Agreed. I think this layoff will be a good thing for Pens, not only because Jake will be back, but also the whole team including the 30+ stars will be well rested again. As we said many times, you cant keep the tempo and battle level of the early season going the whole season and into the playoffs. Impossible.
- MattStrat

I wouldn't call it impossible, other teams have done it, but not many. It's definitely quite difficult though. Most teams who go deep in the playoffs seem to surge in the latter part of the season rather than keeping that level all year.

I do agree that the rest will benefit them, but as I've said to an exhausting degree it's very tough to gauge how any team will come out of the gate. I think some serious upsets are abound for the opening tournament or whatever they're calling it.

Truthfully, the same could be said for much of the team. The Pens hit a wall as the season was winding down. You could easily see they didn't have the same gusto in the last month than they did for much of the season. I think they all just ran out of steam.
- Rinosaur

I think it's just the injuries slowed them down. Our blue line was in shambles for long stretches, causing the forwards to have to shoulder more of transition game burden. Not only did they have to expend more energy to achieve results, but forwards carrying the puck coast to coast is inherently slower than a transition game based on defensemen carrying the puck up and making aggressive passes.

I think it's just the injuries slowed them down. Our blue line was in shambles for long stretches, causing the forwards to have to shoulder more of transition game burden. Not only did they have to expend more energy to achieve results, but forwards carrying the puck coast to coast is inherently slower than a transition game based on defensemen carrying the puck up and making aggressive passes.
- Victoro311

I don't know. The Pens were winning when McCann was 2C, so I don't think it was the injuries. Now, maybe playing at that level throughout the injuries caught up with them, but regardless IMO we saw a regression to how they played the previous season. Overcommitting/Too much pinching leading to odd-man rushes and just careless play.

They just weren't as sharp or calculating with their style of play in the last month.

Agreed. I think this layoff will be a good thing for Pens, not only because Jake will be back, but also the whole team including the 30+ stars will be well rested again. As we said many times, you cant keep the tempo and battle level of the early season going the whole season and into the playoffs. Impossible.
- MattStrat

EJ Hradek was on with the dolts on the Fan this morning and said St.Louis,Columbus and Boston will benefit the most as a result of the layoff. Hard to disagree based on Columbus was decimated later and St.Louis and Boston played late in the season obviously, but gaining Guentzel back has to be considered HUGE, plus resting Sid and Geno.

I don't know. The Pens were winning when McCann was 2C, so I don't think it was the injuries. Now, maybe playing at that level throughout the injuries caught up with them, but regardless IMO we saw a regression to how they played the previous season. Overcommitting/Too much pinching leading to odd-man rushes and just careless play.

They just weren't as sharp or calculating with their style of play in the last month.
- Rinosaur

While Malkin was on the IR our blue line was intact. Dumo had surgery Dec 1 and Marino went down Feb 7. Geno was Activated off the IR in November. My point is that the speed at which the team plays is dictated by the blue line, which was dismantled by injury starting in December.

While Malkin was on the IR our blue line was intact. Dumo had surgery Dec 1 and Marino went down Feb 7. Geno was Activated off the IR in November. My point is that the speed at which the team plays is dictated by the blue line, which was dismantled by injury starting in December.
- Victoro311

Ah ok. I honestly don't remember the order of the injuries. It's really one big comical blur.

I don't know. The Pens were winning when McCann was 2C, so I don't think it was the injuries. Now, maybe playing at that level throughout the injuries caught up with them, but regardless IMO we saw a regression to how they played the previous season. Overcommitting/Too much pinching leading to odd-man rushes and just careless play.

They just weren't as sharp or calculating with their style of play in the last month.
- Rinosaur

I think what I bolded played a big factor. Even the relatively healthy guys played a demanding style and heavy minutes for a long time and it might have caught up with them. We rarely had a 4th line getting good minutes as our 4th line was basically our 3rd most of the year. And when Riikola-Ruhwedel was a pair they got spme of the lowest minutes Sully has ever given on defense.

EJ Hradek was on with the dolts on the Fan this morning and said St.Louis,Columbus and Boston will benefit the most as a result of the layoff. Hard to disagree based on Columbus was decimated later and St.Louis and Boston played late in the season obviously, but gaining Guentzel back has to be considered HUGE, plus resting Sid and Geno.
- Doogs

St. Louis also gets Tarasenko fully healthy. I'd actually throw Carolina in too because they didn't expect to have Hamilton. Not that I disagree with Pittsburgh being up there though.

St. Louis also gets Tarasenko fully healthy. I'd actually throw Carolina in too because they didn't expect to have Hamilton. Not that I disagree with Pittsburgh being up there though.
- Tojo.

Yeah we get G back and give Dumo and Marino extra time to nurse any lingering ouchies. There are teams that are benefiting just as much as us probably but we’re definitely in tier 1 of most benefited teams.