-Well, this team can’t play 60 minutes. I wish it were just that simple but it’s not. The Pens have more than a few problems that they need to iron out if they want to have success this season.
-It was one thing to be losing games when Sid and Geno weren’t producing (like it was in the beginning of the season). It scares me when Sid and Geno combine for 5 points and we still don’t win. Usually, that signals an easy W, but not tonight. Something is so wrong.
-Honestly the Pens problems are everyone except Sid, Geno, and maybe Letang right now. The scary thing is that Geno could probably be included in those problems at times.
-The D was sloppy tonight. The Bruins came into the game knowing how aggressive the Pens D was and they had about a handful of 2 on 1s. That’s about a handful more than I’d like to see. When the D wasn’t aggressive, they were hesitant. They didn’t look like they had a lot of confidence handling the puck in the B’s zone.
-Speaking of confidence, this team in general doesn’t have a whole lot of confidence in themselves. After the Bruins got the third goal, the Pens absolutely deflated. They’re really struggling to figure out who they are right now.
-Johnny certainly didn’t have his best game tonight. I know that he was still sick and that the Pens D didn’t exactly help him out, but he’s got to make some of those saves.
-The Pens overall game went to hell in the 3rd. They couldn’t walk the fine line between protecting a lead and being passive. They were just passive and couldn’t grab the momentum back after the Bruins tied it up.
-I kind of have mixed feelings about Sid tonight. I think he would’ve had a great game had Chara not been shadowing him. I think DB realized this and put him and Geno together. Still 3 points is no slouch; can only imagine how many he would’ve had if Chara doesn’t make some good plays on him. As always, his play along the boards in his own zone was fabulous.
-Geno was flying tonight. He went down twice tonight but both (luckily) seemed to be stingers. I’m not ready to proclaim the old Geno back yet, but boy is it nice to see him play like we know he can. He was one of the only constants for the Pens in this game. Unlike Steigy and Bob, I don’t think Geno coming back to form is as simple as him playing center again. Sure it’s partly that, but it seems like he’s making a conscious effort to play well.
-Dupuis had a very nice night. 7 shots on goal and almost 20 minutes of ice time. He earned every single one of those minutes; hustling on every play. Man, he was flying.
-Who saw the chemistry that Malkin and Asham have coming? I sure didn’t. Asham probably had his best night as a Pen.
-Gogo and Michalek, on the other hand, did not have good nights. Blah.
-Kennedy and Letesttube had pretty good games I thought.
-I thought the role players played a great first 40 minutes, but a bad 20 minutes. Crosby (and, certain games, Malkin) can only do so much, guys.
-It’s difficult to summarize this game because the Pens played so well, only to play so badly in the 3rd.
-The Pens just didn’t play 60 minutes. Maybe they need a shakeup? I’m just going to leave it at that.
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