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

[pixburgher66]

Wow. I thought this hit the post...but sure looks like knob.

 

[forty_three]

It was a board, I think. But it wasn't a 5 minute game misconduct, and they actually got it right.

Refreshing. And it took Wiz out of the game. He had to have been hurt before that. He has just been off since game 4. Jackets got a little momentum there too.

Man, these Blue Jackets' fans are pretty awesome.

It's been a fun ride.

how did CBJ not score

Johansen squeezing the stick a little too tight.

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

Everyone, point and laugh.

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.

Oh for fucks' sake, don't encourage it.


Dare, pix, DS, evolver, Dacks, ddd, element, et al... Congrats, and good luck the rest of the way. And thanks for not having this team show up from game one. We needed that momentum to energize the city and get some positive mojo for the team. A few UFAs walk and maybe a buyout or two and one entire line that is kicking ass in the AHL comes up... Next year should be fun.

I like that Richards started Joey, Boone, Savard and Murray. Nice gesture and statement on the future of the franchise. Double edged sword though. When you go up against a cup contender/division winner and two of your starting five aren't old enough to drink... And another is *just* there.

 

[Darkstone42]

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.

Vitale is surprisingly important to the lineup, too, I think. He's the best blend of speed and physicality we have among our grinders, in my opinion, and he's solid in the faceoff circle. It's really important that he doesn't get scratched when Gibbons gets back, and I would put Gibbons on the fourth line in place of Adams (or Glass, I guess it doesn't matter which, though I do like Glass a little better) and let him add a bit of scoring threat to the line, too.

 

[element1286]

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.

CLB caught up a little in possession in the second half of the 2nd period, but yeah, their hits are a product of not having the puck.

 

[thehobocop]

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.

Assuming Sutter's injury is minor and he's good for the next round (barring an epic collapse), it will be interesting to see what happens when Gibbons gets healthy again. I would assume would replace one of Glass or Adams on the fourth line. Personally I'd like to see him replace Adams, but I doubt that will ever happen as Dan seems to like him for some reason.

 

[postmaster]

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.

sometimes you have to do it, like putting Datsyuk and Zetterberg together for Detroit. If it isn't working apart, you can spark some magic with them together. Ideally, you would like keep them apart to balance the attack, but when the first line is really going, it not only can throw off the other team but also get the other players on your team feeding off that lines success. Finding those line combinations that work together while feeding off the other lines energy can hit lightning in a bottle on some nights.

 

[element1286]

Well, that fourth line is having a horrible possession night so far. I'm still not sure you can have Adams and Glass on the same line, and ever be successful possession wise. Vitale having the bad luck of carrying their corpses around tonight.

 

[Darkstone42]

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.

Bennett's looked like a smart hockey player from the day he got called up. There is massive upside to him. If he stays healthy, he'll be on Sid's wing I imagine.

 

[evolver115]

they just showed the Sutter injury. Did not look good

 

[pixburgher66]

Really annoying part of the hybrid icing: so. many. alligator. arms. I know the game is probably too quick and the rule too new, but I look forward to refs waving icing off more because man guys aren't even TRYING to touch the puck.

 

[element1286]

Geez, that looks really bad.

 

[postmaster]

refs lost control of the game long ago.

 

[evolver115]

zebras

 

[thedddd]

Ouch that isn't good.

 

[postmaster]

zebras

Even though he got the worst of it, I thought Vitale had his leg out there. Although, if they call the interference, it never comes to that. If it was intentional, Vitale still has to be smarter than that.

 

[pixburgher66]

And Vitale is dead. Good thing Gibbons is healthy. That sure looked like two guys just not paying attention to each other that ended very badly for both.

 

[pixburgher66]

Even though he got the worst of it, I thought Vitale had his leg out there. Although, if they call the interference, it never comes to that. If it was intentional, Vitale still has to be smarter than that.

This outcome is generally why I tend to doubt the validity of an "intentional knee". It's one thing if you throw a hip out to try and low bridge a guy, but man...putting your own knee out there?

 

[evolver115]

Even though he got the worst of it, I thought Vitale had his leg out there. Although, if they call the interference, it never comes to that. If it was intentional, Vitale still has to be smarter than that.

I don't think he saw anything. Nor did the C-bus player. They were both turning from opposite directions. Total incidental contact.

 

[pixburgher66]

Really want a Sutter update. Gosh he's essential.

 

[postmaster]

This outcome is generally why I tend to doubt the validity of an "intentional knee". It's one thing if you throw a hip out to try and low bridge a guy, but man...putting your own knee out there?

That is fair enough. I honestly do not know if it was intentional or not.