Avalanche Roll (and Rule), Bury Penguins 6-4

Recently, a writer from another blog whose work I respect a great deal opined that our Penguins are a very good team. Perhaps even a great one.

While I may agree with the first part of his assertion, I beg to differ with the second. In the wake of the Pens’ disappointing 6-4 home-ice loss to the Avalanche last night, we’re proving ourselves to be a notch below the NHL elite.

Make that a considerable notch below.

This isn’t a knock but rather a statement of fact. Going back to the preseason, most pundits including myself felt the Pens would be hard-pressed to make the playoffs. Barring a total and unforeseen collapse, we most assuredly are a playoff team. You might even say we’ve overachieved. However, unless we suddenly display another gear or a new-found affinity for discipline and structure, we won’t be celebrating a Stanley Cup this spring.

In many ways last night’s game was a microcosm of our season, or at the very least our recent efforts. We did a lot of things well. We overwhelmed the Avs out of the gate, piling up a 19-11 advantage in first-period shots on goal. In terms of possession, we dominated across the board, rolling up an impressive edge in shot attempts (68-52), shots on goal (45-32), scoring chances (37-28) and high-danger chances (19-11). For good measure, we controlled the faceoff circle, taking 63 percent of the draws.

We did everything it seems but win the game. An all-too-common common theme lately.

Defensive breakdowns again proved costly. On the Avs’ second goal, rookie Alex Newhook burst past Marcus Pettersson, turning the black-and-gold defender into the equivalent of a rusty gate. Resulting in an open look in the slot for J.T. Compher. Darren Helm’s backbreaker at 15:03 of the third period to make it 5-2, Avs, predictably came off a 2-on-1.

Nor does Tristan Jarry, a veritable Rock of Gibraltar for much of the season, get a free pass. He allowed long-range goals on rather innocuous-looking shots from Nathan MacKinnon and Josh Manson. Shades of his ill-fated performance against the Islanders last spring.

Manson’s dagger just 61 seconds into the final frame was particularly damaging. It gave the Avs a two-goal lead while snatching precious momentum away from the Pens, who’d been gathering steam.

Looking ahead to the postseason, Cup-winning teams don’t beat themselves. The Pens contribute to their own demise all-too-often.

The Goals

MacKinnon (2), Compher, Manson, Helm and rumored black-and-gold trade target Artturi Lehkonen scored for the Avs. Bryan Rust (23), Evan Rodrigues (18), Jake Guentzel (33) and Mike Matheson countered for the locals.

Rust actually scored the first Avs’ goal as well, credited to MacKinnon. Devon Toews returned the favor on Rodrigues’ goal, which came following a breakaway attempt and goal-mouth scramble. E-Rod snapped an 11-game goal drought. Rust established a new career high with 57 points. Matheson’s tally, his 11th on the season and fourth in 13 games, set a new career best as well.

Puckpourri

Pettersson, who assisted on Rust’s tally, replaced Mark Friedman. After several weeks of experimenting, coach Mike Sullivan returned to his traditional defensive pairs: Brian Dumoulin–Kris Letang, Pettersson-John Marino and Matheson-Chad Ruhwedel. He kept his line combinations from Saturday’s loss intact. Which leads me to…

A Bone to Pick

At a critical juncture of the season, Sullivan’s mothballed the fourth line. In a carryover from Saturday, Anthony Angello saw just 7:01 of ice time, Danton Heinen even less (6:57). Brian Boyle, arguably our most effective depth scorer during the past month (three goals and seven points over the past 13 games) saw 9:30 of ice time.

Sully’s got a veteran team (old legs), yet he’s shortening his bench? That makes about as much sense as a screen door in a submarine.

Ironically, despite their scant usage Boyle and Heinen each picked up an assist.

Mind you, Boyle had only recently shown excellent chemistry with Teddy Blueger and Radim Zohorna on what was proving to be a very effective fourth line. Yet Sullivan broke up the unit and parked Big Z (second among our forwards in plus-minus) in the press box.

This isn’t the first time Sullivan’s pulled apart an effective line. Indeed, he has an annoying habit of churning through combinations until he finds guys he doesn’t trust or want to play, especially where the fourth line’s concerned.

If you’re not going to use a guy, what’s the sense in dressing him? With depth scoring at a premium, put someone in there you will play.

Grrrrrrr.

Where We’re At

With the loss, the Pens (41-20-10, 92 points) fall six points behind front-running Carolina and four in back of the Rangers, our next opponent. It was a foregone conclusion the Blueshirts would be our first-round foe. However, with both the Hurricanes and Pens stumbling and the Rangers streaking, we just might meet the ‘Canes instead. Don’t know if that’s good or bad.