Awesome that you're there, been a pretty good paced game... What you just said is pretty much the theme of this season so far haha
- MattStrat

I thought they carried the play until the 3rd then they just collapsed into a fort in front of Jarry. Some bh-clinching moments in the third but like you said they kept them to the outside mostly. You could see it was but the red line and get it deep the whole third and make them work for every inch of the ice. I thought they were particularly good when the goalie was pulled. They didn’t give them anything on the zone entries.

Changing up the players lasted 1 game. Sullivan.... If he's anything, he's predictable. I don't want to smear him by calling him Dan Bylsma, but he kind of is. Won those two cups and has coasted ever since.
- madmike71

I disagree. He’s made significant adjustments to the neutral zone/forecheck as pointed out by Jesse Marshall. I’d say the last few years yeah but he’s trying to tinker his system this year to improve.

I understand it sucks when a 5 game winning streak ends then there's loses in 3 of 4 games following it.. But 2 points out of 3rd in Metro this morning, with it only being November and while being one of the best teams at even strength so far this season... Things aren't near as bleak as some are acting....

If they could get that PP clicking at all, look the F out.

I thought they carried the play until the 3rd then they just collapsed into a fort in front of Jarry. Some bh-clinching moments in the third but like you said they kept them to the outside mostly. You could see it was but the red line and get it deep the whole third and make them work for every inch of the ice. I thought they were particularly good when the goalie was pulled. They didn’t give them anything on the zone entries.
- j.boyd919

They were good with goalie pulled...it was almost 3 full mins and I think Leafs had some good wacks at it in there.

I disagree. He’s made significant adjustments to the neutral zone/forecheck as pointed out by Jesse Marshall. I’d say the last few years yeah but he’s trying to tinker his system this year to improve.
- j.boyd919

For sure.. But also seems some games, or periods, they revert back to some old habits and when they do they pay for it, usually.

Sometimes it’s that little play…
CHEF Carter wins the face-off… the first Noel goal was a beauty but this time he’s screening Woll – Karlsson scores saving any criticism because up to that point - he had a horrible game.
PENS win BUT the power play still looks like a Harlem Globetrotter’s warm-up routine. Eyes should also be on Reilly Smith who is shooting pretty-much zeros since his visit to the White House.

I didn't see the game last night. From what you guys are saying the Pens can play defense when needed. Sometimes you need to make that choice, talking about the Letang turnover in Buffalo specifically but not exclusively. Please don't take it like I think Letang is the only guy on this roster that does things like this, he's not. I think it's the mentality that Sullivan instills here.

Maybe this is the turning point. I have more faith now than when we went on that five game win streak.

Oh, and good luck getting Jeff 'Mr. Faceoff' Carter out of the line up now.

I didn't see the game last night. From what you guys are saying the Pens can play defense when needed. Sometimes you need to make that choice, talking about the Letang turnover in Buffalo specifically but not exclusively. Please don't take it like I think Letang is the only guy on this roster that does things like this, he's not. I think it's the mentality that Sullivan instills here.

Maybe this is the turning point. I have more faith now than when we went on that five game win streak.

Oh, and good luck getting Jeff 'Mr. Faceoff' Carter out of the line up now.
- Thunderbolt

That’s Mr. “Jeff Mr faceoff Carter”to you.

That’s Mr. “Jeff Mr faceoff Carter”to you.
- Grinder47

Absolutely, I'm a boomer, I address all my elders as Mr.

I understand it sucks when a 5 game winning streak ends then there's loses in 3 of 4 games following it.. But 2 points out of 3rd in Metro this morning, with it only being November and while being one of the best teams at even strength so far this season... Things aren't near as bleak as some are acting....

If they could get that PP clicking at all, look the F out.
- MattStrat

That's probably who they are though. A middle of the pack team fighting for a playoff spot. I think we see a lot of the talent and think they should be a little better than that.

Toronto is a good team. We played neck and neck with New York rangers. Beat Vegas, Dallas game was looking good till the ludvig injury. This team can play. If the pp gets sorted and we can manage to stop losing to poop teams we be alright.

Maybe they should try Acciari on the PP at net front. He did well being bumped up in a top 6 role when he played for the Blues. He went to the front of the net, and I believe he did net front for their PP at times. I was glad to see him have a good game last night.

