I close my eyes and the visions come rushing in, like some unrelenting hockey nightmare. The Penguins are working on a power play. They pass (pass, pass) the puck around the perimeter in search of the perfect setup or opening, only occasionally daring to reverse the rubber along the boards for fear of losing possession.
Finally, someone gets antsy enough to unleash a shot, often directly into a penalty killer’s shin pads. Our foes win the battle for the loose puck and clear the zone, or worse, set sail for our end on an odd-man shorthanded break.
Over a quarter of the way through the 2023-24 season, our power-play continues to plummet to the infernal regions of the league rankings. A unit that was expected to be a strength with the acquisition of Norris Trophy-winner and power-play specialist Erik Karlsson incredibly is lodged in 27th place in the league rankings with a conversion rate of 11.9 percent.
In terms of actual goals scored with the man advantage? We have seven. Only the Capitals with five have fewer.
Subtract out the three shorties we’ve allowed? That’s a net total of four power-play goals.
Grisly to say the least.
At the opposite end of the spectrum, the Devils have tallied a league-best 27. Man, what we could do with 20 extra goals, right? Or even eight more, which would place us in the middle of the pack. We’d likely be competing for one of the top spots in the Metro instead of scrambling to play catch up in the wild-card chase.
While you’d like to think the players and coaches will eventually figure things out and/or the law of averages will catch up to us, our power play seems to embody the age-old adage that familiarity breeds contempt. Indeed, we’re presently locked in an 0-for-22 slide. We last potted a power-play goal back on November 11 against the Sabres, with Karlsson doing the honors.
Talk about a cold snap! Actually, more like an encroaching ice age. And I’m not talking about the surface of the rink.
Inconceivable, given the available talent on hand. Karlsson, Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Kris Letang and Jake Guentzel. That’s three sure-fire Hall-of-Famers and two all-star level players.
There’s no question the Pens lack a bona fide net-front presence and rabble-rouser like our old Viking friend Patric Hornqvist. Horny was a special breed, a Tasmanian devil on skates with silk-purse hands. Able to fend off opposing defensemen and score greasy goals on rebounds and deflections. All the while blocking the goalie’s sight lines and making himself a first-class nuisance.
However, Horny’s impact might not be as great as you (or I) would like to think. During his six seasons in the ‘Burgh, our power play converted at a rate of 21.9 percent. Since he was traded? Not including this season, 21.6 percent.
Virtually a wash.
Another factor? With the notable exception of EK65, we haven’t had a legit quarterback to run the shebang since Phil Kessel left town. During “The Thrill’s” last three seasons here our conversion rate was a piping hot 24.6 percent, with a high of 26.15 percent in ’17-18.
A void Karlsson was acquired to fill.
So why isn’t it working?
Lots of folks want associate coach Todd Reirden’s head on a platter a la recently deposed Steelers offensive coordinator Matt Canada. After all, he’s the man in charge. However, it should be noted that during his last season here under Dan Bylsma in ’13-14, the power-play tallied 65 goals and clicked at a robust 23.38 percent.
I’m going to suggest another factor.
Age.
The average age of our top unit with Bryan Rust in the mix is 33. Not decrepit, but hardly spring-chickenish.
At even strength our age doesn’t seem to be as much a factor as I thought it might be, given that we’re the oldest team in the circuit. In fact, our compete level is surprisingly strong.
The power play? Another matter entirely. To my admittedly untrained eye, we seem very static, with everyone pretty much rooted in their favored spots. There’s very little movement and precious little chaos. As a rule, we tend to keep to the perimeter and only occasionally venture into the high-traffic areas.
Easy meat for opposing penalty killers.
It’s almost as if our guys, subconsciously or otherwise, take a break, thinking they don’t have to work as hard. Perhaps a function of a well-seasoned group catching its collective breath.
One possible solution? Installing Drew O’Connor on the top unit.
Statistically, it’s a bit of an oxymoron…with two goals on the season DOC hasn’t displayed much of a scoring touch. What the kid does bring to the mix is size, wheels and hunger, not to mention the energy and willingness to chase down and battle for loose pucks, a missing ingredient in my book. Indeed, the biscuit seems to follow him whenever he’s on the ice.
I’ve liked the look of our first and second lines with O’Connor filling a complementary, puck-hunting role. Perhaps he can inject a little life into our rather staid top unit.
Another option? Try Guentzel in the Kessel role along the left-half wall. Yes, I know. Phil’s a right-hand shot, the better to funnel pucks to the net on his forehand, where Guentzel’s a lefty. However, like the former Pen, Jake’s crafty and clever and he sees the ice extremely well.
Again, like Phil, he seems to be transforming from goal scorer to setup man.
It just might be worth a try.
The other (unspoken) option?
Sign Kessel.
###########
Although I developed the idea for this article and cranked the numbers independently, a nod to Other Rick, who I believe posted a similar Hornqvist vs. Kessel comparison in comment form a while back.
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Hey all.
A quickie update...Acciari and Nieto are being evaluated for lower-body injuries and will not play tonight against Philly.
Crap. Just when it looked the fourth line was coming together and the team was poised to make a move.
The Pens have recalled Joona Koppanen from the Baby Pens. A 25-year-old left wing. Big kid at 6'5" and 216 pounds, but not especially physical from what I saw in preseason. He's got 3 goals and 6 points in 18 at WBS.
Fairly nondescript. A warm body to plug in.
Rick