Devils 2, Penguins 0

Why no Pouliot? Looks like the pens are falling back into last years bad habit of playing geezer dman. The whole nhl product is dreadful and boring

The game day skate line combos were quite....interesting.
I don't take them too seriously but they did make me sit up and go, "huh"?

Those are weird haha messing around with a cellar team I guess gives some leeway

Fixed. Apologies. Immersed in baseball all day.

NJ very depleted. They should win this one. Should, I say.....

I've only seen screenshots to this point not sure you can do that

Hmm, can't get it on Internet Explorer, Safari for Windows, but can get it using the newly downloaded Firefox. Never mind then ... working sufficiently now. ;)

Okay DK, bug report for ya'. Once I login, the website is no longer accessible (on any of my browsers, including Firefox). :(.
Back to game, my apologies for going off topic.

Can you use the app it seems to be working?

The app is fine ... but my little ipad mini is not really my preferred method for using this service. Old big fingers make typing a chore. :)

Snooze fest

Of course you are. He who will not put his body in front of shots, he who will not clear the crease, he who will not stand up for teammates and he who throws two body checks per month.

Typical Penguin leader if you ask me.

I think you are being a tad hard on Scuds. He blocks shots. He's not here cause he can fight or throw huge checks.

He's not a shutdown defenseman by any means, but he's an obvious vocal leader on the team. Besides, the only letter that matters is the C :)

Not looking for a fighter or a Scott Stevens hitter but what is he really good at? He is 71st in the league in blocked shots and 3rd on team among dmen with 1.3 blocks per game. My point has always been, what is he really good at.
A number 7 dman and no better.

Ryan Suter doesn't drop gloves, score a ton of points or even block a lot of shots. There are more than two types of Defensemen. I've loath the narrative that if you aren't Paul Coffey then you must be Scott Stevens. Paul Martin has been one of the best defensemen this team has had for 3 years, and he isn't going to be overly physical, be a 2nd goalie or fill the back of the net.

Whatever problems this team has, Scuds isn't one of them.

Forget scoring, I couldn't even tell you the last time Bennett even made a good play.

He's really been disappointing

Alcohol

LOL!

TV not td's

Good question! No idea....

Yes - because of black and white TVs.

Who in the heck has black and white tv's anymore?

When a game is over, it's over. They paid dearly for their transgressions - do they have to pay over and over again? I guess I can go ahead and answer that since it's already pretty obvious that they do! That is just plain wrong! Is that the way your parents punished you - over and over again for the same thing that you were already punished for?

This was the absolute worst thing that the refs could have done. All they did was prove the Pens right that the officiating staff is incapable of acting professionally. Refs that can't call penalties based on the play and not the player have no business being refs, but that would be professional and this isn't professional hockey; it's the NHL

Yea wasn't thrilled with that coming out of TV break either

No, that could have had goal written all over it, but both goals tonight went in totally because of 2 of the many non-call on the devils

I'm betting no

My hands are pouring whiskey ... count me out.

Lol, guess I should have said 2nd period. Pretty hard to come back when you are trailing after the 3rd period, isn't it?

One too many Guinnesses

Ok, I will go against the flow and with ol liver lips "hidden vigorish". lol
3-1 Pens.

Everytime Steigey says "save made" everyone drink!

Well Moose thing is, we all went with trailing 3rd, hmmmm
But I do believe them came back after trailing after a shootout.

"save made" ... drink up boys!

Lol. If the Pens jumped off one of the bridges these days, they may not hit the water.

Who am I kidding, I won't even drive 4 hours to Dallas to watch this team in it's current state. That's pretty bad. Take note Mario.

It does indeed look that way. Deja vu all over again.

Nope, pens playing each game for playoffs. Here is a thought. 7 D! Play your best roster.

If they played their best roster, Scuderi is in the press box and Pouliot is top 4 and first powerplay

The narrative this year is Scuderi is back and a valuable piece for this team. My eye test also says BS, but nothing can ever get him benched, nothing.

