Pens vs Caps Game 2 4-29-17

[zeke5123]

Jake with 7 goals in 7 games. Second coming of the Rocket Richard!

[Legacy User]

agree on the flower.. hes been very good.. but also fortunes have rolled and bounced his way. the post has been his best friend. I always thought hes much better when pens in front... we have all seen the free fall meltdowns. giving up 5 easy goals . if mrray is healthy I think flower is just a shit game away from replacement.. I do give him credit for his play in playoffs. far better then I expected and hes seemed to rid his self of playoff yipps!

[Pabst]

Someone had this at last night's game:

[fractalsteel]

Looking way ahead....but we're allowed to do that as fans.

With the expansion draft, every team will lose one player. Might the Penguins intentionally make an attractive, younger player available (say....Dumoulin) as a way to perhaps keep both goalies??

I think that might depend on how they feel about Jarry. If he's ready to be a backup in the NHL and capable to fill in when needed, they might prefer to expose fleury and free up that cap room.

My question is, doesn't Fleury have a limited no movement clause? And doesn't that automatically prevent him from being exposed? Or did I read something wrong?

Fleury has a trade clause-he can force the Pens hand in that regard.
Pens can also buy Fleury out but there would be salary cap implications for several years I believe.The Pens could also make a backroom deal with Vegas concerning who they might snag or if they pass on a specific player.
I can't fathom any scenario where the Pens leave Murray exposed unless a deal was in place.

Don't know what to expect from DC next game. The fans seem like they have given up.

[COR-TEN]

Don't know what to expect from DC next game. The fans seem like they have given up.

Good question, but judging from the locker room interviews after the game, the caps players seem dejected and shell shocked. Looks like they are on the verge of giving up. They can't understand how they're down 2 zip. Pressure is definitely on.

I'm personally surprised as shit they endured that barrage and came out with a win. But the injuries are concerning. Any news on Horny?

[swissvale72]

Looking way ahead....but we're allowed to do that as fans.

With the expansion draft, every team will lose one player. Might the Penguins intentionally make an attractive, younger player available (say....Dumoulin) as a way to perhaps keep both goalies??

I think that might depend on how they feel about Jarry. If he's ready to be a backup in the NHL and capable to fill in when needed, they might prefer to expose fleury and free up that cap room.

My question is, doesn't Fleury have a limited no movement clause? And doesn't that automatically prevent him from being exposed? Or did I read something wrong?

Fleury has a trade clause-he can force the Pens hand in that regard.
Pens can also buy Fleury out but there would be salary cap implications for several years I believe.The Pens could also make a backroom deal with Vegas concerning who they might snag or if they pass on a specific player.
I can't fathom any scenario where the Pens leave Murray exposed unless a deal was in place.

Don't know what to expect from DC next game. The fans seem like they have given up.

Few things....again, getting way ahead, but I'm predicting the Pens repeat as Stanley Cup champs, this time with Marc-Andre Fleury in the net throughout. Should that happen.....
*Yes, I don't think Pen leave Murray unprotected.
*Zeke, it may be short-sighted for Pens to leave a young, valuable player unprotected in order to keep Fleury....BUT....one could have argued that it was short-sighted not to have traded Fleury this year. If short-sighted means Pens keep two #1 goalies in order to best contend for a 3rd straight Cup, then I'm all for short-sighted (Zeke...by the way, all due respect....I think you sell MAF at least a bit short).

Fractal...please explain how Fleury can force Penguins hand. There's no way, he can force Pens to protect him, expose Murray, is there?

[zeke5123]

Swiss -- you can only protect one goalie. Because of the NMC, the pens are forced to protect Fleury unless he waives the clause. Thus, they'd be forced to expose Murray.

We disagree about Fleury. In my mind, he is a career good but not great goalie that has had some epic playoff meltdowns but somehow is treated as if he is Patrick Roy. I think the Bledsoe comp is spot on. Bledsoe wasn't a bad QB. But it is obvious that Murray is better. In no way should they keep Fleury over Murray.

[swissvale72]

Swiss -- you can only protect one goalie. Because of the NMC, the pens are forced to protect Fleury unless he waives the clause. Thus, they'd be forced to expose Murray.

We disagree about Fleury. In my mind, he is a career good but not great goalie that has had some epic playoff meltdowns but somehow is treated as if he is Patrick Roy. I think the Bledsoe comp is spot on. Bledsoe wasn't a bad QB. But it is obvious that Murray is better. In no way should they keep Fleury over Murray.

I'm not suggesting that Pens should protect Fleury instead of Murray, Zeke. I was hoping they could hang onto both goalies, though....as this is the 2nd consecutive year they've lost their #1 goalie at the onset of the playoffs. It sounds though, and I wasn't aware of this, that Pens would need to expose Murray unless Fleury gives them a way out??

