Penguins quietly have won 8 of 9. Looks like the division is starting to take shape.
- MidnightMarauder

Using the NYR formula; have the goalie carry the team. If Fleury weren't playing way above his career standards, Pens would be in trouble right now.

ThE best argument the Sutter defenders had on here was his preformance on the PK. I'm not gonna be a Richard and dismiss his 5 shorties and everyone was scared that threat couldn't be replaced, but Fehr already has two and we seem to get short handed chances on a game by game basis with Crosby and Malkin (why they didn't get SH time last night I don't know) which is way more than Sutter generated. From an actual own-zone SH defense standpoint I don't think we look any different than last year's solid/above average squad. We're a solid group being helped out by elite goal tending once again. But I think our PK is better overall because of the offense we've been generating short handed. Turns out I was right and our parts were replaceable.
- Victoro311

The main thing about it though is Sutter was never going to move up the lines in Pittsburgh. He hated that. Also they weren't going to be able to re-sign him. So they traded him and got fehr. Someone who does pretty much the same of Sutter for less cap hit. Not to mention that Sid and Geno are doing pretty good on pk. So I wouldn't say replaceable but more of a team effort in doing the hard work.

You're viewing it as a bonino for Sutter straight up trade. That's not what it was. They also got a decent d-man that they are to stupid to use and gained the room to sign fehr. Not to mention the draft pick upgrade. It's not hard to see that's a better long term turn out for the pens than the canucks.
- Zac_O

A decent Dman that can't crack our lineup. Are they too stupid on not using him, or is he not as good as people think. The fact he isn't being used tells me a lot.

A decent Dman that can't crack our lineup. Are they too stupid on not using him, or is he not as good as people think. The fact he isn't being used tells me a lot.
- Oneonta Penguin

You saw him in the game he was used... do you think hes worse then Scuds?

Not at all. Im just saying proclaiming the trade was a win when it happened or now is short sighted regardless of who or what they got.
- all-pgh

Not really when you trade a player ready to leave after the season. They got something for him now instead of nothing later. That's a win alone. Getting that much is a huge win. I would have taken just a second round pick for him.

And the bulk of us Pens fans are still far from happy with how the team is playing... and pretty sure its rightfully so with the offense far from where it should be.

Should that worry you guys?
- Guile

I think fans are just not used to type of game this team is playing. Pens fans are used to high octane offence and lot's of scoring. This isn't that team regardless of the personnel. I honestly don't care about how much they score, just how much they win. I also coudnt care less who does the scoring to win.

A decent Dman that can't crack our lineup. Are they too stupid on not using him, or is he not as good as people think. The fact he isn't being used tells me a lot.
- Oneonta Penguin

Is it telling you scuds is only playing because of his big contract and that's preventing younger and better players from playing? Because that's the only thing it should tell you. Also if he weren't decent they would have sent him down to the AHL. But they are afraid he will be claimed on waivers. Doesn't that tell you something?

I think fans are just not used to type of game this team is playing. Pens fans are used to high octane offence and lot's of scoring. This isn't that team regardless of the personnel. I honestly don't care about how much they score, just how much they win. I also coudnt care less who does the scoring to win.
- MattStrat

I agree with some of that, but the Pens are one of the weakest teams in the league at even strength this year. Last year they were very good. Only reason it is working is because Fleury is playing great. If/when he regresses this team will be in trouble at this rate.

Using the NYR formula; have the goalie carry the team. If Fleury weren't playing way above his career standards, Pens would be in trouble right now.
- jfkst1

I think that's' certainly the case for some of the wins but not all of them and especially not the past few games. The flip side of this is if Neimi and Smith didnt stand on their heads the first two games, or if Price didn't survive that 2nd period onslaught from the Pens in game 3 they could be 11-0-0. Point I'm trying to make is that most teams start and end with their goalies.

A decent Dman that can't crack our lineup. Are they too stupid on not using him, or is he not as good as people think. The fact he isn't being used tells me a lot.
- Oneonta Penguin

The decision maker that is choosing to play Scuderi over Clendening is the same one that chose to split the PP units at the beginning of the season, wouldn't play Crosby down low on the PP, and started the season by playing Bennett and Perron on their off wings on the same freaking line. I'm giving him the benefit of the doubt so far on the Sprong scratches but I'm at the tipping point there as well. So long story short, I don't trust Johnston

I agree with some of that, but the Pens are one of the weakest teams in the league at even strength this year. Last year they were very good. Only reason it is working is because Fleury is playing great. If/when he regresses this team will be in trouble at this rate.
- jfkst1

One of the weakest even strength and worst PP's....yet 8-1 in last 9...amazing, really.

