Ryan Wilson: Sid gets 1,000 and the Penguins get 2 Sid gets 1,000 and the Penguins get 2

1st again, sucka's!!!!

Ovi to the Pens E5000000

Upside down game. Jankowski got two shifts in the third and O'Connor on even though they played great in the first period. Blueger and ZAR were pinned in the majority of the game, yet were on the ice for Matheson's tying goal. Blueger getting an assist.

I will say this, yes the Blueger line was struggling for offence, they held the Isles to the outside most of the time.

The defense played a big part there, they did a good job of helping Jarry clear rebounds and boxing out in front of the goal. The way the Islanders played last as compared to the previous game, this may have been more impressive.

It was good to hear Sullivan say he was going with guys he felt were playing hard. He mixed lines and rewarded players. Things he needs to do more often.

I'm glad the Pens won, but I'd really like to see them string together two games where they played like they did two games ago against the Isles. I'd even be fine if they lose as long as they stick to playing that way because more times than not they will win if they keep that up.

Effort and consistency do seem to be traits that fail to show up game in and game out for this group of Penguins, but I'll take 2 clean wins vs. an opponent they'll likely be battling with for that 4th and final playoff spot in their division. Also have to be encouraged by Jarry's play in net as well. The goaltending has to be strong for this team to have a chance especially with the offensive production lacking a bit at the moment.

Maybe I'm eating crow too early on MM, but I think it's important what RW said.

There are going to be some low lows with Matheson, but there will be some positive plays working to somewhat balance things out.

When it comes to high-event players, especially offensive-minded dmen, this is something that comes with the territory. Obviously there are varying degrees to this and that's what separates the best from the worst, but if MM can keep those moments to a minimum I think we have a solid find.

Something the Pens defense have been missing is another dman other than Letang who can drive offense. Schultz did, but his last two seasons with the Pens really started to tail off.

I still would like to see MM through at least this whole season before the Pens make any rash decisions. I think even the deadline would be too early.

Yeah. Dumo I think has a good defensive hockey iq, but I think his biggest strength is knowing how to play with Letang after so many years. Maybe that’s why Letang seems so bad the last couple years, is that’s when dumo originally went down with his injury and noones known how to play with Letang to cover his lapses. Dumo was always the one with the good stick and positioning in front of the net.

Letangs and MM’s can be super effective but need to have a good stay at home defensive partner. A Paul Martin, Michalek, the Piece, to compliment their style by covering their mistakes. Prime Letang and prime karlson would be terrible together because they would both be caught behind the opposing net together, but there would be some wicked highlight plays. Prob lots of 2 on 1s lol.

Poj showed he can play in the nhl and can move up the lineup if needed even as a rookie. But for proper development ease his role and let him grow his skill set and his confidence instead of just trying to tread water and react to his surroundings.
- 10inchTerror

Agree on Dumoulin. Talent wise he's not a #2, but he's so effective at playing for Letang and the things he does really well, like defending odd man breaks, are a perfect compliment to Letang. I've been worried that these injuries could derail him, but hopefully he's able to come back close to his normal level.

Also agree with POJ. He's come back down and it's very likely he's just getting too much responsibility along with a challenging partner to play with. Now that we're getting healthy on that side, a move down to third pair makes sense.

Been pleased with how Pettersson is competing in front of his own net, something that's been severely lacking from the Pens defense this year. Hasn't been a part of his game before and maybe he used the long off-season to add some strength. Play him with Letang for now and see if they have any chemistry.

I agree with something RW said about Guentzel making a really intelligent screen. I still don't think he's a top net front presence, but he's improved on disrupting the goalies sight more often instead of being all about scoring tips and rebounds.

And in other things I've been wary of, another great start for Jarry. Hoping he really gets on a roll.

A lot of worries about the Pens are starting to even themselves out. Goaltending, PP, MM, Ceci, 3rd line.

I agree with something RW said about Guentzel making a really intelligent screen. I still don't think he's a top net front presence, but he's improved on disrupting the goalies sight more often instead of being all about scoring tips and rebounds.

And in other things I've been wary of, another great start for Jarry. Hoping he really gets on a roll.

A lot of worries about the Pens are starting to even themselves out. Goaltending, PP, MM, Ceci, 3rd line.
- Tojo.

I don't think it's necessary to have players who are "net front presence" players. I do think it's necessary to have a few players who aren't afraid to get to the net when necessary. Jake isn't a net front guy, but he's never been shy about getting dirty by the net.

