On February 18 of last season the banged-up Penguins dumped Toronto, 5-2, to capture first place in the Metropolitan Division, a glorious achievement considering all the injuries to key personnel.
However, just as we reached our apex, we fell…hard…losing our next two games to Toronto and Buffalo by a combined score of 9-2 to trigger a six-game losing streak. Not to mention a subsequent fall from grace that extended through the qualifying round of the playoffs months down the road.
I remember marveling at how a team that had been playing so well could unravel so quickly.
Well, buckle your seat belts, folks. History seems set to repeat itself. Indeed, after climbing into a first-place tie in the MassMutual North on the heels of an extraordinary March, the Pens have been strafed in the past two contests by a combined score of 15-9.
It’s hard to find positives after yielding eight goals to the Rangers last night. And make no mistake, we were never really in the game. Not after leaking for three goals in the first 10 minutes of play. Although we tried to make a game of it as our four tallies will attest, we had no answers for the talented young Blueshirts, who are incredibly fast and skilled.
Indeed, watching them skate in, around through us pretty much at will brought to mind our 1991-92 champs, who eviscerated San Jose, 10-2, and annihilated Toronto, 12-1, within a nine-day span.
A lone glimmer of hope? With the trade deadline fast approaching, perhaps this gives GM Ron Hextall and president of hockey ops Brian Burke a better handle on what we need to compete for a Stanley Cup. And who to dangle as trade bait in order to make those moves.
I’ve expressed this sentiment in comments, but I’ll make it official. I don’t think Jason Zucker’s a good fit. To my eye he isn’t very noticeable, and when he is it’s usually because he’s zigging when his linemates are zagging. I had the same impression of David Perron a few years back, another good hockey player who never seemed to be in sync here. Kind of an on-ice version of Captain Wrongway Peachfuzz.
Of course, finding a taker for Zucker’s $5.5 cap hit could be problematic, especially given today’s flat-cap economics and the fact that he’s signed through the next two seasons.
With fellow port-side defenseman Pierre-Olivier Joseph progressing, Marcus Pettersson could be another, perhaps more palatable option, for potential trading partners to swallow ($4.025 million AAV). Although there are holes in his game (weak shot, lack of foot speed and muscle) he’s a fairly solid third-pairing defender who can slot up when the need arises. At age 24, he still possesses some upside potential.
No, he won’t fetch a burgeoning star. But perhaps he could land us a Sam Bennett or a physical defenseman.
Puckpourri
Last night’s game felt a lot like our season-opening losses to Philly. Our goaltending, air-tight over the past couple of months, was a shambles as Tristan Jarry and Casey DeSmith allowed four goals apiece. They had plenty of help, as we generally played on the wrong side of the puck all night long. Indeed, we hung our goalies out to dry like the bedsheets on wash day.
The Pens outshot the Rangers, 45-25, and won 59 percent of the faceoffs. But the penalty kill, better of late, was shredded for three power-play goals in three tries.
Jared McCann (10th), Mike Matheson (4th), Jake Guentzel (17th) and Brian Dumoulin (1st) were the goal-scorers. Matheson has two goals and four assists in his past four games; McCann five goals and eight points in his past seven. Guentzel, hotter still, 10 goals and 18 points in his last 15 games.
Rookie Radim Zohorna rejoined the lineup and was effective, recording an assist, three hits and a shot on goal in 11:01 of ice time. The Mark Jankowski curse (two assists, plus-two) is alive and well. We’re 2-4 when he scores a point.
John Marino departed midway through the third period with an undisclosed injury.
We’re presently in third place in the MassMutual East with 50 points, four ahead of Boston (three games in hand) and nine in front of Philly and the Rangers. Thank goodness New York got off to a slow start this season. These guys are scary good.
Tell Me Why (or WTF?)
Pardon my bleep. But could someone please explain to me in clear, concise English, why the Penguins chose to send Anthony Angello to the taxi-squad?
All this kid’s done is play really solid hockey, especially of late. Over his last five games he’s tallied a goal and two assists and if anything seemed to be hitting his stride. He’s a big body (6’5” 210) who can skate and brings at least some degree of physicality (51 hits in 19 games).