[Pabst]

It sounds though, and I wasn't aware of this, that Pens would need to expose Murray unless Fleury gives them a way out??

Well....there is another option. The Vegas GM has said he's willing to entertain offers in order to avoid taking certain players in the expansion draft (see link below). Now, I have no idea what the asking price will be, but the good news for the Pens is that there are actually a lot of good goalies that should be available for the Knights, so they should be willing to deal. Antti Raanta and Phillip Grubauer are both starting caliber goalies who will be available. Joonas Korpisalo and Malcolm Subban are both young prospects stuck behind all-stars who won't be protected (honestly, I'm not sure if they are eligible to be taken, given the draft rules).

https://lasvegassun.com/news/2017/apr/28/golden-knights-open-to-making-deals-before-expansi/

[fractalsteel]

Swiss -- you can only protect one goalie. Because of the NMC, the pens are forced to protect Fleury unless he waives the clause. Thus, they'd be forced to expose Murray.

We disagree about Fleury. In my mind, he is a career good but not great goalie that has had some epic playoff meltdowns but somehow is treated as if he is Patrick Roy. I think the Bledsoe comp is spot on. Bledsoe wasn't a bad QB. But it is obvious that Murray is better. In no way should they keep Fleury over Murray.

I'm not suggesting that Pens should protect Fleury instead of Murray, Zeke. I was hoping they could hang onto both goalies, though....as this is the 2nd consecutive year they've lost their #1 goalie at the onset of the playoffs. It sounds though, and I wasn't aware of this, that Pens would need to expose Murray unless Fleury gives them a way out??

Can't keep both going into next for one reason-9.5 million paid between them. That is far too much for 2 tenders. Even if we cancel out Kunitz, Bonino and Cullen next year we need the $$ to build up the defense through free agency.
Get rid of Fleury and Kunitz and Cullen and we have enough to re up Schultz, Dumo or both and enough scratch left over to pursue a second pairing defender. Bonino is going to be another guy that a decision has to be made going into next year.
The Pens could be looking at replacing 2 centers though Guentzel is technically a center and the kids from WBS Simon and Dea might fill the fourth line job. My faith in Sundqvist is really waning now.

Like I said earlier the Pens can buyout Fleury or they can make a back room deal with Vegas.


We can not afford to keep Fleury next year and hope to improve the team where improvement is needed-center and defense.

[swissvale72]

Thanks Fractal....not up on the cap situation.

[Donnie Brasco]

Very happy for MAF- I'm glad he's proven me wrong. I really thought we'd get smoked this game

But there's a bunch of cockiness amongst the fans...I mean this is a new series if the Caps win tonight

[Louis Lipps Service]

Somewhere, the rumor started brewing (some claim from the Pens locker room), that Ovechkin's shot to Hainsey's head was intentional.

While I admit the shot looked way higher than any shot actually aimed at the net should have been...I just can't buy that one.

Side note, while researching the topic, came across a quote from Hainsey saying he should be fine.

[zeke5123]

Thanks Fractal....not up on the cap situation.

Best case scenario is that the Pens win this series, and then MAF reverts and Murray takes over the net in ECF leading the Pens to b2b cups, with Fleury doing enough to have real trade value in the offseason.

[fractalsteel]

Very happy for MAF- I'm glad he's proven me wrong. I really thought we'd get smoked this game

But there's a bunch of cockiness amongst the fans...I mean this is a new series if the Caps win tonight

And on the other side a lot of Cap fans are conceding defeat after two games.

Tonight smells like a trap game for the Pens. I wouldn't be surprised if they come out better than they have in the first two but the game is tight.

[Donnie Brasco]

Somewhere, the rumor started brewing (some claim from the Pens locker room), that Ovechkin's shot to Hainsey's head was intentional.

While I admit the shot looked way higher than any shot actually aimed at the net should have been...I just can't buy that one.

Side note, while researching the topic, came across a quote from Hainsey saying he should be fine.

I read that too...why would Ovie not try to uh ya know score a goal?

The puck was on edge, this should be a non story, but I realize people are bored and like to make nothing into something.

[Louis Lipps Service]

Very happy for MAF- I'm glad he's proven me wrong. I really thought we'd get smoked this game

But there's a bunch of cockiness amongst the fans...I mean this is a new series if the Caps win tonight

And on the other side a lot of Cap fans are conceding defeat after two games.

Tonight smells like a trap game for the Pens. I wouldn't be surprised if they come out better than they have in the first two but the game is tight.

Another concern after reading through some Caps forums...Holtby apparently has a reputation for playing on fire after getting yanked. Him not sucking would go a long way to making this a series tight again.

[COR-TEN]

Very happy for MAF- I'm glad he's proven me wrong. I really thought we'd get smoked this game

But there's a bunch of cockiness amongst the fans...I mean this is a new series if the Caps win tonight

And on the other side a lot of Cap fans are conceding defeat after two games.

