Merriam-Webster defines the word moxie as courage and determination. I thought our Penguins showed tons of both during the recent nail-biter victories over Washington and Minnesota.
Indeed, if there’s a turning point in a season desperately in need of one, the dual 2-1 triumphs may be it.
Talk about overcoming adversity. Scarcely a minute into a touchstone game with bitter rival Washington, Jamie Oleksiak…capable enough with his dukes…got his clock cleaned by hated Caps Neanderthal Tom Wilson. I mean, the “Big Rig” got knocked out colder than a proverbial Atlantic mackerel.
Then Alex Ovechkin, puffed up with Wilson guarding his fanny, began hurling invectives at Pens captain Sidney Crosby for having the temerity to prod the referees about a possible instigator call.
To say the Pens were in a hostile environment would be the understatement of the century. Not to mention being down a defenseman in a critical division dustup with 59 minutes to play.
Man, did our guys respond. It’s as if Wilson’s booming overhand right knocked all the Rust (pun intended) off our back-to-back Cup champions in one fell swoop…or arcing blow as the case may be.
Leading the charge was Crosby, who in my humble opinion is playing the best two-way hockey of his career. Sid may not be lighting up scoreboards like the “Kid” of old. But when you consider intangibles such as leadership, conditioning and game-in-game-out intensity, there isn’t a better all-around player on the planet. Maybe ever.
With the deck decidedly stacked against us, Sid shoved back. Hard. Scarcely a minute after the fight, he drilled Caps forward Travis Boyd with a stiff body check, sending a clear message to “Ovi” and his cohorts.
You’re not going to run us out of the building. We’re not going anywhere.
Following Crosby’s lead, the black and gold matched the Caps hit for hit over the course of a riveting, take-no-prisoners affair. It was playoff hockey in December.
Along with No. 87, who collected a goal and an assist and won 59 percent of his draws, Kris Letang played a superb game, pacing the locals with three takeaways while logging an astronomical 32:22 of ice time.
I’ve been a frequent critic of “Tanger” in the past. However, on this night he was at his finest…fiery, intense and focused. I was especially proud of the way he stood up to a rampaging Ovechkin behind the Pens’ net shortly after the fight, dousing the Caps’ bullying tactics.
This wasn’t just a victory for the elite. Everybody chipped in. Bryan Rust, reborn with a staggering eight goals over a six-game stretch, was at his dogged, determined and feisty best, fishing the puck out of a traffic jam and shoveling it past Caps netminder Braden Holtby late in the second period for the game winner.
At the opposite end of the rink, Matt Murray emerged from a season in the shadows and Lord knows where else to resemble the phenom of old, coolly stopping 31 of 32 shots for a tidy .969 save percentage. Say what you will about Jack Johnson, but he led the team with five hits and five blocked shots while uncorking three shots of his own. He looks increasingly effective skating beside Marcus Pettersson, whose mobile, long-limbed presence has helped stabilize a heretofore shaky defense.
The foot soldiers impressed as well. Although officially credited with one hit, Garrett Wilson stepped boldly into the void created by Oleksiak’s forced departure, taking a piece of the enemy at every turn. An improving Riley Sheahan unleashed four shots on goal. Heck, even Derick Brassard… generally uninspired…flashed some fire and hop along with a helping of skill.
I was encouraged that our sweat equity carried over to the Minnesota matchup last night. If any game had letdown stenciled all over it, this was it. The Wild…disciplined and structured and oh-so boring…are the antithesis of a heated division rival. Yet the Pens brought their A-Game…or at least as close as they could muster in the second of back-to-back outings.
It didn’t hurt that Rust continued his stunning, Lazarus-like resurrection by potting both black-and-gold goals, each off feeds from trench-worker extraordinaire Jake Guentzel. Nor that Casey DeSmith made a statement of his own between the pipes while shunting aside 40 of 41 shots.
Needless to say, coach Mike Sullivan was pleased.
“I thought our guys came with a lot of energy,” he said. “We tried to use the bench as best we could and keep our shifts short. I thought the players made good decisions with the puck. They didn’t overstay their shifts. … I give them a lot of credit. They played hard tonight.”
I was pleased, too. With efforts like these, there may be hope for us yet.
Hello Rick, ToR, Phil , Others,
Great 2 points . Murray look like his old self with confidence and more comfortable in the net. Sid & Jake has been elite all season and very consistency.
Penguins MVP all season so far with two hockey and consistency with or without points that make this team drive through wins..
1.Crosby
2. Guentzel
3. Dumoulin
4. Martin and PK unit.
Jack Johnson is Jack Johnson. Hits and Blocks is good. Good enough on the Pk, fine. It doesn’t bring nothing impactful nor more the needle for Penguins back end. It doesn’t effectively help top stars to get puck to sustain offensive pressure than them being hemmed up in their zone out shot from opposition while constantly defending to clear the puck out.
Especially if he being deployed with top lines. Mike Sullivan started deploying him more there. Because people question him being on the ice for a lot of goals. ( after 27 goals on the ice with him and he see that he’s bad)
Jack Johnson is adequate due to shelter with top players. It will not cut it.
