On the heels of an ugly three-game losing streak entering March, the Penguins have, for the most part, been playing better hockey of late. While they haven’t quite returned to their sparkling pre-trade deadline groove, when they ripped off an incendiary 17-4-1 mark over a glorious eight-week stretch, they’ve shown definite signs of rounding into form just in time for the playoffs.
Tucked neatly into the recent upswing were impressive conquests of Metropolitan Division rival Philadelphia and Dallas. In particular, the playoff-style 3-1 victory over the Stars last Sunday night may have been the black-and-gold’s best performance of a decidedly up-and-down campaign.
There are plenty of reasons to believe. Let’s start with Evgeni Malkin. ‘Geno’s’ playing at a rarified level not attained since his glorious MVP season of 2011-12. Studio analyst Jay Caufield compared him to Mario Lemieux the other night and I agree. When No. 71 shifts into overdrive, he’s the closest thing to Mario I’ve seen. He and Swedish sidekicks Carl Hagelin and Patric Hornqvist form a deadly combination that brings a little bit of everything…speed, skill and grit.
Ditto the emerging third line of Derick Brassard, Phil Kessel and Bryan Rust. The more Brassard gets comfortable with his role, the more imposing the unit grows. They’ll create matchup headaches for sure come the postseason.
Ironically, Sidney Crosby’s line has been a bit problematic, through no fault of the two-time MVP. Kelly, a hockey pal at the Pennsbury Pub, aptly pointed out that Sid’s been handed table scraps for wingers this year and he’s right. While Jake Guentzel and Zach Aston-Reese—presently on IR—have performed ably on his port side, Sid’s right flank has been largely in the air, to coin a military phrase.
It begs the question…will hot shot Daniel Sprong be given a reprieve for the playoffs? Or will Crosby continue to make do with the likes of Conor Sheary, whose effectiveness has waned.
Likewise, the fourth line’s a bit of a Mulligan’s stew. But center Riley Sheahan, another terrific pick up by GM Jim Rutherford, has been a bright spot. Coach Mike Sullivan is finding creative ways to get Riley quality ice time on the top units.
For now, the Pens appear to have nulled out their defensive pairings. It took over half a season and goals-against galore, but Kris Letang and Brian Dumoulin finally seem comfortable with each other. Prior to the Pens’ 6-3 victory over Ottawa on February 13, each was a minus-15.
In the 15 games since, ‘Dumo’s’ a plus-11 with a goal and seven points. ‘Tanger’ has three goals and 10 points over that span, to go with a plus-10.
The second tandem of Justin Schultz and Jamie Oleksiak, recently formed, has been dynamic at times. The ‘Big Rig,’ who continues to look like the steal of the century, has two goals and four points in the five games he’s been paired with Schultz. Justin’s a plus-4 during that stretch.
The third pairing, featuring Olli Maatta slotted next to Chad Ruhwedel, has been fairly solid as well.
The real danger to the defense? Injuries. If one of the top six go down, pariah Matt Hunwick reenters the mix. The Pens are a pedestrian 20-18-1 with Hunwick in the lineup, a more palatable 21-8-4 sans the Michigan native.
Likewise, if Matt Murray’s out of action for any length of time come the postseason, the Pens are…well…I’m thinking of a seven-letter word that begins with ‘scr’ and ends with ‘ed’. While rookies Casey DeSmith and Tristan Jarry have been serviceable in a backup role, Marc-Andre Fleury they most assuredly ain’t.
Then there’s the not-so-small matter of the competition. Last season the Pens vanquished their toughest challengers, Columbus and Washington, in the first two rounds. While none of their Metro brethren look unbeatable this time around, more serious challenges could come just down the road in the form of Atlantic Division heavies Tampa Bay, Boston or Toronto.
I’m getting a bit ahead of myself, but of the three, the Bruins worry me the most. They play the type of hard-charging, physical game that could give our boys fits. Relentless, too. Given our nagging tendency to pop a main spring and lose focus, like during the third period of Wednesday night’s inglorious giveaway loss to the Rangers? It’s a matchup I don’t want any part of.
