No, it wasn’t pretty but the black and gold closed out the year with a win, riding a 6 game winning streak, defeating Minnesota 3 – 2. The Goaltending, Sidney Crosby, Phil Kessel and the Power Play (PP) all continued to sparkle. There was even some contribution from the bottom of the lineup. The Penguins defense, well that is a horse of a different color.
Miikko Koivu opened up the scoring following a Riley Sheahan hooking call (drawn by Jason Zucker). The Penguins’ Penalty Killing (PK) unit dumped the puck deep into the Wild zone. Derek Grant went in on the fore-check, while Koivu retrieved the puck from a Minnesota defenseman to reset the PP. As Koivu approached the Penguins blue line, Grant chose to skate to the bench, leaving Casey DeSmith and the rest of his PK partners to face an odd man break. Koivu passed the puck forward to Charlie Coyle then drifted unaccounted for, because of the vacating Grant’s replacement was just stepping on to the ice. The puck found its way back to Koivu in the slot and the Wild grabbed the lead 1 – 0.
Later the Penguins’ PP would get its chance. Nate Prosser decided to knee Matt Cullen and Minnesota would have to face what may be the most lethal PP of the NHL right now, and they converted their 5th straight opportunity (Speaking of streaks). Pittsburgh’s PP put on a clinic. Patric Hornqvist was the only Penguin skater not to touch the puck on the play. Kris Letang carried the puck up just passed his own blue line before dropping it back to Phil the thrill. Kessel carried the mail with speed to the Wild blue line before finding Crosby with a pass just inside the attacking zone to gain entry. Crosby skated down the Left Wing (LW) boards drawing down the Wild Defense before dropping a back hand pass back to Evgeni Malkin at the point. Malkin and Letang played catch back and forth for a moment to try and open up the Wild defense more. Letang then found Kessel at the Right Point (RP) and he skated it down into Minnesota’s defense. With all defender’s eyes focused on him, the Penguins’ Right Winger (RW) threaded a pass between several legs to Crosby hidden just below the LW face-off circle. Crosby redirected the pass into a wide open net and the game was tied 1 – 1.
As time ticked down to end the first period, Zach Aston-Reese made the most of his time playing with the top line. He went hard in on the fore-check, all alone. Trying to make himself as big as possible waving and extending his stick as wide as he could, he forced a turnover blocking a breakout pass up the attacking left wall. The Penguin’s rookie found Crosby at the top of the LW circle, who was jumping into the play Aston-Reese created. Crosby hammered a onetime shot that missed the net and bounced off the back boards toward Kessel streaking down the RW. Kessel, the ace goal scorer he is, threw the puck into the crease and he got the lucky bounce fro which he was hoping. The puck deflected off of a Wild Defensman and then behind the Wild goalie. With only 21 seconds left in the period our locals were up 2 – 1.
DeSmith worked really hard to preserve that lead in the second period. The Penguins’ net minder had to hold the fort against the Wild’s push back. The Penguins were out-shot 13 – 7 in that frame. DeSmith needed the help of newcomer Marcus Petterson to preserve the lead against perhaps the most dangerous of the Wild shots. Jake Guentzel tried to bank a pass off of the boards to Jack Johnson, but Johnson couldn’t find a handle on the pass. Jordan Greenway blew past the penguin defender who went down to the ice to further exacerbate his guffaw. The Wild had a 2 on 1 with Pettersson the lone Penguin back. DeSmith made the initial save on Greenway’s open shot. The battling Goalie couldn’t control the rebound as it drifted dangerously across the crease to a waiting Minnesota forward but Pettersson knocked it out of danger while a hustling Crosby raced all the way back to flatten the would be Wild Winger. Johnson was the last man back.
