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NHL Regular Season 2017-18

#1,061
Gotta give the Bruins credit for grinding out a point vs. the Jets. They took 6 of 8 possible points on this recent road trip vs. some very good teams. Doesn't get any easier with Tampa x2, FLA Panthers x 2 and the Flyers next on their schedule, with Ottawa as their final game being the only team without playoff aspirations. Having Bergeron back definitely helps. Would be nice to see some of the other injured players return soon.
 
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#1,063
For those that care, the Pens dropped another lackluster effort to a non-playoff team.

I know Murray brought us two Stanley Cups but I'm starting to lean toward @MJ5150 's opinion of him. He's not as consistent as a Cup-winning goalie needs to be entering the playoffs. Whether it's the lack of a proven starter pushing him or he's just in a slump of sorts, I don't know. Not making any three-peat bets at the moment.
 
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#1,064
dwm74 said:
For those that care, the Pens dropped another lackluster effort to a non-playoff team.

I know Murray brought us two Stanley Cups but I'm starting to lean toward @MJ5150 's opinion of him. He's not as consistent as a Cup-winning goalie needs to be entering the playoffs. Whether it's the lack of a proven starter pushing him or he's just in a slump of sorts, I don't know. Not making any three-peat bets at the moment.
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Mike and I have been the only two that have been critical of Murray... and of the defense in town. He's not bad, but he has a lot of issues. He rode Fleury's coattails to the two Cups, got his fat contract, and has no one pushing him. He makes elementary mistakes nightly... and the crap D in front can't bail him out as often. 5-3-2 in the last 10 now. But Rutherford still yaps about how they have the best chance to win again this year...
 
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#1,066
Yeah, no doubt it's not ALL on him, I've mentioned that in many posts this season. But he'll make some awesome saves one minute then let in a soft one a few minutes later. The entire team has been inconsistent (to put it politely) backchecking, save for Crosby, Kuhnackl, and Sheahen. Kessell? you might as well park him on the offensive blue line because he ain't coming back to help. Ever.

Regarding Rutherford...as I've stated before, I want to trust his savvy based on previous deals that (at first glance) raised my eyebrows yet have turned our pretty good for the team, but him saying that this year's team has the best shot? I hadn't seen that but if he said that it might be time to question his mental fitness. ;)
 
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#1,067
dwm74 said:
Yeah, no doubt it's not ALL on him, I've mentioned that in many posts this season. But he'll make some awesome saves one minute then let in a soft one a few minutes later. The entire team has been inconsistent (to put it politely) backchecking, save for Crosby, Kuhnackl, and Sheahen. Kessell? you might as well park him on the offensive blue line because he ain't coming back to help. Ever.

Regarding Rutherford...as I've stated before, I want to trust his savvy based on previous deals that (at first glance) raised my eyebrows yet have turned our pretty good for the team, but him saying that this year's team has the best shot? Id hadn't seen that but if he said that it might be time to question his mental fitness. ;)
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Positive reinforcement or wishful thinking?:cautious:
 
#1,068
dwm74 said:
Yeah, no doubt it's not ALL on him, I've mentioned that in many posts this season. But he'll make some awesome saves one minute then let in a soft one a few minutes later. The entire team has been inconsistent (to put it politely) backchecking, save for Crosby, Kuhnackl, and Sheahen. Kessell? you might as well park him on the offensive blue line because he ain't coming back to help. Ever.

Regarding Rutherford...as I've stated before, I want to trust his savvy based on previous deals that (at first glance) raised my eyebrows yet have turned our pretty good for the team, but him saying that this year's team has the best shot? I hadn't seen that but if he said that it might be time to question his mental fitness. ;)
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Sorry, I mangled the quote a bit. Here's the article:
Penguins have strong chance at three-peat, GM says

"It's the opportunity to win," general manager Jim Rutherford said. "Not only do we have that opportunity again this year, I see it for a few more years."
There are some teams that have strengthened themselves since last year, but I believe we're as good as any team."
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#1,071
GonePlaid said:
Little known fact: At Panthers home games,people who sit behind the benches are given t-shirts that precisely match the color of the seats. That way no one sees them.
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Invisibility.gif
 
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#1,072
DerekW said:
View attachment 2965684
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Yep! Just like the home games! Seriously, I do understand it to some degree. I'm from Miami. There's a lot of things vying for your entertainment $ and S. Fla. fans are fickle. Hells bells, look at Marlins Park. The only times there are a lot fans are when the opponents (and fans) are from N.Y.,Boston,maybe Philly or Chicago and then those jerseys are predominate. 'Tis what it is.:meh:
 
#1,077
GonePlaid said:
I know the goalie has to be your best defenseman,but even as a non-Pens fan,the D hasn't exactly been stellar....
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Rutherford sold out the defense and shipped the only tough guy on the team out of town for a lame fourth line center.
Brassard? Are you friggin kidding me? James Neal kicked his sorry butt in his rookie season, dislocating his shoulder. Columbus knew he wasn't worth a crap, and they gave him plenty of chances to prove them wrong. Not good enough for the Rangers or the Senators either.
Here he is in Pittsburgh to anchor the apparently terrible fourth line that was just dying for a legit center.

As for Murray, glove side high. Dude can't stop that to save his life, but those random 20-30 second flashes of brilliance fools everyone just enough to think I am crazy for not loving him. I won't even mention his GAA recently.
Like @Selta mentioned, he benefited from playing behind Fleury. The Pens got worked over in giving Murray all that money and sending Fleury on down the road. The smart move was to find some sucker to trade Murray to when his value was at peak, then let Fleury mentor Jarry and DeSmith like he did Murray. That would have let Fleury wind up his Pittsburgh career on his terms (which he deserved 110%), going out strong, while those two young guys benefited from Fleury in the locker room everyday. It's a shame how the Pens treated him.
But hey, what do I know?

-Mike
 
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#1,079
DerekW said:
He's having an off year his first year under the pressure of being thrust into a starting position after his mentor, and a team/fan hero left.
Most forwards go through it, this is his sophomore slump. He'll be fine.

And I was a mess for a long time after my father died suddenly.

But hey, what do I know?
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Sorry for your loss.
 

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