I have to say, at first I was really bummed when ever I read your posts because you seemed like you had given up the Pens and hated your job, but after this summer (when the Pens did some much needed work) you seem revitalized and proud. I love reading your articles now and I hope the coaching staff puts this plan into play. Honestly though, I hope they trash Johnson. It's nothing against him, I just don't think he's the right coach for this team.

Jason Mackey tweeted that sprong is likley in as a fourth liner with Cullen and fehr.

They really should be playing him with faster linemates. I like both Cullen and fehr but sprong doesn't seem suited with them. I dont know. Maybe I'm wrong.
- Zac_O

Cullen might be old but he still moves well. Fehr has been playing great so far. Sprong shows an aptitude for playing with them and maybe he'll move up the lineup.

Jason Mackey tweeted that sprong is likley in as a fourth liner with Cullen and fehr.

They really should be playing him with faster linemates. I like both Cullen and fehr but sprong doesn't seem suited with them. I dont know. Maybe I'm wrong.
- Zac_O

It's difficult because we don't have a fast team. Neither Bonino or Bennett are particularly fast so I don't think he really fits with any unit in our slow bottom 6. This is what I would do. I would keep Fehr at his natural RW spot instead of shifting him to C and Cullen to LW to make room for Sprong at 4RW. Instead, I would play Sprong at 4LW and see how he does. If he doesn't look out of place on his off wing, I'd stick him up on Crosby's left and see what happens. Going back to the James Neal article, if Sprong sees himself as a scorer, switching him to his off wing so that his shot can be goal side may actually improve his play.

Being first in 'goals allowed' (tied w/NYR's) is a pretty good achievement with not a whole lot of involved calculations. Yet it has remained a pretty good indicator when judging a team's defense.
- sufi-judge

It's really not an indicator of a team's defense at all, Goals Allowed is an indicator of a team's goaltending not their defense. While the defense has the ability to impact the goals allowed, a team can play great defense but if the goalie can't stop the puck they will still give up a bunch of goals, while on the other hand a team can play horrible defense but if the goalie stands on his head they will give up few goals.

Cullen might be old but he still moves well. Fehr has been playing great so far. Sprong shows an aptitude for playing with them and maybe he'll move up the lineup.
- jfkst1

That line would likely be better than the third. LOL, it's amazing how much better the forward depth has become. No more Glass, Adams, Sill types. I've never been in prison, but for me, this feels like getting out after a 5 year sentence.

It's really not an indicator of a team's defense at all, Goals Allowed is an indicator of a team's goaltending not their defense. While the defense has the ability to impact the goals allowed, a team can play great defense but if the goalie can't stop the puck they will still give up a bunch of goals, while on the other hand a team can play horrible defense but if the goalie stands on his head they will give up few goals.
- jaydogg1974

Actually GA totals are usually more indicative of team defense where as SV% is normally a better indicator of individual goalie play. But from watching the games, in the Penguins' case this season, Fleury is standing on his head. I'd say he's stolen at least three or four games so far, which out of 14 games is a pretty big percentage. But I expect the team to start taking pressure of Fleury as they continue to gel. We've looked better starting with the end of the Caps game.

That line would likely be better than the third. LOL, it's amazing how much better the forward depth has become. No more Glass, Adams, Sill types. I've never been in prison, but for me, this feels like getting out after a 5 year sentence.
- madmike71

F the four scoring lines model. Need more #gritness.

F the four scoring lines model. Need more #gritness.
- Victoro311

ye.
a first line of downie, rinaldo and niel would be awesome

ye.
a first line of downie, rinaldo and niel would be awesome
- martox

Nope. Downie has too much skill. Shawn Thornton or Prust would be better.

It's difficult because we don't have a fast team. Neither Bonino or Bennett are particularly fast so I don't think he really fits with any unit in our slow bottom 6. This is what I would do. I would keep Fehr at his natural RW spot instead of shifting him to C and Cullen to LW to make room for Sprong at 4RW. Instead, I would play Sprong at 4LW and see how he does. If he doesn't look out of place on his off wing, I'd stick him up on Crosby's left and see what happens. Going back to the James Neal article, if Sprong sees himself as a scorer, switching him to his off wing so that his shot can be goal side may actually improve his play.
- Victoro311

Ya I guess you're right that boninos line is no faster. If after one period sprong doesn't look out of place on the left I'd like to see him get a shift or two on the top lines.

