It reminds me of Trotz quotes about how he values quality of shot over quantity; something that seems obvious until it approaches that gray area of when throwing a puck at the net is not the right play.

Murray is the guy for the foreseeable future. No matter which way you slice it, the other goalie didn't make a similar gaffe and won by one goal. I won't miss the blog tomorrow about how Jack Johnson properly screwed the game up for the Pens. I can't imagine the taste in RW's mouth when JJ scores. It must be hilarity!!!

What a bleak outlook it has seemed to me without Sid. I was glad to see that Jake isn't slowing down (inches!!!), and I'm glad Galchenyuk got the primary assist there on the goal. The team pushed well at the end; it's so promising to see them carry play, but I get so damn nervous when it doesn't translate into more points in the standings!

Anyone who can blame Murray for this game is insane.

The Pens played great, but they're missing one key aspect and that's getting bodies in front of goalies.

How many times have we said or heard them say, "How did that not go in?" or some kind of comment about how the other team's goalie is just playing lights out? It's because THEY'RE SEEING EVERYTHING.

The Pens need to add getting bodies in front of the goalie to their strategy. And no, it's not missing Hornqvist because he's only on one line. It needs to be something everything line does. They don't have to do it the extent or style that Hornqvist does it, but they need to do it.

Anyone who can blame Murray for this game is insane.

The Pens played great, but they're missing one key aspect and that's getting bodies in front of goalies.

How many times have we said or heard them say, "How did that not go in?" or some kind of comment about how the other team's goalie is just playing lights out? It's because THEY'RE SEEING EVERYTHING.

The Pens need to add getting bodies in front of the goalie to their strategy. And no, it's not missing Hornqvist because he's only on one line. It needs to be something everything line does. They don't have to do it the extent or style that Hornqvist does it, but they need to do it.
- Rinosaur

I agree with this. I think this is the main culprit on the PP, too.

I once said that every line should have a net-front guy. Even though the game has changed, I still believe that to be true. In fact, now that defenses and goalies are that much better, you can't rely on stringing together tic-tac-toe passing plays that end up in the back of the net. Just get the puck to the point or better yet the high slot with a guy parked in front of the goalie and fire away!

Anyone who can blame Murray for this game is insane.

The Pens played great, but they're missing one key aspect and that's getting bodies in front of goalies.

How many times have we said or heard them say, "How did that not go in?" or some kind of comment about how the other team's goalie is just playing lights out? It's because THEY'RE SEEING EVERYTHING.

The Pens need to add getting bodies in front of the goalie to their strategy. And no, it's not missing Hornqvist because he's only on one line. It needs to be something everything line does. They don't have to do it the extent or style that Hornqvist does it, but they need to do it.
- Rinosaur

They miss Hornqvist for certain. I say this all the time... Pens fans who want to trade him don't realize what it will be like when he's gone because nobody else on the team does it. I do agree that every line needs to do more of it. There's no way to consistently win in this league (especially in the playoffs) without playing in front of the net. I was hoping ZAR would be better at it.....but he soff as butter.

I absolutely blame MM for not getting at least a point. Jersey had 10 (frank)ing shots in the final 2 periods. That was an awful goal against.

I absolutely blame MM for not getting at least a point. Jersey had 10 (frank)ing shots in the final 2 periods. That was an awful goal against.
- Thorny87

You have hate for Murray no matter what.

You have hate for Murray no matter what.
- Rinosaur

Not true. I compliment him when he plays great and poop on him when he doesn’t. Same as every player on the team. I’m not a big fan of his style but that doesn’t mean I hate him.

Not true. I compliment him when he plays great and poop on him when he doesn’t. Same as every player on the team. I’m not a big fan of his style but that doesn’t mean I hate him.
- Thorny87

You seriously jump on for every single goal. You basically act like any goal he lets up is bad.

You seriously jump on for every single goal. You basically act like any goal he lets up is bad.
- Rinosaur

Blackwood made plays Murray didn't: True or False

If your team makes your goalie obsolete, then you're in good shape. If he gets outplayed, then, more often then not, his team loses. I guess we just shouldn't expect so much from him.

Aren't the Pens like in the top 5 for fewest goals allowed so far? If so goaltending and D aren't the problem.

The 9.5M Machino can't get a pt with playing with the top F's?

Blackwood made plays Murray didn't: True or False

If your team makes your goalie obsolete, then you're in good shape. If he gets outplayed, then, more often then not, his team loses. I guess we just shouldn't expect so much from him.
- pens_4ever

So, if MM made every single play exactly the same way, except for failing to freeze a freaking dribble of a puck, then he would not have lost by a goal? --> That seems like a bold statement.

