Pens at Flyers Grades
Mike Adams | Grade "A" Reviews
Apr 7, 08:27 AM | Hype this story!
It’s Ottawa!
Offense: A
The Pens appeared interested in only one thing—making sure they play Ottawa in the first round. They generated next to nothing at even strength. As Errey said, it looked like their only goal was making it through the game healthy. They did have some good shifts early where they bottled up the Flyers, but it rarely led to any good chances. As the game went on, they lost interest totally and really didn’t look like they cared about this game. I don’t think they had a single odd-man break the whole game, evidence of their not skating hard.
Defense: D
At even strength, the Pens really didn’t allow the Flyers much of anything. They allowed only 14 shots, one of which found the back of the net. In usual style, Jordan Staal cleanly lost a draw to Jeff Carter, who fired a hard shot right at Fleury. He made the initial save, but the Flyers were eventually able to bang home a rebound. I really hope The Genius doesn’t put Staal out for a single faceoff in his own end, or disasters like this will continue. There is just no excuse for allowing that good a shot right off the drop of the puck. They did allow another even strength goal, but it was an empty netter where Whitney fired it right into a Flyer, and they went up ice and eventually scored. But it was over at that point anyway, as the Pens already had the equipment on the bus to the airport.
Power play: A
The power play was putrid. They just waltzed around the perimeter all game long and never seemed to be trying to score. In 16 minutes of power play time, they generated only 7 shots, and Biron was only forced to make a couple good saves. It was a complete and utter disaster, as the Flyers got four shots of their own while the Pens were up a man. So in 16 minutes of man-advantage hockey, the Pens only outshot the Flyers by three shots. They actually seemed intent on giving the Flyers a shorty, as the point guys continually handed them pucks on silver platters for odd-man breaks. They all did it—Gonchar, Whitney, Malkin. It was just a joke. A power play could not look this bad unless it was trying to.
Penalty kill: F
The Pens did a great job of killing penalties. The Flyers had few good chances while up a man, and when they did, Fleury stoned them. They gave up only four shots in four power plays. It was very impressive.
Goaltending: F
Fleury kept them in this game, plain and simple. He was the only Penguin who looked like he wanted to win. Apparently, he didn’t get the memo that they wanted Ottawa. He was absolutely brilliant, stopping one odd-man rush after another. He was in good position the entire game, and was beaten only on a scramble out front. If he plays like this in the playoffs, the team will go far.
Overall: A
They got what they apparently wanted—no injuries and a rematch with Ottawa. For that, they deserve full credit for meeting all their pregame objectives.
And now, the rest of the story…
The Genius: A
He set the tone for this effort by scratching Crosby. It was a brilliant subliminal move, as it told the players that he really didn’t care about this game. Sometimes his moves baffle. Not this one. Sheer brilliance.
Evgeni Malkin: A
He was invisible. It was as if he said, if Sid doesn’t have to play, why should I?.
Sergei Gonchar: A
He gave the puck away on numerous occasions, especially on the power play. It never led to a goal, but he does get an A for effort.
Hal Gill: F
The USS Hal Gill was a physical presence, getting in the face of numerous Flyers. He knocked Scottie Upshall on his posterior with a beautiful check, and he was mixing it up all game long.
Jordan Staal: F
He had a few great chances, but remains snakebit. His effort was outstanding.
The Hockey God: F
He got involved physically, and hopefully he’ll be ready to give it a go in the playoffs. At least he got some rust off.
Striped Buffoon Huh? Call of the Game
Devo does it again. Can someone please explain to me how he could possibly call a dive on Geno in the waning moments? That was so clearly a trip that even a blind man could have seen it. But not Devo. Nope. He sees a different game than us mere mortals.
Icehole of the Game
The Hockey God, for actually going out and playing to win. He was hitting any Flyer that came near him. I don’t get it.
Confused yet? Okay, let me ‘splain. I really did not want the Pens to play the Flyers in Round 1. I just fear it would be a series that would be so physical that it would kill the winner’s hopes down the line. So I thought Ottawa would be better. So I went into this game almost hoping they would lose. Anything that went contrary to that was bad. Thus, Fleury’s play was very disappointing. But Gonchar was a god.
A Guide to the Grades can be found “here“http://www.faceoff-factor.com/grading-the-pens/979/a-guide-to-the-game-grades
Comments
DaBich
Apr 7, 08:47 AM
Priceless!
Ashley Gallant
Apr 7, 09:11 AM
haha love the grades, Mike. I don’t think we’ll ever see another shutout loss where the Pens get an A for offense.
I think my absolute favourite part of the game was when Hal Gill laughed in Steve Downie’s face.
DaBich
Apr 7, 10:00 AM
OMG Ash! I totally enjoyed that moment!
Michael
Apr 7, 10:24 AM
You give Therrien an A for “sheer brilliance” .. ???!!! Are you joking?
I really__do__hope you’re being sarcastic, here.
This game was a major lowlight in Penguins history, and Mike Adams gives Therrien an A for it. Ummmm .. OK. Duly noted!!
