Grizzly Bears vs Penguins GNT

[pixburgher66]

This is one of those games where you sit and try to pick out every little thing that went wrong...where you sit and ponder what the issue is and how to fix it. The scary part is...after pondering this, there is no easy fix. This wasn't simply a bad goaltending night, it wasn't simply the offense not producing enough, and it wasn't SIMPLY the defense crapping the bed (close though...close). It was the entire team collectively falling apart. The team is very weak mentally right now, and that's both scary and unwarranted. This is still the greater part of a Stanley Cup champion team that is tearing at the seams right now...I don't know what it'll take to get the train back on track, but they need to find some consistency and some confidence NOW.

 

[SLY]

This is one of those games where you sit and try to pick out every little thing that went wrong...where you sit and ponder what the issue is and how to fix it. The scary part is...after pondering this, there is no easy fix. This wasn't simply a bad goaltending night, it wasn't simply the offense not producing enough, and it wasn't SIMPLY the defense crapping the bed (close though...close). It was the entire team collectively falling apart. The team is very weak mentally right now, and that's both scary and unwarranted. This is still the greater part of a Stanley Cup champion team that is tearing at the seams right now...I don't know what it'll take to get the train back on track, but they need to find some consistency and some confidence NOW.

 

[loki604]

That was a fun one to attend.

Gee, if only hockey games lasted just 40 minutes.

 

[Dacks]

This team doesn't play with any system or identity, which is why, as much as I love the guy, Bylsma probably has to go.

When he came in, they already had a defensive system from Therrien, they just needed to be given a little more freedom on offense. Bylsma did that, and it worked brilliantly for a few months, right up to the SC win. But I don't think he's got the chops to handle a full season as head coach.

 

[JustAsking]

This is one of those games where you sit and try to pick out every little thing that went wrong...where you sit and ponder what the issue is and how to fix it. The scary part is...after pondering this, there is no easy fix. This wasn't simply a bad goaltending night, it wasn't simply the offense not producing enough, and it wasn't SIMPLY the defense crapping the bed (close though...close). It was the entire team collectively falling apart. The team is very weak mentally right now, and that's both scary and unwarranted. This is still the greater part of a Stanley Cup champion team that is tearing at the seams right now...I don't know what it'll take to get the train back on track, but they need to find some consistency and some confidence NOW.

I disagree. A team that nets 4 goals, and that isn't enough offense? It better be. A team that gives up 4 (5 eng) in the 3rd period is a defensive collapse... Pens defense is soft, we allow skaters to goal position without even a battle. Horrible decision making on when to pinch, Martin-Michalek are learning the system and eachother, and ditto with Lovejoy/engelland-Goligoski. this team gives up more odd man rushes than any team I have seen this year, and some of them start in the pens defensive zone... when the puck is behind the net, everyone is watching the puck and it's too easy to find the soft spots. The Pens defense (forwards also to blame) is awful right now. Plain and simple. They can't cover, they allow players to get behind them, and the make poor decisions.

I agree they better find some consistency. The Pens spent a lot of money on defense this year, and they need to step up their games. When Cooke and Asham are on line two, that's not an offensive power house of a team, 4 goals better be enough.

 

[JustAsking]

I also do not over react. IMO... folks calling for trades or firings are. the sky is not falling, there are new players on this team that are still learning... half of the defense were not pittsburgh penguins last year... u must give them some time to adjust.

 

[pixburgher66]

JA, I wasn't saying 4 goals isn't enough (it darn well should be), I was just alluding to the normal excuses from our losses this year and how they really don't apply. Last night was an entire team falling apart. It wasn't just the D being soft, it was just a break down. However, I personally feel that if Gogo had been replaced with a more capable player last night the game would've at least been closer. He was just horrid. And I agree that anyone calling for trades/firings is nuts...way too early and there's no apparent 'issues' between coach and player. However, it does SEEM that D.B. is playing favorites and just not being hard on those favorite players. But, we really have no idea of what goes on during practice, so it's hard to make any assumption.

 

[loki604]

1) They're not going to fire Bylsma and be paying three coaches.

2) Bylsma needs to step up and realize that what he's doing isn't working. There needs to be more structure. The fact that he doesn't seem to be changing anything is what scares me.

