Pens vs Bruins (3/15/21)

[Pabst]

Marino and McCann both skated this morning, but neither will play tonight.

On the flip side, Jake DeBrusk returns for Boston. Halak will start in net. Tuuka didn't practice today, but did make the trip with the team. Should be interesting to see who is in goal for Boston tomorrow night.

Anyway, the Bruins.....
Marchand - Bergeron - Pasternak is arguably the best line in hockey.
DeBrusk- Krejci - Smith is a solid second line

The Bruins bottom six is nothing special. On D, Grzelcyk/McAvoy is a good top pair. I legitimately have no idea who any of the other Boston defensemen are. And that pretty much explains their recent struggles: no depth. Boston started the season 10-1-2. Since then, they are 4-6-2.


The home team has dominated this series over the past few years, let's hope that continues.

[Pabst]

Halak gives the Pens a gift.

E Rod ties it at 1-1.

Boston is clearly trying to get as many pucks on the net as possible.

[Pabst]

Pens with two softies at the end of the first.

Whatever....I will happily take the 2-1 lead.

[fractalsteel]

Apparently the Bruins were able to get a shot on goal during intermission.

Halak would like either one back.

I thought the Pens had sufficient OZ time but got outworked too often in their own end.

[Pabst]

Also seemed like the Pens missed the net a bunch early on.

As I type this Tanev heads to the locker room and Blueger takes a penalty....not good.

[Pabst]

Jarry with a few nice saves on the PK, Tanev back out there, and Sid draws a penalty.

All is well

[Pabst]

Geno's point streak at 8 games.

Oh, congrats on 1100!

[fractalsteel]

WIN

[Ice]

WIN

THAT was satisfying.

[Orangesteel]

Love beating Boston. Fuck them.

[DP39]

Nice win! And, anytime I get to watch Marchand leave the ice after a loss is satisfying for me -- he's such a little douche.

With most of the lines jelling pretty well, it will be interesting to see what happens when McCann, Marino and Zucker get healthy. Will any of them get Wally Pipped (somewhat)?

[Pabst]

Nice win! And, anytime I get to watch Marchand leave the ice after a loss is satisfying for me -- he's such a little douche.

With most of the lines jelling pretty well, it will be interesting to see what happens when McCann, Marino and Zucker get healthy. Will any of them get Wally Pipped (somewhat)?

Marino takes Ruhwedel's spot. That one is easy.

McCann should slide into Rodrigues' spot, and Rodrigues drops down to the 4th line and bumps Sceviour. McCann and ERod are similar players.....except that McCann is just better in every aspect. Don't forget that McCann had a point in 5 of the 6 games he played with Malkin and Kap.


Zucker is the wild card. Who knows when he actually comes back.

[DP39]

Nice win! And, anytime I get to watch Marchand leave the ice after a loss is satisfying for me -- he's such a little douche.

With most of the lines jelling pretty well, it will be interesting to see what happens when McCann, Marino and Zucker get healthy. Will any of them get Wally Pipped (somewhat)?

Marino takes Ruhwedel's spot. That one is easy.

McCann should slide into Rodrigues' spot, and Rodrigues drops down to the 4th line and bumps Sceviour. McCann and ERod are similar players.....except that McCann is just better in every aspect. Don't forget that McCann had a point in 5 of the 6 games he played with Malkin and Kap.


Zucker is the wild card. Who knows when he actually comes back.

I agree that's how it should play out, but you never know.....coaches & chemistry and all.

Also....man, I really love how Geno has stepped up his game in the last 2-3 weeks! That touch pass to Kap (that he whiffed on) was f'n crazy good. At times, I know I've bitched about Malkin in the past, but he's finally playing like the world beater that I thought he should. He's such an immensely talented player that it bugged me to see him get in his own head or half- ass it sometimes. When he's playing/giving 100% he takes this team to another level, imo.

Keep it up 71!

[fractalsteel]

Since February 18th Malkin has more points than any other Penguin. Nearly 4 weeks.

Anyone else notice that Sully had Rodriques take FO's in the OZ instead of Malkin? And Malkin took 3 FO's in the DZ. He was credited with only one win in that zone but I clearly remember him winning twice.


Where does Zucker fit in when/if he returns? 64K question.
I'm hoping Sully's stubborn side doesn't force him back to the second line.

[bradshaw2ben]

Zucker fits on another team! Please move him while he still has some market value.

[Pabst]

Interesting observation, Fractal. Was Rodrigues the primary FO guy? Or did Malkin get kicked out? I'll have to watch for that tonight.


If Zucker isn't 100% by the trade deadline he isn't going anywhere. If/when he comes back, here's a thought.....make McCann the 3rd line C. Then your bottom 6 is:

Rodrigues - McCann - Sceviour/Angello
ZAR - Blueger - Tanev

[fractalsteel]

Interesting observation, Fractal. Was Rodrigues the primary FO guy? Or did Malkin get kicked out? I'll have to watch for that tonight.


If Zucker isn't 100% by the trade deadline he isn't going anywhere. If/when he comes back, here's a thought.....make McCann the 3rd line C. Then your bottom 6 is:

Rodrigues - McCann - Sceviour/Angello
ZAR - Blueger - Tanev
ATT PIT was choppy last night and late getting the camera back to the ice but it looked to me like Rod was the primary guy in the OZ.

[DP39]

Since February 18th Malkin has more points than any other Penguin. Nearly 4 weeks.

Anyone else notice that Sully had Rodriques take FO's in the OZ instead of Malkin? And Malkin took 3 FO's in the DZ. He was credited with only one win in that zone but I clearly remember him winning twice.


Where does Zucker fit in when/if he returns? 64K question.
I'm hoping Sully's stubborn side doesn't force him back to the second line.

You're right. When I commented on Malkin I was thinking he'd "turned it on" around the 3rd week of February, that would make it closer to 4 weeks, not the 2-3 I stated. Time flies when you're having fun/winning!

On ERod, that's why I brought up my "Wally Pipped" question. I wondered if Geno might now prefer him to McCann? If so, it might stay that way.

Also, I'm wondering if Sully kinda likes the size that players like Angello, Jankowski, Ceci and Matheson bring to the lineups (in addition to their recent play).

I agree, Zucker is the biggest question mark moving forward.

[Pabst]

You know who is really playing well that no one is talking about? Kris Letang.

In January, he was 0G 3A and -1 over 9 games.

Since February 1, he has 5G 12A and is +12 over 18 games.

[fractalsteel]

Yeah, he has been very good for about 5-6 weeks now.
I've always thought that Kris was at his best when he was tough to play against in his own end. The tenacity on display. When on offense if his head is up he usually makes solid plays and gets his shot on net.