The Penguins blew not one, but two multi-goal third-period leads this weekend, and they look absolutely broken, so can it be fixed? Patrick and Hunter are bringing you a different kind of Locked On Penguins show this Monday because the Penguins choked away a 5-1 lead to the San Jose Sharks and followed it up with choking away a 3-0 lead to the Utah Mammoth. The episode begins by exploring the question of what went wrong. Is it coaching, is it mental, is it talent? What is leading this team to surrender so many wins? (0:00) Then, it’s time to explore yet another question: Can this be fixed? How can Dan Muse, the veteran leadership, and Kyle Dubas go about fixing this problem? (12:07) Finally, it’s time to do some spitballing. Are there players to be called up? What about demoted? Should Dan Muse go nuclear on this team? All of that gets discussed in the final segment. (23:56)
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22 Comments
I agree it's more a mental issue than anything else, but I disagree that there aren't tactical adjustments to be made.
The Pens play a very passive game when protecting leads, by design. They collapse instead of pressure. That should be changed.
Using Karlsson and Letang together is a big mistake. Crosby is being used way too much in sensitive, defensive situations this year for a guy that isn't playing playing well defensively at all. He's surrendered 30 goals against at even-strength. 1 per game basically. Too many are at least partially his fault.
I would lean more on Kindel's line in the 3rd. They drive possession. They can get the puck to the other end. They will check harder.
And when Kulak is here, I think I would use him on his off-side to push Letang down. Letang is not a middle-pairing caliber guy anymore.
He needs sheltered minutes or to be healthy-scratched.
It's too bad Halloween is over because you could walk around in a shirt that read "3rd Period" and scare the hell out of every current Penguins coach, player, and fan. The bigger nightmare would be your friend walking behind you in the "OT" shirt that had a "Shootout" tombstone on the back.
Thought this wouldn't happen with Murashov in net. Was shocked when it transpired but knew they were going to lose after Utah got their second goal. The Sharks game was a complete embarrassment too. How does a Crosby led team fold like this? I don't get it. At what point would you consider firing somebody or making a dramatic change to the lineup to mix it up?
La Kings fan : I had to come over watch this show after the last two games lol , you guys ALWAYS BEET US BY WORKING HARDER , I appreciate the passion and anger ! I wish kings media would stop with excuses and show some passion too even if it’s negative! Especially if it’s negative!
I am unsatisfied with the direction of the Pittsburgh Penguins.
If games were only the first two periods, we'd be one of the best in the league. These are professionals making A LOT of money and playing a game. Beyond PATHETIC!!!🤬
Using hayes as the example to waive isn't a bad idea. No one is untouchable and maybe that wakes the team up. Broz should be leading he 4th line with lizzotte hurt.
I hate to say it, but i think it boils down to being too loyal to Sid and giving him the freedom to semi run the team. "Sid wants rust on his wing", Sid wants/needs to be out there for a minute forty of the powerplay…… There comes a point where you need to make adjustments to things and maybe thats not giving Sid everything he wants. Rust and Sid are scoring goals, but damn are they atrocious defensively. I have been saying for a while that the team needed to make Kindel 2C and look how it paid off. yes, it's one game, but in a game where the entire team looked bad, the 2nd line looked good. let's stop trying to do things for Sid's legacy and do things for the better of the team.
I can't disagree with anything both of you said. I do agree, this't a x's and O's issue, this is a mentality issue. The players have to get confidence back to get out of this. Whether that comes in the form of lineup changes to just wake everyone up, I don't know.
I do think there is the bones of a good team, they just need to overcome adversity and not let things snowball when one bad thing goes wrong. That is the biggest difference I've seen from the first month of the year, until now. In the first month of the season, they played with a lot of confidence and if the other team scored, they didn't let it snowball and affect them, they went back to work and pushed back. We are not seeing that now. They need to get back to that mentality.
Starts with the Crosby line, they get no ozone time and get caved in defensively
Nuclear option: bring in the witch doctors
Dan muse is going to end up taking the fall for the veteran players who quit playing in the 3rd. 58 needs to be traded or sent to WBS idc if it upsets Sid.
Letang to the 3rd pairing for the next good while is needed, period! We need a strong defensive defenseman, Kulak is a slight upgrade but looking at our left defense he's looking good for now. Unless Dubas has big plans for next years, or perhaps this year to start next year, in trades or free agency to severely upgrade our team with the 53+ million he has to spend….I don't know.
Geno wants to play 1 more year forsure, he'd take 5$ mill on a 1 year deal. I believe Karlsson has 1 more left. I hope Murashov does not play his 10 game this year so next year he becomes a regular goalie for us and activates his entry level 3 year contract at less than 1$ mill a year. Dubas can use some assests we have, make a trade, possibly Buffalo or I believe the Ducks, for a younger higher ceiling left defenseman since he didnt go after Hughes. Another faster, younger winger for our top line. Push Rackell to Geno's line to booster it. Hopefully next year Brunicke is ready for full-time duties and can be our 2nd line right defenseman with a stronger left defensive defenseman! Thought???
Shea is being dragged down by Letang. Why punish him? A prime Lidstrom couldn't carry him rn. I'd rather play Jack Johnson than Letang rn.
It starts at the top. Crosby’s play in both games, especially in the OT’s and especially against Utah, just very lackluster, no grit, and no desire or will. How do you think everyone else is going to play watching him play like that? 0 shots on goal against Utah. It’s not nearly good enough. He needs to take his head out of his ass and play like he’s a top 5 all time player. Lead the damn team. And I hate to say it, but everyone was so harsh on Sullivan as coach, but it’s the same results if not a little worse now with Muse as coach. He keeps making the same mistakes with the players he’s putting out there late in games. Letang is clearly not anything close to what he used to be. I need to see his ice time go down more. We desperately need Geno and Lizotte back. But they need to figure this out.
A few things:
1: I also think Justin Brazaeu needs a shout out for his performance we don’t get a single point if not for him
2: Ryan Shea shouldn’t be punished for Letang’s poor play I will die on that hill (perhaps put him back with St Ivany bring that pair back)
3: Taylor Haas mentioned that Graves and Clifton were the best defensive pair I believe in the Anaheim game and I’m going to very early pat myself on the back on that
4: I don’t think if the goaltender interference lottery goes against us the Utah game goes ENTIRELY different (not an excuse as I said Brazaeu ties the game go f*cking win it)
5: and some how SOME. F*CKING. HOW. We’re still in a playoff spot 2 clean points on Tuesday are needed
But none of this is going to stop Crosby to the Habs talk
Swap the Hayes’. Bring up Avery and Kevin goes.
After such a great, unexpected start to the season, the last few weeks have been rough (and especially this past weekend). However, things still look positive for the future. And, the Pens might even make the playoffs this year, when many didn't think they'd be good at all…
Some dudes need to sit some games
I am still on the stance that they are a bottom 7 team when its all said and done. Positives are, they have some nice parts, but too many passengers and the real games havent began yet. Let's hope KD can find a gem with its all said & moves down the road. I love Pats suggestion about Kindels line-agree even though they probably dont.
I notice how nobody mentions how Geno is out of the lineup with their expert analysis.
Shut up with Patrick Damp SENDING MESSAGES to Sid and the top line with f'n Brazeau and a couple rookies. Only losers like the Leafs send messages. Hey I got a bright idea: you want to put William Nylander on the 3rd line and send a message. Hahahahahaaha.