Pens-Bruins 10-27-13 post game

[Manfred]

Wow- what a game last night! Hitting like a game 7 title match. SUPER D both sides. Great goaltending. Boston used their same tactics on Crosby, but Malkin was left a little more open because of it. Sutter looked really good. Pens had a couple breakdowns, but the Boston rush was stopped by Flower when he needed to. I'm surprised Boston didn't win. Picking up Iginla, who scored on a laser shot, makes them an early repeat Cup favorite for sure! GO PENS!

[Eaglealum]

Main reason pittsburgh looked better on D was primarily because letang wasn't on the ice much in the 3rd... He's a liability. If they do anything at deadline this year it needs to be on defense instead of a splash scorer that leaves after pens get knocked out in 1 st or 2 nd round. If they go out early again bylsmas seat has to get warm

[theoneandonly]

It was a pretty fun regular season game to watch. Felt like a playoff game without the implications that come along with it. The Pens did what they needed to to come away with the two points. Should be an exciting season series between the two teams.

One comment I disagree with is about Iggy making them a cup favorite. Iggy is a shell of his former self. Did you watch the playoffs last year? He was virtually non-existent. Sure he still has a rocket one timer and will score a handful of goals off of it but that's about it. Plus he was all jammed up to be playing the Pens so I'm sure that added a little extra to his effort last night. Boston was going to be a favorite to come out of the East with or without him. If he goes down for the year they will still be a threat to come out of the East.

I like Letang but he is totally expendable and I wouldn't be heartbroken to see him traded at some point. Scuds going down for an extended period of time will hurt but at least it's a broken bone and shouldn't cause any lingering difficulties going forward. I love when this team plays lockdown and responsible D... two words that just don't fit 58. In the first few games he has been back he has made a few bad decisions and horrible plays that have either lead to goals or extended shifts in the Pens zone. I just wish he would harness that ability and pick his spots wisely.... wishful thinking though.

[abpk2903]

You guys are nuts in your assessment of Letang. He is turning into a perennial Norris Trophy candidate. The people that select those finalist are a lot more qualified to evaluate play than any of us. Every team usually has a defenseman that is used to push the rush and extend plays. It's very difficult to create offense in the NHL right now and when you have a defenseman that can do that, it's all the bigger bonus. There is a reason why we cleared out most of our 3rd line to make cap room to keep him.

The thought of having 6 Orpiks and Scuderies on the blue line would look similar to the Nashville Predators or New Jersey Devils. 1-0 or 2-1 hockey games every single night. Not to mention that our forwards create plays when we push the puck.

Plus show me where we can easily replace 27 minutes of ice time on the blue line. Not every defenseman can spend half the game on the ice and still have the legs to compete at a high level. Scuds and Orpik are too old for increased ice time, Maata is only 19, Bortozzo isn't talented enough.

[Eaglealum]

Then they should make a winger out of him.. If he's responsible for a couple goals by being out of position(which is a lot) then he better generate some offense.. It's apples to oranges. Instead of those 1-0& 2-1 games ya get 5-4 & 6-5... More exciting for fans, but hasn't been too helpful past March

[abpk2903]

Well the NHL has a handy little stat to measure a defensemen's "risk and reward" style of play...if taking chances leads to goals for you, does it outweigh the goals scored against you? It's called the plus/minus.

10-11 - Letang was a +15 player. 2nd best among penguin defensemen. Only d-man better was Goligoski who is no longer with the organization.

11-12 - Letang was a +21 player. The best on the Pens roster

12-13 - Letang was a +16 player (on a prorated rate of +30 if not for the lockout). This was 2nd best among pens defense with the only dman better being his partner, Orpik.

This doesn't take into account the disadvantage Letang faces with being a member of the power play unit. When on the power-play there is no chance for a plus but goals against are still a minus. Not does this stat measure the value Letang brings in his power play ability.

Only Penguins fans would want to trade away their best +/- player for a winger...

[theoneandonly]

I don't discredit his #'s or ability... I just don't know that he is the best fit for this team. Can he live up to that big contract? Absolutely. It wouldn't surprise me a bit if he was a top 3 Defenseman for the next 7-10 years. Will he? I don't know... some nights I love his game and other nights he makes me want to scream.

What do Letangs playoff #'s look like for the past few years? I'm not taking a jab at you, abpk, because I really have no idea what the numbers will tell? I'm basing that thought more off recollection.

I don't think the Pens should trade Letang and I don't know that they will. I guess I just wouldn't be as disappointed to see him go as I once would have. As I said above I just wish he could harness that offensive ability and pick his spots a little more wisely. That would solve a ton of issues and also make the Pens a more sound team.

[abpk2903]

I mean I do get understand the frustration of him constantly pushing the puck and sometimes turning it over but there are only a few defensemen in the league that match his ability. Explain to me where trading him will make our team better? We have too many skilled wingers as it is with Jokinen, Neal, Bennett, Dupuis, Kunnitz, and now the emergence of Megna (who needs to stay on a top line). There is no need for a center. I don't see getting a better goalie option than Fleury on the trade market. So what are the Pens gonna trade a top NHL defenseman for a draft pick and a grinder? Letang is still relatively young and has a multi year deal so there is no benefit there either.

Once again, how do you replace his numbers? Averaging over a +20 and eats up 27 minutes a game.

It's not like he doesn't perform in the playoffs. I remember some big plays he has made including an OT winner on the way to the cup.

[Eaglealum]

I'm the same way, I love the offense, but when you have that much invested... How much can u spend on the rest of his fellow blue liners ? He's a + player , great.. Well say his offense outweighs the bonehead moments... Why are they losing in April ? Because nobody can carry load every night.. And when he's off the ice guys like bortuzzo are on it. Something causes it... If they can't figure it out we probably can't... I'm just throwing crap at the wall to see what sticks

[theoneandonly]

Just looked it up... his overall +/- in his NHL playoff career is a +2 in 80 games so you could say his play does drop in the playoffs. Maybe I'm being a spoiled Pens fan but the regular season isn't my top concern. With this core they are *always* going to make the playoffs, it's what happens there that matters.

Again, I'm not suggesting just trading him away because he sucks. But if you could get a top 4 defenseman, NHL ready player and a high round pick plus a little breathing room with the cap you don't at least take a look at it?

I guess I'm more or less playing devils advocate now... I realize it was such a small sample size but the defense certainly didn't look awful without him early this year.

I guess we are at the point where we can agree to disagree... I certainly agree with most of what you say, just not that the Pens "need" him to win another Stanley Cup.