Pittsburgh’s 3-1 loss to the Nashville Predators Friday night was a game that saw the tables turned where Pekka Rinne was tremendous in goal with a 42 save performance at the PPG Paints Arena.
It was a game where the Penguins should still feel good about themselves in how they’re building towards playing with a playoff mindset. They just didn’t get the result they wanted.
The significance of the loss, though, is it makes the division an extreme longshot. Pittsburgh was in a position where they had to come out of these two games vs Nashville and Carolina by taking at least 3 of 4.
Getting the 2-3 seed where the Penguins have fallen the last three postseasons won’t be the worst thing after all as a Pittsburgh – New York Round 1 matchup is matchups galore for Pittsburgh even if Pittsburgh has to start on the road.
Sunday’s game vs Carolina now becomes more important in creating more distance from the Hurricanes in what will be another four point swing.
Important Trends that have evolved for the Penguins at the right time
Sidney Crosby + Matt Murray | The Penguins have two of the three key ingredients (Franchise Center playing at elite level, Franchise Defenseman playing at elite level, Franchise Goaltender playing at elite level) going for them that are vital to winning a Stanley Cup.
You can make the argument Sidney Crosby has been the best player in the game since his return from a minor injury vs Dallas just before Thanksgiving. Crosby’s dominant 200 ft game has never been better that has him playing the most dominant hockey of his career since arguably the 2010-2011 season that was cut short due to a concussion. If Pittsburgh gets the Islanders in round 1, where things are trending, Crosby alone gives Pittsburgh a significant edge from the start when you breakdown the matchups.
Meanwhile, Murray has been the key player in changing the Penguins outlook as the playoffs inch closer. Since the middle of December, Murray has been playing at a top-5 level that has played a major part in the thinking around the league that if your handicapping the Eastern Conference, it’s Tampa Bay, Washington, and then Pittsburgh as Boston is a team that’s still hard to fully buy-into as a legitimate Stanley Cup Contender.
The 3rd Line is finally coming together
Last post-season Pittsburgh’s third and fourth lines were so inept offensively, they made their own funeral when the second line of Evgeni Malkin and Phil Kessel came up so small in round 2.
This lineup is built and trending the right way where there’s more room for error if Kessel continues having the low impact he’s having 5-on-5 and Malkin never finds his footing when he returns to the lineup. Sidney Crosby is going to show up no matter what when the postseason begins but Pittsburgh should be in a position to survive at a greater rate if the second line has a low impact.
What’s important is Pittsburgh’s building something at the right time with a third line of Simon – Blugstad – Hornqvist.
A fairy tale run like the HBK line in 2016 is unlikely but the Simon-Blugstad-Hornqvist is showing the ability to create offense at a high enough level that is giving Pittsburgh an element the Penguins just didn’t have from their bottom-6 last season.
The line was great vs the Predators, namely Dominik Simon who was a possession monster in the loss.
“I thought that line was really good, and Dominik was a big part of it,” Mike Sullivan of the line and Simon Friday night. Sullivan always takes the chance to sing the praises of Simon and was at it again.
“When he’s at his best, he’s a good playmaker, he’s strong on the puck, and he’s on the puck a lot,” Sullivan said. “When that happens, he helps his linemates. He helps with offensive zone time. He helps with possession time. He can make a play off the rush. He doesn’t just throw puck away.”
Adapting without Kris Letang
The Penguins are moving forward with the assumption that Kris Letang will be fine for the playoffs but what the Penguins have going for them is they’ve developed a style and mentality that they can win without Letang To read this insider news, subscribe to get “Inside Access”!
As if it’s not been apparent before… Sam is a fake, a phoney, a fraud, a loser, a pretender, a bandwagon riding clown. Just in case some were still on the fence here, the frog don’t belong here
https://hockeygolfbags.com/sites/default/files/styles/product__wx500_/public/NHL-CB-MON.png
Ahahahaha you’re so funny I forgot to laugh.
Habs might be a ahl Team but they were way more entertaining than the penguins. Reason penguins made playoffs is thanks to star power crosby
That made other players shine around him
Now go back and hide in your hole you fat slob
There’s a lot of material in this post.
Their job is not to entertain, their job is to win. No wonder the Habs have not won a cup since 1993. But they did play Tampa “well.” I guess Sam(e) will now be officially driving the Vegas bandwagon.
