Nathaniel Skywalker
Registered User
- Oct 18, 2013
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We go live to the Caps preparing for Round 2:
I understand the want for a shutdown line. They weren't that against the Habs, the only time they've ever been a line together in the playoffs iirc.ZAR-TB-Tanev has never been scored on and have scored 6 goals at 5v5. They've done this while starting in the DZone 57 times, NZone 35x, and OZ 15 times. I employ you to be more comfortable with this line and their results and not break it up. It is a game changing line to deploy against L1s and every forward has enough defensive ability to neutralize players well above their individual skill levels. They allow Crosby's and Malkin's line to not start shifts in D zone.
We all share concern on Zucker and Malkin's effectiveness together.
I understand the want for a shutdown line. They weren't that against the Habs, the only time they've ever been a line together in the playoffs iirc.
I'd rather sort out Geno's line with someone that will do the dirty work and defensive play since he's gimped up good and Kap's gonna need to be the offensive driver there. Tanev does that, imo.
Maybe.
The current Malkin line has not had good results (considering their zone starts are powder-puff soff), AND still get out-chanced greatly: High Danger CF% of 34%. How you can start 3/4 faceoffs in the Offensive zone and still get outshot 35/65 with scoring chances is a huge concern. This line will lose PIT hockey games if this continues. They got lucky so far and have barely outscored the opposition, but I don't expect it to last because they are losing all other metrics. Just about any other line will have more favorable results considering they start 200ft from their own net 75% of the time and don't even have to enter the O-zone. This will be exploited and I don't think Tanev fixes Malkin's poor defense, but he may help maintain zone time vs Zucker. Malkin will need to fix his D personally as everything is pointing to "him" being most of the issue.
Then go get a very difficult job with a bunch of media attention where people blow up whenever you're perceived to have done something wrong, and you'll get the kudos that comes with it too
The perfect loop doesn't exi......
I don't think Zucker does much of anything, in any role. At least Tanev is gonna do what he does, and he'll do the dirty work. That's super important for Geno's line, imo, especially when his leg is boogered up to the point where he'll probably be a liability on the ice. Especially if Sully's an idiot and can't get that line away from Barzal's.Maybe.
The current Malkin line has not had good results (considering their zone starts are powder-puff soff), AND still get out-chanced greatly: High Danger CF% of 34%. How you can start 3/4 faceoffs in the Offensive zone and still get outshot 35/65 with scoring chances is a huge concern. This line will lose PIT hockey games if this continues. They got lucky so far and have barely outscored the opposition, but I don't expect it to last because they are losing all other metrics. Just about any other line will have more favorable results considering they start 200ft from their own net 75% of the time and don't even have to enter the O-zone. This will be exploited and I don't think Tanev fixes Malkin's poor defense, but he may help maintain zone time vs Zucker. Malkin will need to fix his D personally as everything is pointing to "him" being most of the issue.
Some people don't like fancy stats, but here's what the Pens' lines look like as currently constructed.
GUENTZEL---CROSBY---RUST
5on5 TOI together: 644:19
Goals For: 34
Goals Against: 24
Corsi For %: 53.71
xGF%: 52.30
Off. Zone Faceoff %: 64.63%
ZUCKER---MALKIN---KAPANEN
5on5 TOI together: 141:46
Goals For: 7
Goals Against: 5
Corsi For %: 51.91
xGF%: 58.33
Off. Zone Faceoff %: 74.71%
MCCANN---CARTER---GAUDREAU
5on5 TOI together: 39:15
Goals For: 6
Goals Against: 0
Corsi For %: 51.52
xGF%: 59.02
Off. Zone Faceoff %: 26.32
ASTON-REESE---BLUEGER---TANEV
5on5 TOI together: 140:01
Goals For: 6
Goals Against: 0
Corsi For %: 48.21
xGF%: 50.60
Off. Zone Faceoff %: 20.83%
The production of the bottom two lines is really intriguing. They can create offense despite started in the defensive zone roughly 75% of the time. And they're responsible defensively, although they haven't been together as long.
Also, even Zucker-Malkin-Kapanen hasn't really been together all that long. Given time, they could further coalesce (and they haven't been bad from a production standpoint).
Stay out the box.
Why would you do that? That was some of the most uninspired hockey I’ve seen from the Penguins
I understand the want for a shutdown line. They weren't that against the Habs, the only time they've ever been a line together in the playoffs iirc.
I'd rather sort out Geno's line with someone that will do the dirty work and defensive play since he's gimped up good and Kap's gonna need to be the offensive driver there. Tanev does that, imo.
just curious how it looked. That team was awful. Lol
just curious how it looked. That team was awful. Lol
just curious how it looked. That team was awful. Lol
Soooooooo ... this wouldn’t be the right place to ask if I should be concerned about the mole on my penis?I just see many make the thread about themselves instead of the intended subject. And it if is a human thing to do (to make it about yourselves) it wasn't always like this. In fact I don't think it was like this up until recently. I take a team-centric approach because it about the team, not really about me/us. We're talking about jersey colors and what time the game starts, but at least it's about the team.
Do you or anyone really think we care about what you do in your personal lives? Because I can tell you that 99.9% of us don't. That's not to say that now and then people won't throw out an occasional tid bit about themselves (I have). But when the majority of people talk about their plans on those days or tell us what their doing at game time, their sleep habits, work schedules etc, it' just makes me realize how tone deaf many here are. Not everyone is like that fortunately, but a lot are. I'm just surprised how unaware most are.
You really don't matter. That goes for all of us. It's about the team. Or at least predominately should be. That's why we're here. If you want to talk about yourselves make a forum or thread for that.
What happens when half your blue line is immobile trash.
I feel like the first game is going to define this series.
I feel like the first game is going to define this series.