Post-Game Talk: Pens @ Rangers 4/6/21

[kovazub94]

I watch almost every game. Hajek fails my eye test and the metrics test. Just because Smith isn't good doesn't mean Hajek is playing well.

I confess that Hajek looked acceptable to my eyes. I'm well aware of the damning stats but when I focus on him on the ice - I see him making plays, at least at the rate I consider appropriate for a rookie 3rd pair D. Maybe because my initial expectations of him were so low at the start the season. There's something I'm missing...

 

[aufheben]

if you are watching, you wouldn't rely on the metrics so heavily. Smith is a nightmare and he is dragging Hajek's numbers down. It is clear (from watching) that Smith is getting caught up ice, creating odd man rushes against, is fumbling the puck and making bad decisions regularly. But, whatever.

...or some people realize that they’re fans and not professional hockey scouts?

 

[LetsGoRangers2021]

I don't see that. We scored 4 ES goals; a lucky one (Blackwell), Buch's goal which was a mish mash from Bread and Fil, Zib when Buch walked around Crosby and Laf where the kids worked during a long shift to tuck one in. Point is outside of the Zib goal which was scored by a line that has been in tact, the line combos didn't create much. No ES goals for Strome line and one each for the other two. Blackwell doesn't belong in the top 6.

lol. Do you listen to yourself?

 

[Off Sides]

Hajek is not awesome or anything, yet Smith likes to try to go up ice, pinch and things, he often does not complete that and the puck comes back into their zone with many other teammates trapped up ice. Trouba does it too. Leaves Miller and Hajek alone defending an odd man.

Yet when they are near their own net in a defensive posture, both of them do pretty well with that. Neither is a puck mover ideally, yet they are not totally horrible at it either.

There is some give and take there naturally, some of that is reads, not only what are the chances the defender gets to the puck to advance it, but also where are the players teammates? Up ice or a couple of them behind the play... is a forward able to cover for the defender pinch in case not successful?

 

[romba]

Hajek is not awesome or anything, yet Smith likes to try to go up ice, pinch and things, he often does not complete that and the puck comes back into their zone with many other teammates trapped up ice. Trouba does it too. Leaves Miller and Hajek alone defending an odd man.

Yet when they are near their own net in a defensive posture, both of them do pretty well with that. Neither is a puck mover ideally, yet they are not totally horrible at it either.

There is some give and take there naturally, some of that is reads, not only what are the chances the defender gets to the puck to advance it, but also where are the players teammates? Up ice or a couple of them behind the play... is a forward able to cover for the defender pinch in case not successful?

Smith sucks everywhere, especially behind the net and along the boards in the D Zone. He can’t beat a guy with a chip pass, it always ends up reversed passed him and we get hemmed in. Smith Is not terrible in the O zone, keeps it simple like Trouba.

And Miller gets walked multiple times a game, sometimes recovers last second with his reach, other times he (and the rest of us) just clenches our collective cheeks and hopes it’s Shesty in net that night as we helplessly watch. That’s not on Trouba, who I was really hard on earlier this season for some boneheaded plays leading directly to goals, he’s really improved his game everywhere along the ice.

Speaking of reads, Fox makes the right one every time, whether it’s stepping up in the o zone, backing off initially and then slamming the gap shut in the NZ, or backing off completely allowing other guys to take the lead and be last man safety net. Guy is so so so smart all over the ice.

 

[The S5]

I'm hopeful neither is here next year. Hajek has always struck me as a Dman who makes plays that could turn into opposition goals a couple times a game.

You could say that about K'Andre Miller. When they are developing, you take the good with the bad.

 

[Off Sides]

Smith sucks everywhere, especially behind the net and along the boards in the D Zone. He can’t beat a guy with a chip pass, it always ends up reversed passed him and we get hemmed in. Smith Is not terrible in the O zone, keeps it simple like Trouba.

And Miller gets walked multiple times a game, sometimes recovers last second with his reach, other times he (and the rest of us) just clenches our collective cheeks and hopes it’s Shesty in net that night as we helplessly watch. That’s not on Trouba, who I was really hard on him earlier this season for some boneheaded plays leading directly to goals, he’s really improved his game everywhere along the ice

I agree and disagree with some of that.

Trouba much like Smith makes bad pinches often and it puts their partner in a bad spot.

Yet Miller gets caught in-between going up and staying back at times all on his own.

Hajek while not great has improved to the point he is back covering for Smith most of the time.

 

[will1066]

Does anyone have a gif of Smith with the Rongo POTY against Crosby last night?

 

[WojtekWolski86]

You guys realize that goalies make saves sometimes. He had very few tough saves and even less second chance saves. He played well in the first period, but the Pens were shooting from everywhere. We were the better team and the score showed that.

Couple posts, couple big saves. Completely different game if any of those 3 goal leads turned into 1 goal leads. Every time we got a 4 goal lead we let off the gas. At 3-0 we were cruising way too much.

 

[egelband]

anyone notice Letang board the shit out of someone (might have been Blackwell?) right before he sprung Rodriguez for that breakaway that ended up going off the post?

That's the kind of shit reffing I find infuriating.

I did. I think I mentioned it in the GT even. It’s almost like Game Management snuck back in. Impossible, right? I mean, they did reprimand one ref. ...

 

[chosen]

You could say that about K'Andre Miller. When they are developing, you take the good with the bad.

I'm not sold on Miller, either, but Miller has less experience and offers some positives, like skating, size, and a stick that helps him cover up mistakes.

 

[Larrybiv]

anyone notice Letang board the shit out of someone (might have been Blackwell?) right before he sprung Rodriguez for that breakaway that ended up going off the post?

That's the kind of shit reffing I find infuriating.

That was pathetic, and it WAS Blackwell. Was amazed he got up. Ref SAW the play and allowed it. Fortunate Rodriguez didnt score, really could have changed the game.
"Making it closer=game management=thats insufferable"

 

[Larrybiv]

I'm not sold on Miller, either, but Miller has less experience and offers some positives, like skating, size, and a stick that helps him cover up mistakes.

He is my AVATAR. HE has to be better. Fortunately he has time. He can be GREAT if he learns, but will "get by" with his physical talents. I want him to be GREAT, we all do.