Fuckk all the way off then you bitchh ass loser fake fucken fan… what are you doing here you bandwagon jumping fuckk? You clearly don’t belong here. This page is for fans of the Pittsburgh Penguins not some fucken wannabe frog that wants to fuck a few of the guys. Loser, fuckk off
It’s never been more clear, you’re a fraud… you are everything you’ve ever been accused of you fucken fake! Go the fuckk away bitchh
“Penguins only made the playoffs because their team is good, the Habs would too if they had players people would pay to watch” lmmfao
What a crazy game.
Jackets made the playoffs
Ironcally Philly has a hand in where the Penguins will finish if they decide to choke against Carolina.
So Pens could still slide into a Wildcard spot if Carolina wins and NY beats Pittsburgh. Good thing Malkin came back in time to fire the team up… Could be playing Washington or TB in Rnd one had he not.
Still… Carolina has Philly… Pens best not take NY lightly
Feels like Pens have been locked into that 3 spot for about 6 weeks now.
As soon as Geno went down they started playing .500 hockey. The division looked attainable at that point. Now they cannot finish better than 3rd in the division
The Penguins now hold their own fate in their hands. The Rangers will be on the tail end of a back to back so the Penguins better show up.
i think that’s mostly because we have only had one article in the past 6 weeks.
^this!
I completely understand why the playoff clinching game isn’t worth a story DePaoli. I’ve always thought the regular season was over rated as well
Malkin returns…PP clicks, Pens win… Sid 3 points all of a sudden. 100 is within reach… playoffs again baby
Did you ever doubt
Yes because all 3 sids points have malkin on it
Game gets easier when all the heavy checkers are put on 71s line
Besides… you keep sayin Malkin is a PP specialist and 2 of the 3 was on the PP that returned to form with Malkin back
He was watching Montreal lose last night.
I know, its fucken hilarious…. their odds dropped below 12% last night hahahahahaha #93
1993 is getting farther and farther away…
You still want the proof for trump
trump hates montreal.
He also hates democRATS
So he must hate half of your country
As opposed to half of your country that identifies as ….exactly what?
F!ck…. Isles won in a really bad shootout.
Poor Sam(e)… Penguins win and clinch a playoff spot, MM played a great game and Montreal lost again and is one game away from a spring vacation.
Wow turned up tv sounds Matt Murray channel A$$ Kiss show. Its bad.
BE kisses anyone’s ass who wears a Penguins uniform.
It’s average fans like npl and Stan
Well, he’s been really good for a few months now
If he hasn’t played the way he has for the past twomonths, they could easily be where Montreal is. That’s scary.
-5 because sam is a fucken retard
Now that letang and malkin back from russia. Murray can take his vacation
Where will Price spend his vacation?
“Now that the Russian is back Sid regains that crazy pace” – fixed that for ya
Crosby on the PP so it does not count.
Npl do you still want the proof ?
Pens are looking to clinch a playoff spot and Sam(e) is watching Montreal.
Give Phil another hot dog!!!
Chubby always shows up vs non playoff teams
Hence him leading the team in playoff scoring en route to a Stanley Cup…
Hotdog Man!!
Thank god for the pp
Yeah, then Montreal would be losing 1-0.
Yup, I mean the boys have struggled without it…
Since the Pens can not catch Washington the Pens will be better off if they beat Montreal and the Islanders lose. Second place is still in play.
Didn’t take many shots to score on fraud Murray
And if you saw the goal boxscore Sam(e) it was redirected. He had no chance, but I am sure you are watching the Montreal game.
33 saves on 34 shots retard… want that update?
Letang has that rare ability to ensure the opponents penalty kill gets more scoring chances than the Pens power play.
No one said he was not talented.
As talented as npls hero Trotman
Oh look who is here. How you been depressed with Russia investigations
I have the proof that trump collude with Russians and I’m not even democRat. Do you want to see it
Glen sather stepping down from rangers organization
That clown just realized it was time after ruining rangers organization by overpaying washed up players and forcing the shittt teams take his mistakes so he can do it again
Well, he definitely overpaid Nash, then you wanted him after he was already past his prime. Then again days before he retired. #samknows
I read the quote on Josh Bell that seems to have everyone peeved. Still not sure what’s wrong with it. Race isn’t mentioned anywhere and everything he said is true. He does stink. He is slow. He’s not mobile. He’s supposed to be a power hitter, but plays first and had 14 home runs last year. How is any of that racist? The lump comment was a little unnecessary, but that’s PG.
They were bitching about the “racial” motivated comments about Josh Bells poor play…….On TheFan its like the race card all over you cant say anything about a black athlete…..
