.... and second place
- Tojo.

Welcome to two months of me being prematurely scared of a Penguins Met Champion v Flyers 1st Wild Card matchup.

Unless Rutherford has another trade lined up, I really don't see the (frank)ing point of trading Cole the meh return he's gonna get. Sullivan's hatred for Cole pisses me off.
- Victoro311

The Pens were pretty awful defensively and Hunwick would have made them worse. It's hard to really question Ruth and Sullivan after the past couple of years, but this issue is confounding.

Welcome to two months of me being prematurely scared of a Penguins Met Champion v Flyers 1st Wild Card matchup.
- Victoro311

Oh please, you know this formula, don't you?

CBJ First round

WSH Second Round

The Pens were pretty awful defensively and Hunwick would have made them worse. It's hard to really question Ruth and Sullivan after the past couple of years, but this issue is confounding.
- madmike71

I honestly think this was just an eye test issue. Yes, they had some lapses, but overall if you look at all the stats, the Pens were pretty solid all around aside from a bad patch of play in the 2nd.

Enjoy it while it lasts. He probably upped his trade value tonight.
- Rinosaur

Yeah, now he's almost top 10 (12th) in minor penalties

Perfect start for their post all star race to the playoffs. Sloppy play by the Sharks and the Pens made them pay.

Nice of Rusty to sacrifice his hatty & let Geno take it home!

Beautiful when I turn on the game and 5 seconds later Hornqvist makes a fantastic play to Evgeni Malkin for a goal. LGP!
- Victoro311

Horny has made some big plays lately for a guy that can't create anything for himself........

On another note. Is it his schooling fault that Rusty just couldn't finish it off or what?

#34 with the pass of the year too...
- hipcheck_goalie

Dilly Dilly.

If the score stays at a one or two goal lead, my guess is we see Geno and Rust together when they pull Jones.
- Rinosaur

Boooom! I bet Geno is happy he had 4th liner on his wing at the end!

Perfect start for their post all star race to the playoffs. Sloppy play by the Sharks and the Pens made them pay.
- acdc1206

I think this here is something that's been missing from their game for a while; That ability to make teams absolutely terrified to make a mistake because every single time they do, the Pens turn it into a goal. If they can keep this one thing up. Even when they do have lapses in play or whatever, if they can recreate that feel where the opponent knows that they have to play not only very well, but error free for fear of it turning into a goal against, the way they have the past 2 seasons, it separates the good back-to-back champ Penguins from the great meatgrinder Penguins.

I think this here is something that's been missing from their game for a while; That ability to make teams absolutely terrified to make a mistake because every single time they do, the Pens turn it into a goal. If they can keep this one thing up. Even when they do have lapses in play or whatever, if they can recreate that feel where the opponent knows that they have to play not only very well, but error free for fear of it turning into a goal against, the way they have the past 2 seasons, it separates the good back-to-back champ Penguins from the great meatgrinder Penguins.
- ScienceJesus

Further to that, there's the expressions 'hard to play' & ' hard to beat'. 2 very different meanings but the Pens have been neither in most games this season to date. If what you say above can be achieved, then the 'hard to beat' Pens will be back.

Pens are now even in total goal differential at 154 GF and GA.

Who would have thought?

At 5v5 they're still 82 GF and 111 GA but to see their PP carry them and their PK come back from early struggles. Number 1 PP and Number 11 PK is good to have.

Welcome back Rust.

Currently 2nd in the Metro. Only 4 points out of 1st. The next 2 games are against the team in 1st and the team one point behind them in 3rd. Huge weekend on the horizon.

Pens are now even in total goal differential at 154 GF and GA.

Who would have thought?

At 5v5 they're still 82 GF and 111 GA but to see their PP carry them and their PK come back from early struggles. Number 1 PP and Number 11 PK is good to have.

Welcome back Rust.
- j.boyd919

Thats crazy considering they were 30th in November.

