Back in the day I used to belong to a bowling league. I wasn’t a very good bowler, especially at first. In fact, I was lousy. Needless to say, strikes were rare. The harder I tried for them, the more pins I left standing.
Finally, as my average plummeted I decided to adopt a different approach. I discovered if I threw a straight ball rather than a hook, I could consistently knock down nine pins with my first ball. Which made it relatively easy for me to pick up a spare.
I called my approach “bowling for nines.” It helped me win the Most Improved Bowler Award in the second half of the season.
I think our Penguins are in a similar spot right now. With so many key forwards on the shelf, they need to play a simplified game. Less hook (east-west) and more straight ball (north-south), with an emphasis on scoring dirty goals. Hopefully we’ll pick up some points in the process. Just like we did yesterday.
This isn’t to say that I’m satisfied with our 2-1 overtime loss to New Jersey at PPG Paints Arena. Far from it. Especially after we took an early lead on a pretty tic-tac-toe passing play by the top line, culminating in one of those amazing sharp-angle goals by Sidney Crosby.
However, after we failed to pad our advantage through two muffed power plays and allowed the Devils to knot the score on a center-point blast by Sami Vatanen, I confess I was hoping we could at least hang on through regulation and earn a point, which we accomplished. And maybe even steal a second point in overtime or perhaps a shootout, where we figured to have a clear-cut advantage.
Alas, at 2:50 of overtime Jesper Bratt slipped through our guys like a greased pig on the rampage at a county fair to score on a wraparound. Bringing the proceedings to an unsatisfying end.
I won’t try to sugar-coat. We had a chance to grab two points against a less-than-stellar foe and let it slide through our fingers. Still, we did earn a point. At this stage, I’ll take every one we can get.
Puckpourri
The Pens outshot the Devils, 36-35, and held a slight edge in hits (26-24). The Devils won 52 percent of the faceoffs.
The black and gold played their fifth game in seven days; the Devils their fifth in eight days.
Skating in his second game following a return from injury, Jared McCann unleashed five shots while centering the second line. He won only one of six faceoffs, matching Sam Lafferty’s numbers.
On the flip side, Mark Jankowski won five of six draws. However, the big center misfired on a breakaway opportunity midway through the third period that could’ve reclaimed the lead for the Pens.
Mike Matheson (minus-two) may have inadvertently assisted on Bratt’s overtime-winner. The Pens’ defender wedged his stick against the post in an attempt to block Bratt’s shot, which appeared to prevent Tristan Jarry’s skate from making full contact with the iron. Speaking of Jarry, he stopped 33 of 35 shots to earn the game’s second star.
Brandon Tanev sat out his second straight game with an undisclosed injury. His status is listed as day-to-day.
In the convoluted MassMutual East playoff picture, the Pens hold third place with 40 points, four ahead of fourth place Boston and seven up on fifth place Philly. However, the Bruins have a better points percentage and four games in hand. The Flyers have three games in hand.
Up next, back-to-back games with Buffalo at PPG Paints Arena on Wednesday and Thursday night.
Hey Rick
The good news – we play in the MassMutual. Philly has decent skaters but their goalies are mud. Both Elliot and Hart are under 0.900 in Sv%. Boston can’t get goals past their #1 line. Buffalo and New Jersey are still Buffalo and New Jersey; the only team they give problems are our Penguins. As I wrote in a previous reply, I was worried at the beginning of the year, thinking most of the Division had improved, but barring trade deadline trades, outside of the Isles and Caps, the only team that may still have some surprises, if they get some swagger, may be the Rangers.
As Mike notes below after the 1st line, the Offense is not doing much at all. Yes, McCann did get some shots and Kapanen still has looked like a whirlwind, but even they have been much ado about nothing. Without Malkin this team is hurting 5-on-5. (Ok, let’s not forget Blueger – and maybe McCann – Kapanen could benefit with Tanev back – but for now the team is hurting)
Sullivan keeps trying to push Rodrigues into a top 6 role. As of this writing Rodrigues ranks 234 among forwards with 100 minutes played or more in 5-on-5 points. Divide that by 31 teams and that puts him between the 7th and 8th forward on the average team. (remember when Sully was interviewed saying that Rodrigues was going to score lots of goals!!!)
Sceviour ranks 330 which barely makes the cut (31 x 12 = 372). Jankowski falls just outside of the top 12 role at 375.
Not Sorry, but there has to be 3 or 4 WBS players that could do better than Sceviour and Jankowski.
Gaudreau is 27 and only has scored 3 NHL goals in 85 or 86 games. He is no answer.
There has to be a kid in WBS that would benefit from the experience.
Legare should never have been sent down!!!!!!!!!!!
The Rumor Mill is now churning Getzlaf as a trade target.
Point 1: Compared to Jankowski and Sceviour, Getzlaf represents an upgrade. 5-on-5 Getzlaf ranks 300th and that represents an upgrade over Sceviour and Jankowski.
Point 2: However, let’s face it, as weak as the MassMutual is, Getzlaf will not improve the teams chance of getting into the playoffs (the danger of missing is fairly low) nor does he represent a significant improvement in winning the Cup. If all the team gives up is say a Pettersson then maybe (Getzlaf will be UFA and the team will be out from under Pettersson’s contract) but not much else.
Probability suggests our Pens WILL be in the playoffs but nothing really boosts our chances to win the Cup.
