I actually thought we played a good overall game last night even though we didn't rack up goals. I was impressed with Zatkoff as well. That makes two good games by him. Glad he's bounced back from that abysmal preseason.
- Victoro311

Yeah, I thought it was the 2nd best game of the season after TOR. It definitely shut me up on the defense. Because they were solid.

No-one plays error proof hockey – they all make mistakes. The difference w/ #4 however, is low/ slim expectations (in a limited role) to begin with. Should he play every night? No. He will though. The only way he probably loses his job is through injury. The other guys have much higher expectations and SHOULD be performing as such. They're not really doing so,
- out_of_market

I think we are expecting a little to much from matta. he will come around. I honestly think that the only thing cole and letang suffers from making them play worse than we expect to is that they don't work well as a line pulling each other down. if we put matta and letang together I think we will see a huge up in both their play. as for cole I think he only needs someone that compliments his play. he is by far not a bad player.

Yeah, I thought it was the 2nd best game of the season after TOR. It definitely shut me up on the defense. Because they were solid.
- jfkst1

Agreed. Last night's process was good. Like I keep saying, we keep progressively improving. If we can keep this gradual improvement to division play, I will be very happy. I can't wait for the Rags game

all I hope for now is for the offense to EXPLODE today against calgary. they have the most Goals allowed by all teams even worse than columbus... so a hat trick for crosby? maybe a hat trick for sprong? one can hope right

I think we are expecting a little to much from matta. he will come around. I honestly think that the only thing cole and letang suffers from making them play worse than we expect to is that they don't work well as a line pulling each other down. if we put matta and letang together I think we will see a huge up in both their play. as for cole I think he only needs someone that compliments his play. he is by far not a bad player.
- martox

Last year Maatta looked like a capable 2nd pairing dman. This season he looks like a shaky bottom pairing dman. It's not even the same player out there. There's no way Maatta deserves to play ahead of Dumo right now. And is it just me or does Maatta look terribly slow and labored skating?

Agreed. Last night's process was good. Like I keep saying, we keep progressively improving. If we can keep this gradual improvement to division play, I will be very happy. I can't wait for the Rags game
- Victoro311

Isles, Rags, and Caps aren't making it easy. The top four of the Metro just keep winning.

Last year Maatta looked like a capable 2nd pairing dman. This season he looks like a shaky bottom pairing dman. It's not even the same player out there. There's no way Maatta deserves to play ahead of Dumo right now. And is it just me or does Maatta look terribly slow and labored skating?
- jfkst1

Well if what we want to do is spread the talent amongst the three pairings then what I'd do is put Maatta with Letang since he's currently our 5th best defenseman. I know it was preseason but I still can't shake how dominant they looked together that one game. I think it's just the mojo they need. I wouldn't touch the Dumo-Lovejoy pairing right now. Scuderi-Cole seems like a disaster waiting to happen but Cole played well in bottom pairing minutes with him last season. I also think Cole and Dinger would compliment each other super well so if Johnston stops being a puss and benches Scuds for Dinger, our defense would probably be even better.

Last year Maatta looked like a capable 2nd pairing dman. This season he looks like a shaky bottom pairing dman. It's not even the same player out there. There's no way Maatta deserves to play ahead of Dumo right now. And is it just me or does Maatta look terribly slow and labored skating?
- jfkst1

how did he look bad last year? oh right you only focus on matta AFTER the cancer.

Well if what we want to do is spread the talent amongst the three pairings then what I'd do is put Maatta with Letang since he's currently our 5th best defenseman. I know it was preseason but I still can't shake how dominant they looked together that one game. I think it's just the mojo they need. I wouldn't touch the Dumo-Lovejoy pairing right now. Scuderi-Cole seems like a disaster waiting to happen but Cole played well in bottom pairing minutes with him last season. I also think Cole and Dinger would compliment each other super well so if Johnston stops being a puss and benches Scuds for Dinger, our defense would probably be even better.
- Victoro311

how did he look bad last year? oh right you only focus on matta AFTER the cancer.
- martox

I said he looked good last year. And doesn't look that way this season.

- martox

Sometimes I have ok ideas.

Sorry guys, but F Pitt. Go Irish

Well if what we want to do is spread the talent amongst the three pairings then what I'd do is put Maatta with Letang since he's currently our 5th best defenseman. I know it was preseason but I still can't shake how dominant they looked together that one game. I think it's just the mojo they need. I wouldn't touch the Dumo-Lovejoy pairing right now. Scuderi-Cole seems like a disaster waiting to happen but Cole played well in bottom pairing minutes with him last season. I also think Cole and Dinger would compliment each other super well so if Johnston stops being a puss and benches Scuds for Dinger, our defense would probably be even better.
- Victoro311

Whoever plays with Letang is going to get the most minutes. Maatta is failing on his own. Scuderi has nothing to do with that. I'm confident Cole-Letang isn't going to work in the long term. Even in games where the team plays well like last night, that pairing is still not very good.

I said he looked good last year. And doesn't look that way this season.
- jfkst1

sry read with a angry voice