Sounded like a typical mid season day time game for Pitt. Thank god they play Montreal to get that prime time evening spot.

I know that there are other "Numbers Nerds" out there... Here is an article that looks at the new NHL format and compares the odds of making/winning the playoffs before and after the format was put into place. Interesting read (for those of us that can):

https://www.google.com/am...the-stanley-cup-race/amp/

I know that there are other "Numbers Nerds" out there... Here is an article that looks at the new NHL format and compares the odds of making/winning the playoffs before and after the format was put into place. Interesting read (for those of us that can):

https://www.google.com/am...the-stanley-cup-race/amp/
- Beatnic57

Yikes, Pens odds dropped the most! Having said that though, the Pens roster is stronger than the one these odds were derived from pre covid shut down. Also the teams, such as Pens, having to play a preliminary round just to make the playoffs, are obviously going to have their odds drop.

Nobody, absolutely nobody, should be looking flat in any of the games going forward after such a long layoff and with every game meaning something.
- MattStrat

Logic doesn't always play into reality. We've seen this core in situations where we thought "they have to show up now" and nothing. And look, it's pro sports. There are nights where things just don't gel.

I caught the third period. One thing I hate about Sid playing with Guentzel and the JV version of Guentzel is he rarely ever gets to play out of the cycle. Sure Sheary had a fine goal but that line played way to much between the blue line and hash marks. Sid is the best ever and creating below the hash marks, as age takes its toll it’s still the one place he’s miles ahead of everyone.

Pens need to approach these playoffs like they did in '17. Tight and structured. Basically the opposite of how they played against the Isle last year. I'm not going to read too much into last night, but the Pens displayed some of the same bad habits.

Not Pens' related, but been watching the Canes/Caps a little and I'm surprised how good Justin Williams still is at his age.

I also think they've tweaked the background sound. It sounds better today, or maybe I'm used to it.

Get away from the railing on the bridge guys. The Pens played fine. Room for improveennt, of course. But we sent it into OT and it was a competetive game. I'll admit Sid looked off but he hasn't played much. Show a little faith.

Get away from the railing on the bridge guys. The Pens played fine. Room for improveennt, of course. But we sent it into OT and it was a competetive game. I'll admit Sid looked off but he hasn't played much. Show a little faith.
- powerhouse

Get away from the railing?
Show a little faith????

Are you new here?

Not Pens' related, but been watching the Canes/Caps a little and I'm surprised how good Justin Williams still is at his age.

I also think they've tweaked the background sound. It sounds better today, or maybe I'm used to it.
- Rinosaur

I didn't see him but he's always been a gamer, he gets it done. Marleau still has speed, his hands and mind. He's going to be a good addition to the third line/fill in to the top lines.

Get away from the railing on the bridge guys. The Pens played fine. Room for improveennt, of course. But we sent it into OT and it was a competetive game. I'll admit Sid looked off but he hasn't played much. Show a little faith.
- powerhouse

Show some goddamn faith! Sullivan has a PLANNN!!!!

I caught the third period. One thing I hate about Sid playing with Guentzel and the JV version of Guentzel is he rarely ever gets to play out of the cycle. Sure Sheary had a fine goal but that line played way to much between the blue line and hash marks. Sid is the best ever and creating below the hash marks, as age takes its toll it’s still the one place he’s miles ahead of everyone.
- Grinder47

This is kinda why I wanted To keep Zucker with Sid and Guentzel to go back to Malkin. I think Sid is at his absolute best with one winger who’s skill based and the other who’s hard on the boards and can help Crosby facilitate a cycle. But the two lines look good, so I’m not going to complain too much about it. The Zucker-Malkin-Rust line could end up being a world beater and you’re always one shot away from scoring a goal when Crosby and Guentzel are on the ice together.

Yikes, Pens odds dropped the most! Having said that though, the Pens roster is stronger than the one these odds were derived from pre covid shut down. Also the teams, such as Pens, having to play a preliminary round just to make the playoffs, are obviously going to have their odds drop.
- MattStrat

The Pens path got a lot harder. Extra round. Reseeding is worse. Guaranteed to only play one of Tampa or Boston before.

Governor wolf has mandated that people from Pennsylvania have to wear masks until the Philadelphia flyers won the Stanley cup. Basically forever.
- hipcheck_goalie

that's a good chirp.

This is kinda why I wanted To keep Zucker with Sid and Guentzel to go back to Malkin. I think Sid is at his absolute best with one winger who’s skill based and the other who’s hard on the boards and can help Crosby facilitate a cycle. But the two lines look good, so I’m not going to complain too much about it. The Zucker-Malkin-Rust line could end up being a world beater and you’re always one shot away from scoring a goal when Crosby and Guentzel are on the ice together.
- Victoro311

Yeah. Hornqvist will always get bumped to play on that line when the teams down late. I don’t know why he isn’t just a staple there.

Yeah. Hornqvist will always get bumped to play on that line when the teams down late. I don’t know why he isn’t just a staple there.
- Grinder47

Apparently Sid doesn’t like playing with him. I never buy into those kinds of stories because these guys are professionals, but everyone on the beat insists this is the case, so who knows.

Apparently Sid doesn’t like playing with him. I never buy into those kinds of stories because these guys are professionals, but everyone on the beat insists this is the case, so who knows.
- Victoro311

Yeah... It's pretty obvious Sid doesn't want to play with Hornie. Stylistically, Sheary plays the type of game Sid is comfortable with. Unfortunately, he's easy to defend and crap defensively. I don't like that line at all if Sid isn't playing at a superstar level. In tight games, Hornie would open up more space than Sheary. Pens need players driving the net. Grinder is right.