The Pens allowed TWELVE odd man rushes yesterday. TWELVE. Awful. I couldn't believe it when Gogo made that awful pinch that resulted in the GWG. It's a 4-4 game where you've already come out flat and allowed two goals in third and your first instinct is to PINCH? That shows where this team is at right now.

Brooks Orpik showing why he would make a great captain. He said the defensemen need to stop playing like forwards.

 

[sbb122]

The Pens totally fell apart defensively in the 3rd. What amazed me most about the game was Thomas kicking out 10-12 rebounds that nobody was in position to bury. It was comical to see. If the forwards were going to the net they could have put up 8-10 goals easily.

 

[evolver115]

I also do not over react. IMO... folks calling for trades or firings are. the sky is not falling, there are new players on this team that are still learning... half of the defense were not pittsburgh penguins last year... u must give them some time to adjust.

I have no problem cutting Michalek some slack. He's played, what 6 or 7 games for the Pens? Same for Martin. He's learning a new defensive system than what he was used to in Jersey....but Goligoski? No slack for that guy. This is basically his third season up with the big boys. Go-go is undersized, and he plays like it. I'm sick of him and his hansy-fransy play on defense. He's way too timid, and teams are taking advantage of him.

 

[SLY]

If its any consolation, you guys beat us in the toe to toe matches.

 

[evolver115]

The decision by Bylsma to skate Lovejoy over Engelland as the 6th D-man is questionable. Lovejoy has done nothing to earn that position over Engelland as far as I'm concerned.

 

[HonusWagner66]

I'm personally shocked that a team that has three of their defensemen -- one new guy and two young guys -- playing the rover position where they're free to roam around the ice is getting burnt every once in a while.

 

[JustAsking]

Engelland had a bad game against the Yotes... both of the first period goals where his fault, so i was not surprised in seeing lovejoy. I was nervous though when I saw lovejoy and gogo paired together. I agree with gogo has been disappointing. I said it before the year started, I expect to see Gogo traded. Why, well, we need an open roster spot for Despres next year. But, I'm not sure who can replace Gogo this year, Engelland and Lovejoy both dressing or getting a d-man in return from the trade, I suppose. Please don't confuse that with me saying we need to trade someone because of performance.

I like Orpik-Letang. Martin-Gogo. Michalek-Engelland/Lovejoy. This defense should be one of the better in the league.

 

[evolver115]

Engelland had a bad game against the Yotes... both of the first period goals where his fault, so i was not surprised in seeing lovejoy. I was nervous though when I saw lovejoy and gogo paired together. I agree with gogo has been disappointing. I said it before the year started, I expect to see Gogo traded. Why, well, we need an open roster spot for Despres next year. But, I'm not sure who can replace Gogo this year, Engelland and Lovejoy both dressing or getting a d-man in return from the trade, I suppose. Please don't confuse that with me saying we need to trade someone because of performance.

I like Orpik-Letang. Martin-Gogo. Michalek-Engelland/Lovejoy. This defense should be one of the better in the league.

I was just surprised to see Engelland as a healthy scratch. Considering the bad blood that exists between the two teams, I just figured his work as a enforcer would have been valued more than what Lovejoy brought to the table.

I wouldn't mind seeing Goligoski traded. He has a very workable contract, and he does do a nice job on the power-play.

 

[loki604]

They can trade his ass based on that pinch alone as far as I'm concerned.

Yes, I'm that pissed.

 

[BOSSMANPC]

They can trade his ass based on that pinch alone as far as I'm concerned.

Yes, I'm that pissed.

What's up in the papers and talk radio, are the natives getting restless yet in the Burgh?

 

[pixburgher66]

What's up in the papers and talk radio, are the natives getting restless yet in the Burgh?

Well, it's beginning to mount that's for sure, but the issues have been put on Fleury mostly...not the D. The D as a whole hasn't been horrific, but a few guys have been making them look pretty bad.

 

[IPostedWhat]

Maybe the Pens just need to get another new head coach?

Didn't that work the last time they were in a slump?

 

[BOSSMANPC]

Well, it's beginning to mount that's for sure, but the issues have been put on Fleury mostly...not the D. The D as a whole hasn't been horrific, but a few guys have been making them look pretty bad.

Thank's Pix and why don't you make some predictions in the prediction thread?