In the meantime? The Pens continue to search for their groove thang.
Oh. I don’t mind Sheahan flank Crosby because I know in the playoffs Sheahan will probably do that for defense purposes. If they plan to do that for a very longtime then Jorris might could be the permanent 4C for Penguins for the playoffs. I don’t know what’s gonna happen because Rowney is hurt again and I thought he would be better off transitioning permanently to be right winger. Sheahan do deserve more minutes from the fourth line.
Excuses my Penguins rants.
Hi.
Couldn’t Agree More.
I feel like Penguins has been having self – inflicted wounds all season with bad coaching, playing Guentzel as 3C instead of WBS call up,line combos and play favorites basically blinders that they have for Sheary ,Hunwick and Letang among other things.
It was a big mistake to let Cole go, having Guentzel as a 3 C instead LW permanently for Crosby to develop the chemistry regardless the team funk early during the early season. Cole – Big Rig at least had the defense better with covering the liability that Letang is . Big elephant in the room.
Coaching staff moves has suggested they don’t wanna accept the reality to make lines better with consistency (really stronger stability )and change the defense into being more effective no matter who is in the net for them. They are not making big moves to ensure they want to go for 3- peat. Defense needs to be stronger and better with awareness. Team unit Defense on ice among the forwards amd Defensemen. Lines needs to better.(1st and 4th lines). Letang needs minute reduced (18-20) while Shultzy or Määttä even Big Rig take some of those minutes . Letang shouldn’t be playing 25-27 a game
I’m really upset with coaching staff because how they treated Crosby’s line as the third line not the top dominanting line it needed to be all season and how they are going into coming Playoffs. Penguins can’t keep letting Crosby playing with Ahlers especially this point in his career. Crosby should have at least 30-35 goals right now. Not 20- Something goals.
Yes. Sorry. I’m no Sheary fan. Never will be. I wish him the best to find himself but not with Crosby. His 3 mil cap hit can help with the move of Letang during off-season.
Crosby’s line has been an non – factor in large part due to Sheary’s inability to do much of anything to help Crosby offensively and defensively. Sheary is big liability . Come playoff time, Sheary can’t be an option for Sid’s RW if this is the standard they’re playing at. Off-Season Jr happens to work hard to find Crosby a reasonable great speed winger to fill the void with Guentzel if they (staff mainly Sully)continuously keep giving this weak sad excuses for Sprong . Sprong , Simon and Guentzel had Crosby playing at his old high self at one point especially Sprong.
Sprong should be on Crosby’s line right now regardless what staff thinks because Sprong could’ve transition well with few mistakes for the last two months to be better and be ready for the playoffs. He isn’t no worse than Sheary who is on a long long leash. Sprong is better RW for Crosby than Sheary. It’s between Simon and Zar now if Sully let Sheary off of Crosby’s line for good. I would go with Simon. Simon happens to work on lower Penalties and keep doing what he does while finishing on goals from Crosby’s passes. He happens to open up space for Crosby with Guentzel to go far in the plays definitely defensively sound all round game.
Sully is good coach but he has fail tremendously this season on a lot of decisions especially with forcing Sheary with Crosby all season when that ship has sailed since last season with Guentzel. Sheary on Crosby’s line happens to stop now. IMO. Some things I know through the organization is ridiculous on Sprong
And Sprong could’ve established himself with Crosby to work through whatever It is that he needs to ‘ better’ without the puck.
Sprong happens to be up here permanently next season because of the waviers process I guess. Players transition differently from Ahl to Nhl .
Coaching staff needs to be better. If not they will be the cause of not going far in playoffs like they should.
They needsto ask themselves what needs to be done to make my team better offensively especially defensively in these little bit of games left.
How much can they trust Letang? Letang can’t not be on the ice after they take the lead nor when they are try to score goals before opponents especially in pivotal moments for the Penguins to succeed for 3-peat.
