I was surprised too. Playoffs are strange as you can meet a real hot goalie (which Price has the ability to do) and get eliminated, but it wasn't even that. They just looked so lethargic. There might be a legitimate excuse of the strange pandemic season of having to go straight to the playoffs, that can be a somewhat reasonable excuse.
There might be an age thing coming up, the first two lines almost half are at least 33 (Crosby, Malkin,and Hornqvist) and Pens top defenceman (Letang) is also of that age. That is on average you start seeing a noticeable change in player quality. Of course there are some exceptions to that rule.
This is the second year of playoff disappointment, which at times mean finger pointing, scapegoating and changes
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@Zetaspeak Good points. Especially the lethargy. I saw it too. Age does have a factor, and like you said there are exceptions, but in this instance I think it's "you can't teach a dog new tricks." Some of the stars of the team won't adjust. There is so much blame to be placed on this team but I'm inclined to blame the like of the Crosby, Malkin, Letang, and newly acquired Marleau. I've already trashed the likes of Jack Johnson so I don't want to be redundant.
I gave coach Sullivan praise earlier but I'm starting to think he is not the man for the job anymore. He either tinkers too much with lineups or just let's thing get stagnant and expects it all to work out. But it doesn't.
The Pens need wholesale changes. They really do. Obviously Crosby stays, but if I could I'd jettison Malkin, Letang, and Murray. Plus let the free agents walk a way. Malkin has a no-movement clause so he will be tough to trade unless he approves. It's time to get some assets for the future. Murray is a young goaltender with success and I think half the teams would be interested. Jarry is more than capable to start full time.
