Pens Vs Sens Grades
Mike Adams | Report Cards
Jan 29, 10:35 AM | Hype this story!
Sens topple Penguins
Elliott outplays Fleury
Pens lacked urgency
Offense: D
They sustained absolutely nothing against Ottawa. Once Geno scored early, they figured it would be another cakewalk. Oops. The Phillips/Volchenkov tandem totally shut down Sid and whoever his linemates were. And nobody else picked up the slack.
Defense: C
They weren’t all that bad. Ottawa probably had the better of the scoring chances, but there were no really obvious breakdowns.
Power Play: C
It looked decent, firing seven shots in basically two tries. But they never really came close to scoring either.
Penalty Kill: A
No problems here. Ottawa had no good chances.
Goaltending: F
If there was one reason they lost, it was this. Elliott was tremendous, Fleury was awful. On the first two goals, he had no idea where the puck was. That happened several other times as well. It was as if he was playing blindfolded or something. He just wasn’t seeing the puck well at all. Must be the stupid blue uniforms. Anyway, the third goal was also weak as Spezza just wristed it past him from the faceoff dot. He was simply not ready for that shot.
Overall: D
They got outplayed and outgoaltended by what is, right now, a better hockey team. The Sens are on fire, and the Pens didn’t bring their A-game. That’s a formula for a loss, and that’s exactly what happened.
And now, the rest of the story…
Sid: F
Volchenkov made him pretty much invisible.
Geno: B
He is skating again, and did score their only goal.
Kris Letang: A
He was all over the ice, by far the Pens’ most noticeable player.
Jordan Staal: F
He’s back to the invisible Staal again.
Coach B: F
The line configurations to start the game made no sense. Why on earth would you have Conner on the fourth line and Dupuis on the first? Thankfully, he started juggling almost immediately.
Brian Elliott: A
I am very happy to see him doing well. I watched him for four years here at Wisconsin, and he was just tremendous. Led the Badgers to a national title. Class guy, too, by all accounts. I wasn’t living here when Cujo and Mike Richter played here, but he ranks right up there with them on most lists.
Rob King: F
He has been as bad as “Butcher” Alexander at pronouncing names this year. And last night, he outdid himself. He promoted the Pens’ game Sunday against Detroit, and closed by saying, “right here on NBC.” So, Rob, who exactly do you work for?
Blue Uniforms: F
From Color Psychology
Peaceful, tranquil blue causes the body to produce calming chemicals, so it is often used in bedrooms. Blue can also be cold and depressing.
And now you know why the Pens play so poorly in these gawdawful uniforms. Quit wearing them. It ain’t worth the extra marketing bucks it brings in.
Striped Buffoon Huh? Call(s) of the Game
The whole second half of the game was a total joke. It was as if LaRue and Morton had a flight to catch. After calling a bunch of ticky-tack stuff the first 25 minutes, they totally put the whistles away. It went both ways, and I’m in no way blaming them for the result. But it was just amazing how a little tap was a penalty early, then blatant trips in the third period were deemed legal. Total joke.
A guide to the game grades can be found here.
Comments
Pens1967
Jan 29, 11:00 AM
It’s games like this where one really notices the value and absence of Chris Kunitz. Yeah, he doesn’t score a ton of goals and makes 3.5M, but he sets the tone for hitting, forechecking and cycling.
DaBich
Jan 29, 11:03 AM
You forgot the IceHole of the game…and I give you Chris Neil. But paybacks are a b&ch and he got his right in the face…and even did it to himself!
nick
Jan 29, 11:35 AM
I have been saying get rid of those blue uni’s since they started wearing them as the 3rd jersey.For the winter classic they were fine, now they are annoying. We are BLACK and GOLD not baby blue, at least keep our city colors the same!! I believe the saying is (bleed black and gold) not (pee baby blue and white)
Steelhammer
Jan 29, 12:16 PM
Why such a high grade for Letang? He blew 3 or more great chances by shooting the puck right into the goalie. His shooting pct for the season is 3.0%. For reference, Mark Eaton, not exactly an offensive stallion, has a shooting pct is 6.3%. Embarrassing.
DaBich
Jan 29, 12:40 PM
GrrRrr!!!
shlim
Jan 29, 12:56 PM
Yeah but Eaton gets maybe a shot on net per game.
DaBich
Jan 29, 01:06 PM
Steelhammer ~ Letang had one of the best games this season, ...and was one of the few who showed up last night for the Pens, and you’re knocking him? Pulease!
Sherry
Jan 29, 01:15 PM
High grade for Letang because he played well last night. His game has really stepped up the last few weeks. Not only did he have 4 SOG last night, but he had 4 hits, too. He’s the only D-man other than Orpik who consistently hits out there.
Errey was full of praise for Letang last night. At the end of the 2nd, he was talking about how he was getting a lot of good shots, or, as Bibsy said, “He’s got more good looks than anybody!”
(Yes, Mike, the cougar tends to agree, lol)
DaBich
Jan 29, 01:19 PM
Sherry, good looks in more ways than one ;)
Yes, Letang is definitely coming along nicely.
shlim
Jan 29, 02:20 PM
Well to defend Mark Eaton after I bashed him, from Pens Official Site:
Mark Eaton played a solid game for Pittsburgh. He finished as the only Penguin out of the red with a plus-1 rating. He took a team-high (tied) five shots while logging 20:22 minutes of ice time. Eaton was rewarded with some extended shifts on the power play. Eaton looked comfortable and made the right reads at the point on the power play.
DaBich
Jan 29, 02:25 PM
Shlim, don’t knock yourself either. None of the players are perfect. Heck, even Crosby and Sarge have bad games. Just don’t tell me Letang’s play is embarrassing, because it isn’t…and I know, YOU didn’t say that =)
Natty Lite
Jan 29, 05:16 PM
That game was just a whole lotta suck.
@Dabich and Sherry,
you guys keep going like that about Sid and LeGame and we’re gonna start to think you fall into “the puck bunny” category over a tPB.
I kid, you’re both way too knowledgable to be puck bunnies.
Stan
Jan 30, 02:35 AM
your grade is not that bad but saying as the Penguins lose the game because of Fleury is a long stretch .do you look the game ? Why do you hate Fleury?
Natty Lite
Jan 30, 11:49 AM
@Stan,
What game did you watch? Flower was awful. Three out of the four goals were terrible goals that Fleury usually makes with ease. I really think his hand is bothering him more than he lets on, but if that’s the case, Beej should have started.
Flowers glove, which is one of his best assets, was very poor. Ottawa keyed on his glove side all night and it paid off for them with two goals.
DaBich
Jan 31, 10:37 PM
lol @ natty!
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