Penguins coach Dan Bylsma lost the game last night. It wasn’t a bad play, it wasn’t a better team, it’s wasn’t poor play by his team, it wasn’t the drop play that Bylsma kept referring to in his post game interview.
It was bad coaching.
It is 100% Dan Bylsma’s inability to go for the kill is what lost last night’s double overtime game against the Ottawa Senators. It is not just the matter of the one game. It’s what could have been a 3-0 series with Ottawa’s hope decimated is now a 2-1 series with Ottawa having the momentum swing in their favor.
You would think after losing a game to the Islanders using the same prevent defense plan the Dan Bylsma would have learned his lesson. In his post game interview Bylsma said “We went to a possession powerplay there with the time”. He also mentioned the powerplay line was mid change. It was obvious that he didn’t get the full line change he wanted and perhaps Evgeni Malkin didn’t change like he was supposed to. That is not what allowed Ottawa to to tie the game up with seconds left in the game.
Bylsma may have been trying to get possession players on the ice, but it wasn’t a “Possession Powerplay” it was a “Prevent Powerplay“. It was the one guy pressuring 4 guys dropping back all the way to the defensive zone game plan that allowed Ottawa to skate with speed right into the Penguins zone and score.
If the Penguins would have played their normal all out power play with 2 defensemen and went for the kill as their preventative measure, they win this game no problem.
Just one other thing that’s bothering me:
Why is Tanner Glass on the ice instead of Joe Vitale? Vitale hasn’t lost yet a game yet, tires out Ottawa’s defense and draws a bunch of penalties. Did Bylsma just over think the whole Ottawa is going to come out fighting or does Glass have some sort of inside information he’s holding over Bylsma’s head?
SOOOOO RIGHT! I’ve never seen someone without skates so responsible for a loss…A BIG LOSS!
I couldn’t agree more. The same thing happened in round 1 games with the Islanders and Rangers. Go up a few goals and play defense against an NHL playoff team. It’s hockey. Never sit back and watch the other team play. You will always lose.
You know I think these playoffs are changing my mind, if you remember this July GM Ray Shero can open up talks with Malkin and Letang for new contracts. They are both UFA’s after next season.. I would like to see LEtang re-signed and trade MAlkin, his defense sucks and gives the puck away too much, plus just think of what the Pen’s can get in return!!
He has to go to a Western Conference team though
I think they went into prevent mode at 10 minutes left in the 3rd. That was dumb not to add a score and have that 2 goal lead that most teams strive for. They didn’t look like they were trying with the 5 on 3 they had. There was no excuse not to score on that 5 on 3.
I’m still shocked that he has actually kept Tomas in goal. We haven’t gone far into the playoffs since 2009 because of his “choices”
totally agree.what a stupid loss.anyway ott is done.they are soft comparing to NYI.we’ll bounce back and destroy them 4-1!
It’s bout time someone has the balls to say it. I was thinking the same damn thing myself last night as I watched it unfold. What a bunch of B.S. to go to a prevent power play. The Pens have the best power play out there, why the hell wouldn’t you go for the kill?
Why is Jokkinen scratched? He is much better than TK, TG, JV!? Pens lost against Isles because of defence (mainly MAF). SO, DannyB made change in the offense?! This shows how good coach he is!!
Vitale was out due to injury. Jokinen would have been his ideal replacement, but he is also injured.
Well then at least that part makes sense. I missed the pre-game. It looks like Vitale didn’t even practice yesterday. I haven’t read that Jokinen is injured anywhere. I’m not sure I put Jokinen in Glass’ place anyway. Glass does do some good penalty killing and Jokinen seems out of place on that 4th line.
The question is: Is Sutter cutting it or could Jokinen be placed in that spot? Sutter is the #4 forward PK guy, but Jokinen has done some time on the Pens PK also. Plus you get the offensive upside.
This has been driving me nuts! Vokoun stood on his head all game just to watch the game slip away thanks to a bone headed coaching theory. Watching them all just slink back into defensive mode makes me cringe. Hopefully lesson learned from here on out. GO PENS!
Yeah blame coaching and everything nagative. Teams lose games. It’s hockey. You can talk when you are in a position to do so.
Sidski, PenguinPoop isn’t here to win a popularity contest. There are plenty of places for you to read all happy Pens stuff. Some even post unicorns and glitter.
The good news is I am in a position to talk about it. I stayed at a Holiday Inn express last night.
LOL! Damn you PP guys are funny (and quite informative)!
Very true
Bylsma=Soff
Hockey is not a place for prevent defense. Did Bylsma not see or even hear about the Capitals prevent D against the Bruins in game 7???? Prevent Powerplay? Yes, bad coaching. We need a coach with balls.
Here’s the dealie- yo! Yes, as I turned out it was a bad decision to play “prevent”-( just ask any Cleveland Browns fan what they think of “the drive”). I too was ready to have Bylsma’s pending platinum statue changed to gold after that coaching performance but now that my head is somewhat clear, I think 2 things…
1) Disco Dan effed up by having too much confidence in that his “dream team” could play any (Jack Ass Lemaire-Babcock) style of shut down hockey which might be necessary during a long cup run and
B) It’s a good thing he made such a crucial mistake EARLY ON and was able to recover so that we all know he WON’T make the same mistake the rest of the season/his career coaching the PENS!
Couldn’t agree more. Bad coaching.
@PenguinPoop Thank GOD someone gets it