John Toperzer: Game Night: Pens look to even series Monday night against B's Effort evident, but results not, in 3-0 Game 1 loss to Boston

Lets Go Pens! Play tough but smart!

-- It’s bad enough that the Pens lost 67 percent of faceoffs, but to do that at home is even worse, considering the visiting team’s faceoff men have to get their stick on the ice first for each draw. The removal of the jaw guard didn’t help Crosby in the circle. He went 6-11 on draws.


That needs to get better. I don't expect them to win the faceoff battle against Boston but they need to be better than that.

-- It’s bad enough that the Pens lost 67 percent of faceoffs, but to do that at home is even worse, considering the visiting team’s faceoff men have to get their stick on the ice first for each draw. The removal of the jaw guard didn’t help Crosby in the circle. He went 6-11 on draws.


That needs to get better. I don't expect them to win the faceoff battle against Boston but they need to be better than that.
- canadianpenfan

I noticed Gregory Campbell winning opening third period faceoff took 15-plus seconds off Pittsburgh's carry-over power play from Period 2. That hurts.

I noticed Gregory Campbell winning opening third period faceoff took 15-plus seconds off Pittsburgh's carry-over power play from Period 2. That hurts.
- the-mitch-wilsons

They lose about an average of 20 seconds of every shift when they don't start with the puck. For a team built on puck possession that's a problem.

nh keys to winning this series:

-PP NEEDS to score, going 0-4, 0-3, 0-5 when one is a 5v3 is not a good pp unit, something needs to change ie players

-Put iggy with sid.. it is so simple yet it doesn't happen. The lines would be more balanced.. iggy and geno = no real chemistry

-Stop dumping and chasing. it doesn't help on teams who play a 1-2-2 system when up. The opposing D will always get to puck first.

-help your goalie out. too many times I saw opposing players wide open on opposite side of the net or in front. play man on man and push them out of the way, and for god sakes.. lift their sticks!

-- It’s bad enough that the Pens lost 67 percent of faceoffs, but to do that at home is even worse, considering the visiting team’s faceoff men have to get their stick on the ice first for each draw. The removal of the jaw guard didn’t help Crosby in the circle. He went 6-11 on draws.


That needs to get better. I don't expect them to win the faceoff battle against Boston but they need to be better than that.
- canadianpenfan

I dont disagree that the Pens are going to be hard pressed to win the faceoff battle against Boston but I don't like how the NHL "awards" their faceoff numbers.

On Sunday I watched Richardson draw the puck back in the defensive zone but the Chicago winger won the battle to the puck on the wall and then made a centering pass that just barely missed a wide open Blackhawk in front of the net. Richardson was awarded with a win on the faceoff.

Faceoffs arent just about the center, the wingers are integral as well and I think that should come into play with the faceoff stats. Personally I think most times you dont know who "won" the faceoff until about 3 seconds after the puck is dropped.

Shelly Anderson ‏@pgshelly 1m
Crosby on what #Penguins need tonight: "Bury our chances, stay out of the box, make sure we're competing the same way we did last game."


Pretty much sums it up

Shelly Anderson ‏@pgshelly 1m
Crosby on what #Penguins need tonight: "Bury our chances, stay out of the box, make sure we're competing the same way we did last game."


Pretty much sums it up
- rival22

The goals will come with similar effort in periods 1 and 2. When the goals do come it will have an effect on what the Bruins do from an x's and o's standpoint. They will have to take more risks as the time ticks away.

Its much like how the Penguins games against the Devils have been in the past. Score first, get the other team off of their comfortable game plan. Fall behind and things become difficult.

I noticed Gregory Campbell winning opening third period faceoff took 15-plus seconds off Pittsburgh's carry-over power play from Period 2. That hurts.
- the-mitch-wilsons

Malkin sitting for 7 minutes didn't help either

The goals will come with similar effort in periods 1 and 2. When the goals do come it will have an effect on what the Bruins do from an x's and o's standpoint. They will have to take more risks as the time ticks away.

Its much like how the Penguins games against the Devils have been in the past. Score first, get the other team off of their comfortable game plan. Fall behind and things become difficult.
- Gunner Staal

That's the thought.

Boston got lucky we weren't able to score on the first 10 mins of the game after the blitz we made. Had we scored, the game would be totally different.

That's the thought.

Boston got lucky we weren't able to score on the first 10 mins of the game after the blitz we made. Had we scored, the game would be totally different.
- Orpik44

yeah. cant emphasize the importance of another good start

That's the thought.

Boston got lucky we weren't able to score on the first 10 mins of the game after the blitz we made. Had we scored, the game would be totally different.
- Orpik44

If Kunitz post went in, it was a completely different game.

I'm not worried. I won't be worried IF boston goes up 2-0 tonight. This team has come back from 2-0 deficits in the past (ex: 2009 cup run vs WSH and 1991 run vs BOS). Now if BOS goes up 3-0 thats a completely different story...

I knew going into it that this would be a tough series. 6 or 7 games for sure. This is a team that plays better with their backs against the wall. Also, Vokoun knows if they lose that Fleury is going to get his chance in Boston. Big game for the coon in net tonight, Pens win 2-0 with a Dupuis empty net goal

If Kunitz post went in, it was a completely different game.

