GDT: Game 80 | Pittsburgh Penguins vs Washington Capitals | 7:30PM | Healing Vibes Phor Phil

[JakeNBake59]

Day 26: Where is Phil Kessel

coasting and keeping his iron man streak alive

 

[Tom Hanks]

Just woke up from my nap lol. Saw Caps have 13 shots. Are we keeping them out wide mostly?

 

[Shrimper]

Grubauer is legit. Out of contract this summer?

Not much space. Trade Holtby or Grubauer?

 

[KIRK]

coasting and keeping his iron man streak alive

Well, at least he and Sully have their priorities in order . . .

 

[LOGiK]

Some intermission levity.

 

[KIRK]

Grubauer is legit. Out of contract this summer?

Not much space. Trade Holtby or Grubauer?

Neither. Grubauer is a RFA.

 

[Hockey4Lyfe]

Grubauer is leaving up some very juicy rebounds. We have just been unfortunate to not be in position for any of them.

 

[xxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

It's frustrating to watch Phil, but as long as he shows up in the playoffs I don't care.

I'm more frustrated with the way we've allowed teams to do whatever the f*** they want in the neutral and our defensive zone for the past two years. Abysmal play without the puck. Now, with $7.25M/yr Letang!

 

[vodeni]

Pretty even game in terms of tempo, however as other noted, they totally boxed us out, other than Sid’s breakout nothing in close areas, nothing

 

[JimmyTwoTimes]

Its weird how similar the Pens and Lightning are right now. Goaltending..exact same problems with their 5 on 5 play. With the amount of chances let up, etc.

Fans keep mentioning that " switch" or lack of..come playoff time too.

And both teams still have something to play for. Yet the same issues keep happening.

Still think its more about the Pens not wanting to get injured/resting up...knowing how taxing a playoff run is. And trying to win on talent alone.

 

[ColePens]

coasting and keeping his iron man streak alive

I just don't think Kessel is built that way. I do not think he cares about an "iron man" streak. I think he's just in a big funk and partially fighting through some minor stuff.

 

[KIRK]

Its weird how similar the Pens and Lightning are right now. Goaltending..exact same problems with their 5 on 5 play. With the amount of chances let up, etc.

Fans keep mentioning that " switch" or lack of..come playoff time too.

And both teams still have something to play for. Yet the same issues keep happening.

Still think its more about the Pens not wanting to get injured...knowing how taxing a playoff run is. And trying to win on talent alone.

Honestly, this defense isn't going to magically be better. When we're talking about 'switch', what really is meant is this:

1. Murray goes into a zone mentally like the last two playoffs.
2. Sid and Geno do anything and everything they can to elevate . . . themselves and the team.
3. Phil flips a magic switch.

 

[Andy99]

Pretty even game in terms of tempo, however as other noted, they totally boxed us out, other than Sid’s breakout nothing in close areas, nothing

We haven’t used the speed we supposedly have to get by them a lot and break down their D structure...seems little like we’re waiting a lot, maybe slow line changes?

 

[LOGiK]

I just don't think Kessel is built that way. I do not think he cares about an "iron man" streak. I think he's just in a big funk and partially fighting through some minor stuff.

I would say that too, but seeing him take passes, skate with the puck, go after the puck, this guy is hurt/ing.

 

[KIRK]

I just don't think Kessel is built that way. I do not think he cares about an "iron man" streak. I think he's just in a big funk and partially fighting through some minor stuff.

Then having him with Malkin, who's been gravitating in the direction of a funk for about 3 weeks, was doubly stupid.

 

[Hockey Freak 7]

It’s great that Penguins clinched playoffs and all. Striving for 3 peat.
Penguins don’t seem Playoffs ready with defense breakdowns , no 5 man unit on the ice , constant hemmed up in their zone, breakaways and turnovers.
Weak D . Sloppy.
No urgency or consistency.
Coaching staff is the problem too.
They have not fix nor tighten up D at all.
It has been like this all season.

Really no swagger only certain players. Where the hunger and fierce emotions to beat teams?!?!

Bad puck management(handle puck like stink grenade ) forwards and defenseman are not supporting one another. Letang is brutal . Hunwick is brutal . Oh Sheary is...
Big Rig is lost with Hunwick.

It’s concerning to know only about 4-5 players will be ready for the playoffs.
I’m worried.

Only positive is Crosby-Guentzel - Rust and Hornqvist in this game.


