I confess. I really wasn’t sure what to expect from our Penguins when they visited the Montreal Canadiens at the Bell Centre last night.
Would the chaos that reigned supreme in Monday’s wild 8-7 victory over Washington carry over? Would the wheels fall off the wagon, as they had in the Pens’ previous three road games—all defeats?
Thankfully, neither.
Showing a remarkable ability to reset in the face of mounting adversity, the Pens fixed their road woes and authored a crisp 4-1 victory over the home-standing Habs.
It was a consummate road performance. Easily the Pens’ finest since goodness knows when. In prime puck-hunting mode, they harassed the overmatched Montreal defense with a relentless forecheck. Unlike recent efforts, they were equal parts disciplined (one minor penalty) and detailed (20 blocked shots). Best of all, they generated offense from sound defense while limiting Michel Therrien’s crew to 20 shots on goal.
“We had some pretty good structure,” said Pens coach Mike Sullivan. “I thought we did a pretty good job limiting their speed coming through the neutral zone, for the most part. I thought we made pretty good decisions with the puck, forcing them to have to play 200 feet, and I thought we got a pretty good, solid team effort and we got contributions throughout our lineup.”
Montreal stalwart Shea Weber was clearly impressed.
“They’ve just got a lot of speed,” marveled the All-Star defenseman. “They keep coming at you, every line. Their (defense) are joining the rush a lot and making a four-man attack. They obviously played a good game tonight.”
Therrien agreed.
“We played a really good team, the Stanley Cup champions…” said the former Pens skipper.
Unlike so many black-and-gold victories, this one was led from the rear. Or more specifically, the newly formed fourth line. While the big three of Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Phil Kessel were held to a lone assist, Chris Kunitz, Eric Fehr and Scott Wilson were outstanding.
Displaying instant chemistry, Kunitz and Wilson crashed the net with abandon, while Fehr was a force down the middle. The big center notched what proved to be the game-winning goal on a wicked shot from the slot at 5:19 of the second period.
Credit goalie Matt Murray, too. Rebounding from a rough night against Washington that saw his goals-against average balloon to 2.53, he returned to Stanley Cup form, stopping 19 shots and gobbling up rebounds with his trademark coolness and efficiency.
In what might have been the defensive play of the game, Murray outraced Alex Galchenyuk to a loose puck to thwart a would-be breakaway. One of the few times all evening that the Pens’ patchwork defense faltered.
Other heroes included defensemen Chad Ruhwedel (4 shots on goal, 3 hits), who logged a surprising 20:18 of ice time, and Olli Maatta, who scored his first goal in 63 games while shouldering a similarly heavy workload.
Rookie forward Jake Guenztel also shone, notching his fourth goal in just seven NHL games on a nifty net-front deflection while dishing out a game-high six hits. Hustling Conor Sheary collected his 11th point in as many games with a third-period assist.
Give Sullivan and the coaching staff a well-deserved nod as well for getting the troops refocused and ready in a short amount of time.
All in all, a command performance.
Bravo, Pens, bravo.
Gaunce Debuts
Cameron Gaunce played his first game in a Penguins uniform since being recalled on Tuesday. Signed as a free agent on July 1, the Sudbury, Ontario native saw 9:19 of ice time and assisted on Guentzel’s goal.
Colorado’s second-round pick in the 2008 Entry Draft, the 26-year defenseman has played in 21 NHL games for the Avalanche, Stars and Pens. In 39 games with the Baby Pens this season, Gaunce collected two goals and six assists to go with 32 penalty minutes. He was a plus-six.
Okay arm chair GMs,
I just saw an article on ESPN saying that St Louis may be willing to listen to offers for Shattenkirk who is a UFA at the end of the season. His contract is a little over $5 mil with a cap hit a little under. St Louis Gs have S% in the low to mid 0.89%s. They are looking to gear up for the play-offs but aren’t sure if they want to risk losing Shattenkirk for no return.
You probably have guessed my thought process already.
Do you offer Fleury, a G who has 3-Cup appearances, 2 times as a starter, 1 time as a winner, who is actually playing better than the Gs you have? And maybe sweeten the pot a little more with a Pouliot? You may need to take on a Carter Hutton in G flip.
