Tuesday’s Penguins Buzz
The Penguins goaltending has been suspect to very poor since returning from the bye break where Marc Andre Fleury has allowed 10 goals over his last two starts and Matt Murray after allowing seven goals last night, has allowed 11 goals over his last two games.
Murray in particular has not looked like his dominant self since allowing six goals in a 7-1 loss to the Blue Jackets on Dec 22.
Over his last four starts, Murray has an .828 save percentage, allowing 19 goals on 111 shots faced.
In Monday’s 8-7 win over the Capitals, Murray just never looked right. His angles were disastrous often taking the wrong angle on side to side plays and he was playing small when squaring up on shooters.
Even as the Penguins stormed back to take a lead in the second period, there was a feeling all night there was a good chance Washington would keep lighting Murray up.
Despite how shaky Murray looked throughout, Mike Sullivan cited after the game he didn’t give much consideration to pulling Murray because the team took the lead and Murray has often showed an ability to bounce back from poor goals.
One attribute that has played a part in Murray evolving into the Penguins No. 1 netminder has been the consistency of not letting a game get out of hand. A team may get three on him but getting that fourth is often difficult.
Of late that hasn’t been the case.
How does Mike Sullivan handle the goaltending situation for Wednesday night in Montreal? No one can blame the coaching staff if they feel Murray needs some more practice time and a tune-up the next couple days with Mike Bales.
I’d argue that he needs games under his belt, having played just four times over the last 28 days and with no back-to-backs the rest of the month, the coaching staff should give Murray a dose of three to four consecutive starts coming up to see if he gets out of his funk and go from there.
More Takeaways from Pens – Caps
— Patric Hornqvist season has been a bit frustrating at times and the Penguins coaching staff has also been frustrated with his lack of production 5 v 5 where he has just 3 even strength goals. However, Hornqvist value was on display last night. Pittsburgh fed off his energy and Hornqvist was a force on the forecheck from the second period on and in the net-front area.
— Coming off a three point night, Conor Sheary has 8 goals and 14 points at even strength this season, averaging 2.78 Points/60 (5v5), good for sixth in the NHL among players who have appeared in 20 games.
– Jake Guentzel had an assist and a 70 CF% at even strength vs the Capitals, on the ice for 14 shot attempts, 6 against. Such a small sample but Guentzel is averaging 4.10 Points/60 (5v5) in six NHL games this season.
Rumblings: Fehr Waiver Bound? Pouliot seeking trade? PIT or CHI next season for Kunitz?
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— The Pittsburgh Penguins are actively trying to move Eric Fehr to create cap flexibility for the deadline. The $2 million cap hit for next season is what’s been problematic. One Western Conference team that’s considered trading for Fehr is waiting to see if the Penguins eventually place him on waivers.
— Last week talk in league circles emerged that Derrick Pouliot’s reps at Newport Sports approached the Penguins just after the New Year about a trade. For now there’s been no official confirmation from either side but also no denials. Indications are a discussion happened but no official trade request yet.
We shall see where this goes. Last season Jim Rutherford was not shy to make it known that Sergei Plotnikov requested a trade.
— Long way to go this season but Chris Kunitz who turns 38 in September is looking to play another season, a league source says. Kunitz would love to finish his career in Pittsburgh but will consider a few other spots like Chicago where he lives in the off-season. Scouts believe the skating ability and how well Kunitz stays in shape can prolong his career for another year or two as a bottom-6 player for around $1 million per season.
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Gaunce recalled, Warsofsky sent down.
Possible destination for Doan habs,kings or sharks
Who fucken cares… Doan allowed himself to rot on a team that was destine to go nowhere. He may be some service to the Kings or Sharks as he fits their game but he isnt exactly swift enough to play in Montreal’s style. End of the day he can go fuck himself.
He may be done an not a doan fan but last year he managed more goals then Kessel at half his salary
Thats nice.. the year before that he hit 13… half of what Kessel did
Agreed but chubby had one of the best lines in the league with jvr and bozak , while doan plays with kids
Didnt Doan play with Hanzal and Boedker? I mean the reality of Bozak is he was a product of Kessel for one and I am pretty sure JvR and Kessel were often split to round out the offence. Either way that doesnt change the fact that Kessel is a superior offensive player regardless
Oh and 3 years ago… Bozak was 25 and JvR was 22… kids
““It would have to be so perfect, so right. It’s pretty hard for it all to line up perfectly,” – Doan… being a fucken moron again. Just accept the move and try to win something toolbag.
3 years ago not a year before and bozak was 27
Per thefourthperiod.com.
No per buckeyedonuts. Com
That sounds like a gay donut shop you frequent in french speaking canada – so i can believe you got your information there – however, i bet it’s more likely you got it from Dave Pagnotta, as per usual.
That gay Donut shop does no exist in Canada but it does in the states so yeah per ShitStain
Islander fire their coach when real blame goes to bettman and snow
Bettman? Please explain this hypothesis of yours.
