On #2 this would only complicate their defensive scheme and makes absolutely no sense. They play their structure the same way for every line. No reason to learn a “leave Leo open scheme”, that’s comical really. Their D structure worked well for them all season no reason to change it up now imho.
- nyisles7

As they say a picture is worth a 1000 words. Go look at chiefs post again. Four guys around Barzal in neutral zone. Not one looking at or pointing to Leo. They know where he is. Pretty sure if that was Beau the R d man would be cheating over a bit giving Barzal more space. I say this knowing Leo will still be on the top line tomorrow night.

Tavares is out of the hospital, but is out indefinitely.

https://twitter.com/Leafs...tatus/1395752327827623944
- JimmyP

Great news! I know others on here have played/play hockey. I think we'd all agree that when he tried to get up and fell backwards, it was scary as hell. I don't see him being back for a while, definite serious concussion and probably some soft tissue damage in the neck. But, thank God he's ok.

I get your point here. But, if the Isles switch it up on Pens ice the Pens will be able to match up that 4th line with with the Isles top line...There's not a ton of scoring depth beyond that top line then. And, the Blueger, Tanev, Austin Reese line seem to be able to shut down almost anyone.

Although, next game, with the home ice advantage, it would be worth a shot moving him. Barzal is starting to slip the Pens defenders...who are pretty damn mobile. That line could do the type of damage the Bruins top line does to us. The only defender duo who actually seems to contain Barzal well is the Cece/Matheson pair because Cece plays simple and Matheson has the speed. Get away from those matchups, let the other lines crash and crash hard...the next game could be the isles.

Regardless, really fun series as these two teams usually are. Of course I'm hoping Pens in 6...and hoping whoever wins this can pull down the Bruins...
- cranktheradio

No you don’t. He’s saying Komarov is an black hole that has swallowed our first line which is correct. Some say it’s our only option which I think is hysterical. More players should have been tried in that spot. Eberle moved off of it if necessary to make it work. Barzal is our most talented, most dynamic, top point producer. Komarov has zero business being on that line. He’s not even the last option let alone the only option. Period.

As they say a picture is worth a 1000 words. Go look at chiefs post again. Four guys around Barzal in neutral zone. Not one looking at or pointing to Leo. They know where he is. Pretty sure if that was Beau the R d man would be cheating over a bit giving Barzal more space. I say this knowing Leo will still be on the top line tomorrow night.
- TogaIsles

Again, Pens fan here, but if they're going to make a move, it's gotta be on home ice and tomorrow. A loaded top line has to grab the right matchup...aka Geno's line. If so, they'll do damage.

No you don’t. He’s saying Komarov is an black hole that has swallowed our first line.
- Cptmjl

I get the point of moving him. But, the move has to be right. My counterpoint is the matchup.

I get the point of moving him. But, the move has to be right. My counterpoint is the matchup.
- cranktheradio

It’s not even about the matchup. That line is completely inept. We’re applauding dump ins, checks, and a decent shift at this point. That was our top point producing line with a team that has an inept offense to begin with. It’s a joke.

It’s not even about the matchup. That line is completely inept. We’re applauding dump ins, checks, and a decent shift at this point. It’s a joke.
- Cptmjl

I can see that. I've seen Barzal skate through 3 guys only to have a 4th be right there. I agree that Leo's holding that line back. What do you think the right move would be? Put him on the 3rd line, load the top 2, and let the 4th deal with the Pens #1 line? It could work...

I can see that. I've seen Barzal skate through 3 guys only to have a 4th be right there. I agree that Leo's holding that line back. What do you think the right move would be? Put him on the 3rd line, load the top 2, and let the 4th deal with the Pens #1 line? It could work...
- cranktheradio

Like I said there should have been more of an effort to have a sensible first line in the first place after the trade deadline imo. For some reason trotz thought Zajac and Komarov were the only options for the first line. I would’ve thrown Beau up there from the get go. Moved Wahlstrom maybe up to the second and MDC to the third and sat Komarov on the bench unless there were an injury on the fourth line. Now it’s tough to juggle lines the second and third lines had a nice stretch of games. Not really sure why Zajac and Komarov were deemed the only options since Lee went down?

Again, Pens fan here, but if they're going to make a move, it's gotta be on home ice and tomorrow. A loaded top line has to grab the right matchup...aka Geno's line. If so, they'll do damage.
- cranktheradio

Yes on home ice and possibly during game if you need a spark. We lose next game it’s over. We win then it’s prob going 7. As I said earlier I don’t expect any of this from Trotz just what I’d like to see. I’d put one of Zajac and or DalColle on second line. Again this isn’t happening.

Great news! I know others on here have played/play hockey. I think we'd all agree that when he tried to get up and fell backwards, it was scary as hell. I don't see him being back for a while, definite serious concussion and probably some soft tissue damage in the neck. But, thank God he's ok.
- cranktheradio

That was some scary stuff. The fact that he's home is great, but who knows the extent of the injury. Concussions are no joke.