Sheahan would get the only goal of the 2nd period just at the end of a 4 on 4 situation. Aston-Reese, maybe feeling his oats from his recent success and near Gordie Howe hat trick from last game, had a bit of a go with Marcus Foligno. Both players were given roughing minors for the short dance, reducing both teams to 4 skaters. As the coincidental minors were about to end Letang started a break out passing up to Brian Dumoulin. Dumoulin skated the puck to the center red line as the sin bin doors opened. Aston-Reese skated hard to the Penguin bench as Dumoulin approached the attacking blue line and passed to Cullen entering the Wild zone on the LW. Cullen skated down the boards before dropping it back to Kessel at the top of the circle. Kessel skated into the slot drawing 4 Minnesota defenders to him. Sheahan, just jumping on to the ice and into the play was wide open down the RW. Kessel found the Pittsburgh forward all alone. Since Sheahan is a left handed slot cruising in on the RW, his stick was in a perfect spot. The puck was slightly behind him, but Sheahan adjusted and although he couldn’t get off a onetime shot, he got a quick hard release and our boys of winter were up 3 – 1.
Minnesota wouldn’t go away quietly. Zach Parise brought the score back to 3 – 2 and added some last seconds drama with a great effort just before the 16 minute mark. He beat Crosby off of the RW boards and skated into the slot. Aston-Reese was shielded off by a Wild Forward. Guentzel watched from the high slot, while Olli Maatta engaged Mikael Granlund who was trying to be a menace in front of DeSmith. Parise walked in a ripped the puck into the net. So DeSmith et al had to weather one more storm when Bruce Boudreau pulled his Goalie to try and tie the score.
No, as I wrote above, it wasn’t exactly pretty. Maybe if Matt Dumba had played Minnesota would have come out on top. But he wasn’t there and the Penguins have had their share of games with what ifs so I don’t feel bad. The Penguins may have limped to their 6th straight win, but they have won 6 straight and that ain’t hay. They actually gained ground on Washington, thanks to Nashville beating them 6 – 3. They are now only 3 points off of the top spot. Even though there are plenty of warts to go around this team, they start the New Year with some reason for hope.
Next up – Our Penguins end their road trip against the New York Rangers with their first game of 2019 tomorrow night at 7pm. It will be New York’s 1st game of the year as well.
Odds and Sods
- Our Baby Penguins also ended the year last night on a high note, closing the year out with a 5 – 2 win over the Binghampton Devils.
- Team Captain Garrett Wilson led the way with 1 Goal, 2 Assists, 14 Penalty Minutes, 3 Shots on Goal, and a +3.
- Teddy Blueger had 2 goals on 6 shots and was a +3 as well.
- Chad Rhuwedel, on a conditioning assignment had 1 assist and also was a +3
- Of the other players that I have been keeping my eyes on; Anthony Angello had a Goal on his only shot and was a +2, Ethan Prow had an Assist, 1 shot and was a +2, and Adam Johnson had 2 shots, 2 Penalty minutes and was +1.
- Newcomer Ben Sexton had another goal following his 2 goal performance last game.
- Tristan Jarry got the win, turning aside 23 of 25 shots.
Hey all,
Not to keep harping on the Pettersson-Sprong trade as a turning point to the season. But the Pens are now 12-2-1 with Pettersson in the lineup and have won seven straight following Wednesday’s 7-2 thrashing of the Rangers.
By contrast, the Ducks are 5-5-2 since the deal…and in the midst of an 0-4-2 slide during which they’ve scored only nine goals (one by Sprong). All told, he’s got four goals and an assist in 12 games with the Ducks to go with a minus-5 and a 46.3 Corsi.
He seems to be reinforcing the general opinion of him here…that he’ll get you some goals but do little else to help his team win or make those around him better.
Again, not to overstate Pettersson’s value, but a contrast to the effect he’s had on his defense partner, Jack Johnson, and the Pens.
Rick
Hey Rick,
Sorry, doesn’t fly with me.
Ana traded for Sprong to get scoring. They averaged 2.42 G per Game pre Sprong.
The are averaging 2.58 post Sprong. They got scoring.
