Post-Game Talk: Game #III Pens vs Flames Win: 2-0 when BlindWillyMcHurt is left outside

[The Grim Reaper]

Karlsson hasn’t produced a ton yet but you can absolutely see the impact he’s having on the PP even if others are the ones getting the points. I don’t care if Karlsson gets 50 primary assists on 50 powerplay goals or no points at all on 50 powerplay goals, he’s clearly causing the PP to have success.

Having two defensive lines with strong transition games is huge too. Hell even Jay highlighted that with his “telestration”. EK65 is such a breath of fresh air on the backend.

 

[Zirakzigil]

Sorry @BlindWillyMcHurt

It's for the betterment of the team

You have been chosen for the sacrifice


You can't hold me to my comments there

It was before the blood omen was read and BWMH was selected

I think we finally found the cure to lift the curse that was set on us when @ColePens sold everything to the devil for that back to back cup win.

We'll see. Obviously you cannot lean entirely on your top six alone to score all your goals. If they do make the playoffs it will be especially perilous when the games get tighter and you need guys to step up. But that's a long way off if at all. And until they prove otherwise I have faith that management will find a way to add to the team as the year goes along to address those issues. This isn't Ron Hextall in a coma sitting there with his mouth agape collecting passing flies, anymore. Dubas seems pretty aggressive.

Besides I'm not under any illusions that this team is some kind of contender, really. I'm just here for bonus time fun at this point. And so far it's been more fun than not. So hopefully more of that.



Yeah I just realized that I'm banished again next game.

Hey... thems the breaks for being the sacrificial lamb, I suppose.

Think I'll do smashburgers and bourbon next game. The bourbon will at least keep me warm.

Well get ya some of those peasant tickets @ColePens throws away to the game because hes too good for them!

 

[BlindWillyMcHurt]

Only three games but Malkin already has 5 takeaways and is 60% in the circle. His line hasn't conceded a goal.

Just thought that was interesting considering how much he gets shit on for being awful away from the puck.

EDIT: Also his goal tonight tied him with Mogilny for third all time for Russian-born players.

 

[PenguinSuitedUp]

Karlsson hasn’t produced a ton yet but you can absolutely see the impact he’s having on the PP even if others are the ones getting the points. I don’t care if Karlsson gets 50 primary assists on 50 powerplay goals or no points at all on 50 powerplay goals, he’s clearly causing the PP to have success.

The transition is much better with him at even strength, too. He can make multiple plays

I can attest that seeing him live, twice now, it is apparent every time he is on the ice. I am saddened that it took until he was a Penguin (Outside of his insane run in the Ottawa series) for me to really appreciate how good he is. I'm just in awe watching him move up the ice and make these ridiculous passes like it's nothing. Don't even get me started about the power play, I need to sleep and not get that excited.

Same, man. I always knew he was good. But I don’t think I’ve seen a Penguin make the kind of reads Karlsson has with the puck with this level of frequency and consistency since peak Sid and Geno.

 

[The Grim Reaper]

Only three games but Malkin already has 5 takeaways and is 60% in the circle. His line hasn't conceded a goal.

Just thought that was interesting considering how much he gets shit on for being awful away from the puck.

To be fair, most of Malkin’s criticism is warranted historically. Having said that, he finally has some competent line mates and looks motivated. Let’s revisit this 40 games from now.

 

[PensPlz]

It is only 3 games but I question if we are watching the same games : ).

Haha

Nope. I know that Letang has been a whipping boy for a long time. And I'm guilty of that myself. But he's looking like he's going to play his best season of his career and I fear that will get overshadowed by a shiny new toy.

 

[PenguinSuitedUp]

Only three games but Malkin already has 5 takeaways and is 60% in the circle. His line hasn't conceded a goal.

Just thought that was interesting considering how much he gets shit on for being awful away from the puck.

EDIT: Also his goal tonight tied him with Mogilny for third all time for Russian-born players.

Malkin has always been underrated defensively. Love his game so far this season.

Haha

Nope. I know that Letang has been a whipping boy for a long time. And I'm guilty of that myself. But he's looking like he's going to play his best season of his career and I fear that will get overshadowed by a shiny new toy.

Oh boy.

 

[Coastal Kev]

We'll see. Obviously you cannot lean entirely on your top six alone to score all your goals. If they do make the playoffs it will be especially perilous when the games get tighter and you need guys to step up. But that's a long way off if at all. And until they prove otherwise I have faith that management will find a way to add to the team as the year goes along to address those issues. This isn't Ron Hextall in a coma sitting there with his mouth agape collecting passing flies, anymore. Dubas seems pretty aggressive.

Besides I'm not under any illusions that this team is some kind of contender, really. I'm just here for bonus time fun at this point. And so far it's been more fun than not. So hopefully more of that.



Yeah I just realized that I'm banished again next game.

Hey... thems the breaks for being the sacrificial lamb, I suppose.

Think I'll do smashburgers and bourbon next game. The bourbon will at least keep me warm.

I'll take you ban

 

[BlindWillyMcHurt]

To be fair, most of Malkin’s criticism is warranted historically. Having said that, he finally has some competent line mates and looks motivated. Let’s revisit this 40 games from now.

