Ryan Wilson: A shutout, solid debut, and a broken streak A shutout, solid debut, and a broken streak

Is there any chance that vegas would like smith back? He had 56 points last year and was a +11 and added another 14 points and was a +9 in the playoffs. I was really excited when they traded for him but its not working. He has averaged 0.7 points per game in 6 years with vegas. Can the pens just get that pick back?

Outside of a miserable second period the Penguins had a decent enough showing.

What was miserable about the second period? Scoring 2 PP goals? Seems like that was needed more than anything.

The Pens were not good at EV in the 2nd. Only 2 shots on goal at EV that period, and HD chances were 1-5. Obviously cashing in twice on the PP made up for it, but there weren't playing well otherwise. The 1st and 3rd were very even at 5-on-5.

Is there any chance that vegas would like smith back? He had 56 points last year and was a +11 and added another 14 points and was a +9 in the playoffs. I was really excited when they traded for him but its not working. He has averaged 0.7 points per game in 6 years with vegas. Can the pens just get that pick back?
- i'mjustafan

I'm sure they would except for his salary and their cap situation which is why they traded him the first place. So a trade here would require some cap creativity or an equal salary coming back.

Is there any chance that vegas would like smith back? He had 56 points last year and was a +11 and added another 14 points and was a +9 in the playoffs. I was really excited when they traded for him but its not working. He has averaged 0.7 points per game in 6 years with vegas. Can the pens just get that pick back?
- i'mjustafan

https://www.nhltraderumor...eilly-smith-trade-rumors/

The Pens were not good at EV in the 2nd. Only 2 shots on goal at EV that period, and HD chances were 1-5. Obviously cashing in twice on the PP made up for it, but there weren't playing well otherwise. The 1st and 3rd were very even at 5-on-5.
- MickV

I get that, but those 2 PP goals were more important to this team in the long run than an even 5v5 2nd period.

The Pens scored two power play goal of the scramble variety. Which says they can play this way when they want to. Let's see if Rust stays on the top unit

I get that, but those 2 PP goals were more important to this team in the long run than an even 5v5 2nd period.
- j.boyd919

Definitely. Plus after not playing a game for 2 weeks, there was bound to be some lull somewhere ... and the Jets are a great team.

https://www.nhltraderumor.com/vegas-golden-knights-reilly-smith-trade-rumors/
- Thunderbolt

Ohhh a sexy 3-way with Ottawa and Vegas....

Dubas has shown the desire, and ability, to perform in 3-ways, already.

Tarasenko would instantly become the Pens 4th leading goal scorer, 5th in point totals and he's also 32 years old, so he fits right in....and how he's a +11 on a -12 goal differential team, I have no idea, especially when his 5 on 5 fancies (xGF, HDSC, CF) are all around 45%

Ohhh a sexy 3-way with Ottawa and Vegas....

Dubas has shown the desire, and ability, to perform in 3-ways, already.

Tarasenko would instantly become the Pens 4th leading goal scorer, 5th in point totals and he's also 32 years old, so he fits right in....and how he's a +11 on a -12 goal differential team, I have no idea, especially when his 5 on 5 fancies (xGF, HDSC, CF) are all around 45%
- MattStrat

How does one get so lucky to perform in 3-ways?

Terrible call to throw that guy out of the game for that hit, maybe a two minute but he didn't go to his head, the skater learned forward (in a fast moving sport) and made himself vulnerable. This writer always complains about everything when there a little something, reminds me of Crysby.

Terrible call to throw that guy out of the game for that hit, maybe a two minute but he didn't go to his head, the skater learned forward (in a fast moving sport) and made himself vulnerable. This writer always complains about everything when there a little something, reminds me of Crysby.
- TopShelfShot

Please go poop your pants somewhere else.

Terrible call to throw that guy out of the game for that hit, maybe a two minute but he didn't go to his head, the skater learned forward (in a fast moving sport) and made himself vulnerable. This writer always complains about everything when there a little something, reminds me of Crysby.
- TopShelfShot

Must be a Philadelphia Cryer's fan, all I see are tears in your post.

The Oilers streak, although impressive, wouldn't be comparable to the Pens (yet) had they won last night.

I forget which, but 4 or 5 games into that streak it was continued with a shootout win, which the 93 Pens didn't have the benefit of having. So in my mind had they won last night they'd still need to have 4 or 5 more wins to match the streak.

Must be a Philadelphia Cryer's fan, all I see are tears in your post.
- j.boyd919

No that was the writer of this article crying, it’s simply logical. Just like in soccer if you lower your head to head it a ball and another player kicks you in the head, the person lowering the head gets called for a dangerous play because he put himself in that spot.

Sully must have been proud of Carter. Instead of doing anything physical after his linemate was taken out, he made him pay on the PP. #justplay

No that was the writer of this article crying, it’s simply logical. Just like in soccer if you lower your head to head it a ball and another player kicks you in the head, the person lowering the head gets called for a dangerous play because he put himself in that spot.
- TopShelfShot

you^

Read an article recently saying Sully isn't a fan of Malkin and Rackell together because neither is very committed to defense. If true, would explain the constant DOC on his off side a little more. Might be an opportunity there for Pulj. Although they need the other wing to score there Mr. Smith.

Always the skater’s fault…

The hit came early and it resulted in a head shot. It wasn’t intentional but rules are rules.

No that was the writer of this article crying, it’s simply logical. Just like in soccer if you lower your head to head it a ball and another player kicks you in the head, the person lowering the head gets called for a dangerous play because he put himself in that spot.
- TopShelfShot

LoL. If it wasn't for the head contact he'd have missed him entirely.

Read an article recently saying Sully isn't a fan of Malkin and Rackell together because neither is very committed to defense. If true, would explain the constant DOC on his off side a little more. Might be an opportunity there for Pulj. Although they need the other wing to score there Mr. Smith.
- Tojo.

Easy enough fix just move Rust there and Rak up.

Sully is so afraid to break up Sid and Jake even it means a more balanced lineup. If it's not working after a couple games revert back. Don't delay until games become too important to try anything.

I'm not sure what happened to the early season chemistry but Smith and Geno aren't working and the frustration isn't going to help things.

The Oilers streak, although impressive, wouldn't be comparable to the Pens (yet) had they won last night.

I forget which, but 4 or 5 games into that streak it was continued with a shootout win, which the 93 Pens didn't have the benefit of having. So in my mind had they won last night they'd still need to have 4 or 5 more wins to match the streak.
- mkrisnosky

Yeah but the Oilers lost to Vegas who were missing Eichel and Theodore, so, they must not be a good team...

I dont like losing Acciari. It seems (to my eyes) the bottom 6, and more so the PK, goes to sh!t when he's not in lineup. I think he's been more valuable to the team than some would like to give credit for....

I dont like losing Acciari. It seems (to my eyes) the bottom 6, and more so the PK, goes to sh!t when he's not in lineup. I think he's been more valuable to the team than some would like to give credit for....
- MattStrat

Your comment got me to take a quick look at his metrics.

5v5 he's awful. Out of 15 forwards with 100 minutes he's last in almost every metric (Hinostroza edged him out a couple times.) About a 40% player. Even just looking at defensive metric he's a bottom 3 player.

On the PK he's pretty average. Not bad, but not irreplaceable.

I'd imagine we'll see White. Gruden would be my guy for fourth line work.

Poulin would probably be the best call, but he'd make a bad impression on a weak fourth line most likely, so I'd rather let him get AHL time before he's waiver eligible next year after missing most of last season. He'll probably get stuck trying to break in on the fourth line next year and waiting for injuries. Still that's the move that helps the most so wouldn't complain too much about it.