Key Takeaways from the Penguins 5-2 win over the Flyers
Entering Wednesday night’s game vs the Philadelphia Flyers, Conor Sheary had 0 goals and 4 assists in his previous 15 games.
Sheary’s performance Monday night vs the Flames was about as rock bottom as it could get The 4th line when Sheary and Tom Kuhnhackl on the ice together was pretty much unplayable for the Penguins as Pittsburgh was out-attempted 13-0 in the first period when Sheary/Kuhnhackl were on the ice.
Conor Sheary vs the Calgary Flames (3/5): 0 Points | 27% possession (7:19 of ice 5-on-5), 30 SCF% | 0 GF – 2 GA |
While Tom Kunhackl continued to be dead weight last night vs the Flyers, Sheary finally had a breakthrough game and no surprise, it happened when reunited with Sidney Crosby and Jake Guentzel due to a Bryan Rust upper body injury early in the game.
Conor Sheary last night vs the Flyers (3/7): 2 Goals | 54% Possession | 2 GF – 0 GA |
Sheary’s 2 goals in a 4:55 span late in the second period fueled a Penguins 5-2 win against the Flyers. It wasn’t just the 2 goals from Sheary.
Out of nowhere Sheary found some magic in his game when back up with Crosby and Guentzel. Sheary was suddenly playing that slippery game when he was at his best last season, creating separation, making quick crisp passes off the wall and getting the puck to Crosby with speed through the neutral zone.
Sheary was even a factor with his play away from the puck, he had some great back checks into the d-zone in the third with the Penguins preserving a multi-goal lead.
It was just two periods and the Penguins always know Sheary can fit on the top line, preferably in short doses, but Sheary being competent on the top line compared to dead weight everywhere else has the Penguins in a situation where you just start rolling with Sheary on the top line as Bryan Rust if he avoided a long-term injury, can make the Penguins 4th line so much more impactful than Sheary can who is a major non-factor at times when away from Crosby.
Flyers not ready for primetime?
— Wednesday’s game kind of how a first round series would probably go between Pittsburgh and Philadelphia.
Philadelphia’s high-end talent would have the Penguins on their heels for small stretches as the Flyers did in the first 20 minutes or so of the game but there were a lot of signs of who the much better hockey club is.
The way the Penguins locked down defensive in the third period was something else. They were smothering the Flyers with their puck pursuit.
The Flyers could certainly take a game or two from the Penguins in a playoff series, but they’re still a year away from being a major factor.
Philadelphia has lost four straight, allowing 20 goals against during that span. The Flyers next four games are against Boston, Winnipeg, Vegas and Columbus. The Flyers are 3 points of our first and six points up on the second wildcard spot but will be interesting where they trend these next four games.
Oleksiak – Schultz pairing showing upside
— Penguin coaches had been adamant that Jamie Oleksiak was better on the right side than the left side, but the switch to playing left D has benefited Oleksiak who is getting his shot off much quicker to the net on pucks up the wall.
The pairing of Oleksiak – Justin Schultz is also showing much more upside than Maatta – Schultz did.
A great night for the pairing who were on the ice for 3 Goals For and 0 Against.
Oleksiak shined with a goal, assist, +3, 57% possession (5-on-5). Schultz had an assist and was a +3.
Three points in his last three games for Schultz.
Guentzel another contract situation coming up
— Jake Guentzel picked up 2 assists in the win over the Flyers, giving him 20 goals and 40 points on the season. Through 108 career regular season games, Guentzel has 73 points, a career average of 0.68 points per game. In 25 playoff games, he has 13 goals and 21 points.
If Guentzel played a full season as the top line left winger, there’s no question he’d around a 30 goal, 60 point player.
And that view of Guentzel isn’t just in Pittsburgh.
When Pittsburgh was still in the Ryan McDonagh trade discussions on Monday morning of deadline day, the Rangers highly sought To read this insider news, subscribe to get “Inside Access”!
