The Pens are the 05-06 Dallas Stars of this season.

[DetroitYZ19 0]

THe Pittsburgh "we cant get it done in regulation or OT" Penguins are gaining all of their points by shootout wins just like the stars did last season only to get upset in the first round of the playoffs. Someone better tell Crosby and comapny that there arent any shootouts in the playoffs...I think they are in for a rude awakening come playoff time...

Thoughts/Comments?

[Lou_Siffer 1]

Yes, someone needs to start telling the Penguins to sandbag and tank those shootouts

[toby91_ca 620]

For a young team, I would almost think that it is a good thing that a lot of their games are going to OT and shootout. They have a winning record in OT and a winning record in the shootout.

While you may say that they may not have been able to get it done in regulation or OT, you could also say that not many teams have been able to beat them in regulation or OT either, works both ways.

[edicius 3,269]

I have a feeling that in some cases, the Pens have been playing to tie - not to win - at the end of regulation and OT, because they know they can win in the shootout with Crosby and Malkin. Mind you, I haven't been watching the Pens in the games that have gone to shootout, so I could be completely wrong.

We'll see what happens in the playoffs. I have a feeling they'll fold hard in the first or second round (depending on who they play) when they realize that they can't force a shootout.

[toby91_ca 620]

I have a feeling that in some cases, the Pens have been playing to tie - not to win - at the end of regulation and OT, because they know they can win in the shootout with Crosby and Malkin. Mind you, I haven't been watching the Pens in the games that have gone to shootout, so I could be completely wrong.

To be honest, I think you are completely wrong....using your words.

I have watched a fair number of games and a lot of the games that end up going to OT have been games where they have given up the lead in the 3rd (not good sign either). Some games have been games where they have come back to tie. I do not think I have ever seen one of their games when they have been sitting back for the tie, either in regulation or OT. They are definately not the Devils.

Also, they do well in the shootout because of Crosby, Christensen (sp?) and Fluery. Malkin has been terrible and has actually been taken out of the top 3 shooters the last couple games.

[edicius 3,269]

To be honest, I think you are completely wrong....using your words.

I have watched a fair number of games and a lot of the games that end up going to OT have been games where they have given up the lead in the 3rd (not good sign either). Some games have been games where they have come back to tie. I do not think I have ever seen one of their games when they have been sitting back for the tie, either in regulation or OT. They are definately not the Devils.

See, this is why I admitted I could be wrong. Since you've watched the games, you know better than I. Sounds like OT and the shootout aren't exactly planned for them, unless giving up the lead is some sort of brilliant plan of which I can't figure out the details.

Also, they do well in the shootout because of Crosby, Christensen (sp?) and Fluery. Malkin has been terrible and has actually been taken out of the top 3 shooters the last couple games.

Hmm, intriguing. So Fleury's good on breakaways, as it were?

[toby91_ca 620]

Hmm, intriguing. So Fleury's good on breakaways, as it were?

He certainly looks pretty good in shootouts. I haven't tried fo verify stats, but I don't remember a lot of goals being scored on him in the shootout recently. I think the shootouts that they lose are generally when they can't score, not because Fluery lets in too many.

Edit: I actually just checked some stats. Tampa Bay is the far and away best shootout team so far this year. They are 10-1 (Pens are 10-6). They have scored 14 goals and have only given up 3. Buffalo has 10 shootout wins and so does Minnesota. The Pens are actually only 8th in terms of winning % in the shootout.

Hasek has actually been pretty pathetic in shootouts so far.

Edited March 19, 2007 by toby91_ca

[Guest Tunbo Batman]

31 regulation wins as of March 19th isnt impressive in my book.

[jagr68 0]

Yeah Toby is right on a couple things here.

Someone said that it's not good that they have resorted to a shootout because they cannot get it done in regulation. Toby is right because you can also say it means teams cannot beat them in regulation. Very good point. Also, Toby is right the Pens are guilty of giving up a 2 or 3 goal lead only to have it go into OT. Few nights back they were up 1 goal on Buffalo. After Recchi hit the post for the empty netter, Buffalo scored with like 5 or 6 seconds left. The Pens won in a shootout, I think.

Last night, they were up on Ottawa the whole game but kept letting them get back in. They again, won in a shootout. But I agree, the Pens are not that easy to beat in regulation. Here is a good stat. Regulation losses

Anaheim 18

Detroit 18

Buffalo 19

Nashville 20

New Jersey 21

Pittsburgh 21

So yes they have won a decent amount of games in OT/Shootout, but just proves teams can't beat them in regulation.

Only 3 regulation losses seperate them from the least amount in the NHL.

[toby91_ca 620]

31 regulation wins as of March 19th isnt impressive in my book.

It is in mine, especially since they only won 21 all of last year.

Their 31 regulation wins are only 1 less than Minnesota and 5 less than Buffalo.

[gowingsgo 3]

The Pens are going to surprise people....

[Heroes of Hockeytown 694]

Hasek has actually been pretty pathetic in shootouts so far.

We certainly aren't in Nagano anymore.

[Salviaman 104]

The Pens are going to surprise people....

Yes they are!

[Guest Tunbo Batman]

Which team has the most regulation wins? wink wink

[MacK_Attack 108]

Have Gary Roberts, will travel. He'll get those boys whipped into a frenzy for the playoffs. I'd fear the Pens in the playoffs, they'll be a handful.