Series Discussion: Columbus (3) vs Pittsburgh (2)
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CBJWerenski8
Rest in Peace Johnny
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Cyclones Rock
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You're being silly. Having a team "on the ropes" implies having a lead in the game. LOL. Pittsburgh had far more good scoring chances than the CBJ. They had an incredible amount of odd man rushes as well. Had they been a little sharper, it would have been a blowout.
This team has scored 23 goals in its last 13 games-and they look exactly like a team which has averaged 1.77 goals per game over that stretch. Other than Werenski, and I guess Saad tonight, they're playing like a bunch of chickens with their heads cut off on the offensive end. There's no poise or patience. Just a bunch of quick shots and precious few clean passes which led to good scoring opportunities. As others have mentioned, there isn't a highlight reel of great Fleury saves. Maybe one or two really good ones.
Count the number of odd man rushes this team gave up in game 2. Add in an impotent offense and a below average Bob and, voila, you're looking at golf reservations for the boys by Wednesday.
I don't know what the answer is, but I do know that this isn't a series which should be tied at one game apiece. The Jackets are probably in a situation where they're going to need a complete defensive system breakdown by the Penguins and Fleury playing down to his playoff history worst to have a chance. There's no one, save Werenski, who's playing to his offensive capability so I guess there is some hope in that. However, the Rip Van Winkle impersonation of the CBJ offense over the past month doesn't really give one any realistic hope of an imminent awakening.
The ones who should be smelling blood are the Pens.
The Jones Zone
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the saddest part of it all....I would still rather see ****sburgh win another cup than ANY Canadian team
and I ****ing Hate ****sburgh
and I ****ing Hate ****sburgh
Ceff Jarter
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Johansen2Foligno
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EspenK
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Don't need, can't make, incredible stops with the way the Jackets' offense has been playing
Give the Pens some credit. They are in the passing lanes, they are checking our forwards and they aren't giving them an room to deal with rebounds. Our defensive players are getting the puck on net and there are some rebounds, we just aren't able to get to them. Their biggest screw up than I've seen (and I haven't watch all of both games) was the forced turnover by Anderson on the Calvert goal. We scored a lot of goals this season on forced offensive zone turnovers.
MAF is playing very well and their defense is stopping us from very many second chances.
Dr. Fire
What, me worry?
Not to mention they are the defending Stanley Cup champions, and know exactly how to win these games.
I don't think the CBJ are there yet, and as much as I hate to say this, at least this will be a lasting learning experience for this young team.
It is all new to a lot of them, and for the Pens, this is just another day at the office.
SuperGenius
For Duty & Humanity!
- Mar 18, 2008
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A series isn't turned until a home team loses. On to Nationwide and better outcomes.
What's embarrassing is watching fans abandon them after 2 games of a best of 7.
What's embarrassing is watching fans abandon them after 2 games of a best of 7.
Iron Balls McGinty
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LoveCBJ
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You use this word and I don't think it means what you think it means. This declaration is nonsense.
Yeah, I don't know about that. I like Canada and hockey is their sport. Vancouver is a beautiful city and if I lived there they would become my second favorite team; despite the twins.
I've always liked the Sens. To be honest, I'm starting to like what the Leafs are building.
Nationalism is overrated. I'm happy to be an American, but that doesn't mean I can't appreciate other countries, even if their fans can be obnoxious. I'll be honest, I love Iceland and wouldn't mind retiring there. That has nothing to do with America.
Iron Balls McGinty
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Having spent a few days in Toronto last weekend and talking hockey with some good fans seated next to me at the game, I see what the Leafs mean to them in the same ways people from Chicago are cubs fans. If I can't have the CBJ do well and move on, I'd love to see the Leafs move on and take out the Caps to move on. If they can get by them, I like their chances.
I am beginning to get a bit tired of Torts' "everything is fine, no problem here, just a few bad bounces" approach. Something is wrong systemically. Whether teams have figured out how to shut off our defenseman oriented offense or what, but the past 10 games or so cannot be ignored as just a master of some bounces not going our way. Teams seem to have adjusted to the pace we played at earlier in the year and are shutting us down completely. I am concerned that the head coach is not concerned about this.
SuperGenius
For Duty & Humanity!
