Ryan Wilson: Fleury Leads Penguins Past Kings + Some Power Play X's and O's Fleury Leads Penguins Over Kings + Some Power Play X's and O's

Anyone else have their excitement about Murray tempered when they read the name Brust? who?

Nice read. I felt like the issue for the Penguins lately (and especially last night) hasn't been about what they're doing inside the zone, it's been about getting into the zone. They manufactured a bunch of juicy power play chances last night, but when it takes 30 seconds just to get in the zone, you're not going to get many of those chances.

I'm going to leave this here because it's worth not getting lost in yesterday's post:

Sutter hasn't been on the ice for an even strength goal against since February 1st, a span of 15 games. Crosby has been on the ice for 8, Malkin 7 in that time frame.

As I've said for a year now, judging Sutter by any kind of shot-based criteria is lunacy. All you have to do is look at his defensive style. It's based on stickwork, perfect positioning, and funneling forwards to the perimeter.

He's not a shot suppression kind of shutdown center, he's a goal suppression kind of shutdown center. And that's fine by me.

Nice read. I felt like the issue for the Penguins lately (and especially last night) hasn't been about what they're doing inside the zone, it's been about getting into the zone. They manufactured a bunch of juicy power play chances last night, but when it takes 30 seconds just to get in the zone, you're not going to get many of those chances.

I'm going to leave this here because it's worth not getting lost in yesterday's post:

Sutter hasn't been on the ice for an even strength goal against since February 1st, a span of 15 games. Crosby has been on the ice for 8, Malkin 7 in that time frame.

As I've said for a year now, judging Sutter by any kind of shot-based criteria is lunacy. All you have to do is look at his defensive style. It's based on stickwork, perfect positioning, and funneling forwards to the perimeter.

He's not a shot suppression kind of shutdown center, he's a goal suppression kind of shutdown center. And that's fine by me.
- hardnosed

Except your argument is baseless as GA/60 isn't repeatable on an individual basis.

Except your argument is baseless as GA/60 isn't repeatable on an individual basis.
- jfkst1

And that's exactly why a strictly analytic approach to the game doesn't work either.

"Possession in this game was close but for whatever reason the amount of shots the Penguins physically put on net was lower. The Kings out shot the Penguin 31-18."

The reason was because the Kings were blocking shots left and right.... a blocked shot that is retained is good... a blocked shot that is immediately turned the other way is a possession stat padder.

Anyone who watched that game will tell you the Kings dominated and Fleury stole the 2 points with an incredible performance..... but when you look at possession numbers and only see a 52.5/47.5 split you think it was an evenly matched game.

Possession numbers will help you hang around in a game but you should lose 75% of the games you're outshot by 13 shots regardless of how many shots you've taken that aren't on net or are blocked.

I'd like a sid-malkin-horn-perron-letang PP. Tell horn to stick your ass in front of the net and don't move. If horn needs to go in the corner to chase the puck then tell perron to get in front of the net. Letang has a bomb and needs to be encouraged more to shoot and the same for malkin and sid.

And that's exactly why a strictly analytic approach to the game doesn't work either.

"Possession in this game was close but for whatever reason the amount of shots the Penguins physically put on net was lower. The Kings out shot the Penguin 31-18."

The reason was because the Kings were blocking shots left and right.... a blocked shot that is retained is good... a blocked shot that is immediately turned the other way is a possession stat padder.

Anyone who watched that game will tell you the Kings dominated and Fleury stole the 2 points with an incredible performance..... but when you look at possession numbers and only see a 52.5/47.5 split you think it was an evenly matched game.

Possession numbers will help you hang around in a game but you should lose 75% of the games you're outshot by 13 shots regardless of how many shots you've taken that aren't on net or are blocked.
- Yonk1216

The 52.5/47.5 split is Corsi. Fenwick (Unblocked Shot Attempts) will represent a wider disparity in that game. Fenwick Close has the highest predictive value.

I'd like to point out... that like last night, Sid has had over 20 of those near miss shots/saves this season where it could have should have been a goal. Had just five of those actually went in... would we even be discusssing him being hurt or something wrong mentally, or just calling this a bit of a down season due to injuries?

I still say something is wrong, but jesus, the bad puck luck on him.

Except your argument is baseless as GA/60 isn't repeatable on an individual basis.
- jfkst1

Or you could just actually watch the game to know he really doesn't bring much to the ice when he's playing. It's pretty much given that when the 3/4 lines are on the ice, you're not gonna miss anything if you need to take a piss.

