Ryan Wilson: Beau Knows Hockey Beau Bennett leads the Penguins to victory over Columbus Blue Jackets

I thought Bortuzzo had a very strong game. I really hope he can fill the bottom pairing role going forward. He's willing to drop the gloves, provides a nasty streak this team sometimes lacks, and made a great defensive play last night and then a savvy one to spring Bennett for his goal.

I thought Bortuzzo had a very strong game. I really hope he can fill the bottom pain role going forward. He's willing to drop the gloves, provides a nasty streak this team sometimes lacks, and made a great defensive play last night and then a savvy one to spring Bennett for his goal.
- Emperor Filonius

Let's hope he chooses his spots a little better. Dropping the gloves while Crosby and Kunitz are taking the puck through the neutral zone with full possession doesn't really help the team much.

I am happy they are playing better defensively, seriously.

Let's hope he chooses his spots a little better. Dropping the gloves while Crosby and Kunitz are taking the puck through the neutral zone with full possession doesn't really help the team much.
- Ryan_Wilson

I noticed the same thing. One of those times I'd like to see a close up of Crosby or Kunitz and they aren't showing one.


Definitely should've let that go...but otherwise he did have a nice game.

Let's hope he chooses his spots a little better. Dropping the gloves while Crosby and Kunitz are taking the puck through the neutral zone with full possession doesn't really help the team much.
- Ryan_Wilson

Yeah, agreed he had poor timing in that instance.

Wouldn't mind seeing Bennett bring some of that possession and energy to the first line from time to time. Not that Stempy's been bad, but Bennett def has fresher legs.

Here's to hoping Bennett can keep up the enthusiasm he showed last night, not only were his skills on display he was also a pretty fierce forechecker. Something that would also benefit the Malkin line. Engelland and Bortuzzo figured in on both goals. I just had to add that.

Bennett was a breath of fresh air, his presence has been missed.

The reality is that the Penguins are 4 points away from clinching the division. There's some guys (Crosby/Kunitz/Orpik/Jokinen) who could use some rest heading into the playoffs. Not necessarily scratched (though that wouldn't hurt, especially taking into account unknown nagging injuries), but at least a reduction in minutes.

Watching the Bruins and Caps it likes like both teams are in slow motion. All Bruins so far.

Here's to hoping Bennett can keep up the enthusiasm he showed last night, not only were his skills on display he was also a pretty fierce forechecker. Something that would also benefit the Malkin line. Engelland and Bortuzzo figured in on both goals. I just had to add that.
- Grinder47

Engelland got the secondary ast on the first goal, but Despres made that play happen...so he will probably sit on Sunday. The pp goal the Jackets scored, a guy was camped right in front of the net again...and I believe it was Orpik and Engelland didn't do a thing to move him. Both just sat there and watched him. How many times do we have to watch Adams fail to clear the zone on the PK before they sit him...he has nothing left in the tank at all. When the Pens get healthy for the playoffs...what do your lines look like?

Engelland got the secondary ast on the first goal, but Despres made that play happen...so he will probably sit on Sunday. The pp goal the Jackets scored, a guy was camped right in front of the net again...and I believe it was Orpik and Engelland didn't do a thing to move him. Both just sat there and watched him. How many times do we have to watch Adams fail to clear the zone on the PK before they sit him...he has nothing left in the tank at all. When the Pens get healthy for the playoffs...what do your lines look like?
- Thorny

The pens PK doesn't put a d man on the guy in front of the net. I believe its because its a lot easier to see through one guy than 2 guys fighting for position. On this particular goal you are mentioning the shot is comming from Scuderi's side of the ice and Engelland had his man boxed out from the right side. Dupres gets scratched in favor of Engelland when we play teams with some snarl and big hard forechecking forwards because Dupres gets eaten alive by them. All he did was go D to D for the Kunitz goal.

As a CBJ fan that was another bitter loss; though I am surprised your goalie isn't getting the credit he deserved for your victory. It seems like we can't score a goal into a soccer net these days, and Fleury was the reason last night. He stuffed a bunch of grade A chances, and we again find a way to play good enough to barely lose.

Good luck in the playoffs, because obviously the CBJ will be watching the games on NHL Center Ice on the golf course after just massively tanking the last two weeks

beep

As a CBJ fan that was another bitter loss; though I am surprised your goalie isn't getting the credit he deserved for your victory. It seems like we can't score a goal into a soccer net these days, and Fleury was the reason last night. He stuffed a bunch of grade A chances, and we again find a way to play good enough to barely lose.

Good luck in the playoffs, because obviously the CBJ will be watching the games on NHL Center Ice on the golf course after just massively tanking the last two weeks
- jkumpire

I think you will get into the playoffs. I wouldn't be shocked if this is the first round matchup. Columbus is a pain in the ass to play against. They just needs a few more finishers. They work very hard and are headed in the right direction.

Fleury never gets credit for much.

Gulley washing rain here. Yikes. Getting ready to go out for dinner. Great Italian place!

As a CBJ fan that was another bitter loss; though I am surprised your goalie isn't getting the credit he deserved for your victory. It seems like we can't score a goal into a soccer net these days, and Fleury was the reason last night. He stuffed a bunch of grade A chances, and we again find a way to play good enough to barely lose.

Good luck in the playoffs, because obviously the CBJ will be watching the games on NHL Center Ice on the golf course after just massively tanking the last two weeks
- jkumpire

Great game. Good luck to you guys getting in anyway. There's a chance. Detroit plays Toronto tonight so there's a chance to keep things wishing reach I think.

Great game. Good luck to you guys getting in anyway. There's a chance. Detroit plays Toronto tonight so there's a chance to keep things wishing reach I think.
- HopintheCordoba

I hope Toronto loses, I love when they're a trainwreck

I hope Toronto loses, I love when they're a trainwreck
- BulliesPhan87

When the Maple Leafs are suffering it does make the NHL more entertaining.

When the Maple Leafs are suffering it does make the NHL more entertaining.
- Ben37

It's good for the sport, imo. Hockey at large would suffer if they made the playoffs again. Last year must be proven an outlier.

When the Maple Leafs are suffering it does make the NHL more entertaining.
- Ben37

While Toronto is a trainwreck right now, I don't want any part of them in the play-offs. They remind me of the Islanders last year; skill; good transition game; better defense and better goaltending than the Isles last year.

The pens PK doesn't put a d man on the guy in front of the net. I believe its because its a lot easier to see through one guy than 2 guys fighting for position. On this particular goal you are mentioning the shot is comming from Scuderi's side of the ice and Engelland had his man boxed out from the right side. Dupres gets scratched in favor of Engelland when we play teams with some snarl and big hard forechecking forwards because Dupres gets eaten alive by them. All he did was go D to D for the Kunitz goal.
- Grinder47

As a goalie, I'd much rather the guy is left alone in front on the PK and I just control the rebounds by kicking them out past the guy in front. 2 guys in front its just as likely to deflect off my own guy and get past me nevermind the difficulty of having to see through 2 bodies to make an otherwise easy save

Gulley washing rain here. Yikes. Getting ready to go out for dinner. Great Italian place!
- powerhouse

It's only snowing here

It's good for the sport, imo. Hockey at large would suffer if they made the playoffs again. Last year must be proven an outlier.
- BulliesPhan87

Maybe you've forgotten how they ended their playoff run...

23 posts ? Man it's quiet in here tonite. I hope Bennett can continue at this pace , he sure was impressive last night. We need him strong like that every game. He can definitely skate , hope his aggressiveness/possession stays as high, I really want to love him , just unproven.