The Other Rick
Everything you stated is right on but In the case of Getzlaf I do believe he
could help the Pens. Right now he has 12pts playing on a shitty team –
excuse my french. iF Anaheim would eat a portion of his contract I would
trade for him – he still has some left in the tank – he 6-4 225lbs and he
would be our 4th line center – it would be very much like when JR acquired
Matt Cullen. Also, you could on occasion put him out on our 1st or 2nd PP
units and park him in front of the net. Hextall would still need to make another
move or two to solidify our bottom 6.
Here’s my 4th line
C- Getzlaf RW Angello LW Zohorna
6’4 6’5 6’6
GO PENS
Hey Mike
Last season, I actually didn’t mind the gamble on Marleau. The only thing that upset me was how long Sullivan kept trying to play him, well after it was painfully obvious to the rest of the universe that he wasn’t working out.
Getting Getzlaf could be a good idea, since Jankowski and Sceviour are obvious failures. My concern, and it may just be residual from the JR era, is that the team pay too much for Getzlaf. The Brassard deal still stings my memory.
I don’t disagree at all with your thoughts on the 4th line (Getzlaf – Angello – Zahorna). I would love to see the size and more importantly I would love to move on from something that has shown time and again to not be working. Maybe it works out, maybe it doesn’t, but it is worth a try. Trying your idea is far better than doing the same thing and expecting different results.
Furthermore, as I wrote above, with Getzlaf becoming a UFA and Pettersson not really playing all that well right now but getting $4 mil, sending him back to free up that $4 mil for next season would seem like a win to me.
However, trading a 2022 draft pick for him would be a serious loss.
Zohoma is big but a soft player. If I were to speculate on an AHL guy, I’d try Bellerive. He’s really flying under the radar among Penguin fans because he had a slow start last year. He’s very tough, has an edge, and has really started to score: 14 goals in his last 30 games going back to last season.
Hey Stratton,
I have been pulling for Bellerive since his try out and am glad his hands appear like they are finally coming back from the burns; to make that comeback does show the kids toughness.
I hear what you are saying about Zahorna, I recall that Legare laid him out with a reverse check in camp but I still haven’t had a chance to see him play and what we are using isn’t working, so I won’t argue with Mike either about giving the Getlaf – Angello – Zahorna line a shot.
Hey guys,
I’ll cast a vote for Bellerive as well. He was so impressive at the Pens’ tryout camp a few years back. Had a huge season with Lethbridge in 2017-18. Then he burned his hands…apparently quite severely…in that accident.
A hockey’s players hands are his livelihood, especially a skill guy, and you had to wonder if he’d ever be able to make it back. But Jordy’s shown a ton of heart and character. And as you so duly noted, Stratton, after receiving mostly bottom six minutes at the start of his pro career he’s been producing, which is so good to see.
Too, he’s one of the few guys in the organization who can actually fight. Before the fire he could go pretty well with both hands.
I’m not sure he’s as inclined to drop the mitts since…I think some scars remain from the fire which I have to think would make fighting a painful proposition. But he’s got lots of spunk and spirit and you would think he’d be Mike Sullivan’s type of player.
Can never have too many inspirational guys on a hockey team.
Rick
Stratton
No offense and I don’t actually disagree with your assessment
of Zahoma but this is the perfect opportunity to look at some
of our young players and know what we have. If not Zahoma
then someone, anyone – Pen’s need a shot in the arm, and I
don’t really care who supplies it.
Also, with the trade deadline coming up it allows us a chance
to see who is expendable and who’s not. To me, it’s just a
smart way to do business.
Rick
I didn’t get a chance to watch yesterday’s game but it appears our offense
with the exception of the Crosby line is stagnant.
I watched the highlights and it looked as though Jarry played well but it
also looked like the two allowed goals could have been prevented. On the
first goal other than Rust closing on the shooter, Jarry had a clear view
of the puck and probably should have made the save. On the 2nd goal, Jarry
is late sliding across and gets beat on the wrap-around. I didn’t get a great
look but the announcer said he lost his balance.
Anyway tough to win games when you score one goal. I think it’s time
Hextall and Burke get busy and make some moves to improve the team.
Go Pens
Hey Mike,
On the OT goal, it looked as though Matheson’s stick may have prevented Jarry’s skate from reaching the post, although he may have been a bit late coming over.
But you’re absolutely right…when you allow only two goals you sure hope to win.
In terms of making trades, finding help may be easier said than done. I really don’t know who we have to trade other than perhaps Pettersson and Riikola. And given the flat cap/financial situation, you don’t know how that’s going to affect player movement.
But I agree…if we’re going to be without Malkin and Blueger for any length of time, we’re going to need help from somewhere.
Rick
Rick
I don’t disagree – my reply to Stratton was it doesn’t matter who but
when. The Pens need to find someone that can light a fire under this
team when their play is lethargic.
I feel like with the injuries and the trade deadline coming up it’s the
perfect time to see what some of our better players in WBS can do.
This prevents Hextall / Burke from making a mistake!
Agree Mike.
See what some of these kids (Bellerive, Zahorna) have to offer before you go fishing.
Maybe even an O’Connor redux (three goals, five points in five games with the Baby Pens).
Rick
Hey Mike,
I am all for seeing what is down in WBS. I also would throw Bjorkqvist’s name into that mix – as soon as he is allowed to come back from Finland (But that may not be this season with COVID protocols).