Back in the 1960s, Pirates Hall-of-Famer Pie Traynor served as a TV ad-man for American Heating Company. His famous sales line…”Who can? Amer-i-can!”
Well, I borrowed Pie’s pitch for my admittedly weak title. Who can? The Penguins can! (Or who can? McCann can!)
Indeed, following last night’s 2-1 squelching of the Islanders to sweep the two-game set and run their winning streak to four, it seems there’s no obstacle too great for our guys to overcome. Heck, even injuries to Evgeni Malkin, Teddy Blueger, Kasperi Kapanen and Brandon Tanev…a considerable chunk of speed, skill and grit…can’t seem to slow us down. The boys just close ranks and keep on keepin’ on. In fact, they’re thriving.
To quote baseball immortal Casey Stengel, “Amazin!”
Thanks to a quick start, outstanding goaltending and remarkably solid team defense, the Pens continued their surprising mastery over the nettlesome Islanders (6-2 for the season). During the waning seconds of an early power play, John Marino scooped up the puck went on a rink-long foray. After eluding Isles defenseman Scott Mayfield with a nifty burst of speed, he dished a quick pass to Anthony Angello in the crease. The big winger swatted the puck in off the far post for his second goal of the season.
Marino was a major player on our second goal as well. Working on a 4-on-4 late in the first period, he took a pass from Mike Matheson in the neutral zone and again carried the mail over the Isles’ line. Spying Jared McCann racing down the slot and calling for the puck, he hit his teammate in stride with a sweet saucer pass. With no wasted motion, McCann struck on a redirect to give the Pens a 2-0 lead.
Just when it seemed everything was going our way? You guessed it…injury. Casey DeSmith replaced Tristan Jarry to open the second period. Sensing opportunity, the New Yorkers pounced, ringing up a 14-6 edge in shots on goal and a decided edge in territorial play during the second 20 minutes.
Heavyweight-turned-occasional-scorer Matt Martin cashed in on a mid-period power play to cut the Pens’ lead to one.
Uh oh, I thought. The magic dust is wearing off. But DeSmith, aided by our surprisingly effective 1-2-2 defensive scheme, kept the Isles at bay the rest of the way. Depositing another deuce in the Pens’ burgeoning point bank.
Puckpourri
After coming on in relief of Jarry, DeSmith stopped 19 of 20 shots to earn first-star honors. Casey’s allowed just seven goals over his last eight appearances spanning nearly 397 minutes.
No update as of yet concerning Jarry’s condition. Video of Tristan exiting the ice following the first period didn’t reveal any obvious issues.
Speaking of goaltending, in the file-it-away-for-future-exploitation department, New York netminder Semyon Varlamov seems to have a pronounced weakness on the stick side.
With three goals and three assists over his past four games, McCann’s been on fire. The only issue? He bears a striking resemble to former NHL coach Mike Babcock, who for some reason you’d just like to punch.
Marino and Matheson recorded two assists apiece. After splitting them up for a spell, Mike Sullivan appears to be giving the mobile duo another try. A combo that has a potentially huge upside.
Jason Zucker returned to the lineup after missing 18 games. He was a plus-one while registering a shot on goal and two hits in 13:04 of ice time.
Last night’s victory pulled us into a second-place tie with the Islanders (48 points apiece) in the MassMutual East. Nine points up on our next foe, Boston.
After enjoying some extended home cookin’, we’re on the road for eight of our next nine games. A stretch that could make or break our season.
The Pens went 12-3-1 in March…extraordinary when you consider the brace of injuries we’ve endured.
Opinyinz
I think Sullivan’s done a fabulous job of keeping our undermanned team humming, right down to switching to a more structured defensive system that better suits our present personnel.
My lone bone of contention? Dressing Mark Jankowski in place of rookie Radim Zahorna.
It isn’t that I don’t understand “Sully’s” logic. Jankowski’s more experienced, is reputed to be a good defensive player and kills penalties. Attributes that Zahorna may not possess at this stage.
It’s just that every time I zero in on Jankowski, he seems to be lacking in some way. Time and time again when he has a chance to make a hard play along the wall or win a puck battle, he dissolves. “Soff” in Michel Therrien speak.
Going strictly by the eye test, opponents seem to enjoy extended zone time when Jankowski’s on the ice. In my humble opinion, we need to replace him as soon as we’re able.
Along those lines, our inability to clear our zone once foes establish possession is a worrisome thread.
