Game 6 Primer
The Penguins goaltending situation has been the hottest topic in town over the past couple days. How Marc Andre Fleury is viewed has always been fascinating to me.
On one side of the spectrum you have what I call the Fleury media friends crowd that overrates Fleury because of how great of a guy he is off the ice that often leads to Fleury being put on a pedestal by this group that he’s some kind of elite goaltender.
Then you have those on the other side who probably don’t give Fleury enough credit to an extent, but don’t have the personal affection towards Fleury that those covering him may have. This crowd certainly views Fleury more in reality.
Fleury is what he is — A slightly above average goaltender than can get you 35 wins, but despite winning a Stanley Cup, is still a goaltender with a .906 save percentage all-time in the playoffs which is a brutal number and has a combined career save percentage of .911 (Regular season/Post-season) —
He’s a slightly above average goaltender when you factor everything in. Let’s not sugar coat it.
If Fleury was Tom Barrasso off the ice, bet you wouldn’t see one column calling for Fleury to start.
What Murray continues to prove is that experience for goaltenders is overrated. It’s not just that the Penguins are 6-2 with Murray in the playoffs, they’ve won 15 of 21 games with him in goal, regular season/playoffs combined.
What Mike Sullivan is doing is sticking with the goaltender who is giving him .937 save percentage goaltending, therefore, the best chance for the Penguins to win. Murray is not some journeyman backup like a Scott Darling for example who gets hot for a few games and you ride him till he loses a game. Unless you have Carey Price on your team or Henrik Lundqvist pre-2016 playoffs, you stick with a goaltender as talented as Murray who is giving you elite goaltending like he is.
This is the same type of move Dan Bylsma made in the 2013 playoffs with Tomas Vokoun when the Penguins had another situation of two No. 1 goaltenders. What did Vokoun give the Penguins like Murray is giving them now? .930 + save percentage goaltending, .933 to be exact.
The Penguins didn’t lose to the Bruins because of Vokoun. In Games 3 & 4 vs Boston, Vokoun posted a .953 save percentage. Pittsburgh lost that series because Boston’s best players out-performed Pittsburgh’s.
If the Penguins end up losing this series to Washington, it’s going to be more about Washington’s best players being better than Pittsburgh’s like Game 5 played out than goaltending being the issue.
Focus Turns to the Stars
As expected, a lot of the focus is on the Penguins top guns coming into tonight.
The Penguins lead a series after five games for just the second time in the Sidney Crosby era when Crosby and Evgeni Malkin have combined for one goal or less through the first five games. The last time was the conference semifinals vs the Montreal Canadiens in 2010.
Why are the Penguins up 3-2 in a series that’s been as even as it could be?
Goaltending and more skilled depth.
The NHL is such a coached up league anymore, it’s been clear in this series the chances of a Crosby-Ovechkin duel like 2009 has no chance of happening. For one, both are not as good as they were seven years ago when both were right in their prime.
Still is a goal, assist each for Malkin and Crosby tonight too much to ask?
“Our top guys are doing more than you [the media] give them credit,” Mike Sullivan told reporters this morning when pressed about the lack of production.
That is true, especially for Crosby who impacts a game so much with his play away from the puck.
But, what an off-season it would be if Crosby and Malkin go out quietly following another blown 3-1 series lead. Whether it’s tonight or Thursday night, this is a big moment for both.
Crosby in 133 shifts through five games, has just 11 shots on goal.
For those making excuses for Crosby and Malkin, even Malkin knows he has to get on the scoresheet, saying today “I need to score.”
Another player who the microscope should be on more is Phil Kessel.
While he’s picking up assists, six of them in the post-season, he has no goals in the series and a bit of an alarming stat, no even strength goals in his last 16 games.
Phil Kessel is making $10 million dollars this season because of his ability to score goals not be Adam Oates. It’s not just Malkin and Crosby. Kessel seeing the third pairings from the opposition has to produce a goal or two at 5-on-5. Maybe it doesn’t catch up to the Penguins this series but the lack of even strength scoring from Kessel will eventually catch up to the Penguins this spring.
More Buzz
— It’s easy to look at the Penguins and say they are too good to lose three straight. I’d also say the Capitals were too good to lose three straight and they still did with some bad luck and great goaltending from Matt Murray. Would anybody be surprised that the script flips and the Capitals win the next two with some lucky bounces and great goaltending from Holtby who steals a game or two?