Yeah I don’t pay much attention to them, but DK also mentioned it. He also mentioned a Dominican player getting a bad scouting report citing that as racist as well. I mean, I’m sure if I looked I could find plenty of had ones on white athletes as well. I remember someone posting Nick Spaldings when he was here and it was pretty funny. 100% accurate though lol
Geno may be back on Thursday. Letang’s “day to day” vacation continues. Dumo also day to day.
Kucherov 1 goal away to hit 40 goals and have 3 members in one team with 40+ goals. Point and stamkos
Last time a team that had 3 40+ goal scorers was the 95-96 penguins mario,jagr and nedved
“The league and the NHLPA have agreed to keep the current divisional alignment and playoff format for at least one more season beyond this one.”
Oh, goodie. Maybe next they will let teams pick who they want to play or just let the fans vote. Ugh.
That’d be great to let the teams pick. As for the current alignment, it benefits the Pens as much as anyone, so I’d be fine with it.
The current alignment punishes the top teams. You should not be playing the second best team in the second round. This format does not create rivals, it creates terrible matchups. Why do you think teams like Nashville got through to the finals a few years ago? Yes they were a great team but better teams got knocked out early bc of the horrible matchups.
I agree. All I’m saying is that it currently helps the Pens, as TB could face CBJ and Boston just to get to the East finals. I think the way it’s structured is dumb, but it has helped us recently. Even in the case of Nashville, I’d rather play them than some of the other teams in the West. I think they’ll ultimately do something with it within the next 5 years.
As sam requested, Murray’s last 10
5-5-2 not so good but… .940 SV% with a .930% High danger. 1.91 GAA… Sam what do you think the problem has been?
http://www.naturalstattrick.com/playerteams.php?fromseason=20182019&thruseason=20182019&stype=2&sit=5v5&score=all&stdoi=g&rate=n&team=ALL&pos=S&loc=B&toi=400&gpfilt=gpteam&fd=&td=&tgp=11&lines=single
*4-4…. whoops.. thats sam math there
Crosby has 3 points in 8 games, minus 3, since Malkin went down March 16th
a 100 point seemed like a lock prior to malkin going down, now it seems he will likely fall short. i mean i wouldn’t be shocked if he gets it but…
That’s the real burner, while the team always comes first he was kicking down doors that may have put him into 3rd in the league with a 100+ point season. Had he done that? Hart was a strong possibility but I think with him going to sleep here late it really kills his chances unfortunately. 2 team games left, 6 points, if anyone can do it he can but… its gonna be tight
The hart is going to Kucherov. No two ways about it. Crosby is getting all the attention now that Geno is out and all the other lines are out of balance. For once the defense is not the problem.
The argument for Sid vs Kuch, before Crosby tanked, was simply Kucherov is surrounded by talent all playing at a ridiculous level. Sid wasnt that far back while helping make Jake a near 40 goal guy, dealing with all the injuries that have plagued the roster and effectively putting them on his shoulders to move them back into a playoff spot all while dominating play in all three zones. The Hart is judged as the most valuable player to their team… Sid, until the last couple weeks, fit this description better than Kucherov. With Sids quiet finish and Kucherov continuing… Read more »
A few weeks ago I had Kane pegged for it when the Hawks were making a playoff push and then they tailed off. I think Crosby was in the running as well but I think he blew it. While Kuch is surrounded by talent and if you remove him from the team they would still make the playoffs he is playing at a completely different level then anyone else in the league and he has done it pretty much all year. He does deserve it. I would like to see Sid win the Selke Award!
Fully agree, my point was simply Sid was making a significant case while the division was a possibility and his totals were almost top 3, he will get serious Selke consideration but he doesnt play a ton of PK which will be an issue
I guess Tampa won’t break red wings all time record 62 win in one season
And Montreal was in the wild card spot for 4 mins. Lol.
Errey hit it on the head the welfare 3pts games is keeping teams in far too long.
Olli Maatta is Fuc@SID4800#^ terrible
Wow, who saw that coming. Pens underperform against a mediocre team.
Magic number? How’s Murray’s stats update us zeroTool
Lol, I will tomorrow and you’ll continue to hate yourself for asking this
When does Fleury’s vacation end?
Once Murray’s starts
His Due for one apparently
Okkkkkk…..
What a fucken moron lol
This team can not score lately.
Might be that missing Malkin
We are not missing a 9.5m Goon that takes dumb penalties
“We”…. that is hilarious.
