Quote:Originally posted by Gibby the Red Nosed Reindeer@Jun 4 2013, 09:10 PM

I WILL LICK UR ANUS WITH MY DICK!

Quote:Originally posted by Gibby the Red Nosed Reindeer@Jun 5 2013, 12:00 AM

I didnt expect a respinse on every goal 
There was 0 1 on 1 like Goddard vs Datsyuk would be. It was Lucic and Horton wiiiide open in front. If they out muscled or were faster then sure, but it was positioning, which apparently is the system so that falls on the players.
In what ways are Malkin and Crosby made to be 4th line grinders?

Why is it that when the Penguins win, its because of the system and because of the players, but when they lose it all falls on Bylsma? It's actually getting ridiculous the way you're allowing it to become this much of an excuse for the guys on the ice with a direct impact on the outcome. This team can do no wrong in your eyes, they have no flaws. Any flaws they do have is because of Bylsma being an absolute retard.

Quote:Originally posted by Sg Schultz@Jun 5 2013, 11:01 AM
I already made my "How's that cup run going Iginla" Sign for tonights game , hope they show it on tv !

Quote:Originally posted by JayTee@Jun 5 2013, 12:21 PM
Bylsma isn't the issue. You make it sound like he hasn't had do anything and let his players play. He won the jack adams without his best three players barely playing at the same time.

The problems have been players not playing a 200 foot game and stupid defensive gaps.

Quote:Originally posted by RehnX@Jun 5 2013, 11:03 AM


There was no Goddard/Datsyuk, that was an example of something you CAN'T let happen.  Niskanen isn't a great defensive player(that's really not how he should be utilized, at least), and he's not very strong, he shouldn't be on the ice when Lucic/Horton are out, and there is no excuse for that match-up when you have home ice.  None.

They have to play a grinders game, Crosby can pull it off because he's a freak of nature, but Malkin isn't built to play that way, he's better suited to play like Kovalev used to, TBH. 

They do have flaws, they have a lot of flaws.  Neal is lazy, Malkin takes stupid penalties, that's not the point, and you are completely missing my point if you think that's what I'm saying, the players have quite a bit of accountability here, but the players job is to listen to the coach, the coach is telling them to do things that are not working and is not giving them optimal conditions to do it(Line matching, line CHANGES, for example).  Further, Bylsma just stands there looking like he just shit his pants.  How many times when players are being stupid do you go home, and tell them they can have a day off of practice tomorrow?  If the Bruins were playing that stupid, do you think Julian, or ANY coach is going to pat them on the shoulder and say "good try"(He does this a LOT)?  No, he's going to command excellence from them, he's going to call a timeout, ream them, and tell them to get their heads out of their asses or they can ride the bench(Again, never done this, and I'm not saying do it like Therrien did either), we want a coach, not a BFF for the players. 

It's like a Goalie, it's not his fault when a team loses, right?  That's only true when the team and the goalie give it their all, if the Goalie let's in soft goals and the team in front of him is perfect, then it IS his fault. Bylsma has the pieces of a team that shouldn't be rivaled, but he's putting a puzzle together, and he's just forcing the pieces together and calling it "done".

Quote:Originally posted by Gibby the Red Nosed Reindeer@Jun 5 2013, 01:03 PM

I understand Niskanen isn't great defensively and he shouldn't be matched up against Lucic and Horton. However that goal had nothing to do with the matchup. If Niskanen did what Bylsma said (in his zone defense) that goal wouldn't happen, or atleast wouldn't happen as easily.

Crosby and Malkin both have great hands and are incredibly strong and hard to knock off the puck. Why shouldn't they be able to play a grinding style? They sound like two guys who could be just as effective playing that style, especially Crosby who is one of, if not the hardest guys to knock off the puck in the league and his leg strength and lower body are ridiculous. Playoff hockey is more physical and more grindy, you gotta be able to play that game and Malkin and Crosby have both proven they have in the past.

The issues I see are defensive lapses though. That and a lack of offense. I believe Iggy said in an interview though that the offense will come but mistakes in the other parts of the game are the problem. Pittsburgh has to much depth and firepower to be held down for a whole series.

Quote:Originally posted by RehnX@Jun 5 2013, 10:03 AM
Vokoun is starting.

Iginla, Malkin, and Martin were given the day off(), so we can't get an accurate read on lines.

Quote:Originally posted by RehnX@Jun 5 2013, 02:13 PM


Crosby can do it, he's probably be able to play defenseman if you asked him to.  He's that level of athlete.  But that's not the point, the point is it affects his linemates, and he could be utilized better.

Those stupid penalties Malkin takes are because he has to play a grinding style of hockey, he doesn't like it, again, he's Kovalev with a better work-ethic.

Niskanen is playing that exactly how Bylsma wants, that was transition defense, not zone.  And Bylsma's idea of transition defense is all about support.