It isn’t often I can claim to be a good luck charm. In fact, most of the time I have the opposite effect (the dreaded PenguinPoop curse). But for one night I was a bringer of good fortune.
Literally the moment I arrived at Pennsbury Station (formerly Pennsbury Pub & Grille) and planted my keister on a bar stool, Evgeni Malkin sprang from the penalty box, took a long lead pass from Josh Archibald (?!) and snapped the puck beneath Brian Elliott’s pads to knot the score at 2-2. A happy harbinger of things to come.
Following a nine-minute lull, our boys exploded for five (count ‘em…five) goals in a near-record span of 4:27. It wasn’t so much that we scored as who did the scoring that made it special. Indeed, following a power-play marker by Sidney Crosby at 15:28 to give us a 3-2 lead, a cavalcade of guys who quite literally haven’t scored since the eighth-grade picnic breached the score sheet.
Digging like Mike Lange’s proverbial coal miner, Teddy Blueger dove headlong into the blue paint to swat home a loose biscuit at 16:20…his first goal since December 6. You could sense the 800-pound gorilla of a 32-game goalless drought being lifted off his shoulders as his celebrated.
Needless to say, I was thrilled for him. Few players work as hard as Teddy, and after a bucketful of near misses of late it was great to see him finally get rewarded.
Turns out, we were just getting warmed up.
Ninety seconds later, Jeff Carter cruised through the right circle and tucked a pretty feed from Kris Letang over Elliott and under the cross bar. Only his second goal in 20 games.
Top-sixer Jason Zucker got into the act at 18:37, lifting a dagger of a pass from Malkin over the beleaguered Elliott’s glove on the backhand for his 16th goal of the campaign.
And then? Brian Dumoulin (yes Dumo!) smoked Elliott with a long-range blast just before the horn for his first goal of the season, in the process running the score to 7-2!
A second period to remember.
I won’t lie. When Brayden Point struck for the Lightning on the power play at 7:57 of the third period, my gut began to twist a little. After all, we’ve raised blowing leads to an art form. But mercifully, the Pens hunkered down and successfully let the air out of the game to secure the much-needed two points.
After weeks upon weeks of struggling, it was great to see the players and Mike Sullivan exhale and garner an easy victory. At least for one night, there were smiles all around, and deservedly so.
If I wanted to prick our bubble just a tad, I could mention that we had the extreme good fortune of facing Elliott, who we’ve owned, instead of Andrei Vasilevskiy, who shut out Detroit the night before. But I won’t go down that rabbit hole.
To lift a line from Other Rick’s favorite movie, Monty Python and the Holy Grail, “This is a happy occasion.” And indeed it is.
Puckpourri
Stats-wise, it was an odd game. According to Natural Stat Trick, the Lightning had the edge in shot attempts (61-58) and scoring chances (34-28), while the Pens prevailed in shots on goal (36-29) and high-danger chances (20-13).
In a most welcome change, 13 black-and-gold skaters tallied at least one point. Malkin and Crosby paced the forwards. Each had a goal and a helper. Remarkably, four members of our light-scoring defense, Dumoulin, Letang, Marcus Pettersson and Jeff Petry registered two points apiece. A total of eight points!
Drew O’Connor notched our first goal on a deflection at 3:20 of the first period. With two goals and three assists in his last 10 games (in limited ice time), DOC looks like he belongs.
The second line of Malkin, Zucker and Bryan Rust has been sizzlin’ of late. With 11 goals and 28 points in his past 21 games, Geno’s been red-hot. Love this combination.
Crosby scaled the 70-point mark for the 13th time in his illustrious career. Quite an achievement.
Casey DeSmith made 26 saves in a workmanlike effort to nab the win. He’s 11-12-4 on the season.
Don’t know if it’s just a coincidence and I don’t mean to cast aspersions, but our chemistry appears to be a lot better sans Kasperi Kapanen.
We’re now 9-12-3 in back-to-backs.