Did you watch the replay, he fell over after the Devil stuck his stick in his feet. Whatever I called it in my 1st post on the thread, wasn't expecting a win without Geno and 72

That will teach Tanger to mouth off at the refs.

When Tanger fell, there wasn't a soul within ten feet of him.

If 71 and 72 are the difference between a win and embarassment in New Jersey ... we are in a world of hurt. It pains me greatly to say that too.

What the, watch the replay again he tripped over a Devils guy's stick.

I looked up from this tiny ipad just as he was falling, and from there he looked to be all alone. I will check the highlights, if that play is available via GCL.

Here it is
https://vine.co/v/OVjXJHBFg03

Here it is
https://vine.co/v/OVjXJHBFg03

If you make the call on Perron on the free hand BS you have to make that or the cross check on Adams, one would think.

After watching the video, thanks for that BTW, I would have to say ... First off, allow me to preface this with a few facts. I am more than just a Texas boy ... I've been playing hockey for 30+ years and am a certified coach, also what could be considered an expert level skater. I agree a stick in the feet started the sequence, but Tanger got his left foot down and stable, in balance, only to simply fall a second later when he figured he might get a call out it. I would have skated out of that encounter, without falling, at age 53 ... I suspect a skilled skater like Kris Letang could do so as well. He must have forgotten that he's the number one bad boy on the referee's secret hotline right now.

He did tee it up for 17 and 23 on consecutive shifts late. I'm not blaming him for this 0 fer.

Yes, that pass was so predictable. Unreal.

Letang's no-call trip is ref's revenge for his acting out last game. They might not get a call the rest of the season & the first 4 games of the playoff.

Looks like a first round exit & don't give me any of that "it's only one game" crap. The Pen's stink right now.

@Stuart66: If the "professional" refs are still getting revenge for the last game, in which they satiated their egos quite well, and then some, they shouldn't be back on the ice again this year, at least. If you listened or read anything (if you couldn't figure it out for yourself) the Pens totally outplayed the devils.It was Schneider who held the game, and the only 2 goals the devils got including 1 empty-netter, were a direct result of two of "many" no-calls! Sorry, the Pens don't stink, watch a little closer next time (if you even watch at all, which I doubt)

That's the only game I saw in person this year. They haven't had that kind of mojo in 4 months or so

The Junior Coach finally got his system installed.--MA

Oh he should let loose. WTH.
Seriously, is this rock bottom yet?

You are correct, they are a joke and no doubt they are talking amongst themselves but they just didn't pick the Penguins names out of a hat.

The Penguins have brought this upon themselves from over the years, led by our Captain.

Kerry Fraser is fairly blunt about it.
http://www.tsn.ca/c-mon-ref-third-man-in-not-in-this-case-1.232409

Kerry Fraser is fairly blunt about it.
http://www.tsn.ca/c-mon-ref-third-man-in-not-in-this-case-1.232409

He all but admits the Pens are considered whiners but many refs. Wow, it's one thing to speculate, but he is an insider. If they don't figure it out now they'll never get it.

Right you are - they are a "sick" joke and certainly unwatchable! They are allowed by the NHL to play the "get even" game like bullies in the playground, Are you kidding me? I can't believe that people pay to watch this and get handed out a "no-game" to watch by the NHL!

Busy stifling his natural creativity in order to stay in the line up. Trying to play more like Adams.

Think I saw him on a milk carton at the Giant Eagle today.

Haha Moose that is funny right there. I feel a new nickname for Brittle Beau is in order

Sarah: I know you feel that BB has been miscast, that coaches have tried to fit a square BB into a round AA hole.

Setting that aside, a good portion of his own misfortune seems to be his mentality. Needs to establish himself as a goal scorer first and let the slick passing come after. Would like to see him go an entire game (maybe 3) looking to create for himself rather than drifting to boards trying to create from there for others.

Who is this "Beau Bennett" you speak of?

