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

[Cobiemonster]

Johansen is such a plug, he's been stirring shit this entire series trying to be a tough guy.

He must be the best 33 goal scoring plug in the league

 

[pixburgher66]

Johansen is such a plug, he's been stirring shit this entire series trying to be a tough guy.

He's going to be a big time player in this league, but probably not playing like that. He's young, he'll get it.

 

[evolver115]

Not that I needed much prodding before, because I have always admired them, but I am really, really impressed with what Columbus has done in this series, and when they aren't playing Pittsburgh in the future, I will be pulling for them. A great addition to this division(won't say the name).

 

[esls79]

Plugs > lamp posts

 

[Darkstone42]

The Penguins have made two major adjustments the last couple games which I think have resulted in their success. I'm also pretty sure the two are related.

1. Constant line shuffling. Or at least a lot more than usual. This mitigates our depth problems by getting the worse players on the ice occasionally with better ones, allowing guys to rest without putting out an inept line very often. It also makes defensive matchups more challenging when the look keeps changing.

2. Recommitting to the cycle. It's the best way to possess the puck and wear down the opponent. Shuffling lines may have guys more involved in the cycle because they're simplifying their games to accommodate less familiar linemates.

 

[element1286]

Man, Dubinsky is really gonna get someone hurt with all those crosschecks to the hips as the defensemen is going back for a puck. That is a dirty dirty play.

 

[thehobocop]

He must be the best 33 goal scoring plug in the league

He's a talented player no doubt, but if you're a 33 goal scorer, I don't see a need to go around trying to start shit with everyone. Play your game and keep scoring those goals.

Looking at this again, I've contradicted myself, plug is probably the wrong word to use to describe him, punk might be a better choice.

 

[Cobiemonster]

The Penguins have made two major adjustments the last couple games which I think have resulted in their success. I'm also pretty sure the two are related.

1. Constant line shuffling. Or at least a lot more than usual. This mitigates our depth problems by getting the worse players on the ice occasionally with better ones, allowing guys to rest without putting out an inept line very often. It also makes defensive matchups more challenging when the look keeps changing.

2. Recommitting to the cycle. It's the best way to possess the puck and wear down the opponent. Shuffling lines may have guys more involved in the cycle because they're simplifying their games to accommodate less familiar linemates.

These are two things I'd like to see the Flyers do in their series - don't sit on your hands, shuffle some guys around, give different looks - and you need more puck possession too - that definitely wears the opponent down

 

[pixburgher66]

@OtherNHLCrosby 1m
Inflatable chair popped during musical chairs. Things are unraveling.

Laughed really hard.

 

[element1286]

The Penguins have made two major adjustments the last couple games which I think have resulted in their success. I'm also pretty sure the two are related.

1. Constant line shuffling. Or at least a lot more than usual. This mitigates our depth problems by getting the worse players on the ice occasionally with better ones, allowing guys to rest without putting out an inept line very often. It also makes defensive matchups more challenging when the look keeps changing.

2. Recommitting to the cycle. It's the best way to possess the puck and wear down the opponent. Shuffling lines may have guys more involved in the cycle because they're simplifying their games to accommodate less familiar linemates.

That Bennett - Goc - Stempy line is playing unreal.

 

[Darkstone42]

Plugs > lamp posts

They're definitely at least more housebroken.

 

[Cobiemonster]

He's a talented player no doubt, but if you're a 33 goal scorer, I don't see a need to go around trying to start shit with everyone. Play your game and keep scoring those goals.

Looking at this again, I've contradicted myself, plug is probably the wrong word to use to describe him, punk might be a better choice.

He's frustrated, it's his first go-around in the playoffs - give him some time

 

[Darkstone42]

That Bennett - Goc - Stempy line is playing unreal.

That line I especially love. Bennett and Stempniak have remarkably complimentary playstyles, and Goc winning all those faceoffs and being so strong in the corners just makes them mesh all the better.

 

[mattola]

so um....


this is over right

 

[postmaster]

so um....


this is over right

Not until Kneel gets a goal or two and Niskanen gets a few more points.

 

[thehobocop]

He's frustrated, it's his first go-around in the playoffs - give him some time

I hope he can grow out of it. You can't get lucky and score 33 goals in this league, he's definitely the real deal.

 

[element1286]

That line I especially love. Bennett and Stempniak have remarkably complimentary playstyles, and Goc winning all those faceoffs and being so strong in the corners just makes them mesh all the better.

They really do, Bennett is surprisingly physical when he is in the offensive zone, he lines up guys better than most on the team.

CLB scorekeepers are funny, cooking the hit numbers? 40-14 my ass.

 

[pixburgher66]

The Penguins have made two major adjustments the last couple games which I think have resulted in their success. I'm also pretty sure the two are related.

1. Constant line shuffling. Or at least a lot more than usual. This mitigates our depth problems by getting the worse players on the ice occasionally with better ones, allowing guys to rest without putting out an inept line very often. It also makes defensive matchups more challenging when the look keeps changing.

2. Recommitting to the cycle. It's the best way to possess the puck and wear down the opponent. Shuffling lines may have guys more involved in the cycle because they're simplifying their games to accommodate less familiar linemates.

Big factors in this: Goc getting healthy, and Sutter becoming a big time player. As I mentioned earlier, I think putting Sid/Geno together sparked something with those two. Heck, they asked for it. They couldn't do that until Goc was healthy to take over the third line. Sutter "coming out" helped ease the transition too, but also got awarded with Neal-Jokinen on his line. So that gives two very capable and dangerous top lines, and a third line focused on possession and cycling the puck. This is why I wanted Goc back so badly. Possession monster. Add to that Stempy and Bennett, and you've got great speed and good cycling with a sprinkling of scoring touch. Also puts Glass/Adams where they belong...on the fourth line. Again, that fourth line can cycle and possess the puck too.

 

[thehobocop]

They really do, Bennett is surprisingly physical when he is in the offensive zone, he lines up guys better than most on the team.

CLB scorekeepers are funny, cooking the hit numbers? 40-14 my ass.

I've really been impressed with Bennett over the course of the playoffs. Looks like he has good instincts, and a pretty good set of hands. Could be a fixture in the top 6 in the Burgh sooner rather than later.

 

[pixburgher66]

They really do, Bennett is surprisingly physical when he is in the offensive zone, he lines up guys better than most on the team.

CLB scorekeepers are funny, cooking the hit numbers? 40-14 my ass.

I think they've been liberal in giving CBJ a few extra...but with how much the Pens have had the puck, that's probably not too far off.