I think we need to play a disciplined road game tonight. If we spot them three early power plays tonight, the odds are they are going to cash in. As much as the Rags power play sucks it will get a goal eventually. I would like to see us come out and grind them. If we can keep it 5 vs 5 for the most part and score 1 on the power play, I like our chances. If we can get consistent solid efforts like last night, I like the Pens in 6.
- PittsPens

At least 1 or 2 of those early PPs for the Rags last night was just really ticky-tacky (while still allowing a lot of obstruction by the blue-shirts to go unpunished during the same time of the game) and seemed like the refs really did just want to spot them at least a couple chance before they swallowed the whistles for the next 45 minutes. So it it's going to be as inconsistent to start the game tonight as it was last night, I don't think any amount of discipline will make a difference.

But I agree with your point. Don't let them get the early PP opportunities because the Pens are playing with fire going on the PK, no matter how inept the Rags PP is. It's only a matter of time before they stop sucking that bad.

Let me rephrase my initial comment: our TOP PP unit looks equally inept thus far this series.

*edit* apparently I did say top PP unit in my initial comment. I stand by it.

The 2nd unit has looked pretty good.

But the Top unit has looked completely out of sync. They can't win the opening faceoff & essentially have had to waste the first 20 seconds of every PP they've had establishing zone presence. And then their passes have been pretty off. They had about 15 seconds of good possession time but they've had to chase pucks far too much for having the man advantage. They're forcing passes and not getting much personnel movement (and in turn, puck movement) to open up shooting lanes. The 2nd unit has done this significantly better. But the talent drop off from the 1st to 2nd unit is rather obvious too, which partially negates the improvement in tactics.
- ScienceJesus

Fair statement. I think they still are smarting from being burned for shorties vs CBS. In my mind, the solution is to split Sid and Geno between the 2 units, but that doesn't seem to be something they have an appetite for.

Wow! Thats the motherload of game stats!
- Topshelf Mountain

It is a terrific website

At least 1 or 2 of those early PPs for the Rags last night was just really ticky-tacky (while still allowing a lot of obstruction by the blue-shirts to go unpunished during the same time of the game) and seemed like the refs really did just want to spot them at least a couple chance before they swallowed the whistles for the next 45 minutes. So it it's going to be as inconsistent to start the game tonight as it was last night, I don't think any amount of discipline will make a difference.

But I agree with your point. Don't let them get the early PP opportunities because the Pens are playing with fire going on the PK, no matter how inept the Rags PP is. It's only a matter of time before they stop sucking that bad.
- ScienceJesus

Those two officials really should not work the rest of the playoffs. Both teams have arguments as to why that officiating sucked. Call a bunch of small stuff early, swallow the whistles for 40 minutes, call two late ones on the Rangers so their conspiratorial fans can go into convulsions. Recipe for success right there..

Sid breaks out tonight

I'm cautiously optimistic about tonight. I still have flashbacks about how inconsistent this team has been. But, they've played, overall, pretty well the past 4 games. Had some lapses but they weren't the entire game variety.

I think we learn a lot about this team over the next 2 games. Fleury is a different goalie home vs away. Can he continue his good play in MSG? Can we play a quality playoff road game, grind them down, and win 3-1? Will we remain disciplined in a hostile environment? Will we get frustrated if we are carrying the play, Hank stones us, and its 1-0 Rangers after 2? Will we continue the focus, effort, and passion now that things are looking better or will they realize much of the same is needed, if not more?

Any, for the love of God, will Sid finally score???

Any, for the love of God, will Sid finally score???
- 87_71_11_29

Yes he will... tonight

jokinen once again showing why he NEEDS to be resigned. not only because of the goal, but just his overall play. his versatility to play anywhere with anyone is a great asset to this team. combined with the return of goc, its one of the primary reasons they are able to play malkin and crosby together.

I'm cautiously optimistic about tonight. I still have flashbacks about how inconsistent this team has been. But, they've played, overall, pretty well the past 4 games. Had some lapses but they weren't the entire game variety.

I think we learn a lot about this team over the next 2 games. Fleury is a different goalie home vs away. Can he continue his good play in MSG? Can we play a quality playoff road game, grind them down, and win 3-1? Will we remain disciplined in a hostile environment? Will we get frustrated if we are carrying the play, Hank stones us, and its 1-0 Rangers after 2? Will we continue the focus, effort, and passion now that things are looking better or will they realize much of the same is needed, if not more?

Any, for the love of God, will Sid finally score???
- 87_71_11_29

Very valid statement. The Pens have yet to show me that they can maintain intensity for extended stretches game-to-game. They can play a solid 50-60 minute game for 200 feet and then go out & play like it's a meaningless Preseason game the next outing. I want to see them make this newfound hunger start to be a regular part of their game, night-in-night-out. And until they do, I'm going to still be a little skeptical. The first 20 minutes last night was sufficient but nowhere near what we saw for the next 40. I don't think it's reasonable to expect to see that hunger for a solid 60 minutes every single game. They're bound to have an off night sometime. But until I see that regularly & stop worrying that it's a crapshoot which Pens team comes out, I'm still going to be a little nervous and have a lot of the same questions.

