Ryan Wilson: A much deserved night for Kris Letang A much deserved night for Kris Letang

A lot of issues from poor defensive play last night and some ugly bounces.

It still doesn't excuse the effort by CDS. He's just going down and hoping the puck hits him or the skater panics. 0 rebound control and an annoying habit of not stopping play when he has a chance.

Gonna be tough going until Jars is healthy if he can't get it together.

Tonight the @flyers' Rasmus Ristolainen had:

- an even-strength goal
- a boarding minor
- 4 hits
- 15:28 TOI
- last name Ristolainen

He's the first defenseman in NHL history to do all of that in the same game.

It's easy to do if you just keep piling more and more on. Not taking anything away from Letang's game, but that's like a baseball statistic (i.e. batting average facing left-handed pitchers when batting in the 6 hole in day games on the road in July).

Tonight the @flyers' Rasmus Ristolainen had:

- an even-strength goal
- a boarding minor
- 4 hits
- 15:28 TOI
- last name Ristolainen

He's the first defenseman in NHL history to do all of that in the same game.

It's easy to do if you just keep piling more and more on. Not taking anything away from Letang's game, but that's like a baseball statistic (i.e. batting average facing left-handed pitchers when batting in the 6 hole in day games on the road in July).
- jmatchett383

I'd say in the history of the game the only thing that differentiates that night for Risto from other D-men's nights is his last name. Another d-man having those 4 other points isnt that far fetched at all...yes, even to the second. Really though...it should be just ES goal, boarding minor and 4 hits, as TOI and last name aren't very good things to carry your argument haha....I'd say ES goal, boarding minor and 4 hits has happened quite a few times.

A lot of issues from poor defensive play last night and some ugly bounces.

It still doesn't excuse the effort by CDS. He's just going down and hoping the puck hits him or the skater panics. 0 rebound control and an annoying habit of not stopping play when he has a chance.

Gonna be tough going until Jars is healthy if he can't get it together.
- Thorny87

DeStink.

Twas a battle between Casey DeSieve and Alex Swiss Cheese Lyon.

The Pens didn't play much defense last night. I would say the defensive effort, or lack thereof, was just as much to blame as DeSmith.

We have learned this team isn't going to win without Letang or Jarry, healthy and playing at the top of their game.

Most of us knew they should have found a better backup in the off-season. He's not the worst backup, but they have zero chance of getting anywhere if he's playing important games.

I'm actually more disappointed in the play of the team in front of him. Tighten things up. You just played a perfect tight checking game against NJ and then they do that in front of a struggling backup tender.

Really impressed DOC and Poehling. Those are the kind of players you need to inject some energy into this squad. DOC shouldn't sit again. Reward him and let him build confidence.

Twas a battle between Casey DeSieve and Alex Swiss Cheese Lyon.

The Pens didn't play much defense last night. I would say the defensive effort, or lack thereof, was just as much to blame as DeSmith.

We have learned this team isn't going to win without Letang or Jarry, healthy and playing at the top of their game.
- Thunderbolt

I think Matt posted something that showed they were expected to give up 4 goals and gave up 6. That sums up how awful both aspects were.

Fortunately the offense was there.

Most of us knew they should have found a better backup in the off-season. He's not the worst backup, but they have zero chance of getting anywhere if he's playing important games.

I'm actually more disappointed in the play of the team in front of him. Tighten things up. You just played a perfect tight checking game against NJ and then they do that in front of a struggling backup tender.

Really impressed DOC and Poehling. Those are the kind of players you need to inject some energy into this squad. DOC shouldn't sit again. Reward him and let him build confidence.
- madmike71

I like both those guys. DOC is probably my top pick on the roster for third line duty, even though he's ideally getting that shot with two established players. (The fact we have zero is the problem).

Interesting battle for who's on the fourth line though. I'd say any of Poehling, Blueger, Archibald, and McGinn deserve a spot there but not higher.

I like both those guys. DOC is probably my top pick on the roster for third line duty, even though he's ideally getting that shot with two established players. (The fact we have zero is the problem).

Interesting battle for who's on the fourth line though. I'd say any of Poehling, Blueger, Archibald, and McGinn deserve a spot there but not higher.
- Tojo.

I used to think Blu had a way higher ceiling than what he was able to show. Something is off with him. He can barely control the puck or complete a pass lately. Maybe he's frustrated.

He normally could be relied upon to make simple effective plays.

I think Matt posted something that showed they were expected to give up 4 goals and gave up 6. That sums up how awful both aspects were.

Fortunately the offense was there.
- Tojo.

Yeah, it was just a complete sh!t show of a game for both sides haha. However, that was a far more important game for the Cats than the Pens.

