“Oh no.”
Not very expressive, I’ll grant you. But those were my exact words when the NBCSN cameras showed an up-close-and-personal shot of Penguins forward Conor Sheary grimacing on the bench. Shortly after he blocked a shot during the first period of last night’s dismal 6-2 loss to the Flyers.
Followed moments later by the inevitable, soul-crushing announcement from between-the-benches guy Brian Boucher. “Sheary has gone to the locker room.”
Sheeeesh.
I don’t mean to whine. And I hate to keep harping on it. But how many bitter pills are our Pens expected to swallow?
In rapid succession, we’ve lost both top-line wingers and a red-hot Evgeni Malkin, who was making a concerted run at the Art Ross Trophy before pulling up lame 12 days ago. Not to mention Ron Hainsey, who GM Jim Rutherford acquired at the trade deadline partly due to his iron-man reputation.
Even the durable defenseman, who’d missed only a handful of games to injury over the course of his long career, wasn’t immune to the Steel City Curse. Makes me wonder if PPG Paints Arena wasn’t constructed on some ancient burial ground. Or, at the very least, the site of an old Sherwin-Williams factory.
No team, even one as comparatively deep as the Pens, can be expected to absorb such significant losses and continue to win. At least not on a consistent basis. Strip John Carlson, Marcus Johansson, Evgeny Kuznetzov, Dmitry Orlov and T.J. Oshie from the Washington Capitals’ lineup and see how well they do.
Not to belabor the point, but seven players on the present roster started the season with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. That doesn’t include recent acquisitions Hainsey and Mark Streit, who were brought in specifically to plug gaps. That’s a significant chunk of the team.
Hopefully, the law of averages will catch up to us and we’ll eventually start to get players back. Jonathan Bombulie of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review shared some rare good news on the injury front, noting that Hainsey, Trevor Daley, Jake Guentzel, Olli Maatta and Kris Letang (yes, Letang!) skated before the team’s Sunday practice.
“They’re all making progress,” coach Mike Sullivan noted. “Some of them off the ice, some of them on the ice, but they’re all making progress. We’re hopeful that we’re going to get a few of them back here pretty soon.”
Thank goodness. At least there’s a shred of daylight piercing the impenetrable gloom surrounding the club’s injury situation.
Meanwhile? I fear we’ll be forced to endure more games like last night’s debacle. The Pens skated hard through the early going, grabbing a 1-0 lead on a hustle goal by Matt Cullen. Piled up a 12-7 edge in shots on goal, to boot.
Then Sheary left, Cameron Gaunce lost a rousing, if ill-timed, fight to Philly’s Brandon Manning, and the life drained out of our guys.
The Pens spent the better part of the next 45 minutes leaking goals and trying to clear their zone before a tally by Patric Hornqvist at 13:36 of the third period mercifully ignited a little push. Soon to be snuffed out by a pair of late Flyers goals.
While it grates on me no end to play patsy for a very ordinary Philly team—on home ice, no less—I’ll try to stay upbeat. After all, this string of ill-fortune, incredible as it’s been, won’t last forever.
Gotta’ keep the faith.
Puckpourri
The Flyers dominated the stats last night, including shots on goal (33-27), hits (38-27), blocked shots (18-13) and faceoffs (58 percent).
Chris Kunitz assisted on Cullen’s goal—his first point in seven games and his second in the past 14. Scott Wilson returned from a one-game absence, bumping Josh Archibald to the press box.
David Warsofsky replaced Chad Ruhwedel on defense. The Massachusetts native led the Pens with four blocked shots, registered three shots on goal and collected an assist in 19:06 of ice time. He finished the game a minus-1.
In 50 games with the Baby Pens, Warsofsky tallied 15 goals and 44 points to go with an AHL-best plus-31.
Sullivan described Sheary as “day to day” with a lower-body injury.
Maybe more good news;
According to the NHL website Hainsey and Guentzel wore regular contact jerseys in todays morning skate, although the site said it is unlikely either will play tonight. However, maybe next game?
The really big one is getting Geno back though. Again, according to the NHL website the second line is going to be Cullen-Rowney-Kessel. Although Kessel is an elite player, I doubt that line could cause too many problems against an NHL calibre team.
Oh and Rick, you said that Ruhwedel was an injury scratch last game, apparently he is okay, he is listed as probably in the line up.
That’s really good news, Other Rick.
It’s gettin’ down to rug-cutting time, and we really need to start getting guys back.
Although we probably won’t be able to avoid it altogether, the playoffs are a bad time to have players working out the kinks due to injury or inactivity.
Rick
Just an Update,
Good news; according to the Trib., Sheary practiced with the team and with full contact.
Fantastic news. The way he and Crosby mesh together is more important than getting one of our d back.
Hopefully they can ressurect the Crosby-Sheary-Rust magic.
