Penguins/NHL
Off-Day Buzz & Game 3 Fall Out
Kris Letang will have a phone hearing at 1:00 p.m. with the NHL Department of Player Safety, meaning if he is suspended it will be for five games or less.
It was a hit that was unnecessary, one that I don’t like, but it’s still one that could go either way with it being regarded as only 0.63 seconds late. Based strictly on the rules, there’s an argument to be made from both sides.
The NHL Department of Player Safety have a tendency to base a suspension on whether a player is injured or not. Therefore, it wasn’t a surprise the Capitals announced this morning that Marcus Johansson will not practice and is out with an upper body injury. Smart tactic from them.
One NHL source in the know I spoke with believes the determining factor isn’t going to be by how late the hit was, but whether the NHL Department of Player Safety deems that Johansson was defense-less and deliberately targeted.
Thinking here is they will that will result in a suspension.
Game 3 Fallout: The Possession Numbers
When you get out-attempted 85-36 and are minus-33 in 5 v 5 shot attempts, there are going to be some pretty bad possession numbers individually and there sure were for the Penguins in Game 3.
What a missed opportunity for Washington when you have Kris Letang a rare team-worst minus-20 in on-ice shot attempt differential. Letang, though, was on the ice for two goals against.
Better to be lucky than good?
Tom Kuhnhackl who is minus-71 in the playoffs in Corsi For percentage, was on the ice for one shot attempt in the entire game, the goal that bounced off him and into the net.
Some interesting numbers from Game 3?
From a driving possession standpoint, the Nick Bonino line had a clear edge vs the Kuznetsov line in the first two games. The tables were turned in Game 3 with Bonino on the ice for 4 shot attempts and 14 against when going head-to-head with Kuznetsov.
But, it was the Bonino line that would deliver the game winning goal against the Kuznetsov line.
— Derrick Pouliot who had some shaky moments early defensively, was the Penguins only defenseman to be at 50% in on-ice Corsi Percentage. He was on the ice for 45% of the Penguins 5 v 5 shot attempts.
The controlled exits were strong from Pouliot and while a small sample, when Pouliot was on ice the against the Capitals top-2 line centers, (Nicklas Backstrom and Evgeny Kuznetsov) the Penguins drove possession (11/9) on 55% of their shot attempts. By comparison, per War-on-Ice — Letang played over 16 minutes combined (5 v 5) against Backstrom and Kuznetsov. The Penguins only drove possession on 25% (10/29) of their shot attempts when Letang was on the ice against 19 or 92 —
Evgeni Malkin’s Deployment
Evgeni Malkin saw the seventh most ice-time among forwards at even strength in Game 2. In Game 3, he saw the 9th most minutes (12:00) with the only forwards playing less 5 v 5 being Nick Bonino, Tom Kuhnhackl and Bryan Rust who played one shift.
Overall Malkin played just 15:47, the sixth lowest minutes of his playoff career. Per Bob Grove, four of Malkin’s career low minutes in a playoff game have come during this post-season with Mike Sullivan behind the bench.
Word around the team continues to be that Sullivan doesn’t trust Malkin defensively late in games. If that’s the truth, still have to question having Phil Kessel out in the final minute of last night’s game when the Penguins were protecting a two-goal lead and the Kessel line was bleeding shot attempts all game.
Sidney Crosby has been getting on average around 4 minutes more of ice time at even strength than Malkin during the playoffs. Game 3, though, was more about shift length than anything.
In the third period, Crosby had 9 shifts, Malkin 8 shifts with Crosby having 5 shifts in the final 10 minutes, Malkin 4 shifts.
Averaged shift length in the game, Crosby 49 seconds, Malkin 41 seconds.
Impact of Rust Injury
Bryan Rust left the arena last night To read this insider news, subscribe to get “Inside Access”!
I think the Pens will be better tonight than a lot of people are giving them credit for. Yes I know the record without letang is an amazing 2-8 and he is our best Offensive DMan, however this team is very balanced. I think everyone on this team can dig deeper for one game. I also think a lot of people have the last 10 mins of game 3 in their head and think it’s going to be more of that. No…the Pens aren’t going to ice the puck every shift and barely hang on. I imagine the exact opposite… Read more »
What do you guys think the defensive pairings will be? The defense we are rolling out tonight is abysmal.
