GDT #1: Pens vs Blackhawks

[Trip McNeely]

My biggest concern this year is the PK (other than maybe blown leads).

I know they went 4 for 4 last night but the idea that Pettersson and Rudebeetle are your top two PK defensemen is going to be a big problem in the long haul imo. I’m just envisioning the two being body slammed by any player positioned in front of the net

[mikey]

It's Graves-Rude; Pettersson-Letang I think. One thing Graves was decent at in-zone last year was PKing...

[MalkinIsMyHomeboy]

the good news for Letang is that dodint will be able to use EK as a new whipping boy for being a defensive liability

[mikey]

Yeah, the idea that Letang is a defensive liability is just poppycock...hopefully this will provide further context...

[MalkinIsMyHomeboy]

I came across this "game report" on reddit. obviously it's not the be-all-end-all and needs to be considered in context but it's a little funny

[shoeshine boy]

did ESPN ever show CB98's parents?

[dodint]

Yeah, the idea that Letang is a defensive liability is just poppycock...hopefully this will provide further context...

Not compared to EK65 anyway.

[meow]

I wasn’t particularly disappointed in any one individual’s game. Pettersson getting bodied on Donato’s goal was bad. Rakell looked meh.

Jarry, Sid, Graves and Acciari looked great

[mikey]

Pro: Crosby, Rust, R.Smith, Jarry, DOC
Bad: Malkin, Rakell, Carter
EK: EK

EK's good was great, his bad was awful. So...I don't know...he just gets his own category.

I don't like d-men that leave their feet, so as a result, Ruhwedel had a bad game - even though nothing happened when he was out there. I just don't think the game is at a point where Scuderi could play...

[dodint]

Rust looked great. The only time I saw Jake was when he was almost potting a goal out of nowhere, I think for his injury timeline he's well ahead of where he planned to be.

[mikey]

Yeah, I'll take 70% Guentzel over the replacement player...Zohorna?

[meow]

I don't like d-men that leave their feet, so as a result, Ruhwedel had a bad game - even though nothing happened when he was out there. I just don't think the game is at a point where Scuderi could play...

Yeah the one kill where he went down on all fours then just stayed there. The Hawks player was like “oh ok” and effortlessly sauced it over his stick and Jarry had to make a good point blank save

[MR25]

I like to call that the Todd Reirden special

[King Colby]

EK65 proved all of my concerns last night. that 1st Blackhawk goal, I'm watching the replays and trying to figure out where he was. he was legit, the last guy back. I found Pettersson, Jake, Sid, Rusty and then Karlsson floating in last because he made a poor decision to chase to the top of the zone.

What? Pettersson lost his battle to frigging Ryan Donato. Karlsson was irrelevant in that particular play.

Sheesh

[Sam's Drunk Dog]

Rude Beatle looked to be past his expiration point last season so hopefully that trend doesn't continue more this year.

[Rx6687]

The Pens were really bad at finishing their scoring chances last season. Minus a true sharpshooter, my concern is that this will continue into this season. Without question, their inability to expand on their leads was a big factor in them blowing so many leads.

[Pavel Bure]

The Pens were really bad at finishing their scoring chances last season. Minus a true sharpshooter, my concern is that this will continue into this season. Without question, their inability to expand on their leads was a big factor in them blowing so many leads.

Yeah there were,

Rust breakaway
Sid breakaway
Smith semi-breakaway
2 golden chances from Jake (One clanged off the iron)
1 bad miss from Rakell

There’s a lot to be desired from the team but if they keep getting chances like that things have to turn. Right?

[mikey]

Yes, of course.

[Rx6687]

The Pens were really bad at finishing their scoring chances last season. Minus a true sharpshooter, my concern is that this will continue into this season. Without question, their inability to expand on their leads was a big factor in them blowing so many leads.

Yeah there were,

Rust breakaway
Sid breakaway
Smith semi-breakaway
2 golden chances from Jake (One clanged off the iron)
1 bad miss from Rakell

There’s a lot to be desired from the team but if they keep getting chances like that things have to turn. Right?

Absolutely. I mean, a system that is producing that many chances is technically working.. but this is a team built around its ability to score. Even more so with the addition of Karlsson. They bury just one of those chances and the final score is reversed.

[mikey]

We added two guys that can put it away, so that's a plus...