He's been another sad victim of a "mystery" affliction that has swept this locker room since the closing days of 2014. We've not looked this bad at this point in the season during the entire Crosby/Malkin era, and yet we act like there's still some miracle that will carry us to greatness if only we can ... ? Let's be honest ... in 1980 what was it that took a locker room full of average players and turned them into gold medal winners in the period of six months? It wasn't a soft-spoken nice guy at the helm.

I'm calling him milk carton from now on.

Don't disagree Dj. But when it comes to getting a some talent up front to help Malkin, beggars can't be choosers at this point. We need goals.

Kunitz has 1 goal in 21 games.

Keep hoping Kuni can recapture old magic but, realistically, don't see it happening.

Like he drove to cliff edge after first 15-20 games and drove straight off.

We are not cement heads in Canada, and you are very rude, wherever you are from. I am Canadian and I much prefer skill over brawn, but if you don't have any brawn, it's not safe to have your skill players on the ice, and even at that, they are only a little bit safer. Maybe if the NHL could figure out a way to cut down on dangerous aggression in hockey, we would be able to enjoy the amazing skill we do have!

No cap room since a forward is needed from WBS and 71/72 aren't on IR

although why we don't just dress 7 D is beyond me. You could even play Pulliot as a forward and be further ahead than dressing Andrew Ebbett

21 year old, offensive minded rookies and the SC playoffs just do not mix. They just don't. Pouliot has shown flashes of his ability but as also shown he is easily physically over-matched and makes questionable, 2012 Letang-ish like decisions (Also see: Horrific).

Not this year. Soon, but not this year.

Pffft. Yeah let's keep playing Scuds. We'll be sure to make the Cup Finals then.

Very silly.

She was pretty good actually.

The ESPN announcer?

Yes. She "tried out" as the panthers backup this week.

Yep, goaltender for Oswego back in the 80s ECAC Women's.

like, I mean

Yea it was dude it's 5 years

Um, six actually.

After this game - AGREE! The non-calls just jumped right off the screen. SO obvious. I don't really care what the Pens have done to show up the refs this season (particularly in the atrocious last game). It's just WRONG to ignore blatant penalties against the Pens - or ANY team. This league is becoming a total JOKE.

Yes, I don't understand that when the Pens step out of line, the refs make them pay dearly, yet the refs can totally call a win for another team (i.e the Devils tonight) by refusing to call a penalty that will give the Pens a PP. Not to mention, that both goals went in as a result of a glaring non-call. Do the refs answer to anybody? Does the NHL not care? What's the use of watching such a farce of a game? It really does break my heart, because I love the game of hockey, and the Penguins in particular, but another game like that, and I think I'll be done. It literally, physically, made my stomach feel sick!

There, there now. Don't you know refs read all local media sources before calling their next game? If you keep complaining they'll just keep it up for the balance of the year. And we all know the game is about the refs, who we all pay to see.

I'm blaming the fans. It's all their fault for perpetuating Pens' troubles.

. . . AND DK's fault for criticizing the refereeing and creating the forum for fans' vitriol targeting those same refs.

You should ALL be very ashamed of yourselves. Just look at you. Pathetic.

:)

What difference does it make if more penalties are called? The PP stinks.

Exactly! If we had three PPs we would likely not score on one of them, much less two. We just aren't that good ... what else can be said? We aren't rising to the occasion, we aren't doing what needs to be done to win, especially divisional games. The Penguins still have the most popular brand in the league, and win or lose the merchandise keeps selling, the seats keep getting filled.

Actually, the seats aren't getting filled. Right now, the reseller market is eating a lot of unsold seats. I've gone to a few games this year and they are a LOT of quality seats that never see a backside in them the whole game. The Pens may still be getting the "sell outs", but in past seasons, I've never seen so many unsold reseller seats especially to the point where you notice it on TV

As long as Morehouse is running the ship from a PR perspective, you got what you got. Nothing will change without the bottom falling out of attendance. And that is not happening near term with the core in place ....