But, no, Mike Sullivan yanks him from the lineup so we can dress Colton Sceviour, a journeyman forward deemed so valuable he was placed on waivers a month ago.
Hello? Is anybody home? Or more to the point, does anyone in charge have half a brain when it comes to matters of personnel?
Schnikes!
I couldn’t get the Penguins game, so I can’t really comment On it…
I just want to say, I hope Hextall doesn’t make a move.
Unless he can dump Zucker and/or Petterson.
We are not contenders…. so why trade another pick or prospect?
Got to start looking towards the future…
Anyone know what the Penguins record is with Zucker in lineup vs. without his useless a$$?
One of Jimmy’s worst trades!!
Hey Pens4ever,
You didn’t miss much. It started out bad when Matheson accidently deflected a puck into his own net and ended on the same note when Matheson got chased down in his own zone while on the PP, had the puck stripped off of his stick, and helped the Rangers get a SHG. That is going to be a real great use of $6.5 million real soon.
Zucker 12-8-1 this season, 6-10-2 last regular season, 1-3 in the Qualifying round last season; 18-18-3 during his regular season time, 19-21-3 all together.
Also Rick,
I did like the play Zahorna mad eon the Dumoulin Goal. He got tripped up but kept control of the puck, got back back on his skate, then had the patience and vision to feed the puck over to Dumoulin.
Hey Other Rick,
Zohorna really did make a nice play on the Dumoulin goal. Hands, stick-to-itness, low panic threshold and good awareness. He looks like he could be something.
Not that I’m any happier about Angello’s demotion, but as we briefly discussed I think this might have been Sullivan’s logic:
— Rangers are fast team and Sceviour can skate;
— With Tanev and Blueger out, perhaps he wanted another penalty killer.
That’s about the only justification I can come up with.
True to form, the Pens always try to add that last little morsel of skill and speed at the expense of size and muscle. Sure hope Burke and/or Hextall can influence us back in the other direction.
In the brief time they played together, Angello and Zahorna created all sorts of match-up problems. They’re not slugs, either, both can skate and possess some skill.
For goodness sake, give opponents a little something else to deal with instead of throwing four lines of the same ol’ same ol’ at ’em.
Rick
Hey Rick,
You may be right, Sullivan’s ILLOGIC may have been speed for the PK. My push back to him would be, “how did that work out for you?” Only 3 PP against and NYR scored on 3 of them.” With Angello and Zahorna in there an argument could be made that none of those Penalties happen. There would be a whole different dynamic to the game.
Hey Rick,
First, as weak as the MassMutual is, I really wouldn’t hit the panic button yet, particularly in light of the fact the Pens are incredibly dominant at home. I know the Rangers are coming on, but even if the Bruins start to get secondary scoring and the Rangers continue to mature, I think the odds are still in our Pens favor of at least getting back into the playoffs after last seasons qualifying round exit.
Second, love your *Fun Fact* Jankowski has picked up points in only 6 of the games he has played in this season – the Pens have lost 4 of those 6. I know I recently criticized his lack of scoring, but with his track record of losses when he gets on the score sheet, I don’t want him on the score sheet. Of Course I do know a way to ensure he doesn’t reach the score sheet, waive him and demote him to WBS. Let them deal with him.
Third, Like you I just don’t understand Mr Sullivan’s personnel decisions (Angello), but if I am Burke or Hextall, I am not all that upset with Sully’s …um… strategies. If I am Burke or Hextall, with the team still comfortably in the playoff picture, I wouldn’t mind seeing kids play so I could evaluate talent myself. Although, logic would seem to dictate other players sitting, I would still get something out of last game.
Fourth, Wrongway Peachfuzz – Rocky and Bullwinkle!!! You channeling Mr. Know-it-all? Love It.
Fifth, Been saying Zucker was the new Perron for a while now – Excellent player who just didn’t fit.
Sixth, Pettersson for Bennett, go for it. However, I did read something somewhere that Calgary may rather want Riikola. (I would rather keep Riikola)
The Other Rick
Pettersson or Riikola I make the trade for Bennett. Both players future in
the Burg is sketchy at best – With Joseph who most likely will be in the
lineup next year and I really believe Friedman will take Ruhlwedel’s place
as the 7th Defenseman.