My opinion and what I have observed

 

[Gurglesons]

Honestly, this defense isn't going to magically be better. When we're talking about 'switch', what really is meant is this:

1. Murray goes into a zone mentally like the last two playoffs.
2. Sid and Geno do anything and everything they can to elevate . . . themselves and the team.
3. Phil flips a magic switch.

Also, forwards start blocking every single shot possible.

 

[Gurglesons]

It’s great that Penguins clinched playoffs and all. Striving for 3 peat.
Penguins don’t seem Playoffs ready with defense breakdowns , no 5 man unit on the ice , constant hemmed up in their zone, breakaways and turnovers.
Weak D . Sloppy.
No urgency or consistency.
It has been like this all season.

Really no swagger only certain players. Where the hunger and fierce emotions to beat teams.
Bad puck management(handle puck like stink grenade ) forwards and defenseman are not supporting one another. Letang is brutal . Hunwick is brutal . Oh Sheary is...
Big Rig is lost with Hunwick.

It’s concerning to know only about 4-5 players will be ready the playoffs.
I’m worried.

Only positive is Crosby-Guentzel - Rust and Hornqvist in this game.

Sheary has been creating plenty of chances?

 

[Andy99]

Honestly, this defense isn't going to magically be better. When we're talking about 'switch', what really is meant is this:

1. Murray goes into a zone mentally like the last two playoffs.
2. Sid and Geno do anything and everything they can to elevate . . . themselves and the team.
3. Phil flips a magic switch.

I’d add, pressuring the puck, backchecking by forwards, trying to force more TOs....

 

[ncm7772]

Guys, they're down 1-0 against a good team. My God, this board has some violent swings.

 

[JimmyTwoTimes]

It’s great that Penguins clinched playoffs and all. Striving for 3 peat.
Penguins don’t seem Playoffs ready with defense breakdowns , no 5 man unit on the ice , constant hemmed up in their zone, breakaways and turnovers.
Weak D . Sloppy.
No urgency or consistency.
Coaching staff is the problem too.
They have not fix nor tighten up D at all.
It has been like this all season.

Really no swagger only certain players. Where the hunger and fierce emotions to beat teams?!?!

Bad puck management(handle puck like stink grenade ) forwards and defenseman are not supporting one another. Letang is brutal . Hunwick is brutal . Oh Sheary is...
Big Rig is lost with Hunwick.

It’s concerning to know only about 4-5 players will be ready for the playoffs.
I’m worried.

Only positive is Crosby-Guentzel - Rust and Hornqvist in this game.


My opinion and what I have observed

Its all uphill from here

 

[ColePens]

Sheary has been creating plenty of chances?

Yeah if there is one guy to not complain about - I have 43.

 

[KIRK]

It’s great that Penguins clinched playoffs and all. Striving for 3 peat.
Penguins don’t seem Playoffs ready with defense breakdowns , no 5 man unit on the ice , constant hemmed up in their zone, breakaways and turnovers.
Weak D . Sloppy.
No urgency or consistency.
It has been like this all season.

Really no swagger only certain players. Where the hunger and fierce emotions to beat teams.
Bad puck management(handle puck like stink grenade ) forwards and defenseman are not supporting one another. Letang is brutal . Hunwick is brutal . Oh Sheary is...
Big Rig is lost with Hunwick.

It’s concerning to know only about 4-5 players will be ready the playoffs.
I’m worried.

Only positive is Crosby-Guentzel - Rust and Hornqvist in this game.


My opinion and what I have observed

Let's be honest about Oleksiask.

There's the Oleksiak who was partnered with Cole who made us think JR had stolen another castoff.

Then, there's the Oleksiask who has played with other Penguins defenseman and looked like the defenseman that Dallas cast off.

I'm not sure we have a defenseman who, as a partner, would allow Oleksiask to play to his strengths outside of Dumoulin.

BTW, I don't care what the numbers say . . . Maatta isn't worth it, and his speed is an albatross.

EDIT: I know Letang's issues seem to keep the spotlight off Schultz, but is it okay to note what a disappointment Schultz has been given that 5.5M per contract?

 

[ColePens]

Then having him with Malkin, who's been gravitating in the direction of a funk for about 3 weeks, was doubly stupid.

I would take HGH over watching Phil drop Geno down 3 levels.

 

[zero8771]

Now THAT I agree with. Also, he's forced a few turnovers and lost them back when doubled, when the simple play is to put it down the wall.

Yup. Whole team not handling the puck real well.

But other than that and a few letang moments and hunwick letting oshie walk in unpressured it hasn't been a bad showing from the home team. Horny is life