At the time of the Islanders third goal (damning end of the period goal). The Penguins had only allowed 17 shots.
- Gunner Staal

Look at the quality of shots that they were giving up though. They weren't floaters from the outside hashmarks with a clear view. The Penguins gave up for to great of chances last night.

In my opinion they hung Fleury out on his own for most of the night. The third goal and sixth goal were on him, but the other 4 had much more glaring problems.

Look at the quality of shots that they were giving up though. They weren't floaters from the outside hashmarks with a clear view. The Penguins gave up for to great of chances last night.

In my opinion they hung Fleury out on his own for most of the night. The third goal and sixth goal were on him, but the other 4 had much more glaring problems.
- Ben37

Kind of hard on a team to play in front of a goalie who has choked his way through 10 straight playoff games.

If MAFreebie doesn't score 3 times on his own team, this series is over.

Also of the 24 shots 2 were by Flower and his shooting % was 100%. (goals 3 and 6 specifically)

Flower just got out of bed and the Islanders just scored again

If they get dominated again and lose with Vokoun in net who are people going to blame? Bylsma? Shero?

If they get dominated again and lose with Vokoun in net who are people going to blame? Bylsma? Shero?
- Ben37

How can you blame Shero? He was masterful at the deadline. However, I'm on the fence about Iggy and Morrow for next year.

Look at the quality of shots that they were giving up though. They weren't floaters from the outside hashmarks with a clear view. The Penguins gave up for to great of chances last night.

In my opinion they hung Fleury out on his own for most of the night. The third goal and sixth goal were on him, but the other 4 had much more glaring problems.
- Ben37

It's clearly not all MAF's fault but he is damaged now. Got to go with Vokoun. If we get through the series, go back to him.

Bylsma has some hard decisions ahead of him and who he puts in goal isn't one of them.

Look at the quality of shots that they were giving up though. They weren't floaters from the outside hashmarks with a clear view. The Penguins gave up for to great of chances last night.

In my opinion they hung Fleury out on his own for most of the night. The third goal and sixth goal were on him, but the other 4 had much more glaring problems.
- Ben37

Again, MAF getting a pass.

Look, the defense has been suspect to be kind. But when you give up 14 goals in 3 games, there has to be some accountability. MAF is put on this pedestal as one of the better, if not elite, goalies in the game. For that, he has to make some of these saves and steal you a game now and again, not give away a game now and again.

If they get dominated again and lose with Vokoun in net who are people going to blame? Bylsma? Shero?
- Ben37

Flower has to be benched. I already don't like Blysma. The Penguins did not get dominated in game 4.

Bylsma won the cup with Therriens players and the system he put in place...After last years early exit Bylsma said he would make changes....he hasn't...he is a bigger problem than Fleury...you can change the goalie right now, not the coach...he doesnt make adjustments during games and its very obvious they either dont want to play or wont play his system, whatever that is...Fleury has been bad, and so has the rest of the defensive zone awareness of the forwards and d-men...ultimately he will be fired because plain and simple he is not that good of a coach

Ok boys lets get a grasp of reality here.
Its 2-2, coming home.
Give Fleury a game to collect himself, and watch from the bench. Vokoun game 5
The bounces are going the Isles way right now, remember the Stanley Cup year when it seemed like there was a magical force that was helping the puck bounce right to the sticks of the Red Wings, eventually that swings to the other side.
If we lose this series Bylsma is gone, Malkin is gone, and Tanger is gone; none of those guys want that. Half of this band of waiver wire slobs were rejects from our team, THIS IS NOT LAST YEAR!!!
The Isles look like the better team, how long can that really last?

Again, MAF getting a pass.

Look, the defense has been suspect to be kind. But when you give up 14 goals in 3 games, there has to be some accountability. MAF is put on this pedestal as one of the better, if not elite, goalies in the game. For that, he has to make some of these saves and steal you a game now and again, not give away a game now and again.
- jmatchett383

Pittsburgh has been playing this wide open system for years - since, well, Mario and Jagr days. Barrasso was a cool customer. Those days seem long ago.

