If you think Vanek's play has been acceptable so far this season, then you must not be watching.

Vanek can, and needs, to be better.

Nobody said he's a problem.

But he is the solution to our continued success... but not until he starts moving his feet and making things happen, because contrary to popular belief, Vanek IS capable of more than garbage goals and 2nd assists.

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Wheelhouse

Actually Vanek is on a four game point streak, 1 goal 4 assists.

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If you watch on a game by game basis, points mean nothing. You can look at stats at the end of the year but they REALLY mean nothing.

Take last game for example, sure he has 2 assists, but he SUCKED on defense and was a -2 for the game.

And they weren't just "I was on the ice" type minus plays. They were the "i effed up and didn't cover my man" type of plays.

He needs to be complete before he is Elite. That includes effort.

You can throw points out, but effort wise, he is one of the worst Sabre forwards on the team this year. Even Hecht has showed some effort, and that's sad.

He had a good game tonight, yes he missed a few chances, but the team did also.

He was backchecking like crazy and he had plenty of chances.

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I think Vanek had a GREAT game. He skated hard, moved well with the puck, got robbed 3 times by glove saves, and just made things happen with great energy and effort. If he plays like that every night he'll score 50.

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Oh lord, it's hard to be humble, when you're perfect in every way. I can't wait to look in the mirror, 'cause I get better looking each day. To know me is to love me, I must be a hell of a man. Oh lord, it's hard to be humble, but I'm doin' the best that I can.

Tonight was a very good night for Vanek.

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Wheelhouse

Not good enough IMHO. Chances that do not equate out to success = the same old song and dance.

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Lord Stanley's Cup is what its all about.
Mr. Pegula, your destiny awaits you sir.

Well too bad for you he didn't score.

How could he be even better this game? If he did anything harder he would have been killed on the ice from too much energy expanded.

Not everyone can score every time, OV was shut out of tonight's game also, but are you going to say he wasn't doing enough also? I'm more positive than anything he would have been the last guy for Washingto to not try his hardest.

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You have no idea how hard that made me laugh... Miro.. oh god miro...

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The Board Drunk.

This.

Wouldn't doubt it.

Yes Vanek didn't have a great season so far but for the sake of god he had a GREAT game yesterday. What else do you want him to do? He scored, backchecked, made things happen and tried hard.

If you aren't one of Ruff's "golden boys" you better play perfect every night otherwise you will be blamed all the time.... And yes I blame him for calling out Vanek's behaviour yesterday because TV played great so did Lalime.

Lindy also HAS to keep in mind that Vanek isn't Zetterberg so maybe just maybe he isn't the 2 way player Ruff wants him to be?

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Sloppy seconds = 6 games "clean" headhunting = nothing
it's obvious Bettman and Campbell are Pens cocksuckers

Awesome game? You can't be a one sided player and have an awesome game.

He backchecked ONCE. I'm sorry that many of you don't see this, but players are supposed to backcheck on EVERY SINGLE PLAY.

He was a -3. Most of the goals were his man that he was supposed to be covering. He had an awful game.

yes. everyone else was sound positionally, while all goals were his fault.

dude. you are WAY too involved with this. its boardering on creepy.

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Blah Blah Blah Blah we get it, you hate Vanek so shut up.

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just call me Brad

Twitter @BUrbanowicz13

Vanek could score 5 goals in the first period, breakup 5 odd man rushes with a strong backcheck, put on goalie pads and make 15 saves in the 3rd period, and Markus would still find some kind of problem with how he played.

Just shut the fuck up already.

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LMAO!

Be nice, Squanto.

Definitely a much better effort from Vanek.

I do think he can be even better, but that performance wasn't one that hindered the team.

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Wheelhouse

Like, i'm not even trying to start an argument, I am simply asking, how can you call a game like that a good game?

Seriously, someone talk fundamentals.

He scored 1 goal. The guy he was covering scored THREE. Watch each of the goals, if any of you still have the game dvred. Each goal was directly his fault due to lazy play.

I mean, again not trying to start an argument, just wondering how any of you can call that a good game?

I think a lot of you are using basis of "I love vanek" over actually watching the game.

Got it, you hate him blabala

If you familar with hockey you should know that its freakin impossible to cover a guy like Alfi the whole time. We're talking about a future HOF player here. Maybe the best swede beside Lidstrom.

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Sloppy seconds = 6 games "clean" headhunting = nothing
it's obvious Bettman and Campbell are Pens cocksuckers