Lack of support game, Possession woes continue vs Hurricanes
In a game that was a four point swing, the Carolina Hurricanes closed to within four points of the Penguins in the Metropolitan division with a 4-0 shutout win on Tuesday night.
The Penguins who have lost six of nine, dropped their second straight and there was a trend between the Toronto and Carolina game.
Both games turned into 5-on-5 games with limited power play opportunities. Pittsburgh had just two power play chances vs the Hurricanes and one vs Toronto.
The Penguins have been outscored 6-1 during 5-on-5 play over their last two games.
More concerning 5-on-5 #’s vs the Leafs and Hurricanes:
44% possession vs TOR, 41% possession vs CAR.
Against the Leafs, even though the Penguins built up a 2-0 lead, they were behind the eight-ball in the way the game was playing out as the Toronto game saw the Leafs win the Sidney Crosby matchup by controlling possession at 60% when they had the John Tavares/Jake Muzzin matchup against 87.
The Carolina game saw Hurricanes overwhelm the Penguins bottom-tier players and Pittsburgh get absolutely nothing from their second line.
Jack Johnson 27% possession, Jared McCann and Tanner Pearson 29% possession, Marcus Pettersson 30% in possession.
The Pearson – Bjugstad – Kessel line was at 32% possession.
Mike Sullivan afterwards was harping on the Penguins lack of support game in the offensive zone and making it hard on the opposition. The Penguins keep making personnel changes to address these areas and there’s still too many by-standers in the lineup that is fueling this inconsistent level of play.
“We’ve got to find a way to make it hard [hide] on their team defense by having more offensive zone time,” Sullivan said.
“When we’re at our best in the offensive zone, we start close and support one another in the battles and on the 50-50s [puck battles],” Mike Sullivan said. “When there’s 50-50 pucks or there’s not a lot of ice to play on, you need a third stick. You’ve got to stay close. I don’t think, tonight, there was a circumstance where we were under siege.”
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Decision Time on Defense
The NHL is such a fast game these days, coaches just don’t believe you can get away with playing defensemen on their off-side.
Pittsburgh, though, has been trying to get away with it all season.
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Pittsburgh has four defensemen in their lineup right now in Maatta, Riikola, Pettersson, Johnson who are playing at a replacement player level. That is terrible news for a team with Stanley Cup aspirations. To make matters worse, two of them are playing on their off-side.
The imminent return of Justin Schultz solves one of those problems.
“I think it’s beneficial to have defensemen on their strong sides,” Mike Sullivan said this week of Schultz. “When the puck comes around the wall in the offensive zone, it’s a much easier play to make on the forehand when you’re under pressure. Same thing on a neutral-zone counter or a breakout. When you can make the play on your forehand, it makes it a little bit easier, a little bit more efficient.”
Pittsburgh has a third pairing problem in a big way. Pettersson and Johnson are both liabilities at inopportune times and there’s just not much you can do with Johnson who the coaches are committed too.
Olli Maatta – Justin Schultz gives Pittsburgh safest route for a second pairing but still leaves that glaring hole with the third pair.
If you go Johnson – Schultz, it gets Johnson off the right side, but Johnson playing a second-pairing role won’t end well and let’s not forget, Justin Schultz has shined brightest when Penguin coaches have been able to shelter his tough minutes.
A Pettersson – Schultz pairing has been kicked around internally but Pettersson being able to handle hard second pairing minutes is asking for a lot. Another discussion internally has been if Schultz returns to form, splitting up Dumoulin, Letang, Schultz on different pairs to even things but hard to see that scenario working or sticking beyond a game or two.
As it’s been clear that Juuso Riikola should have been developing in Wilkes Barre more than eating up minutes in the NHL, you break down this blueline with Justin Schultz and it still wouldn’t be a bad thing to have Jamie Oleksiak around as an option. [/hide]
Con man Kovalsuck and his 6.3m are available for a trade. They will make sure to sabotage another team
I’m sure he can fit well here in Pittsburgh to play with his other lazy Russian. After all his another power play specialist so it would be perfect for droolers here lol
“farting cows”
Pens should try to leave Petterson and Cullen behind in Florida
Malkin will come back and save the season.