Can we have a self – sabotaging careless player on the ice? That can’t put his team on his back(be a leader) to win in big games let alone fight for top spot for home advantage. Are we really sabotaging Crosby’s line with Sheary? How all lines can be run effectively in the playoffs? How much depth is on the defense? How can we minimize Crosby and Malkin minutes with their other two great centers? Scratch or Demote Sheary? How can we spread out more minutes to other defenseman to get more involved than giving it to Letang ? How can we better on road games for the playoffs? List go on.
I want the Penguins to win 3 peat and ride off in the sunset. It’s too much questionable stuff going on this season. Penguins has been consistently inconsistent all season.Seem not ready to win games and let goalies out to dry. Painful to watch. Bad Starts. No urgency. No settle down Penguins hockey. I just want the Pensguins go back to fun team unit structure on defense and offense.
Hey Dee,
Hope you don’t mind me jumping in here.
Although I do agree with most of what you say. You and I are pretty much on the same page. I just wouldn’t go so far as to say the Pens coaching/Coaching decisions have been bad. I think just would say that they haven’t always made the decisions that would be optimal for the team. The Penguins wouldn’t have climbed solidly into 2nd place, challenging for first in the division if the Coaching decisions were just plain bad.
Having said that, the team would be looking much better and if they had either traded Sprong for someone that Sullivan would use or better yet, as you suggested, let Sprong grow into an NHL perfromer in the NHL, on Crosby’s Line. Both Crosby and Malkin would have been benefited from that decision and through them, the whole team.
Crosby played his best hockey with Sprong on his right side. Even if they only started using him in January and let him continue, Crosby would no doubt be up their challenging Malkin, Kucherov, McDavid, and McKinnon for the scoring title. In fact, it probably would only be a 2-horse race Malkin and Crosby, if they had. Other teams would still have to split their defenders 3 ways; between Crosby’s, Malkin’s and Kessel’s lines had the coaching staff not kept insisting on playing Sheary over Sprong, Simon, and Aston-Reese.
They also should have tried to shore up their 3rd line C position a lot sooner. I like Brassard but there has been a very slow transition for him.
Throwing Cole a way was ridiculous. Ottawa only got a 3rd round pick from CBJ for Cole. The Pens didn’t need to dish him.
There are several other things that they could have done better, like not signing Niemi or Hunwick in the first place. Not trading for Reaves initially, then not throwing him away to Vegas after the fact. They should have tried to get rid of Sheary or Hunwick if possible to satisfy the leagues interference on that trade.
However, all in all, Sullivan is one of the best Coaches in the league in adjusting to his opponents game. He has gotten the most out of the players he has put out there. As inconsequential as Sheary’s play has been for the Penguins, it would have been far less under any other coach.
Sullivan deserved the Adams trophy the last 2-years running. This year, not so much. His Xs and Os are still spot on. His only weakness has been in his personnel decisions. Had he gotten over his blind spot for Sheary, Sprong and Cole, I would have again been beating the drum for him as Coach of the year.
Agree. He isn’t a bad coach at all . Good coach. IMO. He was a great coach when he was with Rick Tocchet. IMO. I just think like you said personnel decisions, game plans , his ego blindness get in the way and I think the lack of someone like Rick Tocchet isn’t behind the bench anymore. Reechi isn’t cutting it for me. Sullivan looks Very unprepared with him. I miss Rick Tocchet.
Yes. Rutherford should’ve never sign Hunwick , Niemi and Sheary . Sprong and Cole should be in the lineup right now. A lot of things should had happen during off-season and this season to have this team better going hot in the the playoffs.
Hey Rick,
Great stuff! I couldn’t agree more!
As you know have been a huge proponent of Herr Sprong. Crosby played his best while flanked by Simon and Sprong. No offense to Simon, but I would think that Guentzel – Crosby – Sprong would be even more dynamic. However, I have cooled my jets a little on the Sprong issue for a couple of reasons;
Just like Ian Cool, I have resigned myself to the Organization having serious blinders on when it comes to a player.