Okay, enough picking nits. GO PENS!
Hey all,
Recent quote by Brian Burke. He told the Post-Gazette he doesn’t want the Penguins ‘going to a gun fight with a knife.’
Sounds like he’d still like to add some pushback.
Rick
It is really hard to judge what Burke and Hextall are going to do; in one breath you hear the quote you just cited ” he doesn’t want the Penguins ‘going to a gun fight with a knife.” In another breath he says he is looking for a Center. In a 3rd breath you hear him praising Gaudreau and even Jankowski and saying that they are playing so well that he doesn’t want to screw up any chemistry.
Hey all,
A good article by Gretz over on Pensburgh…”Can the Penguins get bigger, more ‘hostile’ and still get better?”
He does a really nice job of breaking down who might be a fit for the Pens, and who we might want to look at. He tends to ignore the push-back aspect while focusing more on power guys with skill, but it’s an interesting read…
Rick
Hi Rick!
As you mentioned in your article, the Pens had an extraordinary month of March. I would add a kind of good March Madness!
It was a great team effort for sure. However, the first line, Crosby-Guentzel-Rust did a large amount of work to keep the Pens afloat offensively. They really complement each other well. Sid is now in the top 10 for league scorers. He really elevated his game while several teammates were injured. He might even be considered as a Hart trophy contender, as far as I am concerned.
But I was not so thrilled to see Zucker back in action. I am not impressed by his play since the Pens have acquired him. He has zero chemistry with Malkin and I don’t see him as a significant asset for the team. One of his major flaws: his lack of awareness in positional intelligence (hockey IQ). When you play with Sid or Geno, a hockey player must know where the next play will be. Zucker doesn’t crash the net; he prefers to move around trying to find space, which is not very useful under critical situations (I really miss Horny). As you can see Rick, my fear is that the team’s current chemistry might be altered by his comeback.
Overall, the team’s performance makes me very happy. Hope they are going to have a successful month of April.
Keep up the good work, Rick! Always like to read your articles!
Jorenz
I respectfully disagree regarding Zucker – You may be right with the lack of
chemistry while playing with Malkin but it was also the worst possible time
for any winger to be placed on Geno’s line. He was lethargic, lazy and out
of shape the first couple month’s of the season.
As for Zuckers Hockey IQ – It’s actually very good – he’s a capable passer,
hard on the puck and before getting hurt was 2nd on the team behind Tanev
it hits. Not to mention he’s a proven 30 goal scorer.
I would also stand by my previous statement that McCann still hasn’t
proven to be a top 6 forward. Let’s wait to make that call after he plays
another 10 or 15 games.
Hello Mike,
I am glad you respectfully disagree because we are living in an era where different points of view are unfortunately unwelcomed.
I think it is a matter of personal preference in this case. Zucker played well in Minnesota because he was a very suitable fit with the team’s style of play. Since he has been acquired by Pittsburgh, he hasn’t proved yet (in my book) that he is a top-6 forward. I agree when you say that Geno wasn’t himself and it must have been hard for Zucker to find some chemistry. You said that he is a proven 30 goal scorer but it only happened once (in 2017-18 – played 82 games). To me, he is more of a 20-25 goal scorer, with speed and agility.
Again, as I mentioned above, perceptions may be different from one reader to another. Zucker’s style of play is not very appealing to me. But we seem to have the same opinion about McCann; I see him as a bottom 6 forward. He may be on a scoring streak for a week and then craving for goals for the next three. He is not very consistent.
Looking forward to discussing different points of view with you, Mike!
Hey Jorenz,
Good to hear from you!
As you say our Pens had an extraordinary month of March. Of course, it didn’t hurt that of the 16 games played in March, 12 of them were played at home.
As I was reading you write “a kind of good March Madness!” I was hearing ELO sing “I get a strange magic, Oh, what a strange magic, Oh, it’s a strange magic, Got a strange magic, Got a strange magic”
Actually, I was really liking what I have seen from; Anthony Angello, Radim Zahorna, and even Frederick Gaudreau (even though I have dissed him), and that also contributed to my hearing of those haunting strains of the 1970s. Under any other Coach, I would start to believe in this team (Sorry Rick, I don’t think this team is winning due to anything Sullivan would prefer to be doing, instead I think they are winning despite Sullivan; due to him being forced to NOT use HIS first choices.
Unfortunately, this season is shaping up like last season, the players the COACH wanted got injured and he was forced to make do. The infusion of youth and excitement brought by the kids from WBS energized the old guard that were going through the motions in their 9 to 5 manner.
