Game Thread: Pittsburgh Penguins(1) vs. Columbus Blue Jackets(WC 1)| ECQF

[evolver115]

Overall, with the exception of the Dubi attack in game one, and a few rare isolated incidents for each team, I think this has been a relatively cheap-shoot free series. When they are allowed to play, they are playing it hard and clean. I know that is a rarity nowadays.

I agree with this. It is refreshing to see and I hope that it continues through the remainder of this series.

My reaction wasn't necessarily aimed squarely at you either. I wonder if anyone would really honestly say that Jackets would not have swamped the Pens in that first period if not for the flow killers. Anyone? Obviously, it is sharp in my mind. And it seems that nowhere am I finding anyone outside a select few who are contradicting my assessment that the Jackets had control at first. Fleury was rattled and got a chance to settle down thanks to a series of highly suspect calls.

I'll say this... during that time in the first period when the Pens were getting chance after chance on the powerplay I was cursing it at the same time because I knew the dreaded makeup calls would come into play as soon as the refs could find a reason to whistle a Pen for anything. And that is exactly what happened. Niskanen's cross-check was weak, Scuderi's interference was a play that happens pretty much all game long in most playoff games, particularly if it's the Red Wings and that hook on Letang in the third was weak.

Why do we still act surprised and get all up in arms about the officiating in the NHL? They have been this way for decades. As soon as the playoffs begin, the inconsistency and head scratching calls come out of the woodwork. It is as predicable as the sun rising in the east and setting in the west. You can count on it. They have no clue what they're doing when the intensity ramps up and the players are flying around faster than what they're used to through an 82 game slate.

 

[pixburgher66]

I agree with this. It is refreshing to see and I hope that it continues through the remainder of this series.




I'll say this... during that time in the first period when the Pens were getting chance after chance on the powerplay I was cursing it at the same time because I knew the dreaded makeup calls would come into play as soon as the refs could find a reason to whistle a Pen for anything. And that is exactly what happened. Niskanen's cross-check was weak, Scuderi's interference was a play that happens pretty much all game long in most playoff games, particularly if it's the Red Wings and that hook on Letang in the third was weak.

Why do we still act surprised and get all up in arms about the officiating in the NHL? They have been this way for decades. As soon as the playoffs begin, the inconsistency and head scratching calls come out of the woodwork. It is as predicable as the sun rising in the east and setting in the west. You can count on it. They have no clue what they're doing when the intensity ramps up and the players are flying around faster than what they're used to through an 82 game slate.

I'm confused because after years of watching playoff hockey I've become used to FEWER calls, not calling something like snowing the goalie. IT. IS. THE. PLAYOFFS. I want as much 5v5 hockey as possible.

 

[pixburgher66]

Goc and Gibbons on the ice for practice today.

 

[pixburgher66]

You know a move by Blysma that warmed my heart? Rob Scuderi only played 14MIN last night. I know a lot of people have clamored for Letang to sit (for reasons fully understood), but if there's a guy they should sit for a game because they can easily replace his value...it's Scuds.

 

[Darkstone42]

You know a move by Blysma that warmed my heart? Rob Scuderi only played 14MIN last night. I know a lot of people have clamored for Letang to sit (for reasons fully understood), but if there's a guy they should sit for a game because they can easily replace his value...it's Scuds.

Bring on Despres!

At least he can skate.

 

[forty_three]

I have always liked Scuderi, even Orpik. But neither of those guys has an answer for little waterbugs like Calvert or Atkinson.

Naturally, I hope they stay in.

I also kind of expected Letang to have some rust. Maybe not that much. But I have been surprised at how behind Martin has looked.

 

[dash]

 

[forty_three]

Well, shit. Now I gotta check my receipt.

That place is awesome.

 

[pixburgher66]

I have always liked Scuderi, even Orpik. But neither of those guys has an answer for little waterbugs like Calvert or Atkinson.

Naturally, I hope they stay in.

I also kind of expected Letang to have some rust. Maybe not that much. But I have been surprised at how behind Martin has looked.

Martin has been pretty bad, and it's brought down Orpik a bit. Orpik *deep breath* has actually looked decent. Not great, but decent. The best Dman has been Nisky by FARRRR (except for you know...the first 4 minutes of yesterday's game). Niskanen has CARRIED this D group this series. I expected Letang to have rust too, so I hope it starts to fade...it's mostly been mental. Like the pinch on the SHG in game 1, taking silly penalties, etc.

 

[forty_three]

I hope they pay Niskanen obscene amounts of money.

Well, AFTER the Jackets sign Murray that is.

 

[pixburgher66]

I hope they pay Niskanen obscene amounts of money.

Well, AFTER the Jackets sign Murray that is.

Yeahhhh...unless they buy out Scuds or move Letang, they can't afford copious amounts of money.

 

[forty_three]

Yeahhhh...unless they buy out Scuds or move Letang, they can't afford copious amounts of money.

Precisely my point.

 

[forty_three]

Painful Lessons On A Big Stage | BlueJackets Xtra

I like Todd Richards, He must be a very calming influence in that room.

Oh, and this:
The Penguins have had 17 power plays, more than any team in these Stanley Cup playoffs. They've scored on three of them -- twice in Game 1 -- but even when the Blue Jackets have killed the penalties, it has disjointed their desire to roll four lines and establish a consistent flow of forechecking.

