Indeed. It's almost like every game should be reviewed afterwards, to see if the advanced stats verify the win. I feel badly for some folks (RW) who now seem only able to 'watch' the sport through the lens of advanced stats, and they'll practically deny a win to... I don't know what... confirm the stats??
- Cousinskrid

It's not even really the reliance on stats, it's that when he puts an opinion out there, he's determined to prove it no matter what. If you're a guy he said it was a ad idea to get, you'll rarely get praise but every bad performance gets magnified. It's the reverse for guys he likes.

Take note on how this team is competing right now. Crosby is leading the way and everyone up and down the lineup are playing hard.

This should be a wake up call to Malkin. I've long said that the Pens could end up a better TEAM if they moved on from Kessel and Malkin. Even if they dont have the same amount of natural talent, I am enjoying watching this team the last few games way more than what I saw from the Pens last year.

I dont know how long this lineup can sustain this type of play, certainly not the whole year. Basically just hoping Malkin adopts the shut up and hustle mentality the team has taken on without him. They could be a contender again if he gets it together.

For people like me who were worried about the PK coming into the year, this was encouraging (via Grove):

Avs tonight had 4:29 of power play time. Not only were they outscored, 1-0, but they didn’t manage a single shot. Impressive PK work by Pens.

Take note on how this team is competing right now. Crosby is leading the way and everyone up and down the lineup are playing hard.

This should be a wake up call to Malkin. I've long said that the Pens could end up a better TEAM if they moved on from Kessel and Malkin. Even if they dont have the same amount of natural talent, I am enjoying watching this team the last few games way more than what I saw from the Pens last year.

I dont know how long this lineup can sustain this type of play, certainly not the whole year. Basically just hoping Malkin adopts the shut up and hustle mentality the team has taken on without him. They could be a contender again if he gets it together.
- MacPatty

Malkin can play an succeed this way. He did the second half of 2017-18 when they got him away from Kessel and he played mostly with Hornqvist, Rust, and Hagelin. He also put up MVP numbers that half. He didn't pay that way last year, but it's in there.

Take note on how this team is competing right now. Crosby is leading the way and everyone up and down the lineup are playing hard.

This should be a wake up call to Malkin. I've long said that the Pens could end up a better TEAM if they moved on from Kessel and Malkin. Even if they dont have the same amount of natural talent, I am enjoying watching this team the last few games way more than what I saw from the Pens last year.

I dont know how long this lineup can sustain this type of play, certainly not the whole year. Basically just hoping Malkin adopts the shut up and hustle mentality the team has taken on without him. They could be a contender again if he gets it together.
- MacPatty

The Pens also played this way last March for a stretch while 71 and 58 were both out. Like you said here, it was fun to watch them play during that stretch. Then the big guys came back, the team got all wonky again (and boring to watch) and then the playoffs... this version of the Pens is indeed fun to watch, win or lose.

Malkin can play an succeed this way. He did the second half of 2017-18 when they got him away from Kessel and he played mostly with Hornqvist, Rust, and Hagelin. He also put up MVP numbers that half. He didn't pay that way last year, but it's in there.
- Tojo.

Absolutely he CAN. So why hasn't he? Maybe that right leg is not 100% at times, and he just plays through it (his way)… oh yeah, I keep forgetting... it was all JJs fault last season.

Take note on how this team is competing right now. Crosby is leading the way and everyone up and down the lineup are playing hard.

This should be a wake up call to Malkin. I've long said that the Pens could end up a better TEAM if they moved on from Kessel and Malkin. Even if they dont have the same amount of natural talent, I am enjoying watching this team the last few games way more than what I saw from the Pens last year.

I dont know how long this lineup can sustain this type of play, certainly not the whole year. Basically just hoping Malkin adopts the shut up and hustle mentality the team has taken on without him. They could be a contender again if he gets it together.
- MacPatty

Geno was the best player game 1 he woke the team up. This whole trade Geno thing is trash. He an elite player

- j.boyd919

I'm a cat guy at heart, but THIS guy is just way too cute! Congrats on the new addition!

Geno was the best player game 1 he woke the team up. This whole trade Geno thing is trash. He an elite player
- 668710

Perhaps Geno that woke up Crosby after that game against Buffalo. People don't recognize those things. I know, he's not canadian and has the russian coasting attitude reputation..

Geno was the best player game 1 he woke the team up. This whole trade Geno thing is trash. He an elite player
- 668710

Malkin played two solid games, had a melt down and has been off injured since. He is an occasionally elite player. I'd prefer he get it together but they likely have a similar result the last two years with or without him.

The problem with Malkin is consistency. Aside from missing significant time every year, his effort and motivation is all over the place. Sometimes he plays hard, fantastic hockey and sometimes he dipsy doos around the ice and drags ass and just gets by on his talent.

For people like me who were worried about the PK coming into the year, this was encouraging (via Grove):

Avs tonight had 4:29 of power play time. Not only were they outscored, 1-0, but they didn’t manage a single shot. Impressive PK work by Pens.
- Tojo.

But Tanevs contract though.

I think JR is finally buying into a youth movement as they are keeping up the young guys and he is already saying again that he has no plans of trading his 1st rounder.

This early success clearly makes a few guys available. Rust & Bjugstad are two that stand out the most to me. I want to see more of Galchenyuk but I'm sure he is available to a certain extent too.

On D, Gud is the guy who will be moved. I've always thought that if Buff retires, the Jets would be the spot for him. Rumors out there of the Ducks also.

I think JR is finally buying into a youth movement as they are keeping up the young guys and he is already saying again that he has no plans of trading his 1st rounder.

This early success clearly makes a few guys available. Rust & Bjugstad are two that stand out the most to me. I want to see more of Galchenyuk but I'm sure he is available to a certain extent too.

On D, Gud is the guy who will be moved. I've always thought that if Buff retires, the Jets would be the spot for him. Rumors out there of the Ducks also.
- MacPatty

I agree. I was looking at the starting lineup and trying to imagine who I’d want to sent down once those guys are back. Even moving a single cog of a line like Blandisi could be enough to affect its chemistry negatively. Let alone removing 3-4 guys.

Take note on how this team is competing right now. Crosby is leading the way and everyone up and down the lineup are playing hard.

This should be a wake up call to Malkin. I've long said that the Pens could end up a better TEAM if they moved on from Kessel and Malkin. Even if they dont have the same amount of natural talent, I am enjoying watching this team the last few games way more than what I saw from the Pens last year.

I dont know how long this lineup can sustain this type of play, certainly not the whole year. Basically just hoping Malkin adopts the shut up and hustle mentality the team has taken on without him. They could be a contender again if he gets it together.
- MacPatty

This is the #1 reason I wanted Kessel gone. I've seen Malkin turn up the intensity and I know he can do it

If Malkin starts to float again, Sullivan needs to have the brass to put him on the 4th line and roll 3 lines of effort

But Tanevs contract though.
- Grinder47

Despite how great he is playing today, I am going to focus my stress and call him a bad player based on years 5 and 6 of that contract......