The Pens have given up 3 goals in the last 4 games... This is starting to concern me. Granted, the last Wild goal was with 20 seconds to go, but I think it need addressed. There's no way we can outgun to win a seven game series with a Washington, Boston, or Tampa...
- hipcheck_goalie

We’re top 10 in the league in goals against average. A 4 game sample size is really small so I’m not worried. 3 ga isn’t even atrocious. It’s just below average which is 2.78.

What was the prettier pass? Malkins sick no look to Rusty or Sid passing to himself that led to Simon's tap in?
- hipcheck_goalie

Let’s not forget mccann’s pass from his ass to setup Sid for his goal.

I’m wondering how big of an issue Guerin was in the bad direction the team took the pervious two years because Rutherford seems back on track in a very big way. Excluding dumping Kessel for the sake of just getting him off the team, the direction we took during the offseason and so far this season in getting faster and younger has been very intentional as opposed to just throwing a bunch of poop at the wall and going vaguely for “character guys” and “toughness”.
- Victoro311

Interesting thought. I gueas I'd go with Boyd's idea that Rutherford tends to make a lot of riskier deals that sometimes work great and sometimes fail spectacularly. And he does seem to go on runs one way or the other. Even the Reaves deal might have worked out better if his linemates weren't so terrible because he's been a decent player in Vegas. But who knows.

I do think interjecting some playable grit isn't a bad thing, but he's largely whiffed on the playable part when he tries.

We’re top 10 in the league in goals against average. A 4 game sample size is really small so I’m not worried. 3 ga isn’t even atrocious. It’s just below average which is 2.78.
- Victoro311

While I agree a four-game sample is very small, it seems like our defense has not played up to the ability it did earlier in the year. Either they are tired, they overachieved earlier, or the injuries have started showing a weakness.

While I agree a four-game sample is very small, it seems like our defense has not played up to the ability it did earlier in the year. Either they are tired, they overachieved earlier, or the injuries have started showing a weakness.
- hipcheck_goalie

It’s injuries. Johnson is playing on the top pairing with Letang. This won’t be an issue for all that much longer.

3 goals in 4 games is less than a goal a game
- kaptaan

He means 3 goals in each of the last 4 games...

I agree but the season isn't over and we only beat up on Minn, last night... Tomorrow is a real test.

I will completely admit that I felt the team would be much much worse than it is now. I don't recall reading anyone else that felt otherwise....
- Beatnic57

They've had a lot of "real" tests this season but kept on truckin'...I wont be concerned if they lose tomorrow night. I like their chances.

The Pens have given up 3 goals in the last 4 games... This is starting to concern me. Granted, the last Wild goal was with 20 seconds to go, but I think it need addressed. There's no way we can outgun to win a seven game series with a Washington, Boston, or Tampa...
- hipcheck_goalie

the Caps are not a good defensive team.

It’s injuries. Johnson is playing on the top pairing with Letang. This won’t be an issue for all that much longer.
- Victoro311

Its totally the injuries for the D. Up to last night, the Rikky-Rud pairing was statistically (underlying) the best the previous 9 games. JJ is effecting Tanger in a negative way. JJ might be better than last year but he's still the worst D-man on the team...and now in a top pair role.

While I agree a four-game sample is very small, it seems like our defense has not played up to the ability it did earlier in the year. Either they are tired, they overachieved earlier, or the injuries have started showing a weakness.
- hipcheck_goalie

Injuries are definitely the main factor and contributes a ton to fatigue.

Tanger is playing a ton, even JJ is playing over 20 mins most nights (not ideal).

If the D is ever healthy all at once we'll see a little more balanced ice time for the 3 pairings.

It appears that Rask will not be in net tomorrow:

https://www.hockeyfeed.co...j0Issah8R9ex3nsgNN9IF_PnM

It appears that Rask will not be in net tomorrow:

https://www.hockeyfeed.co...j0Issah8R9ex3nsgNN9IF_PnM
- Beatnic57

Halak always looks like a world beater against us though.