St. Louis did give J allen a contract extension but his Sv% is only in 0.89%s really pretty low for modern era, and even with an extension his contract is managable, less than $3mil, so St louis would still only be around $9mil combined.
He is not the Big shut down D I would look for, and he does have his defensive lapses nor does he handle big forwards in his own end all that well like so many other D on the Pens but his offense and puck moving skills would seem to match what the Pens look for in a D.
So I ask again, would you pull the trigger on that one or should I say make the offer to get a rent-a-D? (Who knows what someone else may offer)
I guess more importantly do you think JR may entertain that thought?
I’ll wait to hear from some others before really saying what I think.
Hey Coach
Simple answer is NO.We do not need another 5 million dollar, 6 ft offensive d man who by your own words has trouble handling the bigger players.
Now if you were going to trade Maatta and his 6 year 4.1 million dollar contract for Shattenkirk, due to the recent play of Maatta, that would be an upgrade.
But you are trading almost 4 years in age and Maatta may still recover to his earlier form .
So here is my crazy deal to the Blues.
Maatta for Shattenkirk plus Fleury for one of their forwards.Nail Yakapov ? I have not checked his stats lately.Could be somebody else.
Then still look for that elusive big d man to play with Daley.
Shane Doane is looking to finish his career with a cup contender. 220#.40 years old. Big boy. Why not send MAF to Arizona for Doane and Murphy…the 23 year old , big US d man who played well in the World Cup.
Send Derrick P. as well.?
Thank goodness I do not run the team.
Cheers
I love your last comment … 🙂
Rick
Interesting thought, Other Rick, to say the least.
Intriguing, too. At least on the surface. Shattenkirk is, indeed, the type of puck-moving defenseman the Pens covet. He’s certainly an established talent. And Pens GM Jim Rutherford and Blues counterpart Doug Armstrong have a history of trades (Bortuzzo-Cole, Goc-Lapierre).
With Fleury making $5.75 mil and Shattenkirk $5.2 mil (cap hit $4.25 mil), it would work out, cap-wise. Especially for the Pens.
Looking at it from the Blues’ standpoint, Fleury might be better insulated in St. Louis behind a more defensively structured team. And thus, have a chance to return to his ’14-15 form (2.32 GAA, 10 shutouts).
Still, a couple of reasons I don’t think this deal will happen. Shattenkirk’s slated to become a UFA. As a general rule, I think Rutherford likes to acquire guys where there’s some control.
Just my take, but I think JR’s probably looking for someone who can help out more on the PK and defensive side of things. (I’d suggested Ben Lovejoy in a previous comment.) Shattenkirk’s currently minus-14, same as last year.
Don’t forget—we’ve already got a crowded point on the power play (Letang and Schultz) when everyone’s healthy. That would minimize one of Shattenkirk’s greatest strengths.
Even though he’s having a rough season, the Blues were really high on Jake Allen. They’d moved out Brian Elliott, who’d done a really good job for them, to make room. I don’t know if they’re ready to give up on Allen so soon. Plus, the trade would take them to the wall, cap-wise.
And let’s face it. Fleury, gifted as he is, is a bit of a gamble. If you’re Armstrong, do you want to commit $5.75 mil/year to a 32-year-old goalie with a history of confidence issues? Being in the same division, I’m sure he’s aware of the situation in Dallas, where the Stars foolishly committed $10.5 mil/year to veteran goalies Kari Lehtonen and Antti Niemi.
Talk about pouring cement on your cap situation! It’s hamstrung (and train-wrecked) a promising, young Stars team.
I say this deal won’t happen.
Rick
PS–You’re all gonna’ think I’m nuts. (And maybe I am … 🙂
But, if Chad Ruhwedel continues to play as well as he has, I think Rutherford may make a minor deal for some defensive help (possibly involving Pouliot) and that’s all.
Lord knows, I’ve been wrong before. But I really don’t think JR’s going to make any major trades.
Okay as promised my thougts,
I only brought this idea up because when I saw that St louis may be willing to listen to offers I was more wondering what JR might be thinking than any interest on my part. So I thought I would ask others to try and get more opinions to try and gauge JR.
