Blame it on me if you like. I should’ve known that writing a complimentary article about our team would invoke the dreaded PenguinPoop curse. How else do you explain our thoroughly dismal 5-1 loss to the Rangers, a defeat that was even more humbling and humiliating than the final score would indicate?
If our 5-1 throttling of Tampa Bay on March 3 represented the pinnacle of our season, then last night’s flip-side loss was our nadir. While the newly reinforced Rangers attacked in wave after crashing wave the Pens…playing their third game in four nights…dissolved, resulting in a virtual metronome of odd-man breaks against.
Simply put, we were taken to the woodshed.
While the Pens slogged out of the starting gate with the alacrity of a snail, the well-rested Blueshirts struck with a fury. Transitioning quickly following a failed black-and-gold foray, Filip Chytil fed Alexis Lafreniere on a late-breaking 2-on-1. The former No. 1 overall pick slipped a backhander past Tristan Jarry just 2:07 into the contest to touch off the carnage.
On the Rangers’ second goal some 111 ticks later, we dispensed with d-zone coverage altogether. Indeed, Chris Kreider was so all alone it appeared he’d been drop-shipped straight from Heaven. (He’d actually been sprung by a sensational stretch pass from Mika Zibanejad.) Kreider had roughly a month-and-a-half to tee up a shot and beat Jarry stick side.
Eighteen seconds later, Zibanejab made a beautiful cross-crease pass through a stumblin’ bumblin’ Brian Dumoulin to Frank Vatrano, wide-open in front. Easy pickins’ for the noted Penguin-killer.
Three-zip Rangers. Even though the game was barely four minutes old, that was pretty much all she wrote.
We did little to alter the outcome. While the Rangers commanded the puck virtually at will, we remained a step behind all night long…winning nary a puck battle in the process. When we did gain possession, we repeatedly approached from the perimeter. At one point Brian Boyle launched a 70-footer from just inside the blue line. I noted at the time that it was about as close to the net as we got.
I’m exaggerating, but only slightly. Our presence and puck support below the circles was virtually non-existent. In the few instances when we did manage to breach the prime scoring areas, Igor Shesterkin slammed the door.
A few 10-bell saves by Jarry aside, our only shining moment occurred six minutes into the third period, courtesy of the second power-play unit. Rickard Rakell initiated the scoring sequence with a pass out of the corner to Mike Matheson at the point. Matheson moved the puck briskly to Danton Heinen near the right wall, who in turn fed Kasperi Kapanen in the high slot. Kappy wasted little time, ripping off a hard shot that deflected in off Jeff Carter’s stick.
Jarry continued to do what he could, stopping a pair of odd-man breaks within a minute span. With the game clock ticking down Kris Letang tried to make a statement when he flattened Andrew Copp with a crushing check at center ice. Whether Tanger either admired his handiwork or lost track of his foe altogether remains a matter of conjecture. A moot point, too. Copp sprang to his skates, steamed down the slot and whipped a made-to-order feed from Artemi Panarin past Jarry.
In closing, if this was a preview of a potential first-round matchup between the clubs, it should be titled Nightmare at MSG.
Yes, I know we were probably a tired hockey team. And I know you’ll have games like this over the course of a season. But this was a definite wake-up call if not an out-and-out siren, screaming for our attention. Let’s hope the Pens…and their coaching staff…heed the warning.
Puckpourri
The Rangers dominated the stats as well as the scoreboard. The Blueshirts held the edge in shot attempts (61-45), shots on goal (33-21), scoring chances (31-22) and high-danger chances (14-9).
I won’t mince words. About the only guy who showed up aside from our goalies was Sidney Crosby. He played his typical passionate, 200-foot-game and asserted himself physically on several occasions. A shame the rest of the team didn’t follow his lead.
Forgot to mention that Sid was the only player back to defend on the Rangers’ fourth goal by Kreider off a 2-on-1. God only knows where our defense was.
Casey DeSmith came on in relief of Jarry at that juncture and made three saves before his head smacked against a goal post, forcing him to exit. No word yet on his condition.
Evgeni Malkin missed the game with a non-Covid illness (lucky him). Mark Friedman dressed in Geno’s place and was one of only four Pens not to finish a minus. Boyle, Radim Zohorna and John Marino were the others.
Old friend Ryan Reaves was a healthy scratch. No matter…the Rangers bounced us around anyway.
Despite the loss, the Pens (39-17-10, 88 points) maintained a one-point lead over the Rangers for second place in the Metro. We return home to take on Detroit tomorrow afternoon.
