Penguins/NHL
PENGUINS – CAPITALS X’s & O’s
What did we learn from the Penguins 4-3 OT win over the Washington Capitals?
Nothing.
A fifth meeting between the Penguins and Capitals this season, including a third meeting in the last six weeks continued to show areas the Penguins can exploit the Capitals and vice versa.
Matt Cullen who has found a fountain of youth at age 39, scored 44 seconds into the game on a play that started with the Capitals winning an offensive zone faceoff back but the Penguins retrieved the puck and all three forwards darted up the ice creating a 3-on-2 rush.
How quick the Penguins can get up the ice is their bread and butter.
Pittsburgh’s ability to create odd-man situations in their favor has been a staple of the Penguins success against the Capitals this season and it was there again tonight just moments into the game.
Tom Kuhnhackl, who’s offensive game is evolving due to the patience he now shows with the puck, did an excellent job in drawing a Caps defender (Nate Schmidt) to his side and setting up Cullen to go in all alone against Braden Holtby.
The previous meeting saw the Penguins capitalize when Washington got two or three forwards caught deep and that was the case here.
Far from a surprise, the defensive breakdown from Capitals was with their No. 3 pairing Nate Schmidt – Dmitry Orlov on the ice.
Pittsburgh victimized the Schmidt-Orlov pairing for two goals, the second being a similar situation where this time Orlov over-pursued Tom Sestito in leading to a breakdown and a Conor Sheary goal. Sheary one of the best players on the ice in the win, caused the Capitals fits with his slippery style as the puck was following him all game and he seemed to come out of nearly every puck battle with possession of the puck.
While the same areas the Penguins had success vs the Capitals previously showed up again, it was the same story for the Capitals in areas they had success vs Pittsburgh.
The Capitals played a bit passive early on but when they amped up their pressure on the forecheck, Pittsburgh fell into the trap of getting sloppy with the puck.
Even though Pittsburgh out-shot Washington 16-9 in the third period, Washington overwhelmed and hemmed Pittsburgh in their own zone effectively that saw Washington start to dominate below the dots and in the net-front area.
Washington’s third pairing showed some vulnerabilities, so did Pittsburgh’s.
The Ian Cole – Justin Schultz pairing were on the ice for the Capitals first two goals and both goals saw the Capitals work the puck around on the cycle against the Cole-Schultz pairing, then impose their will in front of the net, Ovechkin taking Schultz completely out of the play on Marcus Johansson’s goal where Mike Sullivan putting a cone out there might have been more effective and Johansson getting inside position on Cole for the goal.
At even strength for the Capitals:
39 shots attempts for, 35 against.
24 scoring chances, 20 against
9 high danger scoring chances, 9 against.
If a second round series between the two clubs has the majority of games with those type of numbers, it’s going to be good news for the Capitals.[hide]
Clinching Second best record in East
The surging Penguins have won 14 of 15 games and catapulted them to clinching the second best record in the Eastern Conference, meaning Pittsburgh will get home-ice in the first round and third round if they advance past the second round.
Pundits, fans might feel home-ice doesn’t matter in hockey but the Penguins wanted it badly.
Now Mike Sullivan must weigh whether to rest players for a meaningless regular season finale Saturday afternoon or take the mindset of taking no night off and dressing a full lineup against the Philadelphia Flyers.
The Flyers with a overtime loss to the Leafs Thursday night, still control their destiny to make the post-season with two games remaining. Beat the Penguins and Islanders and they are in.
Philadelphia is 0-3 vs Pittsburgh this season.
Percentages Increase of Penguins – Islanders First Round Matchup
The New York Islanders 4-1 win over the New York Rangers Thursday night has upped the percentages of a Penguins – Islanders first round series to now 66%.
The Rangers and Islanders are both tied with 99 points, Isles having two games remaining against Buffalo, Philadelphia. The Rangers are home Saturday vs Detroit.
If the Rangers and Islanders are tied in points at the end of the season, the Rangers will win the tiebreaker because of a better ROW.