Yes. Unthinkable. Ain't gonna happen. Pens are in.

Seems like a sure thing, but if they don't get it together soon, yes Ottawa can catch them. Ten we won't have to worry about whether Fleury will choke or not.

The stats would have it at better than 99% they make the playoffs.

The more interesting question is, can anybody think of an East playoff team they could beat in a 7-game series?
Without Crosby, Malkin,or MAF going into God-mode? Just playing regular hockey I mean.
I can't.

No, Sarah. It's exceedingly tough to imagine. Although I think we could somehow handle Washington, despite the way they manhandled us at times this year.

I'd vote for TB. ButcWash is possible given history and their mental fragility.

Well, if our top 6 is already lacking in talent, how do we put together a better top 6 if we trade a guy who plays in the top 6 (Kunitz) knowing that the same guy (Kunitz) will get us nothing of value in a trade since he's washed up?

I agree with a lot of what you are saying, but do you think that you could have any heart when you have to beat the other team and the referees too? The Penguins more than made up for their last debacle, and I'm not excusing their behavior last game, but the refs definitely got them stirred up then, too. It's also hard not to be a little discouraged when you just think you have your full team back for the first time all year, in March. then your 2 best players end up out before 5 minutes are up, and another one (Hornquist) before the game is over. Then tonight was beyond atrocious the way they were treated which sent a message to the other team that they were fair game for anything!

It's kinda late in the season to be fumbling around searching for chemistry. Now is when a goal-driven team is beginning to gel and sync for the final push. A team can't be great all the time, but this one looks generally lost more often than not.

The problem is the teams core. They brought this on themselves. Toews got 2 goals and 2 assists tonight. Chicago beat the NYI 4 to 1. Enough said.

Yesterday, Capt. Sid said it was the playoffs for them. That's exactly what this game looked like. I don't have as high of expectations for this team. The last GM gave out some big severance checks before he left and ownership said this retooling should have been done a year earlier. Still in process. This past offseason was the beginning of the turnaround for me. The seats are full and jerseys are flying off the shelves. So what? It's sickening/embarrassing to watch our team, regardless of hairdo or talent, challenge the officials the way they do/have. I may be wrong but when Capt Sid throws a backhand from out at the right circle they had a fork in em.

This x1000.

I completely understand, and from a business stance agree with, parity among the teams.

I whole-heartedly and emphatically object to the NHL's tired stance of parity among PLAYERS. To wit:

The NHL is on pace for the fewest number of 50 goal scorers since the advent of the 82 game scedule. One. That being Ovechkin on pace for 54.

It is however on pace for the MOST 20 goal scorers (130). Look, I love Comeau, but in no reasonable hockey league should he have as many goals (15) as Jason Spezza. Right now Kunitz has as many goals as Zetterberg. How the (@$@ does a 3rd line checker like Eric Fehr have as many goals as Claude Giroux (18)?

These things are akin to making Brady play with mittens or forcing Lebron to play in sandals. Only in the NHL.

Thank goodness that some fans get it, as in dannyboy and patrick

Bennett should be getting all top six time - for WBS.

Heck yeah, let's bring Megna back.

Look we have a team where NOBODY can get injured or the whole apple cart turns over.
ANY injury puts Adams in, nuff said there.

A loss of Sid or Geno makes Sutter have to pretend he's a 2C.

The loss of both Geno and Hornquist exposes our shallowness up front, and IMO spotlights how valuable Geno is to the club. A couple years ago, it was Crosby that could put the team on his back.
Now it's only Geno and MAF.
And without Hornquist they have precious little grit and net front presence.

Actually Honry's bad-SS hard-nosed ness and willingness to go to the tough area to score, with that "FU try to stop me" attitude, really makes me miss the Old Sid....sigh.

They tried BB on Sid's wing. That experiment lasted about 4 games. BB has been tried everywhere. If he ever becomes a top 6 fwd it probably won't be in Pittsburgh.