Meantime, Sprong has scored 4 Gs and has 1 A and a -5 in 12GP since the trade
Since the trade for the Penguins
Brassard 14GP 3G 2A -3
Hornqvist 8GP 2G 3A 0
Pearson 14GP 2G 2A -3
Cullen 11GP 1G 3A +4
Sheahan 14GP 2G 1A +6
Simon 6GP 1G 1A 0
Outside of Hornqvist who only has played 8 Games. Cullen and Sheahan are playing better defensively now, but they they are pathetic offensivel.
Pearson less points and almost as low of a +/- in more games.
Brassard as many points but more games
Simon half the games but even averaged out less points.
The fact that the Pens are playing better may be due to the Sprong trade but not because the Sullivan was right about him. As I wrote several posts back, the better play just may be a bump from Sullivan not throwing hissy fits since his favorite whipping boy is gone. Statistically, it would appear that the team would have been better off trading Brassard, Pearson, or Simon for Pettersson.
It still looks to me to have been personalities that couldn’t be professional draining the whole team.
As for Pettersson/Johnson well, the goalies where only playing average prior to the trade. Since the trade, the goalies have been playing great and Murray has become lights out again. They are making defensemen look a whole lot better and in some cases better than the deserve. Like the Hornqvist-Simon turnover to Zucarello who set up Namestinkov splitting Dumoulin-Letang for a break-away that Murray had to reject. Or how about the scramble started by a heavy Center Point shot by Zibanejed with Fast standing all alone in front of Murray while Letang and Dunlouin were no where to be found. Not only did Murray have to stop the first shot but 3 or 4 cracks by fast before any defense got there.
By all means we should celebrate the Pens winning 7 in a row, thanks in no small part to a very leaky Lundqvist, but the team still can’t crow any about the Sprong trade, it is still very equivocal.
Sorry Rick, logically, empirically, I can’t agree with you here.
Hey Rick & tOR,
I’m sure you both know which side of the coin I side with, but I couldn’t help but chime in here.
It is tOR’s use of evidence to support his case that is the most damning to his case.
Let’s take away Pearson, Brassard & Simon the three that tOR cherry-picked because of their stats since the trade. Sprong didn’t play even a minute with any of those players this season.
Put the focus on the two guys Sprong spent the majority if not all of his playing time with:
Without Sprong
Cullen 11GP 1G 3A +4
Sheahan 14GP 2G 1A +6
With Sprong
Sheahan -9
Cullen -2
With the three powerful scoring lines the Penguins have, if these guys kill penalties and stay even I’m happy. I’m happy now.
So we have a checking line now in the positive and Pettersson who has made the Penguins worse defensman better and has lowered the scoring chances against the goalies.
Jack Johnson -13 before Pettersson
Jack Johnson +6 with Pettersson
The Ducks have a guy who when you extrapolate the points will end up with an impressive 27 goals, but only 7 assists and a plus/minus of -34*. Sprong is getting that top line playing time and I still see no difference.
*You would have to go back exactly 15 years to find a Penguins player with that bad of a +/-
tOR mentioned the Ducks scoring .16 more goals per game since Sprong. He failed to mention the reason for their 5-5-2 record is they have went from 2.79 goals against to 3.08 goals against per game. That is .29 more goals per game.
Sprong has the 2nd worse +/- on their team since joining them.
There is a tiny bit of irony in the fact that Pettersson is a +5 and Sprong is a -5 with their new teams and that both teams have had a reversal of fortune.
Sorry Phil,
The +/- thang isn’t about Sprong. It really is mainly about goaltending.
Ana Goaltending
Gibson Pre Trade 23 GP 0.927 sv% Post Trade 11 GP 0.919 sv%
Miller Pre Trade 9 GP 0.929 Sv% Post Trade 1GP 0.852 sv%
Johnson Post Trade 2 GP 0.911 sv%
Pgh Goaltending
DeSmith Pre Trade 17 GP 0.923 sv% Post Trade 8 GP 0.932 sv%
Murray Pre Trade 11 GP 0.877 sv% Post Trade 6 GP 0.955 sv%
Jarry Pre Trade 2 GP 0.887 sv%
I know you are a dyed in wool Sullivan fan who will not acknowledge any limitations but fit those numbers in and your argument loses a lot of weight.
