Bouncing back, Fleury and Pens take down Rangers 2-0

by Hooks Orpik on Feb 21, 2012 10:11 PM EST

After one of the worst outings in the season in a largely lifeless 6-2 thumping at the hands of the Buffalo Sabres, the Pittsburgh Penguins opened a three-game homestand with a convincing and complete win over the New York Rangers 2-0 on Tuesday night. The offense dominated possession of the puck, the defense (minus injured Brooks Orpik) came together for a solid effort and Marc-Andre Fleury did the rest making 27 saves. A very complete team effort and a satisfying win for the Pens against the conference leading Rangers.

Some more thoughts on the game:

What a pass into space by Kris Letang to setup Evgeni Malkin for the game's first goal one minute into the second frame. Letang knew Geno would have room behind the defense if he could get the biscuit up to him and the defender made a perfect pass off the wall where Malkin could scoop in up and stalk in on Henrik Lundqvist. From there, Malkin made no mistakes going to his backhand and whipping a goal past the King.
Steve Sullivan ended the scoring when he wisely whipped a slapper on net while the Pens were on a power play. It wasn't the hardest shot ever but it certainly was well-placed.
Big night for the Penguins on defense. As mentioned top pair defenseman Orpik was out and they didn't miss a beat. Much maligned Paul Martin got shuffled up to the top pair with Letang and made the most of his opportunity, where for the first time in ages he seemingly made no mental or physical mistakes in terms of his positioning or play with the puck. Martin's 26:21 played is his personal most for a regulation game since December 8th.
Letang saw the 26:21 of Martin and logged 28:41 of his own and Zbynek Michalek put in 23:11 of his own in one of his better games of the season. With a break in game action until Saturday afternoon, Dan Bylsma certainly wasn't afraid of riding his top guys for most of the night.
Bylsma said he inserted Eric Tangradi in the lineup over Dustin Jeffrey for toughness. Tangradi's statline? 8 shifts 5:39 played, 2 hits, 1 blocked shot, 0 shots on goal. Toughness: added? (Or, more appro-pro- trade: showcased?)
Fleury ties Tom Barrasso for first place in team history with his 22nd shutout of his career and this might have been one of the more non-descript ones ever (which isn't necessarily a bad thing). Though NYR was credited with 27 shots, not many seemed dangerous or required incredibly tremendous saves. So credit the defense for that, but definitely a nod to MAF as well for keeping the sheet clean tonight.

Scoreboard watching, the Flyers and Devils both won in OT tonight, so Pittsburgh won't gain any ground on their closest current rivals in the standings, but to take 2 points out of a game against the conference's top team is always a good thing. Now a few days off and we'll wait for 2 more afternoon matinee games.

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Comments

Not disagreeing with you at all

But man, has the bar gotten that low for Martin? He shows up and doesn’t crap the bed, and that’s noteworthy. Egads.

by Jitterbug on Feb 21, 2012 10:18 PM EST reply actions

No one has set the bar that low. No one has provided evidence that Martin’s play has been bad, and unfortunately, even though we’ve known about confirmation bias for some time, we still fall prey to it so easily?

Hockey Blogger at Pensburgh.com

by GoPens! on Feb 21, 2012 10:45 PM EST up reply actions

Confirmation bias is one thing, but I think it’s been pretty clear Martin’s had an inconsistent season. In-zone turnovers, positioning in front of the net (i.e. letting guys consistently get behind him, like he did to Mike Rupp at one point) and failing to clear pucks are concrete examples.

Also, I’d be curious to see the amount of actual goals Martin (and Michalek) have been on the ice for this year compared to them last year. Is it a perceived bias or are these guys on the ice for more goals against than last year?

Pensburgh

"You come at the King, you best not miss."

by Hooks Orpik on Feb 22, 2012 10:04 AM EST up reply actions

Confirmation bias is one thing, but I think it’s been pretty clear Martin’s had an inconsistent season. In-zone turnovers, positioning in front of the net (i.e. letting guys consistently get behind him, like he did to Mike Rupp at one point) and failing to clear pucks are concrete examples.