Jack Johnson isn’t very good. any metric you look at past or present is negative. Eye test confirmed it .
Johnson essentially suffocates the Pens offensively e and via eye test and data Does nothing to help there. Not very good defensively.
Last offensive chart. I got.
Jack Johnson Cf/60 43.42 , XGf/60 1.77
I’m not big stats individual. I love eye test better. Then some stats.. Jack Johnson isn’t very good.
His Eye test and Stats give you a picture
PIT’s Goal Share at 5v5 this year:
Team total: 53.8% (86-74)
Johnson on ice: 38.0% (19-31)
Johnson off ice: 60.9% (67-43)
In his 12-season NHL career, Jack Johnson has been:
a) a negative 5v5 Corsi player 12years
b) a negative 5v5 shots player 12years, and
c) a negative 5v5 goals player 11 years
He is not a player who significantly moves the needle.
Either way he suffocates Penguins offensively and drag down his partner.
He looks somewhat tibit effective because he’s getting shelter with stars while hurting doing and doing GooD Pk. He’s only effective enough on Pk.
I already presented CF% /minutes with or without other pens players . He drags them down.
Tonight
All strengths CF 14 , CA 28 CF% 33.33
Every game it bad. Nothing can convince that he’s a useful NHl player to help the Penguins. Especially with a 12 negative career. 31 years old.
Hits, BS ,PK is ok good. It isn’t good enough. To be deployed with top stars that needs have countless strong possessions defenseman that can effectively more the puck to sustain offensive pressure with constantly hemmed up in their zone.
Jack Jonson 36 GP 696:58 TOI CF 578 CA773 CF%42.78
Merry Christmas to All
Dee.
Rick
Great article – I’ve also went out of my way to call out Kris Letang but last
night he was on top of his game.
Your quote on Jack Johnson was right on – everyone including your’s truly
has been taking pot shots at him since the puck dropped in October. Not
only did he have 5 hits and 5 blks vs the Caps he came back last night against
the wild with 4 hits and 6 blks. I’ll take that every night.
Penguins are playing better – theirs definitely more urgency in there game. I do
think Sully has to figure out away to get the 3rd line rolling “there capable”
Lets go Pen’s
Thanks Mike.
Always good to hear from you. We seem to think a lot alike concerning the Pens.
I’ll probably be ridiculed for stating this, but I actually think Johnson’s been reasonably effective lately. He doesn’t seem to be straying as much and appears to be concentrating more on his defensive duties. I think he makes nice outlet passes. And, as you so duly noted, he blocks shots and puts the body on people.
Pettersson probably has a lot to do with it. The kid’s really mobile for a bigger guy and, with his reach, he really covers a lot of ice, which probably helps Johnson stay within his comfort zone. I think they’ve made a nice pairing.
Agree about the third line. At least to my eye, there’s been a pronounced upswing in Brassard’s play of late. He seems quicker and more aggressive and decisive. Unfortunately, it hasn’t translated into points. He’s simply got to produce…especially if he’s got guys like Hornqvist and Kessel skating on his wing.
Rick
Hey Mike & Rick,
I have been taking the same pot shots and even penned “Why Has Jack Johnson Not Been Benched?”. He has looked much better lately.
Watching him block all of the shots the last two games really makes me think he is coming around as a defenseman and team player. I’m always appreciate the guys that give it up to block a shot. I have blocked shots playing hockey that are nowhere near as hard as the NHL guys shoot, and it still hurts like hell.
I also would have to compliment Kris Letang as he also has been a victim of my rants. I have never seen him play as well as he is playing this year. He is taking way less stupid chances and he doesn’t stand around watching the play as much. If he could just learn how to throw a pass to hit Malkin, Kessel or Crosby in their sweet spot for a one-timer on the powerplay, then I would actually call him a “great” defenseman.
Hey Rick
Oleksiak dropped his gloves, but was still ambushed by Wilson who skated all the way across the ice knowing he was going to fight. Oleksiak had just turned at the last second to see Wilson coming at him. Yes, a wuss move by Wilson once again. I really think Wilson will get his comeuppance at some point and I will not shed a tear.
it was nice to see the team rally, I really think that the Wilson fight got them into the game. Possibly a season turning point?
I also wonder if the team really misses their cheerleader Tocchet. You don’t really see Recchi going along the bench rallying the troops like Tocchet did. I think that aspect of coaching is underrated, especially in the middle of the season. I’ve heard the whole “these guys get paid millions they shouldn’t need that”, but I really think it helps.
Hey Phil,
I didn’t see that point (Wilson attack) in real time but the high(low)lights I saw look like you wrote. It looked to me like a Craven back attack. Yes, Oleksiak wasn’t completely unaware, but it looked like he barely had time to see the attack coming.
Also, I agree, someone on the bench to rally the troops is necessary, regardless of the amount of money players get paid. It seems to me that when money is the only motivator on the table, players are just going thru the motions and not thru the emotions. I think there is tons of value in players who want to win for the team and for the coach rather than just to get paid. I think there is tons of value in players getting their promotions from the minors to play for the team rather than coming over, lured by money to play for another team.