Under a good Coach, I could see the 4th line growing into a real force, manned by the growing, maturing kids and along with the 3rd line complimenting the top 6, wearing down opponents’ defense, opening up time and space for the the top 6. Unfortunately, under the Coach directing our waddling waterfowl, the kids are getting banished so that the team can return to the lineup that couldn’t seem to find a way to win games in Regulation Time or the road in a redux of last season.
No, I am not referring to Zucker, at least not right now. No, I am not siding with you Mike, I do think Zucker is a good player, but not for this team. He hasn’t meshed with any of the top 6 players here and carried way to high of a price tag to play 3rd or 4th line. However, for now, until Malkin and Kapanen are back, playing him could add to his trade value. I would do my best to dress him up for a trade.
Who I am talking about is Jankowski, Sceviour, and Rodrigues. I would start believing in this team if the 4th line was manned by Zahorna – Lafferty – Angello, with Gaudreau and O’Connor pushing them and substituting in when needed. Jankowski is way too lazy, and he and Sceviour have done almost nothing with all of the TOI Sully has been giving to under-performing veterans.
Rodrigues hasn’t been as bad on the score sheet as Jankowski and Sceviour but he is physically pathetic.
“I don’t think this team is winning due to anything Sullivan would prefer to be doing, instead I think they are winning despite Sullivan; due to him being forced to NOT use HIS first choices.”
What you say makes no sense whatever. You say that that they are winning because Sullivan is forced to use players he doesn’t want. Yet they are winning with Jankowski, Sceviour, and Rodrigues in the lineup. So these must be players that Sullivan doesn’t want to use? In short, he is still playing ad winning with they players you hate.
Oh, you mean he’s forced to use Lafferty, Angello, Gaudreau and Zahorna (all 2 games of him). You are right, sure, Sullivan would much raher have Malkin, Kapanen, Tanev and Bleuger in the line up than them. So by your il(logic), the Pens would be better with Lafferty, Angello, Gaudreau and Zahorna than with Malkin, Kapanen, Tanev and Bleuger because these are the players Sullivan would prefer!
Get real. I’m sure Sullivan would prefer a healthy lineup. If the lineup were healthy, Lafferty, Angello, Gaudreau and Zahorna, Jankowski, and Sceviour are fighting for the 13th forward spot and 5 minutes a night. Big deal.
I guess I made the mistake of thinking that you were starting to get civil Stratton, “So by your il(logic)”, for Buker’s sake I will answer this reply, not for anything you may have earned out of your own right.
I realize that some people need spoon fed and can’t see the forest behind the oak and the maple so here goes open wide for the choo choo.
The Penguins are winning right now because they have played 12 of the past 16 games at home, 7 of those games were played against the Devils and Sabres, 2 of them were played against the Rangers before Panarin got back, and 3 of them against the tandem of Carter Hart and Brian Elliot whose Sv% are 0.869 and 0.893. By all means take the wins, but understand the competition level.
Therefore, Sullivan has not had to do much to get wins. The last placed Sabres have been falling all over themselves to lose and the 2nd to last place Devils took 4 of 6 points off of us this past month – no statue for Sullivan, please.
(this past Month)
Malkin 9 GP, 149:55 TOI, 4 G, 8 A, 12 Pts.
Kapanen 13 GP, 205:19 TOI, 4 G, 7 A, 11 Pts.
Tanev 10 GP, 149:45 TOI, 2G, 6 A, 8 Pts.
Blueger 8 GP, 133:00 TOI, 1 G, 3 A, 4 Pts.
Now your boys,
Jankowski 14 GP, 161:58 TOI, 1 G, 1 A, 2 Pts.
Sceviour 13 GP, 136:54 TOI, 0 G, 2 A, 2 Pts.
Now let’s look at the players I mentioned I would rather see than Jankowski or Sceviour,
Zahorna 2 GP, 15:55 TOI, 1 G, 0 A, 1 Pt.
(Just as many Goals as your boys combined! But it only took him 2 GP and a fraction of TOI to contribute an equal share.)
Angello 15 GP, 121:30 TOI, 1G, 1A, 2 Pts.
(Again, just as big of a contribution in Goals in more GP but less TOI
Lafferty 11 GP, 132:13 TOI, 0 G, 3 A, 3 Pts.
So Stratton which players contributed more to this months success?
