Game Thread: Penguins GDT/GNT's week 13 (Dec 29 - Jan 4)

[DoobeeDoobeeDoo]

Following up a week where we went 0-2-1, Pens looking to bounce back. We got 4 games this week…

Monday (Dec 29th): @ New Jersey Devils

Wednesday (Dec 31st): vs Carolina Hurricanes

Friday (Jan 2nd): vs Tampa Bay Lightning

Saturday (Jan 3rd): vs Montreal Canadiens

Winnable games, but IDK with this team

 

[Burghfan]

I'm with you Doobster. You just don't know with this team anymore.

At the end of the last thread we were talking about all the injuries. It wouldn't be so bad if this was some freak occurrence, but this seems to be an annual event. When was the last time we went through a season when we didn't have more guys hurt than healthy? Now on top of the injuries we have the mumps!

 

[DoobeeDoobeeDoo]

I'm with you Doobster. You just don't know with this team anymore.

At the end of the last thread we were talking about all the injuries. It wouldn't be so bad if this was some freak occurrence, but this seems to be an annual event. When was the last time we went through a season when we didn't have more guys hurt than healthy? Now on top of the injuries we have the mumps!

Mumps!

 

[DoobeeDoobeeDoo]

Pittsburgh Penguins vs New Jersey Devils

Pittsburgh Penguins
Overall record: 22-8-5 (49 points)
Road record: 9-3-4
Last 10: 5-2-3
Streak: -3
GFA: 3.03
GAA: 2.29
PP%: 23.1%
PK%: 87.3%
Projected lineup:NHL Starting Goalies and Line Combinations | DailyFaceoff.com

New Jersey Devils
Overall record: 12-18-7 (31 points)
Home record: 4-6-5
Last 10: 2-5-3
Streak: -3
GFA: 2.08
GAA: 2.73
PP%: 20.2%
PK%: 78.2%
Projected lineup: NHL Starting Goalies and Line Combinations | DailyFaceoff.com

Series notes
All-time: Devils lead series 107-91-3 with 17 ties
Last season: Series tied 2-2
This season: Pens lead series 2-0
Last meeting: 12-2-2014 @ CONSOL Energy Center, Pens won 1-0

Doob's take: both teams have been struggling, Pens have won both meetings so far, but the Devils made a coaching change so who knows what to expect? Last time these 2 teams played the Devils outplayed the Pens but lost 1-0 because of MAF. Not sure what to expect this time around, I'll pick the Pens to win 2-1 but really have no clue, Pens really haven't lived up to expectations as of late.

 

[thedddd]

I am not concerned with the Devil game, normally a coaching change energizes a team but I doubt the players will get going for Lou.

The rest are a crap shoot, the Pens aren't playing awful but you can't survive on AHL talent for an extended period of time.

 

[Toddyd77]

Danny Heatley was put on waivers by the ducks. Magnus Paajarvi put on waivers by the Blues.
Not saying either would be great but both have low contracts that expire at the end of this season. Heatley 1mil and Paajarvi 1.2 mil.
Any thoguhts if the Pens take a gamble and make a claim on either of these guys with all the injuries/mumps.

 

[thedddd]

So was Derek Roy.

To be honest not sure any of the three would help, maybe Heatley/Roy but they are way past their primes and probably not to Paajarvi (really no different that to the AHL filler they have now), wonder what happned to him? He never panned out.

 

[I_Shall_Return]

Good luck tonight against the coached by committee Devils! I hope you all get healthy soon. Cover that 42 yr old! He seems to be their only playmaker.

 

[element1286]

Danny Heatley was put on waivers by the ducks. Magnus Paajarvi put on waivers by the Blues.
Not saying either would be great but both have low contracts that expire at the end of this season. Heatley 1mil and Paajarvi 1.2 mil.
Any thoguhts if the Pens take a gamble and make a claim on either of these guys with all the injuries/mumps.

Can you get rid of those guys though? I don't think you can hide them in the minors anymore and have them off the cap.

 

[DoobeeDoobeeDoo]

Skid!
1-0 Pens!

 

[Darkstone42]

What is wrong with the refs? Tootoo should have gotten an extra two for wailing on an unsuspecting Bortuzzo, Fluery was taken out and slashed with no call. That's unacceptable.

 

[element1286]

1996 refs out there, hook up the man carrying the puck and ride along. Guys should be fired.

 

[element1286]

Yeah, good job Kunitz, cute passes to the middle of the ice, that'll get it done. Amazing how often Sid and Kunitz throw passes without looking in the defensive zone.

 

[DoobeeDoobeeDoo]

Now we can't even beat the Devils

 

[element1286]

Devils are playing well, can't take that away from them, but the Pens are awful in every capacity.

 

[DoobeeDoobeeDoo]

Devils are playing well, can't take that away from them, but the Pens are awful in every capacity.

Funny how all these awful teams always seem to play really well when they play us

 

[I_Shall_Return]

Jersey
We have trouble with them too! Keep your beaks up my friends!

 

[Burghfan]

What is wrong with the refs? Tootoo should have gotten an extra two for wailing on an unsuspecting Bortuzzo, Fluery was taken out and slashed with no call. That's unacceptable.

I could not believe that the officials let them plow into Fluery without giving them a penalty. Tootoo attacking Bortuzzo and not getting an instigator penalty was even more mind boggling.

Didn't matter though, because the Pens couldn't get the puck out of their own zone. They kept setting New Jersey up with great chances all night long. Of course the hooking and holding helped the Devils keep the Pens pinned too. What was up when Letang got flipped in the corner without a call?

They are starting to get painful to watch again.

 

[Burghfan]

I watched a little of the Boston/Detroit game and they showed a little graphic of how "shorthanded" the Bruins were. They were missing Lucic and 3 other players. Meanwhile the same graphic for the Pens runs to about, what, 12 players and takes up the whole screen.

 

[thedddd]

Well screw that I am not predicting games anymore. I truly thought they would have beat NJ .

Anyway heard the news Bennett might be back for Wednesday games....Any Over/Under on how many games played before he gets hurt again or better yet how many minutes before?
Seriously though it is good to see him back they need any help they can get right now.


This is starting to remind me of the muskegon line days but at least they produced when needed.

Just did a quick check (Forwards only: Sill, Farmham, Uher, Wilson, Megna, Rust and Ebbett).
Games Played: 68 Goals: 1 Assists: 3 +/-: -7
Without Sill: GP: 43 Goals: 1 Assists: 3 +/-: -6
Didn't look at any advanced stats but that is pretty telling alone.