This is the crux of the biggest problem, IMO. Unfortunately, JR keeps getting rid of tough crease players while acquiring soft perimeter players and Sully's game plan appears to completely disregard this fundamental aspect of hockey. I think they think they are way more clever than they actually are. I'm actually looking forward to the post JR/Sully era so we can get back to some real hockey.

This has been going on for a long time now and I don't see much hope, frankly. Sorry to be a Debbie Downer (and no, it's not just a reaction to one game), but I actually think the players are starting to look dejected and lifeless. Either play with passion and try to control the crease areas or don't bother lacing them up, IMO.
- Hockey66

Some of the skill guys don't mind going to the net. Crosby, Guentzel, Zucker. But they are looking to score goals first, not set an effective screen first.

They should scratch Ceci for Ruh and do Math/Ruh
- 668710

Again, I only saw parts of the game, but I didn't think Ceci looked all that bad. He definitely had a couple of rough moments, but no more than anyone else.

I think the overall problem is the Pens seem to try and treat every zone entry like a PP rather than trying cycle down low in and around the net.

Some of the skill guys don't mind going to the net. Crosby, Guentzel, Zucker. But they are looking to score goals first, not set an effective screen first.
- Tojo.

Zucker, Rust, Tanev and Lafferty have showed no fear with getting right to the net. It just doesn't seem to happen often enough.

Some of the skill guys don't mind going to the net. Crosby, Guentzel, Zucker. But they are looking to score goals first, not set an effective screen first.
- Tojo.

Rust drives the net too, mostly with the puck though.

Again, I only saw parts of the game, but I didn't think Ceci looked all that bad. He definitely had a couple of rough moments, but no more than anyone else.

I think the overall problem is the Pens seem to try and treat every zone entry like a PP rather than trying cycle down low in and around the net.
- Rinosaur

Honestly it seems like Sully needs to go then.

Honestly it seems like Sully needs to go then.
- 668710

Hahaha yup. This has been known for almost 2 years now. Almost commical the assistant coaches got the axe and he didn't.. almost

Honestly it seems like Sully needs to go then.
- 668710

I went back and forth with that last year, and I think it’s possible. Again, I’m not sure if it’s the players who are unwilling to do it or it’s just not part of the plan.

Regardless, if the Pens miss playoffs and it’s not due to major injuries, I have to think Sullivan is gone.

Wow my gosh that was fugly last night. Got beat to the puck, listless energy, no one wanted to go in the corners. Gonna be a long season with Jarry at the helm

Without a real preseason and actual games, it’s tough to get your act together in game #1. Let’s see if there are any adjustments. It wasn’t pretty but there are 55 more games.

It wasn't exactly a "beatdown." It was mostly a back and forth affair- one shot game until midway through the 3rd. I'm ok with what I saw for the most part. It's useless to echo what everyone's already said. There will be some growing pains. I'm not sure how patient we need to be but time is short this season.

Here's my lines for next game:

Zucker-Sid-Tanev
Guentz-Geno-Rust
McCann-Jano-Lafferty
O'Connor-Blue-ERod

Dumo-Tang
Petts-Marino
Rikk-Rudy

It wasn't exactly a "beatdown." It was mostly a back and forth affair- one shot game until midway through the 3rd. I'm ok with what I saw for the most part. It's useless to echo what everyone's already said. There will be some growing pains. I'm not sure how patient we need to be but time is short this season.
- TheBrownListerine

Cant really go 0-5-0, or worse, to start this season...so they will need to win soon IMO.

For sure growing pains, the thing is most of the pain came from the bottom 2 D and top two forward lines/top forwards (PP). I thought of the top two lines Sids looked better of the two and thats with a guy on the RW who probably has no business being there.

Here's my lines for next game:

Zucker-Sid-Tanev
Guentz-Geno-Rust
McCann-Jano-Lafferty
O'Connor-Blue-ERod

Dumo-Tang
Petts-Marino
Rikk-Rudy
- MattStrat

I'd like to see Zuck with Sid a bit more myself

I'd like to see Zuck with Sid a bit more myself
- TheBrownListerine

Yup and 59-71-17 was one of the best forward lines in league last season in their time together, so give that a go.

