Post-Game Talk: Game XIV - Sid the Magnificent

[Ryder71]

If EK and Sid start connecting on that side of the net play Sid might score 40 goals this year lol.

Geno to EK65 was pretty stellar also, so...either way.

 

[Zirakzigil]

 

[Headshot77]

This is why you don't "rebuild" or whatever you want to call it when you have Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. No matter what happens this year or next year, whatever, it's just a treat to watch these guys do this shit while we still can.

Preach

 

[Ryder71]

I'm liking Eller a lot, still don't see the fascination with Acciari.

 

[AlphaMikeFoxtrots]

Greetings from Bismarck, ND, here is what I just sent my Pens bestie:

Well, my goodness. Come from behind win *and* an unwasted Sid hattie? Not bad for a Tuesday! Glad to see Rakell on the board, too. I started my drive east today and had terrible reception, so I couldn't even listen.

 

[Gurglesons]

I always thought EK65 was comparable to Letang offensively, but in a short 10+ games he’s made me look stupid.

Just unbelievable talent in the ozone.

 

[Le Magnifique 66]

I'm liking Eller a lot, still don't see the fascination with Acciari.

Eller is what we have been mising pretty much since Bonino left. A hard working reliable, aware defensively and a consistent player all around. Great signing to be honest by Dubas, very underrated

 

[Ryder71]

Sid and EK saved our ass after a not so great game by most of the rest of the team…Geno took the night off pretty much after earlier discussion with Sid who said “my turn homie since you’ve been carrying this team…goodbye NZ trap”

EK's performance doesn't surprise me, defensively he's better than I anticipated. But his offensive acumen is off the charts. Incredible vision.

 

[Kristopher Letang]

 

[Big Friggin Dummy]

For reference;

Penguins after 13 games in 2023-24: 7-6-0
Penguins after 13 games in 2022-23: 5-6-2

This 5 game winning streak came at the right time.

 

[vodeni]

Is there a way to realign the divisions so the Pens play Columbus like 10 times every season? They should look into it.

well we had them last season for playoffs and blew it...

 

[3ladesof5teel]

Pens hold the W2 Spot now. Seemed impossible 2 weeks ago so major props to the boys.

Only seems impossible if you hang around here too much : )

 

[Tacitus Kilgore]

Jarry was Big

He was. As was the core

 

[Zirakzigil]

Eller is what we have been mising pretty much since Bonino left. A hard working reliable, aware defensively and a consistent player all around. Great signing to be honest by Dubas, very underrated

Reminds me of Cullen more than Bonino. But point still stands.

 

[OnMyOwn]

Carter out and Hino/Z in has been huge.

 

[FunkySeeFunkyDo]

This is why you don't "rebuild" or whatever you want to call it when you have Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. No matter what happens this year or next year, whatever, it's just a treat to watch these guys do this shit while we still can.

Agreed—You get them a Kessel or a Staal to drive a third line that puts them over the top. Oh, you got them the Norris Trophy winner? Yeah, that’ll work.

 

[Empoleon8771]

If they continue to play how they have played, I think you could load up L3 with Zohorna-Eller-Hinostroza and have a terrific L3. It's absolutely not a guarantee that any of them can do it, but both Eller and Hinostroza have pretty notable sample sizes of being good 3rd line players in the NHL. I don't think either of their performances have been "random AHLer that suddenly becomes good", they've been good in the past.

At the same time, I also like the idea of Hinostroza driving the play on L4. I'm not crazy about O'Connor on L3 due to his lack of production, but I think you can easily argue that O'Connor being the 3rd wheel on L3 and Hinostroza driving L4 is the best way to set up the bottom-6.

Either way, the bottom-6 today is looking miles better than it did to enter the year, which is terrific to see. Not only do they have good players, but they have flexibility to change it up as well. Now only if their bottom pair didn't look as bad as it has.

 

[Ryder71]

Reminds me of Cullen more than Bonino. But point still stands.

Really good hockey IQ.

 

[Andy99]

The Caps are better than the Pens…who would’ve thought that when the season started…3-0 win against the Knights and second place in the division

 

[Ginormousthumbs]

Sid and Malkin’s start has been awesome.

I’ve decided I’d rather listen to Leah Hextall call games for the Pens than this current edition of announcers.

 

[DesertedPenguin]

This is absolutely a game the Penguins would have lost last season. If nothing else, it's nice to see that trend has changed.

 

[ncm7772]

JFC, Trottier’s gushing makes 2009 - 2014 Steiggy seem level-headed.

 

[Zirakzigil]

Really good hockey IQ.

You guys hated the signing too

 

[Extra Texture]

A lot to love about tonight, and this streak, but L3 has been fantastic.

They’re not scoring much, but they’re tilting the ice on every damn shift, and wearing down the opposition a little more every time out. Critically they’re also giving 12-15 minutes of mostly mistake free hockey, meaning less burden when the scoring lines are out.

Eller has been so good, just plays smart and the puck seems to stick to him. It’s rubbing off on Z and DOC

 

[Empoleon8771]

One last comment, I really think people here need to be giving Sullivan props for the systematic changes he made early in the year that have made such a major difference during this winning streak. Their winning streak started when Sullivan made some tweaks to their neutral zone forecheck, which has seemingly unlocked this team to be able to accomplish what it should be able to do.

It's not a major change, but they went from running an aggressive 1-2-2 forecheck to more of a trap 1-2-2 forecheck. They didn't have the legs to run that aggressive system, so that would allow the other team to generate a ton of speed through the neutral zone. But with the trap, the other team is slowed down dramatically and the Penguins can capitalize on the neutral zone turnovers.

People fairly criticize Sullivan for not making changes as aggressively as he should, I think this is a terrific change and really shows what he can do if he decides to make tactical changes.