Penguins Kessel Shines on Big Stage

Phil Kessel isn’t your stereotypical hockey player. Indeed, in a sport dominated by athletes with lean, chiseled physiques, the round-faced Penguins’ winger sort of resembles your Uncle Walt. Even after he trained last summer with ex-Pens hard rock Gary Roberts.

Nor does he possess a common skill set. Keen anticipation. Excellent vision. Great hands. Rapier-like shot. Remarkable speed, given his bearish torso.

Qualities that led Pens GM Jim Rutherford to acquire Kessel from Toronto last July in the blockbuster deal of the summer.

Rescue is more like it. Despite tallying 181 goals for the Maple Leafs over a six-season span, the former fifth overall pick in 2006 had come under heavy fire north of the border for his failure to lead the struggling Leafs to the promised land.

His reputation took a hit as well. The doughy forward was labelled everything from lazy to surly to bogeyman. To the extent that Rutherford felt compelled to defend his new acquisition.

“I’ve done a lot of homework on this and I’ve talked to a lot of people,” JR said. “I don’t have any concerns. Everybody gets a fresh start in a new place. You always hear stories about different people in different situations, but I feel very comfortable with getting Phil.”

Kessel was thrilled.

“It’s a great opportunity for me,” he said. “I mean it’s an awesome opportunity. We’ve got a great team there.”

The trade set the hockey world ablaze with talk of a potentially lethal Kessel-Sidney Crosby combo. Skating alongside Sid, the newcomer seemed a lock to score 40 goals…or more.

The anticipated offensive explosion never occurred. Pigeon-holed as a trigger man—first for Crosby and then Evgeni Malkin—Kessel struggled to find the net early on. By the end of November he had seven goals. Far below his expected output.

Like the rest of the team, his play perked up when Mike Sullivan replaced Mike Johnston behind the bench in mid-December. Starting with an assist against Detroit on New Year’s Eve, the Madison, Wisconsin native tallied 15 goals and 24 helpers for 39 points over his final 46 games. A shade above his career regular-season average of .772 points per game.

He showed good chemistry with Carl Hagelin following the speedy Swede’s January arrival. But Kessel’s game really emerged when center Nick Bonino joined the unit following an injury to Malkin. After taking a few games to acclimated, the “HBK Line” erupted for four goals and 12 points on March 26 to fuel a 7-2 rout of Detroit. Including a career-high, five-point effort by Kessel.

He’s continued to shine in the playoffs. Kessel leads the black and gold with seven goals and 16 points, which ranks fourth among all postseason scorers. With four goals and four assists in his past five games, No. 81’s been especially hot of late.

In particular, his clutch two-goal effort on May 10 helped vanquish the Capitals. Likewise, his nifty assist on Hagelin’s game-opening goal and his third-period tally served as a springboard for the Pens’ Game 3 victory over Tampa Bay.

Postseason heroics are nothing new for the bearded winger. Indeed, the 6’0” 202-pounder has a history of rising to the occasion in Stanley Cup competition. In 36 career playoff games, Kessel’s produced a gaudy 20 goals and 17 assists.

Toss in the fact that he tied for the lead in scoring during the 2014 Olympics? The bigger the stage, the better he seems to play.

Know what else? His teammates love him. On a team with its share of intense personalities, Kessel’s sense of humor and Alfred E. Neuman “What, Me Worry?” demeanor are a breath of fresh air.

Prototype hockey god he’s not. But for a club striving to win a Cup?

Kessel’s just what the doctor ordered.