The Islanders already without Jaroslav Halak and Travis Hamonic, have now lost Anders Lee to a broken leg and Matt Martin was also injured in Thursday’s win.
Like Evgeni Malkin, Halak is in the fourth week of a six-to-eight week injury. He is unlikely to be ready to play in round 1. Arthur Staple of Newsday reports that Hamonic who has a knee injury, is skating lightly this week.
Whether it’s Marc Andre Fleury or Matt Murray, Pittsburgh would have a significant goaltending edge over Thomas Greiss, pegging them as clear favorites.
Interesting thing about the Islanders that should give them some hope, they’re starting to find their offensive mojo again that has been missing all season.[/hide]
How come Detroit made the playoffs and not Boston
American head coach
Boom.
So the 3 worst teams ended up being Toronto, Edmonton and Vancouver in that order, who can guess what these 3 teams have in common? Hint: it’s more than just being Canadian teams.
Hard to believe even with McDavid Vancouver misses the playoffs that bad
Nice win by the Flyers vs the Pens JV.
So Sestito doesn’t discourage the Flyers from running Murray and then puts us down 5 minutes at one point. Fucken glad we have us a bad ass deterrent lol
Yep. Malonis boy
Puts “us” down? who is “us”? Are you on the team? Clearly you never played the sport. Seriously zero, at what age did you stop playing hockey, ice that is, not floor hockey.
That’s the best you have, i use us instead of the Pens so what. I identify with the fan base and team… If that’s all you have left then give it up asshole.
Zero, why don’t you see what Dejan thinks and report back your opinions on the sport.
It would still put me far outside your ability to think the game.
Ouch that hurt
Does everyone from Edmonton have an avatar of a man with his shirt off ?
Lol, if I had to choose between Buff Bagwell being a douche vs a random cup… A piece that probably went around another mans dick and balls… I choose Buff haha
Maloni’s boy with another brilliant play. That’s why you never ever need to dress the knuckle dragger
It’s the moron herd. Schen was playing the puck, he did run Murray. Zero’s from Edmonton and understandably a *****. What’s your excuse donut boy.
So good. Goalies and gorillas. Beyond that, you can’t comment. So Maloni.
don’t got much do ya? You can do better than that donut boy. Crosby didnt play …what observations are left for you? Just have Mrs. Stanchion read you the box score in the morning.
Maloni likes sestito in there because it brings the game down to a level he can understand.
The irony of his calling me out on my hometown is the fact that he still thinks it’s the 80s and the game requires a moron to eat ice time like the 80s Oilers did lol
The irony of him calling anyone out is that he’s dumber than a traffic cone.
Best part is, despite his misplaced confidence in his posts he tends to be incredibly wrong and is told most on this page and on DKs. I guess what I’m saying is at least he’s consistently a dumb shit!
left more hockey knowledge in the toilet this morning…Please share some more of your ***** observations…hockey is such a mean sport. ouchie, ouchie
Maybe “any” of your hockey knowledge because all you know is shit!
Ya, you’re right… All players go that hard to the net all the time… No way it was any thing more than an innocent play. What a fucken idiot. Schenn was in tight… He was scoring or colliding, it’s not new or a fuxking secret that some players attempt that shit. No shock that it’s news to you tho
Have another drink loser. Maybe you’ll get lost in the basment of your Edmonton track home.
Now try explaining the 5 minute play with the same elegance you used to look like a dumbfuck here
Dont you live in Edmonton..who’s the stupid fuck?
Again, you have absolutely nothing pertaining to how fucking wrong you are ergo this is the only reply you have. Congrats at least now we know for sure your a dumb ass at the same level as yoda and same. Been awhile since we seen it, somethings never change
Stanch, I really think you should stick to following the box score. Watching the game Seems a bit much for you.
The Caps will pound Philly or Boston in the first round. They both suck.
Hopefully one of those teams can at least give them a series or wear them down a bit
Zatkoff looks ready….Uncle Stan
No no. Murray is the savior. Ask johansen
Pens were just Zatkoffed
Thats why you laugh at Philly fans falling down an escalator.