Every person in the hundreds of psychology experiments which confirmed confirmation bias felt just as strongly about their position. If there is evidence of systemic problems in Martin’s game, it would show up in his possession stats. That hasn’t happened.

And as for goals, looking at those would be pretty useless given how poorly the Penguins goaltenders have played this season. We have one of the worst EV Sv%’s in the league.

Hockey Blogger at Pensburgh.com

by GoPens! on Feb 22, 2012 10:28 AM EST up reply actions

If there is evidence of systemic problems in Martin’s game, it would show up in his possession stats. That hasn’t happened.

That’s a mere fraction of a defenseman’s game though. Especially for the Pens defense, where the idea is to move the puck. Martin’s made physical and mental errors

And as for goals, looking at those would be pretty useless given how poorly the Penguins goaltenders have played this season. We have one of the worst EV Sv%’s in the league.

And could this be a result of the defense playing poorly to give up more high percentage shots from in tight areas?

Your argument- Martin’s doing great just look at his possession numbers, don’t judge based on goals going in! doesn’t make much sense. Martin’s a part of the team having a bad SV% by his play in instances – failure to clear zone, turnovers, giveaways, bad positioning, failure to block a shot or tie up a stick, miscommunications with partners resulting in blown coverages, etc.

Pensburgh

"You come at the King, you best not miss."

by Hooks Orpik on Feb 22, 2012 11:01 AM EST up reply actions

That’s a mere fraction of a defenseman’s game though.

What? Everything that happens on the ice – passes, turnovers, positioning, etc – goes toward possession. Indeed, how do you not see that if a player turns the puck over a lot and has poor positioning, he’ll have bad possession numbers because he can’t manage the puck in his own end, therefore giving up lots of shots against and accumulating very few shots for. Corsi/Fenwick is the most comprehensive stat we have. The fact that Martin excels at possession disproves the idea that he somehow cannot manage the puck in his own end or is constantly making mental mistakes.

Martin’s a part of the team having a bad SV% by his play in instances

Two responses here. First, if Martin and other players on the ice actually had a long-term statistically significant impact on Sv% (that is, not a random impact), then PDO (which includes on-ice Sv%) WOULD NOT REGRESS SO HEAVILY TO A MEAN OF 100.

Second, Vic Ferrari already examined this issue, and found that defensemen have no statistically significant effect on Sv% from season to season.

Hockey Blogger at Pensburgh.com

by GoPens! on Feb 22, 2012 12:16 PM EST up reply actions

What about pairing him up with Letang going forward to shake up the two "underperformers"?

by JerseyGuy77 on Feb 22, 2012 3:56 PM EST up reply actions

I don’t think anyone is really “underperforming.” If Martin plays better with Letang, then I think pairing them together makes sense.

Hockey Blogger at Pensburgh.com

by GoPens! on Feb 22, 2012 6:55 PM EST up reply actions

Martin/Letang

In truth every defenseman on the team plays better when paired with Letang. Letang’s speed and physicality as well as his consumate passing and puck handling make him the ideal pair mate for Martin and every other defenseman. The larger question about Martin as well as Michalek is whether either is worth the cap hit or could they be replaced with Despres, Bortuzzo, Strait or Lovejoy in the top six at a far lower cap hit?

by stoopidful on Feb 22, 2012 8:10 PM EST up reply actions

I’d say no. If Shero thought those guys could come in and solve our problems, he wouldn’t have sign Martin and Michalek in the first place.

by SlayerGhaleon on Feb 22, 2012 8:22 PM EST up reply actions

Agreed. Too many people think moving up Despres, Engel, Lovejoy or Nisky will solve our problems. God help us if that actually happens.

