Penguins Bad Luck Continues

[evolver115]

Staal breaks his hand


Fleury is playing like a rookie

Malkin is out with an injury

Letang is out with an injury

when will it end?

 

[puckhead]

http://www.sportshoopla.com/forums/...19418-well-so-much-finally-being-healthy.html

 

[evolver115]

is that better, puck?

 

[dash]

I'm sorry evolver, I can't see your post, it must be the shiny glare from the 2009 Stanley Cup championship...

;-)

 

[evolver115]

I'm sorry evolver, I can't see your post, it must be the shiny glare from the 2009 Stanley Cup championship...

;-)

Somehow, that glare starts looking dimmer and dimmer each day.. recently anyway.

The Pens have a major problem brewing with MAF. He is being completely outplayed right now by Johnson, and I really don't see how you can start him over Brent.

But, if you relegate him to back-up duty for the time being, how do they ever expect him to get back on his game? It's not going to happen in practice.

From what I've seen so far.. the Pens play with a completely different level of confidence with Johnny between the pipes.

 

[dash]

You guys watch the Penguins a heck of a lot more than I do, do you think it's Fleury's mechanics or is it between the ears?

 

[evolver115]

You guys watch the Penguins a heck of a lot more than I do, do you think it's Fleury's mechanics or is it between the ears?

I'd say it's a little bit of both. He is still making saves that defy logic and gravity, but then he lets in these little dribblers that an AHL'r wouldn't let in. I don't like his focus early in games, particularly when he's yet to face a shot. This seems to be between the ears.

His mechanics are off too, IMO. He's not getting his pads down all the way on these little floaters on the ice, and his coverage of the post, particularly on his right side is a deficiency. I can't believe how many 3rd and 4th liners are scoring on him, too. He'll look great against opponents top two lines, but then he makes 4th line grinders look HOF worthy.

 

[sbb122]

Between the ears i believe, his confidence is shaky at best. Once a puck goes in behind him, he loses what little confidence he had.

The inconsistency is what kills me with him. He will make 3-4 tremendous saves in a row, then the next shot rolls in behind him. From there its all downhill.

The knock on him is rebound control and puck handling. He looked soooooo much better in 2009, and now he has regressed back to his old self. Its a mystery, so i believe he is a head case.

Just my opinion.

 

[dash]

Maybe he's missing guys like Rob Scuderi and Hal Gill on defense, I know they sure like Scuderi in LA, and I used to think Gill was just a big pylon, but he has really stepped up his game in the last couple of years.

 

[sbb122]

Maybe he's missing guys like Rob Scuderi and Hal Gill on defense, I know they sure like Scuderi in LA, and I used to think Gill was just a big pylon, but he has really stepped up his game in the last couple of years.

That may be part of it as well. I never understood the knock on Gill, he performed very well for the Pens when he was here. I know he is slow as hell, but he brought a ton to the PK. But let's remember that it is the same 6 d'men playing in front of Johnny and he is getting the job done...

 

[dash]

I never understood the knock on Gill, he performed very well for the Pens when he was here

I soured on him during his days with the Bruins...

 

[evolver115]

Maybe he's missing guys like Rob Scuderi and Hal Gill on defense, I know they sure like Scuderi in LA, and I used to think Gill was just a big pylon, but he has really stepped up his game in the last couple of years.

If he's missing them, it certainly doesn't seem like it's having the same impact on Brent. Johnny has looked outstanding. He's undefeated in regulation and is top 2 in GAA and SV%.

Not saying the defense in front of Fleury has been above average, but they are currently 4th in the league in shots against per game @ 26.9per.

 

[sbb122]

Lol dash. I guess one of the reasons i couldn't understand all the criticism of Gill was because i watched him shut down Jagr every time he was matched up against him over the years.

 

[loki604]

Fleury has always played better when he is in the action more. When the Penguins get off to good starts in games, it's just that much more likely that Fleury will let in the first shot he faces. Mostly, it is mental, but the team isn't really doing him any favors in most of the game he's played.

Luckily we have some clusters of games here. Split starts between BJ and Fleury. When Fleury has a good effort, put him in consecutive games.

 

[Urkie]

Maybe it's time for a new goalie coach. Sometimes that's all a goalie needs to get back on track.

What's the situation regarding the goalie coach anyway? I'm unfamilar with it.

 

[dash]

What's the situation regarding the goalie coach anyway? I'm unfamilar with it.

Honus informed me last week that Gilles Meloche is the Pens goaltending coach.

 

[Urkie]

Honus informed me last week that Gilles Meloche is the Pens goaltending coach.

He's been the goaltending coach for a long time it appears. Maybe it really is time to bring in a new set of eyes. It's worked wonders for numerous goalies over the years.

Recently, Kiprusoff got a new goalie coach and it really seemed to help him. Isn't that right, Dash?

 

[KennyBanyeah]

If he's missing them, it certainly doesn't seem like it's having the same impact on Brent. Johnny has looked outstanding. He's undefeated in regulation and is top 2 in GAA and SV%.

Not saying the defense in front of Fleury has been above average, but they are currently 4th in the league in shots against per game @ 26.9per.

I agree with this. Besides it's not like Martin, Michalek etc. are a downgrade from Scuds and Hal (Todd) Gill

 

[loki604]

He's been the goaltending coach for a long time it appears. Maybe it really is time to bring in a new set of eyes. It's worked wonders for numerous goalies over the years.

Recently, Kiprusoff got a new goalie coach and it really seemed to help him. Isn't that right, Dash?

I would agree with this. Fleury has been regressing for a couple years now. Time to change strategy.

 

[dash]

Recently, Kiprusoff got a new goalie coach and it really seemed to help him. Isn't that right, Dash?

Yes he did (former Flames goalie Jamie 'Noodles' McLellan) - This is Noodles second season as Kipper's coach.

Noodles is a favourite among Wings fans for his lovetap on Johan Franzen in the playoffs a few years ago that had all of Hockeytown apoplectic.