The positives I see though that may make me try are these; Letang plays so far on the edge and needs to to be effective that he may get injured more than one more time before the end of year, Schultz is playing great and that does alleviate some of the issue here but Shattenkirk would be better insurance than Fleury (Murray’s presence will always keep him from total return to form – he needs to start), Shattenkirk plays a game that should really take flight under Sullivan’s system, as a rent-a-D, the Pens are still in a good position in the off-season.
In the end though I don’t make the offer. I really do want more sand on the back line. I think we have too many Shattenkirks already in the organization.
From the department of things that make you go Hmm….
I just saw this on the NHL.com site
Jake Allen won’t travel with Blues to start road trip
St. Louis GM says struggling goalie, who has been pulled in three straight games, needs to ‘reset’
As Arte Johnson used to say back in the day on Rowan and Martin’s Laugh-In …”very interesting.”
Rick … 🙂
Hello All,
An impressive win any time you outdo Price. I really liked Fehr at center and have for some time wondered why he’s not plugged in there more often. It is, after all, his “normal” position. This game is a perfect example of what they need to become on the road. Are they up to it? Will they settle for just making the playoffs in third, or maybe fourth position, with a middling road record? Or will they commit themselves to winning the majority of their remaining road games and position themselves as the team to beat to hoist the cup? Of course, I’d settle for the former but would prefer the latter.
They’re going to have to manage the bench wisely. It will help keep up the compete level, especially on the road where they need the most help. These young D-men and forwards will have to continue to pay dividends, and I feel they can. REST! It’s going to be important if for no other reason than maintaining the pace at which this team needs to play. They don’t lose much when Ruhwedel gets a turn, and perhaps Guance can hold his own, too. Even Oleksy, still somewhat of a loose cannon, is a good plug in for a game, or two, to rest someone. It’s almost a sure bet that Letang will go down at least once more before the post season and if they can help prevent that, that’s a big plus.
Ditto on offense. Guentzel is ready. Give Sundquist a few games before April, too, just to help him be ready if/when needed. If you aren’t sure about using them on the road, play them at home. From here on bench management is going to be important.
Hey 55,
Spot on, any time you beat Price 4 times on 26 shots, especially in his backyard and come away with a win, you did something worth talking about.
I think most of us agree about Fehr too; would like to see him at C more.
As for giving some players rest, especially some of our smaller D, I have been prosthelytizing that very thing. Rotate these player, particularly the older ones to keep them stronger for the play-offs Jayelene seems to be in agreement with us as well.
Like you I have been waiting for Sundqvist for some time. At forward, the Pens do seem to have some depth
Hey 55 on Point…Rick
Well said.Do you play to win it all or do rest a few veterans and finish 3rd in the regular season and go all in come play off time.?
I believe Coach Sullivan’s attitude is you play only one way. No nights off. 110% effort.
So I agree you should rest a few of the older guys from time to time as well, but there is that fine line between disrupting line chemistry and resting the body. Not always easy to do as you mentioned.
With Jake Guentzel,I believe he needs to stay with the big club and play. Yes he is a little small in stature but he plays like he is 210#and over 6 ft tall. It is obvious he has that goal scorer/play maker mentality that is hard to teach. He needs the NHL level competition to improve his game for the play offs.
So somebody will have to sit.
It may come down to …Do you play Jake and watch his game improve or do you play a Derrick P. and hope he blossoms into a NHL d man.
My money is on the forward !
Cheers.
PS: Can u believe that Toronto is actually winning?
Between the Leaf fans, Montreal Fans and even the Ottawa fans in my area…they are all on happy pills.
Crazy times in the NHL.
Hey all,
Great comments and insights … 🙂
Agree that Sullivan demands full effort from his troops at all times. It’s one of the things I love about him as a coach.
Earlier this year, when the Pens were winning but not really playing all that well, I was afraid he was going to pop a couple of times on the bench. He’s definitely intense … definitely wears his emotions on his sleeve.
Having said that, I do worry if being pushed to maximum effort all the time–game after game–might take a toll. Especially since the Pens play such a demanding, high-energy style. Not to mention the long playoff run last year.
On the other hand, energy begets energy. And sloth begets sloth. I’d much rather have a team that gives its all than one that doesn’t.
Sorry … kind of drifted off on a tangent.