Is Kapanen going to play Sunday I wonder hmmm

Cant really go 0-5-0, or worse, to start this season...so they will need to win soon IMO.

For sure growing pains, the thing is most of the pain came from the bottom 2 D and top two forward lines/top forwards (PP). I thought of the top two lines Sids looked better of the two and thats with a guy on the RW who probably has no business being there.
- MattStrat

Absolutely. Kap will help balance that stuff out. We're kind of stuck playing the waiting game on that one. I was hoping just for a point yesterday and that almost happened. I'm not pushing any panic buttons quite yet. Call me in a week.

Yup and 59-71-17 was one of the best forward lines in league last season in their time together, so give that a go.

Is Kapanen going to play Sunday I wonder hmmm
- MattStrat

I think he has to test negative and if he does, he can play. I think.

Here's my lines for next game:

Zucker-Sid-Tanev
Guentz-Geno-Rust
McCann-Jano-Lafferty
O'Connor-Blue-ERod

Dumo-Tang
Petts-Marino
Rikk-Rudy
- MattStrat

I think I’d leave tanev on the 3rd for the most part unless the top line needs a brief spark plug. Everyone’s concern was the 3rd line and they didn’t even allow a chance against until the 3rd while potting 2 goals. I’d swap zucker and guentz though.

Now that players can practice together maybe mm, ceci, sceviour, should ait a game here and there for Connor, roll, ruw to get more practice in the system and get some other guys game time. Hopefully zar is back soon, as bland as he is, he seems to be a known quantity next to blueger

I've honestly come to conclusion that aside from figuring out what works in bottom six, that to a large degree, it doesn't matter the line construction unless the strategy changes. Continuing to attempt to score from the perimeter makes all of this moot IMO.

Here's my lines for next game:

Zucker-Sid-Tanev
Guentz-Geno-Rust
McCann-Jano-Lafferty
O'Connor-Blue-ERod

Dumo-Tang
Petts-Marino
Rikk-Rudy
- MattStrat

If Kapanen is going to come in short order, then just keep the place holder at 1RW and keep that third line in tact. They looked good and I want to see if they jell further.

Yup and 59-71-17 was one of the best forward lines in league last season in their time together, so give that a go.

Is Kapanen going to play Sunday I wonder hmmm
- MattStrat

I have been on this band wagon since end of last year when they started the playoffs...but Sid/ Jake was the #1 duo the year before. better than Marchand/bergeron and McD/Drais. So its just a 50/50 situation.

Maybe it’s the McCann-Jank history, but I thought they clicked pretty well together. McCann looked good and the 3rd line did what they were supposed to do. Hopefully Kapanen can provide some spark to the top line because Sid and Jake look almost tired.

If Kapanen is going to come in short order, then just keep the place holder at 1RW and keep that third line in tact. They looked good and I want to see if they jell further.
- Victoro311

I too want to see the third line continue and also I would just leave the lines, wait till Kap actually plays.

I thought the Pens owned the play for much of the first two periods. Those two PP goals were kind of absurd with our D just adding a double screen. I agree with those saying they need to drive the net. I'm really concerned they'll keep trying the tic, tac, toe stuff instead of driving the net. The Penguins did the division a huge favor in trading Hornie.

The mistakes were just killer. Maybe they clean it up after this game. I seem to recall last season they had an equal inauspicious first game. They played a more detailed game after that.

I thought the Pens owned the play for much of the first two periods. Those two PP goals were kind of absurd with our D just adding a double screen. I agree with those saying they need to drive the net. I'm really concerned they'll keep trying the tic, tac, toe stuff instead of driving the net. The Penguins did the division a huge favor in trading Hornie.

The mistakes were just killer. Maybe they clean it up after this game. I seem to recall last season they had an equal inauspicious first game. They played a more detailed game after that.
- madmike71

I’d say that boils down to how good the coaching staff is.

Personally I hope if they lose, I’d rather it be bad so they take it more seriously than a bad bounce or a small mistake cost us.

Here's my lines for next game:

Zucker-Sid-Tanev
Guentz-Geno-Rust
McCann-Jano-Lafferty
O'Connor-Blue-ERod

Dumo-Tang
Petts-Marino
Rikk-Rudy
- MattStrat

Tanev is the winger Sid needs.