I'm still puzzled by our lack of production on the power play. Can we just decline any penalties against us and play 5 on 5? 30th in the league on the pp?

I'm convinced that the PP troubles start with having Crosby, Malkin and Gonchar(when healthy) play the full two minutes. There is enough skill to create two capable units. Crosby and Malkin out there together is counterproductive. They both need to have the puck. Split them up. Have a handler on each unit (crosby/malkin), a trigger man (guerin/kennedy), a garbage man parked in front (staal/caputi). The only time a unit should be out for the full 2 minutes is if they have the puck in the zone for the full two.

How long do they have to struggle before realizing that 87/71/55 for a full two minutes isn't efficient?

The problem on the PP is everyone is a frickin right handed. All of their shots either come from the right wall or the right point. Example: (how many times have you seen this)....Crosby to Gonchar back to Crosby across the ice to Malkin pass to Gonchar (slap shot). Its so easy to read....they're going to shoot from the right side.

They put Malkin on the point and guess what he does.....Pass to Crosby or Gonchar (or his filler). He's actually shot the puck from that position maybe 3 or 4 times in the last 5 or 6 games. Teams really spread out their players when they first changed Malkin to the point but once they realized he wouldnt shoot......they stopped.

My other soap box. Whats with Malkin and his inability to pass the puck over the last 12 games or so? Hes made very poor choices on when to shoot or pass and has been a disaster when it comes to passing. Hes in a much bigger slump than just not scoring. He needs some serious practice on the fundamentals of passing and defensive zone coverage. The no look pass is killing him.

Scoring: Where is it?

Kunitz, Fedotanko, Kennedy, Talbot, Geurin (to a lesser extent), Cooke.....thats 6 players currently playing that either rarely score or dont score. That leaves Crosby, Malkin (slumping), Stall and the 4th line. If you only have 3 players on your team to actually score and one of them is slumping.....you're in trouble.

Dont even get me started on defesive play...yikes!

Bring up Letestu and Tangradi. People talk about Caputi...in Wilkesbarre he played 36 games 13G 12A for 25pts. and a -4. Look at Letestu....Played 28 games 12G 21A for 33 pts and a +13. He also played well when he was up for his 2 games. I dont think Letestu, Tangradi and Caputi could possily do any worse than the Fedotankos, Kennedys, Cooks, Kunitzs or Talbots of the world.

End Soapbox:

I've watched Tangradi a couple of times, and I think he is still coming back from his injury. but you hit the nail on the head with Malkin and his inability to pass. What the heck is with all the drop passes as the blue line that get intercepted and finds the opposition with an odd numbered rush the other way? I'm seeing the same Malkin that got tired the first year we went to the finals against Detroit. He just doesn't seem to have that consistant spark or jump like he did last year. Now with the olympics, there is no time for rest. He's too good a player to be under-performing the way he is right now.

MAF has been inconsistent, and the defense hasn't played well either. I know it's a marathon and not a sprint, but we better start getting it together soon.

I like that there was a players only meeting after the flyer game. I still think (and this is strictly speculative on my part, i obviously have no way of knowing) that Crosby's youth makes it tough for him to be a captain. I'm not sure how much of a vocal leader he is or ever will be. I get the sense that he uses his work ethic as an example of what he wants and expects the guys do to to follow his lead. I really hope that how Guerin supposedly handles the room rubs off on Sid, because it's likely that Billy hangs em up this year. Orpik seems to be the most upset and frustrated by the recent bad play. Good article in todays PG about the road trip being just the thing they need.

I wonder if they are having a Dad's trip this season. Seems like this roadie would be the perfect time for it.

I'm not sure about the locker room issue. If i remember correctly sid was voted by his peers to be captain. I think its an issue of being too comfortable and forgetting the WORK they needed to do to get to where they got last year. Almost a smug, "we're the stanley cup champs so everything should come on a silver platter." The basics have been forgotten and so has the desire. Thats why I think Feds and a few others should be benched and bring up the formentioned players in my earlier rant. I definately agree with the locker room meeting. I hope it does something. P.S. Fix the obviously broken PP too!!

You could all be right.....Last nights win over Toronto is either the end of the slide or just another win to break up the losses....Either way, they can't keep giving up so many shots. Doc's right...Time to remember the basics....Hit, shoot, block shots, pass the puck forward and play at both ends....The cycling game has been great all year, but half of the time, they don't get a scoring chance from it.

Power play costs them another game.



Something is very wrong with Malkin. And he's making it worse by sulking. I'm starting to get worried what will happen to him as he spirals down.

He's hit a ton of posts, and the save Backstrom made on him last night was amazing. I do agree with what you are saying though kid. He's beginning to bring others around him down.

The pp is horrible. We're standing around with no movement from the guys on the ice. It's bad when the shorthanded team gets better scoring chances than the team with the power play.

I'm starting to get concerned with the defense as well. MAF has been inconsistent at best, but we are making horrible plays on defense. Opposition players are skating around us like we are standing still. Time to breakup Sid and Geno on the PP, give Goligoski and Letang more time, and put Staal out there more. Experiment. It can't get much worse!!

Here is to a win tommorow in Edmonton!

Hey.....They won...See you next week.

The best cure for any ailing team.......... just play Calgary

What a goal by Sid. WOW!

On my way to watch Sid and the gang destroy the Oil!!!

Hopefully the PP made some strides from the last game. :D