So with a Buffalo win an a Montreal loss, Buffalo will finish ahead of Montreal 81pts-80pts. How would have thought that at the beginning of the season?
Yeah when you had 15 different defence and 5 goalies during one season I don’t think you need to be a genius to figure that one out
Doesnt take a genius to see Montreal has sucked ever since they couldnt rig the system
Amen to that
Great coaches find a way to win! The Pens led the league 3 straight years in man games lost under DB and made the playoffs all 3 years.
A collapsed miserably with all the stars in the lineup. Vs habs,philly and bruins great adjustment from a great coach in the playoffs
My favorite Simply Dusty moment was when he cited “Range Factor” to compare Neil Walkers and Josh Harrisons actual range on the field. Little did he know that the two had nothing to do with each other, and under his logic, Pedro Alvarez had the best range among all Pirates last year. Bravo.
Anders Lee still hurt?
If you’ve seen simply dusty even utter the words “Anders Lee” prior to March 1, raise your hand.
Does that mean I don’t know Kyle Okposo, John Tavares etc? That’s pretty good logic you use. If I don’t post about them, then I don’t know who they are. lol keep it going bud.
But he’s such a huge factor. Why did you never note that before? I mean, they’ve played the Islanders before I think. Let me check…yep. They sure have.
Yes, this board spends a lot of time talking about the opponent.
Done for the weekend. Going camping with the fam. Have a good weekend all.
If I can speak for most of this board, see ya! Can you stay in the woods forever?
The Pittsburgh Penguins have recalled forward Kael Mouillierat from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton
This will be in the instant buzz in an hour but with a timestamp of 10AM
Kunitz – Crosby – Hornqvist
Cullen – Malkin – Sheary
Hagelin – Bonino – Kessel
Kuhnhackl – Fehr – Rust
(Cullen takes draws for Malkin to aleviate what ever injury he had to the hands/wrist/etc.)
Cullen take draws because malkin simply sucks at it
Why would you take Cullen off the C? Guys been money. Leave him at C with Fehr. Also Rust had been our top rookie all year. You’d have to be Crazy not to have him as automatic next to Malkin. If we are taking that speed in Hags and Kessel away from him, which I agree with, then put some back!
Rust-Malkin-Sheary
three months ago you thought the whole team needed to be torn down. Now you offer advice on line combinations.
Thats because I know more than you about the sport. Sut up and you might learn something.
Sut up! You literally challenge Sam and yogurt for site retard on a daily basis.
DFA Vogelsong when Hughes is healthy. Lobstein and Luebke (attorneys at law) can be your long relievers.
But Benny will cry.
Benny’s hero Vogelsong enters the game!
Vogelsong 1-0 lol
The loss of Anders Lee is huge. He gives our PK fits by parking his big ass in front of the net.
Or it happened once and he’s a fourth line shitbag by trade.
Pretty sure he’s on their top PP unit.
I remember Steve McKenna playing on the power play.
Did he have 8 PP goals?
Do you even know who that is?
Am I the one comparing an ahl goon to a guy who has 8 PP goals in the nhl at the age of 25?
What I like is your comparing him to cam Neely (you may have to look him up too)
I did? I stated that he’s a big loss for the Islanders PP. you don’t seem to think so.
You know what Steve McKenna and Anders Lee have in common? A month ago, you wouldn’t have known who either one of them were.
Whatever you say.
Lol how can you even argue that losing Lee doesn’t matter?!
It’s what some people do. They like to play the role of contrarian. After a while, you just get used to it and ignore it. They feel the only way to have discussion is to have a differing opinion and insult the person at the same time.
You literally just found out Anders Lee was a thing a month ago. If it wasn’t for the game in early March you wouldn’t have even brought it up. He had a good game and now he gives them “fits”
HUGE loss for the Islanders!!
Guess the Rangers don’t want the Pens. Benching the queen saturday in favor of Raanta against the Wings.
I wish we still had TK as a top 6 winger. That dude is a pure sniper.
