Martin and Z have struggled but overall team D is terrible. The forwards have to be in better defensive position to help slow others down when they come with speed but here all trying to "get to our game" and deep in the offensive zone to do that. They aren't playing defense as a 5 man unit but rather they are playing it individually.
- akane13

We're pretty much all saying the same thing. I really believe Bylsma's system is exposed when a team clogs the neutral zone. Turnover after turnover. What is worse, Bylsma doesn't make any structural adjustments. Never does......though the PP change was encouraging.

they have been. The Flyers got really lucky in getting those 2 while getting rid of Richards and Carter.
- FlyerGuy

Clearly Holmgren had pictures of someone with a donkey!

I think this game came down to a few things...

1. Crosby came out like what he is..One of the best players in the world.. No one else on the Pens really followed him.

2. Claude Giroux , in his short playoff career , has already proven to be a playoff performer at close to a point per game. He dominated tonight. To this point Giroux is clearly outplaying Malkin .

3. I keep hearing how the Pens gave these two games to the Flyers... No offense to any other team but the Flyers have been doign this all year to all teams.

4. Neither goalie played great but Bryz made some amazing saves including an all time great glove save.

5. The Pens may have the higher end forward talent in Malkin and Crosby but in my opinion the Flyers have a much deeper talent level. Giroux, Couturier, Simmonds, Voracek, Read , Schenn, Hartnell are all under 30 and all have more then 10 goals. They also have the injured JVR on the mend.

6. The Pens were more physical tonight.

Schenn and Courturier(sp?) have been outstanding
- akane13

They sure haven't played like rookies. They are going to give Pens headaches for a long time.

Just pisses me off to no end. Give up the 7-5 goal and they show the bench and he's quiet as a mouse. Tear these underachievers a new one for crying out loud.
- canadianpenfan

i do wish hed look like he cared for a change. i hate to be drastic, and as much as i loved what he has done, but he may cost himself his job relatively soon. this team is too good to waste.

We're pretty much all saying the same thing. I really believe Bylsma's system is exposed when a team clogs the neutral zone. Turnover after turnover. What is worse, Bylsma doesn't make any structural adjustments. Never does......though the PP change was encouraging.
- madmike71

I don't believe it's a system that will tiled post season success. I think 09 was an exception. Their defensive conscience was better because for years they had it drilled into them.

i do wish hed look like he cared for a change. i hate to be drastic, and as much as i loved what he has done, but he may cost himself his job relatively soon. this team is too good to waste.
- stayinthefnnet

Yep. Feel the exact same way.

It’s time for a serious look in the mirror…for everybody in the Pens room. I just don’t think HCDB’s game plan works unless the Pens can go 100% for 60 minutes…and now I just don’t know if that’s possible...for any team really.

They need a change in plans because 2-6 vs Philly…with 4 losses when winning by 2 or more…is completely unacceptable.

If you are a boxer, and going straight at your opponent continues to result in taking a right hook to the nose…you don’t keep doing the same thing over and over or else you get knocked out.

It’s the same thing here.

2 more right hooks and the fight is over.

Just pisses me off to no end. Give up the 7-5 goal and they show the bench and he's quiet as a mouse. Tear these underachievers a new one for crying out loud.
- canadianpenfan

Nope, doing that will earn you the scorn of the players and the media, just ask Ruff.

I don't believe it's a system that will tiled post season success. I think 09 was an exception. Their defensive conscience was better because for years they had it drilled into them.
- akane13

orpik is right though. why cant this team just be happy with winning 3 1. i dont care if its ugly or boring. its better than being on a golf cart in a week which is where they will find themselves. although aside from a few big hits even brooks himself wasnt exactly helpful out there

At least they entertained the fan for the last home game. Unless there is a dramatic awakening from the Head Coach down this series is over.

I think this game came down to a few things...

1. Crosby came out like what he is..One of the best players in the world.. No one else on the Pens really followed him.

2. Claude Giroux , in his short playoff career , has already proven to be a playoff performer at close to a point per game. He dominated tonight. To this point Giroux is clearly outplaying Malkin .

3. I keep hearing how the Pens gave these two games to the Flyers... No offense to any other team but the Flyers have been doign this all year to all teams.

4. Neither goalie played great but Bryz made some amazing saves including an all time great glove save.

5. The Pens may have the higher end forward talent in Malkin and Crosby but in my opinion the Flyers have a much deeper talent level. Giroux, Couturier, Simmonds, Voracek, Read , Schenn, Hartnell are all under 30 and all have more then 10 goals. They also have the injured JVR on the mend.

6. The Pens were more physical tonight.
- opeth_pa

Absolutely correct on all points.

5. The Pens may have the higher end forward talent in Malkin and Crosby but in my opinion the Flyers have a much deeper talent level. Giroux, Couturier, Simmonds, Voracek, Read , Schenn, Hartnell are all under 30 and all have more then 10 goals. They also have the injured JVR on the mend.


- opeth_pa

That's a scary thought about all those young talented players. The Flyers core is outstanding.

Clearly Holmgren had pictures of someone with a donkey!
- akane13

he might ... dude's been around a while.