Ya I guess you're right that boninos line is no faster. If after one period sprong doesn't look out of place on the left I'd like to see him get a shift or two on the top lines.
- Zac_O

Not to mention it would allow us to shift Dupuis down to the Cullen-Fehr unit which I think would be absolutely incredible. Dupuis-Cullen-Fehr has been one of my most favorite potential line combos since the off season.

It's really not an indicator of a team's defense at all, Goals Allowed is an indicator of a team's goaltending not their defense. While the defense has the ability to impact the goals allowed, a team can play great defense but if the goalie can't stop the puck they will still give up a bunch of goals, while on the other hand a team can play horrible defense but if the goalie stands on his head they will give up few goals.
- jaydogg1974

I don’t disagree that the goaltender is the last line of defense but they work as a team with the defensemen. IMHO ‘goals allowed’ is a major factor indicating how well they work together.

They win 9 out of 10 games, lead the NHL in goals allowed and you guys want to pick them apart! LOL. Btw, I am not a Pittsburgh Penguin fan… but if I was I’d be happy about how they are playing right now.

You said, "It's really not an indicator of a team's defense at all," -- I disagree.

Then again if picking them apart with analytics floats your boat… so be it.

Not to mention it would allow us to shift Dupuis down to the Cullen-Fehr unit which I think would be absolutely incredible. Dupuis-Cullen-Fehr has been one of my most favorite potential line combos since the off season.
- Victoro311

I agree that'd be a great line but I like what Duper and Sid have been doing. Theyre not getting much for results but to me, Duper is as fast as ever and the chemistry is still there.

Sprong with Geno-Kessel is probably a little bad defensively....

I'd give Sprong a shift or two with Sid after a PK and just see what happens...

I don’t disagree that the goaltender is the last line of defense but they work as a team with the defensemen. IMHO ‘goals allowed’ is a major factor indicating how well they work together.

They win 9 out of 10 games, lead the NHL in goals allowed and you guys want to pick them apart! LOL. Btw, I am not a Pittsburgh Penguin fan… but if I was I’d be happy about how they are playing right now.

You said, "It's really not an indicator of a team's defense at all," -- I disagree.

Then again if picking them apart with analytics floats your boat… so be it.
- sufi-judge

Not picking them apart, just concerned they might regress is all. Sorry that we're not Montreal or Rangers fans and we acknowledge when goaltending is bailing us out. Our team hasn't quite rounded out into form yet and Fleury has done a fan(frank)intastic job putting us in position to get points while we're still figuring out. I won't complain about that one bit, and mark my words these early season points will be the difference between being a low seed and home ice.

However, historically, teams that have leaned on their 'tenders this heavily on their goalies have not faired to well at the end of the day. Fleury is giving us time but we will have to figure it out sooner or later, and I think it's gonna be sooner. We're already starting to look better. I think slightly different defensive pairings and more time for line combos to jell will help us turn the next corner. Oh, and Sidney Crosby waking up would go a long way as well.

Not picking them apart, just concerned they might regress is all. Sorry that we're not Montreal or Rangers fans and we acknowledge when goaltending is bailing us out. Our team hasn't quite rounded out into form yet and Fleury has done a fan(frank)intastic job putting us in position to get points while we're still figuring out. I won't complain about that one bit, and mark my words these early season points will be the difference between being a low seed and home ice.

However, historically, teams that have leaned on their 'tenders this heavily on their goalies have not faired to well at the end of the day. Fleury is giving us time but we will have to figure it out sooner or later, and I think it's gonna be sooner. We're already starting to look better. I think slightly different defensive pairings and more time for line combos to jell will help us turn the next corner. Oh, and Sidney Crosby waking up would go a long way as well.
- Victoro311

I have to agree with the Washington Capitals fan.
We have won 8 of 9 and every second post is negative. Personally I think its all the stats gurus on here having trouble explaining why their stats aren't adding up.
The way I see it is yes Fleury is playing well, but I in no way think his level of play is unsustainable and in reality I dont think he has played as lights out as everyone on here is claiming.
Fleury has made some spectacular saves so far, but no more than usual in his career.Everyone is piling credit on Fleury and trying to whitewash that the defensive system we are playing with could have everything to do with it.
The current system takes advantage of the fact that we have an elite goalie, its built around giving him the first shot and making sure there isnt a second.

