There is no way you can fault MacDonald for the Tkachuk PP goal. He was out covering the shooter, and Del Zotto had coverage of Tkachuk. Not a lot he could've done on the Chiasson goal. It was a bang-bang play, with the puck coming out hard from behind him right out to Chiasson. Just unfortunate.
- MJL

I'm faulting both A Mac AND MDZ. They both choked on both those goals. MDZ just got back into the lineup so I'll let him try switching to Schultz as partner and sit A Mac right now.

As was stated why is A Mac passing his guy to Schenn, cause he knew he was toast and in no man's land.

I'm faulting both A Mac AND MDZ. They both choked on both those goals. MDZ just got back into the lineup so I'll let him try switching to Schultz as partner and sit A Mac right now.

As was stated why is A Mac passing his guy to Schenn, cause he knew he was toast and in no man's land.
- dragonoffrost

I agree with MJL on the Tkachuk goal. Again, I don't like how far out he was or the angle he took, but MDZ takes more blame on that. He let his goalie have a bad-angle shot, MDZ needs to take Tkachuk.

Agreed on the 2nd SHG though. He has to step up and engage, not try to pass off to Schenn and continue to back in.

I'm no AMac lover, but I agree on the Tkachuk goal. I don't like how far out he was or the angle that he took, but it was a quick pass and shot, so it's whatever.

However, 2 things bugged me on the Chiasson goal. Firstly, he's backing in way too far (on this particular play). He seems to signal for Schenn to pick him up (it's AMac's man). I say this because, after he signals with his stick and Schenn doesn't pick him up (which, granted, he should have tried to do), you see AMac give a little bit of a start on the ice, like he was planning on Schenn getting him. If not, he's letting people know he's picking him up. However, as Chiasson drives the net, he fails to engage him/his stick.

Again, when the other team scores, it's never any one player's fault. However, on the Chiasson goal, he definitely made 2 bad decisions, to me. Just my take.
- jmatchett383

I have no idea what he is doing on that Chiasson goal. Like you said, backed in way too far. Tries to get Schenn to cover his man, and then fails to engage him. Stolarz gives up a bad rebound, but Chiasson should've never gotten that shot off. Flyers had an extra man and they let a guy free in the slot

I think I'm just annoyed at how slow Hakstol is to make adjustments. Finally the defensive pairs were changed and finally we saw a decent balance of play outside of the short handed goals which have nothing to do with 5 on 5.

There was never a good reason to keep Lyubimov out of the line up. We are a below 500 team even after last night's victory. How often do you see a fourth line make an impact? It made me sick to listen to Keith Jones make excuses for Hakstol. "Well he always wanted to put him in but...BS, BS, BS". We weren't winning, Lyubimov was playing with the same entertainment last night that he always has.

Now to Schenn's credit, to those who want to give him credit, he looks good at center. I just don't understand why it has to be on the fourth line every time Hakstol puts him there. My theory in terms of Schenn's physical play is, he might add more of this element playing with Simmonds. I think Schenn does as Simmonds does when they play together. I know there will be continued excuses to not put Schenn in the middle of Konecny and Simmonds but outside of the breakaway pass to Simmonds, Cousins is a very average player.
- SuperSchennBros

So after one game where you may have found a bit of chemistry and got another line scoring you want to throw it away just because Schenn don't belong in the "bottom 6"? Phil Kessel did ok last year in what some would call a bottom 6 role. Also a lot of teams are going away from top 6/bottom 6 roster.

So after one game where you may have found a bit of chemistry and got another line scoring you want to throw it away just because Schenn don't belong in the "bottom 6"? Phil Kessel did ok last year in what some would call a bottom 6 role. Also a lot of teams are going away from top 6/bottom 6 roster.
- dragonoffrost

For all the talk of Schenn being in the bottom 6, here are the forwards who had more 5v5 TOI than him last night and by how much:

Raffl (57s)
Read (11s)
PEB (6s)

Factor in the 7 minutes of PP TOI he had, and he actually led the forwards in total TOI last night. So whether or not he's listed as a 4th liner, he played the most minutes, got significant PP time, and managed 4 SOG and a +1 rating. I'll take that.

So after one game where you may have found a bit of chemistry and got another line scoring you want to throw it away just because Schenn don't belong in the "bottom 6"? Phil Kessel did ok last year in what some would call a bottom 6 role. Also a lot of teams are going away from top 6/bottom 6 roster.
- dragonoffrost

I think the effectiveness of that line had more to do with the matchup than being a line that drives play. Konecny Schenn Simmonds would be an incredibly high event line. Could be fun to put out a few times, but not one that I would use without needing a goal late.

For all the talk of Schenn being in the bottom 6, here are the forwards who had more 5v5 TOI than him last night and by how much:

Raffl (57s)
Read (11s)
PEB (6s)

Factor in the 7 minutes of PP TOI he had, and he actually led the forwards in total TOI last night. So whether or not he's listed as a 4th liner, he played the most minutes, got significant PP time, and managed 4 SOG and a +1 rating. I'll take that.
- jmatchett383

They used the 4th line a lot with the big lead

They used the 4th line a lot with the big lead
- YuenglingJagr

Then I hope that trend continues.

Also, I agree that a Konecny-Schenn-Simmonds line may be one Hak puts out late in a game if they need a goal.