They've had a lot of "real" tests this season but kept on truckin'...I wont be concerned if they lose tomorrow night. I like their chances.
- MattStrat

We have played teams that currently have 60 points or more (Boston, Tampa, Washington, NY Islanders, and St Louis) 7 times this season...

We are 2-5

Halak always looks like a world beater against us though.
- Thorny87

That's true, and it hurts.

We have played teams that currently have 60 points or more (Boston, Tampa, Washington, NY Islanders, and St Louis) 7 times this season...

We are 2-5
- Beatnic57

Why you wanna ruin my day like this? hahah jk.....now, in those games, did they have Sid, Geno and Tanger all at once and was Jarry in net?

I seem to remember some games totally out playing the other teams and losing with only 16 to 20 shots on their own net...

Why you wanna ruin my day like this? hahah jk.....now, in those games, did they have Sid, Geno and Tanger all at once and was Jarry in net?

I seem to remember some games totally out playing the other teams and losing with only 16 to 20 shots on their own net...
- MattStrat

Lol, not trying to ruin anyone's day, just trying to keep perspective.

And you are 100% right, while I don't have hard numbers, we probably are healthier now than when we played those teams.

I am excited for tomorrow, it will be a good test.

Yes on both. I think Sullivan deserves a ton of credit for pulling his GM back in line with a brand of hockey that wins in the modern day NHL.

They had the play-by-play guy for Wilkes on the fan the other day. He said POJ is really playing well. With injuries and call-ups he's been pushed into a bigger role and handling it well.
- madmike71

Good to hear on POJ. His skill set seems similar to Pettersson amd if he can combine that with quicker decision making that would be a nice player.

The Pens have given up 3 goals in the last 4 games... This is starting to concern me. Granted, the last Wild goal was with 20 seconds to go, but I think it need addressed. There's no way we can outgun to win a seven game series with a Washington, Boston, or Tampa...
- hipcheck_goalie

We're better than Washington at least, IMO. They've had 10 guys play every game and 3 more who have only missed a few games for suspensions. Their biggest key injury was 8 games for Backstrom. Yet they're barely ahead of us.

We're better than Washington at least. They've had 10 guys play every game and 3 more who have only missed a few games for suspensions. Their biggest key injury was 8 games for Backstrom. Yet they're barely ahead of us.
- Tojo.

And amazingly enough, we haven't played Washington yet....

We have played teams that currently have 60 points or more (Boston, Tampa, Washington, NY Islanders, and St Louis) 7 times this season...

We are 2-5
- Beatnic57

How many of those losses was Murray in net for?

This team is just extremely well coached and they have the younger legs now to play this style around their stars.

Someone pointed out earlier maybe it's time to pull back on the GMJR hate because outside if the Kessel dump he's been on a roll (and watch POJ becone a stud defenseman). But that goes double for Sully, they made the right choice sticking with him and giving him a roster he can play his style with.
- Tojo.

Dumping Kessel was the catalyst for the team playing like this.

How many of those losses was Murray in net for?
- stackthepads

Murrary is 1-3
Jarry is 1-2

Edit:

Jarry - L TB 10/23
L Bos 11/4
W St L 12/4

Murrary W NYI - 11/7
L NYI. 11/19
L NYI 11/21
L StL 11/30

How many of those losses was Murray in net for?
- stackthepads

The loses:


Tampa - Jarry

Boston - Murray started/Jarry finshed Pens outshot the B's 44-26

Islanders - Murray OT loss....3 on 3 OT is a random event hot bed crap shoot. I dont put much of any stock in them...Pens beat them in OT a week or so before this one.

Islanders Murray OT loss...see last comments

Blues: Murray...then a few days later they beat the Blues 3-0

How many of those losses was Murray in net for?
- stackthepads

Jarry was 1-2
(w - stl, l - bos, tank)

Murray was 1-2-2
(w - nyi, l - stl, bos, otl - nyi twice)

See above comments for Boston game. Murray started. Jarry finished.

Boston has been on a bit of a slide. Hopefully the Pens can pour more salt in the wound.