8-6
51-12
28-4
I’m hopeful that 51 plays the type of game that makes the pens not want to bring him out of the lineup.
Yeah he needs to step up. If they can at least limit the mistakes and give our offense a chance to win the game, I think we got a chance. That’s if more than the Bonino line shows up.
Haha sam in floating around. Got the whole short bus here today.
Christ… Lovejoy and Pouliot in the top 4… we are so fucked unless Sid and Geno just go out and score a bunch of goals to go with Bones, Hags and Kessel
Power play might have to show up for a change. More than one way to skin a cat.
True but I think that PP success will probably rely on the aforementioned Sid and Geno
Maybe it relies on Schultz and Kessel. And Hornqvist. It doesnt’ matter – that unit needs to score.
Good point, I would love to see Hornqvist park himself in Holtbys kitchen for this entire game
http://i.giphy.com/3sV6yZJTk2WFq.gif
Yeah id say those make the most sense.
And i wouldnt get caught up with whose top 4, this is your typical “bullpen by committee” type deal
Where is MRCHADY?
question for diegopittfan. what would be the more entertaining scenario? murray winning the conn smyth and willing the pens to a stanley cup while the fan base is still demanding blurry, or the caps making the smart move and running over murray to take him out at the start of game 5 when the pens are up 3-1 in the series and then st.blurry lets in 17 goals over the span of game 5,6, and 7, and then the locals will say the defense failed, it wasn’t blurry’s fault, he still had an obvious concussion, and rutherford needs fired for… Read more »
Please show me a post on here where someone is demanding fleury. .
Or anywhere.
“Pens up 3-1” with Letang on the bench ;)… more proof you clearly don’t understand the impact of any player outside the goaltender, which you don’t actually get either.
I won’t guarantee a loss tonight but without Letangs 30+ minutes shutting OV down… we will probably watch the team lose.
One more thing… you are predicting a GAA of 5.67. MOre proof its just talking from your ass;
2012 4.63
2013 3.52
Two really rough years for the guy and they dont even come close to your fucken drivel asshole
although a penguins loss tonight is highly likely, murray is in the zone. don’t rule out a 50 save performance tonight.
mark cuban says never market players always market the team. he said if you market players fans fall in love with them and they want to riot when it’s time to move them or when you take them out when a new player out performs them. the brainwashed fan base “jaydogg” is already calling for the firing of mike sullivan because the smiley faced unfocused playoff choking can’t handle the puck flopping all over the place clown isn’t in the net over a man who is playing lights out. suck it!
10,000,000 of maf’s potential kids died on your wife’s face last night.
hahaha! omg are your feelings hurt. you can’t take that your patron saint is being replaced like he should have been since 2010.
Idc who is in net. I just want them to win. I’m perfectly happy with Murray and the way he is playing. You’re the one that keeps bringing up fleury, not me. I’ve been praising Murray since he got called up.
Marc Cubans management of that team has lead “a good team” to a single championship… wonder who their MAF is?
Check that. Yogurt and Maloni in a nutshell.
This doesn’t fit the narrative. The problem is, Fleury has never been as bad as this idiot thinks he is. So to compensate for his overbashing, he has to project that everyone else is overprotecting. To do so, he has to fabricate a large amount of “this” type of crap. Now everyone is clamoring for Fleury. When literally nobody has said that shy of, say, Madden. Yogurt in a nutshell.
Oh man, the Fleury PJ-wearing crowd is having a meltdown on Dejan’s site over Yohe’s tear jerker story about Fleury the back up.
It’s seriously like you’re unaware that other people aside from a goalie play the game.
Same could be said of your rants. But you do realize that a goalie can have a bigger impact on the outcome of a game than any single skater right?
THe goalie can’t have a bigger outcome on the game than the collection of 18 skates in front of him, however. You do realize that, right?
That’s absolutely right, but the goalie has the single biggest impact of any one player.
Diego is right…. All those cups the Oilers won in the 80s was because of the goalies and had nothing to do with Gretzky etc. The Wings in the 90s… was ALL Vernon and Osgood, Lidstrom was a passenger. So I guess the 09 Conn Smythe went to the wrong guy!
