Pens/Flyers Game 5 Grades
Mike Adams | Report Cards
Apr 24, 10:37 AM | Hype this story!
Penguins spit the bit
Gag away huge chance
And now, it’s back to Philly
And back to the Burgh
Offense: D
It was a like a regular season game where they forgot it was 60 minutes long. They had some great chances against Martin “Played Like Brodeur” Biron in the first period, then pretty much quit playing after that. The shots tell the story—15 in the first, 13 thereafter. The only line that seemed able to sustain anything was the third line, which generated a strong forecheck on most shifts. The top two lines were generally invisible.
Defense: D
You can’t blame the first goal on the defense. You allow Arron Asham a 40-foot slapper and you would think your goalie would stop it. But the other two were partially defensive breakdowns that left guys wide open. The first came when they had three defensemen on the ice after a penalty to Scuderi, yet they left Claude Giroux all alone in front. Then they got caught on an odd-man break and nobody picked up Mike Knuble coming late. Just a lack of effort.
Yeo Play: F
I only watched the first power play, which was Gawdawful, then went in the back room to pet the puppies after that. So no specific comments other than to say that once again, it likely cost them a hockey game.
Penalty Kill: A
This was perhaps the only bright spot. They even killed a 5-on-3.
Goaltending: D
After basically winning them Game 4 all on his own, Fleury turned things around in Game 5. He certainly wasn’t the sole reason they lost, but he sure took a lot of wind out of their sails by allowing a very weak goal to open the scoring. That shot by Asham simply HAS to be stopped. It was like Fleury was asleep because most of the action had been at the other end. It was a bad goal at a bad time. You just cannot do that in the playoffs. The Pens had been solid up until that point, but once that one got past Fleury, the Flyers took total command. It turned the game around; we’ll see if it turned the series around. You can also blame him for the final goal, as he kicked out a juicy rebound right to Knuble.
Overall: F
The effort wasn’t there for 60 minutes, which is unforgivable in a playoff game. The goaltending was not good. The power play again stunk up the joint. Simply put, there is nothing good to say about this one. With a chance to clinch at home, they laid an egg. As the series goes on, it is clear that Philly is the better team, with the only equalizer being in net. If Fleury plays lights out or Biron stinks, the Pens win. But all else being equal, the Flyers are better. Since their Game 1 dud, they have totally outplayed the Pens. They have to be feeling very confident right now. As for the Pens, well, too many passengers last night.
And now, the rest of the story…
Sid: I
As in invisible. Well, except when he was taking dumb penalties late.
Geno: F
He’s always saddled with two guys that can’t score, but it’s no excuse for the poor play last night.
Bill Guerin: F
It’s San Jose 2007 all over again. He’s doing another disappearing act.
Empty Sweaters: F
They swapped a 17 for an 81. But they were still left with an Empty Sweater.
Philippe Boucher: F
He didn’t help the power play and was a -2. I sure hope Letang was hurt.
Coach B.: F
For the first time, I have to question his logic. I can see benching Sykora, who has been putrid. But then Coach B. goes and puts Satan on the fourth line to start. Yeah, like he has any chance of being effective there. And it ruins the fourth line, too. He did later put Satan with Malkin, but that didn’t work either. And as for the Letang move, that just gets a “huh?” unless Letang is hurt.
Ray Shero: F
I still cannot understand why Mike Yeo was retained AND left in charge of the power play.
The Third Line: A
At least they tried to change momentum with some great work down low. Too bad they couldn’t play 60 minutes.
Striped Buffoon Huh? Call of the Game
It was a random penalty generator game. I don’t think either side had any idea what was a penalty and what wasn’t. Early on, Geno got tripped by Carter, no call. Then Richards sandwiched Sid into Powe with his gloves in Sid’s face. No call. Then they call a weak roughing on Staal right after that. They did get the no-goal on Geno’s kick right, though.
Free Candy
Nine of ‘em.
Free Cookie
Six given out.
Kunikaze
Only one.
Monk Moment
Arron Asham scoring from 40 feet on Fleury. It brought back haunting memories of Tom Fitzgerald beating Barrasso from nearly the same spot in ’96.
A guide to the game grades can be found here.
Comments
ejt
Apr 24, 11:12 AM
the way we’re playing, the pens will be very fortunate if they win this series. gonchar has been terrible, kunitz/sykora/fedotenko can’t find the net. guerin has dissapeared since game 2. only the third line has been consistently good. the agression we played with in game 1 and some of game 2 has just not been there since.
i guess the good news is that we’re playing terrible and still somehow up 3-2, and i think (hope) we’re capable of playing much, much better.
TIM
Apr 24, 11:30 AM
I was watching the game last night wondering how this team even made the playoffs. They looked horrible. I sure hope we see the team that played in game one again and damn soon.
Ian
Apr 24, 11:37 AM
How a Big F’ing F for Fox Sports?