Opinyinz
When our forecheck is humming and we get to our cycling game, the Pens are a sight to behold. However, when it isn’t working or when a foe takes the initiative the way the Rangers did last night, we have no answer. Our forwards get stranded in no-man’s land behind the play, especially when we’re up against a quick-transitioning team like the Rangers, leaving our defensemen and goalies hung out to dry.
It’s very reminiscent of our disastrous loss to Philly in the 2012 playoffs, when the Flyers exploited gaps between our forwards and defense and scored virtually at will.
When we’re not dictating the play, we seem to have no fail-safe system in place. It’s roughly akin to not backing up important files on your computer. Should a virus strike or your hard drive crash, you’re SOL.
It’s the same with our Pens. We place all of our eggs in one stylistic basket. When it doesn’t click, our structure dissolves and we wind up chasing the play, and none too effectively, while hemorrhaging odd-man breaks against.
Former coach Dan Bylsma, who favored a similar “on-your-toes” style, was nicknamed “One-Plan Dan” for his inability to adjust. I’m seeing the same tendencies in present skipper Mike Sullivan.
The postseason isn’t about pond hockey. It’s not even so much about puck possession. Our Pens had the best team Corsi in both the 2019 and 2021 playoffs. On both occasions, we were knocked out in the first round while winning a grand total of two of ten games. Last season’s Cup champion, Tampa Bay, had a team Corsi of 48.6.
That isn’t to say speed, flow and creativity aren’t important. But the playoffs are primarily about structure and discipline and grinding it out while capitalizing on your opponents mistakes. Are the Pens remotely capable of playing that type of game on a semi-consistent basis? Based on last night’s contest, the answer would appear to be a resounding no.
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Great article again, Jim is right on the money, I have been saying it for a couple seasons..we are not contenders.
Penguins are not built to play a in your face, getting physical, pushin and shovin type of game. The Rangers are for real, fast , young, big, great goalie, star on D in Fox.
I thought Jarry was really good, could have been 8 or 9 -1, Sid and Rakell played well..is it just me or does Jeff Carter have a problem with handling a puck?? plus I think he is slower than me on the ice and I'm 44!!
I really wasn't a fan of E-Rod, but every time he is on with Sid, those 2 play well together...Sid always passes first and E-Rod just shoots it, love it. Should give him more TOI on 1st PP because watching those 5 just pass the disc around is frustrating.
I see another 1st round exit this season, Pens will get beat up in a 7 games series
Hey Pens4ever and Jim,
I just wanted to chime in and say that I agree with your observations. Just a few random thoughts.
I thought Kris Letang was having his finest season by far...up til about a month ago. He seemed to be playing within himself and taking what the game was giving him instead of trying to force the issue. Then he kind of reverted back to his old, risky ways and hasn't been nearly as solid since. It doesn't help that Dumoulin has definitely lost a step.
Regarding Carter, I think his skill set and shoot-first mentality is more suited to wing than center, but he's generally more effective in the middle and prefers to play there. You're right...I don't think playmaking has ever been his strong suit...but I do like the way he keeps the game simple and just drives to the net and shoots. He needs to play with wingers who'll crash the net as well looking for follow-up chances. Know where we can find any? (Kidding...sort of.)
I thought Carter and Heinen would make a good combination because Danton specializes in coming in behind the play and capitalizing on second-chance opportunities. But of course, he's been a fixture with Malkin.
Jim, regarding your comments about the Rangers, I think they're going to be very tough to beat for all the reasons you stated. They basically went out and got a brand-new bottom-six line at the deadline in Copp, Vatrano and Motte...exactly what they needed.
Too, I fear that as long as we're stuck playing Sullivan's outmoded system that's predicated on us outskating and outworking other teams, we're setting ourselves up for failure. We just don't have the speed advantage over other teams that we used to have, and I still question as everyone else seems to whether we have enough size, grind and sand to stand up to the physical demands of the postseason.
Unfortunately, it's looking a lot more like another first-round exit is imminent.
Rick
Hey Rick,
Good to hear from you my friend.How do you like being 65? It has been 2 days already and I still have my aches and pains. Thank God for the Pen,s we have something else to worry about. haha . It amazes me just how many good teams there are now in the NHL. Even more concerning as a die hard Pen's fan, the number of teams that have done a rebuild in the past 2 years and you know that they are coming on strong. 2023 or 2024 the NHL landscape will change.
Buffalo,LA,Ottawa,New York Rangers,Detroit,New Jersey,Edmonton, and I know I missing some but you get my point.