Not really what I said but if you are are cranky today feel free to roll with it.
You stated the goalie has the single biggest impact of any other player, In the 80s Oilers you have candidates that outweigh Moog/Fuhr, and for good measure we will throw Randford into that mix. In the 90s and 2000s you had Lidstrom that was a bigger impact then Vernon, Osgood, Hasek well past his prime and Osgood again. Even the Pens cup leaned on Geno when things really got going down the stretch. So my point was a counter point specifically to your claim. Goaltending does matter although there are teams who’s championships came directly from the contributions of others… Read more »
i like how they fail to mention he is 0-7 in playoff OT’s since the 2009, he has a career playoff save % of .906, he is the only goaltender in NHL history to blow a 3-1 series lead twice, and he lost his job to his backups in 2 or the last 4 playoffs. that’s why you don’t market players you market the team. the brainwashed fan base thinks st.blurry is the greatest goaltender to ever play in pgh and possibly the NHL. that’s because they don’t realize that when st.blurry flips all over the place and makes dramatic… Read more »
It’s funny. Sid’s stats mirror that. He’s also 0 for the century in playoff OT’s and has blown 3-1 series lead twice. He also flew off the handle like a petulant child in the Flyers series because he couldnt’ keep his emotions under wraps. You never seem to mention any of that. Why is that?
Oh, that’s right. Playoff OT records are on the GOALIE! And blowing a 3-1 series lead is a GOALIE stat. Not a team stat! Mea culpa, Yogurt. You moron.
In fairness Sid was injured for the 2011 3-1 lead choke… So was Malkin for that matter. Which makes it that much more of a ridiculous argument from yoda that it was somehow MAFs fault that TB shut Staal and Mr Ghost himself Neal down while DB couldnt match Bouchers adjustments. MAF did it
What’s funny is that Murray does so many of the same things that you complain MAF does but you’re either too stupid or too blind by your hatred to even notice. I wonder if you even realize that a lot of analyst are questioning Murray’s positioning as of late because he’s playing so deep in his net and isn’t using his size to the best of his abilities.
Which “analysts?”
Honestly I couldn’t possible give you a list, I’ve heard it discussed in detail on Madden’s show with Stan Savaran and I’ve heard it discussed several times on NHL radio but I don’t know who was on those shows because I was only catching snipets while in and out of the car. All discussions have centered around not understanding why he has been so passive the last few games and not coming out as much to challenge after being so aggressive earlier in the playoffs, how it under utilizes his size if he’s going to sit back in the net… Read more »
Oh, the Madden Show. That settles it.
so in other words, murray stops 47 of 49 shots. he steals the game for the pens who had no business winning, and you think his game is flawed????? the only reason they are coming up with this garbage is because they’d rather lose with their patron saint in goal than win with someone else. quit listening to that fat slob mark madden. he is a high priest in the cult of st.blurry. st.blurry goes over to maddens house and lets madden wear his goalie mask while he eats pizza and drinks pop.
What’s funny is that the people that bash fleury are the only people on here that talk about him.
if diego and myself are so dumb, why are the pens coaching staff playing murray like we both say they should? we are the ones thinking like NHL management. you just love blurry like he’s your son or dad or something. who cares. go with the guy who’s better. you need to analyze hockey logically like mr.spock would. quit throwing your feelings into this. if wearing the blurry PJ’s are important, you can go and buy murray PJ’s too. they’ll be just as comfy when your mom tucks you in at night i assure you.
BAHAHAHAHAHAHA… MAF has been cleared for ONE whole day and there has been consideration to move him into the line up you dumb fuck. That noted… who here is actually saying move MAF in now? WHO? You keep making shit up to make a point and you look like a bigger idiot with each post.
…and i looooooooove it!
I’m starting to think the Pirates might need a better rotation. And by starting, I mean since November.
Benny thought Vogelsong was the missing piece.
Hey! We all have -1s for this post! Must be Stan gaydogg an npl
Maybe it’s your scorned lover Michael sam because you changed your name to sam when you married him. I always loved that one the best.