Thats crazy considering they were 30th in November.
- MattStrat

Right? They've been incredible in recent months.

Pens are now even in total goal differential at 154 GF and GA.

Who would have thought?

At 5v5 they're still 82 GF and 111 GA but to see their PP carry them and their PK come back from early struggles. Number 1 PP and Number 11 PK is good to have.

Welcome back Rust.
- j.boyd919

Actually they're a +1 in goal differential. 156/155

Actually they're a +1 in goal differential. 156/155
- Rinosaur

That's if you consider their 2 shootout wins as actual "goals" and 1 shootout loss as a "goal" because for some reason the NHL counts those as goals lol

That's if you consider their 2 shootout wins as actual "goals" and 1 shootout loss as a "goal" because for some reason the NHL counts those as goals lol


- j.boyd919

Wow I had no idea of this and think its kinda f'n dumb...

I think there’s something to Kuhnhackl playing better when on the same line as one of the original WB5. I don’t know if it’s a familiarity breeds confidence thing but he always seems to elevate his offensive game when put on a line with Rust or Wilson (RIP) I’m remembering how good the Kuhnhackl-Fehr-Rust line in 2015-2016 was while they were all healthy, the creative plays that Kuhn and Wilson would sometimes pull off together and how well Kuhnhackl’s played since Rust’s return.

When he’s with Rust he plays like he’s having fun out there and actually trying to make things happen. When he’s not I feel like he locks into his responsibilities and goes about the game like a machine and plays at even strength like he’s on the PK.

The Pens were pretty awful defensively and Hunwick would have made them worse. It's hard to really question Ruth and Sullivan after the past couple of years, but this issue is confounding.
- madmike71

I agree Cole is better than Hunwick. The issues are Cole is gone at the end of the year, Sully doesn't like Cole, and GMJR probably doesn't want to admit a mistake with Hunwick. ..... I say get rid of both of them and find a decent 5,6 LD.

In other news, rumors, fake news: #pens offered Guentzel, Lauzon and a 2018 first for Max Pacioretty. The Canadiens are likely to deny that trade and have multiple offers on the table. From @iamhockey1

I doubt this. I would not do this if I am the Pens, and I think the Habs would take this deal. If I were the Pens, I would offer that trade for Hoffman!

What do you think?

Wow I had no idea of this and think its kinda f'n dumb...
- MattStrat

Well it is the same people who came up with +/- lol, what do you expect? Arbitrary bullpoop.

I think there’s something to Kuhnhackl playing better when on the same line as one of the original WB5. I don’t know if it’s a familiarity breeds confidence thing but he always seems to elevate his offensive game when put on a line with Rust or Wilson (RIP) I’m remembering how good the Kuhnhackl-Fehr-Rust line in 2015-2016 was while they were all healthy, the creative plays that Kuhn and Wilson would sometimes pull off together and how well Kuhnhackl’s played since Rust’s return.

When he’s with Rust he plays like he’s having fun out there and actually trying to make things happen. When he’s not I feel like he locks into his responsibilities and goes about the game like a machine and plays at even strength like he’s on the PK.
- Victoro311

I just think it's the fact that he has more competent linemates, it'll help anyone succeed. Reaves is trash. Is/was he the main reason the Pens suck? Nah, but he's awful and definitely wasn't helping the cause.

I agree Cole is better than Hunwick. The issues are Cole is gone at the end of the year, Sully doesn't like Cole, and GMJR probably doesn't want to admit a mistake with Hunwick. ..... I say get rid of both of them and find a decent 5,6 LD.

In other news, rumors, fake news: #pens offered Guentzel, Lauzon and a 2018 first for Max Pacioretty. The Canadiens are likely to deny that trade and have multiple offers on the table. From @iamhockey1

I doubt this. I would not do this if I am the Pens, and I think the Habs would take this deal. If I were the Pens, I would offer that trade for Hoffman!

What do you think?
- so_buzz11

Guentzel should not be traded at all IMO.