John Toperzer: History suggests Pens-Bruins series not over Pens trail Boston, two games to none, in Eastern Conference final

from the old blog...

You can easily replace him with Martin on the PP. That isn't a problem
- Oneonta Penguin

The PP isn't the problem, but he eats up a lot of even strength minutes, and overall plays relatively well defensively. Despres can fill a top 4 role I think, but with Letang gone, there is still a big hole in the top 4. Eaton isn't back, and Niskanen and Murray (even if he is back) aren't top 4 d-men.

Take out Letang, and you are left with Martin, a declining Orpik, a somewhat unproven Despres, and then a big question mark as your the top 4... playing in front of a big question mark in goal.

The Letang situation sort of reminds me of Dion Phaneuf in Toronto, everyone wants him gone, but the vacuum of minutes that he would leave, causes a trickle down effect that will hurt.

That being said, I don't want to sign Letang for $6-$7 million.

Shero will earn his salary this summer.

my eyeballs, however, suggest the series is indeed over

from the old blog...



The PP isn't the problem, but he eats up a lot of even strength minutes, and overall plays relatively well defensively. Despres can fill a top 4 role I think, but with Letang gone, there is still a big hole in the top 4. Eaton isn't back, and Niskanen and Murray (even if he is back) aren't top 4 d-men.

Take out Letang, and you are left with Martin, a declining Orpik, a somewhat unproven Despres, and then a big question mark as your the top 4... playing in front of a big question mark in goal.

The Letang situation sort of reminds me of Dion Phaneuf in Toronto, everyone wants him gone, but the vacuum of minutes that he would leave, causes a trickle down effect that will hurt.

That being said, I don't want to sign Letang for $6-$7 million.

Shero will earn his salary this summer.
- rival22

theres 1 simple solution. buy out fluery trade crosby for miller

A continuation of last night's efforts would certainly indicate it is over. Probably been discussed on the previous blog, but my goodness is this team positional play awful. Seems like they are going out of their way to make hits just to prove they are to the Bruins level of toughness. That, and shot the puck more, from any and all angles.

Hopefully, last night's performance will serve as motivation....hopefully

my eyeballs, however, suggest the series is indeed over
- robz228

I disagree sir.
I feel strongly that Pitt will win game 3.

from the old blog...



The PP isn't the problem, but he eats up a lot of even strength minutes, and overall plays relatively well defensively. Despres can fill a top 4 role I think, but with Letang gone, there is still a big hole in the top 4. Eaton isn't back, and Niskanen and Murray (even if he is back) aren't top 4 d-men.

Take out Letang, and you are left with Martin, a declining Orpik, a somewhat unproven Despres, and then a big question mark as your the top 4... playing in front of a big question mark in goal.

The Letang situation sort of reminds me of Dion Phaneuf in Toronto, everyone wants him gone, but the vacuum of minutes that he would leave, causes a trickle down effect that will hurt.

That being said, I don't want to sign Letang for $6-$7 million.

Shero will earn his salary this summer.
- rival22

My response from the same blog ...

This is Letang's second consecutive lousy play-off season. He alone gave up three or four goals to the Flyers on major gaffes. He is just as culpable to the lousy defensive effort than MAF. The only difference, he can do something offensively. If someone want to give us a first round pick and a very good player on his entry level contract - maybe even a young goalie of the future, you send him packing. Hell, I will take him to the airport myself.

I disagree sir.
I feel strongly that Pitt will win game 3.
- kingcong39

whoever scores first

Bs in 5

"we deviated"

you think? Those 2 words say it all. It's not on the coaching staff. This is squarely on the players.

My response from the same blog ...

This is Letang's second consecutive lousy play-off season. He alone gave up three or four goals to the Flyers on major gaffes. He is just as culpable to the lousy defensive effort than MAF. The only difference, he can do something offensively. If someone want to give us a first round pick and a very good player on his entry level contract - maybe even a young goalie of the future, you send him packing. Hell, I will take him to the airport myself.
- Oneonta Penguin

Agree fully about his incompetence in the playoffs. His play, while trying to help the team, is totally selfish.

Bs in 5
- abolton

Wow. really going out on a limb there... that is like predicting Canada is north of Virginia.

My response from the same blog ...

