Faceoff Factor

Pens At Sabres Grades

Mike Adams | Report Cards

Nov 29, 10:23 AM | Hype this story!

Is it Groundhog Day? Anybody seen Bill Murray?

Offense: B+

Once again, it depends on which game you grade. But they did put three behind Ryan Miller, so overall it was pretty good.

Defense: D-

Orpik said in the pregame that they needed to protect Curry. Mission accomp…...FAIL. For two periods, they did fine, but in the third it was like they were hazing the poor kid by just letting the Sabres get great chance after great chance on him.

Power play:

Until further notice, the grade for the power play will be as invisible as the power play itself. I have quit watching when they are up a man, instead taking the two minutes to pet one of our dogs. It is much more relaxing, better for the blood pressure. And she loves the attention. She used to go sleep in the bedroom during games, but she is now staying out and watching with us. Sabres analyst Harry Neale said it best last night after yet another futile power play effort: “It’s easy to see why Pittsburgh is 30th in the league on the [road] power play.” It is proving that Mike Yeo is an idiot and that he is unable to design a power play that works without Sergei Gonchar.

Penalty kill: C

It wasn’t TOO bad, but they did give one up again. On that one they all got caught watching the puck as Paul Gaustad put it in. Staal had him then inexplicably let him go.

Goaltending: B

You sure can’t blame Curry for this loss. He made a few astounding saves in the third as the Pens sleepwalked through the period. He gave them a chance for a point, and that’s all you can ask. Sometimes I don’t know how he stops the puck, but he does. As they say, he’s a “battler.” And I believe henceforth that will be his nickname. The Battler.

Overall: D

I know that’s probably harsh when you look at the game overall. They played a good Buffalo team even on the road for most of the night. But it is the “how” of the result that gets them downgraded. They blew yet another third period lead. I honestly think I’d rather see them trailing going into the third than leading. They play more desperate rather than sitting back. They keep saying that all the comebacks in the third prove the character of the team. Well, conversely, one could easily argue that the blown leads show a lack of character, especially the lack of a killer instinct.

And now, the rest of the story…

Sid: A

Shoot the puck, Sid, shoot the puck. He’s starting to shoot more, and the goals are coming. Two more last night, including the brilliant baseball swing goal. Amazing!

Geno: C

I really didn’t notice him much, but he did end up with two assists.

Kris Letang: F

He continues to struggle. Max Afinogenov totally undressed him on the first goal.

The “third” line: A

Boy, it seems like they generate momentum every time they’re out there. Here’s a thought. Why not just make them the top power play unit? At least you know they’ll work hard, unlike the “fancy” guys who now populate that unit.

Janne Pesonen: F

The game log shows him with 6:02 of ice time. I guess I slept through those 6 minutes and 2 seconds, because I never once heard his name called.

Harry Neale: C

While he did make the very astute comment about the Pens’ power play, he was also trying to argue that Patrick Kaleta’s hit from behind on Satan was a legal play. Yeah, whatever.

Spinoramas: A

Well, they get an A when executed by Denis Savard, or Sid. But last night, Brooks Orpik inexplicably tried one, gave the puck away, and the next thing you know, Buffalo had a couple good chances. Stick to the free candy, Brooksie.

Monk Moment:

Sid’s first goal. To have the hand-eye coordination to bat it not once, but twice out of mid air just defies all mere mortal logic.

Striped Buffoon Huh? Call of the Game

That last whistle by Dean Morton as the Pens were threatening was a complete joke. And he knew it, which is why he didn’t give Sid 10 for slamming his stick on the cage. He didn’t take that split second to let the play unfold. That’s what separates the good refs, if there are any, from the Brad Watsons of the world. But overall, I thought the Pens actually got the better of the calls.

Icehole of the Game:

Patrick Kaleta for running Satan.

A guide to the game grades can be found here.