I'm not sure they tried BB on Sids wing at all this year. But they try him on Genos wing where IIRC he had 2 goals and 7 points in 11 games before he was benched for not playing the right way.
Kunitz in the last 11 games with Geno is 0-fer.

And keeps getting his prime minutes.

But let's keep blaming the youngsters.

I'm not blaming anyone, most certainly not BB. But the fat is in over 100 NHL games he ha 9 goals. Nine.

And they tried BB on Sid's wing last year when Dupuis got hurt. I don't remember any exact stats, but my memory is that that weren't great.

Look, I want the kid to do well as much as everyone else. Seriously. Hes had to not like. But He's been given time with Geno and SId and my gut says that if either of those two *really, actually wanted him on their wing, he would still be there. And guys like Geno and Sid, you can't force wingers on them. I hope he proves me wrong, but I've seen this before and BB strikes me as the 'change of scenery" type guy

Sorry but I'm not convinced that Geno looked at Kunitz and BB and said "give me Kunitz"
Np knowing Geno,nhe probably said nothing.
He had 11 points with BB and nil with Kuni.
BB plays a free flowing creative game (well not anymore since the coaches told him he need ps to play the "right way" ) but you cannot I. In any seriousnes think that Kunitz brings more to Malkin with his style than BB.
No question BB did not fit a Crosby. Mostly IMO Cos BB goes more East West and Sid only wants straight ahead guys, but East West works better with Malkin.

In any case it is moot. Mgmt wants BB gone and he will be this summer. They tried to move him in Feb and it fell through.
One more young guy with upside kicked to the curb because we need older guys with experience.

I KNEW the game was over when it was clear that the refs were only calling penalties on the Pens, letting the devils know that they were free to take all the liberties on them they wished. What could take the heart out of a team any more than that?

There was a penalty against the Devils, but it was negated by the "embellishment" call against Winnik.

There were several penalties IMO. Just none called beyond the offset.
Trouble is the Pens are going to have to go a long time with good behavior to change this bias.

And really, I hate it. It's so bush league.
I run into this kind of thing in beer leagues, refs out to troll you. So stupid.
When I read Kerry Fraser basically acknowledging it....it sucks.

But the onus is on the Pens to STFU. And that is also on the coaching staff.

DJ, I am sure this is sarcasm. I hope no one thinks you mean it!

Adam, need you to log in, man!

I could not agree more. The NHL games this year are almost getting painful to watch.

Should be a penaly for obstruction when you jam them into the wall and impede offense from chasing the puck into their own zone.

I saw that earlier in the week. I don't know what the big deal is. If a forward is skating at high speed w/ the puck toward your blueline, your job is to put your body in front of his and obstruct him. Will you get run over sometimes? Yes. That doesn't mean you stop doing it.

Good on ya, Ben.

Lovejoy stunk when he left and he stinks now. He didn't improve in Anaheim; they just hid him better. But everyone loves him because he;s such a good quote. Last I heard, quotes don't win hockey games.--Mike

Eh, in fairness I think he is a clear level better now than he was when we outsourced his development.
I do not feel he is an upgrade at all, and don't feel he is much of a physical presence. I think he probably makes fewer really poor gaffes than Despres, but that's about it.
We literally have no physical presence on D now beyond Letang, whose job is really not that anyway.

As for Lovejoy being faster or more skilled than Despres, don't see it. At all.
Watching Cole try to compensate for Scuderi makes me miss Despres more.

That's called getting trucked, Sarah.

We goalies call it getting choo-chooed LOL!

Look the PP is a microcosm of much that is wrong with the team. Crosby's preference euro the right wall over the obvious superiority of Geno in that spot....his BFF Kunitz continuing to get sugar coated PP minutes over the obviously superior Hornquist in front (or Perron innthe slot take your pick but I prefer Horny)...the inexplicable deferrable to the vet Letang as a QB for which he lacks the decision making skills.....its all there.
But Tochs was hand-picked by upper mgmt and the HC did not have a choice.
Yo may recall Desjardins turned down the HC position. Wonder why.