Also if you don’t want to acknowledge Goaltending let’s look at Spongs GA/60 minutes EV ice time
Pgh 4.7 Ana 3.1
Sorry, once again, numbers say it was Cullen and Sheahan dragging down Sprong’s numbers not the other way around.
Then when you add scoring Sprong at least his on ice performance wasn’t the problem. Personality conflicts with Sullivan – maybe.
I can’t stop laughing at how you are your own worst enemy and I apologize for that.
You just posted that every single goaltender for the Ducks started playing worse when they lost Pettersson and picked up Sprong and every Goaltender for Pittsburgh got better when they got rid of Sprong and picked up Pettersson.
Seriously how much coincidence do you need?
Goaltenders play better or worse because of the group in front of them. If that is not the case, then it’s time for you to stop blaming the defense every time Murray has a bad game.
Did you not look at Cullen & Sheahan’s numbers since Sprong is gone? They are doing incredible. You posted the stats yourself.
I’ve only stuck up for, the #1 playoff coach in the NHL, Sullivan because you want him fired because he wouldn’t play Sprong.
Sullivan said Sprong was a defensive liability. I really don’t see an ounce of evidence that proves him wrong.
Dyed in wool = You & Sprong.
Sorry Phil,
Laugh all you want but;
Before the Sprong trade Ana was giving up 36.94 shot per game and the goalies had better sv%. After the Sprong Trade the team tightened its defense and are only giving up 32.17 shots per game and the goalies have a worse sv%.
Before the trade Penguins defense was giving up 32.16 shots per game with a lower sv% after the trade that brought Pettersson, the team is giving up more shots 33.64 shots per game but has a higher sv%.
It was the Goalies plain and simple.
As for wanting Sullivan fired, yes I wanted him fired, and may still call for it again if he starts having another hissy fit.
Get over the Sprong thing, Sprong was only 1 of 7 players that he has had a tussle with. My problem with Sullivan is his inability to understand that you need a team if you want to be a coach. You can ‘t simply run all your players out of town because you don’t like them or have an argument with them.
As for Sullivan being the # 1 Coach, um, most of the rest of the world seems to disagree with you. He still hasn’t even been nominated for the Jack Adams. Just because you are part of a Stanley Cup winning team doesn’t make the #1 person at your job. Conor Sheary was on both of those Stanley Cup teams and he is by far not the premier LW in the league, Chad Rhuwedel was on both of those teams too and he is not a Norris trophy candidate. In fact he is in the minors right now. Your logic is very flawed.
It is okay that you like him, but he is not the No 1 Coach. And even if was, he is far less important to the team that the players.
As for you seeing evidence, now matter how clear it would get, I doubt you would admit it
Also, I noticed you elided over the fact that Sprong has a lower GA/60 EV now that he is away from Sheahan and Cullen. How did that happen if he was so bad on D? As I said before, it looks to me that the veterans were the Mill Stone on the 21 yr old kid; the veterans who were supposed to be helping him a long.
As for me being a Sprong fan, no.
If you called me a Crosby fan – Yes
If you called me a Malkin fan – Yes
If you called me a Murray fan – Yes
If you called me a Guentzel fan – Yes
If you called me Kessel fan – Yes
If you called me a Sprong fan – No.
I only beat the Sprong drum out of frustration over Sullivan’s over fascination with Conor Sheary last year and Simon, Brassard, Sheahan, Cullen, and a host of others that were not doing anything to earn top 6 ice time but getting it.
Most importantly I, in reference to Sprong, I am a fan of giving kids a chance when veterans are clearly not getting the job done. I don not believe in trying the same old thing and expecting different results. In an era of Cap Limitations, I would rather lose with under-priced kids who could learn than over-priced veterans who are supposedly at the top of their game.
If Rick (not being critical here Rick) doesn’t bring up Sprong, then I don’t say anything. As I have said before, I have gotten over it. In fact, long before the trade, my eyes have been on Bjorkqvist long term (next year) and Angello, Blueger, Johnson (especially with Simon limping on a a very protracted goal slump. The last goal Simon scored before last night was Nov 10), and Ethan Prow.
