It’s getting to be a familiar theme, and a most welcome one at that. Last night before a sellout crowd at PPG Paints Arena, goaltender Tristan Jarry stood on his head…and various other parts of his anatomy…to pace the Penguins to a 2-0 victory over much-improved Arizona.
Jarry made 33 saves…many of the spectacular variety…to post his second-consecutive shutout. A feat unmatched by a black-and-gold netminder since Matt Murray posted consecutive goose eggs to close out the 2017 Stanley Cup run.
Jarry also helped spoil the return of former Cup hero and fan favorite Phil Kessel, who received a warm and rousing ovation from the 18,432 patrons in attendance.
To say the Surrey, British Columbia native is piping hot is an understatement of the highest magnitude. He leads all NHL goalies with a minimum of 10 appearances in save percentage (a mind-blowing .943) and goals against average (1.81). His quality starts percentage, a stunning .889 along with an equally impressive goals saved above average mark of 10.41.
Better yet, his sterling performance is rubbing off on the troops. Our boys are skating with confidence, secure in the knowledge their goalie has their collective backs. A case in point, Jarry’s reflex save on Clayton Keller from point-blank range with 7:37 to play to preserve a hard-earned one-goal lead. A lead that stood up thanks in large part to No. 35’s stellar play at crunch time (13 saves in the third period).
This contrasts sharply with Murray, who’s been colder than the proverbial North Atlantic mackerel of late. Indeed, the rangy goalie’s play during his past six starts has been nothing short of dreadful…a record of 0-3-2 with a 3.99 goals against average and .852 save percentage. And while the two-time Cup winner rebounded handsomely last season from a similar icy stretch, there’s no telling when…or if…he’ll get his game together.
With the Pens shorn of key performers like Sidney Crosby, Brian Dumoulin and Patric Hornqvist, it’s imperative their goalie not only keep them in games but steal a win here and there.
Fortunately, Jarry’s been up to the task…literally…given his habit of standing tall between the pipes. Indeed, he looks larger than his listed 6’2” and 194 pounds in net. Too, he appears hungry, focused and supremely confident in his abilities. Again, in stark contrast to Murray.
Lest we forget, Jarry does possess pedigree. Following a strong junior career, he blossomed with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton in 2016-17, posting a 2.15 goals against average to win the Harry (Hap) Holmes Memorial Award in tandem with Casey DeSmith. True, his performance slipped a notch over the past two seasons. Perhaps a case of having nothing left to prove at the minor-league level.
Give Mike Sullivan credit, too. In the past he’s been intractable when it comes to playing favorites, and there’s no question Murray’s his guy. But Sully’s been able to look past his personal preferences and do what’s best for the team.
Right now, that’s riding Jarry in goal.
Who Needs a Heavyweight?
Anyone who’s read PenguinPoop for the past number of years knows I’m an advocate of physical hockey. It dates back to my hockey roots and watching our Pens get pounded by bomb squads like Boston, Philadelphia and St. Louis. Hockey’s answer to Murder Inc.
Heck, you could loosely argue that Mario Lemieux’s Hall of Fame career was shortened by the fact that the Pens didn’t have the requisite muscle on hand to effectively shield him from abuse early on.
More recently, when the Pens dealt away heavyweights Ryan Reaves, Jamie Oleksiak and Erik Gudbranson? Let’s just say I wasn’t pleased.
But there’s fighting tough and hockey tough. In terms of the latter, our current crop takes a back seat to no one. Everyone on this team battles and competes, from leading scorer Jake Guentzel and superstars Crosby, Kris Letang and Evgeni Malkin to worker bees like Teddy Blueger, Matt Lafferty and feisty free-agent Brandon Tanev. Not to mention Hornqvist, arguably the single hardest guy in the league to play against. Perhaps the most hated by the opposition, too.
Guess which team leads the league in hits? Tom Wilson and the Washington Capitals? Nope. Reaves and the Vegas Golden Knights? Second…but nope.
According to NHL.com, it’s our Penguins with 860.
Credit GM Jim Rutherford for assembling this ultra-competitive crew and Sullivan for whipping them into a tightly knit, battle-ready bunch. One that’s second to none in terms of spirit, character and resilience.
The epitome of hockey tough.
Rick
All great points and I agree this Penguin team is game but I still wonder what
happens when the “big” hit comes and knocks one of our star players out of
action. I’ve noticed in the last couple of weeks teams are going out of there
way to take shots at Jake “not good” – Guentzel is scrappy for sure but how
much of a pounding can he take at 170lbs?
I’ve been having nightmares watching Tom Wilson take out John Marino the
first chance he gets – I have a hard time believing we can’t find a tough/physical
winger that can replace Ashton Reese on the 4th line. Reese has 7pts after
30 games.