Finally, it is time for you to get real my friend, there was nothing illogical at all with what I wrote, but your retort has no foundation at all.
And if you think 4th line is only suppose to play 5 min a game, that speaks volumes as to your Hockey Acumen;
Jankowski has been getting 11:34 TOI
Sceviour 10:31 TOI
4th line needs to play in the 10 minute range. And 10 minutes of Angello, Zahorna, and TBD (I would prefer Lafferty or even a Bellerive tryout) leaning is going to wear down most Defenses for the Top 6. Jankowski standing around spectating for 11 minutes, Sceviour serving him popcorn and peanuts while Rodrigues gets pummeled by the draft of players skating past him only serves to block any progress of the team.
Hey Other Rick,
I think we’re going to have to agree to disagree on this one. I have my issues with Sullivan, too, but there’s no way this team is accomplishing what it is without a huge contribution from Sully and his assistants.
I was really impressed by the fact that he adjusted from his preferred attacking style to a more conservative 1-2-2. A couple of years ago maybe he doesn’t make that adjustment. To me, it shows growth as a coach and perhaps a willingness to be more flexible than he’s been in the past.
Too, if he’s not outright embracing bigger guys like Angello, Zahorna and O’Connor, he doesn’t seem to be thumbing his nose at them, either.
I, too, am a little worried about what happens when everyone is healthy. I think players like Angello, Gaudreau, Rodrigues and Lafferty (at least recently) have added something to the mix with their desire and hunger. I don’t want to see us revert back to a bunch of “9-to-5ers” either. But given the way Crosby and Letang (and Malkin when he was healthy) are playing and leading, I think there’s a lot less chance of that happening this time around.
Rick
Sorry Rick, as you say, we may agree on a lot of things, but there will always be areas of disagreement. We’ve been down this road way too many times, 3 years and counting. What is the old saying, fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me. With Sully all I can hear is Daltry belting out “We won’t get fooled again!”
No one can truly know what would have happened this season if the Zucker, Malkin, Kapanen, etc don’t get injured, but I would bet the house if some some machine could be invented to show alternate futures on what would have happened, that they would have shown a Penguins team languishing in same old same old and Sullivan falling on his sword of veterans only club. The team would still be stagnate and bored, and going thru the motions of their 9 to 5. Sully would have made no changes.
Is that jaded and cynical, yes! But is borne out of the frustration of watching no growth in the Coach.
For the sake of Penguins’ fans everywhere I pray that your rose colored view of the coach is right and my glass is half empty approach is wrong, but I hope you can understand the origins of my pessimism.
Sorry Rick,
I should have proof read that before I posted it. I was probably too much in a rush to address something else. I hope you were able to decipher my ramblings
Hey guys.
Thanks for reading and commenting. Always good to hear what you have to say.
I’m probably somewhere between the two of you on Zucker. With his injury and starting the season riveted next to Malkin, clearly not a match made in heaven even in the best of times, it’s really tough to get a read on him.
I wish they’d have put him with Crosby when he first arrived because I think their styles might’ve meshed. But there’s no way in God’s great earth you split up Guentzel, Rust and Sid at this stage.
I, too, feel McCann’s a better fit for Geno, which the stats…however limited…bear out.
Whether it’s due to playing with a guy he really doesn’t have chemistry with (at all), I confess I don’t find Zucker to be very noticeable on most nights. I like the package he brings…the speed, the grit…and he’s supposed to be a great teammate. But I’m just not seeing the hands, or as Jorenz observed, a sense of where to be. At least in the Pens’ scheme.
Again, maybe it’s a case of not finding the right fit for him.
I wrote this before. But the situation almost reminds me of David Perron, a good player who, for whatever reasons, just didn’t work out here.
Hope Zucker proves me wrong.
Rick
Rick
A quick couple of thoughts – McCann has continued to play well with
Malkin out of the lineup – IMO I think it’s just a case of him being out
and returning to the lineup at the inopportune time. Malkin was starting
to pick up his game and everything seemed to click. More of a
coincidence than anything. I do think the novelty will wear off.
I don’t have a problem with the Pen’s trading Zucker but if they go
that route it will be a salary dump – IMO they’ll never get value in
return. So why make the trade?? Unless it involves several players
changing Jersey’s to get the player you want “Hopefully size”. I
believe Kingerski also hit on the point in a recent article.
I think we have to make a move but the Pen’s have to be careful
with disrupting the chemistry on this team.
GO PENS