Ask yourself would you rather Fleury face 10 shots from the perimeter or 1 two on one cross crease pass. We used to see two on ones EVERY game in the Byslma system, the Flyers ate us alive with two on ones, I haven't seen more than a few all season.

I have to agree with the Washington Capitals fan.
We have won 8 of 9 and every second post is negative. Personally I think its all the stats gurus on here having trouble explaining why their stats aren't adding up.
The way I see it is yes Fleury is playing well, but I in no way think his level of play is unsustainable and in reality I dont think he has played as lights out as everyone on here is claiming.
Fleury has made some spectacular saves so far, but no more than usual in his career.Everyone is piling credit on Fleury and trying to whitewash that the defensive system we are playing with could have everything to do with it.
The current system takes advantage of the fact that we have an elite goalie, its built around giving him the first shot and making sure there isnt a second.

Ask yourself would you rather Fleury face 10 shots from the perimeter or 1 two on one cross crease pass. We used to see two on ones EVERY game in the Byslma system, the Flyers ate us alive with two on ones, I haven't seen more than a few all season.
- stackthepads

Well I sure do hope you're right. From where I've been sitting Flower robbed us a fair amount of games so far this season and teams have been able to get off a fair share of some juicy scoring chances that everyone's claiming aren't happening. And if you go back, there were a decent amount of odd man breaks during our first three or so games, but they have largely disappeared. This, to me says we are making progress, so I don't really think there's a real issue. But if you, hardnosed and a few other are right and nothing much changes from here on in, well then I hope you're right about everything and we continue to succeed.

I have to agree with the Washington Capitals fan.
We have won 8 of 9 and every second post is negative. Personally I think its all the stats gurus on here having trouble explaining why their stats aren't adding up.
The way I see it is yes Fleury is playing well, but I in no way think his level of play is unsustainable and in reality I dont think he has played as lights out as everyone on here is claiming.
Fleury has made some spectacular saves so far, but no more than usual in his career.Everyone is piling credit on Fleury and trying to whitewash that the defensive system we are playing with could have everything to do with it.
The current system takes advantage of the fact that we have an elite goalie, its built around giving him the first shot and making sure there isnt a second.

Ask yourself would you rather Fleury face 10 shots from the perimeter or 1 two on one cross crease pass. We used to see two on ones EVERY game in the Byslma system, the Flyers ate us alive with two on ones, I haven't seen more than a few all season.
- stackthepads

That's why I was done with Bylsma after the Flyers playoff series. His system damn near put MAF in a rubber room. People were hard on Fleury, but the team as a whole was responsible for the frequent defensive gaffes.

I have to agree with the Washington Capitals fan.
We have won 8 of 9 and every second post is negative. Personally I think its all the stats gurus on here having trouble explaining why their stats aren't adding up.
The way I see it is yes Fleury is playing well, but I in no way think his level of play is unsustainable and in reality I dont think he has played as lights out as everyone on here is claiming.
Fleury has made some spectacular saves so far, but no more than usual in his career.Everyone is piling credit on Fleury and trying to whitewash that the defensive system we are playing with could have everything to do with it.
The current system takes advantage of the fact that we have an elite goalie, its built around giving him the first shot and making sure there isnt a second.

Ask yourself would you rather Fleury face 10 shots from the perimeter or 1 two on one cross crease pass. We used to see two on ones EVERY game in the Byslma system, the Flyers ate us alive with two on ones, I haven't seen more than a few all season.
- stackthepads

Now there's a guy that actually watches hockey instead of looking at spreadsheets.

Everything coming out of the organization has been focused on how they're playing the way they want to play defensively.

I think I'll trust their take on the situation.

Now there's a guy that actually watches hockey instead of looking at spreadsheets.

Everything coming out of the organization has been focused on how they're playing the way they want to play defensively.

I think I'll trust their take on the situation.
- hardnosed

Well as long as we keep winning my beers remain happy beers instead of sad beers, which is always a good thing. I just hope you guys are right or the team keeps improving.