We are not prepared for what is coming. I echo Coach's comment in that I wish we were sellers in 2022.
Do you remember the old FRAM oil filter commercial? " YOU CAN PAY ME NOW or YOU CAN PAY ME LATER !"
I think we are entering the "YOU CAN PAY ME LATER !" stage.
This Detroit game should be interesting tonight. We will win but take a good look at the young Red wings and think how good they will be in 2 years. Stevie Y is a great hockey man.
Cheers
Jim
Hey Rick,,
Just a couple of points. First it seems every time we get a "shackling" by a really good team we automatically say "Our Guys Played Bad " or it was "the Goalie's fault". Here is what I saw.
That Goalie for the Rangers, he is the real deal. Jarry is pretty good, but the edge goes to Shesterkin by a good margin. Then we talk about Kris Letang this and Kris Letang that.Almost like he was God. He was a minus 3 last night.He made many mistakes under pressure. Once again the Rangers have a pretty good defense man of their own in Adam Fox. He currently is 3rd in the league in defense men with 64 points and he is only 23 years old. At 34 ,Letang's best years are behind him and this kid's future is just starting. Advantage New York. Up front big 6'3" Kris Kreider has 44 goals scored and is tied for second place in the NHL scoring race. He is joined by a talented group of forwards including Artemi Panarin with 74 points,Mika Zibanejad with 68 points and Ryan Strome with 45 points.Throw in the Alexis Lafreniere former 1st over all pick and you can see they have talent.
All to say that it is not a forgone conclusion we can beat the Rangers in a 7 game series.They are a good hockey team and we can not take them lightly.That is my point.
My second point and I blame the Coach for this. This Ranger game was a MUST WIN in my books. The team was not prepared for the challenge. That is the Coaches fault. Once again lets give credit where credit was due...The Rangers had a plan to beat us...they got in our face and took the game to us.Just like LA did a while back...There were others....But the Coach needs to be able to get his team to handle this in your face style of game and we simply were not prepared.
In summary I think Pen's fans need a reality check sometimes and let them know that we are NOT FAVORED TO WIN THE CUP.That is not me saying that but almost every hockey expert. So it has to be expected we need to brought back to reality some times and the Ranger game was just that. We got beat by a better team on that night.Can we win the next time we play them, sure we can but it won't be easy.
Lets go Pens.
Cheers
Jim
Thank You Jim,
It gets tiring saying these things, but they are true. There are lots of guys wearing the Black and Gold here and through out the system, but just because I like them doesn't make them good.
The problem with Jarry last night wasn't that he was bad (he wasn't all that bad), the problem with Jarry last night was the defense. Not only was Letang -3 last night but where was Ruhwedel on the first GA? I tell you where he was, the same place he always is, lost at sea. Many nights, Jarry is Superhuman, last game, he was just normal and could cover for the AHL level defensemen and poor team defense strategies that this team employs.
I hope this team has a great Chiropractor, he is going to need it come early may to fix his back after carrying this team all season.
Going into last game, I wondered if NYR had over done it at the trade deadline, ruining their team chemistry with too many new guys and maybe they did but last game they looked awful good.. Hindsight will tell us whether the Rangers improved their team that much or our Penguins are that bad.
Still wish we were sellers at the dead line. The laws of probability do not seem to be there for them.
If they play rangers in 1st round won't be a very long round. Pens be lucky to win a game if the defense don't do a whole lot better. Whole team do better. I knew they would lose yesterday bit not like they did.
Hello T.s. and welcome to PenguinPoop.
As much as I'd like to think this year will be different and we'll win a round or two, I'm starting to feel the same way you are...especially after Friday's debacle. Other Rick's hit on this quite a bit, but it bears repeating. When opponents allow us to dictate the tempo and give us time and space, we're tough to beat. But in the playoffs time and space get taken away and it becomes more about physicality and winning puck battles and grinding it out. Plus, we just don't seem to play with any discernable structure. I don't think I've ever seen a team yield as many odd-man breaks as this one does. Consistently...over and over and over again...
I know Mike Sullivan wants everyone involved in the offense, including our defense. That puts the onus on players to consistently make the right choice regarding pinching versus staying back, and it seems we pretty consistently make the wrong choice. This can't keep happening. Somewhere along the line Sullivan's got to impose some structure...even if it means taking some freedom away from certain guys.
Rick
Hey T.s.
Not sure if I ever saw you comment here before, if not welcome!!
Agreed, if last game is a real indication of the playoffs, Sully and his boys can reserve their tee times now. for the 2nd week of May.