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faceofffactor.substack.com

NEW: How Nick Robertson’s speed is helping to score goals even when he’s not on the ice. A video breakdown of Robertson’s 35/65 puck win that opened the door for Ville Koivunen. faceofffactor.substack.com/p/how-nick-r...

How Nick Robertson’s speed helped create a goal when he wasn’t even on the ice

There’s one play that encapsulated the Penguins' opening-night beatdown of the Flyers, and it’s a play that teaches us a lot about Nick Robertson.

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Three Stars @threestarslgp.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Per NatStatTrick - the Penguins 3rd line tonight: 84% control of the 5v5 shot share 96% control of the 5v5 expected goal share

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Reposted by Jesse Marshall

The third line got hurt. Apparently they had an entirely new third line of equal value in their back pocket.

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The most impressive part of this first period has been how no-nonsense the Penguins have been about gaining the OZ. Soft dumps, subtle chips, all positioning the puck in an advantageous place for them. Zero fancy about it.

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That whole sequence started because Nick Robertson won a loose puck race, killed the play for a moment, and passed the puck back into the NZ to regroup.

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Thanks to @rfcapsmoustache.bsky.social for informing me Nick Robertson was born on literal 9/11

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This breakout seems centered around crossing routes. They have the F2 streaking across the red from the far side. It’s leading to a lot of nice chips into the OZ, where the F3 springs as a pick retriever.

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I’m from Ambridge. This speaks directly to my soul.

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Only one way to kick this baby off

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I saw you were still mad about this as recently as yesterday

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I am getting early vindication for my belief in Markstrom

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This pass from Liam Öhgren is just disgusting. Catches Rossi out of the corner of his eye, grabs the puck, and executes a perfect pass out of a spin maneuver. Had no other option under that much duress. Just a beautiful, no look, tape to tape pass.

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That’s my wrestling persona. My finishing move is the Load Bearing Member.

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Flu vaccine sufficiently distracted my nervous system enough for it to creep active

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I wish I got the back kind and not the face kind :(

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At this point you can’t convince me it wouldn’t be 84

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Jesse Marshall @jmarshpgh.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

I got shingles and boy lemme tell ya, it’s not fun!

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When I was a kid, College Gameday on ESPN was just the most informative football program on television. Covered so many games, so many storylines. Real discussion. Hours of coverage across the spectrum of college football. I can’t sit through 15 minutes of it anymore. For a multitude of reasons.

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Jesse Marshall @jmarshpgh.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

Sorry for yearning when I was 11, had no responsibility, and really fell in love with watching the game. You’re right, that is totally insane.

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Jesse Marshall @jmarshpgh.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

We had a lot of time on our hands back then, respectively hahaha

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Jesse Marshall @jmarshpgh.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

If the NHL was based on the classic NES game, Ice Hockey, this would be the Capitals lineup.

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Jesse Marshall @jmarshpgh.bsky.social · 29/06/2026

Pierce Mbuyi - 2026 Prospect Profile. I think you’re gonna take to this kid pretty quickly. Thirteen minutes of video and game tape breakdown. Enjoy! faceofffactor.substack.com/p/pierce-mbu...

faceofffactor.substack.com

Pierce Mbuyi - 2026 Prospect Profile

The Penguins grabbed one of my favorite players in this class at 86 overall.

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Jesse Marshall @jmarshpgh.bsky.social · 29/06/2026

The one and only Fred’s Divot

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Jesse Marshall @jmarshpgh.bsky.social · 28/06/2026

Pretty typical Pierce Mbuyi shift. Wins a loose puck, skates to a scoring area, gets a chance, keeps grinding for another.

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YouTube video by Jesse Marshall

One thing about Pierce Mbuyi. He is phenomenal at moving defenseman out of his way. He tees up his one timer, and if the shot isn’t there, he makes a small pass to defer to a teammate. That pass moves the defensemen in his way. He repositions himself, and tees it up again. youtu.be/jxsLjNp1D90?...

youtu.be

MbuyiShotLoc

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Listen, I cannot emphasize enough how much I love Pierce Mbuyi. I have been on this train since January of 2025. My opinion has only strengthened since that time. He is a shooting technician. Think Petr Sykora. It’s the brains and the shot combined.

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Has been playing in Czechia against adults in a pro league for a year now

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Thomas Galvas has been eligible for two years, his game has grown by leaps during that time. Small, undersized D that can skate for days. Especially in a straight line. Probably would list distribution as his best skill asset. A project defensively. Struggles in physicality.

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Another example, but this time a wrister. Same theme. Chokes up, shortens release, uses whole body to make the stick flex work for him. Violent all the way across the board. Gets a natural rise on the puck because of the motion.

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Dimitri Filipovic @dimfilipovic.bsky.social · 25/06/2026

Liam Ruck has one of the best releases in this entire draft class, no hyperbole. Let me show you. Look at his hips. Watch how he rotates. He chokes up on his stick, shortens his release, and uses his whole body to trebuchet the puck. Unique, effective, dangerous. Hunt, hunt, shoot.

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Reposted by Jesse Marshall

New PDOcast with @jmarshpgh.bsky.social: Offseason Blueprint for the Pittsburgh Penguins. We got into the biggest decisions they have to make this summer, the trade market right now, and the top of this year’s draft board www.patreon.com/TheHockeyPDO...

patreon.com

Offseason Blueprint Series: The Pittsburgh Penguins | The Hockey PDOcast

Dimitri Filipovic is joined by Jesse Marshall to get into the biggest decisions the Pittsburgh Penguins have to make this offseason. We also

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Jesse Marshall @jmarshpgh.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

It’s alive! My 2026 NHL draft ranking is available for public consumption. Ranking the 40 best players in the class based on my research. Enjoy! Thanks for reading! open.substack.com/pub/faceofff...

open.substack.com

Jesse Marshall's 2026 NHL Entry Draft Ranking

Ranking the top 40 players available for 2026.

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I struggle with this in 40K. I cannot functionally play my army if it is unpainted, and not only that, I suck at painting and never have time for it.

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I am assuming there is a gratuitous amount of Gianluca Caputi

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Oof, let me see if I can find it. Might have to hunt through the way back machine

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