Don't Jump!
Matt Bodenschatz | Pittsburgh Penguins
May 16, 09:27 AM | Hype this story!
If, at the start of the Eastern Conference Finals, someone had suggested the Pittsburgh Penguins would win the first two at home, then split the next two in Philadelphia, I think I — and most fans — would have been pretty happy with that scenario.
So why, then, are so many people lining up at the bridge?
Isn’t the series still favoring the Penguins, who have a 3-1 lead and are heading home for game five?
Has it become commonplace for hockey teams to overcome three-game deficits in the playoffs?
Just yesterday many fans were talking about how the Penguins were a “machine” that was “unbeatable.” Some even suggested that, if matched against the Detroit Red Wings in the Stanley Cup Finals, the Penguins would be the favorites.
Yet one game will reduce fans to suggesting the following:
- Remove Pascal Dupuis from the top line in favor of Tyler Kennedy (goalless in the playoffs), Maxime Talbot (currently on the fourth line), or Georges Laraque (really?).
- Bench Evgeni Malkin. He’s been terrible the last three games (but is second in playoff scoring).
- Revamp the power play (which is clicking at 23 percent).
- Start Ty Conklin instead of Marc-Andre Fleury (classic).
I kid you not, I have either read or heard every single one of these comments at some point between the end of last night’s game and the writing of this article this morning.
Talk about hitting the panic button.
Apparently Pittsburgh sports fans have serious memory problems and have forgotten what the Penguins have done to this point.
Nothing needs to be changed. Not the top line, the second line, the third line or even the fourth line. Not the defensive pairings, the penalty kill, the power play or the goaltending.
The Penguins didn’t earn an 11-2 record so far by accident. It was achieved through solid line combinations, team strategies and goaltending. One loss does not outweigh 11 wins.
As James Mirtle said on his blog this morning, “As far as I’m concerned, Penguins fans are safe buying the (Eastern Conference Champions) hat.”
He added:
“The team in the hole wins a game, brings it to 3-1, well, okay, there’s their last gasp. Given where they’re coming from, the odds are so long that it’s not worth thinking about. Who’s next again?
“By that logic, the answer’s ‘Detroit,’ with only the date to be determined.”
The Penguins have stormed through the playoffs, winning 11 of their first 13 games. The last time a team won 11 of its first 12 was in 1983, when the Edmonton Oilers — yeah, one of the best teams of all time — did it.
Two losses in 13 regular season games is a nice accomplishment. But opponents aren’t nearly as competitive and desperate to win — and oftentimes aren’t even comparably talented or skilled.
Two losses in 13 playoff games is something to be proud of, and something that will be discussed for years. This is the most competitive time of the year, when most teams are desperate to win each and every game.
The Penguins have steamrolled their way to this point, and a loss in one of the most intimidating buildings in the NHL isn’t something to panic about.
It’s time to move on, to put this game behind us and get back on the support train for the team that has been so spectacular from the start.
Comments
mww
May 16, 09:44 AM
well written Matt
Mike Wilson
May 16, 10:07 AM
The top two lines just so happened to have bad games all at the same time and the Flyers defense was stepping it up in front of the home crowd.
Fleury was by no means bad and, in fact, kept the Penguins in the game.
Even when they were down three goals, they still had life from Jordan Staal.
These lines are perfect and there is certainly no need to worry about these Penguins.
Michael
May 16, 12:17 PM
Why did Therrien__start the game__with two forward units comprised of: Crosby with Adam Hall (??!!??!!) and Talbot .. then Malkin with Hossa and Malone .. ?! This was flat-out ridiculous, and it sent a very inappropriate message to the team to begin the game. It was as if MT was saying, “Well, ok, guys .. what the hell .. let’s just screw around and be silly for awhile, here .. heeh-h-heee-h-heeee!!”
I think__that__is what set the stage for their horrible First Period.
This was another bout of Therrien’s Temporary Insanity Syndrome. Assuming the Penguins do make it out of this series without blowing it to the Flyers .. Therrien__hopefully__won’t have another bout of this at some critical juncture during the Finals. Yes.. hopefully.
Problem is .. bouts of Temporary Insanity Syndrome can actually__create__“critical junctures”.