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I'd share your concern if I thought that's really what he thinks. I think he's putting on a front for the media and trying to keep the bunker "team" mentality he developed in the second half going. I kind of doubt he's as optimistic as he sounds. Beating the team over the head publicly at this point isn't going to accomplish anything.
Double-Shift Lasse
Just post better
Despite my oft-stated opinion that you can't afford to be satisfied with losing any time you're in the playoffs and that you better make every effort to advance any time you're in the postseason...
I think there's a long-term plan at work in the CBJ organization, an that the bunker mentality SG mentions is part of it. What Torts says, both publicly and privately - and no, I don't think he is ripping the team a new on behind closed doors - is part of that plan. It involves coaching, scheme, player development, roster building and an organizational approach. I believe that's what we're seeing. The coach isn't going to get desperate - and yes I do believe it is his nature to do so and that he may privately be chomping at the bit for it - because it doesn't fir with this plan. And the plan extends beyond this season.
So while I might prefer the coach to discuss schematic improvements or publicly express being down 0-2 in the series, I don't think we're going to get it.
Cyclones Rock
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Agreed on all points.
What's he supposed to do? Berate his team publicly? Throw sticks on the ice? I'm actually not opposed to either, but Torts style has been cramped by the media, the dubious court of public opinion and probably management. I'd expect some of the "old" Torts to start emerging next season and I think that will be a good thing.
There's absolutely nothing a coach can do about an NHL team in an offensive slump at this point in the season except to play around with line combinations and make adjustments in PP strategy. I'm sure he's done all he can on that. All he can do is keep his fingers crossed that this horrible offensive slump comes to a merciful end on Sunday. There's probably very little psychology-if any at all-that he can apply to end this slump.
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I'm concerned that players like Bob give a false sense of where the team is in regards to this plan. When he's on his game it tends to hide a lot of problems.
As far as Torts goes; he was blasted for being too hard on players and them tuning him out. Now he's being attacked for being more of a players coach (despite benching Saad in the 3rd period in game one). Pretty sure we're only happy if we're complaining when the teams isn't doing well.
I think Torts is a smart guy who is over thinking things right now.
NotWendell
Has also never won the lottery.
I really think we've outplayed Pittsburgh for vast stretches of both games. But yeah, finishing your scoring chances would be a big help!
You're not in trouble until you lose on home ice. I expect things will be a lot different when Torts can dictate the matchups.
It's either that or 1.) we don't have the elite scoring talent we need for the postseason and 2.) Bob is not a good playoff goalie. Not ready to jump into the abyss of negativity yet.
You're not in trouble until you lose on home ice. I expect things will be a lot different when Torts can dictate the matchups.
It's either that or 1.) we don't have the elite scoring talent we need for the postseason and 2.) Bob is not a good playoff goalie. Not ready to jump into the abyss of negativity yet.
Posted this in the Game 2 GDT, so I will post it here as well...
To me, this series proves how badly we needed to draft 1st of 2nd overall last summer, and not 3rd. We desperately need an offensive game breaker in the lineup, and just missed out on drafting generational talent last summer. Imagine the lineup with Matthews or Laine in the mix.
Even if Washington, Pittsburgh, and Chicago's windows are "closing" in the next year or two, we can't expect to compete for a cup against the top teams of the league in the future without a "star" forward. Ofcourse, one of our players currently on the roster or in the pipeline could turn into that "star", but I think we all know what we have. And that's not a player who can singlehandedly carry the team or take over a game/series.
This issue needs to be addressed over the offseason in some way. I'm not saying we should go out and sign the top free agent forward available - not only because that is unrealistic, but it would be quite unwise to do so - but we have quality assets to bring in such a player via trade.
To me, this series proves how badly we needed to draft 1st of 2nd overall last summer, and not 3rd. We desperately need an offensive game breaker in the lineup, and just missed out on drafting generational talent last summer. Imagine the lineup with Matthews or Laine in the mix.
Even if Washington, Pittsburgh, and Chicago's windows are "closing" in the next year or two, we can't expect to compete for a cup against the top teams of the league in the future without a "star" forward. Ofcourse, one of our players currently on the roster or in the pipeline could turn into that "star", but I think we all know what we have. And that's not a player who can singlehandedly carry the team or take over a game/series.
This issue needs to be addressed over the offseason in some way. I'm not saying we should go out and sign the top free agent forward available - not only because that is unrealistic, but it would be quite unwise to do so - but we have quality assets to bring in such a player via trade.
