There’ve been two distinct sets of Sidney Crosbys and Kris Letangs skating for the Pittsburgh Penguins this season.
The initial pair languished under previous coach Mike Johnston, combining for a paltry seven goals during the Pens’ first 28 games. Since Mike Sullivan took over? It’s as if Bruce Wayne and Dick Grayson popped into the Batcave and, with the aid of faithful manservant Alfred, morphed into Batman and Robin.
Indeed, the new and improved version of the Steel City’s dynamic duo has been nothing short of brilliant. Their numbers since the coaching change tell the tale.
| Player | GP | G | A | PTS | +/- | PPG | PPA | PPPTS |
| Crosby | 16 | 8 | 10 | 18 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 6 |
| Letang | 10 | 5 | 11 | 16 | 4 | 1 | 6 | 7 |
Crosby’s quick to cite Sullivan’s aggressive offensive approach as a reason for the dramatic transformation.
“We’re not a team that’s going to sit back and get a chance here and there and wait for a team to make a mistake,” Sid recently told Jonathan Bombulie of the Tribune Review. “With the guys we have, I think we’re better when we’re dictating things and forcing turnovers.”
Sullivan’s up-tempo style represents a 180-degree swing from the 200-foot game employed under Johnston. MJ’s defense-first system—while well-intentioned—served to stifle the club’s creativity and flow. Crosby’s, in particular. Never has No. 87 looked so stiff and mechanical. Or predictable.
Nor did opening the season with Phil Kessel on his wing provide an expected boost. Through the early going the Pens’ captain seemed consumed with feeding the high-profile newcomer the puck. Understandable, given the enormous off-season hype.
And now? With eight goals and ten assists in his last 16 games—including a pair of two-goal efforts—Sid’s regained his mojo. You might even say he’s returned to his hockey roots. Crosby 101. At age 28, he’s skating with much of his old speed and authority, not to mention a liberal dose of renewed passion and fire. Shooting the puck, too, which makes the Nova Scotia native infinitely more dangerous and difficult to defend. And, he’s venturing behind the opposing net with greater frequency, where he has few peers as a setup man.
Productive linemates have helped. With three goals in his past four games, old sidekick Chris Kunitz has heated up. Same goes for Patric Hornqvist, who likewise has been on a tear (five goals in his last dozen games).
Letang, like his fellow superstar, struggled early on. Clearly missing the steadying presence of Paul Martin, he failed to mesh with either Ian Cole or Rob Scuderi. Guilty of pressing at times, he racked up a whopping 33 giveaways—far and away tops among black-and-gold defenders.
Since Sullivan assumed the reins? Letang’s been otherworldly. A stunning five goals and 11 assists in 10 games. His defensive play is much-improved, too. Take Monday night, for example. “Tanger” used his incredible closing speed to chase down two St. Louis forwards before sprawling to the ice to break up a two-on-one. He was physical to boot, jousting with burly Blues winger Troy Brouwer.
Credit new partner Olli Maatta with a big assist. Arguably the Pens’ most bomb-proof defenseman (plus-17), the preternaturally cool Finn has freed Letang to play the high-risk, high-reward game that’s established No. 58 as a perennial Norris Trophy candidate. Something his previous partners weren’t able to do.
The Penguins will need Crosby and Letang to stay hot ‘n’ healthy if they’re to snag a playoff berth. Given his checkered health history, Letang’s wellness is a constant concern. The Pens are a dismal 2-7-1 this season when he sits.
What a great article. I love the Penguins and have been struggling with them. When a team is not at its best, so-called fans and sports writers constantly want to trade the leaders. I was critical in my thinking when management chose to trade any kind of good and rugged defence that we had… seemed that ahead of time they were trying to make room for Kessel. That aside, I would like to thank you for this article that speaks appropriately of two of my three favourites on the Penguins. I so like how they each respond to questions. They are both humble and should be confident in the game. I liked how Sid in responding to not being on the All-Star team said he did not have a good start and others did and if you want to talk about a player overlooked, he said we would need to talk about MAF. Just like Letang who only made the All-Star team when someone else could not play… what a joke. The NHL has ruined the All-Star game in processes for many. If a person makes the All-Star team and have been out a lot but return and are playing well, just like misconducts speak to suspension length, so should your spoken ability speak to all-star status…. just my opinion. Also, what is placed in the fans has to be revisited… puts players in vulnerable position and makes a farce of things. Lets go back to the previous year’s Champion playing a team of All-Stars and lets have one team try to beat the other or throw it out all together and have a skills competition. Thanks again for this article giving credit where credit is due.
Hello Sharon,
I’m glad you liked my article. It’s so easy to be overly negative or hypercritical when things aren’t going especially well for the Pens. And it’s all-too-easy to forget that the players are human, just like us.
Since I don’t necessarily agree with the direction the Pens have taken (too little toughness for my taste), I do my share of criticizing. So I try as best I can to blend in some positive write-ups, too. And Sid and Tanger certainly are deserving of praise. They’ve really bounced back and are playing exceptionally well under Sullivan. And, as you pointed out, they just seem to be really good guys. I think most hockey players are, which is part of why I like the sport so well.
I marvel at Sid, in particular. Night after night, good game or bad, he has to face the media and answer questions about the team and himself. Goodness knows, that must get old after a while. Yet he always conducts himself with the utmost class and dignity. For that alone he deserves our respect.
Your points about the All-Star game…and selection process…are well taken.
Thanks for your reply. Almost every game the commentators say how Crosby or Letang or Malkin for that matter, should not have to fight their own battles. How would they suggest that be done? We gave away Max Talbot for instance. I do not want to be a ref whiner but boy bad calls were made last night… the phantom puck over the boards at the end… two trips against Letang (I believe both by Simmons) and neither called … a butt end to Sid late in game (up high)… come on… they did not take retaliation penalties for a change and that is important because for some reason, Pittsburgh can have two minutes left and the fourth line will be on the ice even if we are down a goal. Thanks again… appreciate talking with you. Enjoy your writings.
Hi Sharon,
I don’t understand the Penguins’ approach to protecting their stars, either. (Or NOT protecting them, in our case.) I liken it to buying an expensive car—say a Jaguar—and leaving it outside all winter for the elements to get at it. It doesn’t make any sense.
I’m not suggesting the Pens go out and get an enforcer who’d play maybe three or four shifts a game. But I do so wish JR and Co. would recognize the need for (and value of) having a physical element on the team. I keep using him as my example, but a guy like Nick Foligno of Columbus would be ideal. Tough, hardnosed, plays a straight-ahead game. Not shy at all about dropping the mitts if need be to defend a teammate. Can score, too.
Give me two guys like that and I’d be satisfied.