Hey Phil,
I won’t say the fight was an out-and-out mugging. But there’s no question Wilson instigated the proceedings and got the jump on Oleksiak. Unfortunately, when Jamie finally got himself in a position to throw a punch he left himself wide open and Wilson took full advantage and landed a beaut.
It’s times like these when I really miss Ryan Reaves. He’d have handed Wilson his lunch.
Having said that, I couldn’t be prouder of the way our guys responded. Plain and simple, it was gut-check time and they most emphatically stood up. I think it’s significant that two of the team’s stars…Crosby and Letang…led the push back. It says a lot about the character and fabric of the core guys. Heck, even Kessel threw a body check shortly after the fight.
Factor in the way guys like Guentzel, Hornqvist and Rust compete? It gives me cause for hope.
I agree with your thoughts on Tocchet…I think the team misses him, too. He was an ideal assistant coach, and players spoke of how generous he was with his time and attention.
In many ways he was the ideal counterbalance to the ultra-intense Sullivan and probably made the players feel as if they had an ally or guy on the coaching staff they could turn to. Plus, he and Sullivan have an established relationship and mutual level of trust and respect.
While I’m not knocking him…I’m sure Recchi brings his own admirable qualities to the mix, he’s most assuredly not Tocchet. You sense he’s spent the past season and change growing into the job.
Slowly but surely I do sense a relationship developing between Recchi and Sullivan, although it’s obviously not the same dynamic. Nor do I get a sense for how he’s regarded by the players.
Rick
PS–Is it just my perception? Or does Malkin still seem to fade in Ovechkin’s presence? This baffles me, because Geno’s certainly no shrinking violet and has plenty of guts.
It’s not as pronounced as it was earlier in his career. Yet he still seems to defer to Ovi.
Maybe a Russian mob thing? (Only half kidding.)
I do remember a bunch of games Pens vs Caps 2008-2012 range when all of the talk was about Crosby v Ovechkin and the whole time Malkin was stealing the show.
I really think Malkin is playing through a pulled hammi or something. He was flying earlier in the season and all of the sudden he slowed down and started the slashing tripping stuff again. He should probably sit a few games until it gets better (I know he won’t), but maybe the Holiday break will help him.
My theory is that Malkin’s play has to do with Orpik & Niskanen back on defense who know all of his bag of tricks. Though it could be Ovechkin’s mob ties. 🙂
Hey Phil,
It isn’t the Pens’ way to employ guys like this. But if Jim Rutherford’s ever looking for a hired gun to bring down Wilson, he might want to look at Anthony Peluso, who’s currently under contract with Calgary for $650,000.
He’s a 6’3″, 225-pound right wing…29 years old. In terms of skill, there’s not a whole lot there…four goals and 14 points in 142 career NHL games. But, man, can this cat throw ’em. He’s one of the few guys to claim a victory over Reaves. In fact, when the Pens acquired “Reavo” back in 2017 the Capitals promptly went out and signed Peluso…presumably to protect Wilson.
With guys like Andrey Pedan, Tom Sestito and Jarred Tinordi moving on, the Pens are virtually bereft of fighting toughness in the organization, and could certainly use a heavyweight at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton to protect the kids. And if they ever wanted to a make a statement to Wilson a la Sestito in the 2016-17 season opener? Peluso’d be available to call up.
I’m just sayin’…
Rick
Hey Rick,
I’m not real familiar with Peduso, I just looked him up. Even though the NHL has evolved to the point you don’t need fighters that much anymore, it seems like there is always a team willing to hire an idiot like Wilson. Just 1 idiot (Wilson) forces at least 7 other teams to bring in a fighter.
I would love it if the Pens brought in Peduso and just played him against Washington and Columbus if needed. He wouldn’t have to be a scorer, just be able to keep the other team from scoring while doing what he does. I thought the exact same thing about Reaves.
Hey Rick,
Great Stuff!
Like you, I love the fact that this team didn’t wilt when push came to shove. Despite some of my criticisms, particularly recently, there really isn’t any single player I dislike and not just because they wear the BnG. I want to see them all do well not only for the team but for themselves. So, when the team stands up in the face of adversity and steals 4 points I love it!!!!
However, Rick, I am not yet sold on a turn around. Murray is starting to play the Murray of yore, but still needed a good play from Sheahan and an herculean play from Pettersson to help steal that Caps game. And stolen, that win really was. Those defensive gems were more than key.
Puck luck must be feeling sorry for us, because, 1 night later we stole a second game. Against the Caps puck luck stop 2 goals against, a night later puck luck gave 2 goals for. Give Guentzel and Rust credit for being Johnny on the spot, but give credit to puck luck as well for cause the sun to shine into the eyes of Dubnyk and whoever that d-man was that coughed the puck up.
I am glad the team focused on beating the Caps on the score board, but I sure would love to see someone finally remove that goon (Wilson) from hockey. He belongs in jail for assault and battery not playing hockey.
As for the great ape, I still want to see someone get him for kicking Crosby’s skates out from under him in Sullivan’s first Cup run.
Agreed.