GAME DAY: Pittsburgh Penguins @ Ottawa Senators - 7:30pm ET - Mon. Oct. 12th, 2009

shabbs wrote:So... after 5 games we're 3-2. We've beat teams we were expected to beat (Leafs, Islanders and Thrashers) , and lost to better teams (Rags and Pens). The team has shown that it is still adjusting and improving. I think we are right about where we should be with the face lift we went through and all things considered. In fact, I suspect we're above where everyone else expected us to be.

Vandelay wrote:Just like the NY game, that third goal really took the wind out of the sales. I thought the team looked good for the first two periods. A lot of negativity towards our D and team in general but credit has to be given to the pens. We played a great team and I thought we did quite well. The second line looked frustrated by the third period and our D had their hands full with the penguin fore-check but what did you expect?I think the team has made positive steps every game. We competed with the best of the east and for me that's enough. Of course, there are areas that need improvement and as long as they are addressed by Thursday and we keep moving forward, I'm not really sure what reason we have to be so distraught.

marakh wrote:I need to know where the hate for Picard comes from. The guy has 3 points in 4 games and is +5 on a team who has 14 games against and 12 games for...

I haven`t seen him make that many mistakes either.

wprager wrote:Michalek scoring near the end of the first was great. If that lucky bounce doesn't happen we go to the dressing room up 1-0 and on a high. Instead it's 1-1 and the adrenaline is gone. Maybe a bit of inexperience on Clouston's part not having a great speech prepared for this kind of situation.

I said a while back that I don't seen any reason other than their 1-way contracts for Campoli or Picard to be here over Lee. Our defense is really struggling. Just think how much better it would be if Campoli/Picard were replaced by Kuba/Lee. Not that I'm all that high on Lee, but he plays more physical than either of those two, and is a decent passer. Maybe he can work on his shot?

I don't mind Karlsson learning the ropes and making mistakes as he goes along, but pairing him with Campoli is sucking the wind out of him. He needs someone to help *him*, not the other way around. If Kuba is not ready to go Thursday then it's time to split Philchenkov up. And if we have the cap room, bring up Lee and sit Campoli. Pre-season plus 5 games -- that's enough for me to make up my mind.

We played a good first period and got burned by the bounce. This team has so many rookies or near-rookies on D that they are lacking the confidence to bounce back when things don't go their way. They need Kuba back -- what the hell is wrong with him anyway? He's only played, what, two games? Suck it up and get back in there. Campoli should realize that this lifestyle -- including the supermodel gf -- is just one demotion to the minors away from going poof! Give an effort out there for crying out loud. Picard, you're not good enough defensively to just stand there and not get physical; you're not Kuba. Use that body for what God intended it -- hitting, shoving, getting in the way. Or sit the hell down.

I'm a little frustrated because the two teams we faced that are *not* a lock to miss the playoffs both beat us. And it took us OT to put away the winless-in-five Leafs. Yes, it's only 5 games and, yes, we're missing Kuba. but I am beginning to get a little worried. The schedule is kind to us the first doze or so games, and we could have an inflated record that could give us a false sense of security. This was a game we could have had -- Malkin and Crosby were held off the score sheet. We scored first. We had a long 5-on-3, Pittsburgh went 0-for-3 on their PP. If you had told me all this prior to the game, I would definitely have expected a win.

So, not panicking yet, just a little ticked off that a great opportunity to go up 4-1 was wasted.

marakh wrote:I need to know where the hate for Picard comes from. The guy has 3 points in 4 games and is +5 on a team who has 14 games against and 12 games for...

I haven`t seen him make that many mistakes either.

Cap'n Clutch wrote:Here is what I would like to see personally but I'm no GM (unless you count the SIM and my team is 2 and 3 so...)

Convince Karlsson to play in Bingo not SEL, gain some confidence, playing 20 plus minutes and ripping it up in the AHL. Maybe call him up later in the season. If not he should be ready to play top 4 with Cowen next season.

Call up Lee and see how it goes. This season isn't likely to be overly successful so I wouldn't start hunting for a top 2 D man and instead let Karlsson, Cowen and Weircioch grow into the top 3 on this team.

SensFan71 wrote:

shabbs wrote:We are missing Kuba big time.

won't be back at least until Saturday from what Clouston said, which really hurts Karlsson as Kuba is his mentor in this role. Too bad we didn't have another veteran puck mover in the organization, but then again, if we did, then Karlsson might not even be here, so scratch that idea. Kuba will be back soon and he will settle the kid down.

SpezDispenser wrote:Okay, thankfully there's a lot of positive people here, because I didn't get to watch the game (it happens....3 times a year tops) so I'm counting on some of you.

That one was a rip your hair out, knee-jerk reaction kind of final score. A score that suggested to me that we have NO business in the top 6 of the Eastern Conference (and I want business there).

SensFan71 wrote:
even with the loss we are in the top 3 of the conference, should be able to rebound against the Lightning on Thursday and then the Habs on Saturday should not be an issue either, but that is opinion/on paper, have to have the games played to know the real deal.

Hoags wrote:Outside of the PP they played good and kept Crosby and Malkin off the scoresheet. Defensively and net we are pretty besides the occasional breakdowns which I think will improve over time, once we sort out who stays/goes.

Leclaire should've had that blast from Kennedy, he was in position. Otherwise he was the victim of bad bounces while Fleury had some on his side.

I think Karlsson needs time in the AHL, he needs to get used to North American Hockey. I don't think sending him to Sweden will accomplish anything.

Kuba-Phillips-Volchenkov-Carkner are the only 4 D's that have to stay.

Between Karlsson, Picard, Campoli, Lee, BM and Clouston need to decide who stays and who goes soon, maybe swing a trade if better D are available.

That's how I see the team. We are a work in progress still but I think we have a lot of pieces in place as well.