Several things:

1) scoring is down league wide. The NHL is on pace for the smallest Art Ross trophy winner ever in an 82 game schedule. The "winner will likely have < 90 points, and this is abhorrent. Mario once scored 90 before the all-star break. This isn't a Penguins Problem, its a league problem.
2) Penalties are down league wide. The NHL is on pace for the fewest penalties per game since such stats were maintained. The only explanations for this are a) players are suddenly much more disciplined b)Officials have some kind of illuminati-like conspiracy going on or c) Thats the way the league office is telling them to enforce the rules. Your call.
3) It takes more than one year to change a culture, in any sport. Judging HCMJ and Tocchet after 7 months isn't fair. It just isn't. Especially when you consider points 1 and 2 from above are completely out of their control.
4) Crosby, through all his struggles, is still top 5 in scoring despite inconsistent winger play. Your expectations strike me as unreasonable.
5) Finally, while there are plenty of bad things worth critizing the coaches for, you cannot ignore the GOOD things. Fleury is better than he has ever been. Martin and Letang have never looked or played better in Pens uniforms. Hornqvist, Comeau and other additions have been great. Don't focus so much on the negative because there are things to be positive about, though i doubt this offseason will bear much fruit.

Duper? Really?
In the locker room, yes.
On the ice, not so much. Please.

I'm just saying that our season falling apart pretty much immediately after he got hurt once would make my statement a stretch, but when it has happened twice now....there is at least a little truth to what I said there. Duper was about a million times more productive than Kunitz was when he was playing. Idk how Kunitz gets any significant ice time still.

The Duper assessment is dead on. Correct!!!

Actually, if we want to talk about losing someone that helped keep things in order when games like this happened, right now is when you need Brooks Orpik. The man was HIGHLY respected in the locker room and his abscence right now is sorely missed, IMHO.

Don't need to be reminded. With you on Duper and said it last year as well. On ice, on PK, in locker room, all of it.

Orpik? Uh, no.

I think you better take another look! And for those wanting to get rid of Sid, the best player there is, if 10% of his set-ups went in the net, he'd be totally over the top in points. I get frustrated that he doesn't shoot more, and with his constant threading the puck so dangerously, but why Kunitz is still anywhere near him, or on the ice at all, is also a mystery to me. With Sid, Perron, and Hornquist together, they are a pleasure to watch, as long as they have some good D-men, like as in "not Scuderi".

Kunitz is on Crosby's line because that's where Crosby wants him, it's that simple. Besides, its not like he produced dramatically when he was sent to Geno's line.

And for god's sake could we stop bashing the 5th d-men as the reason for the Penguins inconsistent play? Of all the faults this team has I hardly think Scuderi is the most glaring or impactful.

Actually Kunitz is on Malkins line.
But agree with you it appears they have deferred to Crsoby way too much with little result. PP also I think.
Kunitz should be at best on 3rd line where IMO he could still contribute, albeit overpaid.

Respectfully disagree on Scuderi. In this fast moving system he is a disaster.
The narrative that he propped up Despres was hilarious, and fast being exposed by Cole's struggles.
Scuds 3-4 mil cap hit for what we get in return is a travesty.

Oh I'm not writing in any Norris trophy votes for Scuderi, by any means. But MO he is pretty far down the list of things that needs changed. 5th6th admen just aren't that impactful. And really its not like he's a HORRIBLE player. I don't subscribe to the concept of +/- and think its rather deceptive, BUT...Scuds is a +8 and that's not too bad. For his role, I've seen worse. Much worse actually. There are many other playoff bound teams in which Scuds would be an upgrade to their 3rd pair.

Now, if you want to have this discussion about whether he is worth his salary, well, to me that's a different problem. He most certainly does not meet that expectation. Beyond that, in a salary cap league, NO TEAM can afford to pay 4 mil for a bottom pair.

Scuds is like a deri with no cows.

Good to hear you're not touting him for Norris. Was getting worried there.