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".

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.