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

[Darkstone42]

Bluejackets averaged 3.41 PP against/game in the regular season. And they have changed zero in their game except for Dubinski in game one, and a meeting with some teammates and a coach got him to stop doing that.

Blue Jackets are a hard team to play against, but they play it mostly clean.







Advanced stats are fun, but numbers can't account for everything. In this series, there have been +/- 5 minutes of time in which the Pens have scored 5 goals (yes, a bit cherry-picky, bear with me). And the Jackets are completely at fault for letting the wheels fall off the wagon. 2 of those were Power Play goals. Had the Jackets controlled those five minutes as well, we are at a VERY different place right now. Involving brooms.

But what the stats don't show and never can show is what happened to allow those 5 minutes to have the roof collapse in on the Jackets. Did they not attack like normal because every little thing was getting called? Did the coach admonish them to slow the game down? We don't know. What I do know is that the biggest BS penalties all came at times that completely disrupted the Jackets game, and the non-calls (trip in the third while Jackets on PP and buzzing) also came at times that were much more favorable for one side. And against a team as talented as the Pens, simple mistakes can be deadly. And for that minimal amount of time, the Jackets stopped playing their game.

It is not a conspiracy. It is negligence and grandstanding by the stripes, and the Jackets failed to stay the course. But the fact that certain teams always seem to benefit (looking at you too, Habs and Wings) is just annoying. Because my team isn't one of them.



I would not say the D has been bad. I think they underestimated the Jackets ability to spread them thin. They've looked bad, not because they playing bad. But because they are being played.

I would agree if the D hadn't looked bad since the Olympic break ended. Orpik and Scuderi are incapable of making a good pass, even without pressure. Martin and Maatta look slow (Martin might not be back to game speed, and I imagine Maatta's just wearing down). Letang's been off all year.

If you pressure a D who can't clear the zone without pressure, it logically follows that they won't clear the zone.

 

[pixburgher66]

Bluejackets averaged 3.41 PP against/game in the regular season. And they have changed zero in their game except for Dubinski in game one, and a meeting with some teammates and a coach got him to stop doing that.

Blue Jackets are a hard team to play against, but they play it mostly clean.







Advanced stats are fun, but numbers can't account for everything. In this series, there have been +/- 5 minutes of time in which the Pens have scored 5 goals (yes, a bit cherry-picky, bear with me). And the Jackets are completely at fault for letting the wheels fall off the wagon. 2 of those were Power Play goals. Had the Jackets controlled those five minutes as well, we are at a VERY different place right now. Involving brooms.

But what the stats don't show and never can show is what happened to allow those 5 minutes to have the roof collapse in on the Jackets. Did they not attack like normal because every little thing was getting called? Did the coach admonish them to slow the game down? We don't know. What I do know is that the biggest BS penalties all came at times that completely disrupted the Jackets game, and the non-calls (trip in the third while Jackets on PP and buzzing) also came at times that were much more favorable for one side. And against a team as talented as the Pens, simple mistakes can be deadly. And for that minimal amount of time, the Jackets stopped playing their game.

It is not a conspiracy. It is negligence and grandstanding by the stripes, and the Jackets failed to stay the course. But the fact that certain teams always seem to benefit (looking at you too, Habs and Wings) is just annoying. Because my team isn't one of them.



I would not say the D has been bad. I think they underestimated the Jackets ability to spread them thin. They've looked bad, not because they playing bad. But because they are being played.

Advanced stats are far from perfect and aren't a perfect predictor of play, ESPECIALLY in a 7 game series. And you made a point that I tried, but did it a bit more eloquently. Getting on the powerplay often is probably going to help your 5v5 possession numbers due to a trickle down effect (affect? I'll never get it...). Then guys are more tentative maybe, gives the team on the PP (generally) a bit of momentum if they had good cycling on the PP going, etc. But, I do think those stats have value, and as a Pens fan they have me optimistic. Particularly what the top 2 lines are doing. They're not a perfect predictor by any means, but if the Jackets continue to let those top 2 lines have that kind of possession in the offensive zone, they'll get burned. Badly.

