Nope that's not how it works. If he's beaten out by others for roster spots then he doesn't play. He has a lot to prove and should be given nothing. He has to earn it.
- Victoro311

Fine!!! Then don't play him in the playoffs

Anyone else still just as geeked this morning after a little sleep as they were when they went to bed? Sleeping on that one was great.

Murray's play is outstanding, but still has visible flaws. He plays short for a big man. With his size, it should be nearly impossible to elevate a shot over his shoulder, but by not being fully upright while on his knees he gives away some high net.

The first goal also showed an imperfect seal. He was in full paddle down while the play had more gap than a paddle down merits. Contrast to this pic
http://goaliepro.com/word...ds/2014/09/reverse-VH.jpg


The camera angle gives the illusion of a small gap by the head, but from a puck eye view, there is nothing.

Clearly the flaws are hard to exploit!

I'm still thinking back to how many columns and comments here suggested trading Hornqvist early in the season & some of us sitting here and screaming "NO! He's the one guy you DON'T trade because of the kind of player he is & the example he sets. He's the guy they need to win in the playoffs".

Murray's play is outstanding, but still has visible flaws. He plays short for a big man. With his size, it should be nearly impossible to elevate a shot over his shoulder, but by not being fully upright while on his knees he gives away some high net.

The first goal also showed an imperfect seal. He was in full paddle down while the play had more gap than a paddle down merits. Contrast to this pic
http://goaliepro.com/word...ds/2014/09/reverse-VH.jpg


The camera angle gives the illusion of a small gap by the head, but from a puck eye view, there is nothing.

Clearly the flaws are hard to exploit!
- TartanBill

So is Muzza's stance his natural stance or is it something he has invented to be the best possible goalie he can be at the current time? Can he change it & manufacture a 'better' stance to provide less weaknesses or will that disrupt his natural flow he has now?

Can he correct anything that is associated with his stance? Thinking of a golfers swing that if they changed it it would (frank) their game up, & have to go back to the original??

My dear... Cmon...
- Vitorio

Obvioud joke, homie. Was just poking fun at the Malkin's going to mess with chemistry crowd.

Man, great job eeking that one out! I really love that Sullivan put a system in place and trusts the players to own it. Schultz and Pouliot were a bit shaky at times but he kept getting them out there and it did not cost the team. The guys they need to step in have all been ready to go.

I think Schultz is the guy over Pouliot at this point. He was better and didnt cough up any big chances. Really like how good both are at getting the puck to the net from the point. Also loved Cole getting in Ovie's ear and then grabbing Wilson and holding him down in that scrum. Didnt even notice that guy after it (other than Malkin trucking him).

JR really should win GM of the year this time around. Hagelin, Bonino, Daley, Cullen, Fehr, Kessel and Schultz moves have all been overwhelming wins for the team.

I'm still thinking back to how many columns and comments here suggested trading Hornqvist early in the season & some of us sitting here and screaming "NO! He's the one guy you DON'T trade because of the kind of player he is & the example he sets. He's the guy they need to win in the playoffs".
- ScienceJesus

Yes I'll put my hand up there, I thought about what he could return to strengthen our LW. From memory I think I said it would never happen but I did wonder what we could get its when DTM was looking ok & Philbo was with Sid - I was never on the Sammyesq bagging of him though.

I mean if the caps offered Austin Matthews for Murray would you take that? Everything says its a no-brainer but he's 21 years old - just got a former number 1 overall pick and borderline HOF benched and likely traded while dominating the current vezina trophy winner. Seems like i'm drinking kool-aid, but every week he's just even better than you thought he was the previous week.
- sditulli

Not sure I would to be honest. I think Matthews is going to be sort of a bust. I would take one of the Finns over him if I were Toronto.

I'm still thinking back to how many columns and comments here suggested trading Hornqvist early in the season & some of us sitting here and screaming "NO! He's the one guy you DON'T trade because of the kind of player he is & the example he sets. He's the guy they need to win in the playoffs".
- ScienceJesus

Well the beginning of the season was maddening. Nothing was working and it seemed like the core had burnt out. The first thing that had to be done was a coaching change before any major moves, but man if the team hasn't turned around under Sully something would have had to give. If we had continued to play poorly this season there's be a lot of people calling for a full scale rebuild and they wouldn't be wrong.

Not sure I would to be honest. I think Matthews is going to be sort of a bust. I would take one of the Finns over him if I were Toronto.
- Oneonta Penguin

Blasphemy, OP. He's going to be the face of American hockey moving forward.