Yeah. Hornqvist will always get bumped to play on that line when the teams down late. I don’t know why he isn’t just a staple there.
- Grinder47

I believe it was Sid Sheary and Horny who played together in the 2016 run. Can only think it be better with Guentz in Shearys spot. Either way if Sheary is failing and the Zuck-Geno-Rust line is killing it, gotta think Horny goes up there. I'm just glad Simon is injured so that it's not even and option on Sid's wing lol

I believe it was Sid Sheary and Horny who played together in the 2016 run. Can only think it be better with Guentz in Shearys spot. Either way if Sheary is failing and the Zuck-Geno-Rust line is killing it, gotta think Horny goes up there. I'm just glad Simon is injured so that it's not even and option on Sid's wing lol
- 668710

You know, I’m fine with Sheary for what he is. He was pretty incredible value for us when he was on ELC and he’s a decent enough middle six player. But when you have Sid and G who can put up goals at will on the same line, Simon is an infinitely better third wheel than Sheary is. He actually plays defense, is underrated on the boards, good in the cycle, and a better passer and puck carrier than Sheary is. The hate boner for Simon on this board is so hyperbolized. Pretty impressive Carl Hagelin was able to get through his tenure here still being a fan favorite given how much people here detest guys who don’t put up numbers in the top 6.

Logic doesn't always play into reality. We've seen this core in situations where we thought "they have to show up now" and nothing. And look, it's pro sports. There are nights where things just don't gel.
- Rinosaur

This is where my point comes from. No excuses for this after this long layoff and all the rest plus the fact the games are very meaningful. With an aging core it would be a bit more understandable after a long grueling regular season. Not gelling and out of sync is one thing, looking flat is another.

Apparently Sid doesn’t like playing with him. I never buy into those kinds of stories because these guys are professionals, but everyone on the beat insists this is the case, so who knows.
- Victoro311

Hornqvist isn't very good at passing or on zone-entries which IMO are two things you need to succeed on Sid's line. Hornqvist is a dump-n-chase, dig the puck out of the boards type of player. Yes, he has good speed and causes havoc in front of the net, but that's not enough.

You know, I’m fine with Sheary for what he is. He was pretty incredible value for us when he was on ELC and he’s a decent enough middle six player. But when you have Sid and G who can put up goals at will on the same line, Simon is an infinitely better third wheel than Sheary is. He actually plays defense, is underrated on the boards, good in the cycle, and a better passer and puck carrier than Sheary is. The hate boner for Simon on this board is so hyperbolized. Pretty impressive Carl Hagelin was able to get through his tenure here still being a fan favorite given how much people here detest guys who don’t put up numbers in the top 6.
- Victoro311

Simon is miscast as a top line player. Just like Hags, perfectly fine 3rd liner. I really like him in that role TBH. I only see hate when he's on the top line. That hole needs to be filled before next season.

As you mention, Simon has multiple facets to his game. Sheary is literally a one trick pony. If Sheary doesn't get space, he's virtually worthless. Anyway... I was bummed when I heard Simon was out long term. He was the kind of depth you hate to lose.

Simon is miscast as a top line player. Just like Hags, perfectly fine 3rd liner. I really like him in that role TBH. I only see hate when he's on the top line. That hole needs to be filled before next season.

As you mention, Simon has multiple facets to his game. Sheary is literally a one trick pony. If Sheary doesn't get space, he's virtually worthless. Anyway... I was bummed when I heard Simon was out long term. He was the kind of depth you hate to lose.
- madmike71

The thing about top 6s is that they are rarely filled with exclusively top 6 caliber players. Even when teams have 6 top 6 caliber forwards, they sometimes elect to spread the wealth onto the third line which causes guys you wouldn’t normally peg as top 6 guys to jump up.

No one is arguing that Simon is a top 6 guy, but he’s pretty good at some things that mesh really well with Crosby and Guentzel, which merits consideration when trying to fill that hole. I agree, in a perfect wourld we got Toffoli or Palmieri at the deadline too and we wouldn’t be having this conversation, but we live in a capped league with limited assets.

Hornqvist isn't very good at passing or on zone-entries which IMO are two things you need to succeed on Sid's line. Hornqvist is a dump-n-chase, dig the puck out of the boards type of player. Yes, he has good speed and causes havoc in front of the net, but that's not enough.
- Rinosaur

Better defensive clubs will do everything they can to force the Pens into a dump and chase game. Just like the Islanders did last year, better defensive clubs will not give the Pens space at the blue line. Sullivan is going to toggle players on that 1st line......hopefully.

The thing about top 6s is that they are rarely filled with exclusively top 6 caliber players. Even when teams have 6 top 6 caliber forwards, they sometimes elect to spread the wealth onto the third line which causes guys you wouldn’t normally peg as top 6 guys to jump up.

No one is arguing that Simon is a top 6 guy, but he’s pretty good at some things that mesh really well with Crosby and Guentzel, which merits consideration when trying to fill that hole. I agree, in a perfect wourld we got Toffoli or Palmieri at the deadline too and we wouldn’t be having this conversation, but we live in a capped league with limited assets.
- Victoro311

The Pens are actually in a pretty good position for next year even with a flat cap. Might be able to fill 1st line RW. They have flexibility. Can't keep Murray and hopefully move Bjug.