I'd like a sid-malkin-horn-perron-letang PP. Tell horn to stick your ass in front of the net and don't move. If horn needs to go in the corner to chase the puck then tell perron to get in front of the net. Letang has a bomb and needs to be encouraged more to shoot and the same for malkin and sid.
- drummer829

Being stationary is what has gotten the Pens PP in the dumps. Its extremely easy to predict whats going to happen. The puck is going to either 87 or 71 and neither are moving much. Watch OV on the Caps PP. He moves up and down that entire side of the ice. PH should be in front and also moving to open ice where he can utilize his shot.

Or you could just actually watch the game to know he really doesn't bring much to the ice when he's playing. It's pretty much given that when the 3/4 lines are on the ice, you're not gonna miss anything if you need to take a piss.
- sammy87

I actually think Sutter has been playing better recently. Maybe that is due to all the talk about replacing him with Kesler last year and Staal this year. Or perhaps improved linemates.

The Pens must figure out their PP if they want to advance to the SC Finals.

Our PP worked better with Martin and Letang on the back end, IMO. Martin just has the vision out there to QB the PP so that Tanger doesn't have to.

I think Tanger is better off being the point shooter than the QB. He seems too tentative and too quick to pass. And when he does shoot its usually a wrister. He used to kill it with his one time slapper from the point.

Ill take Horqvist, Malkin, Crosby, Tanger and Martin on the PP. Sid can post up in front of the net or behind it and Hornqvist can pull out to the left side wall, or drive the net if Sid is behind it.

The Pens must figure out their PP if they want to advance to the SC Finals.
- szielinski

Because beating the league points leader and cup champs on the road in back to back games isn't impressive?

Tough crowd.

Because beating the league points leader and cup champs on the road in back to back games isn't impressive?

Tough crowd.
- Sell My Monkey

Hey its great to beat them, but every goal counts. If we can get the PP clicking its all the better and takes the pressure of Fleury.

Because beating the league points leader and cup champs on the road in back to back games isn't impressive?

Tough crowd.
- Sell My Monkey

Well, last night they got 2 points but they didnt earn 2 points. They were simply outplayed by the Kings. Fleury saved their collective a$$e$ and got a lucky break frm a smart play by Martin. Toffoli was really surprised to see him there. Those are the breaks in a game like this.

Pens biggest problem on the PP is zone entries. Last night they tried the drop play at the red line (Letang to Malkin) but if the original puck carrier isn't moving with speed it doesn't drive the opposing team back. Detroit is the best in the league at it. When Detroit comes up the ice you know the drop pass is coming but you have to respect the speed of the puck carrier.

Well, last night they got 2 points but they didnt earn 2 points. They were simply outplayed by the Kings. Fleury saved their collective a$$e$ and got a lucky break frm a smart play by Martin. Toffoli was really surprised to see him there. Those are the breaks in a game like this.
- puckhog

I wonder what its like to be stupid... not just a little bit stupid, but really really stupid, like you puckhog.

Because beating the league points leader and cup champs on the road in back to back games isn't impressive?

Tough crowd.
- Sell My Monkey

The wins were impressive. But a PP equal to the talent of the players on it would be much more impressive, and reassuring.

Except your argument is baseless as GA/60 isn't repeatable on an individual basis.
- jfkst1

No ES goals allowed in 15 games. Could care less about "advanced" stats.

I agree the PP is too static. Looks like they are overthinking.

Or you could just actually watch the game to know he really doesn't bring much to the ice when he's playing.
- sammy87

Unlike many around here, I watch every game. And until Winnik came in, anything the 3rd line did good offensively was because of Sutter.

And he's been on the ice for 10 goals during that same 15 game stretch.

You must have been in the lavatory for those.

Pens biggest problem on the PP is zone entries. Last night they tried the drop play at the red line (Letang to Malkin) but if the original puck carrier isn't moving with speed it doesn't drive the opposing team back. Detroit is the best in the league at it. When Detroit comes up the ice you know the drop pass is coming but you have to respect the speed of the puck carrier.
- willi

Bingo. Once set up they're fine. It's getting setup which is presenting the biggest problem against teams that are aggressive.

Three things I'd like to point out:
- the shot total differencial Was due to our inept PP. We passed on at least 8-10 shots on the PPs we got;

- the game Was Hard fought and anyone who scored first would clearly win the game. LA Was a little better in the game but we were good too.

- please don't talk about Ehrhoff when the guy is down. He's a starter on this team no matter What and is playing fine hockey.

Grigorenko sent down for the 10th time in Buffalo. If Bennett doesn't work out I'd be willing to swap both players.