As for Zucker I’m still a fan – the guy was open for one-timers 2 or 3
vs the Rangers only to have Rodrigues eat the puck “Jesus”. I hate
Rodriques game – the guy stands at the opposing team’s blue line and
cherry-picks and couldn’t score if the goalie left the arena.
Zuckers coming off an injury – the first part of the season he was stuck
with a lethargic going thru the motions in Malkin now he has to play
alongside of Rodrigues “Not really a motivator”.
Hopefully, we turn things back around on Thursday night. Oh one last
thing – could someone please text Letang and tell him to quit standing
in front of the net and screening our goalies. I heard the Rangers game
plan was to let Letang take the goalies eyes away and just throw pucks
to the net “Lord”
GO PENS
Hey Mike,
Rodrigues is one of 3 forwards I want taken out of Sullivan’s tool box; Jankowski and Sceviour are the other 2. The only good thing I can say about Rodrigues is that he isn’t Jankowski or Simon.
Defensively;
I don’t hate Ruhwedel but he was at best a 7th. I actually would have preferred Trotman as the 7th though. I won’t shed any tears if Friedman takes that RHD spot.
Letang? would have tried trading him the last several years, but the last 2 were the best 2 to try and dump him.
On the LHD side, I would through Matheson in that group of get rid of. Not sure how he didn’t earn a Gv on that Shortie Against. I guess they just gave a Tk to the Ranger. Maybe they should also start tracking who had their candie taken from them like they track who took the hit.
With all of his vaunted skating ability Matheson was tracked down pretty easily and and coughed that puck up readily.
Outside of Dumoulin, I don’t really like any of the LHD on the roster. POJ may have hit a rough stretch before being sent down, but Matheson and Pattersson have had long stretches of rough patch too.
I don’t want to say much about Riikola though, he almost never gets a chance to show what he can do.
Wow typo, Throw not through, too early in the morning for me.
The Other Rick
Don’t disagree with Pettersson but I think Matheson continues to
feel more and more comfortable in the Black & Gold with every
game he plays. Like you I have zero clue as to what constitutes a giveaway? I watch Letang literally pass the puck to the opposing team two or three times in the same sequence and doesn’t get issued a giveaway “wt?”.
Getting back to Matheson and giveaways – I understand Sully’s system for Defenseman to skate the puck out of their own end but I’ve noticed recently our D-Men are getting into trouble hanging onto the puck to long – Especially Dumoulin & Marino and occasionally Matheson. I thought Tuesday night may have been the worst game I’ve seen Dumoulin play in a while.
Just read Hextalls quotes on another blog and came away thinking we will stand pat at the trade deadline – IMO not movement no Cup. If we intend on going that route lets move players that don’t fit into the future and pick up draft picks and
assets.
GO PENS
Also, for those interested Angello is injured.
Thanks for the heads-up, Mike.
I guess my conniption was a bit premature. Maybe I should rename the last section of my article “Nevermind” … lol
Seriously, glad Sullivan didn’t arbitrarily sit Angello.
Rick
Hey Mike,
I am okay with the team standing pat and looking to next season. I truly find it hard to picture a scenario where the Pens miss the playoffs, even without a trade. Yes, if the Bruins find a way to get secondary scoring (trade or within) they may find a way to catch the Penguins and knock them to 4th, but even as good as the Rangers are playing right now, or if Philly can find Goaltending, with the Penguins getting 5 games against a denuded Devils squad and 4 games with the hapless Sabres it will be difficult for the Pens to lose enough games to let either of those teams in. They would really have to work at losing.
However, regardless of trades, particularly the trade rumors I am hearing, I also can’t see a scenario where the team get strong enough to make a serious run at the Cup. So Hextall and Burke might as well relax and let the fates take this team as far as it will.
The bottom line is the team needs to get some toughness, mostly on the blue-line (knocking opposing forwards on their wallets and away from the crease) and even if Hextall and Burke get toughness on D or upfront, Sully won’t use them, so the result is another season of frustration. There is no need to waste future assets on rentals that won’t get used.