I have to agree with the Washington Capitals fan.
We have won 8 of 9 and every second post is negative. Personally I think its all the stats gurus on here having trouble explaining why their stats aren't adding up.
The way I see it is yes Fleury is playing well, but I in no way think his level of play is unsustainable and in reality I dont think he has played as lights out as everyone on here is claiming.
Fleury has made some spectacular saves so far, but no more than usual in his career.Everyone is piling credit on Fleury and trying to whitewash that the defensive system we are playing with could have everything to do with it.
The current system takes advantage of the fact that we have an elite goalie, its built around giving him the first shot and making sure there isnt a second.

Ask yourself would you rather Fleury face 10 shots from the perimeter or 1 two on one cross crease pass. We used to see two on ones EVERY game in the Byslma system, the Flyers ate us alive with two on ones, I haven't seen more than a few all season.
- stackthepads

Defensive systems have little to do with save percentage. In fact, your beloved Pens blogger on here wrote a paper for Hockey Prospectus regarding that. Bad defenses give up lots of shots. Opponents try to score no matter who they are facing. And the Pens DO NOT limit close shot attempts at all. No idea where that narrative is coming from. Fleury is just stopping them. You must not be watching the games because last game alone Pens gave up two breakaways.

Well as long as we keep winning my beers remain happy beers instead of sad beers, which is always a good thing. I just hope you guys are right or the team keeps improving.
- Victoro311

Nice! I'm going to have a couple of "Happy" Pumkings tonight for the Oil game.

Nice! I'm going to have a couple of "Happy" Pumkings tonight for the Oil game.
- madmike71

Will probably miss most of the game tonight unfortunately. One of the draw backs to still basically living in college is that its frowned upon to have a quiet friday night and the stupid western time zone makes the dumb thing start at 9. But I'll be getting updates and probably checking these boards on my phone to see how we're doing, so my beers can still turn into angry beers.

I don’t disagree that the goaltender is the last line of defense but they work as a team with the defensemen. IMHO ‘goals allowed’ is a major factor indicating how well they work together.

They win 9 out of 10 games, lead the NHL in goals allowed and you guys want to pick them apart! LOL. Btw, I am not a Pittsburgh Penguin fan… but if I was I’d be happy about how they are playing right now.

You said, "It's really not an indicator of a team's defense at all," -- I disagree.

Then again if picking them apart with analytics floats your boat… so be it.
- sufi-judge

At what point did I pick a team apart or even mention a team anywhere in my post? Go figure a Caps fan is clueless, did they get that Winter Classic banner hung yet?

I made a general statement that refers to all teams at all levels of the game, a team can play horrible defense and give up no goals because of great goaltending just as a team can play great defense but give up a bunch of goals because of bad goaltending, so saying that a low goals against is an indicator of playing good defense is just not true, it only says that goals are not being scored, not who responsible for goals not being scored even though it is usually more effected by the play of the goaltender not the defense.

I agree that'd be a great line but I like what Duper and Sid have been doing. Theyre not getting much for results but to me, Duper is as fast as ever and the chemistry is still there.

Sprong with Geno-Kessel is probably a little bad defensively....

I'd give Sprong a shift or two with Sid after a PK and just see what happens...
- YouMeAndDupuis9

Couldn't agree more about Sid & Dupuis. In the last 3 years Sid/Dupuis have played 60 games together and in those games they have played on the same line in 50, during those 50 games Sid has 82pts or 1.36pts/gm, in the 108 games without Dupuis on his line he has 112pts or 1.04pts/gm. Love him or hate him there's just no denying the positive impact Dupuis has on Sid's game so as long as Duper can continue to play at a competent level I don't even consider taking him off that line, I would move Hornqvist from his RW and play Sprong there before I would move Dupuis to play Sprong on the left side.

Actually GA totals are usually more indicative of team defense where as SV% is normally a better indicator of individual goalie play. But from watching the games, in the Penguins' case this season, Fleury is standing on his head. I'd say he's stolen at least three or four games so far, which out of 14 games is a pretty big percentage. But I expect the team to start taking pressure of Fleury as they continue to gel. We've looked better starting with the end of the Caps game.
- Victoro311

What about Zatkoff with his 50 saves? Is it a case now that both our goalies are high end? Or maybe Zatkoff was an 'anomaly' that will 'return' to normal?