Maybe they should try Acciari on the PP at net front. He did well being bumped up in a top 6 role when he played for the Blues. He went to the front of the net, and I believe he did net front for their PP at times. I was glad to see him have a good game last night.
- 123Kid

I chuckled that after we all seemed to want a net front guy for the top PP, we instead got Nylander somehow on the top unit.

I chuckled that after we all seemed to want a net front guy for the top PP, we instead got Nylander somehow on the top unit.
- Tojo.

I honestly don't know why he did that. I would have went with Carter tbh.

I missed this one. It was the 3rd by the time I got home from coaching my son's game, and I don't get NHL network (game wasn't live on espn+); I wasn't going to try and find a stream for one period.

How did Harkins look? He's supposed to be a natural center (I think), but was playing RW early. Was he RW on the 4th line last night?

I chuckled that after we all seemed to want a net front guy for the top PP, we instead got Nylander somehow on the top unit.
- Tojo.

You are not wrong. I think it's crazy how us as fans can come up with better ideas then this coaching staff.

I honestly don't know why he did that. I would have went with Carter tbh.
- j.boyd919

The whole 4th line seem to be good candidates for net front. I would like to see Carter in the Hornqvist role. Horny wasn't extremely fast, but he could do net front greatly and score those garbage goals. Carter was great at the garbage goals a few years ago. I think he would be good in that top PP net front role as well

That's probably who they are though. A middle of the pack team fighting for a playoff spot. I think we see a lot of the talent and think they should be a little better than that.
- Tojo.

This is what I thought they were before the season started haha. I was one of the few around here saying I didnt think they were a lock for the playoffs. However, they are a bit better than I thought they'd be, even if it doesn't show in standings currently... And I know that's hard for some to understand hahah

I missed this one. It was the 3rd by the time I got home from coaching my son's game, and I don't get NHL network (game wasn't live on espn+); I wasn't going to try and find a stream for one period.

How did Harkins look? He's supposed to be a natural center (I think), but was playing RW early. Was he RW on the 4th line last night?
- MickV

It’s hard to remember that far back but I didn’t notice Harkins in a bad way. Definitely noticed him a few times parked right in the crease scrapping with the dman. The bottom 6 overall did have a pretty damn good game.

This is what I thought they were before the season started haha. I was one of the few around here saying I didnt think they were a lock for the playoffs. However, they are a bit better than I thought they'd be, even if it doesn't show in standings currently... And I know that's hard for some to understand hahah
- MattStrat

One stat that I’m pleasantly surprised by is Sid having the most even strength points in the lg for a forward and guentzal tied for second. They pp shouldn’t be that hard to improve and if they could I see them working their way up the standings.

For sure.. But also seems some games, or periods, they revert back to some old habits and when they do they pay for it, usually.
- MattStrat

Both the NJ and Carolina games reminded me of the same old Pens. Last night was pretty good. Mixed bag. Couldn't believe they gave up a 3 on 1 while up by 1.

I thought we deserved that Rags game, but Quick turned back the clock 10 years. Consistency hasn't been our thing IMO.

It's kind of funny (to me, anyway) how much more action there is around here when the Pens lose/are losing hahaha

Both the NJ and Carolina games reminded me of the same old Pens. Last night was pretty good. Mixed bag. Couldn't believe they gave up a 3 on 1 while up by 1.

I thought we deserved that Rags game, but Quick turned back the clock 10 years. Consistency hasn't been our thing IMO.
- madmike71

Yeah 0-5 on the PP in a 1-0 game vs the 1st place team in the league....that f'n PP, man hahaha. If they could get to at least 20% efficiency we'd really be rocking.

One stat that I’m pleasantly surprised by is Sid having the most even strength points in the lg for a forward and guentzal tied for second. They pp shouldn’t be that hard to improve and if they could I see them working their way up the standings.
- 10inchTerror

He has the most goals through the first 20 games of a season in his career....at 36 years old....when the PP is absolute trash. He's 2 goals off the lead league with that PP so trash.

Thats all crazy, right? hahah

He has the most goals through the first 20 games of a season in his career....at 36 years old....when the PP is absolute trash. He's 2 goals off the lead league with that PP so trash.

Thats all crazy, right? hahah
- MattStrat

Especially in a league that thinks fans want to see as many PP as possible in the game. It’s very crazy, but it is Sid so it’s not surprising.