When you play this style, you are opening the opposition up to getting great scoring chances. However, the turnovers we have seen that have led to goals are careless. It's simple though, if Fleury makes the routine save and stops the leaky goals, this series is over.

Ok boys lets get a grasp of reality here.
Its 2-2, coming home.
Give Fleury a game to collect himself, and watch from the bench. Vokoun game 5
The bounces are going the Isles way right now, remember the Stanley Cup year when it seemed like there was a magical force that was helping the puck bounce right to the sticks of the Red Wings, eventually that swings to the other side.
If we lose this series Bylsma is gone, Malkin is gone, and Tanger is gone; none of those guys want that. Half of this band of waiver wire slobs were rejects from our team, THIS IS NOT LAST YEAR!!!
The Isles look like the better team, how long can that really last?
- nbartley9

I like your optimism, but the reality is that we've been outplayed and are very fortunate to not be trailing 3-1.

Adjustments must be made, they MUST slow the game down. We've been baited into playing run-and-gun for the second straight year and it's working to our opponent's advantage. To quote Mark Madden, if trapping was good enough for Mario in '92, then it's good enough for this team. Losing third period leads is unacceptable.

I like your optimism, but the reality is that we've been outplayed and are very fortunate to not be trailing 3-1.

Adjustments must be made, they MUST slow the game down. We've been baited into playing run-and-gun for the second straight year and it's working to our opponent's advantage. To quote Mark Madden, if trapping was good enough for Mario in '92, then it's good enough for this team. Losing third period leads is unacceptable.
- ursomp71

I've been saying this since the middle of last years Philly series. It's not like you have to play every series or game that way, but it's a strategy to counter what a speedy team is doing. It's a chess match. IT'S AN ADJUSTMANT!

I'm sick of hearing that this team is too good to resort to that tactic or they just need to just stop the mental mistakes. Does it ever occur to Disco that the other team is forcing his team into those mistakes?

How's the old saying go... The other team is on scholarship too.

And... Having Sid at 60% last night isn't helping either.

Certainly not laying it all on the coach. This series is not over. However Bylsma is responsible for getting the players to make better decisions. I fully believe he's telling them what he wants them to do, I'm just worried they're not listening. There's got to be some explanation.

If we go down this year in the first round, I'm sorry, but it's time for fresh eyes. This team should NOT look this bad regardless the system.
- madmike71

That is preached. The players have said so. the players have to make better decisions. Letang leading the rush on a penalty kill while you're winning the game, leaving a forward to play D, then getting back into the play late just as a goal was scored? Malkin trying to make a diagonal pass from the top of the circle in his own zone while the game was tied, then completely losing Tavares leading to the go ahead goal? How many times did they fail to clear the zone last night and give up great chances or a goal as a result? The inability to make the simple plays and poor decision making in key situations is staggering.

I've been saying this since the middle of last years Philly series. It's not like you have to play every series or game that way, but it's a strategy to counter what a speedy team is doing. It's a chess match. IT'S AN ADJUSTMANT!

I'm sick of hearing that this team is too good to resort to that tactic or they just need to just stop the mental mistakes. Does it ever occur to Disco that the other team is forcing his team into those mistakes?

How's the old saying go... The other team is on scholarship too.

And... Having Sid at 60% last night isn't helping either.
- madmike71

That would be about the last complaint I have about last night.

I've been saying this since the middle of last years Philly series. It's not like you have to play every series or game that way, but it's a strategy to counter what a speedy team is doing. It's a chess match. IT'S AN ADJUSTMANT!

I'm sick of hearing that this team is too good to resort to that tactic or they just need to just stop the mental mistakes. Does it ever occur to Disco that the other team is forcing his team into those mistakes?

How's the old saying go... The other team is on scholarship too.