Hey Rick,
The Pens may need to call in the Yankee Doodle Doctor from M*A*S*H 4077. Or maybe Dr MCCoy “I am a Doctor not a miracle worker Jim”
This farce is getting tiresome. The joke is over, or at least I wish it was. I am tired of seeing F and D going on the shelf from trying to block shots because the team can’t clear the zone. Rather than calling in Hawkeye, Trapper, or Bones (that would McCoy not Bonino) This team needs to solve the problem of cutting down zone time. Only by cutting down Shot Attempts are they going to cut down on all these shot blocking injuries. and the only way to cut down on Shot Attempts is keep the puck away from the bad guys.
I am tired of seeing all of these shot blocking injuries.
Hey Other Rick,
Unfortunately, with all the injuries to key personnel, we’re really struggling to possess the puck, let alone generate any sustained offensive pressure.
Except for our great start and a small flurry here and there, it felt like the Flyers had the puck in our end almost the entire game.
It doesn’t help that some of the remaining players…most notably Kunitz…have tailed off. While I’ve always loved him, Kuny’s really faded of late…three assists and a minus-9 in his past 19 games. Just when we needed guys to step up, he’s virtually evaporated as an offensive threat.
About the only role he’s suited for these days is fourth-line banger/penalty killer. Which, hopefully, is where he’ll be slotted when everyone returns.
Rick
I hear you Rick,
Kunitz has faded, but then again, at his age I am not surprised. We keep asking him to play like he is at most 30 when he is approaching 40. Had we given him some spot breaks during the season he might have saved some gas for this stretch run and play-offs.
We should have been doing this with Cullen too.
However, I do atribute the injury bug and shots against as self perpetuating downward spiral. How many of the injuries are from shot blocks now? As a team, even in September when all were pretty much healthy, the team was giving up tons of shot attempts and the F and D were forced to block shots. Then as the injuries started to mount, even more shots are attempted and more shots need blocked.
What I fear is that this revolving door to post-op isn’t going to end anytime soon, since the team really isn’t getting a handle on cutting down shots.
And now, instead of learning from past mistakes, the Pens have adopted pretty close to a goalie rotation. Yes Murray is usually getting 2 games to 1, but again neither goalie is being a given a chance to get on a roll, so not only is the team D pathetic, the goaltending is starting to get average. I do believe in Murray and when he was winnig they should have ridden him until he had a truly bad game. And as I wrote, when MAF had his SO, the team should have let him run with the ball until he too had a really bad game. If the team wants to run with two goalies they could at least put them in position to succeed rather than make both fail and look average.
Hey Jim,
It looks like Mike Sullivan agrees with you. He scratched Chad Ruhwedel last night in favor of David Warsofsky.
Warsofsky’s put up some huge numbers with the Baby Pens this season. And he can skate and handle the puck, to go with some decent hockey sense. But every time I watch him I cringe.
There’s small. And then there’s TOO small. At 5’9″ 170 (if that) he looks like a little kid competing against men. Especially in the dirty areas.
Can’t wait till we get some of our guys back.
Rick
Hey Rick and Jim,
With all due respect, although I don’t think Ruhwedel is the next Justin Schultz, he is head and shoulders above Warsofsky, and I am not just talking about physical stature. I have no idea why this guy is still in the system, unless to help WBS. He plays great in the AHL but just cannot make the transition. In 19 GP with Pgh he is -9 and a -10 in 39 GP. I cringe every time he is on the ice not because he is small, Bugsy Watson was about the same height. I cringe when he is on the ice because he is at best and AHL defenseman and doesn’t belong even a call up on a Defending Stanley Cup Champion.
In other news did you see the Pens signed their 7th round pick from a believe 2014, Jeff Taylor, now that his College Career is over. He is supposed to be reporting to WBS. He is listed as 72″, 180lbs. The joke here is that he will be one of the bigger D-men on this team if they call him up. On the plus side he had 9G and 33A in 39GPs this year in the ECAC and was a +15
There I go again writing too fast and not finishing a thought Warsofky is -10 a total of 39 NHL GP althogether. Add to that he is 26 yrs old. If we lambast Pouliot (with good reason) and he is only what 22? then what is Warsofsky’s excuse.?
Hey Other Rick,
I hear ya about Warsofsky.
This is not meant to demean his achievements in any way. You gotta’ have some game to star in the AHL. But I considered us lucky when Devils GM Ray Shero claimed him on waivers at last season’s trade deadline.
Kind of like having someone remove that tool from your kit that you’re always tempted to use, but somehow is never quite appropriate for the job at hand.
Then JR re-signed him last summer.
Rick
Hey Rick, ( all )
It is with reservation I answer this post. Why? This morning my hockey buddies called me to tell me what I already knew. Did you see the Philli game last night? Right then, I knew better and I should have hung up the phone. Note, not the Pen’s game they said but the Philli game. I am being set up ! 🙂
Instead of using logic, I make the rookie mistake of arguing from emotion. Heart verses Brain. Never a good idea !!
