♣ OFFICIAL GDT: GAME ONE - PENS @ CAPS 4/28/16 - 8:00 EDT ♣

[dodint]

I just wish there was a middle ground between Letang/Malkin going full Simple Jack and Dumo skating away from one of the most dynamic players on the team being massacred at his feet.

[Beveridge]

I remember the last time a Caps player took out a knee in game one in Washington in the second round.

[PFiDC]

It wouldn't be a cup run without having to come from behind against the caps.

[Beveridge]

It wouldn't be a cup run without having to come from behind against the caps.

0-3 in Game 1 the 3 years we went on to win the cup.

Got them right where we want them.

[Morkle]

I do think it's time to weigh the advantages/disadvantages of subbing out Maatta for Schultz. Not saying to do it, but take a hard look at what either provides and determine if the risk is worth it.

I'd say it is, because Schultz seems to be more dynamic, and could still give up the goals Maatta did last night.

[count2infinity]

What's being largely overlooked in the Ovie-was-a-non-factor discussion is that Crosby didn't exactly set the world on fire in this game, either. Hopefully that changes by Saturday.

I don't think that will last for either side. I was just shocked that on the Pen's PK, they jus let OV stand at the right circle and set up for that one timer that he's scored a bajillion goals from in his career. Eventually that's going to hurt the Pens.

[Silentom]

What's being largely overlooked in the Ovie-was-a-non-factor discussion is that Crosby didn't exactly set the world on fire in this game, either. Hopefully that changes by Saturday.

I don't think that will last for either side. I was just shocked that on the Pen's PK, they jus let OV stand at the right circle and set up for that one timer that he's scored a bajillion goals from in his career. Eventually that's going to hurt the Pens.

Theres never a screen on his shots though. As long as we have a competent goalie, I cant see it being an issue.

[Jim]

I do think it's time to weigh the advantages/disadvantages of subbing out Maatta for Schultz. Not saying to do it, but take a hard look at what either provides and determine if the risk is worth it.

I'd say it is, because Schultz seems to be more dynamic, and could still give up the goals Maatta did last night.

If Maatta is just going to stand there and watch opponents skate around him (voiding Schultz's defensive liabilities)... I would rather have Schultz's passing abilities out there.

[Tico Rick]

I needed about an hour as well to even go up to bed.

Me, too. So I slept an extra 1/2 hour this am. Didn't need to be in work early for any reason, so I rolled in around 8.

Lucky you. I didn't sleep at all well and had to get up at 6:15 as usual.

[Tico Rick]

The only thing that worries me is if Fleury can't come back and Murray does a tailspin.

This fear has crossed my mind as well, though you could look at it this way: Murray had just an average game and the Pens still went to overtime against the Caps. Everyone, including Murray, will play better on Saturday, IMO.

[dodint]

So is Murray not injured? I thought he sacrificed his groin to stuff Ovie on that breakaway.

[mikey]

The key with Schultz is being diligent around his own net. It's easy for people to catch the "highlight" defensive lapses, things that occur on the rush...that's easy. Where the rubber meets the road is when there is sustained zone time against and you need to defend your zone as a LD and how you work out to your corner with the support of your partner and center...

Quietly, Maatta made a number of non-sexy plays in front of his own net to stave off a number of chances and his battle level has been pretty high along the wall...he probably saved two goals with a quick stick in game 1 himself...

Now, that does mean I think Maatta has been great in these playoffs? No, of course not. Does that mean he's immune from being scratched? No. But the knock on Schultz is that he is not very tough in front of his own net, there's no sense of urgency to get back there and he tends to "drift" and lose inside position on crashing forwards...he's also weaker than Maatta (despite the fact that Maatta has been sidelined much of his life), which doesn't help in that department either...

So, yeah, maybe Schultz can skate better in transition for and against...but you really need to break down the tape in and around the front of your own net to see who is gonna help you in a series against a pretty big Washington team...you also have to consider the matchup it creates and how it differs from Maatta. Maatta is a LD, his zone is likely to contain T.J. Oshie, Justin Williams, Marcus Johansson...they are a fine match for Maatta, he doesn't possess any great advantage on them, but only Oshie is a better small area skater than he is in that group...

Jultz is a RD...so his zone is likely to contain Ovechkin, Burakovsky, Chimera...6'3", 239 / 6'3", 198 / 6'3", 216...the first two are excellent puck protectors in space, the third is a speedster with limited skill but plays with enough gumption that his below-par puck protection skills are not as easily exposed...you get into a tough spot with at least 2 road games left for us when talking about matchups. Schultz can probably handle Chimera ok, how will he fair against AO when Letang can't get out there or AB when Lovejoy/Letang can't get out there...?

I'm not saying he's incapable...and I'm saying that Maatta is the answer...I'm just saying that these factors need to be considered in totality, not just because Maatta got skated around at center ice or that he made two poor breakout passes in one sequence midway through the 1st period...those things are not good, but do you unleash the opposite of a greater good (a worser worse?) by pulling a warm and ready Maatta out of the lineup (all 6 games this year @ 19 per, 19 career playoff games, 6 Olympic games) for Justin Schultz who has 5:52 of NHL Playoff/Best-on-Best Intl Experience...? That's a tough sell perhaps...doesn't make it wrong, it just makes it tough...

[Kicksave]

I've been saying this for a while, but I'd rather them just dress 7-D than scratch Maata. Give Rust a night off and dress Shultz.

The bottom six is more than talented enough to double shift or you can give Malkin/Sid an extra shift every now and then.

[MR25]

Or they can leave Kunitz out, if he's concussed by that puck, and dress 7 D.

[Gaucho]

Given enough playing time, Schultz could easily match and probably surpass Olli's number of bonehead plays.

[dodint]

Source of the post I've been saying this for a while, but I'd rather them just dress 7-D than scratch Maata.

I think scratching Maatta a few games per round would pay dividends over the course of the playoffs. Have him and Schultz in a rotation. I'm not advocating for sitting Maatta for the rest of the year. He just looks too tired to execute and more games won't cure that.

If Kuitz is out, Sestito time baby.

[Kicksave]

If Kunitz is out, and assuming Beau Bennett is dead, is Sprong an option?

@mikey

[dodint]

WBS Pens are still in their playoffs. I thought he was obligated there until termination of that season.

[llipgh2]

Cullen,Rust, Kunitz and Sheary missing from practice.

[mikey]

If Kunitz is out, and assuming Beau Bennett is dead, is Sprong an option?

@mikey

I believe he can be recalled. My understanding is that the Penguins can do whatever they want with him after his junior season is complete.

[dodint]

Well, there you go.

[skullman80]

If Kunitz is out, and assuming Beau Bennett is dead, is Sprong an option?

@mikey

I believe he can be recalled. My understanding is that the Penguins can do whatever they want with him after his junior season is complete.

Yeah but recalling Sprong and expecting him to be able to just be put in and compete in the stanley cup playoffs would be a tall tall order.

[dodint]

Bennett has been there before, at least. I'd like to see him get a last shot to make an impact if the real players can't go.

[mikey]

Wilson was fined ~$2500 for his knee to knee...

[NTP66]

lol, that'll show him to knee somebody in the future! What a joke.