This is a joke correct?
He just says stuff to say stuff. He’s on an Anders Lee kick now.
Sam is under the belief that there was a big outcry to keep TK because he was considered a top 6 by this board. I’m helping him out by being the big TK top 6 movement for the board.
Bennett got hurt again? Hahaha wow
Hangnail… the big ones that we all pull. Ya well he pulled it and fractured about 39 bones
He took warmups last night – I think they just used it as an excuse to dress that gorilla last night.
He was on the ice with the team today as well.
Ahhhh, I stand corrected. Well I hope he has enough in him to make noise in the playoffs. If this kid could catch a break on injuries he would be a decent player lol especially at 1MM
you are surprised by that Fraud ?
this might even be his last time he ever laced the skates with this organization
he must change his career after this something that he cant get injured ,maybe art painting or something
I like how dipshit disregards the fact that he took warmups last night and skated with the team today.
he suckss and is a fraud just admit it already
he has no business to be in this roster anymore they shouldve shipped him last year but some of you droolers are too attached to him and said im crazy
kinda reminds me when TK was around when i wanted him gone in 2010 and some here saw him as top 6 potential
I’ll say this – i’d pay Bennett $1 million and let him miss all the games he wants long before I’d pay that fraud in chicago over $10 million a year for 50 f’ing points.
Last I checked he has 3 Stanley cups yeah had an off year. How many off year malkin had.? Or chubby his career is on a decline. Excuse that leafs sacked yet with superstar pens he hasn’t been anything special. There now enjoy your 2 frauds
Last you checked! Off year! Hahaha. Canadian fraud.
Russian has off yearS and now chubby will do the same there is a reason why he came to Pittsburgh no pressure bandwagon fan base and can hide behind crosby
Well for half a season. The other half, it’s tough to hide behind a guy stealing a paycheck like the rest of Canada.
Crosby and letang should be healthy scratches next game. Give them a day off and don’t give the flyers a chance to do something stupid.
Someone take a screen shot of this. This goober finally said something that makes an iota of sense.
Never said they were WS champs big guy…. Goebbert! Goebbert! Your theory to 85 wins is flawless though. How many wins did you have them at last year again? After Martin walked (a much bigger lose than anyone this offseason)? I am sure you were saying they would have the 2nd most wins in baseball then…. but hey make a nutting comment bc clearly he doesnt want to win, and accidentally put together one of the best management teams in baseball. Keep discrediting the WC as the POST SEASON right? nerd
Low 90s maybe? I wouldn’t say he doesn’t want to win, but it’s certianly not top priority. His wallet is indeed top priority. If they can win a few games along the way, I’m sure he’s not opposed. But a team coming off of the “second most wins in baseball” going after your boy Goebbert and Ryan Vogelsong doesn’t scream “we want to win.” Your’e the exact type of fan the league wants though – you’ll pay a premium for tickets to a play-in game. And just drink nutting’s sweet sweet pee and tell everyone how good it is. That’s… Read more »
The Pirates have yet to take a dump that Benny didn’t think smelled like fresh garden roses.
see again, name calling what are you 13? 3 straight post season trips, kinda screams WE WANT TO WIN. and keep ignoring the quote I have shown you several times that THE BEST GM IN BASEBALL had back when he took over where he said Nutting (who didnt become majority owner until 2006 and whose first moves included appointing huntington GM) said funds were available. Huntington went on to say they are not at a point where those extra dollars were going to make a difference… but hey you probably started watching in 2013 so YOU’RE the expert…..poop head, see… Read more »
I love how you keep mentioning the 2 signings that you freaked out about and I said i’m not going to critisize the moves until proven wrong…. Goebbert was gone by opening day and Vogelsong didnt make the opening day rotation…. but keep shitting your pants over baseball moves made in December bro
o and as for the tickets, Paid $18 for tickets to the play in game they won… I know that may seem like a lot of money to you, but compared to other league playoff tickets that was a steal
haha. Playoff game! I love how you’ve convinced yourself of that. You going to watch the flyers playoff game tomorrow? Playing for a shot at a playoff series. Same deal. Maybe you should go. Sounds like it’s what you can afford.
