Post-Game Talk: Jarry, GMR, and CODY CECI bring their "A" game!

[Pittsburgh1776]

GCR looked excellent the minute they were put together for the same reason GMR looks fantastic -- because the combination of Guentzel and Rust can drive the play and make it so Crosby/Malkin doesn't have to do everything themselves. Which is great because, at their ages, Crosby and Malkin can't do everything themselves anymore... but it's not great because there's only 2 of them, not 4.

I'm sorry but we're not watching the same game. GCR has never looked excellent. Go back through the threads. You're missing how different Malkin and Crosby are and what this means for the line.

 

[Giskard]

Finally a hockey game! After a year of something that felt more like hockey scrimmages, this one was completely different with people in the stands. Hockey is a game that feed of the crowds, you can't have momentum or meltdown without people screaming and cheering. Welcome back hockey!

 

[vodeni]

See I’m not so sure that this was even that good of a game. I feel like Philly pretty much carried the play for most of the 1st and 3rd periods. We probably should’ve won the 1st 2 games we played against them at the beginning of the season but Jarry kind of shit the bed. Tonight Philly probably should’ve walked out with 2 points but Tristan had himself a game.

Malkins line had 4 or 5 real solid shifts, but then they had a few where they were hemmed in their zone. Geno had a lazy penalty and a few lazy giveaways. If I’m taking anything away from tonight, it’s that the Tanev, McCann, Kapanen line won the game.

I dunno, maybe I need to rewatch the game, because I didn’t see anything that screamed to me that L1 was any more effective with Geno as the pivot than if 87 had been the center. This was Philly and there is a lot more ice out there than there would be if it was the Islanders.

you and I are the lonely voices here tonight, except for this BS about "lazy" penalty and lazy giveaways, on the night when the guy had solid 6-7 takeaways, was skating hard etc...
also your l2 went mostly against Patrick line some Hayes, and they both were so so, when they faced their first line they got hemmed, so its all about matchups and skating....
really like that there is actually voice after game that does not speak in hyperboles...however I understand people are thrilled that we finally won in regulation...

 

[Pittsburgh1776]

My issue is splitting up Rust and Guentzel makes them less effective. They have really good chemistry... so it’s basically taking a dominant line and watering it down.

I get the idea of giving Crosby and Malkin each a good winger from a dominant line.

However, it would be like King Solomon lacking wisdom and cutting the baby in half to appease everyone.

The difference is a wise man should understand you don’t split the baby (Jake and Rust) apart.

I’d like to see Crosby center Tanev and KK for a spell. I suspect that would be a hell of a line if Crosby and Sullivan were willing to stick with it.

If this allows us to keep GMR together I'm all for it. I guess I just like KK in a third line role where he can be more comfortable being his own guy. But he and Tanev need to stay together regardless of who the center is. Their speed is overwhelming.

I'm not getting into the Crosby checking role stuff. It's never going to happen with this coach and I don't think it needs to. Look, GMR was an amazing line last year and there are two keys to it. One is Guentzel and Rust just get eachother. Their chemistry is perfect and they understand how to play together. The second key is what Malkin does (and doesn't do) on that line. He's a different player than Crosby and how he develops plays just fits with that pair better. Crosby and Jake are a great combination but with Rust they aren't as good as GMR. Period. So the frustration is there are a ton of options for Crosby's wing that we haven't tried yet that don't leave him with spare parts on a third line. But the coach won't try it because he is beholden to his idea of pairs, beholden to what he's used to, and beholden to catering to Crosby. He's going to sink us just like last year.

 

[pistolpete11]

See I’m not so sure that this was even that good of a game. I feel like Philly pretty much carried the play for most of the 1st and 3rd periods. We probably should’ve won the 1st 2 games we played against them at the beginning of the season but Jarry kind of shit the bed. Tonight Philly probably should’ve walked out with 2 points but Tristan had himself a game.

Malkins line had 4 or 5 real solid shifts, but then they had a few where they were hemmed in their zone. Geno had a lazy penalty and a few lazy giveaways. If I’m taking anything away from tonight, it’s that the Tanev, McCann, Kapanen line won the game.

I dunno, maybe I need to rewatch the game, because I didn’t see anything that screamed to me that L1 was any more effective with Geno as the pivot than if 87 had been the center. This was Philly and there is a lot more ice out there than there would be if it was the Islanders.

I'd agree that GMR wasn't more effective than GCR, but that's not a bad thing. GCR was very good and given Geno's struggles this year, it's good to see that he's still alive. Would have been nice for the coach to see it before being forced into it and gone with ZCK and GMR earlier like many of us have been calling for since before the season started...or even back to the play-in series although of course not Kap.

Philly having more open ice cuts both ways, though. They don't have a great defense, but they have a potent offense. GMR out chanced the Flyers by quite a bit last night.

