That is true, but it also works both ways. Trotz specifically designed his system for the Islanders so that he is comfortable playing any one of his four lines against any of the opposition's four lines. I don't think matchups matter much at all to him, actually. Still, with three very good offensive lines and a fourth line that does its job the Pens are going to keep all their lines on their toes. They can't take it easy when our third and fourth lines are out like in the past.

The reason I consider Trotz the best coach in the league is because he adapts his systems/style/etc. to the team he has. Back when he coached the Capitals he didn't force them to do a trap but rather allowed their offense to do its thing (but perhaps a bit more responsibly than in the past). Likewise he didn't play a trap before that when he coached Nashville. He has the Islanders play a trap because he is smart enough to realize that is their best chance of winning, due to lack of offensive firepower. The entire team could have gone into a tailspin after losing Tavares but he prevented this. If Trotz had gone to Buffalo they would probably be in the playoffs now.
- PghPens668771

I'm not sure even Trotz could make Buffalo even a bubble team. Their roster is truly devoid of NHL talent across the board. Tage Thompson is like their fifth best forward.

That is true, but it also works both ways. Trotz specifically designed his system for the Islanders so that he is comfortable playing any one of his four lines against any of the opposition's four lines. I don't think matchups matter much at all to him, actually. Still, with three very good offensive lines and a fourth line that does its job the Pens are going to keep all their lines on their toes. They can't take it easy when our third and fourth lines are out like in the past.

The reason I consider Trotz the best coach in the league is because he adapts his systems/style/etc. to the team he has. Back when he coached the Capitals he didn't force them to do a trap but rather allowed their offense to do its thing (but perhaps a bit more responsibly than in the past). Likewise he didn't play a trap before that when he coached Nashville. He has the Islanders play a trap because he is smart enough to realize that is their best chance of winning, due to lack of offensive firepower. The entire team could have gone into a tailspin after losing Tavares but he prevented this. If Trotz had gone to Buffalo they would probably be in the playoffs now.
- PghPens668771

You just demonstrated you know absolutely nothing about Barry Trotz.

hahaha...legs solidifying yet?
- MattStrat

No. Worked on extension ladders mostly the rest of this week to boot. Should be interesting.

That is true, but it also works both ways. Trotz specifically designed his system for the Islanders so that he is comfortable playing any one of his four lines against any of the opposition's four lines. I don't think matchups matter much at all to him, actually. Still, with three very good offensive lines and a fourth line that does its job the Pens are going to keep all their lines on their toes. They can't take it easy when our third and fourth lines are out like in the past.

The reason I consider Trotz the best coach in the league is because he adapts his systems/style/etc. to the team he has. Back when he coached the Capitals he didn'tyforce them to do a trap but rather allowed their offense to do its thing (but perhaps a bit more responsibly than in the past). Likewise he didn't play a trap before that when he coached Nashville. He has the Islanders play a trap because he is smart enough to realize that is their best chance of winning, due to lack of offensive firepower. The entire team could have gone into a tailspin after losing Tavares but he prevented this. If Trotz had gone to Buffalo they would probably be in the playoffs now.
- PghPens668771

Oy

RW was in the mentions of that Jesse Marshal tweet about ZAR I posted last blog asking why Sullivan doesn't match them up against Bergeron. I said the next blog would be a copy and paste of that Jesse tweet then a couple of paragraphs of RW rephrasing his question over and over again followed by a "Thanks for reading!"

If we make it past the Isles and see the B's, I bet we see that blog happen before or after Game 1. -Victoro311

It is convenient to have someone come along and get all the the stats for your conversations though hahaha

It is convenient to have someone come along and get all the the stats for your conversations though hahaha
- 10inchTerror

To be fair to him he used to do his own leg work before all this stuff got put behind pay walls. Basically all we have right now is natural stat trick and hockey-reference

You just demonstrated you know absolutely nothing about Barry Trotz.
- Cptmjl

I was thinking the same thing lol

First
- coohill

No one cares

I was thinking the same thing lol
- j.boyd919

Same here. Trotz had Ovechkin playing defensive hockey

6-5 the good guys. Nope I contributed nothing on the score board besides secondary assists. These guys are going to (frank) around and ruin my Sunday.

