Game Thread: Penguins GNT/GDT week 10 (Dec 7 - Dec 13)

[DoobeeDoobeeDoo]

This week's schedule...

Wednesday, Dec 9th @ Colorado Avalanche

Friday, Dec 11th vs Los Angeles Kings

 

[scoutyjones2]

Doobeedoobee Dubaister!

2 more losses...

 

[scoutyjones2]

This is disturbing

In just the third year of a 12-year contract that will see him paid $12 million this season, according to General Fanager, Sidney Crosby is ranked 103rd in NHL scoring with 15 points in his first 24 games. His minus-10 rank also buries him among the worst 20 players in the league for two-way play.

That's not on Johnston...

 

[Darkstone42]

I think we're all in agreement that Sprong needs to be playing, but I'm guessing the reason he isn't is 1) Plotnikov absolutely deserves to be in the lineup right now, and 2) the forward playing the worst (by a comfortable margin) is Dupuis, and given his folk-hero status with the team, making the call to take him out has to be next to impossible for Johnston.

I fear the same is true of Scuderi, and the reason he's not sitting in favor of Clendenning is precisely that locker-room reputation he has, his "leadership role." And honestly, I don't think changing coaches would even fix that, because NHL coaches seem to be so risk averse these days, unwilling to play the explosive player over the "safe" or "responsible" one.

 

[thedddd]

^ Interesting you mention that and then they go on about the need to rest older players and only mention Matt Cullen!
Penguins notebook: Clock ticking on Sprong issue - last section of article.

He is the only "old" player that should be playing.

 

[DoobeeDoobeeDoo]

Doobeedoobee Dubaister!

2 more losses...

I could see that also, glad I have a valid excuse to not see these games

 

[DoobeeDoobeeDoo]

Good news is that Sid is doing well as of late. At the same time, I don't think we have the type of dmen to play a defensive orientated system. You need some defensive studs to play the style Johnston is trying implement.

 

[element1286]

Good news is that Sid is doing well as of late. At the same time, I don't think we have the type of dmen to play a defensive orientated system. You need some defensive studs to play the style Johnston is trying implement.

I think this is part of Johnston's thinking, right or wrong. He knows he doesn't have the defensemen to open the game up, so he is shackling the offense to help with the defense.

The Rangers under Torts did this for a lot of years, the Blues under Hitchcock, the Coyotes/Stars under Tippett, it's a pretty common strategy.

I don't know if it's the right strategy though.

 

[thedddd]

I actually like Bennett playing with Crosby. Can handle the puck and looks to be in position when Crosby puts the puck in certain areas.

 

[thedddd]

That PP was just brutal. No flow, too slow and they look like they never played together before.

 

[Darkstone42]

Man, this one has been frustrating. Can't seem to beat Berra despite really controlling most of that period.

 

[DoobeeDoobeeDoo]

Great win by the Pens, but the Avs aren't a good team. Kings will be a good test. I doubt we pass that test tho.

 

[element1286]

Letang out again. Any reports from WBS on Pouliot? The big teams defense is pathetic.

 

[scoutyjones2]

Well, currently out of the playoffs...I expect the season to end the same way