Like I said it's just three games. Malkin is never gonna be a wizard defensively. Though I think he maybe gets drug a BIT too hard sometimes. Historically he's a takeaway machine... though he definitely matches it with giveaways. But so do most offensive players who get tons of ice. Double edged sword and all that. So long as he holds up his end offensively I have a tough time caring too much.

I'll take you ban

You can't have any of my bourbon!

 

[The Grim Reaper]

Haha

Nope. I know that Letang has been a whipping boy for a long time. And I'm guilty of that myself. But he's looking like he's going to play his best season of his career and I fear that will get overshadowed by a shiny new toy.

I don’t disagree that Letang has historically been a whipping boy for us, but a lot of that is tongue-in-cheek, pure frustration with the defense in general, or Sullivan pounding a square peg down a round hole with defensive pairings. Letang does have a habit of pressing too hard when the rest of the defense is MIA, leading to boneheaded decisions.

 

[3ladesof5teel]

Haha

Nope. I know that Letang has been a whipping boy for a long time. And I'm guilty of that myself. But he's looking like he's going to play his best season of his career and I fear that will get overshadowed by a shiny new toy.

I am definitely not whipping boy Letang camp. Big fan of Tanger. His biggest issue was the power play QB for many seasons if you want to pick any negative of his game and trying to create and getting caught up.

Fact is EK is just simply on another level. That's not a knock on Letang. I mean the guy just had a 100 point season. There's only been 14 other guys to do that and the last time was in the early 90s. He's just on another level and it's apparent with his skating, vision and ability to see the play and react before it even happens. It's insane and a treat to witness.

 

[Big Poppa Pump]

Imagine we kept Petry.

Imagine if we kept DeSmith...

 

[The Grim Reaper]

Imagine if we kept DeSmith...

Imagine if we kept Tanner Glass and Craig Adams

 

[NewAgeOutlaw]

I wouldn't say Letang is a whipping boy so much as his style is so risk/reward that it looks really bad when it goes wrong. Also, he never should have been asked to qb pp1.

There was a shift tonight where he was forechecking with a forward on the penalty kill. I could not believe what I was seeing.

 

[reino]

 

[JTG]

Geno found a winger...thank the hockey Gods. Smith is a great fit. Karlsson playing behind him is also huge.

Karlsson's influence was much needed also, more so than I even thought it would be. The PP is going to come together, and very well may be a top unit in the league. For the first time in 17 years it looks like there is some semblance of creativity.

Sully just has to manage the mins of these guys to keep them fresh.

I hope Ned is the backup we have been needing also. It'd be so nice to have a guy in net who can really take some games off of Jarry and push him a bit.

 

[BlindWillyMcHurt]

The cool thing about Tanger is that he now moves into the position of being an extremely nice luxury for this team to have. I had to laugh at all the people that were wringing their hands about the EK trade because "why do they need another top RD?!?"

Letang has always been a top tier ES play-driver and can now jump over the boards for PP2. Having EK takes pressure off him and allows him to perform to his strengths.

EDIT: Letang is also a very competitive guy. One can't help but think having EK as the new top dog is pushing him. Nothing but a good thing.

 

[66-30-33]

Imagine if we kept DeSmith...

Imagine we never drafted Crosby…

 

[Zirakzigil]

View attachment 753053

Hes been garbage tonight.

 

[mephisto1812]

Haha

Nope. I know that Letang has been a whipping boy for a long time. And I'm guilty of that myself. But he's looking like he's going to play his best season of his career and I fear that will get overshadowed by a shiny new toy.

"Shiny new toy"? I'd like to believe that Karlsson being here is just raising the compete level within Letang. If the core thinks that they legitimately have a shot this year, we will see their best and the games should be more entertaining than not.

Do I think they have a shot? Not the way they are currently constructed... but I'm also not counting it out with Dubas at the helm. Until he proves me wrong, I'll take a "wait and see approach", but I'm happy so far.

I got sidetracked... but to summarize, Letang is an adult. By all reports he fully supported the addition, and is energized and ready to go. He's not going to sit in the corner and pout about media coverage.

 

[Andy99]

View attachment 753053

Well he’s already given up 3 so far tonight, so this will change any minute now lol

 

[JTG]

The cool thing about Tanger is that he now moves into the position of being an extremely nice luxury for this team to have. I had to laugh at all the people that were wringing their hands about the EK trade because "why do they need another top RD?!?"

Letang has always been a top tier ES play-driver and can now jump over the boards for PP2. Having EK takes pressure off him and allows him to perform to his strengths.

Exactly. Letang being off the PP so he can munch more ES mins is best for the team. He is now in the absolutely perfect position. Geno having a guy like him or Karlsson behind him is massive. It is always so funny with hockey about how 1 guy can totally change the dynamic of a team. Karlsson is doing that, IMO.

 

[Ryder71]

Imagine we never drafted Crosby…

Imagine all the people...

 

[TheGoldenJet]

The Smith-Malkin-Rakell line really came together nicely. That line is lit!

Can’t believe Sullsma stumbled onto it simply because of his love for GCRust.

 

[Big Poppa Pump]

Imagine we never drafted Crosby…

Guentzel - Malkin - Rust.........4 Life