Jim, I can only imagine how happy folks are in Toronto and the other Canadian cities. Pre-expansion, the Maple Leafs were a perennial power with a proud heritage, winning four Cups in six years. Then … pfft.
In some ways they remind me of our own Pittsburgh Pirates. Goes to show the importance of good ownership and management. Speaking of, Brendan Shanahan, Lou Lamoriello and Mike Babcock have really turned things around. As you noted, faster than anyone than could’ve imagined.
Good for the (long-suffering) Leafs fans. Good for Canada. And good for the sport.
If we could only get an NHL team back in Quebec City …
Rick
PS–Love what I’ve seen of Guentzel. If we could somehow get Columbus to put Dalton Prout on waivers. (David Savard, too.) Then convince all the other teams to let ’em pass through … 🙂
Hi Rick
Great rebound from the Washington mess.
Good gap control. Defense played well. ( a few glaring errors, but that is Hockey. The goal that was scored by Montreal rookie.) But over all they beat a really good team.
Keep Eric Fehr and his line together.They played really well. He is a much better center than winger and last night proves it. PLUS HE HITS PEOPLE!
I love Matt Cullen too…but Montreal had there hands full with Kunni and Fehr.
Plus the Pen’s played within themselves.
Keep it up.
Shea Webber is always fun to watch. Man can he hit. Reminds me of Brooks Orpik in his hey day.
Cheers
Hey Rick,
What really impressed me last night about the D was that Montral was not without offense. They only managed 20 SOG but they were able to squeeze off 52 total shots. Between the 20 Blks the team made infront of Murray, the combination of Murray’s Fundamentally sound play on his angles and solid pursuit by team D the Habs missed the net another 12 times. Because of a near seamless meshing of Goalie with his team D, Montreal, one of the better teams in the league was limited to only 38 to 39% of their shots to the net.
Hopefully the team is about to start putting this type of commitment into every game.
Hey Jim and Other Rick,
I was quite pleased with the way the Pens defended, too. Night and day difference from their recent efforts.
And I was really happy with the fourth line. My goodness, were they a force. Fehr, who you’ve always supported in our conversations, was terrific in the middle. And man did Kunitz and Wilson wreak some havoc with their speed and grit.
I’ll tell ya’, as much as I’d like to see Kuhnhackl in the mix, if Kunitz can play that way every night in a limited role, I keep him.
Speaking of keepers, did you watch Guentzel last night? He looked like a young Kunitz, banging in the corners and buzzing the net. Plus, he’s so skilled and versatile.
Under no circumstances do I part with this kid. Even for a player like Landeskog.
Rick
Hey Rick and Jim,
Agreed Jim Fehr looks so much better at C than at W.
Sorry, I didn’t get a chance to see Montreal’s G. I have an 8 yr old and haven’t seen a full game in quite some time. Tue and Th are the worst. I usually don’t get to start watching until 8:30pm on those days. But the pressure the team put on Mon when they had the puck while I was watching gives me renewed hope.
Also Jim, I agree about Weber. I usually have him on my fantasy team. I had a bad draft position this year and missed him.
Rick, I agree don’t trade Guentzel. The good news with him also is that he is less than 2yrs pro and is exempt from the expansion draft. Interesting that you compare him to a young Kunitz. He does take the body at every opportunity. So on that point I agree. However, I do think he also has a better knack for finding the soft spot in the D to get himself a really good shot.
My only minor variance is I do think Kuhnhackl brings more to the team and haven’t been happy with his limited playing time. With the number of times Bonino and Kunitz have seemed to struggle this year, both have been given bench time to either rest due to age or get the point that they too needed to play better all giving Kuhnhackl more ice time. Also, I do think Kuhnhackl is better than Wilson. But having said that I want to add the Caveat that I don’t think Bonino, Kunitz, or Wilson are horrible, just that Kuhnhackl could be better, especially if he is given the quality time he received last year.
Finally, despite how well they played last night, I still would like to see a bigger D man brought to the team.
Hey Coach
Fully agree.We need some ” umph” to our d corps and another big winger for either Geno or Crosby.
But that is for another discussion.
Cheers
PS: The real value of last night’s win to me was everybody got the message.” Play the way I tell you or else”. Sullivan read them riot act and it worked.
There was a time with a different Coach when they never listened. Coach Sullivan has them all playing as a Team.