Game Thread: Pittsburgh Penguins(1) vs. New York Rangers(2) | Round 2

[Darkstone42]

Nash as STL wasn't brought here for assists or to get shots its to score goals and they are getting paid to score goals. They need to step up and do that and if they dont they deserve the critisim.

Nash, yes, is a pure goal scorer who should be counted on to put the puck in the net. St. Louis, though, is a playmaker. He has tallied a lot of assists in his career. He's a capable goal-scorer, yes, but his primary skill and function is as a playmaker.

Regardless, I thought Nash was the best Ranger on the ice who wasn't wearing a goalie mask last night.

 

[Darkstone42]

Boone Jenner got three goals on these guys. Just saying...

Rick's in a really bad spot. The trade took away a fan favorite and he makes a lot of money so anything less than leading scoring is a failure. I don't think he's playing poorly. He is facing the best D shift after shift.

It's kind of like Sid. He isn't scoring either, but he is doing other things to make his team competitive. Focusing on the scoring, or lack thereof, isn't telling the story. I think Sid was one of the most effective players in the first round. Granted, didn't watch a lot of Rangers in round one, but Rick was mostly where he needed to be last night.



We haven't seen next year's NHL marketing program yet. There might be answers in that.



Is the for what he said or for the fact he left out french fry sandwiches?

I agree on both Sid in round 1 and Nash in the playoffs so far. They've both played well and been effective. But neither has been at the level of which they are capable.

Good, yes, great, no, and both are expected to be great.

Although, last night, they were the best skaters on the ice for their respective teams, and neither got a point. Nash because of the sound defensive coverage, and Crosby because Lundqvist was unconscious.

 

[element1286]

Nash, yes, is a pure goal scorer who should be counted on to put the puck in the net. St. Louis, though, is a playmaker. He has tallied a lot of assists in his career. He's a capable goal-scorer, yes, but his primary skill and function is as a playmaker.

Regardless, I thought Nash was the best Ranger on the ice who wasn't wearing a goalie mask last night.

His play reminds me of the way Neal was playing when the Pens first got him and Malkin/Crosby were out. He was playing well, doing the little things, but just can't put the whole game together and score goals too.

Maybe Nash is just isn't the type of player who can do it all, maybe he should focus on scoring because lord knows the Rangers have plenty of guys who can do the little things well, and not enough scoring.

 

[Nascar Addict]

I don't think that you'll have to worry about a lack of scoring between these two teams. There will be blood.

 

[pixburgher66]

Sid deserves some criticism. While he was/has been doing well in the little things and playing sound position wise and not making bad choices, he still wasn't playing like Sid. It was weird. Last night however, he was probably the best Penguin on the ice (with Letang). He was lethal out there. If he plays like that the rest of the postseason he's going to score goals. Nash didn't look dangerous last night except for a few moments (but that was basically true for every Ranger). Game 1 he looked very good, and game 7 vs. PHI he looked ready to strike. He needs to stop doing the same move every time. Has the puck on the rush, turns his butt into a guy, every time. It's one thing when big time guys aren't scoring, it's another when they aren't holding onto the puck or winning faceoffs or playing responsibly. I don't think either guy is in the latter there.

 

[Darkstone42]

Sid deserves some criticism. While he was/has been doing well in the little things and playing sound position wise and not making bad choices, he still wasn't playing like Sid. It was weird. Last night however, he was probably the best Penguin on the ice (with Letang). He was lethal out there. If he plays like that the rest of the postseason he's going to score goals. Nash didn't look dangerous last night except for a few moments (but that was basically true for every Ranger). Game 1 he looked very good, and game 7 vs. PHI he looked ready to strike. He needs to stop doing the same move every time. Has the puck on the rush, turns his butt into a guy, every time. It's one thing when big time guys aren't scoring, it's another when they aren't holding onto the puck or winning faceoffs or playing responsibly. I don't think either guy is in the latter there.

Nash has started moving to the middle of the ice more, which is the first step to him becoming more dangerous offensively, but the Penguins last night kept really good gap on him. That had a lot to do with a lack of support from Nash's linemates, though, which probably had something to do with the Penguins pinning the Rangers so often.

It'll be interesting to see how he and the Rangers respond this game. He looks to me to be primed for a breakout game, but the Rangers will have to secure the puck before that can happen, and hopefully the Penguins can prevent that from happening for a second consecutive game.

 

[pixburgher66]

Nash has started moving to the middle of the ice more, which is the first step to him becoming more dangerous offensively, but the Penguins last night kept really good gap on him. That had a lot to do with a lack of support from Nash's linemates, though, which probably had something to do with the Penguins pinning the Rangers so often.

It'll be interesting to see how he and the Rangers respond this game. He looks to me to be primed for a breakout game, but the Rangers will have to secure the puck before that can happen, and hopefully the Penguins can prevent that from happening for a second consecutive game.

I'm hoping that the fatigue factor kicks in tonight. Honestly by the third last night some of the Rags guys just looked dead. Pens were getting behind their D with regularity.

 

[Johnnydollaz89]

Nash, yes, is a pure goal scorer who should be counted on to put the puck in the net. St. Louis, though, is a playmaker. He has tallied a lot of assists in his career. He's a capable goal-scorer, yes, but his primary skill and function is as a playmaker.

Regardless, I thought Nash was the best Ranger on the ice who wasn't wearing a goalie mask last night.

Nobody will agree with that because he didn't put up stats. I sound like a broken record here, but he's been sound defensively. Makes the right reads, has been great with the stick in the defensive zone.

 

[scoutyjones2]

Wait, someone actually thought Sid was good/effective in round 1? Really?!


He was puke...how many -3 games did he have loafing around??? Last night was/is the Sid us fans demand and expect...nothing less. Energy, dynamic plays, hustling...first round was putrid for Sid.


He fails to score this series and move the Pens forward, he is the Peyton Manning of hockey

 

[element1286]

Nobody will agree with that because he didn't put up stats. I sound like a broken record here, but he's been sound defensively. Makes the right reads, has been great with the stick in the defensive zone.

He's not paid 7.8 million to be good with the stick in the defensive zone though.

 

[Johnnydollaz89]

He's not paid 7.8 million to be good with the stick in the defensive zone though.

Oh I know that. Trust me, i'm pissed, but he's doing other things right. He'll find his scoring touch, i'm not worried.

 

[pixburgher66]

Wait, someone actually thought Sid was good/effective in round 1? Really?!


He was puke...how many -3 games did he have loafing around??? Last night was/is the Sid us fans demand and expect...nothing less. Energy, dynamic plays, hustling...first round was putrid for Sid.


He fails to score this series and move the Pens forward, he is the Peyton Manning of hockey

That's a horrible analogy other than the fact that both have 1 championship.

 

[dash]

Maybe Sid and his sister can do a "Hockey on your phone" commercial?

 

[David_son]

Did they move the game time

 

[elocomotive]

Almost game time... get pumped!!!


(sorry, the NHL music just doesn't do it for me)

 

[David_son]

Almost game time... get pumped!!!


(sorry, the NHL music just doesn't do it for me)

And hockey is what you do since football ended



And baseball is boring.

 

[pixburgher66]

Suits are ruining the blue out thing.

 

[pixburgher66]

Carcillo is scratched. Sort of an odd choice.

 

[pixburgher66]

Crosby sucks chants? Please. They feed him. THEY ARE HIS LIFE SOURCE.

 

[dare2be]

Pens are slower to the puck early on.