I'd like to throw in a true story if I may. I work at an escalator factory down here in North Carolina and we're doing the escalators for Penguins Arena. We shipped a bunch of units already, and each unit has a huge shipping box on top that the union guys use to install the escalator. Two weeks ago, I cut a hole in one of the boxes, threw a "Let's Go Pens" sign inside, and then resealed it.
Well the team obviously won't see it, but I just hope it makes a few of the installers cheer just a bit louder in front of their television sets tonight.
Well, obviously I put the wrong sign in the shipping box. I should have put in one that said, "Cover Ovechkin."
I've got a question here. I've stated before that I'm a diehard NFL and Steelers fan who just happens to watch the NHL playoffs in the spring. Therefore, I only watch a handful of NHL games throughout the regular season. So my question is, does Malkin get all his points against inferior teams during the regular season, because when playoff time comes, he is clearly overmatched in all phases of the game. Last year he was worthless in the final 3 rounds. This year, he's just as invisible. He overskates, whiffs on shots (like last night's 5-footer in front of the net), can't handle passes at center ice, loses critical faceoffs (like last night on that horrendous 3rd period PP), and doesn't get the puck in front of the net as often as a superstar should. The only thing I can even put in his favor is that he battles hard for the puck in the offensive corners. That's about it.
I was watching last night and was like, "This is un-f***ing believable. I'm sure Malkin's a great player against the Islanders or Thrashers, but he looks average-to-below average against the good teams. Without Sydney, this team is pathetic and would be getting blown off the rink night in and night out. Hell, during playoff time, I would "swap" Malkin and Fleury for the Canes' Staal and Ward in a heartbeat if such a transaction existed.
As much as Washington is comprised of a superstar and a bunch of other guys on skates, so are the Pens.
Originally posted by DanZeke25
Because Malkin > Crosby.
Originally posted by botankus
Well, obviously I put the wrong sign in the shipping box. I should have put in one that said, "Cover Ovechkin."I've got a question here. I've stated before that I'm a diehard NFL and Steelers fan who just happens to watch the NHL playoffs in the spring. Therefore, I only watch a handful of NHL games throughout the regular season. So my question is, does Malkin get all his points against inferior teams during the regular season, because when playoff time comes, he is clearly overmatched in all phases of the game. Last year he was worthless in the final 3 rounds. This year, he's just as invisible. He overskates, whiffs on shots (like last night's 5-footer in front of the net), can't handle passes at center ice, loses critical faceoffs (like last night on that horrendous 3rd period PP), and doesn't get the puck in front of the net as often as a superstar should. The only thing I can even put in his favor is that he battles hard for the puck in the offensive corners. That's about it.
I was watching last night and was like, "This is un-f***ing believable. I'm sure Malkin's a great player against the Islanders or Thrashers, but he looks average-to-below average against the good teams. Without Sydney, this team is pathetic and would be getting blown off the rink night in and night out. Hell, during playoff time, I would "swap" Malkin and Fleury for the Canes' Staal and Ward in a heartbeat if such a transaction existed.
As much as Washington is comprised of a superstar and a bunch of other guys on skates, so are the Pens.
Maybe in a pickup game on a frozen pond, but not in the playoffs, pal. I've watched every minute of the last 5 series dating back to last year and it's not even close.
Damn, people just don't have faith in players anymore. Christ. A cat goes silent and you break down his entire goddamn world? Maybe The team is just being out coached? Yeah, have you ever thought of that one partner? No it doesnt seem like it. Malkin has the speed, puck handling and vision but he just lacks the accuracy, just as Crosby. Now, we all now that Crosby is the next 66 because of course, he is being groomed by the man himself but Malkin and Fluery are definitely superstars.
I don't know what the hell you been smokin kid, but you obviously have been smokin the bad stuff whilst listening to the wrong radio stations because i've watched nearly every Penguins game for the past 3 seasons and consistency is consistency is consistency. Malkin and Crosby Malkin and Crosby and FLuery Savin the day every goddamn day. No man, The pens are just having some bad games. They very easily could have won Game one and game two, well that won just got out of their hands. Their is NO reason that Gonchar should have been beaten by Ovechkin. Gonchar is the most seasoned D player on the ice. For some reason though, he let Big O skate right goddamn up on him. No man, the team is strong..,very strong. They are young and sturdy. Watch, they'll even pull an upset over the stupid ass caps.
RagesRemorse, I read your post once and thought you missed my point. But I think we missed each other's.
Originally posted by jinXed by JaNx
Damn, people just don't have faith in players anymore. Christ. A cat goes silent and you break down his entire goddamn world? Maybe The team is just being out coached? Yeah, have you ever thought of that one partner?
That's FIVE SERIES of "silent," paht-nuh!
Ahem. Sorry, had to get that in.
But really, I never said Malkin wasn't a God during the regular season. Hell, if you only watched Tony Romo play in the regular season, you'd think he was the second coming of Johnny Unitas. Then, when you turn it on in January, he looks like Akili Smith.