 

[pixburgher66]

I would agree if the D hadn't looked bad since the Olympic break ended. Orpik and Scuderi are incapable of making a good pass, even without pressure. Martin and Maatta look slow (Martin might not be back to game speed, and I imagine Maatta's just wearing down). Letang's been off all year.

If you pressure a D who can't clear the zone without pressure, it logically follows that they won't clear the zone.

Need Martin back on his game if they want to do some damage this postseason. Martin on his game equals a better Orpik, and when those two are playing top minutes, Maatta/Nisky get a breather. Trickles down.

 

[evolver115]

My point about it is that just because there's a lot of hits does it mean there have to be a lot of penalties. In the Chicago series there are a lot because 1) they're calling the dirty hits; 2) there's rough play following those dirty hits; and 3) refs calling things to keep the game in check. In that series I can understand calling a few extra penalties just because they have to to prevent carnage.

Also, I'm okay getting outhit a bit, because as the saying goes: gotta have the puck to get hit. It benefits Columbus on the forecheck and in pressuring the D when moving the puck, and I can't really recall seeing them put themselves out of position badly to make hits.

I think it just goes with the style of play. If one team is bringing the pain against their opponent, and never giving up an opportunity to lay a hit, the refs get lulled into looking for something to police the game. They sometimes are fleeing for their lives to get the hell out of the way from some of the hits. It just goes hand in hand with the style of play.

The refs have long since been the favorite scapegoat in the NHL playoffs. The more things change, the more they stay the same.

 

[pixburgher66]

I think it just goes with the style of play. If one team is bringing the pain against their opponent, and never giving up an opportunity to lay a hit, the refs get lulled into looking for something to police the game. They sometimes are fleeing for their lives to get the hell out of the way from some of the hits. It just goes hand in hand with the style of play.

The refs have long since been the favorite scapegoat in the NHL playoffs. The more things change, the more they stay the same.

I understand what you're trying to prove, I just slightly disagree. In the past the complaint with refs in the playoffs is too LITTLE called. They over-corrected this year it seems. I don't really think the calls they're making in THIS series are a result of the hits (mostly because the calls have been stick fouls or ridiculous interference calls, not a result of booming hits), but maybe I'm not watching closely enough.

 

[evolver115]

I understand what you're trying to prove, I just slightly disagree. In the past the complaint with refs in the playoffs is too LITTLE called. They over-corrected this year it seems. I don't really think the calls they're making in THIS series are a result of the hits (mostly because the calls have been stick fouls or ridiculous interference calls, not a result of booming hits), but maybe I'm not watching closely enough.

See, that is kind of my point. The refs are looking for a reason to call a penalty, almost anything they can find because of how physical the style of play has been. Almost like they want to get in front of any altercations that could turn ugly, because they know how much punishment is being dealt in this series. If it's a slash, cross-check, hook... so be it. They're going to call it.

One thing I will say, I can almost guarantee you that as the playoffs go along, the refs will start to call less and less. This is a lock because it happens every single post-season.

 

[pixburgher66]

Side notes: I'm very happy with how this series has gone with the physicality. It's been clean, hard hitting. After watching some of the other series (like Chicago, or PHI/NYR) I'm darn proud of both these teams for playing it like this. If it's the beginning of a hard played rivalry, I'll be thrilled. I love a good rivalry, but much prefer one played like this series over the ones the Pens play vs. Philly.

 

[sabresfaninthesouth]

Side notes: I'm very happy with how this series has gone with the physicality. It's been clean, hard hitting. After watching some of the other series (like Chicago, or PHI/NYR) I'm darn proud of both these teams for playing it like this. If it's the beginning of a hard played rivalry, I'll be thrilled. I love a good rivalry, but much prefer one played like this series over the ones the Pens play vs. Philly.