Hockey Blogger at Pensburgh.com

by GoPens! on Feb 22, 2012 8:44 PM EST up reply actions

Engelland

Engelland is already a top four playing with Michalek. To his credit, Michalek played better with him than with Martin. Despres could play well at the NHL level, perhaps as a 5 or 6. Lovejoy is a bit soft for his size but still a good third pairing and Nisky is playing very well this season. Any pairing with Engelland, Orpik or Letang is tough to play against. You all want retain veterans when the Pens have an overload of young blue line skill to use at a small fraction of the cap hit cost for M & M. I should trade M & M for Brown, Kessler, Getslav, Perry or Ryan any day and play the kids on the blue line if such a deal could be swung.

by stoopidful on Feb 22, 2012 9:38 PM EST up reply actions

I’m not going to dissect everything you’ve said, but this statement:

Engelland is already a top four playing with Michalek.

is just plain wrong. He’s 5th on the time in ES TOI and 6th in total ice time per game.

Hockey Blogger at Pensburgh.com

by GoPens! on Feb 22, 2012 10:01 PM EST up reply actions

Engelland

Engelland is now playing with Michalek on the second pairing while Orpik is out. Nisky and Lovejoy are the third pairing and Letang and Martin the first. When Orpik returns Engelland will likely join Martin on the second pairing and Michalek and Nisky will be the third even though ice time has previ9usly been more favorable to Michalek and Martin, if they remain split it is aq whole new blue line.

by stoopidful on Feb 23, 2012 9:36 PM EST up reply actions

M & M

Nine Million cap hit is outrageous for these two. If they could be traded for a good wing (Kessler, Ryan, Brown, or a center like Getslav or Stasny) the Pens could play up and coming defensemen (Despres, Bortuzzo, Strait, Lovejoy, Mormina) and fill their spots by advancing Engelland and Nisky to the second pairing. What the Pens would lose in veteran experience, and cap space, they would gain in energy, physiciality and speed.

by stoopidful on Feb 22, 2012 9:54 PM EST up reply actions

Again. If Shero thought that was a good idea, he would have forgone signing M & M in the first place.

Besides, if we did do that, we’d have no depth at all in the organization. What if one of those guys gets hurt? Then what?

by SlayerGhaleon on Feb 22, 2012 9:58 PM EST up reply actions

What evidence is there for these claims?

Hockey Blogger at Pensburgh.com

by GoPens! on Feb 22, 2012 9:58 PM EST up reply actions

If defensemen have no significant effect on save percentage, why not just get rid of defensemen then? What purpose do they serve?

by SlayerGhaleon on Feb 22, 2012 7:45 PM EST up reply actions

If defensemen have no significant effect on save percentage, then the response should not be to get rid of them, but to find a statistic on which defensemen do have an impact and measure them by that. Possession is the best we have right now. It’s non-random, and players do have an statistically significant effect on it.

Hockey Blogger at Pensburgh.com

by GoPens! on Feb 22, 2012 8:44 PM EST up reply actions

This is where actually watching the games comes into play.

by SlayerGhaleon on Feb 22, 2012 9:59 PM EST up reply actions

What does this mean? I, nor anyone else, ever said we should avoid watching games and just base our conclusions on numbers. But given the mountains of evidence justifying Corsi/Fenwick as the best tool we have, you’d be silly to disregard it

Hockey Blogger at Pensburgh.com

by GoPens! on Feb 22, 2012 10:02 PM EST up reply actions

Sorry

I don’t mean to intrude but it seems that you have done nothing but base Martins play off of statistics and I could be wrong but I think Slayer meant all you have to do is ACTUALLY watch the games and you will see that Martins play has been horrendous this year and in no way, shape or form worth the 5M a yr he is being payed. (I’m not saying you don’t watch the games but it has been pretty evident all year Martin has been terrible) Every hockey expert and their grandma has said how Martin has had a tough time fitting into Bylsmas system. He makes too many mental mistakes and costly mistakes at the wrong time. Anyways my point is when a person bases the play of a hockey player by statistics alone then 99% of the time the full story is not being told. Kind of like how Scott Cullen from TSN LOVES his statistics, and how many times is that guy right? lol

by MrChadysPens on Feb 23, 2012 8:36 AM EST up reply actions

Statistics are the systematic recording of what happens during the game. They don’t happen extraneous to the hockey game; THEY ARE THE HOCKEY GAME. Using those numbers gives us a bigger sample and much less biased view of a player’s work on the ice. And they avoid the usual pitfalls that you’ve succumb to:

Groupthink/Argument to authority: You say everyone believes this to be true, so it therefore must be true. This is a fallacious argument. If you want to make your case, you need to provide evidence over a long-term sample, and that evidence needs to be accurate and reliable as well.