With how even this series is, nobody should be shocked that the Penguins close it out tonight or the Capitals win the next two.
— Alex Ovechkin today called To read this insider news, subscribe to get “Inside Access”!
Stan what do you think about your hero even strength goals this series. Bonino line 6 goals sid line 3 goals Cullen line 2 and malkin line 1 goal
Chubby traded yet Sam?
Malkin line had one goal! I know for sure Malkin scored one. And Fehr had one. That’s two. Time to check your French math, frog
#Gaylivesmatter
Interesting hashtag following your Orpig comment
Especially when he used to “knock that out like it was his job”
Orpig must be depressed 3 games Suspension and tonight he cost his team’s match
How will you console him?
Perron. #samknew
Despres. #samknew
Bennett healthy yet?
in case mstari is out there confused…. Ovechkin > Crosby for a 6th game in a row.
Yet ovi will be golfing tomorrow and Crosby will be getting ready for the next round. Who really cares about that now, the Pens won the series. That is all that matters! I don’t care if the entire Lightning team is better than Crosby as long as the Pens win the series.
Ovi will be in the plane to Russia
He’ll be better on a plane than Sid will be in Game 1 vs Tampa
Dude I have called out Sid many times. Once again Simply Dusty! Troll somebody else dude. I am still celebrating at the Consol with the rich people you commoner. We won and I love ya Dusty!
You guys think malkin was playing bad today because the coach screamed at him last game?
Sid sits when he pisses.
Dailey Buzz updated yet?
Did any of the coaching staff tell Sid and geno that forcing drop passes to nobody aren’t good plays?
Stan must be drooling over kessel scoring his 1st 5v5 goal in 17 games
Ya i know. Kessel was horrible. I wish he would have been more like Sid.
You can’t really be on this…. I’m mean really. He scored two big ones tonight and was part of the winner. How can you be this fucking dumb?
#America. #Oshie #MSL
Thanks to Orpiggggg that pens scored 2 goals tonight thank God pens Got rid of him and neal
The prophecy was fulfilled. Sid or geno did not score the gwg. Only a true prophet could have called that. (Sarcasm)
Bunch of idiots on here. I can at least get a laugh!!!
Just gave you a thumbs down
Thank you.
Is it weird Sid is almost 30 and single. Must be tough to be gay and non clutch
Fleury didnt look good against the Lightnings this year. But they also played before Ian Cole came back into the lineup and the D locked it up.
Sam wanted Oshie. Who’s golfing with PK now.
Oshie was >>>>> malkin and sid.
Who wasn’t ?
Pouliot
Bennett
Good point. Lol
Who is playing in the conference finals, Oshie or Sid and Malkin? Why does it matter who was better? It is all about the team!
Ya sorry. Dumb comment. Oshie was awesome and in long run is better pick up than Phil.
Stan only approves kessel based on 2 games he showed up in 2 series
2 more than Sid. Your lover. Who’s still MIA
Chubby traded yet Sam?
See how pissed fleury looked in the handshake line.
That will be the headline tomorrow. They’ll be calling for their patron saint again.
Yeah poor guy he carried the team all year but 3rd round they should put him
Zero thought Pouliot looked good tonight.
Zero confirms you’re a fucking idiot
Lol
I think he looks incredible everytime hes a healthy scratch.
How long before Rossi or madden asks if st bleury is the man vs Tampa?
Based on how he almost gave the game back… Now you take a good hard look
Lol! 5/3 are gimme goals. Murray>holtby who will win the vezina.
Murray has been trending down, the Williams goal was an indictment of his inexperience. While I don’t say MAF is automatic you have a few days of practice to evaluate Fleuys game… You have to give it serious thought. Don’t be such a fucking tool here, Murray got lucky tonight.
Same put pens in 6. #samknew
Officially add Bonino to list of people more clutch than Crosby.
I can’t believe Sid put on a jersey for the hand shake
Or Malkin
Stan doesn’t see malkin playing bad he only has an agenda for Crosby and letang
How bout Phil? You have an agenda there yourself but he showed up
Comment of the night hands down
Fat Phil hotdog was the 10 mil player tonight. Amazing winning that series with Sid and geno obsessed with drop passes to nobody
Sid and Geno called out hard in the post game interview lol
Bonino>>>>>> brandon sutter. What a pick up he was
You damn right… SAMs a fucken twaat
Yeah because sutter was bad in playoffs for 2 years with shitt wings unlike bonino has chubby and haggy
Phil!!!!!! Big assist
Pens deserved that after the NHL tried to fix it for a game 7.