Like I said there should have been more of an effort to have a sensible first line in the first place after the trade deadline imo. For some reason trotz thought Zajac and Komarov were the only options for the first line. I would’ve thrown Beau up there from the get go. Moved Wahlstrom maybe up to the second and MDC to the third and sat Komarov on the bench unless there were an injury on the fourth line. Now it’s tough to juggle lines the second and third lines had a nice stretch of games. Not really sure why Zajac and Komarov were deemed the only options since Lee went down?
- Cptmjl

All good points. I haven't seen Zajac's performance on the Isles, but he seems like a good fit on any 3rd lime...not a top 6 on a regular base. I agree that Komarov is kinda redundant since the Isles have such a solid 4th line. I thought that the trade deadline moves were good, and like the versatility of a guy like Palmeiri, but obviously he just hasn't really found his footing until recently.

I'm going to look it up, but is Zajac injured? Or, just poor performance?

I can see that. I've seen Barzal skate through 3 guys only to have a 4th be right there. I agree that Leo's holding that line back. What do you think the right move would be? Put him on the 3rd line, load the top 2, and let the 4th deal with the Pens #1 line? It could work...
- cranktheradio

Sending him back to the Leafs.

Yes on home ice and possibly during game if you need a spark. We lose next game it’s over. We win then it’s prob going 7. As I said earlier I don’t expect any of this from Trotz just what I’d like to see. I’d put one of Zajac and or DalColle on second line. Again this isn’t happening.
- TogaIsles

I don't know about Wahlstroms ability to play the left side. But, I think is rather see him moved up and Zajac on the 3rd line. He can play any forward position and can jump in for draws. But, I've never liked him as a top 6.

As they say a picture is worth a 1000 words. Go look at chiefs post again. Four guys around Barzal in neutral zone. Not one looking at or pointing to Leo. They know where he is. Pretty sure if that was Beau the R d man would be cheating over a bit giving Barzal more space. I say this knowing Leo will still be on the top line tomorrow night.
- TogaIsles

The Pens are clogging the neutral zone all game long no matter who the puck carrier is Toga. This is why the Islanders aren’t able to get through the neutral zone with speed. Which is my point. They are playing the same way no matter what line is facing what line. They are not saying ok Leo’s out nobody cover the left side of the ice the way an outfield shifts to cover a pull hitter.
Ask your Cousin I believe he will say the same thing. We Royals think the same. We have to Norm would bag skate us if we didn’t.

I don't know about Wahlstroms ability to play the left side. But, I think is rather see him moved up and Zajac on the 3rd line. He can play any forward position and can jump in for draws. But, I've never liked him as a top 6.
- cranktheradio

I don’t trust you. You’re a Pens fan.

Yes on home ice and possibly during game if you need a spark. We lose next game it’s over. We win then it’s prob going 7. As I said earlier I don’t expect any of this from Trotz just what I’d like to see. I’d put one of Zajac and or DalColle on second line. Again this isn’t happening.
- TogaIsles

Also, watching the Pens all season I agree with you. They need to do something now before Malkin finds his stride, and while guys like McCann and Kapanen are frustrated and making mistakes...Guentzel too. If they can keep those guys off of their game,l the Isles have a shot. But, a Pittsburgh win tomorrow and those players start playing a lot looser and with more confidence. It's probably over.

All good points. I haven't seen Zajac's performance on the Isles, but he seems like a good fit on any 3rd lime...not a top 6 on a regular base. I agree that Komarov is kinda redundant since the Isles have such a solid 4th line. I thought that the trade deadline moves were good, and like the versatility of a guy like Palmeiri, but obviously he just hasn't really found his footing until recently.

I'm going to look it up, but is Zajac injured? Or, just poor performance?
- cranktheradio

Not injured as far as I know just hasn’t been to impactful since we picked him up. He’s the odd man out right now.

I don’t trust you. You’re a Pens fan.
- Cptmjl

Hahahaha...Always a hockey player, and fan of the sport, first lol.

Not injured as far as I know just hasn’t been to impactful since we picked him up. He’s the odd man out right now.
- Cptmjl

Figured. I've always liked his overall game. I'd sit Leo and throw him in. And, who knows, Trotz has owned the Pens for a while...maybe he'll pull the right moves

Figured. I've always liked his overall game. I'd sit Leo and throw him in. And, who knows, Trotz has owned the Pens for a while...maybe he'll pull the right moves
- cranktheradio

I don’t agree with some of what trotz is doing some of which I think is having a negative effect on this series but I still think he’s a great coach. With that said I imagine we will have the same lineup with maybe Sorokin in net. Maybe not. Team is still in it with the current lineup and like I said tough to start juggling lines now. Kind of is what it is.

Hahahaha...Always a hockey player, and fan of the sport, first lol.
- cranktheradio

Most of us on here play/played though some on here must have played for better beer leagues because they know more then everyone else and tell us that all of the time.

I don’t trust you. You’re a Pens fan.
- Cptmjl

Nah I’d keep Leo on the top line and maybe bench barzal and eberle for not doing much so far.

Again, Pens fan here, but if they're going to make a move, it's gotta be on home ice and tomorrow. A loaded top line has to grab the right matchup...aka Geno's line. If so, they'll do damage.
- cranktheradio

Varlamov should have had the 1st carrier goal it was a bad angle, good shot but he should have had it. Last night the isles played great in the 3rd but didn't get the saves. If they play like that an entire game I like their chances

Most of us on here play/played though some on here must have played for better beer leagues because they know more then everyone else and tell us that all of the time.
- Cptmjl

My beer league team would (frank) 7s in the ass

Nah I’d keep Leo on the top line and maybe bench barzal and eberle for not doing much so far.
- 10inchTerror

You’ll fit right in with the pros on here.