That is true, but it also works both ways. Trotz specifically designed his system for the Islanders so that he is comfortable playing any one of his four lines against any of the opposition's four lines. I don't think matchups matter much at all to him, actually. Still, with three very good offensive lines and a fourth line that does its job the Pens are going to keep all their lines on their toes. They can't take it easy when our third and fourth lines are out like in the past.

The reason I consider Trotz the best coach in the league is because he adapts his systems/style/etc. to the team he has. Back when he coached the Capitals he didn't force them to do a trap but rather allowed their offense to do its thing (but perhaps a bit more responsibly than in the past). Likewise he didn't play a trap before that when he coached Nashville. He has the Islanders play a trap because he is smart enough to realize that is their best chance of winning, due to lack of offensive firepower. The entire team could have gone into a tailspin after losing Tavares but he prevented this. If Trotz had gone to Buffalo they would probably be in the playoffs now.
- PghPens668771

Edit: welcome to the Pens board Mr Trotz... everyone already made the same comment I was making so I won't pile on.

Don't forget about the home Ice advantage myth! No distinct advantage for the home team, It's a tired and old narrative for the TV talking heads who run out of things to talk about.
- Shady1962

Have you seen the home and away records of these two teams? This series is the time to talk about it.

Malkin must be the man in this series!!!

Malkin must be the man in this series!!!
- Tee56

I'm more concerned about Malkin if the Pens get out of this series. He'll need to get his legs back during this series. I think if Geno is at 50%, as long as Kap and Zucker pull their weight and play smart that line will be effective enough.

It's teams like Boston, Tampa, Florida, Carolina, etc... where we need Geno in "the Man" mode.

Geno off the pp. that seems not good.

Geno off the pp. that seems not good.
- 10inchTerror

Recap for those that didn't see:

Malkin practiced for 40 minutes with the conditioning coach before practice.

Missed line rushes at the start of practice. Here's what they looked like without him:

Guentzel-Crosby-Rust
McCann-Carter-Kapanen
ZAR-Blueger-Tanev
Zucker-Gaudreau-Rodrigues

Malkin joined regular practice late and participated in drills.

When they practiced PP Malkin wasn't on either unit. McCann back to top PP.

So not looking great.

Pens, Bruins, Leafs, Oilers, Canes, Bolts, Avs, Vegas

I think the closest thing I have to an upset is the defending champs advancing lol.

So is Malkin hurt again, or just a minor tweak/pull that they are doing his practice reps a bit different to monitor, and then shoot him up before the game?

So is Malkin hurt again, or just a minor tweak/pull that they are doing his practice reps a bit different to monitor, and then shoot him up before the game?
- Guile

His leg fell off. It’s all over.

His leg fell off. It’s all over
- Rinosaur

I’m guessing geno is out for game 1.

I’m guessing geno is out for game 1.
- 10inchTerror

He's currently a game time decision.

Part of me feels like this is Sully fn with Trotz regarding Geno.. Its weird that he's in and out of parts of practices so much this week... If he was that bad he wouldn't be on the ice at all. If he had anything going on that could be reagravated easily he wouldn't be doing anything with the team on the ice.

Part of me feels like this is Sully fn with Trotz regarding Geno.. Its weird that he's in and out of parts of practices so much this week... If he was that bad he wouldn't be on the ice at all. If he had anything going on that could be reagravated easily he wouldn't be doing anything with the team on the ice.
- MattStrat

Maybe, Sully likes the mind games. But this is the routine of guys who are hurt, close to playing, but not expected next game.

Maybe, Sully likes the mind games. But this is the routine of guys who are hurt, close to playing, but not expected next game.
- Tojo.

I just had a free DK article from today in my news feed that I can't get the url from to post here. Sully said that all players are a game time decision tomorrow, which is a funny weird thing to say, and there's clips of the drills Geno was going for 43 mins straight before practice. He's flying in them. He looks fantastic haha.

They are seeming pretty confident on the Isles blog in NYI winning six games. I know the Pens have a bad history with them and just like the Capitals did with the Pens, until they beat them, it will hang their heads. This team feels different.

They are a lot better then the team in 2019. For starters, it's the players who are NOT here. No Jack Johnson, Gudbranson or Bjustad and no Lee or Towes for them.

Biggest concern besides #71's health is Jarry. First time starter in the playoffs.

Let's get it done guys!