Wow you’re delusional. So u didn’t know nutting became majority owner in 2006. U take every fantastic rip I make on u and basically use the same concept for a comeback. You used to be better at this. Lmao. “Nutting fluffer”. Original.
Flyers with another huge playoff game today
I like mentioning signings yours said made sense. You loved Vogelsong. Loved it. Tried to convince npl it was a good move. You and vogelsongs mom. That’s who likes that signing. But hey, Benny can tell you in December why it made sense! I do love the goalpost shifting. In December, Benny was like “it’s only December!” Then when nothing happens everyone else shit their pants. Soooooo good. Keep fluffing nuttings junk tho.
Show me where I said the signings made sense. PLEASE. I didn’t know who goebbert was let alone say anything about loving the signing. U talked about him being openin day starter and I said it was December not opening day. But I guess if u can’t say anything smart u just make something up? That how it works? The words your trying to put in my mouth don’t even make sense. I don’t know anyone in Pittsburgh who would have been caught saying they liked let alone loved the vogelsong signing. Which is proof you’re lying out your ass.… Read more »
Oh man. Goes back on his Vogelsong support! That’s good. Hey. I would have too. It was embarrassing. But you have to support every move. It’s what you do.
Three straight post season trips. That’s so good. They’ve played one playoff series in 25 years. Let that soak in. Shame funds still aren’t available, and they still have to dumpster dive while the royals (your example) out spend them by 30%. Oh they want to win. But not as a priority. But you know that.
you think that is the case for Fleury too
Maybe they want him to rest
You’re a complete ass but you are bang on here lol
Superb and comprehensive reporting, quite analytical. Kudos.
Man this site has been awesome this morning and I missed it all. Jeff22666 with a Mike Sullivan type of impact has my vote for TIOPS poster of the year. Welcome back buddy.
lol thanks man, seems to be same old around here.
Its unreal how this team turned around, in Nov id dread watching pens games, but Sullivan has brought the excitement back and guaranteed MJ will never coach again in the NHL lol
14-1 since the russian left for Vacation
Ya but you are too dumb to realize thats great coaching… then again you thought MJ coached the team to a 109 point season so
another Canadian FRAUD.
I wanted to share this from the Caps pregame article… you know for shits and giggles Samtheman 18 hours 31 minutes ago its easy to say MJ sucks but he did not have Haggy,Shultz or daley those 3 changed the team dynamic alone (sic) zerocool6687 16 hours 34 minutes ago LOL, ya… that was the problem. Those three fixed it and MJ, our 5th choice, was unfairly judged lmao Samtheman13 hours 24 minutes ago If he was that bad how come pens finished with 109pts with him most since God knows when (sic) zerocool6687 right now ??? He had a… Read more »
how is DB doing this year i tough where ever he goes he would be fine
I am sure if babcock or coach Q wouldve coached sabres they wouldve made the playoffs
I tough that too. Then again, I tough Babcock woulnd’t have been competing for Auston Matthews since he’s the greatest coach of all time. And I tough that Therrien was better than DB. and I tough that Bob Hartley was better than DB. All canadian FRAUDS. I tough they all suck now.
you cocck sucker sabres roster is superior than habs ,leafs and flames and having used 5 goalies and 15 diffrent defence this season does not make it easy the habs to make the playoffs
if pens had this much injuries i doubt they would be where they are today and competing doe austin mathews
Oh yeah – SO superior. Buffalo has asshole goaltending to begin with, then Lehner goes down for how long? They’re literally a one line team with a dickbag blue line. Flames have an improved roster from LAST year when they made the playoffs. The Habs lost ONE guy. The leafs have the BEST COACH IN TEH LEAGUE. Or, not really – and he just did a good job with a loaded Wings roster. Overpaid Canadian shit. Just like Jonathan Toews.
