Pens first new defense pairings take shape
by Hooks Orpik on Oct 22, 2009 3:33 PM EDT
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PrintToday at practice the Penguins installed new pairings to move forward with, in the wake of Sergei Gonchar's wrist injury. From penguins.com:
"Right now the tentative plan would be to go 44 (Brooks Orpik) and 3 (Alex Goligoski) as a pair, 74 (McKee) and 41 (Skoula) and keep 7 (Mark Eaton) and 58 (Kris Letang) together," Bylsma said. "That would be a tentative starting plan. But again we’ve talked about different scenarios within a game where that might change.
So with the caveat that things may change it looks like Eaton and Letang will stay together while Goligoski moves up to Orpik's top pairing and Skoula slides into the lineup playing with McKee. Strategy wise it limits the amount of changes as possible.
Also the big news out of this morning's practice is that backup goalie Brent Johnson will get the nod for the next game Friday night against the Florida Panthers. Marc-Andre Fleury is expected to start Saturday against the New Jersey Devils. Another sound strategy: use the backup against the struggling team (FLA is 2-5-0 on the season) that just gave up 5 goals in the first period of their game last night. That keeps the starter fresh for the next night's tilt against the division rival just 24 hours later.
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Gotta get Johnson between the pipes every so often. Hot as Fleury’s may be right now, you don’t wanna burn the guy out. I agree with starting him against the division rival rather than the Panthers. Florida’s defense is pretty bad, even if the team’s goaltending can be very good at times.
I like the McKee/Skoula pairing. I don’t know much about Skoula’s level of play, other than his tenure in the league, but does he play a shot-blocking, gritty kind of game?
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Goligoski and Mckee have paired up awesome which makes it a drag to split up that new chemistry.
Eaton and Letang know each other so well now but I think it would be ok to split them up.
I say put Letang up with Orpik
Keep Goligoski with Mckee
and put Skoula with Eaton.
But hey they’re winning and we’ll see how this goes.
Their defense is so good because of how quickly they move the puck and how hard the forwards backcheck. Skoula is a big body that can help them out if they get pinned in on the forecheck.
A big Test for the PP with Letang and Goligoski manning the points and carrying the puck, Gonchar isn’t getting any younger, it’s a peak into the future.
Phili B
I like it, I guessed right in my predictions of what the lines would be and it makes the most sense to me. I believe theyre looking at Orpik and GoGo as a pairing for life after Gonch and theyre grooming GoGo to take his place.
I don’t agree with that assessment entirely. I think both are very good, but Goligoski seems like he’s matured into his role much faster than Letang did his. Letang made things happen the other night on offense but his attempts at buying calls lately is starting to get on my nerves a bit. In that sorta way that SId talking to the refs in the past used to get on my nerves.
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I’d have to disagree. Even though it took Letang a little longer to mature into his role, he is still a sounder player overall. He’s wherever the puck is and I love it. It’s exciting to watch because he’s such a great offensive defenseman. Gogo is awesome, but Letang sees the ice a wee-bit better I think.
The Pittsburgh Penguins are your Stanley Cup Champions!!
I’m definitely not going to try and rate one better than the other, but Goligoski strikes me as a more well-rounded player. He’s a beast on the blue line. His ability to keep the puck in during the PP is something that has improved dramatically since last season. His stick handling and ability to hit the open man is really incredible.
But Letang does have a bit of a defensive edge to his game that may be better than GoGo’s, as Cyroose said below. Either way, I’m happy we can have an “argument” (I use the term loosely) over which guy is better. Sure as hell beats a “why aren’t they better?” discussion any day.
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I find Letang to be more physically gifted than GoGo, but GoGo seems to have more “hockey knowledge”. He is more decisive with the puck and far more confident in his abilities. In the end, if Letang can grow into his talents he will probably be better, but for now the nod should go to GoGo. I’m with Frank on this one, this conversation is far better than the alternative.
I agree with frank
Go-Go has matured faster than Letang (though give the man credit for really turning it up last season). They are both gifted offensive players, and decent defensively as well. I’ll give Go-Go the nod in raw talent and offensive skills, but I think right now Letang is a bit more of a physical force on defense.
Here’s hoping they can take over for Sarge when he’s gone for good… :(
go pens!
Gogo is older too.
I like that Letang’s maturation happened in the NHL. I know Gogo has made the transition well, but I think because of the way they approached each player, Letang has the edge long-term. He’ll keep growing for longer and be better in the end for it. You can see it with how easy he steals the puck along the boards in the defensive zone. He just knows where to go.
Right now I’d have to say Goligoski is playing like the better overall defensemen. But Letang is more talented but, I still dont think Letang has quite found his game yet. Maybe this time Gonchar is out Letang will be more accertive. Especially on the PP. Letang needs to shoot more. He seems to play like he’s always looking to get rid of the puck right away. which is understandable when playing with guys like Geno and Sid. I think with it will come with expirience. Hes still only what like 23?
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