You know your rotation is in trouble when your #1 & #2 are pitching more like #3 & #4.
I really hope Latos didn’t sign here just based on his wife. Makes it easier to swallow than if they lowballed him or thought Niese would suffice.
Pretty hard to lowball a pitcher who accepted a 3 million dollar deal. With that said, Latos has seen his velocity dip, and I’d imagine that scared away a lot of teams this offseason. (If pre-Pirates Volquez deserved $5M, Latos should have easily topped that) And despite a few good performances, those teams may soon be validated since his softballs are leading to more contact, but he’s been extremely lucky with batted balls in play so he should see a regression. http://www.fangraphs.com/graphs.aspx?playerid=3815&position=P&page=7&type=full
This MAF/Murray situation is becoming so fascinating, bloggers like D and Ryan Wilson insist that they are committed to Murray no matter what and the broadcasters like Madden and Stan Savaran insist the MAF will be the starter again next series if not sooner. I guess we’re eventually going to see who is right and it should be entertaining watching the other side bitch regardless of which way they go.
If I was calling the shots I’d go with Zak in net. Seriously, if the Pens get by the Caps it means Murray stole another game or two. How in the world would you ever justify taking him out for a guy with a career playoff save % hovering around .900.
I don’t think justifying the move really matters because either decision will seem unjustified to one of the sides so why even worry about justifying the move, futhermore I think GMJR and HCMS have shown with other moves that they don’t really care if people think their decisions are justified or not.
Penguins owe Fleury nothing. Replacing Murray – “hot goalie” – with Fluery is not only unjustified, it’s stupid. I’m familiar with the Fleury PJ-wearing fan but which legit hockey pundit is suggesting Fleury replace Murray in the conf finals ?
I would ride Murray, he’s the real deal and he seems ready. On that note Zatkoff should never see the Pens net again.
While I don’t fully trust Murray yet I certainly would have no issue with them sticking with him as long as it’s working. As I said it’s going to be interesting either way.
If they get past Washington “it’s working”
I agree but they also owe Murray nothing just because he’s been solid for them so far, riding the “hot goalie” is pretty much the stupidest argument I’ve ever heard, you play the best player and the person that gives you the best chance of winning period. Would anyone have advocated benching Brodeur or Hasek in the playoffs because their backup played well in their absense? And before the resident idiot try to say I’m comparing MAF to Brodeur and Hasek, I’m not even a little bit, I’m just giving an example as to why the “play the hot goalie”… Read more »
I stopped reading after your first paragraph.
I’m surprised someone like you could follow along even that far.
Someone like me? You mean someone balls deep in your mouth (don’t get jealous NPL)
Would be really surprised if you’ve ever been balls deep in anything.
Let’s see … Been balls deep in You, your wife, your dog, and the guy you work with at Dunkin Donuts. That’s about it. I still consider myself a virgin.
That’s because you are a virgin.
Guilty
costing sullivan his job!!! hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahayou are the face of the clueless hockey fan in this city!
You’re kinda the face of clueless hockey fan worldwide.
While I agree with most of what is said that single decision wouldn’t be a reason to fire Sullivan at this point by any stretch of the imagination IMO.
Niese makes me miss Morton.
I’d shake it up a bit and throw a heavy dose of Kunitz-Malkin-Kessel at the caps second line.
Ya I think breaking up the line that’s been doing most of the damage is something we need to consider sober then later. Break up that line and play Zatkoff… It’s so easy to see
First, Malkin has been getting sporadic shifts with Kessel so my suggestion isn’t so novel. Second, Bonino stays with Haglin, so the line isn’t being blown up. Last, Game 3 was a titanic shift in momentum. I don’t see Pens prevailing unless Malkin and/or Crosby go super star. My bet is on Malkin. Give him a chance with a scoring threat on his wing
Pens played the worst game they have under Sullivan and squeaked out the win… It’s probably not gonna get worse from here. Recent history has shown that Sullivan has done a great jobs and rallying the guys. I think there may be a little over statement in “titanic momentum shift”. Washington looked awake but I doubt the Pens come out playing at the level we seen in the third for every period going forward.