I thought the team being outcoached went without saying. Show of hands here, who hasn't caught on to the fact that OvenChicken just plants himself wide open on the left point on PP's? Anyone? Bylsma hasn't.
And Gonchar's ultra-predictable slapshot from the blue line. 9 times out of 10 it never even makes it through.
So yes, it's a total team effort, including the coaching staff. Maybe I should rephrase it as one superstar, a ghost, a bunch of other guys in skates, and a guy in a suit that shouldn't have had the "Interim" label removed from his title.
As far as still being alive, the first periods in both games have been tremendous. I was saying, "this won't even be an upset." And then low and behold, someone opens the floodgates and here comes the bad skating, the neglectful defense, the delay of game penalties, the trips against the boards, the lazy goaltending, the apathetic attitude (appears that way on some shifts), the lack of magic from Staal that he had last year, and the absolutely nonproductive 4th line.
So again yes, it's a total team meltdown, but look on the bright side. At least we're not blaming the refs like other fans are quick to do.
Malkin played well last night. So did Varlamov.
That being said, I think Malkin's "A" game > Varlamov's hot streak. If he gets down 2-0 in a game, Varlamov's going to crack.
Oh, I'd like to retract a statement I made yesterday about Malkin being a ghost for 5 straight playoff series. He played well in the Flyers series this year.
Originally posted by botankus
RagesRemorse, I read your post once and thought you missed my point. But I think we missed each other's.That's FIVE SERIES of "silent," paht-nuh!
Ahem. Sorry, had to get that in.But really, I never said Malkin wasn't a God during the regular season. Hell, if you only watched Tony Romo play in the regular season, you'd think he was the second coming of Johnny Unitas. Then, when you turn it on in January, he looks like Akili Smith.
I thought the team being outcoached went without saying. Show of hands here, who hasn't caught on to the fact that OvenChicken just plants himself wide open on the left point on PP's? Anyone? Bylsma hasn't.
And Gonchar's ultra-predictable slapshot from the blue line. 9 times out of 10 it never even makes it through.
So yes, it's a total team effort, including the coaching staff. Maybe I should rephrase it as one superstar, a ghost, a bunch of other guys in skates, and a guy in a suit that shouldn't have had the "Interim" label removed from his title.
As far as still being alive, the first periods in both games have been tremendous. I was saying, "this won't even be an upset." And then low and behold, someone opens the floodgates and here comes the bad skating, the neglectful defense, the delay of game penalties, the trips against the boards, the lazy goaltending, the apathetic attitude (appears that way on some shifts), the lack of magic from Staal that he had last year, and the absolutely nonproductive 4th line.
So again yes, it's a total team meltdown, but look on the bright side. At least we're not blaming the refs like other fans are quick to do.
😂 yeah man. I can dig that. Hockey refs often under appreciated. I rarely if ever get upset over a refs call. They usually always do a great job at keeping the game going.
I agree that the fourth line has been completely shut down but i don't think the goaltending is at much fault here. The defense definitely needs to be taken to trial though. When your defense keeps getting beat on the rush TIME AND TIME AGAIN, there is something rotten in denmark. You can't expect a goalie to win a game when the defense allows wingers to go unchecked on top of half a dozen odd man rushes. Fluery is definitely not getting any help. A goalie is only as confident as his defense makes him. I think that and the forwards lack of accuracy and skill in passing is what is keeping the Pens down. We have seen that Malkin and Crosby are brilliant two way players. The Pens can win a game with weak Defense because thats what they always do. The Pens Defense has always been highly questionable.
you and i are on the same page other than the fact that you think the Pens team is comprised of one superstar and a bunch of skaters 😂 I see two superstars a future Brodeur and several players on the verge of breaking out.
The one thing i can say for Bylsma is that he does have a lot confidence in the players. Unlike Michel he doesn't destroy chemistry by constantly changing up lines. Someone needs to figure out how to play Malkin and Crosby though. You know Crosby is getting outside advice from big Mario. I'm wondering when Lemieux is just going to start coaching the team as well 😂
Lemieux will never coach the team.
He understands he was an amazing player, which does not equal to amazing coach.
The coach they have has done a pretty good job this year. It's worth keeping him on. He's part of the new influx of AHL coachs coming up to the NHL, similiar to the NFL's hiring of coordinators who never head coached before.
Yeah, i know. I was just saying, he has done everything else for the Penguins. I wasn't serious nor do i think it'd be a good thing but it would be fun to see for one game. Or even better. It would be great to see Lemiuex strap on some skates when the Pens are down and show everyone how it's done lol
Well, tonightts the night man. If the Pens win tonight i'm saying they'll win the series. They just need to step up their transition. When they swing that winger around in the offensive zone they can't be stopped. So, hopefully that transition opens up tonight. Also, it would be nice if someone stopped Ovechkin lol I really don't know why it's so hard for the Pens to stop Ovechkin. All the dude does is skate the open ice. Now, granted that's all it really takes to get open, but Ovechkin never passes that puck. If he would pass more, The Capitals would be winning games 6-1 every night.