Penguins/NHL
Penguins – Rangers Fallout
The Pittsburgh Penguins looked a bit more like the Pittsburgh Penguins tonight.
Despite being out-attempted over the entire game in 5-on-5 play, 54-to-48, Pittsburgh used their speed game and were very effective at getting the Rangers to run around defensively that led to a number of Grade-A chances in the first period and early in the second period.
A good example of that……the New York Rangers came out with an 8-1 advantage in shots to start the game and then the Penguins flipped the script in outshooting New York 14-1 to end the first period and that momentum carried over into the second period when Jake Guentzel scored 39 seconds in and Sidney Crosby scored 10:07 later.
Pittsburgh peppered Lundqvist in the period and Lundqvist had to be great in the first 30 minutes of the game or this one was going to look like Games 4 and 5 of last year’s playoff series.
The Rangers, though, did a good job in this game by being the better overall possession team that played a part in them being able to rally and force overtime when down 3-1. That’s a much better strength for them this season in being able to drive play to go with a quick strike ability.
What’s holding the Rangers back who have lost eight straight at MSG, is the personnel on the blueline, especially against speed teams like the Penguins, and Henrik Lundqvist no longer the Lundqvist of old that has them in that second tier in the Eastern Conference. The Rangers, though, have to be ecstatic they’ll get to go through the Atlantic Division. If we see a Penguins – Rangers Round 4 this post-season, it will be in the Eastern Conference Finals.
Penguins get a depth chart jolt
The addition of a first line winger in Jake Guentzel and defenseman Ron Hainsey on the backend, provided that depth chart jolt the Penguins have kind of been lacking lately.
If Kris Letang is not back for the start of the playoffs, Brian Dumoulin – Ron Hainsey is the Penguins top pairing. It’s important those two get more time together if Letang’s not ready.
Tonight the Dumoulin – Hainsey pairing got the top-line matchups, that opened up for Justin Schultz and Ian Cole to be reunited and get better matchups.
Schultz was on the ice for a team-high 27 shot attempts (55 CF%), while Cole who had a primary assist on Bryan Rust’ goal, was at 60% in Shot Attempts For Percentage (25/17).
The trickle down effect was Chad Ruhwedel playing 15:24 tonight when he was getting 20+ minutes a night the previous five games he’s appeared in.
Everyone knows how important it is for the Penguins ability to repeat in eventually getting Kris Letang back but at least to start the playoffs in Round 1, it’s important that one of the three, Letang, Olli Maatta, or Trevor Daley are at least ready to play.
Murray starting to get groove back?
— I’m sure some are going to nitpick Matt Murray’s play to an extent due to the late period goals the Penguins gave up but this is now three out of four starts where he’s looked like himself again.
The 2-on-0 breakaway save in overtime was something else but the key from Murray was the calmness in goal he played with in eyeing up shooters and that’s when he’s at his best.
“I thought he was real good,” Mike Sullivan said. “He had that calm demeanor about him…..and that’s when Matt’s at his best.” [hide]
Playoff Ground
Washington – 110 Points
Columbus – 106 Points
Pittsburgh – 105 PointsTo read this insider news, subscribe to get “Inside Access”!
These games are a tough watch. Lets just forfeit till the playoffs start.
Samtheman: thumbs up or thumbs down?
Nutting definately has a world series caliber 25 man roster this year.
Little League World Series, that is
Murray sucks. Fleury sucks more. Take that biiitches.
What about. Npl?
Kunitz out indefinitely. Archibald back up.
Rumor was that he passed by letang in the locker room and passed out from letang’s pungent French odor. Shame.
I saw you asked in the previous thread….we’re out of the hospital now and back home, but got some rehab ahead of us. Thanks for asking.
Glad to hear that. I’ll keep your family in my thoughts and prayers. Hang in there dude!
Hope everything is OK, Dusty. We talk shit on this site but family stuff is nothing to joke about.
Mark Madden: “Pens’ source tells me team no longer optimistic Letang will return soon. Has apparently had a setback re: his back. Uh-oh.”
Go figure LeGlass might not be coming back. Not a popular opinion but they should have traded him long ago and kept Niskanen, definitely not the same caliber player though. It would have been almost $2M in cap savings, a healthy body in the lineup, and whatever picks or prospects coming the other way is just another boon.
Agreed. I like Letang, but he just can’t be counted on. When you have this much money tied up in forwards, your d has to be dependable. He would’ve also brought back a kings ransom. The only silver lining is that Schultz has stepped up this year. The Hainsey and Streit trades also help to alleviate the loss.
Is this an April Fools thing?
They should have never given him that contract. Fleury and Letang eating up a lot money. One can’t play anymore and the other can’t stay healthy.
You don’t pay for potential. This league
Same goes for malkin and Kessel one can’t stay healthy and the other can’t score 5v5 anymore
Get rid of all of them. They’ll never win a cup together. Oh….
But…..but Pens needed 4. In order to win. Typical media typical sully making Murray look better then what he is
I actually agree with D. Murray is looking like himself again…..Calm with a couple holes that others exploit in order to throw 3 past him. Murray is not a Patrick Roy, Marty Brodeur etc type goalie. He has a LOT of work to get there if he ever does.
Fact: Murray is better than MAF was at the same age. He’s stronger than MAF now. Murrays glove is a concern and he still needs to prove his ability to hang in their for 60 games.
His not better then fleury. Fleury carried many times the team during the season. While the team carries Murray for victories in most of the season. Plus he can’t be better because he is still fragile to play 80+ games to be considered better then fleury and even if he does not many goalies year after year can do that. Only advantage he has over fleury is size and calmness that’s about it. Agility, speed he hasn’t and won’t either because of his that slow now he will be slower when he is at fleury age which I doubt he… Read more »
And fleury played big portion of his career under dB. I’m sure Murray with his speed and dB system would’ve looked even worst in net. Reason he had success and pens had success was the amount of block shots they did last year. This year they have to do the same or else they will be first round exit. Pens are not build to play jackets or caps this year. They upgraded there team will pens pretty much same maybe few defense but still not the answer
Everything comes back to DB!
This year they are both playing under Sullivan with the same D and guess what… on average Murray has been better! This is a stupid point to make.
Murray carried “many times the team” on his way to becoming a Stanley Cup Champion last season.
What your confusing is which is more athletic vs whose the better overall tender. Athletically Fleury is one of the best to ever play but his lack of focus and poise hurts his game. Playing calm positionally sound hockey is how Murray makes up for his lack of athleticism in comparison. Murray is better, period! Not the miles that yodumbfuck thinks and he still needs to be a little more consisten but overall Murray is stronger. That’s not a shot at MAF as much as it is praise for Murray!