Thus far, the 2015-16 season hasn’t been especially kind to the Penguins. Or their stars.
Sidney Crosby? With points in each of his past five games—including a two-goal night against St. Louis—Sid’s on a bit of a roll. Yet our captain’s producing at a rate well below his customary clip.
Kris Letang? Sans the steadying presence of Paul Martin, “Tanger’s” reverted to his ’13-14 form. The two-time All-Star’s a club-worst minus-14 with a team-high 19 giveaways.
Newcomer Phil Kessel—while hardly a flop—hasn’t quite filled the net as expected. Indeed, aside from goalie Marc-Andre Fleury, only one member of the Pens’ elite is thriving. Evgeni Malkin.
Since snapping a mysterious goalless drought that spanned 18 regular-season games, “Geno’s” been reborn. Especially of late. Over his past six outings the former scoring champ’s piled up 10 points—including seven goals. Among them two of this season’s prettiest: a dazzling toe-drag tally against Minnesota and last Saturday’s supernatural spin-o-rama backhander that left even the most veteran observers gasping in bewildered awe.
The rangy Russian leads the team in virtually every offensive category: goals (11), points (22), power-play goals (six), and game-winners (six). He’s tied with Kessel for the most even-strength tallies (five). Arguably the club’s toughest player, he’s tops in penalty minutes, too.
Malkin displayed his moxie during last Friday’s heated 2-1 overtime defeat in Columbus. While the rest of the black and gold shrank in the wake of Brandon Dubinsky’s brutal crosscheck on Crosby, No. 71 made a statement. He dropped the mitts with husky Jackets defender Jack Johnson.
A response befitting a leader. And make no mistake. The Magnitogorsk native’s emerged as a leader. Crosby is the Pens’ heart and soul. But Malkin’s the emotional core. The conscience.
It was Geno who called out his teammates a couple of weeks ago for a deplorable lack of effort against New Jersey. And it was Malkin who promptly exploded for a pulsating four-point performance versus the Wild to pave the way to victory.
“He’s one of our leaders in here,” said veteran Pascal Dupuis. “Not only by the way he can say stuff in the room but by the way he plays on the ice.”
Hey Rick,
Nice to see Geno doing well these last few games.Something or someone has definitely inspired him to raise his game to another level.I hope he can keep this up,but realistically without the help of the other lines scoring,the real good teams will just concentrate on him and shut him down.
It is nice to see the 4th line doing well in the checking department last night. A little physicality in our game can not hurt for sure.
With Letang, I have always been a little skeptical of his style of play. We all get caught up in his offensive numbers,many that come from the PP playing with Sid and Geno,and over look his short comings.His size. If he was 6’4″,230-240 pounds and with his talent,he would be a Shea Weber,Victor Hedman, or an Aaron Eckblad .But being small and playing the way he does,it takes a toll on the body. Case in point is that he has already had numerous concussions.He is 28 years old,plays long minutes a game,and time may start to catch up to him. He takes a pounding every night he plays.
Same thing may be said for Sid verses Geno. Geno is a larger guy that plays a different style than Sid.In order for Sid to be 100% effective,he has to be physical and take the play to the net where by Geno style is a more open ice
style who then uses his pure talent to go around the defense.Not as demanding on the body as Sid’s.
All in all, this is 1 win I thought that they would not get when I posted last week.13 more games to go until January and at least 8 or 9 of them will be difficult games for us.By the new year we will really know what our team can do. Let’s go Pens.
Hey Jim,
I only have a minute. But excellent points, as always.
Agree about Letang. In his defense, he’s had a revolving door of partners this season. But I, too, think he’s a tad overrated–at least for what we’re paying.
I especially like your thought about the New Year. Hopefully, we’ll know what kind of team we are by then …
Hey Rick,
Nice tip of the hat to Malkin. Thank you. Makes me happy as I’ve always been a big Geno fan and it’s nice to see him standing outside Sid’s shadow for a change. He’s looking like the Geno who carried the team after Steckel and Hedman finished Sid for the season.
I doubt he and MAF can carry this team for this entire season. As currently constructed, and coached, I doubt any one, or two, players could. Regardless, I hope he keeps crankin’ and stays in the spotlight all season.
While I’m not ready to call Kessel a bust, he’s obviously not been the panacea for the top six everyone thought we were getting. I find myself wishing he looked a little happier to be here. I could say that about Sid, too. That’s why I agree with Pens 4 Ever about Sid’s shoot out attempt. Calling it “disinterested” is being kind.
Thanks 55 on Point.
Malkin seems to have found that “extra gear” to his game, like he did during the Cup season and again in 2011-12. When he plays at that level, I don’t think there’s another player who can touch him. More than anyone else in today’s game he reminds at times of Mario. And that’s saying a heck of a lot.
Interesting how Geno—very forcefully—steps forward whenever Sid’s out (or struggling like now). Like you, I hope he can keep it up. Whatever success the Pens enjoy this season may well hinge on an MVP-type season from No. 71.
While I have the luxury of hindsight (he scored two goals last night), I don’t consider Kessel a bust, either. He’s quietly on pace for a 30-goal season, which I would gladly take.
As you said, he hasn’t been a cure-all for our top six like a lot of folks were expecting. Nor has he been as dynamic as many people hoped. A lot of us (me included) got caught up in the highlight-video image of him bursting down the wing and burying shots from the top of the circles.
It hasn’t quite worked out that way. But I think he’s been effective, especially alongside Geno. Underrated passer, too.
Kessel has been a flop, by MY standards, JR gave away some of the future to “win now”, but both Sid and Phil have been very disappointing.
MAF and MAlkin MVp so far.
Sid just seems not interested any more..I mean who misses . the net in a shootout from the hash marks and just turns around and with no emotion and skates away.
While I truly hate to seem like I’m picking on Sid, I agree with you. Against St. Louis he came out like a ball of fire and took charge (two goals and nine shots). I remember thinking, “This is the way Sid used to play. Every game.”
Now those kind of efforts are a once-in-a-while thing. He just doesn’t seem to have the same drive and passion as he did when he was younger. Not uncommon … a lot of us mellow with age. But for a guy like Crosby, who used to play with so much spark and energy?
Not a good thing.
pen’s 4ever
100 % agree. Between the two of them they collect 20 million this year in salary.
Insane….