The line has four goals in the series, Kessel has been on half. Malkin has also connected with his line a couple times. The reality is the team needs to spark Sid more than anything. I just don’t think taking speed off the Bones line and adding it to Malkins, especially considering that Kessel didn’t seem to really have it going until he was thrown on Boninos line.
Sestito to the rescue!
Check that, a heavy dose of Sestito.
We need better response in game 4. Murray is good but I don’t think he can sustain that kind of play. We had no business winning that game. Murray was awesome!
now that letang is suspended watch and see pens put fleury in net and if team loses bandwagons like yoda and stan will blame fleury
Yeah. I always blame Fleury. It’s my thing.
It’s Fleury’s fault pens lost game one. Should be up 3-0.
Anyone trying to compare the discipline of Letangs hit to the head and Wilsons hit to the knee should realize: the league isnt expecting a costly lawsuit over knee injuries any time soon.
Overcoming adversity in the playoffs is all about leadership. Leading by example on the ice. Sure glad the Pens have Cullen.
Cullen, Hattrick in game 4… Pens win 3-2 in OT?
If that happens I’ll buy a jersey with Cullen’s name on it and wear it proudly.
I’d throw in to help buy it lol… to max of 50 CAD… which is about 30 cents US
Love to see Crosby flip the script and dominate game 4. These are the type of moments that cement your reputation/legacy.
I think cementing his reputation and legacy is exactly what he’s done to this point in the series. It’s Boston ECF, and past two playoff years combined into one neat box with a tidy little bow. Bravo, Sid!
Stay positive stanch. As long as fleury doesn’t play Pens have a chance to win.
i love when you throw the fleury jabs. It reiterates you know as much about the sport as Sam does.
If that happens I’ll buy a jersey with Bennett’s name on it and wear it proudly.
You couldn’t afford a Bennett jersey, Sam.
Im sure he meant his mom, not that that helps the affordability issue.
and once you said i cant afford Sirus XM radio yet i drive a 2015 car
I wonder if it’s a domestic canadian car….
A 2015 dollar car is not a lot of money., especially in Canada.
DOPS claims, the hit wasnt late, and the head wasnt targeted.
No they said it was late but it was not charging nor an illegal check to the head. While they mention “significant contact with the head” it was not deemed an illegal check to the head FWIW.
sorry you are correct
If you ask me, while the play was stupid, the 0.03 seconds for 1 game vs a fine after allowing Wilson off attempting to end Sheary’s career is a little bizarre. This was a good job by the Caps and Trotz in social engineering. Over/Under that Johanssen plays next game?
Overall I can’t say I am upset at the game, stupid and selfish but the way the DOPS sends out its rulings is absurd
Suspension are all quite frustrating after Duncan Keith gets 6 games for slashing someone in the face for the 2nd time.
Pens will win game 4 without Letang.
Sure, Crosby is primed to breakout.
Hey Stan, you see it now? #WOOOOOO King’s sources hooked me up, brah
Yeah – I saw it come out after you pretended it already had. Nobody asked for White Trash on Pittsburgh Sports predictions.
Actually, they gave me an update on Anders Lee. He is progressing faster than expected and ready to return to superstar status.
You got a lot done today in between velco’ing your shoes and crapping under a bridge. Good for you.
Are you ever not on this site? Damn, NPL can’t post a comment without you being all over it. Get a life, brah.
You wouldn’t understand, because you’re unemployable. Some of us get up in the morning and go to work for a living. So while you’re looking for a newspaper to wipe your ass, I’m sitting at a desk on a phone call with the Phillipines trying to figure out why they can’t process accounts payable. Considering that english isn’t their first language, multi-tasking isn’t difficult. Not that you’d know anything about any of this.
LOL! Here we go with the name calling and opinions. Typical liberal.
Did I call them a name or you? Which name was it? Also, I’m about as conservative as they come. Which means you’re fucking batting 1.000 today, champ. Another impressive member of McKeesport – they never cease to amaze!
When are you going to use your own material? Time to quit recycling jokes! You must be really insecure with yourself.
Couldn’t locate it huh? Or did someone have to use the computer at the library and you panicked….
Couldn’t locate what? Are you mildly retarded?
So you couldn’t find it. Cool.