We're pretty much all saying the same thing. I really believe Bylsma's system is exposed when a team clogs the neutral zone. Turnover after turnover. What is worse, Bylsma doesn't make any structural adjustments. Never does......though the PP change was encouraging.
- madmike71

Even if it's not the system, grab Letang by the neck after one of his last man back dipsy franking doddle giveaways and get in his face. Start holding them accountable for their piss poor effort.

i do wish hed look like he cared for a change. i hate to be drastic, and as much as i loved what he has done, but he may cost himself his job relatively soon. this team is too good to waste.
- stayinthefnnet

DB reminds me of John Stevens when he coached the Flyers. 99% of the time he was Mr. Stoic, and it used to kill us that he wouldn't scream sometimes.

I think this game came down to a few things...

1. Crosby came out like what he is..One of the best players in the world.. No one else on the Pens really followed him.

2. Claude Giroux , in his short playoff career , has already proven to be a playoff performer at close to a point per game. He dominated tonight. To this point Giroux is clearly outplaying Malkin .

3. I keep hearing how the Pens gave these two games to the Flyers... No offense to any other team but the Flyers have been doign this all year to all teams.

4. Neither goalie played great but Bryz made some amazing saves including an all time great glove save.

5. The Pens may have the higher end forward talent in Malkin and Crosby but in my opinion the Flyers have a much deeper talent level. Giroux, Couturier, Simmonds, Voracek, Read , Schenn, Hartnell are all under 30 and all have more then 10 goals. They also have the injured JVR on the mend.

6. The Pens were more physical tonight.
- opeth_pa

Pens are in trouble. They can easily get the two wins in philly, but their defense needs to change. martin and michalek need to stop trying to pokecheck along the boards and get a body on someone. Malkin is way to frustrated and hes not going to do anything with that attitude. Fleury looks below average. hes just been either way out of position or the D is leaving him out to dry. Sucks to see a team do so good in the regular season and piss it away when it matters the most

Yep. Feel the exact same way.
- canadianpenfan

That would be a shame. However being a greatcoach requires some learning from what doesn't work. Maybe he can but we shall see. Put up or shut up time and Flers smell blood for sure. Look out!

I think this game came down to a few things...

1. Crosby came out like what he is..One of the best players in the world.. No one else on the Pens really followed him.

2. Claude Giroux , in his short playoff career , has already proven to be a playoff performer at close to a point per game. He dominated tonight. To this point Giroux is clearly outplaying Malkin .

3. I keep hearing how the Pens gave these two games to the Flyers... No offense to any other team but the Flyers have been doign this all year to all teams.

4. Neither goalie played great but Bryz made some amazing saves including an all time great glove save.

5. The Pens may have the higher end forward talent in Malkin and Crosby but in my opinion the Flyers have a much deeper talent level. Giroux, Couturier, Simmonds, Voracek, Read , Schenn, Hartnell are all under 30 and all have more then 10 goals. They also have the injured JVR on the mend.

6. The Pens were more physical tonight.
- opeth_pa

Totally agree man. The only point I would argue is the depth, I think Pittsburgh gets short changed. Three 25+, a 40 and a 50 goal scorer not including Crosby is alot of depth. Not that it means frank all when you give up 8.

Kunitz-5
Malkin-4
Neal-4

Giroux 6p +4
Talbot +5
Couterier 4p +4

Lets try to not match Malkin against Giroux.

Even if it's not the system, grab Letang by the neck after one of his last man back dipsy franking doddle giveaways and get in his face. Start holding them accountable for their piss poor effort.
- canadianpenfan

exactly. he has really let me down. malkin really hasnt been anything special, but he hasnt exactly cost them much. although breaking even from him wont exactly get it done. that whole line has been quiet, especially neal. although i guess with malkin being down hes having a hard time finding shooting spots

Pens are in trouble. They can easily get the two wins in philly, but their defense needs to change. martin and michalek need to stop trying to pokecheck along the boards and get a body on someone. Malkin is way to frustrated and hes not going to do anything with that attitude. Fleury looks below average. hes just been either way out of position or the D is leaving him out to dry. Sucks to see a team do so good in the regular season and piss it away when it matters the most
- SnippinBarDown

Outside of Orpik and Letang nobody on the backend is throwing the body.

At least they entertained the fan for the last home game. Unless there is a dramatic awakening from the Head Coach down this series is over.
- Ben37

I'd be shocked if the Pens don't win at least 1 of the next 2. For one thing the Flyers really aren't a good home-ice team .... and secondly, there's just too much freaking talent on the Pens to go down 4 straight games.

If no one is going to say it then I will. Fluery was garbage. Flat out. A weak shot from the point and he puts it right on Jagr's stick. We will go nowhere with this goaltending. The Fleury I know makes big saves. 7 goals against?

Ugh, Im out, just pathetic. Blysma can't matchup for sh$%!

With that said, I still think we can get this series. Maybe a nice road game will get the d and Flower back on track. Any word on Niskanen?

This reminds me of last year where not once did someone attempt to hit St. Louis. I know both games have been physical but being physical against Kubina, Rinaldo, Lilja and Schenn isn't going to do anything. How about next game instead of letting Giroux have open someone puts him on his ass.

Remember when Hatcher knocked out Crosbys teeth, lets see some of that against Giroux. He'll kill you with room, but if you knock him on his ass he can't do a thing.