Yeah that was a Devil-esqe performance, I agree. TB was just out matched all over the ice.
Boyle and Carter on this team could be very cool to watch. Those dudes just know how to play.
Props to Jarry too; looked totally in control.
Pens vs Lightning (10/12/21)
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Orangesteel
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Pabst
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Have to acknowledge that Tampa looked off tonight.
That said, kudos to the Pens for taking advantage
That said, kudos to the Pens for taking advantage
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Ice
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Holy shit, Pens! Yeah, maybe TBL looked a little off, but that was a helluva performance by this group, considering the match-up, the hostile environment, the injury situation. Great stuff to open the season.
LGP!
LGP!
Nothing left to do but smile, smile, smile...
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fractalsteel
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The Pens ability to throttle the Bolts forecheck was the biggest reason for they success. Remember last year in the playoffs when Tampa would just wear teams down game after game with their depth and a lethal forecheck.
Last night the Pens got to the puck first in their own end after a dump in and more importantly they were able to either carry it out or make a serious of nice passes until they got to center ice and could dump it in.
They tested Vas a good bit in the first and I think that was due to them being harder on the puck then Tampa.
Yeah, Tampa didn't play close to their best but the Pens did a good job of making it hard for them to get going.
They also did a good job in the neutral zone and limited TO's.
Last night the Pens got to the puck first in their own end after a dump in and more importantly they were able to either carry it out or make a serious of nice passes until they got to center ice and could dump it in.
They tested Vas a good bit in the first and I think that was due to them being harder on the puck then Tampa.
Yeah, Tampa didn't play close to their best but the Pens did a good job of making it hard for them to get going.
They also did a good job in the neutral zone and limited TO's.
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JackLambert58
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Maybe the Pens made TBL off. Best I have seen them play in a long time, and without Crosby, Malkin and Guentzel! Taking down the Stanley Cup Champs, taking a steaming dump on the banner raising ceremony in their house to start the season. I like it! Oh and congrats to Sully tying Bylsma for most regular season wins by a head coach.
"Jack Lambert is mean and relentless wherever he goes, on and off the field! I do remember many times he would chase me in practice, but no way would I let him catch me" - Franco Harris
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Pabst
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Oh, no doubt that pressure can force your opponent into mistakes. But Tampa had quite a few head scratchers last night. How many times did they ice the puck early in the first? One of the Pens' early breakaways was set up by a bad pinch from Sergachev. The Pens' first goal was off a bad clear from Vasilevskiy. Tampa's lone penalty was for too many men.
Lots of mental errors that you don't typically see from a team like Tampa.
Having said that, I don't want to keep the focus on the Bolts, because the Pens played very well in their own right. Like everyone else, I was not expecting the game to play out the way it did.