Guentzel is a player loved by the coaching staff because they can play him in any situation and he’s going to be another contract situation to watch in the not too distant future.
Guentzel is eligible for an extension on July 1, though, the Penguins haven’t made any internal discussions To read this insider news, subscribe to get “Inside Access”!
Vancouver’s Bo Horvat, while a center, got a 6 year, $33 million deal last September coming off his third NHL season. Horvat has averaged 0.54 points per game in his career. Horvat was at 0.51 points per game To read this insider news, subscribe to get “Inside Access”!
Ron Francis a contender to join Penguins organization?
The Carolina Hurricanes Wednesday night ousted Ron Francis as General Manager in what is basically seen by other executives as a firing, though, Francis will now hold a title as the “President of Hockey Operations”.
The Hurricanes have began a search for a new General Manager who will report directly to the owner.
[Ron Francis will transition into a new role with the team as president of hockey operations. The Hurricanes will conduct a full search for a new general manager, who will report directly to Dundon, the Hurricanes announced. “Since I took control of the team, I’ve had a good chance to be around and assess the operations,” said Dundon. “There are a lot of good people working in the organization, but I feel that a change in direction is needed when it comes to hockey personnel decisions. Ron is a smart and talented hockey man. I am glad that he will continue to be a part of the team, serving in this new role.”]
Dundon, a Dallas businessman, is going to be a Mark Cuban type owner that deals directly with the coaches/players, and for Francis who is all about being conservative and take little risks, this was never going to work out.
Dundon is said to have wanted to make a splash at the deadline, pushing to pursue players like Derick Brassard, and that’s where the relationship quickly went sideways.
It’s anticipated Francis is holding the President of Hockey Operations title just as a PR move instead of it being an actual firing and that he has permission to seek jobs elsewhere.
Francis is under contract through the 2018-2019 season.
Some already around the league are wondering if Francis eventually ends up in Pittsburgh if Bill Guerin lands a General Manager job this summer.
Guerin who rightfully so has emerged as one of the top/fastest rising GM candidates, due to a great reputation of developing/eyeing talent, is going to be connected to any opening this summer and other openings beyond this year.
It wouldn’t shock anybody if his name surfaces in Carolina, though, whether Guerin views that job as the right fit remains to be seen. His stock is said to be so high he has an opportunity to be patient if he desires.
Many around the league have felt for months that Guerin would be a leading candidate in To read this insider news, subscribe to get “Inside Access”!
It is amazing how sam posts seem to get an identical +5 rating everytime and everyone elses usually end up with a -5… you cant even hide the second account with the ability to mask your thumbs up with unlimited clicks. You’re so fucken dumb man hahahaha
Npl is still a fat slob
Hey sam… what country are University of Michigan and Michigan State University in?
What is Germany?
Sheahan moved to 3C with Brassard on that wing.. Jooris on the wing too?
Jooris was centering the fourth line in practice.
Called it
Thought you called him on Crosbys wing
Looks like I had that wrong… Sheahan was on the wing 😉
Pens need to lose a few. Much rather play Philadelphia in first round than any of the wildcard teams.
I would rather them finish 1st in the metro and have home ice adavange for as long as possible. Philly is streaky and can suddenly get hot again during the playoffs.
So Nashville may get an outdoor game next season and Chicago will be playing in their 7th straight outdoor game next year. Is it just me or has the outdoor games lost it’s luster? The Winter Classic was all they needed and now it is out of control. I think having the All Star game outside for one year would be fun but that is about it.
It lost it’s luster about 4 or 5 years ago. Now its just a marketing tool to sell ugly jerseys (well some are pretty nice) and overcharge for tickets. The hockey is often meh because of weather and the third period change is infuriating,
It has, but they still generate a lot of money and it helps the sport.