In fairness, the Pens top PP unit looked equally inept so far this series.
- ScienceJesus

In reality they were 1/3 last night.

Did Scuds play last night, I never noticed him. Not sure if that's a good or bad thing.

Scroll down to player matchups

http://www.extraskater.co...14-05-04-rangers-penguins
- Ryan_Wilson

UN-REAL. Wow. Crazy amount of information.

Did Scuds play last night, I never noticed him. Not sure if that's a good or bad thing.
- sammy87

his minutes have seemed to be down. but him not being noticed is a great thing. if hes not getting beat to the outside and being forced to take penalties, or making bad board clears. even when he was in, i didnt see a ton of glaring mistakes. still would rather he sit for bortz though

In reality they were 1/3 last night.
- powerhouse

The 2nd PP unit was 1/3 last night. The top PP unit was 0/3. And looked entirely inept with the exception of about 15 seconds of the 2nd chance. The 1st and 3rd PP opportunities were exercises in chasing down cleared pucks behind Fleury before breaking back up the ice.

The 2nd PP unit was 1/3 last night. The top PP unit was 0/3. And looked entirely inept with the exception of about 15 seconds of the 2nd chance. The 1st and 3rd PP opportunities were exercises in chasing down cleared pucks behind Fleury before breaking back up the ice.
- ScienceJesus

yeah. the only thing crosby really seemed to be lacking last night was winning a draw on a faceoff to start the PP. it would be cool to see how they can operate if the first 20 seconds werent chasing and starting back up the zone.

overall though, i liked the idea of the powerplay. spread it out. niskanen on one side, malkin on the other, and just try to one time it on goal. kunitz and crosby roving around down low, with either martin or letang up top in the middle to distribute. thats pretty much the setup ive wanted to see all year.

niskanen, who is usually awesome at getting the puck at least on goal, was pretty unlucky. had 3 PRIME rips, but none got on. malkin too had a couple good looks, and fanned on one.

so if they can maybe establish that a little earlier, and just keep on pumping in that manner, i like their chances.

Did Scuds play last night, I never noticed him. Not sure if that's a good or bad thing.
- sammy87

Well there is a somewhat interesting way to look at "not noticing" him. For some defensivemen, or 4th liners... being not noticed is not a bad thing. If they are not expected for offensive production, the only thing that would be noticed would be a bad play or mistake.

So, not noticing Scudari in this sense would be a good thing if he made no bad plays.

That theory courtesy of, i think, and interview Bylsma did in one of his first two seasons about being a player (4th liner and PK player if i recall correctly). I really liked how he phrased that regarding his career when (once again, memory not perfect) a player from Detroit was asked about playing against/with him years ago.

Did Scuds play last night, I never noticed him. Not sure if that's a good or bad thing.
- sammy87

That's a good thing.

Did Scuds play last night, I never noticed him. Not sure if that's a good or bad thing.
- sammy87

You mean didn't take notice of his soft corner dumps from the blue line. My god man put the puck on net every now and again.

You mean didn't take notice of his soft corner dumps from the blue line. My god man put the puck on net every now and again.
- Tiogadog

if thats the worst we have to say about him, im totally satisfied with him. id rather that occurred than him rifling one wide only to create a breakout the other way that he cant keep up with.

UN-REAL. Wow. Crazy amount of information.
- powerhouse

I hope you guys didn't think I came up with all these numbers on my own haha

if thats the worst we have to say about him, im totally satisfied with him. id rather that occurred than him rifling one wide only to create a breakout the other way that he cant keep up with.
- stayinthefnnet

Somewhat agree...just frustrating to never see a guy shoot

a lot of scuds ripping but he played a good game last night. even after a near perfect win this board brings out the pitchforks...

Somewhat agree...just frustrating to never see a guy shoot
- Tiogadog

fair enough. to me though, if were ripping him for not shooting, then he isnt getting beat. and ill take that exchange every day of the week.

a lot of scuds ripping but he played a good game last night. even after a near perfect win this board brings out the pitchforks...
- ChrisMS

Just waiting for the Jayson Megna enthusiasts to pop up.

yeah. the only thing crosby really seemed to be lacking last night was winning a draw on a faceoff to start the PP. it would be cool to see how they can operate if the first 20 seconds werent chasing and starting back up the zone.

overall though, i liked the idea of the powerplay. spread it out. niskanen on one side, malkin on the other, and just try to one time it on goal. kunitz and crosby roving around down low, with either martin or letang up top in the middle to distribute. thats pretty much the setup ive wanted to see all year.

niskanen, who is usually awesome at getting the puck at least on goal, was pretty unlucky. had 3 PRIME rips, but none got on. malkin too had a couple good looks, and fanned on one.

so if they can maybe establish that a little earlier, and just keep on pumping in that manner, i like their chances.
- stayinthefnnet

I feel like sometimes missed shots like that can be on the defensive team. The rags are a very decent team at getting in shot lanes and blocking shots. These misses can be a product of shooting around them somewhat...I give a free pass on them last night....unless it becomes a consistent thing.

I hope you guys didn't think I came up with all these numbers on my own haha
- Ryan_Wilson

Honestly, I thought you just made them up as you went in MS Paint. Color me disappointed.