I agree with something RW said about Guentzel making a really intelligent screen. I still don't think he's a top net front presence, but he's improved on disrupting the goalies sight more often instead of being all about scoring tips and rebounds.

And in other things I've been wary of, another great start for Jarry. Hoping he really gets on a roll.

A lot of worries about the Pens are starting to even themselves out. Goaltending, PP, MM, Ceci, 3rd line.
- Tojo.

Well, we'll see what happens come playoff time when the rules about cross checking magically disappear. Guentzel was effectively eliminated from the net area by several unpenalized crosschecks after the whistle. And yeah, you need to score dirty goals in the playoffs - screens, tips, rebounds, etc. We've all seen this movie before. Things also get a lot harder when you face goalies like Rask, Vasy, and Price and good defenses in front of them game after game instead of a second-rate Isles team. Go big or go home. Adding minor upgrades isn't going to tip the balance. Getting rid of Horny was about the dumbest thing we could have done.

Well, we'll see what happens come playoff time when the rules about cross checking magically disappear. Guentzel was effectively eliminated from the net area by several unpenalized crosschecks after the whistle. And yeah, you need to score dirty goals in the playoffs - screens, tips, rebounds, etc. We've all seen this movie before. Things also get a lot harder when you face goalies like Rask, Vasy, and Price and good defenses in front of them game after game instead of a second-rate Isles team. Go big or go home. Adding minor upgrades isn't going to tip the balance. Getting rid of Horny was about the dumbest thing we could have done. - Hockey66

Well gotta adjust with the times. Cross check to the back deserves a blatant dive until they have to call it.

Agree on Dumoulin. Talent wise he's not a #2, but he's so effective at playing for Letang and the things he does really well, like defending odd man breaks, are a perfect compliment to Letang. I've been worried that these injuries could derail him, but hopefully he's able to come back close to his normal level.

Also agree with POJ. He's come back down and it's very likely he's just getting too much responsibility along with a challenging partner to play with. Now that we're getting healthy on that side, a move down to third pair makes sense.

Been pleased with how Pettersson is competing in front of his own net, something that's been severely lacking from the Pens defense this year. Hasn't been a part of his game before and maybe he used the long off-season to add some strength. Play him with Letang for now and see if they have any chemistry.
- Tojo.

Yeah I think a big thing with Tangier’s or MM’s success will be the proper partner to cover their weaknesses.

All in all I know last night was a pretty bad game but they are starting to play correctly. There was no brain fart give away’s in high danger areas. Malkin and Letang at the blue line types. They are boxing out, battling in front of the net, clearing rebounds. Back checking from forwards has been improving. Movement on the pp and better pk. Goaltending. Face offs, minus last night, have been really good. It’s hard to find a positive, other than the lucky 2 points, but the process seems to be improving. Hopefully that correlates to more consistent good games.

Well gotta adjust with the times. Cross check to the back deserves a blatant dive until they have to call it.
- 10inchTerror

Guentzel was picking himself up constantly from legitimately being forced to the ice but no dice. I'm not even complaining about the refs so much as trying to point out that yes, you do need big and/or rugged net-front presence guys come playoff time. This is how it's always been and probably how it always will be. The refs are mostly Canadian and call an old-school North American game in the playoffs. Not only that, but the goalies and defenses are just too good to get clean looks.

I don't think it's necessary to have players who are "net front presence" players. I do think it's necessary to have a few players who aren't afraid to get to the net when necessary. Jake isn't a net front guy, but he's never been shy about getting dirty by the net.
- Rinosaur

I think disrupting the goalie's vision is massively important. It's done best by a constant screen like Hornqvist would provide, but even just cutting across the goalie's sight like Jake did on that goal and causing him to lose track of the puck is really effective. It's an area I feel Jake has improved on. Letang even recognized it was coming and waited half a second to shoot and changed the angle a little knowing Varlarmov couldn't follow. He saves that if he sees it. It's just different then going to the net to score.

Maybe I'm eating crow too early on MM, but I think it's important what RW said.



When it comes to high-event players, especially offensive-minded dmen, this is something that comes with the territory. Obviously there are varying degrees to this and that's what separates the best from the worst, but if MM can keep those moments to a minimum I think we have a solid find.

Something the Pens defense have been missing is another dman other than Letang who can drive offense. Schultz did, but his last two seasons with the Pens really started to tail off.