Confirmation Bias: You can’t remember what Martin did on his 13th shift during the Rangers game, nor can you remember how many exit passes he had. You also don’t know how many shots he blocked or what the Fenwick was while he was on the ice. Because all human beings don’t have the memory capacity to catalogue all of these things, we rely on statistics, recorded by people who (gasp!) watched the hockey game.

Hockey Blogger at Pensburgh.com

by GoPens! on Feb 23, 2012 9:06 AM EST up reply actions

Spoken like someone who has never played the game! (And a Leaf fan)

If you think STATS ARE THE HOCKEY GAME, then you are badly mistaken!!

Yes I agree statistics are very valuable BUT they are not the be all and end all. Prime example: Ovechkin was something like a +27 a few years ago, does that make him good defensively? You would be a fool to say he is! Or Eric Staal this year at a dismal -20 or so, does this make him bad defensively? He is a Staal, I sure the hell don’t think so. Another example is a goalie on a horrible team with an awful GAA and SV%, does this automatically make him a bad goalie? Put him on another team and his stats improve!

All I know is I have not missed one game the Penguins have played this year and have seen a handful of games live and Martin has been atrocious. Anybody with 2 eyes and a heart beat can see that he has been sub par this year! And 99% of the time when ALL hockey experts plus the fans say the same thing it USUALLY is true! You are right it doesn’t make it true but it usually is!

But you keep on thinking that your stats are the be all and end all..Where me and the rest of the world will actually be watching the games and not just going by some silly little stat.

Martin is a nice guy but his time in Pitts will be coming to an end unless he has games like he did against the Rangers on a consistent basis. But I see that as him playing with Letang who would make anyone he partners with better. Just like Markov did with Komisarek and then Burkie went out and fed him a huge contract and how did that work out for them?

Martin is just too soft and we need Orpik on the top pairing with Letang come playoff time otherwise it’s going to be another long summer!

by MrChadysPens on Feb 23, 2012 10:34 AM EST up reply actions

One more point!

When a GM or team is looking for a player to to add to their roster through trade they do not just look at stats. They send scouts to multiple games watching these players because as any smart hockey fan would know, stats barely tell the whole story. Intangibles, making plays at the right time or wrong time. Things you don’t see on a score sheet like a player slapping the puck away in haste because they hear skates coming at them hard and don’t want to be hit. Those kinds of things, things you don’t get from a stat sheet and you actually have to watch the game for. Sure there is always going to be biased opinions but your stats are biased as well.

by MrChadysPens on Feb 23, 2012 10:45 AM EST up reply actions

Okay. Here’s the thing….

I think Martin’s play has not been as bad as everyone wants to make it out to be, and many of the stats that GoPens! offers up help support that case.

But I also think that we have to be careful with the stats. Not necessarily because we can just watch the game and see the difference. Rather, the problem is that our stats for hockey are just not quite advanced enough. The way we think about it all is a lot more sophisticated now than it was even, say, 10 years ago, but I’m not convinced we have a set of statistical tools that really tell us the whole story just yet.

People often use the “just watch the game!” line, and I agree that there is a lot of appeal to authority and confirmation bias in the mix. But it is also a mistake to discount the possibility that maybe we don’t have a full stats package in play just yet. And given the widespread dissatisfaction with Martin, it is at least worth a second thought to consider what might be missing from the story our statistics tell. If we can identify something, then we can develop a new measure to help us in our assessment of play and players.

Of course…maybe a year from now he’ll be our James Neal or Steve Sullivan, or two years from now maybe he’ll be our Chris Kunitz (who, I maintain with some grumpiness, is not at all our most underrated player…because people actually give him credit for the things he does these days!). But maybe not.

