Pens at Thrashers Grades
Mike Adams | Pittsburgh Penguins
Dec 19, 11:15 AM | Hype this story!
Well, at least it was an improvement.
Offense: C
They get an A for conversion and an F for the lack of chances they generated. They didn’t forecheck well, but did get some great chances off transition.
Defense: D
Way too many quality chances allowed, and some brutal turnovers like Satan’s on the last Thrasher goal. Talk about ugly.
Power Play: A
Two power play goals on the road??? Am I seeing things? The puck movement was fantastic. They had that sense of urgency that has often been lacking this year. On the first PP goal, Malkin just let go a bomb from the blue line. And it found its way in thanks to a Staal screen and deflection. The second one was set up by a brilliant pass by Taffe, who did a great Sid imitation on that one. He found Satan all alone in front, and Satan showed those soft hands once again.
Penalty Kill: B
They allowed one horrid goal when they somehow left Bryan Little unattended in front. But other than that, they did a good job the rest of the night. They even covered the loss of Dupuis by using Letang as a forward on the PK. Not a bad role for him, I suppose.
Goaltending: A
Okay, I admit that’s probably a bit higher than he deserved. Flower allowed three, but none of them was his fault. He made some absolutely sick saves, and that’s why he earned the A. Without him, they probably don’t win this game. He was strong early when the Pens struggled to find their legs. And he was strong late, as the Pens once again had trouble protecting a 3-goal lead. But it’s just so great to see him back in there that I can’t help the A. Oh, and my fantasy team appreciates it, too.
Overall: B-
It sure was a heckuva a lot better than the Flyer game. But they can do much better, too. They allowed way too many good chances. They only mustered 20 shots against the worst defensive team in the league. And they were aided by pathetic goaltending by Ondrej Pavelec. It was a nice baby step, but there is much work to be done.
And now, the rest of the story…
Geno: A
He was absolutely dominant. Just an amazing performance. It was one of those games where you expected something good to happen every time he touched the puck. He was far and away the best player on the ice. I wonder if it’s that Russian competition thing, what with him playing against Kovalpunk last night?
Sid: C
Meh. Didn’t do a whole lot. I wonder who his winger will be if Dupuis is out for any length of time and Talbot already out. Do they bring Pesonen up, or will it be Taffe? Cooke would be a possibility, but you hate to break up that third line.
Atlanta Ownership: F
What dirt does Don Waddell have on you? Come on, fess up. Or are you just using this franchise as a giant tax writeoff? How can you possibly look at the putrid performance on the ice and the empty seats off it and conclude that Waddell has not ruined your franchise? Bad as he might be, Jim Balsillie would be a huge improvement, and he’d move the team to a place that cares about it.
Matt Cooke: A
I just love this guy. A true hockey player.
Tim Wallace: A
He’s a less talented version of Cooke. But, boy, he sure brings energy. And he even got an assist last night.
Jordan Staal: A
Very good game by him. He was strong on the puck.
Blind Colby Zombies: F
Once Steigy mentioned he will be a free agent this summer, all the Colby loyalists immediately wet their pants. How long before there’s a web site called bringcolbyback.com?
Blindfolds: A
They are very useful in things like pin the tail on the donkey. But last night, we were forced to start the game with only one ref because Chris Rooney had an “equipment problem.” Yeah, we know what it was—he had misplaced his blindfold.
Striped Buffoon Huh? Call of the Game
Is it not a rule that if a high stick draws blood, it’s automatically 4 minutes? So how does Colby high stick Geno and draw blood, yet still only get two minutes. Did the buffoons think Malkin bit his lip or something? BlindMassenhoven is a joke.
Icehole of the Game
Boris Valabik, for running away from Godard. On second thought, maybe he should be Genius of the Game.
Free Cookie
Colby likes free cookies.
Monk Moment
The immortal Chris Thorburn undressing (or disrobing, as Bibsy said) Brooks Orpik. That didn’t actually happen, did it?
A guide to the game grades can be found here.
Comments
Shlim
Dec 19, 11:58 AM
I haven’t seen a 4 minute high-sticking penalty all year, and I was beginning to think they did away with it.
Then I hear Bob mention Malkin being cut, and it should be 4. Nothing gets added and it remains a 2 minute penalty. Has this rule been eliminated, or is it just being downplayed this year?
Mongoose87
Dec 19, 02:19 PM
Actually, if you check out the NHL’s website, the rules say that awarding a 4:00 penalty is at the ref’s discretion. Usually the ref calls it a 4:00 minute if there is blood, but it doesn’t say that this is the way it MUST be called.
Commenting is closed for this article.