And... Having Sid at 60% last night isn't helping either.
- madmike71

Disco did adjust the breakout last night, and there were less turnovers by the defensemen because the forwards were coming much deeper in the zone for the breakout, not relying on the long stretch passes.

Problem is that the forwards (Malkin's line in particular) would give the puck away going up ice, instead of getting it deep.

That is preached. The players have said so. the players have to make better decisions. Letang leading the rush on a penalty kill while you're winning the game, leaving a forward to play D, then getting back into the play late just as a goal was scored? Malkin trying to make a diagonal pass from the top of the circle in his own zone while the game was tied, then completely losing Tavares leading to the go ahead goal? How many times did they fail to clear the zone last night and give up great chances or a goal as a result? The inability to make the simple plays and poor decision making in key situations is staggering.

If anything, the inmates are running the asylum.
- akane13

The play you are referencing with Letang was really on him and Adams. Letang was on the rush with Adams and wanted him to chip it deep so he could go after it and Adams turns it over just inside the blue line leaving himself and Letang caught deep.
For all the good Malkin did last night, he did just as much to lose the game(surprising considering his partner in crime-Neal- was pretty cool headed).

The play you are referencing with Letang was really on him and Adams. Letang was on the rush with Adams and wanted him to chip it deep so he could go after it and Adams turns it over just inside the blue line leaving himself and Letang caught deep.
For all the good Malkin did last night, he did just as much to lose the game(surprising considering his partner in crime-Neal- was pretty cool headed).
- Rawdog9755

You're leading the game at that point. Letang shouldn't even be in that position. They didn't even have numbers on the play.

Recognition...it's lacking. Situational awareness...nonexistent.

and yes...Neal was remarkably calm and pretty good in his own zone last night.

You're leading the game at that point. Letang shouldn't even be in that position. They didn't even have numbers on the play.

Recognition...it's lacking. Situational awareness...nonexistent.

and yes...Neal was remarkably calm and pretty good in his own zone last night.
- akane13

I just cant believe with all the skill on this team they are still hell bent on a breakout pass. Is there some unwritten rule against skating with the puck to get it out of your end once in a while?

when Crosby had the audacity to grab an Islander by the neck last night and pull them down at the end of that scrum he seriously deserved the hardest punch on the jaw in the history of this sport.

this little bastard has some pair of testicles, he deserves all the crap that has ever happened to him

when Crosby had the audacity to grab an Islander by the neck last night and pull them down at the end of that scrum he seriously deserved the hardest punch on the jaw in the history of this sport.

this little bastard has some pair of testicles, he deserves all the crap that has ever happened to him
- jimbro83

Yawn....

I just cant believe with all the skill on this team they are still hell bent on a breakout pass. Is there some unwritten rule against skating with the puck to get it out of your end once in a while?
- Rawdog9755

They play neurotic hockey, just like Vokoun said earlier in the season. If they remove their head from their ass they could win but I am not betting on smart play from this squad. It was like a circus of stupidity, passive play not covering players, choking whatever you want to point out it is all true. I can't defend them or their coach. Can't and won't. Done.

Yawn....
- madmike71

BTW--good read, liked you blog.

when Crosby had the audacity to grab an Islander by the neck last night and pull them down at the end of that scrum he seriously deserved the hardest punch on the jaw in the history of this sport.

this little bastard has some pair of testicles, he deserves all the crap that has ever happened to him
- jimbro83

*crickets*

It could be worse, you could be Canucks fans.

when Crosby had the audacity to grab an Islander by the neck last night and pull them down at the end of that scrum he seriously deserved the hardest punch on the jaw in the history of this sport.

this little bastard has some pair of testicles, he deserves all the crap that has ever happened to him
- jimbro83

That's what you got out of last night's game? Really? Someone pulling someone (who happened to be an ex-teammate) off of a scrum.

If Crosby helped an old lady cross the street, you'd say he should be arrested for dragging an old lady into traffic, and the he deserved to be hit by a bus.