Faceoff Factor

Pens Vs Thrashers Grades

Mike Adams | Report Cards

Jan 7, 10:33 AM | Hype this story!

A win is a win
Always beats a loss
But this was the Thrashers and
They are really bad

Offense: B

They managed one even-strength goal (right off a faceoff) and put a fair amount of pressure on Kari Lehtonen, especially in the first two periods.

Defense: C

Not a stellar effort, as Flower bailed them out time and again. They gave up too many high quality chances, especially in the third.

Power play: F

Another embarrassing night’s work. It was simply putrid. Oh wait. That was just force of habit. The power play was, unbelievably, productive last night and won them a hockey game. How did that happen? Was Yeo removed from power play duties? Both goals came because they shot from the point and had someone near the net for deflections. Amazing how simple it can be, eh?

Penalty kill: C

They allowed their nightly power play goal as well as some other good chances.

Goaltending: A

Flower came back from a rough stretch with a very strong game. He made numerous key saves, especially early and late. He kept Atlanta off the board until the Pens finally dented Lehtonen. That was key. Had he let one in early, it would have been, “here we go again.” But he shut them down until the Pens had three on the board. But he was also a brick wall late, when the Pens kind of fell asleep and let the Thrashers take the play to them. In short, he was the difference in this game.

Overall: A

Just because it feels so good to finally win a game. But they really have a long ways to go, and the coming road trip will tell the tale. If they truly are out their slump, you would expect to see at least four points. If not, anywhere between none and two is much more likely.

And now, the rest of the story…

Sid: B

He had some jump and actually scored a goal.

Geno: A

Welcome back to the scoresheet, Geno. It wasn’t his best game ever, but he picked up three points.

Jordan Stalled: C

At least he played like he had a bit of a clue last night.

Ruslan Fedotenko: A

Hahahahahahahahahahahahaha. Colby ain’t such a tough guy after all, is he? We have TK, and Feds can be TKO. Or one-punch. But who knew Colby’s jaw was so hard that it would break Fedotenko’s hand? Guess his jaw does get lots of exercise, come to think about it.

Ryan Whitney: A

For the first time, he actually looked decent running the power play.

John Anderson: A

For still having a smile despite the crap he’s been given to coach.

Petr Sykora: A

He scored just after I called him worthless while watching. I guess I got him confused with Satan. They are pretty much twins, except Sykora got all the personality.

The Peter Gun Nickname: F

Can it, Steigy. It grates. It is right up there with Little Tyger.

Icehole of the Game

Colby, for running guys every chance he got. And for breaking Fedotenko’s hand.

Free Candy

He was giving them out all night, though I don’t recall one in particular.

Free Cookie

Ditto

Striped Buffoon Huh? Call of the Game

I actually thought they called a pretty good game. Funny, I rarely have anything bad to say about Marc Joannette. He usually calls a good game.

A Guide to the Grades can be found here http://www.faceoff-factor.com/grading-the-pens/979/a-guide-to-the-game-grades