Game Thread: Penguins GDT/GNT's week 11 (Dec 15 - Dec 21)

[DoobeeDoobeeDoo]

Awful week for the Pens, going 1-0-2, could be worse if we lower our expectations and standards for this team I suppose, but I was under the impression we were supposed to be a contender. The way we have played as of late I don't see us as a true contender. The sky isn't falling, but I do see the writing on the wall. What was once the #1 offense has fallen to #3, what was once the #1 power play is now #2. Fact is we're declining rapidly, hopefully just a hitch, but I'm concerned this is becoming a trend. I just think this team needs to get better.

Here's the schedule for this week,

Monday, December 15th - Tampa Bay Lightning: big test for the Pens, they have just as much if not more offensive firepower as/than we do. Our offense and power play better wake up if we're going to keep up with them.

Thursday, December 18th - Colorado Avalanche: they're struggling this season & their starting goalie is injured, a game we should win

Saturday, December 20th - Florida Panthers: another home & home set, don't have a good feeling about this

Just wish we could go back to being the Pens that we saw at the beginning of the season, the team that put up 4 goals a game, the team that had a power play proficiency of 40%, the team that was getting shutouts in consecutive games. That was awesome, let's go back to being that!

 

[DoobeeDoobeeDoo]

Tampa Bay Lightning vs Pittsburgh Penguins

Tampa Bay Lightning
Overall record: 19-9-3 (41 points)
Road record: 12-4-1
Last 10: 6-3-1
Streak: -1
GFA: 3.36
GAA: 2.55
PP%: 21.7%
PK%: 81.4%
Projected lineup: NHL Starting Goalies and Line Combinations | DailyFaceoff.com

Pittsburgh Penguins
Overall record: 19-6-4 (42 points)
Home record: 10-4-1
Last 10: 6-2-2
Streak: -1
GFA: 3.17
GAA: 2.31
PP%: 26.3%
PK%: 86.5%
Projected lineup: NHL Starting Goalies and Line Combinations | DailyFaceoff.com

Series notes
All-time: Pens lead series 43-28-4 with 5 ties
Last season: Pens won series 3-0-0
Last meeting: 3-22-2014 @ CONSOL Energy Center, Pens won 4-3 in OT

Doob's take: Pens have had the Lightning's number, and the Lightning are struggling right now. Still tho, they got a lot of offensive firepower, some big physical players, & a goalie that takes up a lot of space. On top of that, they're going to be really hungry for a win, and while we should be hungry for a win, I have a feeling we'll be content with the 1 point we got from the Blue Jackets game. As a result, Doob picks the Lightning to win 4-2. I really hope the Pens can prove me wrong, but I see to many things working against us.

 

[Burghfan]

If we can take two this week, I'll be happy.

 

[Burghfan]

By the way, the Baby Pens are just as shorthanded as the big Pens are, but they managed to beat Hershey at home 3 - 2 in OT tonight. Dea got a goal.

 

[DoobeeDoobeeDoo]

If we're going to win tonight, we have to play the same style teams play against us. Be all nitty gritty & physical in hopes to neutralize their talent.

 

[element1286]

Rust, Farnham, and Ebbet playing hard early, damn.

 

[DoobeeDoobeeDoo]

All Lightning so far, only Penguin that's done anything so far has been MAF.

 

[element1286]

Farnham is a maniac, not sure how that wasn't boarding.

 

[DoobeeDoobeeDoo]

This game is painful to watch. Only a matter of time before the Lightning score.

 

[element1286]

PP is a disaster without Sid.

 

[DoobeeDoobeeDoo]

PP is a disaster without Sid.

Can't even get the puck into their zone

 

[DoobeeDoobeeDoo]

If not for MAF, Lightning would be up 3-0 right now.

 

[element1286]

Martin needs to be better, he has been absolutely terrible for a few weeks now.

 

[element1286]

Should have been a dive on Hedman as well as a minor on Downie.

 

[DoobeeDoobeeDoo]

At least we got some shots on goal during that power play.

 

[DoobeeDoobeeDoo]

Sutter!
Pens lead 1-0!

 

[DoobeeDoobeeDoo]

And we give it right back

 

[element1286]

Whoa 1-1, crazy 30 seconds.

 

[DoobeeDoobeeDoo]

1-1 after 1, could be a lot worse.

 

[DoobeeDoobeeDoo]

We really do look like an AHL team out there tonight. If we win this one, it'll be purely by luck.