Pens vs tampax I wonder who npl will cheer for.
Pens. Wonder no more.
3rd line is awesome!
You mean 2nd line
Apparently the plane is waiting for ovi and kuz
God Bless America!!!!
http://m.imgur.com/MNLMnaf?r
Who called bones?
Gotta love the 3rd line!
American Bonino for the with win… Should have split the line up.
Back in the running for Conn Smythe
https://media1.giphy.com/media/14cDsqOkks6O8U/giphy.gif
Hahaha did you have that one waiting?
Amish scored
Please no more sheery on the first line I rather see Bennett for few shifts before he gets injured then a full match of sheery draging the line down. TK 2.0
Kunitz.. Garbage! He’s been so fucken bad. He could ice it and I wouldn’t give a fuck
They let that go?
Get Fehr off Malkin’s line. Sullivan being out coached
Fehr is a sack of shit
50/50 game now. Safe to bet geno or sid won’t get the gwg
I’m calling Daley for the game winner. End it !
Sid. Holiday.
https://media0.giphy.com/media/2FayUBN5Kl5sMdsIg/giphy.gif
I don’t get it 2nd goal that Murray let in he is huge 6f4 and was playing small on net Fleury wouldve poked it
I sometimes wonder why I watch this garbage. The NHL sucks.
I hear you man. You should just unplug the tv, stay off the internet forever, and just give up.
This might be comment of the night
Remember when Crosby and Malkin needed depth to win? Boy, have times changed.
Tj oshie is the best ever at drawing penalties. Watch the letang call again. Oshie pulled up and made that hit look brutal. Incredible acting.
Even last game player barely touched his chest and he pretended it was his face
Sheery on the ice last 40 seconds of the game when you have kinitz,haggy,kessel and malkin on the bench
You calling for the return of Bylsma?
If it was DB pens would’ve been out by first round 3-1 collapse
Since when does the NHL call an interference penalty with 2 mins left in regulation with a tie score? I’ll tell you when, when the fix is in and the want a game 7.
Crosby and the clown crew owe Kessel an apology
Williams will score lol
At least Sid has a pulse. Malkin looks dead
He had some jump early in the game, but yea, hes been more non existent than Sid.
Sid took a miracle back hand shot with 30 seconds left. I’m surprised he didn’t throw a drop pass to the point.
Looks like Pens need a little more Kessel Magic. #FatTrick
Dumb asss sully put geno with Crosby last 40 seconds not sheery.
Dumbasss Sully? The American coach who made this team a cup contender after the Canadian coach almost single-handedly destroyed this team and its fanbase? Please.
Fanbase?
Here ya go buddy
http://www.dictionary.com/browse/fanbase
Fuck malkin, get Phil out there
Orpig taking haggy down was a penalty no call
Thats not a penalty
I agree. Letang got there the same time as puck. Bad call.
Deserve this loss for laying back with the 3-0 lead
Letang is so clutch
Tell me more how letang doesn’t take late penalties Sam. Goddamn frog.
Does NBC want game 7 or what?
Yeah it’s ratings and more money
This game is fixed just like game 5. Same ol nhl
Let’s see how long Stan to be here
STUPID!!!!
Paid game
If we play regular, this chit doesn’t happen!!
Lay back some more. Stupid Chit!!!!
Omg
This is the longest 3rd period ever
There Stan there is your American fellows under pressure
Are you F’ing me?
F’ing Kunitz with another bad penalty.
That’s what happens when we are playing the Steelers prevent defense!!!!
Saint Blurray
Does Murray always have to be down leaving the top of the net open?
Fuck awful goal to give by Murray. Couldn’t be any smaller… Anyone tooting his horn missing that is a dumb fucken ass. Murray can redeem here and we still need support form the stars but that goal by Murrays a tough one to give, he has to learn to make himself bigger in net
Holtby is gonna steal this…
Justin Williams is clutch.
3 times crosby and malkin had scored in the same game in Last 47 playoff games .All thanks to the vacation that malkin too last season
Phil is on Phire!!!
This is going to be the longest 3rd period ever.
What chance would the Pens have anyway if Crosby continues to be a non factor on the scoreboard?
Sid Bream = clutch; Crosby = not so much
So far Pens fans have learned there’s a difference between being a super star and being clutch. Kessel may no longer be a super star, but he’s big game clutch. Crosby and Malkin, super stars that arent clutch.