when its canadian its overpaid you think letang is overpaid
i wonder how you feel about your fellow americans pay Niskanen is he worth that money
he is nowhere near letangs shoe laces
I think Letang would be paid fine if we weren’t paying him to play 60 games a year and generally miss the playoffs. As for Niskanen? I don’t know – I thought it was high – but he makes a $1.5 million less than Letang – and he doesn’t miss games, and he’s around when you need him – so those are big conisiderations. Not sure what any of this has to do with Bob Hartley being a canadian hack.
what do you think of malkins contract then he is not any better he misses 20 games a season then out of 60 games he only shows up 35 games and rest he is just stealing paychecks
Just like Babcocks team made the playoffs right?
How’d they finish? dead last? yeah he had a good year though
Oh man – the Happy Gilmore ref – love it.
babcock has and AHL team in front of him
HAHA; what kind of an ass sticks up for Babcock at this point. I respect his ability but he did nothing with that team… less than nothing. He now wants the cap gone and to change the draft rules because he was exposed a bit this year… fuck him and you
He has the Sabres at the top of the bottom ten… one thing I can say… he coached the Pens to a 109 point season which is the most in i dont know how long and 11 more points than MJ got from them last year.
What we’ve learned this year;
Savard’s injury held up the trade deadline
Rust was traded for a 3rd (something to this effect)
Bylsma was great as he had the 1st 109 point season is how long?
McDavid is Vancouvers best rookie
Sutter is better than Bonino despite Bonino doing exactly what Sutter did except he did it with better possession numbers…
Anyone care to add?
Sestito had one job… I appreciate the offence but he doesn’t deter shit evident by the garbage that was going on BUT… I would not have objected to a late game run at one of their stars either. We have Oshie and Wilson taking liberties all night, probably because Letang went at OV the way he did and the big bad enforcer did not a whole lot to stop it or respond in kind. He helped out offensively, for that I appreciate but I hope we can put this whole “the team needs a neanderthal” thing to rest. As soon… Read more »
I bet you appreciate this big comment section so your posts dont look like novels anymore
I was fine with it either way 🙂
letang did a way better job than subban or karlsson vs a star player like ovi and yet he is never appreciated in the league must be the Scuderi lessons how to shut down ovi
The refresh button is gone, do the comments update automatically?
HOLY CRAP… welcome back haha. And the answer to your question is yes
Sesito isnt an enforcer, assist last night, big things ahead for him
Huh.
wonder why they even waste time with that bum, your just praying hes gets off the ice before he gets scored on
Indeed.
Bennett is a Fraud
Not as big of a fraud as Jonathan Toews.
We learned that Murray is ready, and that knuckledragging “enforcers” deter literally nothing.
I didnt see you between the benches with errey
Lmao. Conversation between two guys that know nothing about the sport.
Please enlighten us more about the art of the enforcer and tell us how sesito did a great job of protecting sid last night. I mean he didnt get beat up, so sesito did his job right?
“This rock keeps tigers away. I dont see any tigers around so it must be working”
“lisa, I’d like to buy your rock.”
LMAO… nicely done
Don’t waste your breath. Maloni lives by one steadfast rule. If you lose the game, the goaltender didn’t play well enough. You’re better off sh|tting on your carpet and trying to have a conversation with your poo.
Stanch, I’ve tried to take you under my wing. I’m not going to lose hope in you.
Are you trying to guide me toward retardation? Because I’m good over here with the sane people – despite your generous offer.
Down 3-0 that game could have gotten out of control with Sestito. other than Wilson’s run the caps played much cleaner than last game. The players will (and have) attested to the value of Sestito playing an odd game here or there. I know you’re the hockey genius in your fraternity but I’m going with Sullivan’s judgment on this one.
Despite the fact that a guy was so scared he nearly murdered someone, they played “much cleaner.” I love, too, putting this stock in what the players say. The players also thought Scuderi was a veteran leader with a calming influence. Get fucked.
what did d learn last night? nothing.
Yeah open by saying we learned nothing but then continue by writing 10 paragraphs of takeaways from the game. Brilliant I tell you.