Athanasiou = Happytoseeyou.
When will the NHL implement an outplayed but lost stat column? OBL. You get an imaginary point. It will not help in the points column and it will not help with tie breakers but it will make the losing fans feel better about their team.
Meanwhile Carolina is heavily outplaying Toronto.
Meanwhile habs heavily outplaying Tampax
Against a team that has nothing to play for and against a goalie who is playing his first game of the year. Lol.
Sorry, his second.
He’s a Habs fan. They’ll take any win they can get.
He’s awfully quiet about the Pens game… do you suppose he’s watching the Habs?
His tv was shut when the Wings went up 2-1.
It never went on.
The reason habs outplaying Tampax is because of the goalie nice one buddy nice one
It is because Tampa has absolutely nothing to play for at all! They could lose 20-2 and it will not mean shitt!
So it stands to reason Vasilevski would be shutting out the Habs!
Tie game lol… that’s all that matters dumbass
Imagine TB had enough respect for the Habs they started Vasilevski and show up early?
I guess that’s the formula penguins used tonight vs red wings
How would you know, you didn’t even watch the fucken game… habsfan
Hotdog!!!
We found waldo
That is a goal
Of course but what an almost save… I’d say that’s the almost save of the year
Almost doesn’t count.
Nah uh… ask Sam… almost goals, almost saves and game winner assists are so important
THATS THE MOST AMAZING ALMOST SAVE IVE SEEN THIS YEAR… HEY SAM
Anyone know who’s in, since dumo is out
Jim Paek.
One story a week is a good pace DePaoli. Save your best stuff for the playoffs like a true veteran.
McDavid is pissed about missing the playoffs again… Her is an idea, instead of getting pad $12,500,000 per year, take less $$ so they can improve your team. You will just make it up in bonuses and endorsements anyway.
What a about eichel he hasn’t prove anything as much as mcdavid and getting paid a lot of money too q
If he were Canadian you’d be drooling like you usually do.
When Eichel starts complaining about missing the playoffs I will say the same thing.
Eichel is a coach killer he had problems with your beloved favourite coach DB
I never once said a kind word about BD. He was one the worst coaches at in game adjustments. Still better then Don Cherry though.
Rest Sid Tuesday night on the road.
Yeah and play malkin instead that con artist had enough vacation time this year
How about clinching a playoff spot first. I would not rest anyone when home ice is on the line.
With home ice on the line? On top of that they have yet to clinch… it’s likely regardless but…
Tampax 3rd team in history to record 60 wins in a season. Record is held by red wings 62 wins
Where would we be without you sam… I bet no one else knew the ’96 Wings were the record holders…
Trust me half of the bandwagons here weren’t even watching hockey up until Crosby arrived in the league. Then you also have npl watching since 2016
What is hockey?
You give yourself too much credit and I believe you fit into your own box
More stat fun: From Jan 1st 2019 to March 31 2019
GP SV% GAA HDSA HDGA HDSV% HDGAA
Matt Murray: 31 0.940 1.96 179 23 0.872% 0.94
MAF: 23 0.929 2.02 161 31 0.807% 1.65
Other guys Sam drools over
Carey Price: 34 0.931 2.07 197 34 0.827% 1.23
Carter Hart: 24 0.923 2.76 149 23 0.846% 1.27 (good player actually like the kid but…)
Leagues Best
Vasilevski: 31 0.934 2.06 190 33 0.826% 1.33
The only guy outplaying Murray
Binnington: 27 0.943 1.46 144 18 0.875% 0.80
Love the way the formatting changes upon send D…
HD = High Danger if anyone was curious
Have to ask don’t games before Jan 1 count? Was just curious.
But we all realize that Murray had the rough start, as did the rest of the Penguins. The second half of the year is when you really hope your guys are going. What good is blowing your wad in October/November only to gas late?
My point was to establish that thus far, in this calendar year, Murray has been dynamite despite the protest from the usual suspect on the matter. That said, based on the full season… that 1st part of the comparison is awfully close despite the horrendous start by Murray
He’ll never give MM any credit. Everything the Pens accomplished was MAF’s doing.
See malkin scores 5v5:
21 goals….9 on PP
50 assists….17 on PP
71 pts…..26 on pp
Majority of his points are not on the PP……But again…PP POINTS COUNT THE SAME IN THE OUTCOME OF THE GAME….so who cares when points are scored…as long as they are scored
^This guy gets it!
He is Russian, no matter what he does it does not count. If he was French Canadian he would be the second coming of maple syrup.
