If we can just outscore the Isles when JJ is off the ice maybe we can still win, maybe. Hasn't happened in three games so I don't know.

I was afraid of the Islanders adrenaline and wanted the Caps instead, so I am going to be the contrarian here again and say the Pens rip off four in a row.

I am going golfing, drinking and bocceing tonight, not necessarily in that order. I am only going to check in occasionally.

You think the Pens are going to make some dramatic systemic changes tonight?
- madmike71

No, but I also don't think Sullivan would publicly disclose any changes prior to the game, either.

No, but I also don't think Sullivan would publicly disclose any changes prior to the game, either.
- jmatchett383

I'm not saying he would publicly give specifics on anything. I just thought it was pretty funny how eerily similar it was to the things Bylsma used to say (since somebody used him earlier).

You think the Pens are going to make some dramatic systemic changes tonight?
- madmike71

They god damn sure as poop should have made dramatic system changes.

Crosby has 0 points after 3 games yet no mention of this when discussing the reasons why the Pens are losing

They god damn sure as poop should have made dramatic system changes.
- j.boyd919

Yes.... After the 1st period of game 2.

I guess my biggest mistake going into the post season was that we’d be some different, better (possibly even wildly better) team when we got healthy. Really we’ve just been the same team as during the regular season, just with a couple better names on it, and I think we all knew that the team we watched during the regular season wasn’t going anywhere.

I said I wouldnt assume to know what HCMS is going to do anymore after he scratched JJ for the very first game...I'm going to stick to that. Maybe a late scratch this eve for JJ. Maybe some differnt approaches to each zone. The forward lines have been shuffled but the pairings havent? Sounds suspicious to me.

J. Martin is not a dumb guy, he has a great hockey mind, especially defensively...there's no (frank)ing way IF they are watching tape on the last few games that they dont see how inept JJ is. No f'n way....so makes me lean towards Olli being pretty banged up.

I guess my biggest mistake going into the post season was that we’d be some different, better (possibly even wildly better) team when we got healthy. Really we’ve just been the same team as during the regular season, just with a couple better names on it, and I think we all knew that the team we watched during the regular season wasn’t going anywhere.
- Victoro311

Exactly, I was hopeful that they would be fun to watch this postseason but this team hasn't shown even a glimmer of a spark that they would make any noise all year. I don't think a 4 game miracle is in this team at this point. Not that the team isn't skilled enough to win 4 games, they're just not hungry enough or they want Sullivan gone.

I'm not saying he would publicly give specifics on anything. I just thought it was pretty funny how eerily similar it was to the things Bylsma used to say (since somebody used him earlier).
- madmike71

If I was Sullivan and planned on employing a new strategy/system, I would make sure I said exactly what he did.

Crosby has 0 points after 3 games yet no mention of this when discussing the reasons why the Pens are losing
- Coburns_Nose

JJ
JJ
JJ
.
.
.

So, if swept, do we expect both gm and coach to be relieved of their duties in spite of the extension?

Except that this time, to beat this team, you have to switch from a speed team to a dump and chase team.
- jmatchett383

I disagree. I think this time the Pens have to mirror the Isles strategy and start trapping.

I disagree. I think this time the Pens have to mirror the Isles strategy and start trapping.
- Rinosaur

It's ugly but effective...

I disagree. I think this time the Pens have to mirror the Isles strategy and start trapping.
- Rinosaur

I don't think they have enough time to develop an entirely new defensive scheme and deploy it. They can, however, stop trying to have controlled zone exits and entries 100% of the time.

I know that you guys love the skill and creativity that guys like Crosby and Malkin have, but right now, that skill amounts to nothing. Dirty, greasy goals are the only way to beat this team. Trying to skate through 3 guys is not gonna work.

So, if swept, do we expect both gm and coach to be relieved of their duties in spite of the extension?
- Brayn

Sadly, I dont. GMJR, around the time he signed the extension, said that he truly believed this team had another cup in them and if not this year then next....so Mario and Burkle were probably sold on this.

For Sully, I think it would take them bombing the first month of so of next regular season before getting axed.

I don't think they have enough time to develop an entirely new defensive scheme and deploy it. They can, however, stop trying to have controlled zone exits and entries 100% of the time.

I know that you guys love the skill and creativity that guys like Crosby and Malkin have, but right now, that skill amounts to nothing. Dirty, greasy goals are the only way to beat this team. Trying to skate through 3 guys is not gonna work.
- jmatchett383

They need the dirt and grease, no doubt.

I don't think they have enough time to develop an entirely new defensive scheme and deploy it. They can, however, stop trying to have controlled zone exits and entries 100% of the time.

I know that you guys love the skill and creativity that guys like Crosby and Malkin have, but right now, that skill amounts to nothing. Dirty, greasy goals are the only way to beat this team. Trying to skate through 3 guys is not gonna work.
- jmatchett383

Why did it work great in Game 1 where we were doing it at will and lost the game to a handful of meltdowns by Maatta and Dumoulin? This narrative only became true in games 2 and 3 once we decided to “tighten up”.

Me personally, I would want a blend where the forwards take what the defense gives them on a shift per ship basis, but switching to a dump and chase heavy strategy isn’t gonna fix our main problem, which is we’re skating like quick sand and our blue line has bad communication.

I just want them to give me a 60 minute effort I can be proud of and if they lose they lose, I havent seen this since after the first 5/10 mins of game 1 and not since game 1.

Why did it work great in Game 1 where we were doing it at will and lost the game to a handful of meltdowns by Maatta and Dumoulin? This narrative only became true in games 2 and 3 once we decided to “tighten up”.
- Victoro311

I think I know what you're trying to say, Ryan.

I think I know what you're trying to say, Ryan.
- jmatchett383

That you’re ignoring Game 1? If so yes.

So, if swept, do we expect both gm and coach to be relieved of their duties in spite of the extension?
- Brayn

I think Rutherford should go. He's been wildly inconsistent in executing a vision for this team. Or, if he has been consistent, its a (frank)ing terrible plan.

That you’re ignoring Game 1? If so yes.
- Victoro311

That the only change between Game 1 and 2 was a certain member of the D.

So, if swept, do we expect both gm and coach to be relieved of their duties in spite of the extension?
- Brayn

I highly doubt it. Rutherford is loved and I’m not sure he has the balls to relieve a two time Stanley Cup coach just two years removed from his last Cup.

That the only change between Game 1 and 2 was a certain member of the D.
- jmatchett383

I mean it’s a big part of it, but I don’t think it’s isolated and there’s more to it. Having Justin Schultz completely unable to facilitate offense greatly reduces the amount of even strength time we can crank out breakouts, but I think there’s been a message to the room as a whole to tighten in and play more “soundly”, which has stifled offensive creativity in the process. I feel like every time we’re in the neutral zone, going back on defense is in the back of everyone's mind already. Johnson is viewed as a defensive stalwart and I think this is why he drew back in. He’s a symptom of a larger issue, but this particular symptom also happens to be lethal.