I'm not worried. I won't be worried IF boston goes up 2-0 tonight. This team has come back from 2-0 deficits in the past (ex: 2009 cup run vs WSH and 1991 run vs BOS). Now if BOS goes up 3-0 thats a completely different story...

I knew going into it that this would be a tough series. 6 or 7 games for sure. This is a team that plays better with their backs against the wall. Also, Vokoun knows if they lose that Fleury is going to get his chance in Boston. Big game for the coon in net tonight, Pens win 2-0 with a Dupuis empty net goal
- Killian

I believe we'll be seeing more than two goals in this game. Maybe a 4-1, 4-2 Pittsburgh.

If we win tonight, I can see us going to Boston and stealing a game, or even two. I'm THAT confident.

Off topic, but what would the asking price for Maata be do you guys think? You're team is lacking in prospect forwards and with the high caliber of defensemen on your team, I highly doubt there's room for him in the roster. If you were offered a handful of bonafide forward prospects (Im talking like 5 forward prospects) would you take that offer just for Olli Maata. Keep in mind that you still have Despres and Poulliot if you ever need them.

Off topic, but what would the asking price for Maata be do you guys think? You're team is lacking in prospect forwards and with the high caliber of defensemen on your team, I highly doubt there's room for him in the roster. If you were offered a handful of bonafide forward prospects (Im talking like 5 forward prospects) would you take that offer just for Olli Maata. Keep in mind that you still have Despres and Poulliot if you ever need them.
- mbxiphos1527

No offense, but ask us again in about 3 weeks.

Off topic, but what would the asking price for Maata be do you guys think? You're team is lacking in prospect forwards and with the high caliber of defensemen on your team, I highly doubt there's room for him in the roster. If you were offered a handful of bonafide forward prospects (Im talking like 5 forward prospects) would you take that offer just for Olli Maata. Keep in mind that you still have Despres and Poulliot if you ever need them.
- mbxiphos1527

Well...given that Despres slept with Bylsma's wife...my guess would be that the Pens would move him before Maata

Off topic, but what would the asking price for Maata be do you guys think? You're team is lacking in prospect forwards and with the high caliber of defensemen on your team, I highly doubt there's room for him in the roster. If you were offered a handful of bonafide forward prospects (Im talking like 5 forward prospects) would you take that offer just for Olli Maata. Keep in mind that you still have Despres and Poulliot if you ever need them.
- mbxiphos1527

I think we'd like quality over quantity + I believe Shero would ask for a Top 9 forward on the package. Somebody who could play right away for us.
Anyway, I don't think we'll be trading him anytime soon.

Well...given that Despres slept with Bylsma's wife...my guess would be that the Pens would move him before Maata
- Killian

Haha, well that's unfortunate. But I have more interest in Maata then Despres. I'm an oiler fan btw. Thought I'd let people know haha. But one of my second favourite teams is Pittsburgh so Im not here to troll by any means.

Haha, well that's unfortunate. But I have more interest in Maata then Despres. I'm an oiler fan btw. Thought I'd let people know haha. But one of my second favourite teams is Pittsburgh so Im not here to troll by any means.
- mbxiphos1527

It's all good. My 2nd team is Edmonton

I'd consider trading for a guy called Eberle..

I think we'd like quality over quantity + I believe Shero would ask for a Top 9 forward on the package. Somebody who could play right away for us.
Anyway, I don't think we'll be trading him anytime soon.
- Orpik44

I was thinking maybe Paajarvi and a few other forward prospects who are near if not NHL ready this summer. Others include Toni Rajala, Marc Acobello and Teemu Hartikainen.

Off topic, but what would the asking price for Maata be do you guys think? You're team is lacking in prospect forwards and with the high caliber of defensemen on your team, I highly doubt there's room for him in the roster. If you were offered a handful of bonafide forward prospects (Im talking like 5 forward prospects) would you take that offer just for Olli Maata. Keep in mind that you still have Despres and Poulliot if you ever need them.
- mbxiphos1527

Four of the Pens current top 6 are 32+ years old, and only one is of the top 6 is signed past next season (Martin). And who knows what happens with Letang's contract situation.

There could most definitely be room on the blue line for Maatta if he pans out.

Four of the Pens current top 6 are 32+ years old, and only one is of the top 6 is signed past next season (Martin). And who knows what happens with Letang's contract situation.

There could most definitely be room on the blue line for Maatta if he pans out.
- rival22

on point

Four of the Pens current top 6 are 32+ years old, and only one is of the top 6 is signed past next season (Martin). And who knows what happens with Letang's contract situation.

There could most definitely be room on the blue line for Maatta if he pans out.
- rival22

Well should anything happen with Letang's contract, know that there will always be room for him in Edmonton haha.

That's the thought.

Boston got lucky we weren't able to score on the first 10 mins of the game after the blitz we made. Had we scored, the game would be totally different.
- Orpik44

Boston doesn't panic being down 1-0, they keep playing their system, now when it gets down below ten minutes in the third and they are down by a goal or two you'll start seeing them take chances.