I also have been keeping an eye on Bellerive, who is starting to find his game again. But like Bjorkqvist is really wait until next year.
LOL. Sorry again. Please learn what the Jack Adams Award is. It’s killing me. If it helps, the best coaches names are all on the Stanley Cup, they are not the ones voted on by how they performed in the regular season. I can only think of once in the last 30 years that a Jack Adams Award winner won the Cup the same year. If that doesn’t tell you how stupid the Award is, I don’t know what will.
I haven’t heard your argument that Sullivan isn’t the best playoff coach yet. I told you you could use an asterik.
I think you are confusing players who can’t make the cut on the team being traded with Sullivan running them out of town.
Other than Cole, I can’t really think of any. I know you’ve mentioned other names, but they are all covered in the above paragraph.
I read Buker’s stats on how other players are doing around the league and I saw nothing that made me think, wow I wish Sullivan would have played that guy. Nothing.
My best argument that I can only have with you is: If you can’t trust Sullivan’s judgement on players then why is he playing a goalie that is 30th in overall save% over a goalie that is #4 in overall save percentage?
It worries me how deep you are going find any tiny stat to support Sprong when almost every major and minor stat is against him.
As for the whole Sprong thing… The tOR doth protest too much, methinks.
I deleted my response.
It is obvious this discussion is fruitless
🙂
I’m sorry! .
I can’t .
Penguins are the same team they were without balanced great goaltending earlier this season. DeSmith hold the fort . They have great goaltending now.
Penguins breakouts, weak puck management, weak transition,bad line combos , cock / unaware turnovers ,weak D Corp ,outplayed/ out grind by teams don’t cycle down low to bear down lack of attention to details and intensity among other will bite them in butt. Coasting and Playing . They are never ready to play and play hard against every game. Certain players are ready to play .
Brassard is hurting this team. I don’t know what Rutherford is doing to remove him at this moment. He supposed to been unhappy with him and very urgency of removing him.
Jack Johnson needs to go. Period. He sucks. Penguins suck on the ice with him. They are always hemmed up in their zone, defending, outshot and out chance among other things. Cough the puck to much. Slow to know the situation and to be effective. Rudwedel and Oleksiak should be playing.
Riikola? He’s weird. He does some good things. He seem to do well with only Crosby and Guentzel.At Best 7th Defensemen. He needs to play in WB/s to develop more and see that can be permanently in the roster. Next season. With injuries call up.
Simon’s experiment with Malkin needs to stop. Crosby too. Simon isn’t a top 6 player. I don’t get it. Unwarranted. Tonight he tonight over the puck again that caused a grade A chances again. No match for Malkin at all. He’s projected to be bottom 6 foward for a reason. Yeah. He score a goal. He still needs to be demoted.
Rutherford needs to do something. He surrounded this roster with slow players and bottom 6 talent that don’t fit this team.
I understand having center depth and giving team a uniqueness in the lineup. I don’t think Penguins have that. I don’t like 3 centers on one line. They needs to see get one to two legit goal score two way wingers.
A. Johnson and Teddy Blueger should be playing up here.
They are up 4-1 Very Lackluster effort and coasting .Constantly outshot and luckily teams pretty good chances doesn’t hit the back of their net. Teams spend Waaay to much
I’m know I’m beating a dead horse here. Penguins gotta be better. Black hole Passengers needs to go.
I don’t like certain players due to their game and players who constantly don’t belong on this roster.
This isn’t Penguins potential to play great Penguins type of hockey , imo
If Penguins were going into the playoffs today to go for the Stanley cup .. They will not make it all. Penguins lineup is weak. No urgency to be the best . ( not playing like this)
Penguins are winning this game. I like it. I’m not a fan of this type of hockey. Unfortunately, they will meet a team they will convert every chance and Penguins will have a hard time digging themselves out the hole to win.
I’m Sorry!
Dee.
