Game Thread: Penguins GNT/GDT week 9 (Nov 30 - Dec 6)

[evolver115]

Someone mentioned Sid needs someone who can carry the puck on his wing. Kunitz can't do that anymore, and it was never part of Hornqvist's game. I wonder if moving Perron onto Sid's wing would work. Perron on the left, Hornqvist on the right. Geno's already got another puck carrier in Kessel, and Perron's been relegated to net-crasher on that line. I think it would be a better use of his skills to put him with Sid and try to jump start him. Kunitz would be fine on Geno's left since he wouldn't have to carry the puck much and could do what he's still decent at throwing the body around and working in front of the net.

Even though I already know this won't happen, I would really like to see what Daniel Sprong could do playing on Crosby's wing. Put Sprong on the right, mix and match Dupuis, Hornqvist, Kunitz and Plotnikov on the left and see what happens.

From his limited action he's seen in 14 starts, Sprong just seems to be able to find that open ice in the offensive zone. I guarantee Sid would find Sprong if he is getting open. Johnston just won't play the kid, like at all. What the heck was the point of burning his first year off his rookie contract if all he's going to do is watch from the rafters?

 

[Darkstone42]

Even though I already know this won't happen, I would really like to see what Daniel Sprong could do playing on Crosby's wing. Put Sprong on the right, mix and match Dupuis, Hornqvist, Kunitz and Plotnikov on the left and see what happens.

From his limited action he's seen in 14 starts, Sprong just seems to be able to find that open ice in the offensive zone. I guarantee Sid would find Sprong if he is getting open. Johnston just won't play the kid, like at all. What the heck was the point of burning his first year off his rookie contract if all he's going to do is watch from the rafters?

If he does play, that's where he'd have to be. He's not a bottom six player, doesn't have the ability to be effective in that role. I think he's sitting mostly because Johnston's trying to use Dupuis in the top six, but Dupuis doesn't need to be in the top 6.

I'd like to see Sprong and Hornqvist on Crosby's wings, the Perron-Malkin-Kessel line kept together, and and Dupuis-Bonino-Bennett third and Kunitz-Cullen-Fehr fourth. Plotnikov has played well lately, but I think he's our worst forward, so he sits. Or goes to the AHL to work on his skills in case he can someday be a top-6 option.

My proposal, though, is operating under the assumption Sprong won't play.

 

[thedddd]

The fact that Sprong is not playing is mind blowing. With that said these last few games prove that Dupuis and Kunitz can't be Crosby's wings anymore.

 

[scoutyjones2]

I think Crosby can't be the center for Kuni and Duper. Crosby is a shell of anything he has ever been...dude doesn't shoot, can't crash the boards/forecheck, can't defend, and doesn't score unless it's a PP. He's horrible...pisses me off how shitty he is with all the supposed talent he has

 

[Darkstone42]

Maatta in, Letang out tonight.

 

[thedddd]

I hope Letangs injury isn't long term and more of a game off. Sounds like it was something lingering for a while?

 

[thedddd]

I think Crosby can't be the center for Kuni and Duper. Crosby is a shell of anything he has ever been...dude doesn't shoot, can't crash the boards/forecheck, can't defend, and doesn't score unless it's a PP. He's horrible...pisses me off how shitty he is with all the supposed talent he has

Honestly it is not just Crosby it is all three of them. Dupuis's health, Kunitz -age is catching up to him and Crosby unfortunately all the injuries he had over the years were going to catch up to him sooner than most.

 

[scoutyjones2]

We gonna win this thing today??? I am a hopin! But I am more concerned with my Spartans!

Go Sparty!

 

[Darkstone42]

Oh my god, there's so much obstruction in this game. It's so slow.

 

[Darkstone42]

Also, Dupuis and Kunitz are showing why they shouldn't be on Sid's wings. Kunitz checked Crosby while he was controlling the puck in the corner and fanned on a wide-open outlet pass to Crosby from his own zone, and Dupuis has not fared much better handling the puck.

 

[Darkstone42]

Scuderi looks extra brutal early in this one.

 

[Darkstone42]

And there he is taking a stupid and pointless holding penalty because he can't skate.

 

[Darkstone42]

Scuderi got out of the box and promptly went back in on a delay of game.

And the Kings score instantly, so now he's back out.

 

[Darkstone42]

Ehrhoff makes it 2-0, takes the pass on the rush, and Scuderi just backs up and stands there, and Ehrhoff made no mistake with all that time and space in the slot.

I think once Letang is healthy, Scuds will be the odd man out, especially with the way Warsofsky has been playing.

 

[Darkstone42]

Lucic scores on a 2-on-1 after Cullen's shot is blocked straight into the neutral zone, but Kunitz responds with a goal from Crosby to bring the deficit back to 2. Bennett now on Sid's right, and the first shift looked good.

 

[Darkstone42]

Three players go to Kopitar, and Muzzin is left wide open as a result. 4-1 now.

 

[Darkstone42]

Kessel's missed the net twice with golden opportunities. On the other hand, Crosby looks more like himself today. Controlling the puck well, working behind and at the front of the net more, generating on his own.

 

[Darkstone42]

Back to a two-goal deficit as Maatta scores on a backhand from the slot. Fed by Kunitz who won a battle behind the net.

 

[Darkstone42]

Crosby carrying down the left wing, both players with him go to the net. That's great, going to the net, but someone has to hang back. They just generated too much congestion, there was nowhere to go. If one goes to the net and the other hangs back, they get a nice look from the slot with traffic.

 

[Darkstone42]

Sid with a truly gorgeous tip in to bring the Pens within 1. He's clicking with Bennett and Kunitz as his wings.