This is Letang's second consecutive lousy play-off season. He alone gave up three or four goals to the Flyers on major gaffes. He is just as culpable to the lousy defensive effort than MAF. The only difference, he can do something offensively. If someone want to give us a first round pick and a very good player on his entry level contract - maybe even a young goalie of the future, you send him packing. Hell, I will take him to the airport myself.
- Oneonta Penguin

On the positive side, the Pens appear to have 3 or 4 strong D prospects. They just wont help you now. I agree that the goalies are taking undue heat for the game. The Team D has been very poor. If I were DB, I would stick with Vokoun. He's been the better of the two. You guys really miss the likes of Scuderi, Gill , and the 2007-2009 version of Gonchar.

@JohnToperzer that is all, very frustrating, if they go out i am expecting whole sale changes (DB gone, Fleury gone, bring in Bernier) cont

@JohnToperzer & for the love of God STOP drafting "puck moving D" & get players who can PLAY defense instead of pretending to!

Why does everyone think Bernier is the answer?

I agree with the point of drafting "Puck Moving D". I know Shero likes to use them as trade bait, but at some point he has to stock the Penguins cupboards with prospects in other areas than trade bait.

I disagree sir.
I feel strongly that Pitt will win game 3.
- kingcong39

I agree with that... they get refocused, and they will play a better, more patient game on the road.

That being said, they put themselves in a big hole.

My response from the same blog ...

This is Letang's second consecutive lousy play-off season. He alone gave up three or four goals to the Flyers on major gaffes. He is just as culpable to the lousy defensive effort than MAF. The only difference, he can do something offensively. If someone want to give us a first round pick and a very good player on his entry level contract - maybe even a young goalie of the future, you send him packing. Hell, I will take him to the airport myself.
- Oneonta Penguin

The most frustrating thing about Letang, is that basically all of his shortcomings and his errors are mental. Paul Martin has nowhere near the natural talent that Letang does, but he plays more solid in all areas of the game.

"we deviated"

you think? Those 2 words say it all. It's not on the coaching staff. This is squarely on the players.
- akane13

Maybe this is just a bad matchup for Pittsburgh. I'm not calling the series over because we've seen Boston let teams back in (Toronto this year, Philly a few years back, even Washington to an extent last season), but it's difficult to overlook what a beating that was last night. My biggest concern if I were a Pens fan would be that it just doesn't look like you are going to be able to count on holding Boston to just a goal or two with this defensive/goaltending situation. The Pens are obviously capable of outscoring Boston, but I'm not sure that's a recipe for winning 4 of the next 5 games.

Wow. really going out on a limb there... that is like predicting Canada is north of Virginia.
- Tiogadog

Well considering I had the exact same prediction a week ago, and all the Pens fans bit my head off, I just wanted to reiterate.

I agree with the point of drafting "Puck Moving D". I know Shero likes to use them as trade bait, but at some point he has to stock the Penguins cupboards with prospects in other areas than trade bait.
- Ben37

In fairness, they really only have one pure offensive defensmen in the pipeline (Pouliot). Harrington can be a top end defensive defensmen, and Maatta seems to be a well rounded player as well.

my eyeballs, however, suggest the series is indeed over
- robz228

If only that were true. The truth is, this Pens team is supremely talented. Yes, they have their flaws and yes, I enjoyed last nights game immensely, but... they're capable of playing much better, and they're capable of beating the Bruins. Seriously, one goal in this series so far? There's no way that continues.

On the positive side, the Pens appear to have 3 or 4 strong D prospects. They just wont help you now. I agree that the goalies are taking undue heat for the game. The Team D has been very poor. If I were DB, I would stick with Vokoun. He's been the better of the two. You guys really miss the likes of Scuderi, Gill , and the 2007-2009 version of Gonchar.
- BOSS_TWEED

You have to stick with Vokoun. None of the goals he has allowed in this series were on him. Last night, two of the three goals allowed by Fleury were on him.

We have strong D prospects. Whether they develop is up for debate.

Well considering I had the exact same prediction a week ago, and all the Pens fans bit my head off, I just wanted to reiterate.
- abolton

What? Pens fans didn't agree with your Bruins in 5 prediction before the series? I can't believe that.

I'm sure that B's fans were completely in agreement with Caps fans predicting "Caps in 7" in last year's first round.

Well considering I had the exact same prediction a week ago, and all the Pens fans bit my head off, I just wanted to reiterate.
- abolton

We bit your head off because we were pretty sure this team would show up and play. It hasn't. If Pittsburgh shows up at all, this series is longer than five. It's not rocket science here.

Well considering I had the exact same prediction a week ago, and all the Pens fans bit my head off, I just wanted to reiterate.
- abolton

cool... just exercising my frustration with what at one point was a solid hockey team... no head biting here

theres 1 simple solution. buy out fluery trade crosby for miller
- robz228

Better solution, disband the Sabres.