Oh No Jeannot
The Lightning acquired my favored trade target, Tanner Jeannot, from Nashville for defenseman Cal Foote, a conditional first-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, a second-round pick in the 2024 NHL Draft, and a third-, fourth- and fifth-round pick in the 2023 NHL Draft.
Yowser…that’s quite a haul for the Preds.
The Devils also went big, acquiring scorer Timo Meier from San Jose for forwards Fabian Zetterlund and Andreas Johnsson, defensemen Shakir Mukhamadullin and Nikita Okhotiuk, a conditional first-round pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, and a second- and seventh-round pick in the 2024 NHL Draft. The Devils also received defensemen Scott Harrington (a former Pen) and Santeri Hatakka, forward prospect Timur Ibragimov, goalie prospect Zachary Emond, and a fifth-round pick in the 2024 NHL Draft.
Schnikes!
On Tap
The Pens (29-21-9, 67 points) embark on a crucial three-game swing through Dixie to face Nashville (Tuesday), Tampa Bay (Thursday) and Florida (Saturday) before returning home next Tuesday to face the improving Blue Jackets.
We’re presently ensconced in the second Eastern Conference wild-card spot, a point up on Buffalo and three up on Florida and Washington.
Hey Mike, Jim & Rick’s,
Just wondering, what are you guys thinking about what Tampa paid for Jeannot? The Pens sacrificed their future the same (which is now) a few years ago.
My opinion is wow that is one heck of a lot to sacrifice. I would also venture to say that there are only a few of these type players in the league and not once, IMO, has a GM brought one for Sullivan to play. I believe if they did he would play them very happily. Please do not try to compare Reaves and his greatest season of 20 total points and lifetime -36 +/- with him.
The sacrifice is interesting in that you could keep and make all of those picks and end up with nothing or trade them all for an almost sure thing.
Thoughts?
Hey Phil,
Intriguing comments and questions and they certainly merit a thoughtful response.
In terms of the price Tampa Bay paid for Jeannot, it certainly was steep. But as you so astutely point out, a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. There’s simply no guarantee that draft picks pan out. Heck, we need look no further than Sam Poulin and Nathan Legare. When we drafted them, most everyone thought they were a sure bet. Now it looks like neither one of them is going to make it. Unless you’re getting a top ten pick (and even then) you just never know.
As you pointed out, power forwards like Jeannot who can hit, fight and play are a rare commodity these days. Too, I think Tampa Bay GM Julien BrisBois is a pretty shrewd judge of horse flesh. Last year he went after Brandon Hagel and Nick Paul and both of those kids have done well for the Lightning. If he was willing to pay a premium price for Jeannot, it’s a good bet this kid’s going to be a solid, physical player for years to come.
Regarding your second point about Sullivan not being given that type of player. Interesting. There have really only been three players remotely of Jeannot’s ilk that he’s had during his tenure here. I am going to include Reaves, and also Jamie Oleksiak and Erik Gudbranson.
I’ll agree with your assertion that Reaves wasn’t all that useful here…the fourth line really languished during his stay. I would’ve kept him anyway because he’s the best at what he does. But I’ll concede to you on this one.
Gudbranson played really well after coming over at the ’19 deadline and, like Reavo, there are few tougher. He felt really comfortable in the Pens’ system, too. Then along comes John Marino, younger, cheaper, better skater…more Sully’s type of player…and you knew it was a matter of time before Gudbranson was squeezed out. While it’s impossible to know, I don’t get the sense that Sully shed any tears when we traded Guddy to the Ducks.
Which leaves Oleksiak. While you could argue that Reaves and Gudbranson are sub-replacement players, that’s not the case with Jamie. Big, tough, good fighter, heavy shot…a rarity among Pens defensemen during the Sully era. Could play either side with equal ability. Affordable.