As I said last night, with a few big pieces back that have missed a lot of time, some guys now out of lineup that were there for a bit and some tinkering in bottom 6...I'm willing to give it some time to settle before thinking much of how it all looked last night. The game before, vs a superior team, they looked fantastic in all areas except finishing...but also... Vanecek stood on his head at times haha

I'd say in the history of the game the only thing that differentiates that night for Risto from other D-men's nights , is his last name. Another d-man having those 4 other points isnt that far fetched at all...yes, even to the second. Really though...it should be just ES goal, boarding minor and 4 hits, as TOI and last name aren't very good things to carry your argument haha....I'd say ES goal, boarding minor and 4 hits has happened quite a few times.
- MattStrat

That's exactly my point. The more variables that you throw in there, the rarer it gets.

That's exactly my point. The more variables that you throw in there, the rarer it gets.
- jmatchett383

yup, exactly why Mario scoring 5 different ways was incredible.

yup, exactly why Mario scoring 5 different ways was incredible.
- j.boyd919

Absolutely...and while not near as incredible I still think its pretty special Tanger was the first D-man in history to do what he did last night. Every single one of these is tangible production in a winning effort.

- a power-play goal
- a power-play assist
- an even-strength goal
- an even-strength assist
- an overtime goal

Absolutely...and while not near as incredible I still think its pretty special Tanger was the first D-man in history to do what he did last night. Every single one of these is tangible production in a winning effort.

- a power-play goal
- a power-play assist
- an even-strength goal
- an even-strength assist
- an overtime goal
- MattStrat

Yeah so impressive you have to count the OT goal twice.

Yeah so impressive you have to count the OT goal twice.
- Feds91Stammer

hahaha take it easy, Feds. 4 point night for a dman is rare and special as it is, anyway..let alone like this.

hahaha take it easy, Feds. 4 point night for a dman is rare and special as it is, anyway..let alone like this.
- MattStrat

It isn't rare enough to make a big deal about it. Thats for sure.

It isn't rare enough to make a big deal about it. Thats for sure.
- Feds91Stammer

Well...its...never...happened...before....but haters gonna hate. Also, not sure whos made a BIG deal about it hahaha...of course its being discussed here....in a Pens blog.

I used to think Blu had a way higher ceiling than what he was able to show. Something is off with him. He can barely control the puck or complete a pass lately. Maybe he's frustrated.

He normally could be relied upon to make simple effective plays.
- Thorny87

In the five years he's been in the NHL, this is the first year he's struggled, offensively. Blueger is playing with no confidence whatsoever. I think that's obvious. His season opening injury may be worse than we know.

Have all the times he's deserved a promotion and not given one come back to haunt us? Maybe. Blue, Big Jeff, and Brock Star aren't scoring goals. Maybe if one gets hot that'll jump start all three. They are playing decent though. At least they've had some corsi stats.

Well...its...never...happened...before....but haters gonna hate. Also, not sure whos made a BIG deal about it hahaha...of course its being discussed here....in a Pens blog.
- MattStrat

Go smoke some weed

Jarry out till after the All Star break.

lol...

I used to think Blu had a way higher ceiling than what he was able to show. Something is off with him. He can barely control the puck or complete a pass lately. Maybe he's frustrated.

He normally could be relied upon to make simple effective plays.
- Thorny87

I meant to post this last week. DK has a weekly feature called "Friday Insider". He said a couple of team sources tell him Bluegs isn't the same player since the broken jaw. Not sure what a broken jaw has to do with passing and shooting. Maybe a fear of traffic.....IDK. TIFWIW, but he's pretty plugged-in with the Pens.

Feds and J you guys can just go on and (frank) right off. Let him have this haha

I meant to post this last week. DK has a weekly feature called "Friday Insider". He said a couple of team sources tell him Bluegs isn't the same player since the broken jaw. Not sure what a broken jaw has to do with passing and shooting. Maybe a fear of traffic.....IDK. TIFWIW, but he's pretty plugged-in with the Pens.
- madmike71

I’ve never questioned DK’s beat, I just think he’s a Richard and don’t want to give him my money, but what he says is valuable Intel. Missing time to injury can cause mental blocks even if there isn’t a physical reason why their games should be off. He’s gotta get over it quick, though. A bottom six player with the yips isn’t gonna get much rope.

Most of us knew they should have found a better backup in the off-season. He's not the worst backup, but they have zero chance of getting anywhere if he's playing important games.

I'm actually more disappointed in the play of the team in front of him. Tighten things up. You just played a perfect tight checking game against NJ and then they do that in front of a struggling backup tender.

Really impressed DOC and Poehling. Those are the kind of players you need to inject some energy into this squad. DOC shouldn't sit again. Reward him and let him build confidence.
- madmike71

DOC is kind of a wuss.