Blasphemy, OP. He's going to be the face of American hockey moving forward.
- Victoro311

The kids good there's no bust in him. He may not be a generational talent but he's a bonafide 1

Well the beginning of the season was maddening. Nothing was working and it seemed like the core had burnt out. The first thing that had to be done was a coaching change before any major moves, but man if the team hasn't turned around under Sully something would have had to give. If we had continued to play poorly this season there's be a lot of people calling for a full scale rebuild and they wouldn't be wrong.
- Victoro311

Obviously the coaching change did have to happen first & a rebuild was the next step, but Horny is still the kind of guy that teams need to win in the playoffs. That guy that's just a hard-nosed, take a hit, make a play, play from the dirty areas, simple hockey player. Doesn't gotta do anything fancy. Just gotta get the job done. That somehow rarely takes penalties doing it. That's a commodity that wins playoff games & is hard to find. Because for every Horny there is, there's a dozen Steve Downie's that can play a simple game but cost you so much more in just being dumb.

What are the thoughts on Sundquist? It really doesnt look like he is a productive player. He went out there and played hard, threw some checks but clearly looks out of place. Not very fast, poor balance and very limited skill.

I think its time for Sprong to rejoin the team. With Cullen, he would get plenty of ice time with a guy who is very good defensively and having a great run offensively. Imagine what that 4th line could do with an extra sniper out there?

Also think it is time to rethink Kessel on the 1st PP. He makes no positive contribution and everytime the puck comes to him he mishandles it. Sprong could fit that role and might have as good a shot as Kessel coming off the LW boards. Not trying to be overly critical as he has been a productive player overall, but Kessel is hearing footsteps big time in this series.

What are the thoughts on Sundquist? It really doesnt look like he is a productive player. He went out there and played hard, threw some checks but clearly looks out of place. Not very fast, poor balance and very limited skill.

I think its time for Sprong to rejoin the team. With Cullen, he would get plenty of ice time with a guy who is very good defensively and having a great run offensively. Imagine what that 4th line could do with an extra sniper out there?

Also think it is time to rethink Kessel on the 1st PP. He makes no positive contribution and everytime the puck comes to him he mishandles it. Sprong could fit that role and might have as good a shot as Kessel coming off the LW boards. Not trying to be overly critical as he has been a productive player overall, but Kessel is hearing footsteps big time in this series.
- MacPatty

Is sprong able to come up and play for us? Not sure how that works. Sundvquist hasn't played many games so I'd hold judgement. He's still developing and learning

Blasphemy, OP. He's going to be the face of American hockey moving forward.
- Victoro311

Conor Sheary will be the face of American hockey moving forward. You just don't want to admit that yet. Jump on the train.

Is sprong able to come up and play for us? Not sure how that works. Sundvquist hasn't played many games so I'd hold judgement. He's still developing and learning
- dbell646

Sprong has played fewer games in the NHL than Sundqvist. Besides, not sure how the number of games as in the 9 before sent down thing impacts Sprong this time of year. I would imagine Fehr will be back for Sa.turday, so ...

What are the thoughts on Sundquist? It really doesnt look like he is a productive player. He went out there and played hard, threw some checks but clearly looks out of place. Not very fast, poor balance and very limited skill.

I think its time for Sprong to rejoin the team. With Cullen, he would get plenty of ice time with a guy who is very good defensively and having a great run offensively. Imagine what that 4th line could do with an extra sniper out there?

Also think it is time to rethink Kessel on the 1st PP. He makes no positive contribution and everytime the puck comes to him he mishandles it. Sprong could fit that role and might have as good a shot as Kessel coming off the LW boards. Not trying to be overly critical as he has been a productive player overall, but Kessel is hearing footsteps big time in this series.
- MacPatty

People keep knocking Sunny. I didn't see any issues with him tonight. He has very little offensive instinct at this point in his development but I didn't think he was a liability tonight.

I think blaming the PP's failure on Phil is lazy. He had a particularly atrocious night on there last night but he's been a good option there for a while now. Honestly my biggest issue with the PP right now is Crosby. He keeps floating up to the half wall and then not shooting. I don't like Sid on the half wall to begin with but if you're gonna take Malkin's space at least get the pucks on net. Too much overthinking by this unit.

What are the thoughts on Sundquist? It really doesnt look like he is a productive player. He went out there and played hard, threw some checks but clearly looks out of place. Not very fast, poor balance and very limited skill.

I think its time for Sprong to rejoin the team. With Cullen, he would get plenty of ice time with a guy who is very good defensively and having a great run offensively. Imagine what that 4th line could do with an extra sniper out there?