How many times this season have they lost the signal/showed the wrong signal during the game? I count at least 3, and I go to most of the home games, so I only watch half the FSN broadcasts.
I didn’t think it was possible, but they found a way to make Versus look like a respectable cable network, compared to them.
Ray
Apr 24, 11:58 AM
Ian,
The blackouts were due to lightning strikes in Atlanta when FSN’s signals are routed through. You cannot mess with Mother Nature.
Brixton Pen
Apr 24, 12:09 PM
First period they were there and playing well, putting themselves in the right positions to succeed and the bounces just didn’t go their way, niether did any calls – not that it matters with the powerplay anyway – there is no way they will get deep this year unless something changes on that powerplay pretty dramatically – then the effort dropped off and the bounces went their way even less, Philly is playing the better consistent hockey right now though.
Tim in Maine
Apr 24, 01:01 PM
While I liked 3rd line, when TK missed that open net on the wrap around when Biron was on the other post, I knew it wasn’t the Pen’s night…that to me was the killer. If the Pens score there, the lanslide begins.
Ray
Apr 24, 01:08 PM
With regard to the power play, this team still shows a notable disdain for scoring ugly goals.
Gonchar is always looking to fire his shot from the blue line and the Flyer know it. It is great when he has time. The Flyer ain’t givin’ him it.
Crosby and Malkin want to make the highlight reel play. The Flyers know it and they are bodying them up.
Time to change tactics. Crash the net more. Dump the puck on goal rather than looking for the perfect slapper.
Regarding the officiating, am I jaded or was it evident that the officials did not seem want to put the Flyers in the sin bin for fear of it becoming the reason they lost the series?
If Staal “roughed” the Flyer, wasn’t Richards guilty of the same when he leveled Sid? Richards looked as though he had intent to injure when he led with his forearms as opposed to his shoulder. (Think back to Kasparitis decking Lindros. If memory serves, Darius led with his shoulder into an unsuspecting Lindros.)
Sid was interfered with by 2 Flyers while on the power play. Even the VS. color guy, Billy Jaffe, thought that.
The Flyers penalties seemed limited to the injury ones. High sticking and hitting after an icing call.
I wonder if the League wanted to insure a Pens-Flyers Game 6 for national TV.
Nathan
Apr 24, 01:19 PM
Asham’s goal changed direction off of Scuderi’s stick blade.
I too am concerned with their play since game one, they haven’t played playoff hockey since.
Ian
Apr 24, 03:08 PM
@Ray,
How many times is their location going to be struck by lightning this season?
Pens1967
Apr 24, 06:37 PM
Really, Kris Letang should hire you as his agent.
It’s been noted that Lange/Borque said Letang went off the ice to the dressing room during the game 4 broadcast. That is not being benched.
Another FF poster noted that Letang had taken a two-hander right before he left in game 4. Further, it was reported Letang left the ice early at the practice before game 4.
That all points to an injury. In the playoffs, NO ONE is going to admit they are hurt or injured. Notice BOTH Sykora and Letang said virtually the same thing.
I doubt that’s a coincidence.
ballofhate
Apr 24, 10:11 PM
Letang is hardly the club’s “best all around defenseman.” With the exile of Whitney, Letang was the only d-man who finished the season as a minus and was, in fact, second only to Talbot for the green jacket. Regardless of what your opinion is, Letang is not sound in the defensive zone. Until he learns how to be, he may have to get accustomed to periodic benchings. Such is the process of developing a young d-man.
Ray
Apr 25, 02:05 PM
@IAN,
Please don’t shoot the messenger. Unnatural holes in the body…ah…not so good. :-(
Seriously, too often we take much about our world for granted because it is there over 99% of the time. A hockey game, yes, even a Penguins-Flyers playoff game is still just that…a game.
The reality is that to have a system that can take a lightning strike—or 2, 3 or more—and not miss a beat would be much more expensive and would likely force providers like FSN to go to a pay-per-view business model so they could afford to buy/maintain it. A hockey game—or any sporting event for that matter—is not worth it. Facilities like ICUs and life-support units in hospitals are worth it and deserve such robust systems.
That being said, I understand your frustration. You don’t want to miss a minute of the game. However, you should try living outside western PA like me. I don’t have an affordable option to see the Pens except on VS. or NBC.
And, you know what. The world and I have survived. The sun comes up each morning. It sets each night. All without benefit of seeing most of the Penguins—and Steelers and Pirates or my college alma mater’s men’s basketball—games.
And, Mother Nature does not care about games either. She is going to do as she pleases. If that means striking and knocking off line FSN’s facilities in Atlanta during a Penguins playoff game, so be it.
DaBich
Apr 29, 09:32 PM
Ballofhate, I have to agreew with Tom on this one. Letang is darn good defensively, in fact, he’s been better than Sarge lately. Give the kid a break…Letang, that is. :)
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