My heart, and the Fan in me wants so much for the Pen’s to finish ahead of Washington and Columbus ! Plus some how, McDavid gets a groin pull and has to sit out the next 7 games and Sid magically wins both Art Ross and the Rocket Richard trophy while of course winning his second straight Conn Smythe. What a finish to a fantastic career. While brilliant was brought down by cheap head shots and a gutless league who refuse to defend it’s poster child.It’s most prized asset. Before you jump all over me, remember when
# 99 himself called Sidney Crosby the next one !! What a great ambassador for the league Gretzky predicted because of his on ice and OFF ice abilities. Sidney was just 17 years old. 17 years old ! Absolutely prophetic.
Well # 99 has said the same thing about Edmonton’s Connor Mc David.
By all accounts he is a real gentleman and mature way beyond his years and speaks nothing but praise of Crosby, just like Sidney did of the Jager’s and St.Louis of his day. We may be witnessing a changing of the guard and being in Canada,I am getting exposed to much more detail than you. To be fair the media did the very same or more for Sidney when he entered the league !!
That young Oiler team is definitely on the rise while we may be in our final year to win it all. Logic tells me one thing, but my heart believes another.
Also in my heart I want Murray to win 14 of the needed 16 games in the play offs so that when MAF is let go, ALL of us will accept him as the future for our team. That is my heart. ( I left two games for MAF to win for nostalgic reasons ). Sorry for the long ramble, but I am upset.
So to the point. My buddies rightfully said that the Pen’s have let many points slip out of their hands this past 2 weeks. Cup teams do not do that. Unless Washington implodes we can not finish ahead of them now !
My heart says yes. My head says no, not now .
Injuries. All teams have injuries they said. But ours are of key significance.
We have all spoken of the d corps and the need to get healthy again, so I am not going over that again,except to say there are many elite teams with better and bigger d corps than the Penguins. Of course we have Crosby, Malkin and Bonino- ( Kessel) combo.That is our great equalizer I say to my
buddies.
Their reply is that the most obvious weakness of the Pen’s is Crosby and Malkin’s wingers ! Sheary makes Crosby better because he can get to the open area for a shot, or HE CAN SET UP CROSBY. Patrik H. does not have that ability as Sheary does. So with out Sheary , Crosby’s effectiveness can be some what muted especially if the opposition has very large d men.
Jake G. was starting to do the same as Connor. But again injured.
With Geno they say it is reverse.You get a large, fast, chippy forward to shadow him and cheap shot him every chance you can and he will get angry and take needless penalties.He needs strong wingers to defend him so when he gets a cheap shot, somebody takes care of it. ( Sorry, a 37 year Chris K. does not fill the need any more, and I love the heart and compete level of Kunni.) Plus a 185 pound 5′ 10″ clone does not put fear into very many teams. So after losing my arguments, twice, this morning I am resolved to the fact that we may indeed be knocked out in the first round unless we can get healthy and get rested as well. The regular season means nothing now. Get rested for the play offs.
I remember one year LA did this very thing in resting some of their star players for the last 10 days.They lost several games and the media was all over them saying they were all washed up , but they won the Cup that year.
As I said in an earlier post…. Lose the Battle and Win the War !!
Cheers….. today does not have the heart as it usually does.
PS.
Coach like you I believe I am logical, rational and understanding of both sides of any argument.. I was so sure we would win last night.. and we lost against the FLYERS of all teams.. Hard on the Head and a tough one emotionally.
Hey all,
Maybe we’re looking our recent skid the wrong way. If we can somehow drop behind the Rangers in the standings, then we’d get Montreal for a first-round foe.
With all due respect to the Canadiens, a more appealing matchup than Columbus.
Alas, the Rangers are probably under strict orders not to catch us under any circumstance.
Kidding, sort of …
Rick
Right on both counts Rick.
Looks like we get Columbus in the first round and you have been saying since October that they were the team that worried you in our Division.
FYI, looking over their roster and minor league players in the AHL and or playing in Europe …They indeed look like a formidable opponent.
D man Jack Johnson, Sidney’s best buddy is 6’1″ and 234 pounds…Our 6’1″ guys are 190 pounds. Soaking wet. Haha
I would rather see the Caps and the Pen’s instead of the CBJ in the first round.
Praying for a miracle Rick.
Hey All,
Rick, you took the words outta my mouth. While I hate having such thoughts, and I’m sure they will work hard to finish first, it’s not like they’d lose much more than home ice. Sure, it’s another hill to climb, but it’s not the end of the world. While the Habs wouldn’t be a stroll in the park, it most likely wouldn’t be a mugging either. They’ve pierced Price’s armor before.
As for all else, injuries, defense, etc., at this point they are what they are. The team will stand, or fall, on their speed, scoring, and hopefully, solid goaltending. If everyone comes back, healthy, they’ll have their shot. The D will have its moments, too. They may even surprise us and win a couple.
Correction. It now appears that Ruhwedel sat out the Flyers game with an upper-body injury.
Initially, he was listed as a healthy scratch.
Didn’t think he’d done anything egregious enough to merit being benched.
Rick
You know the saddest part about this is that I am sitting here waiting on the NHL web site to announce possible line-ups tonight to see if any walking wounded are back yet. They usually post around 2-3pm.