LET'S GO PENS!

I guess Bedard can start working on his playoff beard right now. It might have stubble by 2025.

 

Never sad to see this: Pens win in Washington and they go to steps of National Portrait Gallery. Of course with the cringy, obligatory fire matt canada chant.

 

Pens spent the second period sleepwalking and taking penalties against Calgary tonight. The third period they were lights out. Malkin looks like Angry Malkin from 6-7 years ago. He and Reilly Smith have some serious chemistry. Nedeljkovic was solid in net. Good to see.

 

He is still in beast mode tonight. His line chemistry with Smith and Rackell is looking good.

 

Right on cue, Thorny. Beautiful pass by Smith.

 

They couldn’t have drawn up that whole offensive goal by Malkin any better. Patient the whole way from Letang to Malkin to Smith back to Malkin.

 

If I had to venture a guess I think Jarry's seat is getting warm and I don't see Ruhwedel and Joseph lasting long as the 3rd pairing. The bottom six are underwhelming as well, think Sully needs to shake them up and find some chemistry.

 

Jarry just signed a 5 year contract.

 

Damn that sucked in Motown. I've never been on skates so far from an expert but IMO two of those goals in 2nd period were easy stops for an NHL goalie.

 

From every thing I have read and heard the extension was not something they wanted to do but rather the only option at the time. They weren't able to get a top tier goalie in FA because of cap restraints, they had very little left in trade capital, and the pickings were slim. I think the length was intended to spread it out so that Dubas could try and work a deal somewhere down the line. The problem with Jarry is the same one Desmith had, they are very good AHL goalies but mediocre NHL goalies. They are good in spot duty but can't handle an 82 game grind. Heck at this point I'd rather see them get Murray back because even with his flaws(puck handling outside the crease, weak glove hand) he still showed up big when he was needed. Maybe give Flower a farewell tour.

 

You aren't wrong and at least a third was preventable if your defense does its job. If you take the body you better get them or take the penalty.

 

Ruhwedel should have driven that player straight into the boards once the puck got by him. It was a terrible defensive effort.

 

my son and his wife will be at the Aves game next week.

 

They look like ass right now. They are not skating. Honestly, the best efforts I see from their forwards nightly are Geno and Reilly Smith. They allowed 7 odd man rushes by St. Louis tonight through two periods. Most good defenses don't allow that for five games. The Blues are not team that would be offensively confused with the '92 Pens, either. Joseph has regressed, Ruhwedel is what he has always been and that is a 7th defenseman that shouldn't be in the lineup every night. I also see up close and personal why Karlsson had a terrible +/- last season. It's all offense all the time. Defense to him is an afterthought. Sully finally put Zahorna in the lineup where he should have started the season, but it is a minor move at best. Correct me if I'm wrong but neither Rakell nor Guentzel have scored yet. All that and Jarry is what he is. A very average NHL goalie that is untradeable because he makes too much for what he is. And on top of all that, their special teams suck, especially the power play. They keep playing like this and the best thing they can hope for in early March is that they might still be in the discussion to grab a wild card spot.

 

Pens put in physical defenseman Ludvig for his NHL first game. He was doing well until he went for this open ice hit

 

That was scary. Glad he got up, but he wobbled off like he got hit by Iron Mike.

They were really good in the first and abysmal in the second and third. This team better start to buy in to a defense first concept. They are having trouble scoring goals and preventing them. Where is all this offensive output from Karlsson? What is wrong with Rakell? Brand new bottom six, same results. Could be a long season.

 

Son was disappointed in his Aves tonight. Couple pis from tonight

 

Pens are a mystery. Look like dung to begin season then shutout the Avs who were on an amazing road win streak.

 

The Pens are like the main character in the old Sally Field movie, Sybil. You don't know what team will show up game to game. I prefer they play the rest of the season like they did last night. Creating offense from a full team defensive effort. Not sexy and its hard work, but that is how they need to play now. They can still score, but there are few teams they will be able to outskate. Plus, Jarry played great, so he is capable too. Just needs to be more consistent.

 

Former Penguin Adam Johnson suffered a horrific injury playing in the UK. Reminiscent of the Clint Malarchuk injury. I don’t recommend watching the video.

 

Early, yes, but strange seeing PENS on bottom of standings.

 

RIP Adam!!!!

 

Hopefully they can keep the momentum going with a win against the Ducks tonight.

 

3 in a row. Kicking butt out west.

 

Jags is coming home in February. I'm assuming this means a jersey retirement or ring of honor type of thing. Which means Mario will be there, not sure if Ron can get away from Seattle but Jags and Mario will be awesome.