It lost its luster the minute jew betman made few outdoor games a year. Once again took a Canadian concept habs vs oilers tested few years with bandwagon American markets and now ruined it all for greed . It’s like any movie these jews steal and recycle it make money and rip people off with a stupid remake .
“Took a Canadian concept” – Who green lit that in the 1st place you stupid fuck? Besides the idea was taken from an outdoor game from 2001 between the University of Michigan and Michigan State University. I love how bad you crash and burn everytime you speak
Outdoor games are a ripoff from the live view and are only a tvshow more than anything else.
Florida 5
Montreal 0
Who does Sprong need to blow to get called up?
Apparently Guerin. He has GMJR ear.
Npl is a fat slob
Pens miss fleury yet ?
Is he still french canadian?
Nash with another huge game in Boston…
Florida 3
Montreal 0
Jooris emergency recall… Rust or Simon or both are probably gonna miss time
the jooris trade cost Ronnie f his job
Now that is funny
Rust has a Concussion. Will Smith tried to warn everyone lol.
From Mad (dad) Chad on Twitter…
Jonathan Toews has 38 goals in his last 138 games.
Evegni Malkin has 37 in 65 games this season
I heard Florida is us new shitthole
I heard your mom is “U.S. old shitthole”
I mean I guess thats how she advertises on the back of sketchy papers
I think Toronto is the best team in Canada by far, but I may be biased because they gave the Pens Stanley Cup Champion Phil Kessel.
I don’t think I can speak on it… I am still very upset from the beating Philly handed the Pens last night
Just a sample of what will happen in the playoffs.
Because babcock did not want chubby’s lazy ass and attitude. Here in Pittsburgh he has no choice to have better attitude because sid will make sure his hot dog asss is shipped asap
Yea, thats probably it.
I bet Sid is ecstatic Kessel is here. It allows him to take long stretches off without hurting the team. I mean this team has won 2 cups in the last 2 years and in each season Sid has disappeared for a bit… Man what a luxury it is to have a guy like Kessel who can step up and save Sid from himself when he is pouting
Ive always been a Sheary fan and Im happy for the kid, but he was still a disaster last night. untouched, he fell at least twice skating with the puck through center ice. A couple of questionable passes and missed passes. Still, I’d keep him with Sid, that’s where his value is greatest (maybe Pens can prolong the inevitable move of Brassard to Sid’s wing).
This is where he cons the league and gets himself a fake value. But shhh don’t tell zerotool. Sid needs him not sheary
“Crosby had 2 points in his previous 4 games, he looked like **** early until Sheary was back on his line. There is a chemistry there… let them play.” You just don’t get it and therein lies the issue. I have never balked at talking about how ugly his game can be at times, he falls alot for a pro but the FACT remains he plays well with Sid. To a point last year where he was one of the top 5v5 guys in hockey. He has struggled bad this year, he don’t seem to fit anywhere else in the… Read more »
Matter of time sheary will go back on 3rd 4th line.
Sheary is already on the 3rd line with Sid.
Get lost fatso
mic drop
Another sam prediction lol
At which point Sid will probably pout again and it will be all Kessel and Malkin… the two scoring leaders from the last 2 cup winners…
Maybe we can trade for Tampax’s Ryan Johnson this offseason. I hear he can imitate good gomez
Not sure what’s worse, the Flyers or D’s grammar and spelling.
Sheary added back to the line helps make it go sometimes. He works well with Crosby when he is on and this is the entire argument most have been making. He is quick and smart and gets to areas that allow him to finish with Sid. When he is off the coaches panic and move him throughout the line up. Crosby had 2 points in his previous 4 games, he looked like shit early until Sheary was back on his line. There is a chemistry there… let them play. Guentzel vs Horvat? Well for one Bo is a centre and… Read more »
Also I would use the Ryan Johnson contract in Tampa because he imitate good gomez… got to know the worth your money
You mean Tampax.
Sam sucks
Get a new job buddy
how much does it pay to imitate good gomez?