Jagr? I don't even know 'er.

by PopRocks on Feb 23, 2012 1:08 PM EST up reply actions

That’s not what I was saying at all, actually. I was saying that actually watching the game to supplement the holes left by stats is the best way to go, rather than suggesting that defensemen have no effect on save percentage.

Martin fit in fine last season, now this year he’s struggling and all of a sudden he’s not a fit for Bylsma’s system? Orpik has been struggling this season. Is he not fit for Disco’s system?

This is a case where “everybody” is a moron.

by SlayerGhaleon on Feb 23, 2012 5:28 PM EST up reply actions

First off I misunderstood what you said but either which way it still stands with what I say, Martins play can not be defended this year by some stupid corsi #, doesn’t make me a moron, but try again!

by MrChadysPens on Feb 23, 2012 5:33 PM EST up reply actions

On top of that Orpik came off his second sports hernia surgery this year and had a rough start but is playing better now so I’m not sure why you would even say that…

by MrChadysPens on Feb 23, 2012 5:42 PM EST up reply actions

Cut Martin a break. Yes, he has stunk this season. Tonight, he had a good game. Will see if this brings him out of whatever mental letdown he has been on.

The Hockey Dr.

by Outcast on Feb 21, 2012 11:35 PM EST via iPhone app up reply actions

Umm

I must be wading into some sore spot disagreement here about Martin. I’m simply pointing out that apparently expectations for his play have gotten so low that when he plays a decent game, it’s noted in the post-mortem above.

I personally think expectations for his play should be higher than that, given what he’s currently being compensated, and the length for same, but, yes, I agree he didn’t stink tonight.

by Jitterbug on Feb 21, 2012 11:46 PM EST up reply actions

The expectations for his play have not gotten that low. Just because Hooks or anyone else says something doesn’t mean the universe has ordained that Paul Martin sucks and the expectation is only that he doesn’t shit himself on every play.

Hockey Blogger at Pensburgh.com

by GoPens! on Feb 21, 2012 11:56 PM EST up reply actions

Glad to see you can talk the talk Jitterbug but are nowhere to be found when asked to defend your claim.

Hockey Blogger at Pensburgh.com

by GoPens! on Feb 22, 2012 9:21 AM EST up reply actions

LOL

Sorry I haven’t been here for you, buddy. I’ve been busy confirming my bias.

by Jitterbug on Feb 22, 2012 10:16 AM EST up reply actions

If you’re not willing to defend your claim, why bother posting?

Hockey Blogger at Pensburgh.com

by GoPens! on Feb 22, 2012 10:29 AM EST up reply actions

Just to recap

Jitterbug claim: Apparently expectations for Martin’s play are so low that when he plays all right, it’s noteworthy.

GoPens! rebuttal: The expectations for his play have not gotten that low. Also, he doesn’t suck.

Jitterbug defense of claim: Okay, if you say so. (crickets chirping)

I’m starting to sense that the resulting defensive belligerence toward my outrageous claim is actually part of a psychological experiment, possibly run by Milgram himself, so I think I’ll take your advice and not post here anymore.

by Jitterbug on Feb 22, 2012 11:07 AM EST up reply actions

Where did you say say “Okay is you say so?” All you did was post the snarky response “Sorry I haven’t been here for you, buddy. I’ve been busy confirming my bias.”

You consistently claimed that expectations for Martin’s play have been very low and should be higher. I said that’s not true. If you’d like to provide evidence for your claim now is the time.

Hockey Blogger at Pensburgh.com

by GoPens! on Feb 22, 2012 12:18 PM EST up reply actions

Where's the praise for Martin?

