Ryan Wilson: Penguins jolt all the way into playoff spot after victory over Tampa Bay Penguins jolt all the way into playoff spot after victory over Tampa Bay

Detroit up 3 to 0 early on Buffalo, so doesn't look like help coming early today

How does moneypuck predict playoff success percentages?

I agree with a lot of what this blog is saying. Bunting has been a great fit with Geno. I know some would like to see him back with Sid, but I'd leave him where he is. Sid's been doing fine regardless.

Unfortunately, not all those decisions are in the Pens hands. Once Harkins rehab is done, he has to go back on the team.

If we pull this off and make the playoffs though, would be very interesting to see what Sully chooses when they can recall everyone and just play who he thinks is their best lineup.

Sid is a machine and him and rust can keep plugging away with anyone. Geno needs the support.

With the way that 2nd line is playing right now, you can't make any changes there unless they cool off.

With the way that 2nd line is playing right now, you can't make any changes there unless they cool off.
- MickV

Makes you wonder how good of a 1-2 punch this team could have been if Guentzel was on Malkins wing.

This has to be the best hockey i've watched in a long time. Watching the Ottawa Hens win last night against the Craps was so fun to watch.

Tonight is going to be a tough one.

I agree with a lot of what this blog is saying. Bunting has been a great fit with Geno. I know some would like to see him back with Sid, but I'd leave him where he is. Sid's been doing fine regardless.

Unfortunately, not all those decisions are in the Pens hands. Once Harkins rehab is done, he has to go back on the team.

If we pull this off and make the playoffs though, would be very interesting to see what Sully chooses when they can recall everyone and just play who he thinks is their best lineup.
- Tojo.

My thought is if we make the playoffs. Sullivan will go with the hot hands at first. Then the first mistake one of the younger players make he will bench them. Then Graves and everyone else will be back killing this team in no time. Unfortunately I think if we had a different coach this season would have went a lot differently.

Too bad Detroit won last night and Wash got a point going to OT but we can't be thinking about that. To get this win in Toronto is a must.

We still have to play Boston and the always pain in the ass Islanders.

My thought is if we make the playoffs. Sullivan will go with the hot hands at first. Then the first mistake one of the younger players make he will bench them. Then Graves and everyone else will be back killing this team in no time. Unfortunately I think if we had a different coach this season would have went a lot differently.
- 123Kid

Not disagreeing with anything said here, but which available coach would you have chosen in place of Sullivan? Most, if not all, NHL coaches will lean on veterans over young players way more often than not.

I know he gets a lot of flack, and a lot of it is deserved. But the grass isn't always greener.

Too bad Detroit won last night and Wash got a point going to OT but we can't be thinking about that. To get this win in Toronto is a must.

We still have to play Boston and the always pain in the ass Islanders.
- Barnaby36

It’s going to be an exciting next 2 weeks. At least the Craps lost in overtime. Like you say, it all starts tonight against the Maple Laugh.

Tonight will probably be the humbling reality check....

Not disagreeing with anything said here, but which available coach would you have chosen in place of Sullivan? Most, if not all, NHL coaches will lean on veterans over young players way more often than not.

I know he gets a lot of flack, and a lot of it is deserved. But the grass isn't always greener.
- jmatchett383

Most likely candidate I assume would be velluci as interim to finish the season or to promote jd Forrest. I could see both, and only these two, going hard with wbs players.

This has to be the best hockey i've watched in a long time. Watching the Ottawa Hens win last night against the Craps was so fun to watch.

Tonight is going to be a tough one.
- Ben_66

This has been some damn good hockey, and when you look at the teams they have been beating it’s even more impressive.

Tonight will probably be the humbling reality check....
- MattStrat

Tonight or Boston, or both lol

Tonight will probably be the humbling reality check....
- MattStrat

Did somebody hack your HB account? Aren't you always almost comically positive about this team?

The one good thing about the Pens sucking in OT is that they'll have the tie breaker against any team they could possibly tie with in points.

We really need to win the games vs DET and NYI. Otherwise, we just need to keep pace with those teams, i.e. in every other game we can afford to drop points as long as those teams drop points. (I think PHI and WSH are dead.)

How does moneypuck predict playoff success percentages?
- jmatchett383

https://moneypuck.com/about.htm

https://moneypuck.com/about.htm
- j.boyd919

Looks like an undergrad-level stats project. Also funny that with all the info they put into the model, it only does slightly better than just taking the home team in every game.

Win in OT against the leafs tonight! Crosby with the game winner! Book it!

Did somebody hack your HB account? Aren't you always almost comically positive about this team?
- MickV

Don't believe the narratives, Mick....I definitely used to be more optimistic for them years ago when they were front runners to win division year. However, since you've become a regular around here there's no way you could think that from what you've read from my posts. Now, in saying all of that I wasn't nearly as hard on them this season as a lot of others. I could see upsides some couldn't. I said they weren't as bad as a lot of people would say they were after a lot of games this season....and it looks like I may have been right....maybe, we'll see.....

Did somebody hack your HB account? Aren't you always almost comically positive about this team?
- MickV

He’s also absurdly superstitious and thinks he’s reverse jinxing us. So it’s my duty to say:

We’re spanking the Leafs tonight

He’s also absurdly superstitious and thinks he’s reverse jinxing us. So it’s my duty to say:

We’re spanking the Leafs tonight
- Victoro311

ugh...come on, man

Absurdly superstitious, yes....comically positive, I dont think so hahah but hey if I'm making people laugh, thats great news. Truly.

This has to be the best hockey i've watched in a long time. Watching the Ottawa Hens win last night against the Craps was so fun to watch.

Tonight is going to be a tough one.
- Ben_66

Yeah you said it, especially during this past week too!

Tonight will be a test the pens for sure, as I'm really hoping that Toronto will take it easy on us and give us the W. Ugly win or not, I'll take anything at this point lol