“he would be the second coming of maple syrup.” haha – that’s good stuff
What a great job Rick Tocchet has done in Arizona. That team is consistently left for tead as an organization who just takes dead cap hits to get to the floor. He’s turned them around and has them bangin on the playoff door. I miss the guy as a player and a coach. I hope AZ gets in. He deserves more credit for what he’s done out there.
And the Pens are left with Mark Recchi Who cannot get the power play or Phil Kessel straight
WASH has FLA, MON and NYI left. CBJ has BOS, NYR and OTT left. PITT has DET, DET and NYR left. ISLES has TOR, FLA and Wash left. CANES has TOR, NJD and PHI left. MON has TBL, WAS and TOR left. Someone will be playing golf early and I do not think it will be CBJ. It will be MON or the CANES. The Pens will not win the divison unless they win all 3 games, (103) Washington loses all 3 games in regulation (102) and the Islanders beat Wash and lose the other 2 games or lose 1… Read more »
Montreal is going home.
Washington gets Cbus.
I’d play Crosby and Murray Thursday and that’s it. Let Letang and Malkin wait for next Wednesday to play on long island.
Playoff match ups are setting up nicely. Columbus is going to be a tough out for someone.
Since our Russian is on vacation
4-1-2
I also wonder how many of those games chubby was a big factor
So they are basically 4-3 without him. The last few games it has been the secondary guys doing the work. Why are you not getting on Sids case for a lack of performance? Give some credit to Murray too!
Sid been consistent all season he is aloud to have few games of vacation while our Russian is often on vacation mode
Such the double standard.
He’s always had the same standard. French Canadians can do no wrong and the Penguins suck.
Another great defensive effort. So nice to not have to clean up Letang’s mess every shift.
Sid has one goal and four assists when Geno isn’t propping him up (12 games). He’s also a -7. Yikes! If Geno didn’t pay here, he’d have 35 points and carry a -48. Obvious who helps who more.
Geno can barely score 5v5 goals when sid in lineup lately imagine if no sid 0 5v5 goals and -50 for the +/-
At least you spelled barely the right way. That’s a step in the right direction.
Hey, I’m not the one putting those numbers up without Geno… if you wanna cry foul… ask Sid WTF
Sam still lives in a world where PP points dont count for some reason
So it’s Geno taking the heavy traffic away from Sid! Poor sammich
Exactly, now that Geno is out of the lineup all the top guys are playing the Crosby line. More proof that he is still valuable to the Pens.
Ladies and Gentlemen Sam(e) has never been in the building.
Suddenly CBJ are winning games.
Heck of a reward for winning the division.
Maybe they will knock off Tampa lol
Penguins winning 3-0 mstartari turned off his TV already thinking penguins losing
Murray’s last ten? That’s 37 saves…
Tell us again about Murray’s save % George.
#HerHockeynight……wow some of you that would be the hockey you are looking for.
Jesus DePaoli, I thought you were dead.
Sam thinks goalies should win the Vezina based on their all-star appearance.
Tbj thinks a goalie should win vezina based on dumb media view
When did I say that? Look at your post from yesterday, chubby. Just because you can’t formulate an original though doesn’t mean no one can.
Jets are very happy that habs are on East side and not west
https://sports.yahoo.com/john-gibson-deserves-vezina-candidate-153036658.html
For as horrible the Ducks have been, Gibson has not been the problem.
Of course they will hoopla he is American
We all saw how exposed he was at the all Star game that sharks fans were chanting we want fleury
Yes, an NHL goalie should be judged by his performance at the all star game with a 3 on 3 format playing against the best players in the world.
His save % is better then MAF’s.
new mission on being a great NHLer. keep the puck all night long and never score. put up 8 a year. the whole team can put up 8 per year. you’ll win a lot that way! hahahahahahahaha!
once again the metric morons are at it again. give me a break on how good the 3rd line was. they put up zero goals. F dominic simon and his possession crap. the dude has 8 freakin goals on the season playing with sid for half of it and getting 13 minutes a night. he blows. just a matter of time before simon is back with sid and then the top line can have the puck all night long and simon can whiff on his 4 glorious chances and then we’ll hear how awesome he was. F that and F… Read more »
When are the Democrats going to come forward with realistic policies/ideas instead of constantly worrying about Trump?
Never
malkin sucks and letang plays high risk hockey. the caps are going to murder the pens in round 2 because of those two.
No need for you to watch then.
Over 2 weeks for that?