Where was any semblance of professional pride or integrity, on the part of Therrien, here? The attempt to find an “easy way out” by throwing this game, and the questionable ‘assumption’ that Ottawa will be “easier” than playing the Flyers in the playoffs, was an act of cowardice and shows a blatant lack of character. I actually feel sick this morning after that historical Penguins lowlight.
I’d like to know if there was any input or influence from higher-up in the organization for this tank-job. But we’ll probably never know.
What does this say about the supposed objectives of trying to build character, confidence, and determination amongst the players in this organization?
These Flyers are NOT the Broad Street Bullies .. far from it. The Penguins should have no fear of them, nor should they fear any team. This was a chance for this Penguins team to embrace a shot at beating the Flyers in the playoffs for the first time! The honorable and professional thing to do was to play to win this game, and to welcome the chance to beat their cross-state rivals in the playoffs. But, no .. an incredibly shameful lack of courage and integrity prevailed. The Pens wimped-out .. led by Therrien’s gutless decision to throw the game.
I think there’s a decent chance that the widespread ‘assumption’ that Ottawa will be “relatively easy” .. is going to backfire. Isn’t there a good chance that this situation__will__motivate Ottawa to be super-desperate and actually end-up a tougher opponent than the Flyers would have been? I see this as almost a likely scenario. But of course the Penguins “brain trust” probably didn’t even consider this.
But__regardless__of any considerations about Ottawa, the moral imperative for the Penguins was to embrace the opportunity to beat the cross-state rival Flyers in the playoffs. That was the courageous thing to do .. and was the choice that would have been consistent with a sense of character, confidence, determination, and professional integrity. Alas; they chose to be cowards, and they chose to be unprofessional. This is downright shameful. They also rejected First Place in the Conference and home-ice for the (possible) Conference Finals.
This is a sad, shameful day in Penguins history .. a major lowlight in the history of this team.
These playoffs are already tainted.
And it goes without saying that this shameful episode__re-confirms__that Therrien (and staff) needs to be replaced this offseason.
wow
Apr 7, 10:48 AM
dude… they lost a game 1-0 before the empty netter. How can this be as bad as you are making it? I think you just need a Coke and a smile and remember that the Pens are the 2nd damn seed in the East. No one would have predicted that in October. Sure they did not go balls to the wall yesterday, but either did the Flyers. You knew it was going to be a boring game after the first stoppage in front of the goalies. No punches or face washes… just turned and skated back to the benches. That game was no different than a 1000 other last game of the season games have been.
Matt Bodenschatz
Apr 7, 10:52 AM
Michael, I suggest following another team if you believe being healthy is less important than the outcome of one game. Get a grip.
Jean Hehn
Apr 7, 11:06 AM
I do not think they tanked on this game. I think Crosby was held out because the Flyers would not have played such a careful game if he was in the lineup. They would have tried to cream him. The Pens may meet the Flyers later in the playoffs but I don’t think they wanted to have another 7 game series on top of the last 2 games of the season. They need to win a round and build team chemistry with all the changes before facing them again.
Tom
Apr 7, 11:08 AM
Mike, I appreciate your “grades” this time; however, there were a few players that did not seem to go along with the general carelessness. Gill as you pointed out, Dupuis seemed to make the effort as did Ruutu, Hall, Beech and Letang, whose speed is shocking to me, and I watch him constantly when on camera. My partner asked twice “where did he come from?” This kid never ceases to amaze. If Alfredsen is indeed out, Letang ought to have an easy time. Ottawa’s goon is Chris Neal, if “goon” is defined as a useless thug. He is as bad or worse than any Flyer. Hopefully he sees alot of BGL, Orpik and Letang if Neal plays.
DaBich
Apr 7, 12:32 PM
Michael, I said it before, I’ll say it once again. You had best get your head out of your butt, as you are suffocating the single brain cell you have in your brain.
Go root for the Flyers, for goodness sake!
Michael
Apr 7, 01:20 PM
Hey ..
Look .. I know the truth hurts sometimes.
And I know that when someone stands up for the truth__when__the truth hurts, the messenger often ends-up getting attacked or killed.
And I know that I’m this messenger.
It’s a lonely gig.
But it has its place and purpose, if you will.
Sooska
Apr 7, 03:18 PM
RE: striped buffoon call of the game: He called Geno for drawing attention to himself AND for the dive into the tank that the whole team did (except Gill and Staal).
Good grades! They passed. On to the big time.
Phil
Apr 7, 03:20 PM
Am I seeing the grades right? Praise where there’s ‘F’s and hate where there are ‘A’s? I’m so confused…
And I might Michael and Wow are the same person blatantly taking radically opposite ends of an argument. They almost always post right after each other. Not that important, just an observation…
Ashley Gallant
Apr 7, 03:27 PM
Phil: It’s because the so-called memo from MT was that they had to lose the game. The ‘putrid’ PP gets an A because the Pens didn’t score on their 8 chances – which was the plan. Fleury gets an F for his incredible performance because he actually tried to win the game.
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