Pens vs Jackets Game 2 4-14-17

[fractalsteel]

It always feels like there is too much time between playoff games.

Nothing much will change in this game-Fleury is the man in the net and the Pens will have to stave off a Columbus team that does not want to go home down two games. I expect Columbus to come out much like they did in the first period. Hopefully the Pens will be better in first than they were on Wednesday night.

According to a lot of the Jacket players they controlled the majority of the game and should have won. I think this Pens team understands that a better start is needed and they will respond accordingly.

The Pens coaching staff made sure that all the defensemen got equal time. No one had extended time on the blue line. I didn't realize it until today but Torts benched Saad the last fifteen minutes of the third period Wednesday night. Hopefully that backfires.

Penguins projected lineup

Jake Guentzel -- Sidney Crosby -- Conor Sheary

Bryan Rust -- Evgeni Malkin -- Phil Kessel

Scott Wilson -- Nick Bonino -- Patric Hornqvist

Tom Kuhnhackl -- Matt Cullen -- Carter Rowney

Brian Dumoulin -- Ron Hainsey

Ian Cole -- Justin Schultz

Olli Maatta -- Trevor Daley

Marc-Andre Fleury

Tristan Jarry

Scratched: Cameron Gaunce, Josh Archibald, Mark Streit, Tom Sestito

Injured : Matt Murray (lower body), Kris Letang (upper body), Carl Hagelin (lower body), Chris Kunitz (lower body), Chad Ruhwedel (upper body)

And finally, Sullivan's remarks on Steelers owner Dan Rooney, who passed away on Thursday…

"I haven't had the privilege to know him. I did meet him a year ago at... I believe it was the Dapper Dan awards night. So, I did have the privilege to meet him once, but I did not have the privilege to know him. But I have read a lot about him and listened to people like David Morehouse and people that are more familiar with him speak of him, and he just seems like a person that personifies everything that is right with pro sports. He seemed to carry himself in such a professional way, with humility and a selfless man. I think we can all learn from his legacy. Certainly I know that the city of Pittsburgh is very lucky to have the affiliation with someone with his stature."

[Louis Lipps Service]

Beat them again tonight and their spirits will be broken.

They have the talent to compete, but don't have the heart of our guys.

Believe.

[Pabst]

I read that Saad was benched for most of the 3rd period last game. What was up with that?

[Donnie Brasco]

I read that Saad was benched for most of the 3rd period last game. What was up with that?

It's a typical Torts tactic to bench players who he believes aren't putting in full effort

Jackets are expected to go with the same lineup as well, which is dumb if you saw how bad their 3rd pair was last game. Their 5/6 guys didn't even crack 10 mins each

I think the Pens come out much better tonight. The major question mark I have is how MAF responds to knowing he's gonna be the starter vs being thrust into it and no time to overthink in the previous game

MAF doesn't have to win this series, he just can't lose it

[fractalsteel]

I read that Saad was benched for most of the 3rd period last game. What was up with that?

It's a typical Torts tactic to bench players who he believes aren't putting in full effort

Jackets are expected to go with the same lineup as well, which is dumb if you saw how bad their 3rd pair was last game. Their 5/6 guys didn't even crack 10 mins each

I think the Pens come out much better tonight. The major question mark I have is how MAF responds to knowing he's gonna be the starter vs being thrust into it and no time to overthink in the previous game

MAF doesn't have to win this series, he just can't lose it

I read it was a TO issue in the third period but Brasco is right about Torts and his mind games concerning his own players.

I hope Fleury put tonight's game out of his head. I read an article recently that he was leaving the game behind after leaving the rink to concentrate on his daughters and family.
Hope he comes up big tonight.

[COR-TEN]

Any word on Murray's status?

[Orangesteel]

You want evidence of how off Malkin is? Watch that last pass he attempted to make to Kessel with about 20 sec left in the period. Holy shit that was bad.

[COR-TEN]

Fleury has been outstanding so far, and the pens are matching the jackets physicality.
And they score as I type that

[fractalsteel]

Alright got that one back.

I can't believe the Pens haven't had a PP yet.

You want evidence of how off Malkin is? Watch that last pass he attempted to make to Kessel with about 20 sec left in the period. Holy shit that was bad.

Inconsistent... that steal in the second on a great back check where he flipped it up ice to Kessel and Rust who had no one but Bob in front of them was a work of art. The Pens built off that with a couple of other good shifts by the Crosby and Cullen lines.

Sullivan and staff saving wrinkles for the playoffs.

[Orangesteel]

Calvert might get suspended. Fucking bush league.

GO PENS BABY!!!

[AZ Stiller Fan]

What a fucking terrible penalty against Kuhnhakl. The league needs to look at that. Bush league.

[Orangesteel]

Haha GOOOOO GENO!

[Orangesteel]

What a fucking terrible penalty against Kuhnhakl. The league needs to look at that. Bush league.

Calvert might get a game or two. Could have seriously injured him there.

[Louis Lipps Service]

Calvert might get suspended. Fucking bush league.

GO PENS BABY!!!

It's NHL playoffs. He won't get shit.

[Legacy User]

Dirty as fuck there from Calvert.

The Jackets are defeated. Gooning it up. The Pens can't get sucked into that shit game 3.

Fleury has been excellent. Just excellent. I am shocked.

