You're not alone Brother. There is a cat roaming around that may have not seen the sunrise tomorrow if they lost.
- Elbows15

Hey now. No need for that. Great outcome tonight. We will see what happens with San Jose. That is a team that loves shooting the puck

Yes and No. They create some great chances, just need to finish a few more of them.

The general goal of that line is to not give up goals against, and maybe bang a little and keep the puck deep in a cycle to wear out the opposition. But if they are creating point blank chances, they need to finish a few.
- TheTrob

We have had the most productive 4th line in the NHL this year. Not quite sure what more youd expect out of those guys. Bollig 6g 6a Kruger 5g 16a Smith 7g 9a. Thats phenomenal compared to just about every other teams 4th line production. U wanna talk about guys needed to finish their chances, talk about Versteeg......has he scored a goal on the road all season? I think not...

AR I will send you a list of options


Elbows......i'm getting thirsty.
- UnnamedSource

Let's keep it rolling. Naw. We need to watch a game together soon anyway. Get some other crazies.

Would that be top ten?
- Elbows15

Wow...to think a lot of that included Zues......crazy talk

We have had the most productive 4th line in the NHL this year. Not quite sure what more youd expect out of those guys. Bollig 6g 6a Kruger 5g 16a Smith 7g 9a. Thats phenomenal compared to just about every other teams 4th line production. U wanna talk about guys needed to finish their chances, talk about Versteeg......has he scored a goal on the road all season? I think not...
- SimpleJack

Great post as usual

Let's keep it rolling. Naw. We need to watch a game together soon anyway. Get some other crazies.
- Elbows15

Working on it.......

Would that be top ten?
- Elbows15

Pittsburgh is tops in the league at 87.6% on the year.

Hey now. No need for that. Great outcome tonight. We will see what happens with San Jose. That is a team that loves shooting the puck
- tomcat24

They played better and its something to build off of TC. Still need to be more assertive in their own end. They played like they cared.

We have had the most productive 4th line in the NHL this year. Not quite sure what more youd expect out of those guys. Bollig 6g 6a Kruger 5g 16a Smith 7g 9a. Thats phenomenal compared to just about every other teams 4th line production. U wanna talk about guys needed to finish their chances, talk about Versteeg......has he scored a goal on the road all season? I think not...
- SimpleJack

I think the 4th line is actually their 2nd line. Playing beautifully.

We have had the most productive 4th line in the NHL this year. Not quite sure what more youd expect out of those guys. Bollig 6g 6a Kruger 5g 16a Smith 7g 9a. Thats phenomenal compared to just about every other teams 4th line production. U wanna talk about guys needed to finish their chances, talk about Versteeg......has he scored a goal on the road all season? I think not...
- SimpleJack

If there are 3 players on this team who have showed up every night. Its those 3.

We have had the most productive 4th line in the NHL this year. Not quite sure what more youd expect out of those guys. Bollig 6g 6a Kruger 5g 16a Smith 7g 9a. Thats phenomenal compared to just about every other teams 4th line production. U wanna talk about guys needed to finish their chances, talk about Versteeg......has he scored a goal on the road all season? I think not...
- SimpleJack

I was thinking along these lines, but you beat me to the research.

Pittsburgh is tops in the league at 87.6% on the year.
- Ogilthorpe2

It was a reference to an earlier post. It takes a long time to bring that back up. One bad game in there and its even harder.

They played better and its something to build off of TC. Still need to be more assertive in their own end. They played like they cared.
- Elbows15

Definitely wasn't perfect but a lot of positives. Like everyone has said, they play better against better teams or against a rival like Vancouver. I expect some really good games the rest of the trip

It was a reference to an earlier post. It takes a long time to bring that back up. One bad game in there and its even harder.
- Elbows15

I know, but 89% over the last 21 is a solid showing. Gotta keep it up though.

Wow...to think a lot of that included Zues......crazy talk
- UnnamedSource

Meh. Still think it improves either way with Smith or Saad but yeah he has been there. On the flip side, while they didn't score the 2nd line is getting way more chances that Handzus is not there.

I know, but 89% over the last 21 is a solid showing. Gotta keep it up though.
- Ogilthorpe2

yep......if this stays consistent it will be the key to going deep in the post season.....and for all those pining for Frolik......seems like they've adjusted.

I know, but 89% over the last 21 is a solid showing. Gotta keep it up though.
- Ogilthorpe2

Preaching to the choir Ogi. I knew its been better.

If there are 3 players on this team who have showed up every night. Its those 3.
- Elbows15

Hockey isn't a hard game. Some players make it harder than it is. It is about WORK. Well you need skill too. But those 3 play it easy. Just work hard

They played better and its something to build off of TC. Still need to be more assertive in their own end. They played like they cared.
- Elbows15

http://www.youtube.com/wa...ture=youtube_gdata_player

Meh. Still think it improves either way with Smith or Saad but yeah he has been there. On the flip side, while they didn't score the 2nd line is getting way more chances that Handzus is not there.
- Elbows15

True and it may take a while to generate offense.....but there were a few times tonight a shot at the net should've been the first option.

Interested to see this line against the Sharks....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8gy5a4wMpIw&feature=youtube_gdata_player
- Ogilthorpe2

Exactly.

I think the 4th line is actually their 2nd line. Playing beautifully.
- RickJ

I agree. And while i understand how important some of the guys we had last year were, the more i keep hearing "we haven't replaced Fro or Bolland", the more i keep looking at the way Bollig and Smith are playing and its very hard to think that we've taken much of a step back at all as far as forward depth goes. Of course, Bolland and Fro didnt do much at all during last years regular season compared to what they ended up doin during the playoff run and most importantly in game 6 of the finals. So it all comes down to how well Smith and Bollig play in the playoffs, but initial signs are good.

True and it may take a while to generate offense.....but there were a few times tonight a shot at the net should've been the first option.

Interested to see this line against the Sharks....
- UnnamedSource

This is a chance for Versteeg and Kane to pull Pirri aside and talk to him. Versteeg even defers sometimes.

I agree. And while i understand how important some of the guys we had last year were, the more i keep hearing "we haven't replaced Fro or Bolland", the more i keep looking at the way Bollig and Smith are playing and its very hard to think that we've taken much of a step back at all as far as forward depth goes. Of course, Bolland and Fro didnt do much at all during last years regular season compared to what they ended up doin during the playoff run and most importantly in game 6 of the finals. So it all comes down to how well Smith and Bollig play in the playoffs, but initial signs are good.
- SimpleJack

Frolik was incredible during the reg season on the PK....but I do get the essence of your point.....Smith gets better every game.

This is a chance for Versteeg and Kane to pull Pirri aside and talk to him. Versteeg even defers sometimes.
- Elbows15

Versteeg thinks he has Kane skills when it comes to handling the puck.....needs to keep it simple.