Hello TOR*****
Hey Dee,
With the Penguins on a 7 game win streak, I don’t want to say anything negative to jinx them, but I can’t argue with you.
Hey Tor,
I don’t want to either.
I hate to be that person. If Penguins goaltending dries up . They will be in no man’s land. They are lucky teams are not capitalizing on their easy sexy chances.
Penguins are playing the same way earlier from this season .Goaltending saving their butt. Duper’s comments and Penguins players tired of Sullivan’s loud mouth / fits probably put them to in no place to continue losing streak. So they tried hard to get wins that are not sustainable.
They are over coaching with no sustainable retool systemic Changes and no sufficient transition game. They are coasting , very sloppy and low energy. It goes beyond that. They don’t play for 60 minutes and teams skating hard in front of them. Get behind their D . Constantly turnovers. TeamsDictating pace and grade A chances . Teams are making them work in all facets of game and constantly hemmed up in their zone. ( Defending)Reminds me of Dan Blysma’s era . Put wins together to make it to the playoffs and fall apart in the playoffs. Only possess the puck with goal goes their way.
It’s seem to me Mike Sullivan doesn’t like Oleksiak’s bring of hockey. When he plays physical and do what he needs to. Before Oleskiak go concussed and little be down hill ( he throw out wolves/ Johnson shelter minutes)he was plus 10-12 minus rating . This could be a possibility he scratched and that Rutherford was screaming for Rikkola to play before their winning streak.
I don’t mike Sullivan like players that’s very physical and bring some grit on the ice.
Petterson and Pearson trade did not change anything. Everything is the same.
They both do some good things . They are not speedy skater.
I would like to see Patterson without Johnson and Pearson without Brassard.
I hate to see some are looking at these wins and not give a honest assessment for better improvements.
Every game Penguins are not playing great until half second period. OR A powerplay will wake them up.. They are going through the motions to much and easily looking to get the easy way out.
Penguins are a great team with a lot dead weight and pretty darn good goaltending. I will feel much better with wins when dead weight and better tweaks are looking great on the ice.
I’m happy to see Malkin scoring a goal. Murray great in the net. Top line consistency. I’m rooting Crosby to get Selke trophy and Hart Trophy with over 100 points. (Always) I hope he continues to get 2-3 points a game. I would like to see him get 5-6 points in a game. Probably a Hatty , 1 one goal and assist.
I’m hope for the streak to continue with 3 homestead… Metro Division is weak . They need to get ton of points.
I’m glad Goaltending is doing the job. Penguins players needs to be better on the ice. ( frankly) and some important players are not themselves at all.
It is what it is.
Hey Dee,
I do like some of what I see in Pettersson, but he is just a kid. I really hadn’t noticed it before until the trade was brought up, but my opinion of his NHL readiness took a hit when I started looking at shot attempts dropping and dropping dramatically after he was traded to Pgh and how as bad as I thought Pgh was before the trade in the SA/G dept, it actually got a little worse since Pettersson has come over. I really haven’t looked at the CA/60 yet but probably will soon.
Pearson? I see tons in his game I like, but as we both have mentioned many times, he didn’t mesh with Malkin and no one really has meshed with Brassard so I hate to get down on him even though his 9 points in 24 games and -3 looks bad. At wouldn’t mess with the lines at this exact moment (while they are on the streak) I would however, be working on a plan B to move on to when Jekyll reverts to Hyde. Like you, I would be thinking about who would be a better 3rd Line C fit.
I will hold of on anything else negative for now.
Help ToR,
Absolutely.
I think Patterson probably still needs to develop some more . Strong possibility he needs to play without Johnson. Johnson bring every partner down with him. He did it with every Penguins defenseman. I stated it before I prefer Rudwedel and Oleskiak I’m the line up. I think Patterson and Riikola should be developing more in WB/S and in the line up for barring injuries. Jack Johnson needs to be scratched and definitely remove away from this team.
Penguins need a 3C . I hope Pens get Charlie Coyle and move on from Brassard pretty soon. Before it’s too late.
LGP!
Enjoy the game.
2 points tonight.