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

[Dacks]

SV% .900; 5v5 SV% .922 GA 14

SV% .903; 5v5 SV% .940 GA 14


Perspective folks. Perspective.

In case it wasn't clear, my issue is not how Fleury has played up until now. He's been fine - even great - minus last night's gaffe and subsequent shakiness in OT.

I just have no confidence with him going forward. I don't think he has the mental fortitude to bounce back. He hasn't the last two post-seasons. Rattled Fleury doesn't bounce back, he just gets worse.

We'll see, because he's starting Game 5. I'd much rather see him bounce back with a 40-save shutout and be proven wrong - I'm not one of those fans who prefers to lose just so they can say "I told you so" but mentally, I'm done putting my faith in Fleury.

That does not excuse the D, they've been horrible - but there's only one goalie and their performance disproportionally affects the outcome of a game.

 

[dash]

Bylsma unhappy with Fleury, Penguins after Game 4 OT loss

 

[Cobiemonster]

Bylsma unhappy with Fleury, Penguins after Game 4 OT loss

This is what happens when a coach knows he's on thin ice, he starts ripping the players and calling them out - maybe Dan Bylsma should look himself in the mirror - he's a bum, can't stand coaches who start doing this when they know they're on the verge of getting canned - he's a reflection of the entire team, in important games/situations, he cracks under pressure, the rest of the team sees it and does the same thing - players react based on what their coach does

 

[element1286]

Bylsma unhappy with Fleury, Penguins after Game 4 OT loss

Well, it only took about 4 years, but Dan is finally unhappy with the lack of effort. Maybe he should have scheduled practice today to make they know what is expected of them.

 

[element1286]

This is what happens when a coach knows he's on thin ice, he starts ripping the players and calling them out - maybe Dan Bylsma should look himself in the mirror - he's a bum, can't stand coaches who start doing this when they know they're on the verge of getting canned - he's a reflection of the entire team, in important games/situations, he cracks under pressure, the rest of the team sees it and does the same thing - players react based on what their coach does

Pretty much, he's been letting them do what they want for years, and now his job is on the line, and he is pissed. Color me shocked.

 

[Jims_Doors]

Is this where I'm suppose to blame the refs and say that the penalties called against Pittsburgh were bullshit??

Next, do I draw a cartoon figure of a ref wearing Jack Johnson's number and say he's part CBJ's 5th line??

 

[Jims_Doors]

This is what happens when a coach knows he's on thin ice, he starts ripping the players and calling them out - maybe Dan Bylsma should look himself in the mirror - he's a bum, can't stand coaches who start doing this when they know they're on the verge of getting canned - he's a reflection of the entire team, in important games/situations, he cracks under pressure, the rest of the team sees it and does the same thing - players react based on what their coach does

He needed to do this with the entire team for the last 3yrs.

Instead, he'd rather be one big happy family....afraid to hurt someone's feelings.

 

[DaBoltsNIsles]

He needed to do this with the entire team for the last 3yrs.

Instead, he'd rather be one big happy family....afraid to hurt someone's feelings.

I think that's been one of Bylsma's biggest problems. This Penguins don't need to be coddled. They need a coach who won't take any crap. Barry Trotz should be patient. The Penguins job could be exactly what both he & the Penguins are looking for this summer.

 

[Jims_Doors]

I can see playing the puck when it's even strength in that situation, but when the other team has the extra attacker, with 30 seconds...stay in the damn net.

 

[Jims_Doors]

I think that's been one of Bylsma's biggest problems. This Penguins don't need to be coddled. They need a coach who won't take any crap. Barry Trotz should be patient. The Penguins job could be exactly what both he & the Penguins are looking for this summer.

I'd rather have Peter Laviolette behind the bench, than Trotz.

 

[DaBoltsNIsles]

I can see playing the puck when it's even strength in that situation, but when the other team has the extra attacker, with 30 seconds...stay in the damn net.

The game tying goal is exactly how every team in the league should play against Fleury. Force him out of his net. Make him attempt to play the puck. Then watch him FLOP, FLOP, FLOP. I'm sorry, but he isn't the same goalie who beat the Red Wings for the cup.

 

[forty_three]

Pretty much, he's been letting them do what they want for years, and now his job is on the line, and he is pissed. Color me shocked.

Or in this case, "coach"

 

[mattola]

lol "RIPS" heh, its quite possible Dan Cloutier might have stopped that one.... ok maybe not
Like · Reply · 2 secs

 

[dash]

He rips it past Fleury and then does a goal slide like Fleury (Theo)

 

[forty_three]

lol "RIPS" heh, its quite possible Dan Cloutier might have stopped that one.... ok maybe not
Like · Reply · 2 secs

He ripped it. Or Knifed it. Possibly squibbed it. Maybe shoveled it....

 

[scoutyjones2]

Where the hell is the woodshed for Skid? He is a freaking no show for how many post season series?

What a POS captain...he should man up and show why he is the supposed best player in hockey. Apparently you just play tight physical hockey and he disappears.

 

[Dacks]

Where the hell is the woodshed for Skid? He is a freaking no show for how many post season series?

What a POS captain...he should man up and show why he is the supposed best player in hockey. Apparently you just play tight physical hockey and he disappears.

None of our top offensive weapons have showed up, it's true. But we're averaging 3.5 goals a game, which would have been top of the league by a fair amount in the regular season. Offence isn't the problem, it's shitty defence and an untimely gaffe by MAF.

 

[scoutyjones2]

Sorry but that's Pens hockey...offense and no D. Has been for years under Abysmal. Thing is, Skid is beloved by Pen homers and no one will yell: Where was Skid against the Bees last year? Zero points! Where the hell is he this series?

He is Adam Oates, not the supposed best player in the league. You body him up and he disappears..he goes whole games without hitting anybody and doesn't play 2 way hockey...

 

[forty_three]

As much of a Sid detractor as I have been, and there have been many reasons to complain about him over the years, I cannot fault him in this series. Or this season. He draws the top checking lines all year and he only went and won the scoring title by a sizeable margin. The Jackets are a solid faceoff team and he has dominated them, at one Point Wednesday it was 13 to 1 Sid.

He is getting chances and getting open, but the trailing players cannot get away from the passing lane protections of the Jackets. I've screamed at times for them to hit Malkin or Crosby as they come down the boards into the zone, but they don't. And they don't because if they miss, they are toast. The Jackets are doing what they need to do to neutralize two immense talents.

But the best part is for all the hard work they are doing, all it is really doing is making fans turn on their captain. Like Sid has just decided that he doesn't *want* to play that hard this time. He wants to. He just isn't being given that chance.

What's the old saying "you can't stop him, you can only hope to contain him". That's all the Jackets hoped going into this. And so far, they have answered that bell. I hope they keep it up.

 

[dare2be]

But the best part is for all the hard work they are doing, all it is really doing is making fans turn on their captain. Like Sid has just decided that he doesn't *want* to play that hard this time. He wants to. He just isn't being given that chance.

I only see one fan (in this thread at least) turning on him. And he was the same one who puked all over the Stempniak trade, so take that for what it's worth.