And 2nd I finally had a conversation who just my have some deeper insight into the teams thinking than I do. He offered up an explanation that I won’t go into now that although I still disagree with , is at least more palatable than the absolutely ridiculous party line that I recently read once again spewing forth from a more main-stream media site complaining of Sprong’s play without a puck. Anyone who keeps insisting on trying to perpetuate this sentiment only loses credibility as a hockey person. Although Sprong’s NHL resume is ot that extensive yet, the 8 (okay 7 1/2) games he played this year showed pretty much the exact opposite of that both subjectively (the eye test) and objectively (CORSI and +/- stats).
The only question that I had for my Mole was if his new explanation had any validity then why didn’t the team didn’t try and deal him for Grabner or Kane? If the team really was “all in” this year for a 3 peat, why hold on to Sprong when Crosby is being nullified from within the organization with a parade of less than adequate wingers, particularly (I am sorry) Sheary! No team really needs to worry about putting their best checkers against Crosby, the Pens are eliminating him themselves.
No answer has been forth coming.
What I do find most interesting has been Sullivan’s late game moves though. It does show at least a little awakening of reality on the team. I am referring to the substitution of Sheahan on Crosby’s flank, removing Sheary from the equation. Not only does it give the Pens two solid face off men in the waning seconds of the game, in case one gets waved out, it is, intentionally or not, a vote of no confidence in the diminutive winger.
Once again, please allow me to end with the disclaimer; I do like Conor Sheary and wish he could find a way to play larger. He just isn’t finding that one pill to make him that large enough to warrant a roster spot, let alone a $3mil cap hit.
Hi tOR, and Rick,
I agree with your assessment re: Sid, and I think the situation has been a bit of a disservice to him this season. I keep finding myself feeling he’s been fed a lot of table scraps while trapped in a revolving door. He’s made the best of it, mostly, but there have been times when, to me, anyway, he looked as if he was skating around thinking to himself, “If you guys don’t care, why should I?” That isn’t Sid. And, I know everyone is probably tired of me beating this drum, but Sid came to life with Sprong and Simon, and only a blind man could have missed it.
The closer the postseason gets, the more I’m thinking without a solid first line they’re chances are further diminished. Malkin’s line and Kessel, et.al., will be okay, but Sid is probably going to have to carry the first line himself, and he isn’t exactly “The Kid” anymore. With a defense that’s going to have to dig deep, maybe deeper than possible, with not much in the cupboard, this presents more of a problem than I’m comfortable with.
Speaking of defense, has Ian Cole bolstered the Blue Jackets? They were tanking, then he shows up and they’re back in contention having won eight in a row, and he’s got a couple goals and assists, too. They did land a few other bodies at the deadline — Vanick, Letestu and Kujawinski — but I don’t see any of them leading Columbus on the comeback trail (maybe Vanick a little). Oh, well, maybe it’s just my imagination. Nah!
— 55
One other thing I forgot to mention: I wish they were a better road team. I think home ice for as much of the playoffs as possible will be an pivotal factor.
– 55
Good point 55,
The Pens road record does cause more than a little concern.
Also, with some of the excuse making, on certain matters, I have been reading may cause me to write an article on the elephant in the room that we have touched on here. On certain subjects I would rather there be silence than the parade of lame excuses I have read recently.
Hey ToR,
As always we are on the same wave length. You gave a little tease as to an inside theory about Sprong and I hope we get to hear it sometime. I myself have heard a few. Let see there is the company line “He needs to work on his 200ft game”, There’s the contract conspiracy line “If they keep him in WBS he can’t show how good he really is and will be able to get him cheaper”, There’s the “they already have a deal in place for Max Domi for Sprong it will be a draft day trade”, and there is my personal truth: Sully does not like the kid. If it looks like a duck, flies like a duck, and quacks like a duck then dude it’s a duck. I also saw Sprong was a healthy scratch for WBS last game; this is right after he received the 3rd star form the game before. WBS coach says he needs to look at the game from a different perspective, so who the heck knows what’s going on. Bottom line unless something catastrophic happens this kid isn’t going to see Sid’s line again this year. So I feel bad for Sid, but its just going to be table scraps for him for the foreseeable future.