I think fans are just not used to type of game this team is playing. Pens fans are used to high octane offence and lot's of scoring. This isn't that team regardless of the personnel. I honestly don't care about how much they score, just how much they win. I also coudnt care less who does the scoring to win.
- MattStrat

That's the thing though. Johnston is supposed to be a offense oriented coach. But we aren't seeing that. Makes you wonder why he's even coaching if his style isn't being played.

That's the thing though. Johnston is supposed to be a offense oriented coach. But we aren't seeing that. Makes you wonder why he's even coaching if his style isn't being played.
- Zac_O

Why is he supposed to be an offensive minded coach? Perhaps he adapted/modified his system to better suit the personnel (more so on the back end) he had available.

didnt look to slow scoring that short hander did he?

Why is he supposed to be an offensive minded coach? Perhaps he adapted/modified his system to better suit the personnel (more so on the back end) he had available.
- MattStrat

But the team has way more offensive talent than defensive talent.

McDavid getting hurt was a bummer , he was fun to watch for these first few games , but broken bones heal and people like him are determined to return. What's the over under on how many days he shaves off the expected rehab timetable ?

But the team has way more offensive talent than defensive talent.
- Zac_O

Exactly. The forwards need to compensate defensively for this.

One of the weakest even strength and worst PP's....yet 8-1 in last 9...amazing, really.
- MattStrat

And some of the best goaltending. Even if Fleury played at this level all year, the team in front of him needs to improve for postseason play.

McDavid getting hurt was a bummer , he was fun to watch for these first few games , but broken bones heal and people like him are determined to return. What's the over under on how many days he shaves off the expected rehab timetable ?
- Bradlee3

They'll probably hold him out as long as possible to get that 1st overall next draft.

Exactly. The forwards need to compensate defensively for this.
- MattStrat

So they stop performing offensively? Not how a good coach woukd do it. He was brought in as a coach that had a fast moving effective offense. He hasn't done that this season. He's not doing what he was hired for. I'm not saying fire him now I'm just pointing out he isn't do his job.

I agree with some of that, but the Pens are one of the weakest teams in the league at even strength this year. Last year they were very good. Only reason it is working is because Fleury is playing great. If/when he regresses this team will be in trouble at this rate.
- jfkst1

I don't understand the "one of the weakest teams in the league at even strength" when the Pens only have 5 PP goals and 2 SH goals, yet are 9-4. They are top 5 in GF% at even strength.

McDavid getting hurt was a bummer , he was fun to watch for these first few games , but broken bones heal and people like him are determined to return. What's the over under on how many days he shaves off the expected rehab timetable ?
- Bradlee3

I hope none. The last thing I want is McJesus rushing back and hurting himself even worse. That kid is special and I want him to have a long, special career.

And some of the best goaltending. Even if Fleury played at this level all year, the team in front of him needs to improve for postseason play.
- jfkst1

I'd like to think they are playing a lot better style of hockey for the playoffs right now. Getting production through all 4 lines is huge, and something that has been missing in the Penguins line-up the past few years.

So they stop performing offensively? Not how a good coach woukd do it. He was brought in as a coach that had a fast moving effective offense. He hasn't done that this season. He's not doing what he was hired for. I'm not saying fire him now I'm just pointing out he isn't do his job.
- Zac_O

Fast moving effective offence? How do you know that before this season started with all the new parts? When there's that much of a roster turn over its a chemistry experiment. Experiments don't always work out. As for he's not doing his job...its a coaches job to get winning results with the personnel he's given by the GM. If his players cant execute a certain way because of deficiencies here and there, then he has to make adjustments in order for them to succeed. I know you want them to score 4 or 5+ goals a game and they might start doing that again yet, but right now they are really starting to get the D side of it down.

I'd like to think they are playing a lot better style of hockey for the playoffs right now. Getting production through all 4 lines is huge, and something that has been missing in the Penguins line-up the past few years.
- cap1681

We're giving up an insane amount of shots for play off hockey. I'm not complaining about the points we're getting but I'm not sure we're playing playoff brand hockey yet.