Also, please tell Sully Tanev-McCann-Kap line won the game. He played Lafferty more than McCann or Kap

 

[PaulD]

If this allows us to keep GMR together I'm all for it. I guess I just like KK in a third line role where he can be more comfortable being his own guy. But he and Tanev need to stay together regardless of who the center is. Their speed is overwhelming.

I'm not getting into the Crosby checking role stuff. It's never going to happen with this coach and I don't think it needs to. Look, GMR was an amazing line last year and there are two keys to it. One is Guentzel and Rust just get eachother. Their chemistry is perfect and they understand how to play together. The second key is what Malkin does (and doesn't do) on that line. He's a different player than Crosby and how he develops plays just fits with that pair better. Crosby and Jake are a great combination but with Rust they aren't as good as GMR. Period. So the frustration is there are a ton of options for Crosby's wing that we haven't tried yet that don't leave him with spare parts on a third line. But the coach won't try it because he is beholden to his idea of pairs, beholden to what he's used to, and beholden to catering to Crosby. He's going to sink us just like last year.

Yep. Sullivan a weak link on this team. No doubt about that.
His play book has always been thin.
In a seven game series, count on him to get out coached.
No team could benefit from a mid season coaching change as much as the Pens.

 

[Mr Jiggyfly]

If this allows us to keep GMR together I'm all for it. I guess I just like KK in a third line role where he can be more comfortable being his own guy. But he and Tanev need to stay together regardless of who the center is. Their speed is overwhelming.

I'm not getting into the Crosby checking role stuff. It's never going to happen with this coach and I don't think it needs to. Look, GMR was an amazing line last year and there are two keys to it. One is Guentzel and Rust just get eachother. Their chemistry is perfect and they understand how to play together. The second key is what Malkin does (and doesn't do) on that line. He's a different player than Crosby and how he develops plays just fits with that pair better. Crosby and Jake are a great combination but with Rust they aren't as good as GMR. Period. So the frustration is there are a ton of options for Crosby's wing that we haven't tried yet that don't leave him with spare parts on a third line. But the coach won't try it because he is beholden to his idea of pairs, beholden to what he's used to, and beholden to catering to Crosby. He's going to sink us just like last year.

I’ve been saying since the trade KK is an elite third liner. Something always disconnects in his brain when he’s trying to fit into a top six role.

This roster doesn’t afford that luxury though so... there is always hope he finally figures it out as well as he’s still a young guy.

I assume someone else talked about Crosby in a checking line role?

Not sure about the logic there, as that’s TBs role and Crosby is still an 80 point pivot - so that speaks for itself.

I can’t see any reason Crosby can’t center Tanev-KK and see how it goes... those two are a menace with their speed and Crosby seems a more logical fit between them than Malkin IMHO.

 

[Shwag33]

The pens have to have the easiest schedule in the second half in their division. Lots of buffalo/njd.

 

[HandshakeLine]

Also, please tell Sully Tanev-McCann-Kap line won the game. He played Lafferty more than McCann or Kap

Sully's preference for Lafferty is giving me real Dupuis/Bylsma vibes.

 

[pistolpete11]

Sully's preference for Lafferty is giving me real Dupuis/Bylsma vibes.

At least Dupuis was a good player. This is more like Adams/Bylsma.

 

[Pittsburgh1776]

I’ve been saying since the trade KK is an elite third liner. Something always disconnects in his brain when he’s trying to fit into a top six role.

This roster doesn’t afford that luxury though so...

I assume someone else talked about Crosby in a checking line role?

Not sure about the logic there, as that’s TBs role and Crosby is still an 80 point pivot - so that speaks for itself.

I can’t see any reason Crosby can’t center Tanev-KK and see how it goes... those two are a menace with their speed and Crosby seems a more logical fit between them than Malkin IMHO.

Yeah there was discussion about using Crosby as a checking center and that's never going to happen. It's an overreaction to GMR and there's no need for it, we have options on Crosby's wing although I'd like to see us get two more players for the 1st and 4th lines.

I like the set-up of those two lines as long as KK and Tanev keep playing their game. It's never going to happen with Sullivan so it's just words into the ether to be honest. The moment Crosby gets frustrated or can't do his patented Gretzky-level complexity like he can with Jake, they'll revert to Guentzel on Crosby's line no matter the detriment to L2.

 

[Mr Jiggyfly]

Sully's preference for Lafferty is giving me real Dupuis/Bylsma vibes.

I think he realizes there isn’t really anyone else.

Maybe E-Rod when he’s healthy, but that pretty much makes my case.

I wish I could say Laff is holding back some fwd prospect I love or even kind of sort of like... but I’d be lying.

Yeah there was discussion about using Crosby as a checking center and that's never going to happen. It's an overreaction to GMR and there's no need for it, we have options on Crosby's wing although I'd like to see us get two more players for the 1st and 4th lines.

I like the set-up of those two lines as long as KK and Tanev keep playing their game. It's never going to happen with Sullivan so it's just words into the ether to be honest. The moment Crosby gets frustrated or can't do his patented Gretzky-level complexity like he can with Jake, they'll revert to Guentzel on Crosby's line no matter the detriment to L2.