I think the effectiveness of that line had more to do with the matchup than being a line that drives play. Konecny Schenn Simmonds would be an incredibly high event line. Could be fun to put out a few times, but not one that I would use without needing a goal late.
- YuenglingJagr

Right and by having schenn away from G/Jake TK/Simmer you made him more effective again see the HBK line in Pittsburgh.

Right and by having schenn away from G/Jake TK/Simmer you made him more effective again see the HBK line in Pittsburgh.
- dragonoffrost

How does the HBK line look this year?

How does the HBK line look this year?
- YuenglingJagr

I don't know, but I think the Penguins were happy with how it worked last year.

I'm all for spreading the wealth across 3/4 lines, I just don't think the Flyers gave the roster to do it, especially with Coots out (despite his tangible offensive deficiencies this year).

The torturous lengths some of you guys will go to in order to blame a dman for a goal that came directly from a juicy rebound by a rookie goalie are quite incredible.

I don't know, but I think the Penguins were happy with how it worked last year.
- jmatchett383

The torturous lengths some of you guys will go to in order to blame a dman for a goal that came directly from a juicy rebound by a rookie goalie are quite incredible.
- Feanor

Agreed. It was Schenn's man to pick up despite Schenn being behind him and he did the right thing by continuing to back up and not engage.

Again, these plays happen to every player. When you see them happen by the same player on a constant basis, it becomes infuriating.

The torturous lengths some of you guys will go to in order to blame a dman for a goal that came directly from a juicy rebound by a rookie goalie are quite incredible.
- Feanor

The breakdowns led to a shot from an angle that helps contribute to that juicy rebound and the guy in a spot to pounce on said rebound

How does the HBK line look this year?
- YuenglingJagr

It had a goal last time it was actually used for more than a few shifts in a game


But check back in once Horny and Kunitz return, it might reform then.

It had a goal last time it was actually used for more than a few shifts in a game


But check back in once Horny and Kunitz return, it might reform then.
- Guile

Who invited you? You and your alt scram!

Someone gets davies, there's a well-mannered Penguins fan in here!

Who invited you? You and your alt scram!

Someone gets davies, there's a well-mannered Penguins fan in here!
- jmatchett383

I considered that quite well mannered.. and almost certain I keep my alt out of here most of the time.

It had a goal last time it was actually used for more than a few shifts in a game


But check back in once Horny and Kunitz return, it might reform then.
- Guile

Thanks for the insight.

I chose that line because they are a great example of someone who normally is looked at as a top 6 guy getting bounced down the roster and it sparking offense for a sustained period.

I must add the obligatory Pens suck!

I don't know, but I think the Penguins were happy with how it worked last year.

I'm all for spreading the wealth across 3/4 lines, I just don't think the Flyers gave the roster to do it, especially with Coots out (despite his tangible offensive deficiencies this year).
- jmatchett383

That is my point. Spreading the wealth only works if you have enough players playing well or a secondary or tertiary scoring line that is clicking. It is why I have been asking for the Flyers to ice a skill lineup because it gives you more players to have mesh.

HBK line got hot last year, but they currently aren't the same line. It has also been broken up several times. I am all for balanced scoring and multiple skilled lines, but VDV-Schenn-Lyubimov is not that

That is my point. Spreading the wealth only works if you have enough players playing well or a secondary or tertiary scoring line that is clicking. It is why I have been asking for the Flyers to ice a skill lineup because it gives you more players to have mesh.

HBK line got hot last year, but they currently aren't the same line. It has also been broken up several times. I am all for balanced scoring and multiple skilled lines, but VDV-Schenn-Lyubimov is not that
- YuenglingJagr

You won't know unless you give 76-10-13 more than a game together. It worked last night give it a chance.

Heck do we really know what Lyubimov is????

Thanks for the insight.

I chose that line because they are a great example of someone who normally is looked at as a top 6 guy getting bounced down the roster and it sparking offense for a sustained period.

I must add the obligatory Pens suck!
- dragonoffrost

You suck too bud

VdV's skate - Giroux - Voracek

That is my point. Spreading the wealth only works if you have enough players playing well or a secondary or tertiary scoring line that is clicking. It is why I have been asking for the Flyers to ice a skill lineup because it gives you more players to have mesh.

HBK line got hot last year, but they currently aren't the same line. It has also been broken up several times. I am all for balanced scoring and multiple skilled lines, but VDV-Schenn-Lyubimov is not that
- YuenglingJagr

I agree. However, even the Legion of Doom was broken up at times during its heyday. Currently, HBK is broken up due to injuries. They've still meshed well this year, just not as stupidly hot as last year.

But yes, this roster doesn't have the talent necessary to go with the 3/4 scoring line method. And for all of his skate's goal scoring prowess, Mr. CV/CVV/VDV is not ever going to be part of a "scoring line" so I don't see why Schenn is with him, at least long-term.

You won't know unless you give 76-10-13 more than a game together. It worked last night give it a chance.

Heck do we really know what Lyubimov is????
- dragonoffrost

I think Lyubimov is somwhere between Mika Pyorala and Raffl. A guy who can chip in 7-12 goals over a full season and give you good 2-way play. But really, bounces aside, having 76 on any line pretty much ensures it will not be an offensive powerhouse of a line.