All I see in the recap is the mention he played 28+ minutes. Given the game was a shutout and the Pens D limited NYR’s quality chances, I’d say that’s a good night for Martin and the entire D. Martin has struggled this season and for $5M per he needs to play at this level at lot more often than he does. Hopefully it’s the start of something good.
Nice win Pens, no letdowns with Tampa next up followed by the bottom feeding BJs. teams have been looking past them and paying for it lately.

by Dutch71 on Feb 22, 2012 6:35 PM EST up reply actions

I’ve been as hard on Martin as anyone (in comments on Pensburgh and IRL conversations), but I have to say he played very well last night.

What more do you want from a top line Dman than not crapping the bed? He didn’t leave guys open in the slot… He got the puck to his forwards to clear the zone… He didn’t turn the puck over… He didn’t get beat one-on-one. What more can you ask for? He was excellent.

by SidgeniMalsby on Feb 22, 2012 7:45 AM EST up reply actions

Dear 29 other NHL Teams,

Eric Tangradi, you can have him, for a high draft pick.

"Hockey is the only tribe I belong to." -Jack Falla
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by AlexStitch on Feb 21, 2012 10:47 PM EST reply actions 1 recs

Haha awesome. I will have to wait to +1 this until I am off the mobile site.

by xaryss on Feb 21, 2012 10:55 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Shero is trying to package him right now for a trade. Calling the Leafs?

The Hockey Dr.

by Outcast on Feb 21, 2012 11:32 PM EST via iPhone app up reply actions

Three quick points:
1. Was it me or did Geno turn the puck over waaay too much?
2. EVERYBODY hustled on the backcheck and all 6 D-men played very well in their own end. I counted only one dangerous odd man rush for the Rangers, when Letang got caught being too cute deep in the offensive zone.
3. Props to Matt Niskanen for saving a goal with his leg as I believe Gaborik was cutting across the crease and Flower was down and out.

by jedmiller71 on Feb 21, 2012 11:37 PM EST via mobile reply actions

Was it me or did Geno turn the puck over waaay too much?

Yup. I don’t know if they were all turnovers, exactly, but he made 4 or 5 pretty bad plays in the defensive end. I’m glad we don’t see that version of Geno all that often any more. And fortunately his hustle, the rest of the team’s battle level, and his offensive prowess were collectively able to make up for his mixed up play tonight.

Jagr? I don't even know 'er.

by PopRocks on Feb 22, 2012 1:19 AM EST up reply actions

That was Martin who made that play.

by SlayerGhaleon on Feb 22, 2012 5:55 AM EST up reply actions

Somebody please explain to me why Dan Girardi should get any consideration whatsoever for the Norris trophy. They mentioned that Rangers fans or whatever were campaigning for him for it but…isn’t Del Zotto better than him on his own team anyway?

by Schide on Feb 21, 2012 11:52 PM EST reply actions

He leads the league in ice time. He leads the league in blocked shots. He plays against the other team’s best line every night and still manages a +14. Del Zotto doesn’t face the other team’s top lines. Girardi has a 0.110 Quality of Competition. Del Zotto has -0.020.

I think Girardi is a great candidate for the Norris, but he doesn’t have a chance to even be a finalist because voters give the Norris to the best Offensive D-man instead of the best D-man.

DZ is a better OFFENSIVE defenseman. Girardi is a much better Defenseman.

by SidgeniMalsby on Feb 22, 2012 7:36 AM EST up reply actions

I would agree. I think pretty highly of Girardi. He’s a steady, minutes-eating guy and one of the better shutdown D in the league playing against stars every shift.

I don’t personally think he’s true Norris caliber, but it’s not a disgrace to mention his name in the conversation.

Pensburgh

"You come at the King, you best not miss."

by Hooks Orpik on Feb 22, 2012 10:05 AM EST up reply actions

that’s an excellent response. Girardi has been outstanding and is now better than M.Staal and you are exactly right, Defensive defenseman have almost no chance of getting serious Norris consideration.

To judge a defenseman solely on Norris votes would be missing the point if that’s how you evaluate good/bad defensemen.

by AronV on Feb 22, 2012 1:09 PM EST up reply actions

You mean Girardi is a much better defensive defenseman.