Did they give you any updates on Zach Kassian?
Thought we’d know by now why the Prout deal fell through.
Because of the Savard injury dude. Where’ve you been?
Didn’t he come back though?
The real news is TIOPS is first to report suspension
Thank god pens picked up Schultz.
1 game for letang
That’s correct ruling
sucks for the pens, but I agree he should be suspended
Ditto. Stupid frog.
I concur.
Can fleury play forward?
Sam says other people have agendas, yet all he can do is bitch and moan about anything and everything. None of it even makes any sense. Why root for an American team if you hate America? Why watch the playoffs if you hate all the players and don’t know anything about hockey? You embarrass yourself, your family and your country every time you post, so just keep that in mind.
I don’t think Sam really understand what the word agenda means, otherwise he would realize that his complaining about the handful of players who are carrying the team right now because of their nationality is the definition of having an agenda.
Letang 1 game suspension
I don’t see that anywhere.
So Malkin has played fewer games(1), seen fewer 5on5 minutes in those games(almost 4 minutes per game), players with weaker linemates(Kunitz-Fehr) and has still outscored Sid 4pts to 2pts 5on5.
#russianonetrickpony
#ppsepcialist
#samknew
jay try this #russianplaysVSweakerlines
So that’s your entire defense? Sid can’t score at even strength even though he gets more time, has played more games and has better linemates because he plays better competition, I could probably agree with that if he wasn’t supposed to be the best player in the world, shouldn’t the best player in the world be able to score against better competition when he’s he’s given more time on the ice, more games and better linemates than the player you claim is a 3rd line center?
#PPSpecialist
If Sid can’t produce, he should be making what he’s making. It’s that simple. You pay him that kind of a salary because he’s the “best player in the world” and he’s supposed to find a way. Not have excuses made for him but some creepy french canadian weirdo.
“Pouliot was a disaster”
No, He was a train wreck
oilers might be shopping their 4th overall pick Trade malkin ,Bennett to oilers this summer for hall ,nugent and their 4th overall pick
Turn the trades down to easy and package Bonino and Tyler Kennedy for Stamkos.
I’d try to get McDavid off of Vancouver, quite honestly.
Thats not an intelligent offer at all
i really like hall to come here he is very good 5v5 player and doesnt rely on powerplay and doesnt get paid 9.5m to play on 3rd line come playoffs
Hall has attitude concerns and Nuge is as broken as Malkin… in fact Hall missed a lot until this year. Now, that noted… the Oilers also have Draisaitl, the window to move a C to Edmonton passed the moment they called “MCDavid” last year. think McFly, think
I like how Sam thinks Malkin is on the third line.
sorry my mistake he is on the first line with his first line minutes my bad stan
They have 3 #2 lines. Period. And it’s done as a strategic measure. One you’re too dumb to understand. Yes. Your bad.
Also, thats what every GM wants, a top six winger who can’t play on the PP lol. Think about this, he had 12 points all year on the PP… on the leagues worst team, one of the worst PPs. Sam thinks this is a good thing lol
refer to my post above about how Malkin has a 4pts to 2pts advantage on Sid with fewer minutes, fewer games and lesser linemates.
It’s hysterical that Sam still doesn’t grasp the fact that Malkin has a NMC(NO MOVEMENT CLAUSE) meaning the Pens can’t trade him anywhere without his permission and there isn’t a chance in hell he’s going to wave his NMC to go from a team that contends for the Cup every year to a team that competes for the #1 pick every year. Might as well say McDavid, Hall, RNH, Draisaitl and Nurse for Malkin.
Sens got permission to talk to Boudreau
Who cares. No coach can help a Canadian team anyway. They are hopeless
Stan must be happy. Hartley fired
But you told us he’s so good – please reconcile.
last year flames had no business to be in playoffs they were suppose to finish 27,28,29 spot and made playoffs this year they miss playoffs and he gets fired i wonder WHY
because your arrogant american burke wants someone else
I wouldnt be surprised if Ron wilson be the next flames coach that it will be obvious it was pure politics but
stan you are dumb to understand that so yeah hartley suckss accroding to you
Treliving is the GM. Treliving is Canadian. Go fish.