As someone who doesn't cheer for either of those teams, I like those series a lot better. The animosity is so much fun and watching the goalies on both teams struggle to stop a beach ball makes for good entertainment.

 

[pixburgher66]

As someone who doesn't cheer for either of those teams, I like those series a lot better. The animosity is so much fun and watching the goalies on both teams struggle to stop a beach ball makes for good entertainment.

Hahah, I can understand you enjoying it more than me...but there's not much fun in thinking anything can go into the net. Or in worrying at every moment your players are going to die.

 

[evolver115]

Side notes: I'm very happy with how this series has gone with the physicality. It's been clean, hard hitting. After watching some of the other series (like Chicago, or PHI/NYR) I'm darn proud of both these teams for playing it like this. If it's the beginning of a hard played rivalry, I'll be thrilled. I love a good rivalry, but much prefer one played like this series over the ones the Pens play vs. Philly.

I think it is because both teams respect one another. When Pens v Philly occurs, there is just so much hatred that it is impossible for it to not turn into a complete circus act. Same with the Blues v Hawks.

 

[evolver115]

2-year-old's intensity at Penguins game goes viral | Sports - WTAE Home

 

[evolver115]

It's true, 43. They do respect one another. Each game has bone rattling hits, there are scrums after the whistles, face washes and all that, yet they're doing all of that without having to go over the edge with a Matt Cooke knee-on-knee or a Brent Seabrook slobber-knocker.

I just hope it continues because it is refreshing to see. So glad that dirty hits haven't become the feature story of this series.

 

[forty_three]

I think it is because both teams respect one another. When Pens v Philly occurs, there is just so much hatred that it is impossible for it to not turn into a complete circus act. Same with the Blues v Hawks.

Last thing the Jackets see before getting to the ice:

JD put that up.

This one in the weight room too:

Sorry, first pics were humngous beeg

 

[DaBoltsNIsles]

Early on in Game 3 I saw the Fleury of last postseaon. Then all of a sudden he played much better. I really like the future of the Blue Jackets. Hopefully they can take Game 4 & make this series a best of 3.

 

[forty_three]

Early on in Game 3 I saw the Fleury of last postseaon. Then all of a sudden he played much better. I really like the future of the Blue Jackets. Hopefully they can take Game 4 & make this series a best of 3.

He's been rattled early in all three games. Jackets just need to figure out a way to twist that knife before he settles down.

 

[DaBoltsNIsles]

He's been rattled early in all three games. Jackets just need to figure out a way to twist that knife before he settles down.

The key to beating Fleury is make him flop around. Shoot the puck in & force him to attempt to play it. Get him off his feet. If he had to play in an older building like Detroit the bounces off the boards would drive him crazy.

 

[thedddd]

The key to beating Fleury is make him flop around. Shoot the puck in & force him to attempt to play it. Get him off his feet. If he had to play in an older building like Detroit the bounces off the boards would drive him crazy.

This and honestly I don't think Fleury gets rattled easily he just does some stupid stuff and gets himself WAY out of position.

BTW...the boards at the Consol Energy Center have been giving him fits at time.

 

[forty_three]

--Foligno said he had no idea why he was whistled for an unsportsmanlike conduct minor during Game 3. “(The official) was bored, maybe, and wanted to make a call,” he said. “That was frustrating, because it seemed like a “nothing” play. I know I didn’t ‘snow ‘the goalie. I was so far away from him. It wasn’t like he was wiping snow off his face. It was disappointing. But it’s over and done with. Let’s hope they don’t make any more calls like that in this series. “

pix and FoLEEN-O are on the same wavelength

 

[evolver115]

^^ Does it worry you that the majority of scoring in game 3 occurred during the period where the fewest amount of penalties were called?

 

[forty_three]

^^ Does it worry you that the majority of scoring in game 3 occurred during the period where the fewest amount of penalties were called?

Not exactly.

The first period would have likely had considerably more scoring had there not been so many (bad) calls. It would have just been the other way.