The Penguins still can't solve the Devils. After last nights loss the Penguins are still hanging on to a 2 point lead in the division. Every time I watch the Pens lose to the Devils I think winning the division becomes more and more important. Winning the division is the only way we can ensure ducking the Devils until the conference finals. There is no other team in the Eastern conference that scares me as a playoff opponent more than the Devils. The Devils might not be as good as the Capitols but they have the Penguins number. We can't find a way to beat the trap, and when we do we can't get the puck by Marty.
Last nights game was particularly frustrating because the Penguins out played the Devils but made a couple of turnovers that the Devils capitalized on. I would love to know what are D was thinking on that PP where they turned the puck over two possessions in a row for a break away. On the second one that lead to a goal everyone in the building could see that Elias was making a break to intercept the D to D pass but our guy tried to force it through anyways.
Negatives:
Kris Letang and Gogo look like they are regressing since the trade deadline. If Letang thinks he is going to sign a deal worth 4 million a season he is going to have to have a monster post season. Right now he looks like hes worth about 1 million a season.
I praised the Poni trade the soon as it was made and truly thought we was going to be a huge asset offensively to this team. He hasn't played bad, but I have not been impressed with him. Hopefully this changes before the playoffs start or Shero is going to look like a fool for trading Caputi for him. However i was not a big Caputi fan so I still feel this was a good trade.
Positives:
Leopold has looked pretty good. He has been better than I thought he was going to be and is probably our second best defensive player behind Orpik.
Even though we lost two games to the Devils this week the Penguins have been red hot since the olypic break.
Pascal Dupuis is playing well above his talent level.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
I'd still love to win the Atlantic, but with the Flyers goalie situation in tatters, and the Sens coming back down to earth, the 4th seed doesn't look all too bad, assuming one of those two teams get 5th. I'd be worried about that 7th seed, especially if it's Montreal. I do NOT want to play them in the first round. Just something about them scares me.
ReplyDeleteAlso, the Devils may own us, but they're still beatable to a lot of teams in the East (i.e Flyers). They've been very hit-or-miss lately. They'll look unwordly against us, then drop a game against the Isles the next day. So...it'd be interesting to see what happens come playoff time with matchups, but I'm not really sold on the Devils getting out of the first round.
Your right they seem to lose to other teams but for some reason they have our number. Thats why I think we will avoid them by winning the division. I don't think they will be able to get by the other playoff teams to get to us in the conference finals. If we win the division and get the two seed it should set up a great conference final between the Penguins and Capitals.
ReplyDelete