Two observations from last night....1) god awful defensive zone coverage and 2) too many attempts at east-west pretty passes, just shot to puck It's great that hockey is back regardless of the lackluster showing last night.
- pghbirdman

Not jumping of a bridge or anything, but it's discouraging it only took 3 games to get back to the same crappy brand of hockey that sent them packing in the 1st round last year. The cup will not be won by a team that considers defense a chore.

Also, I would love to hear the NHL explain that boarding call on Kunitz. I would also love to hear them explain how interference in the first game is no longer a penalty in 3rd game. Just watching all the games on Center Ice and seeing the reffing has universally sucked. Zero consistency. NHL can't get out of their own way.

Was anyone here at the game last night? The crowd sounded completely dead last night on TV. Were people napping after eating their free concession food or something?

That building is amazing, but the crowd atmosphere sucks.

I unfortunately saw something last night that I have seen way to much down here in WBS and it happened a few times...most notably to me was the TK breakaway where he passed it at the last minute rather than taking the shot. Many of our WBS guys are known to pass it off too much (look at Tangradi) instead of taking the shot. IF the opportunity is there take it!!!
- Reverend Killtaker

That was Sutter.

Not jumping of a bridge or anything, but it's discouraging it only took 3 games to get back to the same crappy brand of hockey that sent them packing in the 1st round last year. The cup will not be won by a team that considers defense a chore.

Also, I would love to hear the NHL explain that boarding call on Kunitz. I would also love to hear them explain how interference in the first game is no longer a penalty in 3rd game. Just watching all the games on Center Ice and seeing the reffing has universally sucked. Zero consistency. NHL can't get out of their own way.
- madmike71

The officiating across the league has been horrendous so far. They don't know what to call from one game to the next. The first 5 penalties in the game last night were all terrible calls. I have no words for calling boarding on Kunitz, as clean as a check can be, 2 minutes for falling awkwardly.

Not jumping of a bridge or anything, but it's discouraging it only took 3 games to get back to the same crappy brand of hockey that sent them packing in the 1st round last year. The cup will not be won by a team that considers defense a chore.


- madmike71

That might have been related to it being the home opener and them wanting to put a show on for the fans.

I'm not reading too much into the first home game of the season.

Was anyone here at the game last night? The crowd sounded completely dead last night on TV. Were people napping after eating their free concession food or something?

That building is amazing, but the crowd atmosphere sucks.
- rival22

I tweeted this earlier but I was at the game and a good 3rd of the crowd was waiting in line to get into the Pens store to buy 50% off merchandise. It was insane that people were willing to wait that long to buy discounted merchandise. especially when you think that all of the jersey's and sizes you would want were probably gone by time you got in. And for the record I had Nachos, Hamburger, and an RC cola with my food vouchers. It was nice to go to a game and only spend $5 and that was for parking.

That might have been related to it being the home opener and them wanting to put a show on for the fans.

I'm not reading too much into the first home game of the season.
- Ben37

Pretty much my feelings too. Two road games up next against teams that are off to good starts. These next 2 games will be telling.

The refs sucked last night. It's tough to put an emphasis on certain calls, enforce new rules without a preseason to acclimate everyone. Its going to take some time.

I wouldnt worry about defensive coverage yet. 3 games in. They are still shaking off the rust.

I drove home during the 3rd, and didn't feel like watching it on DVR after I knew what happened.

But I just looked now, and Tangradi only got two shifts after that giveaway led to a goal. Granted a lot of it was special teams, but I guess that experiment has pretty much ran it's course.

Kudo's to the leafs for the game they played however we were terribly sloppy. Maple leafs are fast and their speed killed us after turnovers. Sucks it happened at home but they were probably feeling good about the prior 2 games and got sloppy. Last night was a reminder that any team will beat you when you don't do the things you need to. It was nice to see Crosby and Malkin put one in the net I bet they take off now. I don't expect that to happen against the Jets.

Was anyone here at the game last night? The crowd sounded completely dead last night on TV. Were people napping after eating their free concession food or something?

That building is amazing, but the crowd atmosphere sucks.
- rival22

Ya it was bad... Even after sids goal yhe crowd wasnt into it.. Too many people in line for free food and half off merch... Btw didnt get a new jersey...

But dis get free nachos and pretzel and lots of labatt blue lol

Im still wondering why the lines were so mixed up even with the penalties they were never back to orginal... Even if tangradi was riding pine u slot tk or cooke in his apot glass up to third and cycle centers..

Ya it was bad... Even after sids goal yhe crowd wasnt into it.. Too many people in line for free food and half off merch... Btw didnt get a new jersey...

But dis get free nachos and pretzel and lots of labatt blue lol

Im still wondering why the lines were so mixed up even with the penalties they were never back to orginal... Even if tangradi was riding pine u slot tk or cooke in his apot glass up to third and cycle centers..
- nh4442

That's another thing that pissed me off. Why is Bylsma juggling lines right from the opening face off? Keep your damn lines together unless the team needs a shake up.