Yeah the way he has been doing the past few months. How many 5v5 goals does he have since October 30th.
3?
How many cups does Montreal have since 1993?
You’re so funny I forgot to laugh
On a funnier note… the Devils are having a David Puddy bobblehead night. Awesome!
I might have to scoop one of those up.
Meanwhile the ahl habs team is destroying one of the best team in the league
Scum bag Wilson beat the shitt out of Ian cole
How many Games pens lost this year to non playoff teams. Panthers being the worst 3rd period team in the league
How many?
Booooooooooooo
Ugh.
Wow. Chubbyyyyy
I’ll say this to the Crosby’s wingers whiners… if he factored into JJ being signed you need to shut the fuckk up!
What a pass Letang…
Lol
Finally Pettersson score. For once it’s someone else than letang.
“Finally Patterson score” – Jesus Christ what a fucken idiot
Pens need to comeback. Panthers by far worst 3rd period team in the league -23 2nd ducks -13.
Florida suckss
So does npl
Desmith is a trainwreck. Reminds me of Brent Johnson
It’s his fault the 22 year old rookie and the “Norris candidate” blew it?
There was a lot of mistake on that play
And suddenly it is not DeSmith’s fault. Lol. Flip Flop.
Desmith was bad positioned. But mistake started with #27 and #28.
And #58. You seem to have forgotten him. DeSmith was playing the shot, not expecting the pass. Getting plowed into by your own man does not help. Oh well.
What a play Letang…
Pettersson needs a break, Schultz needs to come back
And JJ needs to be left at the airport.
And our Russian needs to be eaten by sharks in his Florida vacation
With Letang destroying the PP we need Malkin back desperately
Too soon?
Woooooooo Mccann! Kids shown a lot of energy, glad he’s on the board. Decent pedigree, he could be the three C we’ve been waiting for
Rumours leafs might add another D. Maybe Faulk and also physical wing maybe Ferland. Their scout been spotted few times this week in Carolina
Go all in this year then die on contracts for Reilly and Marner?
Teams might throw offer sheets at marner
No shit… if they let it go to July 1st knowing half the teams in hockey have the paperwork done…
They can still match anyway
Yeah, Toronto would be stupid to wait that long. It will just drive up his price. They are going to lose some players this off season but they will be in great shape for the next 5 to 8 yrs. AM’s contract is so bonus loaded, smart signing by them.
Sam’s drooling.
You said the Penguins had an 80% chance to land Ferland.
Yeah. But now pens got 2 new players
80%….
Nice pass by letang
You could have made that pass.
Dumo with the lone assist lol
Tanger made the outlet pass.
I seen it but when the sammich is giving props to the pass…which would have been the same assist he shitts on others for getting but said player isn’t credited with a point? Fun to point and laugh
Wow…. that was a pleasent surprise.
Can someone buy scum sully another suit after 2 cups you think he has money yet he wears same grey suit every game
What disgusting city to play hockey in
Agreed but the Montreal night life makes up for it…
Best night life in North America.
Missed the point there did ya… not a surprising development
I’m thinking that PP will be good to continue to push that down low side of the net play to Kessel… no way it possibly stays killing plays forever…
Nice fuckin PP!!!
That’s why they need to trade Malkin ASAP… Letang is clearly able to QB it better any way lol
Brassard with a point
Stop drooling Sam(e).
Brandon Sutter, once called a “foundation piece” for the Canucks and a player that the sammich thinks the entire world of may be moved by the Canucks, drool sammich, DROOL. Shocking development for the guy that Sam lamented the loss of so much, a guy that he felt would be a better fit than Bonino during the cup runs despite being a possession black hole. Statistical Analysis Sutter – 3.3MM (2016) 4.375MM (2017 – present) 2016 – GP20 G5 PTS9 +3 2017 – GP81 G17 PTS34 -20 2018 – GP61 G11 PTS26 +8 2019 – GP24 G4 PTS6 -11 Sheary… Read more »
Apparently sheahan is looking forward to score a shorthanded goal tonight
Good call retard!
Two virginal bandwagons, one Sam cup.
Chubby Sam doesn’t think Matt Murray won twocups.
