Pens Vs Rangers Grades
Mike Adams | Report Cards
Nov 29, 11:19 AM | Hype this story!
Sid nets a hat trick
Happy birthday Marc-Andre
Was eight goals enough?
Offense: A
The Pens were into it right from the opening draw. They peppered Steve Valiquette with lots of great chances early, but just couldn’t beat him. But once the dam broke, the goals just gushed forth. Long shots. Tip shots. Tap ins. They were going in from everywhere. Just a tremendous show of offensive firepower.
Defense: C
The defense was iffy. Both Letang and Goligoski showed some rust, especially early. Fleury made a number of big saves early to save them.
Yeo Play: F
YEO MUST GO!!!
They did get two power play goals, but they were in garbage time. When the game was still up for grabs, the power play was generally putrid. Well, the first one was good, but the rest were most certainly not. They only managed nine shots on seven power plays.
Penalty Kill: A
The Rangers had nothing going on the power play.
Goaltending: B+
Flower made some key saves while the game was still close. Otherwise, he just did what he needed to to win the game.
Overall: A
What an offensive explosion! As I said, they just jumped on the Rangers from the start and never let them catch their breath. They used Valiquette for target practice. This was definitely their best game of the year, at least offensively. It sure was fun to watch.
And now, the rest of the story…
Sid: A+
Aw come ON, he only had five points. And he lost 5 of his 20 draws, too. What a slacker.
Geno: A
Not nearly as god as Sid last night, but what mere mortal could be?
Jordan Staal: F
Your team wins 8-3 and you’re a -2? How can that even happen?
Chris Bourque: A
It was the fewest stupid things he’s done in a game this year.
Coach B.: A
The Rangers iced the puck with Voros and Brashear on the ice. Coach B. immediately put Sid, Geno, and Guerin out. Talk about a mismatch! It led to a goal. Great coaching.
Eric Godard: A
He drove to the net to create Max’s goal. He also kept things calm at the end when the Rangers started going crazy.
Chris Stewart: A
He got three guys back into the lineup last night. That’s quite the accomplishment.
Striped Buffoon Huh? Call of the Game
It happened right off the bat, 37 seconds in. Eaton takes a high stick to the face, then somehow gets called for holding the stick when he tries to brush it away.
Icehole of the Game
Good old John Avery. Game starts getting away from them, he takes a head shot at Sid. Oh, but the little angel said it was an accident. Then he tries to start something and puts his team shorthanded the rest of the game. You know, John, Elisha is much better off now, no matter what you might think.
Free Cookie
He nailed Anisimov in the neutral zone. Was it dirty? Maybe. But Anisimov is a Ranger and teammates with Avery, so all is okay by me.
Free Candy
He rattled Vinny Prospal in front.
Monk Moment
It had to be the deluge of hats for Sid. It looked like a snow globe at its peak.
A guide to the game grades can be found here.
Comments
bag o' pucks
Nov 29, 12:04 PM
Sean Avery does the talking, someone else does the fighting. Unless jumping an unsuspecting player is considered fighting. Coward. Monday is going to be fun.
Sherry
Nov 29, 01:13 PM
Funny typo, Mike: “Not nearly as GOD as Sid last night, but what mere mortal could be?”
TIM
Nov 29, 01:22 PM
I hate Sean Avery. I really despise that guy. Thought the Pens played very well, and are getting better as they get healthier. Mike did you see the ESPN article about Sid hurting the Pens? I mean are they joking with that kind of material?
LK
Nov 29, 02:03 PM
Tim,
I saw that article. I emailed the writer about it, emphasizing that since Sid plays with the worst 1st line wingers in the NHL, producing at his level is a miracle. Here’s his response:
You’re correct, and this is one of the factors in Sid’s
low productivity. While this would explain his middling
even-strength performance, it doesn’t explain the low
power-play numbers, where he often gets some combination
of Malkin, Gonchar, Goligoski and Guerin, all of whom
have been scoring at a higher clip than Sid.
But you still make a valid point. Sid’s wingers have
looked like tree trunks at some times this season.
The writer conveniently forgot most of our powerplay was injured at one time or another this season, and furthermore, no powerplay will ever be successful while Mike Yeo is coaching.
Casey
Nov 29, 03:12 PM
I’m not an “ESPN Insider” so I couldn’t read the article. What was the gist of it? The preview paragraph just talked about how Sid was leading the team in goals ans points and how the Pens were seating atop the Eastern Conference.
DaBich
Nov 29, 08:16 PM
OMG Bags, Monday is gonna be a hoot! Did anyone hear if Brashear got anytime, I do believe he hurt the ref when he was trying to slut at Cooke.
Pens1967
Nov 29, 08:41 PM
NHL suspended Cooke for 2 games so he’ll miss tomorrow and against Colorado.
DaBich
Nov 30, 05:41 AM
Wait, did I type that?? LMAO...Matt, fix it…it should say slug! LOL!
mjg
Nov 30, 02:50 PM
Didn’t John Avery used to pitch for the Braves? He’s probably just as big an icehole as Sean.
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