Team moving Brooklyn made a lot of players frustrated and leave the team. Tavares also complained many times about it all the islanders players hating to play in Brooklyn. If you don’t enjoy playing in your own barn chances are u are gone. Now let’s see what happens with Tavares when contract is up
So it is Bettmans fault that the Islanders moved from Long Island to Brooklyn? Also who left because they moved to Brooklyn? Okposo left because Snow didnt wanna talk to him about the money he was requesting. While the players have voiced issues with the commute, ice and stadium you make it sound as if they are chomping at the bit to leave. This Tavares scenario may have a Stamkos funk to it, remember, the guy you thought would also be a leaf? The real difference is how well the Lightening have played vs where the Islanders are at but… Read more »
Who exactly did they lose because of the Brooklyn move that was worth a good goddamn.
1st round, Murray, fehr maatta for Picard. Barrie and Nathan. Although avs want to keep Nathan I’m sure with Crosby connection it can happen
“Nathan” – So basically you are suggesting that the team go after a player that is untouchable and also does not address a team need while giving away another defenceman and not replacing him?
As the best dek hockey player in my neighborhood, here’s my observation. Murray is a large goalie with excellent fundamentals and positioning. However, he seems to block the puck more than stop the puck. He seldom comes up with a clean save and gets beat a lot under/over the glove and blocker, which suggets he’s not reacting to the shot, he’s taking away net. Certainly goalies have made a career playing this style but Im not convinced he’s going to live up to the hype. Pens have a window to win back-to-back cups. Letang is too fragile and the Pens… Read more »
Also Murray is slow compare to fleury.
As I said last season it’s good he is hit in the playoffs but will he be as good? Because most teams adapt to goalies after a season or two. Also I did mention he doesn’t even have a full season under his belt while people wanted fleury gone as if 60+ game playing goalies grow on trees. Short time Murray with pens and look already the amount of time he got injured already . Logically he should be pushing for the number 1 job and pens trade fleury because of salary and age of fleury. But he hasn’t. Imagine… Read more »
He also has a tendency to get real small in the net when the puck is brought out from behind him. I do think his rebound control needs some work but he did show flashes of being able to stop and control pucks at points. He has definitely looked very off as of late, could be a combination of rust since the injury and splitting time although it is something that will haunt him if he cannot find ways to get that rebound control back. His defence has kept him guessing and as someone that is still learning shot tendencies… Read more »
the saint will melt down. he always has. murray was great last year on the biggest stage. the kid just needs to play not rotate. send him down or move the saint. they both suck splitting.
So was Ward his rookie year, stop acting like that doesnt happen.
Murray was okay not great every playoff game he gave a soft goal. Reason he won its because the team in front of him played exceptionally well and blocking shots he was facing 20 shots .a game
Murray was very good in some games and just okay in others. In the okay games he was often bailed out by the team. Lets not act like Murray didnt have quality starts now.
Beginning of playoffs yes he was better but as playoffs went he was declining towards just okay
And that’s why I said his big test is full season to know if he can play full season plus playoffs which the way I see so far I doubt it.
Not a lot of goalies with success can play full season and playoffs year after year and fleury is one of those group of goalies. Until pens can’t find a goalie that can’t play every season 80+ games then don’t rush trading because I don’t want this team becomes the next flyers. Changing trying to find a good goalie every season
He looked a whole lot better after he was given the brief rest vs Tampa…
He melted down all over your back.
Serious question… if they go for two top four do you move Maatta? What is the year end impact pertaining to the protected list? What kind of assets would we sacrifice in order to quite possibly lose one at years end?
Yes. I’m moving Maatta in my scenario
I’d like to see Sundqvist called up. It’s a long season, let some of the kids get 5-10 games.
Damn… Cullen seen walking in a boot today. Fehr gets back in or do they call up Sundqvist?
Guess Fehr was inserted (sorry if that word triggers yoda) into the lineup for practice
rutherford really effed up this offseason. this two goalie situation isn’t working at all. splitting time is bad for a 22 year old goalie. that is the reason backup goalies are veterans. it isn’t easy to come off the bench and play well in the NHL after sitting. the game was too fast for murray last night and he looks out of shape. if they plan on continuing this goalie rotation, murray would be better off playing in the minors. he played what, 90 games in 2015/16 and now he’s played 20 since the cup win? that isn’t a good… Read more »
While you are a complete ass and live life through double standards I do have to agree. I think both tenders on this team need regular ice to be successful and until they make a decision we might see continued spotty play from both. I hope they can fix it either way but a move may be the best way. That said… watching Murray look more like a rubber ball when that puck has been hitting him is a concern 😉
he’s only 22. he can’t sit for weeks and then go out and do good. i rewatched the game and it honestly was too fast for murray. 22 year olds need ice time. send him down or trade the saint because right now they are both broken and ruined.
Yoda re-watched the game! Our head scout!
Murray wasnt the only person it was too fast for…
Man – can you imagine how bad the ONE goalie system would be working with Murray? Jeez – we’d be falling back on some shithead now instead of Fleury, what with the fact that he can’t keep the puck out of the net now – and then you’d have to call long distance to harass Fleury for not calling you post-coitus – everyone loses.
So it wasnt “using a pink rubber”… it was noticing it was on the floor next to them upon completion. Don’t worry yodirt, I doubt you can get pregnant.
To note… Sammich was giving Hornqvist all the credit for Malkins game last night while continuing to shit on Malkin for his perceived lack of even-strength production.
Oh and for fun… number 87 Sidney Crosby, who was born August 7, 1987 who is being paid 8.7 million is now tied in scoring alltime at 87th with Rick Middleton after an 8-7 victory vs the Caps