Nobody wins without a good goalie, and good goalies don't do things like that on the regular. I'm not saying MM is not a good goalie, but I am saying that his team needed him to (not even steal) not let that shot in. I'm not saying we should O'Yeller him, but he was a difference tonight, despite your biases.

I’m skipping the commercials and reading as I go. Just saw the second goal. Blame MM all you want, he should just be sticking that one aside - but that is a terrible pass by Blueger who basically had no pressure on him. Should’ve been an easy tape to tape pass to Marino for a shot or a puck deep to kill the clock

Stop blaming Murray. We only scored one goal. Hard to win that way.

Aren't the Pens like in the top 5 for fewest goals allowed so far? If so goaltending and D aren't the problem.

The 9.5M Machino can't get a pt with playing with the top F's?
- sammy87

Geno is looking good, and this team is straight. They're going to do as well as you can hope a team to do without some $20 mil out of the lineup. The only reason to question them as a playoff team, as is, is because of the success of their division.

Stop blaming Murray. We only scored one goal. Hard to win that way.
- powerhouse

NJ only scored two

NJ only scored two
- pens_4ever

Yeah Malkin, Galchenyuk, Gutz......none of those guys can muster a goal vs NJ?

Galchenyuk with the steal behind the net. So not enough guys are going to the net? Well he went there, waived at it, sent the rebound high, got the loose puck, found the open man, and we scored without screening the goaltender? I just don’t understand. It doesn’t make sense

People keep saying “we keep shooting without traffic in front.” Look at the first part of that sentence. Why are guys shooting from so far out with no traffic anyways? If it’s not a low shot for a rebound then it’s likely a bad shot by the shooter to frickin blame him. Shoot for redirects, bank it off the back boards, don’t shoot and keep the play alive. Too many nothing shots is the problem

For real, 59 doesn’t look good on the PP. I thought he would do well in that role and he really just hasn’t. Interested to see what the lines will be tomorrow. Blueger at 3C is my guess

NJD with like 20 blocked shots but Blackwood with a lot of good saves especially late. Good saves on Jake and Geno. Despite the usual Geno turnover in the neutral zone with the goalie pulled (not taking away from his solid game, he just does that a lot) that was one of our better empty net situations which doesn’t say much. It wasn’t spectacular, we’re just normally so bad in that scenario lol

The analytics are going to say the Pens dominated and were unlucky. I am going to disagree. The fancy stats were even in the first period and that is where the game was lost. No team can consistently give up the first goal and expect to win. It has been five or six games since the Pens haven't gotten behind by at least two goals before they finally score. Now that Letang, Crosby and Hornqvist are out for an extended time that only accentuates the point. (Maybe Bjugstad now also)

Now for the main reason I am disagreeing that the Pens were dominant. Your opponent is permitted to play defense and that is just what NJ did. It appeared they played some sort of zone defense, taking away the slot, forcing everything wide and giving up the weak side. They also gave Blackwood a ton of help. The Pens were crashing the net, the Devils were doing a great job of boxing out and preventing the Pens from getting to rebounds. They also blocked a lot of shots.

New Jersey was much better defensively than Pittsburgh and that is why they won. Normally I would say luck had nothing to do with it, but that first goal was kinda lucky. Zajak did have position there so it wasn't all luck.

Did anyone else hear Bob Errey say he expects the golden boy to step up his game? I am still chuckling at that one.

Reminds me of the game many years ago when Boston was down one to the Pens. They had their crash line out trying to tie the score in the last minute. Paul Coffey said to one of their chirpers. "What are you going to do, score a goal?" Classic.

I’ll say it, teams soft. I really expected Tanev to throw more well timed bigger hits and maybe have a fm by now. Everyone puts their heads down and skates away after Simmonds cheap shots a rookie. Hate to tell you guys this but the teams around the league that are racking up points don’t do that poop.

I’ll say it, teams soft. I really expected Tanev to throw more well timed bigger hits and maybe have a fm by now. Everyone puts their heads down and skates away after Simmonds cheap shots a rookie. Hate to tell you guys this but the teams around the league that are racking up points don’t do that poop.
- Grinder47

None of that has anything to do with why they lost last night or didn't "pack on points". Zero.

I don't think the team is soft at all. They've shown a lot of resiliency and heart already this year and they haven't even played 20 games yet. They don't give up or fold. Mental toughness.

Is it just me or is Tanev not as fast and tenacious as the very beginning of the season?
- MattStrat

Shiny new toy syndrome wore off.