Game Thread: Penguins GDT/GNT's week 5 (Nov 3 - Nov 9)

[DoobeeDoobeeDoo]

Pens win!

 

[DoobeeDoobeeDoo]

Wasn't pretty but I'll take it.

6 in a row fellaz

 

[evolver115]

What an ugly win. I bet the official scorer has writer's cramp keeping track of the march to the penalty box after that one.

So glad they beat those punks. When they come to Pittsburgh later this season I hope someone steamrolls Byfuglien. I'm sure Downie won't forget that.

 

[Gooch1034]

Wasn't pretty but good to see some of the other guys step up and put the puck in the net. Games like that just aren't much fun to watch even though the Pens won.

 

[DoobeeDoobeeDoo]

What an ugly win. I bet the official scorer has writer's cramp keeping track of the march to the penalty box after that one.

So glad they beat those punks. When they come to Pittsburgh later this season I hope someone steamrolls Byfuglien. I'm sure Downie won't forget that.

Lot's of dirty play by the Jets, but they played us well. I fear that other teams will take notice and try to play us the same way from here on out. Pens will have to get better playing thru games like these. Was a win, but a win that raises lots of concerns about the Pens. We won't have the shootout come playoff time.

 

[evolver115]

Lot's of dirty play by the Jets, but they played us well. I fear that other teams will take notice and try to play us the same way from here on out. Pens will have to get better playing thru games like these. Was a win, but a win that raises lots of concerns about the Pens. We won't have the shootout come playoff time.

Yeah, it's a good point Doob. Johnston needs to get them to reign it in a bit. Gotta keep a level head.

Have to admit though, if Devorski would have given Byfuglien a call that matched his cheapshot, I think that would have changed things. They lost control of the game for the duration after that happened. It became hard to watch, honestly. I couldn't change the channel, though. It was a train wreck and I couldn't take my eyes off it

 

[DoobeeDoobeeDoo]

Yeah, it's a good point Doob. Johnston needs to get them to reign it in a bit. Gotta keep a level head.

Have to admit though, if Devorski would have given Byfuglien a call that matched his cheapshot, I think that would have changed things. They lost control of the game for the duration after that happened. It became hard to watch, honestly. I couldn't change the channel, though. It was a train wreck and I couldn't take my eyes off it

Yeah, Byfuglien should've been tossed, no doubt. I think it was because it was on Downie they gave him the benefit of the doubt, but that was almost like what Dale Hunter did to Pierre Turgeon back in 1993.

 

[evolver115]

Yeah, Byfuglien should've been tossed, no doubt. I think it was because it was on Downie they gave him the benefit of the doubt, but that was almost like what Dale Hunter did to Pierre Turgeon back in 1993.

Yeah, and Hunter got a lengthy suspension for that cheapshot, too! Doubt Buf even gets a phone call.

 

[DoobeeDoobeeDoo]

Yeah, and Hunter got a lengthy suspension for that cheapshot, too! Doubt Buf even gets a phone call.

Yeah, NHL plays favorites no doubt.

 

[Todd1a]

Love seeing steve dowine playing well bad cheap shot on him after that goal.

 

[DoobeeDoobeeDoo]

Love seeing steve dowine playing well bad cheap shot on him after that goal.

Wasn't too enthused about the Downie signing at first, but he's done really well for us so far.

 

[Burghfan]

Lot's of dirty play by the Jets, but they played us well. I fear that other teams will take notice and try to play us the same way from here on out. Pens will have to get better playing thru games like these. Was a win, but a win that raises lots of concerns about the Pens. We won't have the shootout come playoff time.

That's how you beat the Penguins. Close, tight checking, and a lot of dirt. I've noticed that this year they seem to be playing through the hooks and the holds better than they did last year, but the Jets took it up a notch. Downie definitely lost it out there but the Jets seemed to be focusing on him. Hopefully Johnston will sit the boys down and remind them to keep playing hockey.