Based on 2 games in 2 series wow good evaluation about kessel
Phil is an animal in big games
2/3 thru the most imporant game of Crosby and Malkin’s pens career. Crosby is still throwing blind passes into the high slot.
Only if Dan would take Kunitz and Dupuis off his line.
Neither has a goal, but at least Malkin is creating scoring chances. Sid appears to be trying SOMETIMES, but I can’t understand wtf he is trying to do.
It’s hard for Sid to get anything going because Hedman is constantly matched up against him. Hedman is a shutdown defenseman.
I’m practicing for the conference finals.
But what about his intangibles? *sarcasm*
Philieve!
Sam. Does thefourthperiod.com have any news on if Sid finally dresses next series?
Our Russian has 0 shot attempt and is due for a penalty n the offensive zone any second
On the same pace as Crosby
Its an American game anyway.
Phil!!!!
New nickname Big game Phil
Try Michelin tire
No matter how fat you want to think he is he’s a godsend tonight
He literally just buried his dick in your ass you French tub of goo
Orpigggg what a clown hope they burn his house tonight
.
http://prospectinghealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Bing.png
You guys think kuznetsov is a fraud?
Phil!!!!!
Chubby traded Sam? You French fuck.
Thank God pens Got rid of that cancer Orpiggggg. And his dumb penalties
Thank god they traded for Phil
He shows up 2 times in 2 series and he is God. Go suckk a dick while you can
Phil!!!!!!
Sam the man put pens in 6 in NHL brackets. #samknew
Orpiggggg
If nobody’s gonna say it, I’ll say it. Kessel has contributed to the pens more than Marty St Louis has contributed to…anyone.
There is no amount of devils lettuce to clam my nerves right now.
Chubby traded yet?
Same is pissed
http://prospectinghealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Bing.png
Phil!!!!
4-2 win. Crosby with 3 points (1 goal via EN) and Malkin with the game winning goal, plus an assist. Letang has 3 assists. Kessel gets the other goal.
Lets go pens!!
Agree. Lets get the W today and then get Fleury back in the net for Game 1!
st.bleury is a clown.
Incorrect…you are just enjoy the team and stop being all butt hurt over a player you hate simply because other people dont agree…must be a horrible way to be not even able to enjoy your favorite team if a certain player plays
He doesn’t like the team.
Your mother should have been pro choice!
Hey D… ickhead… what was the SV% for MAF the last two seasons? You know the ones where we see a clear postie change in his game? Don’t get me wrong I don’t take Murray out either but this type of reporting serves to fuel some of the idiots out here that are hung up on the bad stretch before he took action in his personal world and brought in the right people to make positive changes.
Funny how people wanted Fleury gone last few year and now all of a sudden he is important and some people say he needs to play for this series
Also sam…WHO CARES WHAT THESE GUYS DO AFTER THE SEASON ENDS…..if they play in the WC who cares, if they dont…who cares…..malkin has never left the team early to play in them so why is this an issue in your stupid french mind? he doesnt “lose on purpose” as im sure you will try to push because your a retard so that argument is null and void
I dont care either what they do but in malkin case what pissed me off is that last 2 years he gets injured before playoffs then plays poorly while crosby gets heat people say malkin might be injured and once he hit the plane he plays good overseas and most people here dont watch and see the con that he does at WC
kuznetsov another one that is on vacation mode and once he goes to WC youll see him play
he has done Jack shitt this month
Toews
Everyone that has posted has said THEY BOTH need to be better…you just hear what you want
That second paragraph/sentence from the grammatically challenged CalU crowd is brutal.
Don’t knock Cal. It’s the Harvard on the Mon 🙂
Wrong only player that is under the microscope according to some bandwagons here is Crosby no one else CROSBY
Right stan ?
Is say something, but you aren’t capable of more than a couple thoughts per year. That’s evidenced by your posts.
Thats because you ONLY put geno under the microscope…so naturally people will rally against u…since your not even a pens fan your simply a canada fan so you dont really care if the pens win the cup..only if all russians are cast away from the NHL because for some reason you cant except another nationality other than french speaking canada….which is just a terrible way to live life so i do feel sorry for your backwards view on life
Crosby is under the most. As well he should be. He’s the leader. He’s the captain. He’s highest paid. He’s the “best player in the world.” And last, but not least, he’s the one with the longest history of playoff meltdowns. He has the most to prove. Period. But no. He’s not the “only.” Just far and away the leader in the clubhouse.