[fractalsteel]

Funny thing, Calvert has been on the other end of cheap hits that led to suspensions. I'll go with a game but won't be shocked if the NHL sweeps this under the carpet.
Honestly the only thing the refs have been good for in this series is to break up scrums and the shoving after the whistle.

The odd man breaks that came again and again from the second period on really took the steam out Columbus.

Fleury is dialed in. Some luck there but he isn't beating himself with poor puck handling and decisions.

[Legacy User]

There was a sequence with about 8 minutes left in the 2nd where Flower came out beautifully to make himself big and challenge a shot, then smoothly and quickly got back in the net and made slick poke to disrupt Filigno coming from behind the net. I literally shook my head thinking who is this guy??

I gotta say, I am still worried if Murray is out for a long time but I am feeling a little better about MAF. Just a little though. I really don't trust the guy.

[fractalsteel]

Flower has faced nearly 70 shots the first two games. While that if far too many the Pens have done a good job of pushing back when Columbus is on the perimeter and the blocked shots have been huge. Fleury has been very good around his net especially when the Jackets lean on the forwards and D men with the bigger bodies close in.

Lets not forget to talk about how the Pens have gotten to Bobrovsky so far in the series. Six in two games is good work and you get the feeling that if the Pens needed one more in each game they would have gotten it done.

[Donnie Brasco]

Any word on Murray's status?

With the way he looked, I'd expect him to be out for this series AT MINIMUM. Beyond that coaches aren't too keen on disclosing injuries

I'll take a different angle on Calvert... I hope he isn't suspended so torts doesn't make any lineup adjustments.

[Orangesteel]

Anytime you turn the stick into a weapon, a suspension is in play. I don't care if it's the Finals; that was clear intent to injure, not a bang bang play where a guy goes down as a result of the speed of the game.

Calvert wanted to hurt him, nothing more or less. Fuck that pansy.

[Legacy User]

Calvert might get suspended. Fucking bush league.

GO PENS BABY!!!

It's NHL playoffs. He won't get shit.

you're 100% wrong -- Calvert's getting a game for sure - that cheap shot is all over the highlight reels -- makes NHL look bad - he's gone next game

[ironzabo]

FUN FUN FUN -


Its almost as if some of you have never participated in a series dynamic of any kind?


There is a huge difference that is magnified during the second season eh ....



Kuhnhackl stood tall and took the enticing craziness and shit show into account.



Majaor Props for laughing it off - that being said Calvert does NOT deserve a suspension IMHO.



Run the Jackets in CBUS with the epic talent and young legs on this squad.


71 is gonna blow the F up IMHO.

[Legacy User]

FUN FUN FUN -


Its almost as if some of you have never participated in a series dynamic of any kind?


There is a huge difference that is magnified during the second season eh ....



Kuhnhackl stood tall and took the enticing craziness and shit show into account.



Majaor Props for laughing it off - that being said Calvert does NOT deserve a suspension IMHO.



Run the Jackets in CBUS with the epic talent and young legs on this squad.


71 is gonna blow the F up IMHO.

Away from the play, completely premeditated, he broke his stick over Kuhnhackl's upper back and it looked like he was going for neck. Then as Kuhnhackl is bent over he gives him a head shot for good measure.

I'll be pretty shocked if he doesn't get at least a game. But we do appreciate you telling all us novices how playoff hockey works zabo. You're a real hero brah!

[COR-TEN]

Yeah, I'd suspend him.

Away from the puck, towards the end of the game, AND he swung around and gave him another cheap shot when he was bent over, not even looking. His intent was to exact vengeance because they were getting their asses handed to them. Couldn't be more of a dick move.

[Louis Lipps Service]

Pierre Lebrun's Twitter:

"Things could certainly change, but the sense right now is that Calvert may avoid a suspension. Perhaps get fined."

[jeemie]

Whether he gets suspended or not, this is a Torts-coached team.

So you know damn well the more the Penguins dominate, the more this shit's going to happen.

Sweep the Jackets to get this series done as quickly as possible, don't get involved in the shit they're going to pull, and hope no one gets seriously injured.

[Pabst]

Pierre Lebrun's Twitter:

"Things could certainly change, but the sense right now is that Calvert may avoid a suspension. Perhaps get fined."

Also from Lebrun:

"I think sense with DOPS is that sticks break so easily... still, I disagree. I think it's worth a suspension."


Writers that have commented on this story are in unanimous agreement that Calvert should be suspended.

But if he doesn't, I'd like to see Sestito get a hat next game.

[COR-TEN]

But if he doesn't, I'd like to see Sestito get a hat next game.

I was thinking the same thing.

[Legacy User]

But if he doesn't, I'd like to see Sestito get a hat next game.

I was thinking the same thing.

Yeah I get it, the problem is whose hat? The best thing the Pens can do is continue to whoop their ass on the scoreboard.

Oh and Flower is in their heads. I saw some BJ's post game player interviews. Werenski especially you could tell was starting to wonder whether Flower was beatable. If you'd have told me that before the playoffs started I'd have eaten every hat I own.

[Legacy User]

Pierre Lebrun's Twitter:

"Things could certainly change, but the sense right now is that Calvert may avoid a suspension. Perhaps get fined."

Lebrun doesn't know donkey dick

He's getting fucking suspended 1000%