That being said I thought Sid had a horrible game. He disappeared a couple times, particularly early on, when the puck was in the Pens zone. At times he was skating like he was at a public session and some of those passes were horrible. I don't know what was wrong, but I hope he fixes it for Buffalo.

 

[Burghfan]

Yeah, and Hunter got a lengthy suspension for that cheapshot, too! Doubt Buf even gets a phone call.

He didn't even get 10 for that. And people complain about Sid getting special treatment.

 

[element1286]

Wasn't too enthused about the Downie signing at first, but he's done really well for us so far.

Definitely a guy you love when he is on your side, hate him when he isn't.

 

[element1286]

That's how you beat the Penguins. Close, tight checking, and a lot of dirt. I've noticed that this year they seem to be playing through the hooks and the holds better than they did last year, but the Jets took it up a notch. Downie definitely lost it out there but the Jets seemed to be focusing on him. Hopefully Johnston will sit the boys down and remind them to keep playing hockey.

That being said I thought Sid had a horrible game. He disappeared a couple times, particularly early on, when the puck was in the Pens zone. At times he was skating like he was at a public session and some of those passes were horrible. I don't know what was wrong, but I hope he fixes it for Buffalo.

Pens need to play more controlled for sure. Jets are big and fast, they want to play an up and down game. Need to slow it down, puck possession wins you that game in a more comfortable fashion, and keeps the Jets emotions in check. Easier said than done obviously.

Think one thing this team is missing is some size in the bottom six. They have some heart guys, but Adams/Sill/Downie are only so effective against guys who are 6'4" and bigger; Jets, BlueJackets, Stars, and Flyers all being bad matchups.

 

[evolver115]

Figured this was worth sharing:

 

[DoobeeDoobeeDoo]

Pittsburgh Penguins vs Buffalo Sabres

Pittsburgh Penguins
Overall record: 9-2-1 (19 points)
Road record: 4-0-1
Last 10: 7-2-1
Streak: +6
GFA: 4.00
GAA: 2.17
PP%: 37.2%
PK%: 87.8%
Projected lineup: NHL Starting Goalies and Line Combinations | DailyFaceoff.com

Buffalo Sabres
Overall record: 3-10-2 (8 points)
Home record: 1-5-2
Last 10: 2-6-2
Streak: -2
GFA: 1.13
GAA: 3.13
PP%: 4.3%
PK%: 83.0%
Projected lineup: NHL Starting Goalies and Line Combinations | DailyFaceoff.com

Series notes
All-time: Pens lead series 78-62-2 with 35 ties
Last season: Pens won series 3-0-0
This season: Pens lead series 1-0-0
Last meeting: 11-1-2014 @ CONSOL Energy Center, Pens won 5-0

Doob's take: Pens are red hot while the Sabres are about as low as you could go. Still tho, Doobster is sort of worried about the Pens after that game against the Jets. Saw how physical and dirty play could give our beloved Pens some fits. I could see the Sabres employing the same strategy to neutralize our talent advantage and getting in our heads. We'll see if the Pens learned their lessons from the Jets game or if this is something us Pens fans will have to worry about this season. Doob picks the Pens to win 3-1.

LET'S GO PENS!

 

[DoobeeDoobeeDoo]

Statistically this might be the biggest mismatch in the NHL…

Point%
Penguins: 79.2% (1st in the NHL)
Sabres: 26.7% (30th in the NHL)

Goals per game
Penguins: 4.00 (1st in the NHL)
Sabres: 1.13 (30th in the NHL)

PP%
Penguins: 37.2% (1st in the NHL)
Sabres: 4.3% (30th in the NHL)

We better not lose this one.

 

[DoobeeDoobeeDoo]

Drew Stafford currently leads the Sabres with 8 points.

As of now, there are 7 Penguins that have scored 8 or more points.

 

[DoobeeDoobeeDoo]

Probable goalie matchup…

MAF
W-L: 8-2-0
GAA: 1.99
SV%: .930
SO: 3

Jhonas Enroth
W-L: 1-6-1
GAA: 3.34
SV%: .908
SO: 0