Also think it is time to rethink Kessel on the 1st PP. He makes no positive contribution and everytime the puck comes to him he mishandles it. Sprong could fit that role and might have as good a shot as Kessel coming off the LW boards. Not trying to be overly critical as he has been a productive player overall, but Kessel is hearing footsteps big time in this series.
- MacPatty

He was OK. Serviceable in his role last night. He's got work to do still yet adjusting to the NHL speed & he hasn't played in an actual game in a few weeks either. But Fehr should be back Saturday. With any luck Crosby's hand/wrist/thumb are OK or will be by then. And I don't think anyone else got hurt last night (knock on wood) so Sundy should be back in the press box for the next game.

People keep knocking Sunny. I didn't see any issues with him tonight. He has very little offensive instinct at this point in his development but I didn't think he was a liability tonight.

I think blaming the PP's failure on Phil is lazy. He had a particularly atrocious night on there last night but he's been a good option there for a while now. Honestly my biggest issue with the PP right now is Crosby. He keeps floating up to the half wall and then not shooting. I don't like Sid on the half wall to begin with but if you're gonna take Malkin's space at least get the pucks on net. Too much overthinking by this unit.
- Victoro311

Agreed.... looks like the Caps pk strategy is to flood Crosby and Malkin's side of the ice then once the cross ice pass come to Kessel they attack.

We need to modify our setup a bit to give phil an out so the caps have to keep chasing.

With that said though, if you told me after 4 games the pp goals would essentially be a wash, I'd have guessed we were at least tied in the series. ... so all is not lost

Blasphemy, OP. He's going to be the face of American hockey moving forward.
- Victoro311

laine is gonna be the new fin flash. a modern day teemu... great for the league. bad for the 29 other teams that don't have him.
honestly think I might need to start following toronto, winnipeg and edmonton a bit more. 3 teams that will be REALLY good in the future. except edmonton cuz they suck AND have as bad luck as pens have with injuries.

People keep knocking Sunny. I didn't see any issues with him tonight. He has very little offensive instinct at this point in his development but I didn't think he was a liability tonight.

I think blaming the PP's failure on Phil is lazy. He had a particularly atrocious night on there last night but he's been a good option there for a while now. Honestly my biggest issue with the PP right now is Crosby. He keeps floating up to the half wall and then not shooting. I don't like Sid on the half wall to begin with but if you're gonna take Malkin's space at least get the pucks on net. Too much overthinking by this unit.
- Victoro311

Not knocking Sundquist, wasnt a liability. Just thinking Sprong could be a better option.

Also not blaming the whole PP on Phil, there are plenty of problems. But again, he has been awful the last few games handling the puck. I believe I said this once before and the next game he scored 2 goals. Hoping he does it again.

The biggest problem I see with the Pens PP is having Malkin and Crosby on the same side. They are too close together which means neither of them are open. I wish they would set up Crosby in the corner on Kessel's side so they can set up some plays down low and make the Caps collapse down low and leave Malkin some space up high. They are all either standing still or floating around aimlessly. *except Hornquist. He is always on point on the PP.*

Not knocking Sundquist, wasnt a liability. Just thinking Sprong could be a better option.

Also not blaming the whole PP on Phil, there are plenty of problems. But again, he has been awful the last few games handling the puck. I believe I said this once before and the next game he scored 2 goals. Hoping he does it again.

The biggest problem I see with the Pens PP is having Malkin and Crosby on the same side. They are too close together which means neither of them are open. I wish they would set up Crosby in the corner on Kessel's side so they can set up some plays down low and make the Caps collapse down low and leave Malkin some space up high. They are all either standing still or floating around aimlessly. *except Hornquist. He is always on point on the PP.*
- MacPatty

Why do people automatically think Sprong is a better option? Sprong is a better scorer without question, but he isn't better defensively and I think last night's game needed a better all around defensive player than Sprong. Not a knock on him, but ...

Murray's play is outstanding, but still has visible flaws. He plays short for a big man. With his size, it should be nearly impossible to elevate a shot over his shoulder, but by not being fully upright while on his knees he gives away some high net.

The first goal also showed an imperfect seal. He was in full paddle down while the play had more gap than a paddle down merits. Contrast to this pic
http://goaliepro.com/word...ds/2014/09/reverse-VH.jpg


The camera angle gives the illusion of a small gap by the head, but from a puck eye view, there is nothing.

Clearly the flaws are hard to exploit!
- TartanBill

Murray was not as his best early on. That was a horrible goal to let up to Beagle, and he was having troubling hanging onto pucks. He got better as he went along, and it was good that they won without Letang and without Murray at his best. But he needs to kick it up a notch to Game 3 level to close this out.

Murray was not as his best early on. That was a horrible goal to let up to Beagle, and he was having troubling hanging onto pucks. He got better as he went along, and it was good that they won without Letang and without Murray at his best. But he needs to kick it up a notch to Game 3 level to close this out.
- jmatchett383

Kid seems to be able to steady himself but he's only played about 15 games in the nhl so it's to be expected