I realize the primary job of a defenseman is to prevent the other team from scoring, but you can’t just exclude offense from that. I’ll relent that Girardi might be a better overall defenseman when taking everything into account but I don’t quite buy that just from looking qualcomp numbers. To compare defenseman you’d then need to take qualcomp numbers and factor into how they actually limit opportunities against the better competition vs lesser competition. Blocked shots really helps with that.

Leading the league in ice time does nothing for me as a stat in and of itself since it’s entirely based on the coach’s discretion, and therefore not particularly valuable when comparing to other D-men on different teams. Within a team I’d probably give it to you. Quoting +/- at me is never going to sway me no matter how you use it.

Girardi may be one of the best defensive D-men in the league, but his offensive numbers do not stack up to the top guys who also among the best defensive d-men. Therefore I still don’t believe should even be in the Norris discussion.

by Schide on Feb 22, 2012 1:52 PM EST up reply actions

Arbitrarily discredit whatever stats you want.. at the end of the day I’d rather have 6 Girardis on my blue line than 6 Del Zotto’s.

I’m not saying Girardi should win the Norris.. but in my estimation he belongs in the conversation with the Charas/Lidstroms/Webers/(dare I say) Letangs…

by SidgeniMalsby on Feb 22, 2012 2:38 PM EST up reply actions

Playoff Feel

What an incredible hockey game… Had all the qualities of a Conference Final game, and i have a feeling it will come down to these two teams in the east.
Fans very active and extremely loud, and plenty of outstanding plays : The amazing saves by both goaltenders, a ton of scoring opportunities, the up and down action, and pretty much every time Geno is on the ice.
His use of his skate sets him apart from any other NHL player. He displayed tonight why he is the best player in the world, hands down… Utter dominance everytime he is on the ice.
Anyone who does not think it is valid to compare him to Mario Lemieux #ThatShitCrazy #You=Moron

by PensRock1 on Feb 22, 2012 12:12 AM EST reply actions

Funny you mention the Mario comparison.. I have been thinking for a for weeks now (and even mentioned it to my girlfriend while I was watching last night’s game) that Malkin is really starting to remind me of Mario. There is a calmness to his game where it looks like he’s barely skating but he blows by a defender.. he just makes it look so easy. It’s exactly how Mario used to look on the ice.

Crosby at his best is a flash of pumping legs and impossible work ethic and fight fight fight to get some offense going. Crosby has been referred to as the “King of the Grinders” because of his style. Malkin looks much more methodical and supremely confident with the puck on his stick, which is how I remember Mario.

by SidgeniMalsby on Feb 22, 2012 7:42 AM EST up reply actions

Great game. It was nice to see the Pens put together a really solid 60 minutes as a team, and it was great to see Fleury get that shutout.

In the random thoughts department, at one point in the game Kris Letang made some sort of play that didn’t go quite the way he’d intended, but he managed to recover in time to sort it out. I was reminded of what it was like to watch him two seasons ago. At that point he was a player who made plenty of brilliant plays, but who also managed to do something completely boneheaded at least once a game. I remember really liking him, but looking forward to the time when my palm could be removed from my face.

It seems that time has really, really come.

Let’s keep him around, shall we?

Jagr? I don't even know 'er.

by PopRocks on Feb 22, 2012 1:25 AM EST reply actions

from your lips to Shero’s ears, hopefully

by AronV on Feb 22, 2012 1:11 PM EST up reply actions

Norris Trophy

It would be great if Letang could win the Norris Trophy, the only other Penguin to do it was Randy Carlyle back in 1981. If I’m not mistaken, 1981 was the year the Pens started wearing gold alternate jerseys.

by SteelStealth on Feb 22, 2012 8:35 AM EST reply actions

Letang’s missed too much time for consideration this season. He’s played very well, but hard to see him getting a lot of votes when he was out for 1/4 of the year.

I do think that if he can play 80 games at this level next season he will be a finalist. The media seems to really like him and that’s a needed key as well.

Pensburgh

"You come at the King, you best not miss."

by Hooks Orpik on Feb 22, 2012 10:08 AM EST up reply actions