And so where was the Penguins’ newly-famous “great team defense” in the First Period? Where was the team discipline?
Why were the Flyers allowed to race through the neutral zone with such speed? Of course a bit of credit goes to the opposing team, but not really all THAT much. This was the polar opposite of the previous game. What the hell happened?
Therrien didn’t have the team prepared to play the game. And besides not having them ready to play, he made a totally ridiculous and irresponsible move to BEGIN the game, which sent a very inappropriate message to the team .. which in-turn set them up to blow the game.
Tom
May 16, 01:21 PM
Matt, The only problem, other than lack of effort, is the Gill / Scuderi pairing. They are slow and their recovery from skating away from their primary positions is glacial. I have no answers, but the pairing has been on the ice for six or seven of the Fleas nine goals.
I still see problems with shorties and believe that you must be in denial. The present PP is extremely vulnerable to short handed breakouts for want of a second fast and aggressive defenseman.
I enjoyed your perspective and believe it to be right. However, against the Wings, it’s either play the trap or suffer whenever the Gill / Scuderi pairing is in.
Bobby
May 16, 01:35 PM
I’m honestly just upset whenever the Flyers win a game.
DaBich
May 16, 01:37 PM
I’m not dumping the team. They had a bad game…and besides, NBC wants Game 5 to happen! ;)
All teams have bad games now and then. We just had ours.
Can’t wait till Sunday to watch them again!
Matt Bodenschatz
May 16, 02:15 PM
MWW, thanks — I like your style! Hope to see more of you around these parts!
Mike, very solid point about both lines having an off night at the same time. There often are games where one or two key players are struggling, but last night just happened to be a night where things didn’t click. I’d rather look toward the next game than jump off the bridge, which leads me to…
Michael, welcome back. I knew we’d see you after a loss.
Tom, how many shorties have been scored against? I count one in the playoffs compared to nine goals for while on the power play. Until it becomes an issue — and it hasn’t been yet — I’m not worrying about it. There are enough players with speed on the ice during the power play to make up for your perceived slow skating of Gonchar (who caught Richards Tuesday night without trouble) and Malkin.
Bobby, I agree.
Dabich, you and your theories.
Tom
May 16, 02:38 PM
Matt, I have never accused Gonchar of being a slow skater. In fact I have always thought he was a fast skater. You miss my point. On the PP I want two (2) fast skating, offensively gifted defensemen, one of whom is a left shooter and one of whom is a right shooter so that the Pens can one time from each point and recover to avoid short handed attempts. I have consistantly taken that position.
Matt Bodenschatz
May 16, 02:46 PM
We’ll just have to agree to disagree. And that’s okay. That’s what discussion forums are all about.
Eric
May 16, 06:52 PM
Matt, I subscribe to your brain. I’ve been thinking this for a while and had the same idea after the game 4 loss against NYR. Well written too!!!
Michael, I thought the same, but then realized that their shifts seemed to have gotten screwed up by one player not being able to make the change, thus throwing the lines out of whack for a bit. If you think that set the momentum for the rest of the game, you’re still dumb. I’d pay a dollar if I saw you give a compliment to this team, once. They’re 11-2 in the Playoffs, and you’re complaining. They can’t be perfect all the time, yet you expect it. You’re dumb. Their puck possession and management in the 1st period was amongst the worst they had in the playoffs. You’re dumb. But they came back and didn’t give up any goals or significant chances in the 2nd and 3rd. You’re dumb.
I don’t know if calling you a fair-weather fan is the right terminology. You’re dumb. But your approach to breaking down these games on an individualistic basis, instead of viewing the series, playoff performance and end of regular season as a whole leaves you to only complain. As Matt mentioned above, you’re a ghost after a win. But after a loss, let’s boot up the ole internet and complain.
P.S. Save your martyr retort. It falls on deaf ears.
DaBich
May 16, 07:26 PM
Matt, that’s ok, you lubs me anyway ;)
Eric LOL, good reply!
Matt Bodenschatz
May 17, 10:07 AM
Everyone, just a note of warning, keep it clean and
refrain from personal attacks on others.
There’s nothing wrong with disagreements, but there’s no reason to make it
personal through name calling and whatnot.
Commenting is closed for this article.