Game Thread: @ Tampa Bay Lightning

[DoobeeDoobeeDoo]

Projected lineups

Pittsburgh Penguins
L1: Chris Kunitz - Sidney Crosby - Pascal Dupuis
L2: Jussi Jokinen - Evgeni Malkin - Beau Bennett
L3: Dustin Jeffrey - Brandon Sutter - Chuck Kobasew
L4: Tanner Glass - Joe Vitale - Craig Adams
D1: Brooks Orpik - Paul Martin
D2: Rob Scuderi - Matt Niskanen
D3: Olli Maatta - Robert Bortuzzo
G: Marc-Andre Fleury

Tampa Bay Lightning
L1: Ryan Malone - Steven Stamkos - Martin St. Louis
L2: Alex Killorn - Valtteri Filppula - Richard Panik
L3: Ondrej Palat - Tyler Johnson - Teddy Purcell
L4: Pierre-Cedric Labrie - Nate Thompson - BJ Crombeen
D1: Matt Carle - Radko Gudas
D2: Sami Salo - Victor Hedman
D3: Andrej Sustr - Eric Brewer
G: Anders Lindback

Series notes
All-time: Pens lead series 40-28-4 plus 5 ties
Last season: Pens won series 3-0
Last meeting: 4/11/13 @ Tampa Bay, Pens won 6-3

Doobs' view
Pens are coming off their worst game of the season last night, going down to the Florida Panthers by a score of 6-3. Pens looked really sloppy with the puck and confused without the puck. Lightning have been playing really well as of late, with comeback wins against the Blackhawks & Sabres while blowing out the Panthers. With the Pens playing last night and the game being at Tampa, I expect a very tough game. Pens did however catch a break with Ben Bishop being out with a day to day injury, really felt he's been the main reason for the Lightning's success early on. Pens really got a lot to prove for this game, losing 6-3 to the Panthers last night was inexcusable. I look for a bounce back game in this one. If we drop this one as well, then there might be some cause for concern.

Doob's pick: Pens win 3-2

 

[DoobeeDoobeeDoo]

Great game by both teams, Sid with the hatty. Not too pleased with the lazy penalties we take defensively tho. It's a sign that we're playing sloppy D.

 

[mtm166]

They were lucky in this one. I just see the same things that cost us games last year and in the playoffs. They're simply not committed to the defensive zone and the constant forcing of the stretch pass is just a turnover waiting to happen. I see the same team making the same mistakes and refusing to adapt, even a little. They won, but this is not an encouraging sign.

 

[DoobeeDoobeeDoo]

Yeah, very lucky to win this one, really looked like it was going to go the same was as the Panthers game. I'm not too concerned at this point seeing how early we are into the season, but we do need to tighten up on D, that's for sure.

 

[DoobeeDoobeeDoo]

In honor of Sid's hat trick

 

[DoobeeDoobeeDoo]

Good news is that this is the status of the Metro division so far...

 

[DoobeeDoobeeDoo]

3 words to describe Sid...



[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PyYsQslD2tQ]best zelda techno - YouTube[/ame]

 

[evolver115]

Good news is that this is the status of the Metro division so far...

View attachment 6981

How come I don't see Philthy's logo?

 

[DoobeeDoobeeDoo]

How come I don't see Philthy's logo?

Either I forgot them or they sunk to the bottom.

 

[scoutyjones2]

They were lucky in this one. I just see the same things that cost us games last year and in the playoffs. They're simply not committed to the defensive zone and the constant forcing of the stretch pass is just a turnover waiting to happen. I see the same team making the same mistakes and refusing to adapt, even a little. They won, but this is not an encouraging sign.

agreed...they play like crap...D isn't improved, they are just playing crappy teams for the most part...oh, and Malkintent is still non-existent for most games...how can you justify his salary??? Or DLetang?

 

[DoobeeDoobeeDoo]

agreed...they play like crap...D isn't improved, they are just playing crappy teams for the most part...oh, and Malkintent is still non-existent for most games...how can you justify his salary??? Or DLetang?

Gotta disagree about Geno, has done a nice job setting up teammates. That game winning goal by was scored because Geno drew so much attention to himself, thus leaving Nisky wide open to put the game away,

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=taWBPlB-RTs]Matt Niskanen Game Winning Goal : Pittsburgh Penguins v Tampa Bay Lightning : October 12 2013 - YouTube[/ame]

 

[I_Shall_Return]

Yea, and we still don't have a D. Great game though & good job on finding a way to win Pens.

 

[DoobeeDoobeeDoo]

Yea, and we still don't have a D. Great game though & good job on finding a way to win Pens.

Same here, I think both our teams need to work on the defense. Good thing it's a long season so we got time to work on that.

 

[I_Shall_Return]

I was thinking, since the Bucs are so horrible, maybe the Bolts can borrow their punter. He'd prolly be a step up to our D!

 

[DoobeeDoobeeDoo]

Steelers suck also. Glad it's hockey season.