Random thoughts (look forward to your feedback)
1) Can’t believe i’m saying this but Jack Johnson has been really good and
currently has a + 8. I saw a quote by Letang saying he’s not sure what the
fans are looking at and have no idea what Jack Johnson brings to the team.
i personally think its time for everyone to get over his contract and give him
his due. He may be #4 Dman on the depth chart with both Schultz and
Petterson struggling.
2) IMO its way to early to throw in the towel on Galchenyuk. It’s obvious he’s
struggling but to his credit he continues to work. He’s currently sitting with
10pts…..2g & 8a after 21 games while Kessel has 17pts….6g & 11a after 31 games.
I feel like with Galchenyuk early season injuries / Mike Sullivans system are
valid reasons for a slow start. Not to mention that Kessel right now is a -15
and Galchenyuk is a -3. “Just saying” lol
3) Phil this is for you – I also think the games have been great – there have been
fights around the league but not in the Burg. It will be interesting to see how
things go down when we play the Caps, Bruins, etc….etc…. especially if we
meet them in the playoffs. They will definitely target some of our better players.
4) One other quick note – Simon has to go – he couldn’t score if both teams left the
ice “Jesus”. It’s beyond ridiculous. He’s seeing more ice time than McCann,
Kahun, Tanev and each one of those players have scored more goals than
Simon while playing with the bottom 6. Simon has seen the majority of his time
on lines 1 & 2. I usually take up for Sullivan and think he’s done a masterful
job considering the massive amount of injuries “BUT” Simon’s ice time is a
head scratcher.
Thanks, Look forward to hearing your thoughts. Go Pen’s
Hey Mike,
Sorry for the slow response to your excellent comments.
I’m surprised at how much of a non-factor it’s been not to have a heavyweight or (a reasonable facsimile) in the lineup. But as a general rule, teams tend to not dress their heavies against skill teams like the Pens.
There are notable exceptions, however. Columbus, for one, who have a lot of hard, gritty players (Josh Anderson, Nick Foligno, Boone Jenner to name a few) and, as you mentioned, Washington.
Frankly, that’s the one team that worries me, for reasons you touched on. Wilson goes out of his way to run guys, especially when he knows there’s no one to challenge him. And Radko Gudas will hit anyone, in any situation…just a straight-up, physical guy. Garnet Hathaway is pretty tough as well. And, of course, Ovechkin.
I guess we’ll find out when we play them on February 2.
I’m not crazy about Aston-Reese, either, but he is a decent penalty killer and at least hints at playing an all-around game. For the record, I would like to have gotten Nick Ritchie from Anaheim in the Gudbranson deal. He’s got some game, is big and tough and can fight. But of course, that’s water well under the bridge.
I notice that Jamie Devane is playing and producing a little for the Baby Pens. But I can’t for one moment imagine the Pens calling him up (they’d have to sign him first) and if they do…playing him. It just isn’t Sullivan’s m.o.
For the record, a guy I like (and who would undoubtedly come cheap) is Ottawa’s Scott Sabourin. A lefty, very fast puncher, fearless (challenged Reaves earlier this season). Goes straight at guys. But again, would Sully play him? Probably not.
Regarding your other comments. I think Johnson’s done an admirable job of simplifying his game and playing within himself…remember he used to be a big-time offensive defenseman. He’s supposed to be just a really good guy in the locker room, too.
There’s a lot to like about Galchenyuk…great skater, works hard, bomb of a shot. But for some reason things just aren’t working out for him here (maybe pressing). Too, he just doesn’t seem to be a Sullivan guy, and we all know what that means. A fast ticket out of town. Buffalo is rumored to have an interest.
I’ll be curious to see if the Pens try to move Schultz as well. Marino pretty much has overtaken him…my word was this kid a steal!
Regarding Simon, Other Rick almost loses his mind every time he talks about him. I don’t hate the kid, he does do some little things at least reasonably well (scoring not among them). But I sure wouldn’t be heartbroken to see them replace him. And when everyone’s healthy, he definitely doesn’t belong among the top six forwards…or maybe even in the lineup.
Anyway, my two cents for what it’s worth. Thanks, as always, for reading and commenting.
Rick
Hey Rick,
I don’t know why everyone is surprised about Jarry. He was drafted to be the er encumbent to Marc-Andre Fleury. Playing 26 games in 2017 for the Pens Jarry went 14-6-0-2. He really looks ready to take over the throne.
Is it me or if fighting way down? I’m not sure the last time I saw a fight maybe Aston-Reese, but I think they gave that a roughing call. Haven’t really seen many on the NHL channel either. I definitely can’t remember the last time I saw a fight just to fight like what used to happen all of time.
I really don’t miss it, I like the new fast paced higher scoring NHL. I’ve seen some of the best games I can remember this year.