That's another thing that pissed me off. Why is Bylsma juggling lines right from the opening face off? Keep your damn lines together unless the team needs a shake up.
- canadianpenfan

I agree. That was like watching the Oilers last season when Tom Renney just blendered the lines.

Kudo's to the leafs for the game they played however we were terribly sloppy. Maple leafs are fast and their speed killed us after turnovers. Sucks it happened at home but they were probably feeling good about the prior 2 games and got sloppy. Last night was a reminder that any team will beat you when you don't do the things you need to. It was nice to see Crosby and Malkin put one in the net I bet they take off now. I don't expect that to happen against the Jets.
- dbell646

I fully expect a high scoring game against the Jets, just like last year.

I fully expect a high scoring game against the Jets, just like last year.
- Oneonta Penguin

Maybe it's high scoring but I can't see the pens making crucial turnovers like that in back to back games. Well I hope not but it's possible I guess.

FLYERS

17 Wayne Simmonds - 28 Claude Giroux - 93 Jakub Voracek
26 Ruslan Fedotenko - 14 Sean Couturier - 24 Matt Read
25 Max Talbot - 21 Scott Laughton - 32 Tom Sestito
15 Tye McGinn - 11 Eric Wellwood - 45 Jody Shelley



Yikes.

I agree. That was like watching the Oilers last season when Tom Renney just blendered the lines.
- Ben37

I thought the line juggling had a lot to do with the situations. PP, PK (crosby now doing some PK). He also tried to take advantage of some icing situations by putting Malkin and Crosby against a tired line. Then Tangradi was virtually (hopefully finally) benched.

My biggest problem with the coach was his team seemed to fall back into the same problems that plagued them at the end of last year and there was no in-game adjustments. Gap between forwards and defense was horrible. Rarely had a 3rd forward high. Continued to make passes at the blue line when the leafs were standing them up.

Yes... Only one game, I'll just be interested to see which team shows up the next few.

FLYERS

17 Wayne Simmonds - 28 Claude Giroux - 93 Jakub Voracek
26 Ruslan Fedotenko - 14 Sean Couturier - 24 Matt Read
25 Max Talbot - 21 Scott Laughton - 32 Tom Sestito
15 Tye McGinn - 11 Eric Wellwood - 45 Jody Shelley



Yikes.
- canadianpenfan

So, they bring in two goons in Sestito and Shelly.

If I'm a Flyer fan, I'm concerned how this looks. I have been impressed with Laughton though.

So, they bring in two goons in Sestito and Shelly.

If I'm a Flyer fan, I'm concerned how this looks. I have been impressed with Laughton though.
- Oneonta Penguin

i dont think that team stays downtrodden for too long though. we need to take advantage of it in the standings while we can.

So, they bring in two goons in Sestito and Shelly.

If I'm a Flyer fan, I'm concerned how this looks. I have been impressed with Laughton though.
- Oneonta Penguin

If the Rags show up like they did last night, Philly will be destroyed. Agree on Laughton.... kid looks like he belongs. Wish we had a chance to see if Bennett belongs.

That's another thing that pissed me off. Why is Bylsma juggling lines right from the opening face off? Keep your damn lines together unless the team needs a shake up.
- canadianpenfan

"Who's up next coach?"

"Hang on, let me check..."

I thought the line juggling had a lot to do with the situations. PP, PK (crosby now doing some PK). He also tried to take advantage of some icing situations by putting Malkin and Crosby against a tired line. Then Tangradi was virtually (hopefully finally) benched.

My biggest problem with the coach was his team seemed to fall back into the same problems that plagued them at the end of last year and there was no in-game adjustments. Gap between forwards and defense was horrible. Rarely had a 3rd forward high. Continued to make passes at the blue line when the leafs were standing them up.

Yes... Only one game, I'll just be interested to see which team shows up the next few.
- madmike71

That started 2 shifts into the game.

I still don't think TK is the solution, but what the hell...

Pittsburgh Penguins ‏@penguins
New #Pens lines: Kunitz-Crosby-Dupuis Kennedy-Malkin-Neal Cooke-Sutter-Glass Tangradi-Vitale-Adams

Did Jeffrey bang Byslma's wife or something?

So, they bring in two goons in Sestito and Shelly.

If I'm a Flyer fan, I'm concerned how this looks. I have been impressed with Laughton though.
- Oneonta Penguin

Agreed, Laughton has been one of their best players. Obviously they are going with that line up because of injuries and suspensions but damn, those 3rd and 4th lines are awful.

I still don't think TK is the solution, but what the hell...

Pittsburgh Penguins ‏@penguins
New #Pens lines: Kunitz-Crosby-Dupuis Kennedy-Malkin-Neal Cooke-Sutter-Glass Tangradi-Vitale-Adams

Did Jeffrey bang Byslma's wife or something?
- rival22

So they watched that game and decided Jeffrey was the weak link. What game was I watching? Tangradi does nothing for the team on the 4th line, he needs to go down.