I still would like to see MM through at least this whole season before the Pens make any rash decisions. I think even the deadline would be too early.
- Rinosaur

As long as we, and especially RW hold both Letang and Matheson to the same standards

Matheson is going to make a ton of gaffes, but so does Letang. And when Letang does we consistently hear the argument "bUt hE gIvEs sO mUcH oFfEnSe aNd wE nEeD hIm sUpEr vAlUe fOr 7.25 mIlLiOn #1D"

So, there's going to be plenty of good to go with the plenty of bad. If you want just the good, and no bad at all, those guys seems to be running at about 10 million+

The way I saw it when the trade was made was GMJR was looking for a replacement for Schultz with more upside and younger, as we all saw how Schultz had regressed back and injuries were piling up. If Matheson keeps it up then we've found our man. Consider that Schultz just got off making 5.5 per for 3 years, Matheson at 4.8 doesn't seem crazy to me at all

As long as we, and especially RW hold both Letang and Matheson to the same standards

Matheson is going to make a ton of gaffes, but so does Letang. And when Letang does we consistently hear the argument "bUt hE gIvEs sO mUcH oFfEnSe aNd wE nEeD hIm sUpEr vAlUe fOr 7.25 mIlLiOn #1D"

So, there's going to be plenty of good to go with the plenty of bad. If you want just the good, and no bad at all, those guys seems to be running at about 10 million+

The way I saw it when the trade was made was GMJR was looking for a replacement for Schultz with more upside and younger, as we all saw how Schultz had regressed back and injuries were piling up. If Matheson keeps it up then we've found our man. Consider that Schultz just got off making 5.5 per for 3 years, Matheson at 4.8 doesn't seem crazy to me at all
- TheGame316

The difference between Letang and guys like Matheson and Schultz is that while all three can create offense, Letang also drives play at an elite level. Schultz had that one good year but otherwise has been a drag on possession. Matheson had one really bad year in 18-19, but has otherwise been neutralish neither driving play nor being a drag. While I agree they probably tried to replace Schultz, I wasn't a fan of him either overall and preferred a guy like Pettersson who even if he didn't create as much offense, kept the puck moving in the right direction.

Now some caveats. Letang stepped back last year to good but not elite, and that's relatives too, not just he played with JJ. This year, he's below average. Meanwhile early returns have Matheson having a very good play driving year, not Letang's previous level, but very good. That continues and you add in the offensive creativity then I'll be very happy with him. To me that's an ideal #3 defenseman.

Guentzel was picking himself up constantly from legitimately being forced to the ice but no dice. I'm not even complaining about the refs so much as trying to point out that yes, you do need big and/or rugged net-front presence guys come playoff time. This is how it's always been and probably how it always will be. The refs are mostly Canadian and call an old-school North American game in the playoffs. Not only that, but the goalies and defenses are just too good to get clean looks.
- Hockey66

Geuntzal got the sh!t kicked out of him by the Habs. By the end of that play-in round, he wasn't withing 15' of the net. Can't really blame him. He's not built to take that kind of punishment. Sure, he can occasionally "time" his arrival at the perfect moment, but you can't do that with any consistency.

I'm with you. A guy that's built to take the punishment who screens the goalie is imperative for the playoffs. Deflections, screens, rebounds is playoff hockey.

So Henrique cleared....not a surprise with that contract.

The Sabres have 6 games this coming week...thats insane.

So Henrique cleared....not a surprise with that contract.
- madmike71

I'm curious to see how this unfolds.

The Sabres have 6 games this coming week...thats insane.
- MattStrat

I'm very surprised by that team. I didn't expect them to be very good or anything, but I expected team that scores a lot and allows a lot. They are not scoring.

So Henrique cleared....not a surprise with that contract.
- madmike71

In some ways I am surprised. Not many teams have the cap space, I get that but he has been a really good two way center good for 20 goalscorer 40 points a year. A team like Minnesota or Columbus with no center depth I thought would be on that. .

Certainly let's you know he is available.

In some ways I am surprised. Not many teams have the cap space, I get that but he has been a really good two way center good for 20 goalscorer 40 points a year. A team like Minnesota or Columbus with no center depth I thought would be on that. .

Certainly let's you know he is available.
- MacPatty

You think a team with cap space like Ottawa would pick him up just to flip him for a draft pick at the TDL. Even if all they got was a 4th it’s one more than before.

So Henrique cleared....not a surprise with that contract.
- madmike71

Contract is no issue. But his pants aren't quite long enough.

Jokes aside....If we traded for Henrique, it just feels too much like Brassard 2.0

I like him...but offense is drying up, not worth the contract, and is he really the type of 3C we need?