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

[JTG]

Bryan Rust is absolutely flying around too. Dude is taking every single puck to the net. I love it.

 

[chrisp200]

I'm okay with being wrong, but the lack of production on the bottom two lines does not scare me much right now. There is depth in the minors that we haven't had in years and Dubas will most likely make another splash at the trade deadline if the team seems worthy at that point. The only major problem is the Carter problem which is unsolvable baring some injury to him.

 

[BlindWillyMcHurt]

Bryan Rust is absolutely flying around too. Dude is taking every single puck to the net. I love it.

Yeah I've been pretty hard on Rust after last year but man does he look great in the early going. Some hiccups here and there but he's been very tenacious and like you said is really driving the net. Reminds me of old Rust. Not crappy bargain bin knockoff Rust we got last year.

 

[Fordy]

Yeah I've been pretty hard on Rust after last year but man does he look great in the early going. Some hiccups here and there but he's been very tenacious and like you said is really driving the net. Reminds me of old Rust. Not crappy bargain bin knockoff Rust we got last year.

can only hope it continues

 

[mephisto1812]

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.

I've not been the biggest Rust fan of late, and I've been wishing for a few years now that Geno would get Jake and Rust. But Rust so far.... I have no real complaints, and Jake has been ok while not being in game shape yet.

With L2 coming together... I don't change a thing for now. Hopefully Rakell rounds into form and puts up a few points soon, but if that is the least of our worries, then the top 6 is good to go.

Last but not least.... "Sullsma" and all the other nicknames, can we not?

 

[reino]

This is the perfect PP setup if it runs like this they will have top-5 PP this year

 

[KrisLetAngry]

L4 at the bottom where they belong

Atleast the chart at the bottom shows positive defensive numbers. That's important.

 

[FunkySeeFunkyDo]

I’m curious, not a big issue yet, why Shea hasn’t been waived so either White, Z or Poulin can be recalled.

 

[mephisto1812]

I’m curious, not a big issue yet, why Shea hasn’t been waived so either White, Z or Poulin can be recalled.

Why do.... if you don't have to. Keep all options open for now. Constantly evaluate, run every virtual scenario through that you can. Be ready to move when opportunities show themselves, and don't be timid when change is needed. If Dubas does the above in good faith, I'll never complain.

 

[Ragamuffin Gunner]

EK should have 2 more primary assists from this weekend where he made a sick pass only for the goalie to make a huge save.

 

[Zirakzigil]

This is the perfect PP setup if it runs like this they will have top-5 PP this year

No can do! Geno has to be the point man on the PP

 

[ChaosAgent]

Just saw the highlights.
Love seeing Malkin still dominate. He'll get to 500 pretty soon. And would love him to do it as a plus this year.

 

[BusinessGoose]

Geno only like 28 away.. He could score that many indeed

 

[CascadiaPenguin]

Imagine we kept Petry.

Imagine we kept Hextall.

 

[Dennis Reynolds]

So f***ing sick of GCR for the last 2:30+ of every game.

 

[SEALBound]

Bryan Rust is absolutely flying around too. Dude is taking every single puck to the net. I love it.

He read my posts here over the summer.

 

[Sidney the Kidney]

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.

Not to mention it gives the Pens two pairings with an elite puck mover. The amount those two play, that's like 45-50 minutes of the 60 minute game where someone who can move the puck really well is on the ice rather than the last few years where stretch passes and outlet passes were constantly off the mark when Letang wasn't on the ice.

 

[TheGoldenJet]

I've not been the biggest Rust fan of late, and I've been wishing for a few years now that Geno would get Jake and Rust. But Rust so far.... I have no real complaints, and Jake has been ok while not being in game shape yet.

With L2 coming together... I don't change a thing for now. Hopefully Rakell rounds into form and puts up a few points soon, but if that is the least of our worries, then the top 6 is good to go.

Last but not least.... "Sullsma" and all the other nicknames, can we not?

Sullsma still needs fired, friend. You’ll see soon enough.

 

[Dennis Reynolds]

I'm not giving Sully any credit for his comments on Geno/Smith and hoping they'd have chemistry.

1. In Sully's world, handedness and side are inextricable.
2. There are two left-handed wings capable of playing in the top six.
3. Jake is Sid's.
4. None of points 1-3 are debatable.
5. Ergo, Smith is LW2.

Sully is just the developer who got lucky that his bug looks like a feature.

 

[DesertedPenguin]

I'm not giving Sully any credit for his comments on Geno/Smith and hoping they'd have chemistry.

1. In Sully's world, handedness and side are inextricable.
2. There are two left-handed wings capable of playing in the top six.
3. Jake is Sid's.
4. None of points 1-3 are debatable.
5. Ergo, Smith is LW2.

Sully is just the developer who got lucky that his bug looks like a feature.

Sullivan actually talked extensively in training camp about preferring to have wingers on their off-side, but that a number of wingers are uncomfortable with that and he understands the need to be comfortable in order to have success.

 

[Dennis Reynolds]

Sullivan actually talked extensively in training camp about preferring to have wingers on their off-side, but that a number of wingers are uncomfortable with that and he understands the need to be comfortable in order to have success.

I remember that quote, and I flatly don't believe him.

At the very least, Bryan Rust has said that he likes playing left wing. He may have even said he prefers it. And this was years ago. If there were any truth to that soundbite from this year's camp, we'd have seen a lot more LW Rust.

 

[Headshot77]

It's three games into the season and Dubas is historically one of the most active GMs in the league.

Relax.

NO we need to trade everyone NOW

 

[Dipsy Doodle]

Smith and Rakell are the best line mates Geno has had in some time. Also helps he has blue liners who can get him the puck.

Yep. That's the actual "fountain of youth" Malkin found - puckmoving defense behind him and an upgrade on the wing. Real mystery Dubas solved, that one.

Imagine if he had a Guentzel calibre winger on his flank.

 

[BigEezyE22]

I remember that quote, and I flatly don't believe him.

At the very least, Bryan Rust has said that he likes playing left wing. He may have even said he prefers it. And this was years ago. If there were any truth to that soundbite from this year's camp, we'd have seen a lot more LW Rust.

Unless it's deemed Rust on the RW option is the least-bad concession, relative to pulling the other top 3 out of their comfort zone.

 

[Dennis Reynolds]

Unless it's deemed Rust on the RW option is the least-bad concession, relative to pulling the other top 3 out of their comfort zone.

Well, like I said, that was years ago. So there have been plenty opportunities. And Smith has played more RW than LW in his career. Rakell said he's fine on either side, the biggest factor for him is that he wants to be on the forehand of his center.