but saying Letang had no blame? ****ing yikes, dude.

He’s part of that. But, the chance doesn’t exist without Murray and Kessel.

 

[EightyOne]

Letang didn't have a good game, but hes had a good series.

Hes playing close to 30 mins a game against the Flyers best players who haven't done anything til tonight.

Well, nevermind Game Two...but, is that a cause or an effect? Have the Flyers been shutdown, or have they shut themselves down? Does Letang help shut them down, or enable them to rise up? That is the question no one can answer and so we get into the cyclical arguments.

 

[ColePens]

@ColePens You need to do the next GDT. Ice it....

Man I suck this year trying to bring home wins.

I already booked my name in

 

[Ryder71]

How they didn’t even get a real chance on the 4 on 3 was what sealed this game.

I agree with you here, we tried to get too cute. Should have at least thrown a few pucks on net.

 

[PensandCaps]

MM makes that save easily last year.

He basically has three shutouts this series. What more do you want? Like at this point it will never be enough.

 

[JimmyTwoTimes]

MM makes that save easily last year.

That puck was also in slow motion about to clear the zone...in comes couts to grab it. Knew a goal would come. Had to get that puck out.

Shouldnt have come down to that anyways. This is all on Pens. At their best..philly is no match.

One thing to look for next game after we are all over the flyers is Nuevirth..he was the one goalie i was worried about giving the flyers a chance. Have to get one in early.. longer it goes the more the pens start forcing it too much.

Buckle up. Gotta series.

 

[canadianguy77]

Sick of Kessel already. I can´t stand this version of him. Not shooting, not passing, losing every battle. That´s him for 3 months now. Malkin didn´t look right and that´s worrying. Refs tried their best and we threw away this game on our own PP. Not that worried about this series, but it´s a very bad sign going forward, this could cause some problems. Needed that rest.

If the coaching/mgmt/ownership had a semblance of courage, they would've sat him months ago after he was initially injured. Now we have a 35-40 goal scorer who literally can't shoot the puck because of his injury, gimping it in the playoffs.