Ya as I wrote my post I pretty much knew that if Sullivan went all rogue and tried that line, if after I e period Crosby seemed mad or struggled, GMR would be blown up.

It’s all illogical to me, but whatever.

 

[HandshakeLine]

At least Dupuis was a good player. This is more like Adams/Bylsma.

Well, not towards the end, no. I'm not even sure Lafferty has Adams like upside anymore. But the larger point is, Lafferty gets an oversized role for no eaarthly reason other than he's a "hard worker" coaches' pet.

 

[HandshakeLine]

I think he realizes there isn’t really anyone else.

Maybe E-Rod when he’s healthy, but that pretty much makes my case.

I wish I could say Laff is holding back some fwd prospect I love or even kind of sort of like... but I’d be lying.

I know (because I read threads ) the only guy in WB/S showing any kind of longshot potential is Zohorna and maybe Lee. But, good lord. The man should not be letting Lafferty play MORE than KK or McCann.

I'm doubly glad we don't have two Laffertys on this team. One is f***ing awful enough.

 

[Bingo71]

Well, not towards the end, no. I'm not even sure Lafferty has Adams like upside anymore. But the larger point is, Lafferty gets an oversized role for no eaarthly reason other than he's a "hard worker" coaches' pet.

You forgot “big bodied” hard worker...

 

[Mr Jiggyfly]

I know (because I read threads ) the only guy in WB/S showing any kind of longshot potential is Zohorna and maybe Lee. But, good lord. The man should not be letting Lafferty play MORE than KK or McCann.

I'm doubly glad we don't have two Laffertys on this team. One is f***ing awful enough.

I think he’s trying to make an investment in the guy he’s hoping will pay off later.

This board always bitched for years about coaches who didn’t give young guys a shot when they struggle, so I’m not going to complain.

Also, there’s no one else so ya...

 

[HandshakeLine]

I think he’s trying to make an investment in the guy he’s hoping will pay off later.

This board always bitched for years about coaches who didn’t give young guys a shot when they struggle, so I’m not going to complain.

Also, there’s no one else so ya...

Which would be fine if we were talking about anyone with potential. Lafferty's ceiling is Pens front office staff member/assistant assistant coach.

Like I'm fine with wanting to give young guys aa chance, but why reward Lafferty's bad play with more ice time? Let the guy sit for a shift or two.

 

[vodeni]

Sully's preference for Lafferty is giving me real Dupuis/Bylsma vibes.

the weird thing about this is that last year he had so much pressure to get him in the lineup (great camp, he is flying etc...) he did that but would bench him after the first game back in...

 

[Ragamuffin Gunner]

What? No.

Zucker - Sid - Kap is much closer to the modern version of the above.

Ive been wanting to see that all season.

 

[vodeni]

I think he’s trying to make an investment in the guy he’s hoping will pay off later.

This board always bitched for years about coaches who didn’t give young guys a shot when they struggle, so I’m not going to complain.

Also, there’s no one else so ya...

this is the key! There is literally no one else there, none of the guys on the fourth line are any better so he had to play him minutes he did...

 

[HandshakeLine]

Ive been wanting to see that all season.

Well, I have some bad news about that...

 

[HandshakeLine]

this is the key! There is literally no one else there, none of the guys on the fourth line are any better so he had to play him minutes he did...

FWIW, I'm not criticizing Lafferty in the line-up per se, I'm criticizing the fact that he gets way more ice time than his play should indicate. It's just kind of comical. Kapanen gets 11 minutes, scores two goals and is part of an effective line, Lafferty gets nearly 15.

 

[Icarium]

Kapanen is +10 on a team that has 5 regulation wins. McCann is +6 and has only been on the ice for 4 even strength goals against. I understand that these stats are skewed a bit by the dumb idea of counting EN goals against as minuses, but still, food for thought. Weirdly enough, neither of the two plays on the PK. Call me dumb but I think they must be doing something right defensively and we could use that on the PK, especially since both are a thread to score shorties too due to their speed.
Also, l am the biggest Malkin homer you can find, but let's see what happens in the next games before declaring that GMR is back to its best. Jake-Sid-Rust looked otherworldly for two games earlier this season than became mostly mediocre.

 

[HandshakeLine]

The idea of not having KK on the PK with his speed and finishing ability is just so puzzling to me. I get not having the stars PK, but someone like KK is tailor-made for it. Same with McCann.

 

[vodeni]

FWIW, I'm not criticizing Lafferty in the line-up per se, I'm criticizing the fact that he gets way more ice time than his play should indicate. It's just kind of comical. Kapanen gets 11 minutes, scores two goals and is part of an effective line, Lafferty gets nearly 15.

understand but there were circumstances...he played with Bluegs and he trusts Bluegs, Kappy played a lot of PP etc....don't worry as soon as we got some healthy and maybe new bodies he is gone...