"We put them on the power play four straight times when we had a 2-0 lead," Blue Jackets defenseman James Wisniewski said. "Not good."



And chill out, Wiz. Technically the Blue Jackets only put them on one.

 

[evolver115]

Painful Lessons On A Big Stage | BlueJackets Xtra

I like Todd Richards, He must be a very calming influence in that room.

Oh, and this:
The Penguins have had 17 power plays, more than any team in these Stanley Cup playoffs. They've scored on three of them -- twice in Game 1 -- but even when the Blue Jackets have killed the penalties, it has disjointed their desire to roll four lines and establish a consistent flow of forechecking.

"We put them on the power play four straight times when we had a 2-0 lead," Blue Jackets defenseman James Wisniewski said. "Not good."



And chill out, Wiz. Technically the Blue Jackets only put them on one.

Maybe Putzline compiled those stats prior to Philly v NYR game three because the Flyers have them beat in minor PIM against through three games played.

2013-14 NHL Hockey Stats and League Leaders - Minor Penalties - National Hockey League - ESPN

Just sayin

 

[dash]

You have a 3-1 lead early in the 3rd period, you need to find a way to steer that game home to victory lane. That one hurts for CBJ.

 

[sabresfaninthesouth]

Maybe Putzline compiled those stats prior to Philly v NYR game three because the Flyers have them beat in minor PIM against through three games played.

2013-14 NHL Hockey Stats and League Leaders - Minor Penalties - National Hockey League - ESPN

Just sayin

Some of those must have been offsetting though, because NYR were listed as having only 16 PP opportunities.

 

[evolver115]

Some of those must have been offsetting though, because NYR were listed as having only 16 PP opportunities.

Probably the case. Still, it isn't quite the discrepancy that it's being made out to be with the Pens getting way more powerplays than other teams this postseason. One thing I find ironic about this whole argument Columbus is playing with the martyr card and the amount of PIM the Pens are drawing.

What do they expect? All series long the BJ's have been striving to play as physical as possible against them. They were credited with 60+ hits in game three, alone! Some teams don't pile up sixty hits in a week! When you play that way, you can expect ramifications for the style of play you're employing.

Not to mention, but the Pens scored a total of 0 goals on the powerplay in game three. All four were 5v5.

 

[sabresfaninthesouth]

Probably the case. Still, it isn't quite the discrepancy that it's being made out to be with the Pens getting way more powerplays than other teams this postseason. One thing I find ironic about this whole argument Columbus is playing with the martyr card and the amount of PIM the Pens are drawing.

What do they expect? All series long the BJ's have been striving to play as physical as possible against them. They were credited with 60+ hits in game three, alone! Some teams don't pile up sixty hits in a week! When you play that way, you can expect ramifications for the style of play you're employing.

Not to mention, but the Pens scored a total of 0 goals on the powerplay in game three. All four were 5v5.

The numbers definitely demonstrate the general complaint about the teams not getting a chance to play much 5v5 hockey though. Between the two teams there's a combined 31 PPs in 3 games. Only Chicago v. STL comes close and I think everyone would agree that's been a far more chippy series.

By comparison:

Philly/NYR: 25 in 3 games
STL/CHI: 30 in 3 games
Dallas/ANA: 27 in 3 games
SJ/LA: 21 in 3 games
DET/BOS: 17 in 3 games
COL/Minn: 19 in 3 games
MTL/TB: 20 in 4 games

 

[evolver115]

The numbers definitely demonstrate the general complaint about the teams not getting a chance to play much 5v5 hockey though. Between the two teams there's a combined 31 PPs in 3 games. Only Chicago v. STL comes close and I think everyone would agree that's been a far more chippy series.

By comparison:

Philly/NYR: 25 in 3 games
STL/CHI: 30 in 3 games
Dallas/ANA: 27 in 3 games
SJ/LA: 21 in 3 games
DET/BOS: 17 in 3 games
COL/Minn: 19 in 3 games
MTL/TB: 20 in 4 games

So one series is exactly one penalty behind and the next closest is four behind. That isn't some drastic difference. And it isn't the reason why Columbus finds themselves trailing 2-1 in this series. Like I said, all four goals scored by Pittsburgh in game 3 were scored 5v5. Columbus also had the man advantage more often from the second period on to the end of regulation, which also coincides when the Pens scored their four goals. It just isn't a valid reason for why they lost. There's no conspiracy. The refs are bad at what they do. It is a horse that has been beaten to a bloody pulp in every post-season.

 

[sabresfaninthesouth]

So one series is exactly one penalty behind and the next closest is four behind. That isn't some drastic difference. And it isn't the reason why Columbus finds themselves trailing 2-1 in this series. Like I said, all four goals scored by Pittsburgh in game 3 were scored 5v5. Columbus also had the man advantage more often from the second period on to the end of regulation, which also coincides when the Pens scored their four goals. It just isn't a valid reason for why they lost. There's no conspiracy. The refs are bad at what they do. It is a horse that has been beaten to a bloody pulp in every post-season.

Meh, I'm not saying it's a conspiracy, but it's an interesting statistic to show the differences between series. During the regular season, Columbus was shorthanded 9th most in the league and Pittsburgh 9th least and yet they have the highest combined PP number in this playoffs.

Normally people complain that they don't call penalties consistently in the playoffs from the perspective that they let too much go. But in this case, Pittsburgh and CBJ combined for an average of 6.5 PPs per game during the regular season, but they're averaging over 10 per game in this series.