He also legit believes Ramrod is Stan… I thought this was one of his stupid ongoing “jokes” but as it turns out he’s just a fucken moron.
Here’s an idea… Murray sucks and can’t stay healthy.
But … but …but. He has won 2 cups according to some here
According to some here? How many has he won, chubby?
I am not sticking up for MM because I was never a huge fan of his nor was I a huge fan of playoff MAF but anyone who follows hockey, watches hockey and/or reads about hockey knows MM is a two time SC Champion. Say what you want about the guy but you can not take that away from him. Just because Sam(e) posts something it does not make it so.
He has….
that’s more of a statement than an idea…
Google the definition of idea.
Madden VS Dunlap on twitter is great
-45 tonight in Edmonton maybe pens should ship malkin to that shiithole Edmonton with Ron Klatt
Who? Rob Klatt?
Do you mean Rob King?
-45 thumbs down.
+1 for Stanchion
Murray should be shut down for the year and checked into rehab. Pray for the guy, his life is more important than hockey.
Apparently malkin was going to tag letang in his vacation according to Zero. But last minute changes made him chose Murray instead now they both Can enjoy their time in Florida
Walls Work
DemocRats Don’t
Another benefit would be to have at least one physical defensemen to make opponents pay in our crease ……opps never mind he left.
Happens every time he losses a game badly
Well I will be an MAF Murray is hurt again.
Murray injured yet?
Yep
Ahahaha what a fraud
Did he even survive 20 games since his last injury
Murray has official passed MAF numbered of times injured. Despite being 10 years younger
Hell he is closing in on BB record.
I wonder what our experts Stan, tbj,npl and zerotool has to say. Basically the thumbs down crew
All you bandwagon droolers wanting this offence that defence and what did I say last article no matter what you have in front you need a goalie and pens don’t have one.
Lol, I returned after a month off to a page that looked like a bot hit it with downvotes… we are not stupid… we fucken know it’s you dipshit!
What do I have to say? It’s sad how happy you are that Murray is on the shelf again… fake ass, fairweather fan
Just admit it it’s coming from your crew not mine lool
We don’t even need to entertain this, Ramrod wasn’t here when you were making this claim back in the day… he isn’t fucken Stan and that obvious to anyone who isn’t a brain dead idiot! Tbj doesn’t seem to be the type to give a fuckk and I legit took a month off and came back to some serious downvotes… for the same people… the “crew” that calls you out on your bullshit. On the flip side you are getting up votes on posts even “your crew” doesn’t agree with you on and the posts where your incoherent ESL gets… Read more »
Are you serious your that slow to not see rod is stan .
And as I said I swear to God I don’t own multiple accounts never did never will
This seriously is hilarious. Sam(e) is like a little child trying to convince his mom he didn’t do what he knows he did. If I am Stan then you have muliple accounts. Shmuck.
It’s like if he says it enough, he’ll believe it. They should donate his brain to science when he dies to help cure mental illnesses.
Lmmfao, I am very well aware of Stan’s style and his sarcasm… rod and Stan are clearly two different people you stupid fuck! Most of us get this
You have a crew?
His crew is him and his multiple accounts.
If Chicago makes the Playoffs hand the Hart Trophy to Kane the second the regular season ends. They are only a game and a 1/2 out and he is on fire. That Kucherov out of Tampa and they are still a playoff team. Take Kane out of Chicago and they are not even on the map.
don’t worry, with domic simon on crosby’s wing, all of the problems will be solved in no time! as a matter of fact, the pens had perfect line balance last night when it came to scoring.
Hornqvist got more ice time and was a -2. Simon had less and was a -1. Ask and you shall receive. Lol. With that, I do not really care for Simon either.
it’s all about line balance
Simon will bring balance to the force.
Boyle to Nashville for a 2nd round pick.
Signing Jack Johnson was a bad idea… who did not see that coming? Only 4 and 1/2 more years of this.
Would not have mind if they had worked out a short term deal. They sunk more into him than I think his parents got away with.
Like I said before, they should have given him a one year deal and made him earn more. I guess JR figured if he paned out he got a steal for the $$ and the term but it is not a steal if no one wanted him to begin with. And I do not believe Crosby had anything to do with it.