Game Five preview: Penguins/Flyers

All I would say is that Sykora had a lot of chances that he either missed the net or missed the puck. (I distinctly remember one shot with him in the slot, fired waaaay high and wide, and another on a 2-on-1 where he couldn’t even collect the pass.) If your guy is getting chances and not even putting the puck on net AND is injured, might as well swap him out with a healthy guy who is simply slumping.

Further, and this isn’t meant to antagonize, Pitt’s offense has not been good the past 3 games. Yeah, they got some in Game 3, but that was mainly Malkin. The team has taken advantage of their opportunities, but generally didn’t control the play in Philadelphia. Yes, you’re winning, but your offense isn’t playing up to its potential.

Considering that Sykora has pretty much been a non-factor this series and definitely seems to be off his game (due to injury or otherwise), inserting a slumping Satan makes relatively little difference in the lineup. The PG reported that Satan was being inserted into 4th line duties, and moving Dupuis up to play with Malkin. Besides, Satan has more to play for than Sykora. Say Satan puts up a hat trick tonight and forces Bylsma to keep him in the lineup. And since I’m on the whole wavelength of unlikely outcomes, Satan discovers his inner Ovechkin and starts to wear flashy skates, and actually lights his stick on fire when he drills in the Stanley Cup Finals game 7 winner in overtime. To belabor this point further, let’s throw in Conn-Smythe honors. Why not??? At this point you’re thinking, “Yeah right, that’d never happen. Fat chance in hell.” But pretty much that is what Satan would have to do to salvage his NHL career at this point. Satan will have to do something tonight to begin to erase WBS on his resume going into contract negotiations this summer with any club, albeit an NHL club or KHL club. Satan is running out of chances, and it might come down to his performance tonight. So, maybe that’s why this move is being made. Pissed off, ornery Satan playing for his career vs. non-factor Sykora that maybe needs a little fire lit under him to spark his offense?

Those were just a few reasons why this move is being made. I peeked in Bylsma’s head this morning just to see what was going on. I also peeked in Stevens head, too. There was a lot of crying and sniffling going on. Something about how it was totally unfair Crosby’s goal counted, and blabbering about the refs, too. I told him to blow his nose. I also told him about Flyers brand Kleenex. Now with aloe. Keeps your nose moisturized even on heavy cry (game) days.

i feel bad for skyo. i play myself and i have been in those slumps where nothing is going right. but if he is banged up and maybe trying to hard then a rest is needed. i think he knows he may not get another shot at the cup and is pressing. you can see it in his play. close it out tonight, rest up.