Tonight smells like a trap game for the Pens. I wouldn't be surprised if they come out better than they have in the first two but the game is tight.

Another concern after reading through some Caps forums...Holtby apparently has a reputation for playing on fire after getting yanked. Him not sucking would go a long way to making this a series tight again.

I don't think goaltending is their problem. They aren't getting puck luck. It's just not finding the back of the net. It's not like they haven't had opportunities. Really good ones, even though Flower has been standing on his head.

[SteelPro]

Thanks Fractal....not up on the cap situation.

Best case scenario is that the Pens win this series, and then MAF reverts and Murray takes over the net in ECF leading the Pens to b2b cups, with Fleury doing enough to have real trade value in the offseason.

The best case scenario is the Penguins win the Cup. Doesn't matter which goalie does it. Any scenario that involves a player failing is not a good one. No matter what MAF does Murray is the long term goalie of this franchise. So rooting for Fleury to fail so Murray can come in and save the day is beyond stupid.

[Louis Lipps Service]

Another concern after reading through some Caps forums...Holtby apparently has a reputation for playing on fire after getting yanked. Him not sucking would go a long way to making this a series tight again.

I don't think goaltending is their problem. They aren't getting puck luck. It's just not finding the back of the net. It's not like they haven't had opportunities. Really good ones, even though Flower has been standing on his head.

It's one of their problems. They definitely have others, but it's one of them. And a hot Holtby could make a big difference and swing some momentum.

[COR-TEN]

It's one of their problems. They definitely have others, but it's one of them. And a hot Holtby could make a big difference and swing some momentum.

No doubt. If fleury loses it and holtby stands on his head, it'll 2-1. The writing on the wall suggests as much, although I thought they'd get blown out in game 2 in DC.

[swissvale72]

It's one of their problems. They definitely have others, but it's one of them. And a hot Holtby could make a big difference and swing some momentum.

No doubt. If fleury loses it and holtby stands on his head, it'll 2-1. The writing on the wall suggests as much, although I thought they'd get blown out in game 2 in DC.

it'll be 2-0, pens, after 1st period. they'll hang on for a 3-2 win

[Legacy User]

I'd love to see Sid pick up right where he left off tonight. He is stirring the drink right now.

Man I love this team. Even Flower. I still don't fully trust Flower... but for now I love him

[Pabst]

Another concern after reading through some Caps forums...Holtby apparently has a reputation for playing on fire after getting yanked. Him not sucking would go a long way to making this a series tight again.

They're probably referring to this article from January, where Holtby was 5-0 with a .6 GAA after getting yanked against Toronto.

My counter to that: Game #6 was the 8-7 shootout against the Pens, where Holtby was pulled again. Following that, he was pretty average (2.25 GAA) in his next 4 games prior to the bye, but he was going up against the offensive powerhouses of St Louis, Dallas, Carolina, and New Jersey.

[bradshaw2ben]

This MAF postseason after Murray last year is like Osgood and Vernon, only in reverse.

[jeemie]

Very happy for MAF- I'm glad he's proven me wrong. I really thought we'd get smoked this game

But there's a bunch of cockiness amongst the fans...I mean this is a new series if the Caps win tonight

Fans can be cocky all they want.

I have faith in Sully...more than any other Pittsburgh coach since maybe the Chucks back in the 70s...Tanner and Noll.

He'll have the troops guarded against over-confidence. He can keep showing them film from the first periods of all their games thus far this post-season to keep heads from getting swollen.

[swissvale72]

Very happy for MAF- I'm glad he's proven me wrong. I really thought we'd get smoked this game

But there's a bunch of cockiness amongst the fans...I mean this is a new series if the Caps win tonight

Fans can be cocky all they want.

I have faith in Sully...more than any other Pittsburgh coach since maybe the Chucks back in the 70s...Tanner and Noll.

He'll have the troops guarded against over-confidence. He can keep showing them film from the first periods of all their games thus far this post-season to keep heads from getting swollen.

Totally agree with this. I feel the same way about Sullivan as I do about Belichick in that he will have his team maximally prepared.

[Donnie Brasco]

Very happy for MAF- I'm glad he's proven me wrong. I really thought we'd get smoked this game

But there's a bunch of cockiness amongst the fans...I mean this is a new series if the Caps win tonight

Fans can be cocky all they want.

I have faith in Sully...more than any other Pittsburgh coach since maybe the Chucks back in the 70s...Tanner and Noll.

He'll have the troops guarded against over-confidence. He can keep showing them film from the first periods of all their games thus far this post-season to keep heads from getting swollen.

Totally agree with this. I feel the same way about Sullivan as I do about Belichick in that he will have his team maximally prepared.

Sad he doesn't get the recognition he deserves, but I kind of like he's under the radar.
Would you take him over any other coach except Babcock? I wouldn't- they're the clear 1-2 coaches by a country mile