Penguins GDT/GNT's week 17 (Jan 26 - Feb 1

[Darkstone42]

It only took 38 shots, and the third in like ten seconds on the powerplay, but Kunitz pulls this game even with a powerplay marker on the rebound from Crosby's one-timer.

 

[Darkstone42]

Sutter's had a pretty good night. He's been dangerous in the offensive end.

 

[DoobeeDoobeeDoo]

I'll take it, we should've gotten a few past Schneider throughout the game. Glad we got it done when it counted most. Props to the Pens, courageous effort tonight.

 

[Darkstone42]

I'll take it, we should've gotten a few past Schneider throughout the game. Glad we got it done when it counted most. Props to the Pens, courageous effort tonight.

Schneider's in the zone right now. Has been for a decent stretch. He's got a .940 save percentage in January, only given up more than 3 goals once, and only posted an in-game save percentage under .933 once. This was also his second 40-save game this month.

We beat him basically as much as he was going to allow us to the way he's been playing, but the Pens did exactly what you do to a hot goalie: kept the pressure on, fired shots from every angle, and got to the front of the net. And that's why we won despite his performance, because his performance was the only reason that game wasn't a blowout.

Actually, he was kind of fun to watch (if frustrating) tonight. Lots of good, textbook positional goaltending, made a lot of saves simply by being in a good spot for the puck to run into him, and his anticipation was outstanding, highlighted by a save he made on Letang on a loose puck that trickled almost randomly to him. Schneider stayed focused on the puck and figured out where it was going before it go there. He made what would usually be a very difficult save rather easily just by reading the play well. The save he made to rob Crosby on his redirect was similar, read the pass early and got right over to Crosby's stick, basically taking away the entire net before the puck even got there. Those kinds of plays, and the way he handled shots through traffic, are really good indications that a goalie is in the zone.

I think it would have been a disaster if the Pens didn't win that game, though. To outplay an opponent that much and not come away with the W can be devastating. Glad they found a way to beat Schneider twice.

 

[element1286]

Pens deserved that one. Kris Letang was unreal.

 

[Burghfan]

Schneider's in the zone right now. Has been for a decent stretch. He's got a .940 save percentage in January, only given up more than 3 goals once, and only posted an in-game save percentage under .933 once. This was also his second 40-save game this month.

We beat him basically as much as he was going to allow us to the way he's been playing, but the Pens did exactly what you do to a hot goalie: kept the pressure on, fired shots from every angle, and got to the front of the net. And that's why we won despite his performance, because his performance was the only reason that game wasn't a blowout.

Actually, he was kind of fun to watch (if frustrating) tonight. Lots of good, textbook positional goaltending, made a lot of saves simply by being in a good spot for the puck to run into him, and his anticipation was outstanding, highlighted by a save he made on Letang on a loose puck that trickled almost randomly to him. Schneider stayed focused on the puck and figured out where it was going before it go there. He made what would usually be a very difficult save rather easily just by reading the play well. The save he made to rob Crosby on his redirect was similar, read the pass early and got right over to Crosby's stick, basically taking away the entire net before the puck even got there. Those kinds of plays, and the way he handled shots through traffic, are really good indications that a goalie is in the zone.

I think it would have been a disaster if the Pens didn't win that game, though. To outplay an opponent that much and not come away with the W can be devastating. Glad they found a way to beat Schneider twice.

Real good observations there and real good comments above. The goal that the Devils scored was a combination of things that just went there way. Bortuzzo falling, Fluery biting on the move and just getting to the other side to late. Harrington's stick got hung up on Fluery or he might have been able to poke check the puck.

Pens rang the post a few times or it would have been a blow out. Still a little embarrassing winning a game 2 - 1 in OT while out shooting the other team 43 to 13.

 

[Burghfan]

I went to the bathroom, and when I came back, the Devils were on a 5-on-3 powerplay.

Downie just couldn't help being stupid after a penalty call. The spoiled brat routine is starting to get old. He's more of a liability than an asset out there at times.

 

[Darkstone42]

Based on my reading of this article: Yohe: Beau Bennett on his benching | Chipped Ice, it seems Johnston did really just want to give Bennett a chance to take a mental break and watch a game to see what he could learn from it. Hopefully he's back in the lineup today.

 

[element1286]

They sent Ebbett down so it seems like he should be in no matter, so as long as it was a one time deal/wake up call I don't have a problem with it.

 

[Darkstone42]

Lapierre hit Bennett hard. Looked really awkward. Bennett's off, and the Pens took a too many men penalty while he was trying to leave the ice.

 

[Darkstone42]

Bennett was back on the bench before the end of the period. Good.

 

[Darkstone42]

Nashville's kill is really aggressive up high. Haven't seen a lot of teams do that to the Penguins. They need to make an adjustment on the powerplay, because their usual scheme isn't working against this approach.

 

[Darkstone42]

The second unit looked good. Bennett made a nice move to the net mouth. Good save by Hutton.

And now we have offsetting hooking or interference on Perron and diving on the Predator, but from what I saw, that was a straight dive. Almost no contact there.

 

[Darkstone42]

Pens are shooting stick low a lot. I wonder if that's the book on Hutton.

 

[Darkstone42]

This is a really tight, even game. The difference has been that the Preds have made the Pens pay for their mistakes, but the Pens haven't done the same to the Preds.

 

[element1286]

6-12 in the last 18, not acceptable.

Crosby needs to start winning faceoffs, 49% on the year, worst since his rookie year, not good enough.

 

[scoutyjones2]

Sid needs to improve all around. He needs to lead a team for a change

 

[DoobeeDoobeeDoo]

How sad