Oleksiak started the 2018-19 season playing solid enough hockey. Then he got kayoed by Tom Wilson on December 19 in what was more a mugging than a standup fight. The Big Rig sits out the next six games with a concussion. After he returns, Sullivan plays him in four of the next six games. Although he hardly played poorly (a plus-one in those games), suddenly he’s a healthy scratch in favor of Chad Ruhwedel.
I mean, who would you rather have, Oleksiak or Ruhwedel?
He sits out two more games and is abruptly traded back to Dallas for a bag of pucks disguised as a fourth-round pick. It seemed Sullivan soured on him almost overnight. And he was never given a real opportunity to play his way back into the lineup.
Our loss was the Stars’ gain. He was a stud for their Cup finalists in ’20 (five goals, plus-11, 65 blocked shots and 111 hits in 27 playoff games). The past two seasons he’s served as a defensive anchor for the Kraken. Oh, he has seven goals this season which would tie him with Letang for the lead among Pens defensemen.
I hear what you’re saying, Phil. But I still think Sullivan has a bias against players whose primary stock in trade is physical play. Or at least what he would deem overly physical play. And I’ve never once heard him clamor for bigger, more aggressive players. It’s always the opposite.
Rick
I’ll add a last little PS about Reaves.
He was/is such an intimidating presence. Like it or not, on board with it or not, there’s value in that. Particularly in a division where guys like Tom Wilson, Jacob Trouba, Nic Deslauriers and Matt Martin roam, to name but a few…
Rick
Hey Rick,
Jeannot is a different breed than Reaves, as Phil suggests. It is like comparing apples to oranges.
As for Poulin and Legare. I think their failure to make the NHL sop far is that the team is trying/tried to change their game. I have never been in either Penguins locker rooms (Pgh or WBS) but I wouldn’t be surprised if I found out that both kids kept getting yelled at when they played physical at both the NHL and AHL level.
I would love to find out the truth as to why Poulin is on a leave of absence.
In Legare’s case, he was only a 3rd round pick, so if does make it, he beats the odds. He is starting to get more TOI and Pnts with the depletion of more veteran AHL level forwards off the roster, but now it far harder to assess the players as their may only be 3 or 4 NHL ready/almost NHL ready players on that baby Penguins Roster.
Hey Rick,
Gudbranson doesn’t fall into the category that I was describing and Oleksiak may or may not. A QUALITY player that hits and fights and has a bit of a mean streak. The players you are describing meet all of the criteria except the quality part. I felt Oleksiak had his second concussion in a short while and the Pens had a chance to clear his contract from the books before they were stuck. They were wrong, but I felt that’s what the move was. Gudbranson has been on a six teams in the last 4 years. There is usually a reason for that.
If presented the chance would Sullivan play a Tom Wilson or Brad Marchand type of player.
I don’t know the answer.
Hi Phil,
Great to hear from you.I hope all is well.
I have to say what amazes me is that Tampa has always managed in the past decade to make it to the Final 4 and several times to the Final 2. When you take a closer look at their team most years they don’t look over powering. Yet they still manage to be in the hunt.The only explanation I can come up with is that their Management and coaching staff must have a great pulse of the team in that they are able to get the most out of their players for maximum benefit for all.
Also they can play more than one style of hockey depending on the opponent and if you want to play a speed game they can trap you and clog up the lanes and if you want to play physical they can oblige you as well..Hence the Jeannot trade.
To answer your question Phil about the Jeannot, in my opinion I would never trade all those draft picks for a guy who play 15 minutes a game, and at best will get you 25 goals a year if your lucky.Yes he is 6’2″ and 208#, 25 years old and has a cheap Cap hit of 850 K until the end of the year. I guess Tampa wants his physical presence and last year he averaged about 7 hits a game TSN reported. I can not see parting with 5 picks and another player to get this guy.
But i have been wrong before Phil…Many times.
I think by the time Friday comes around we will see much more of this radical behavior… There are several teams, unfortunately for us they are in our Eastern division that have lost their minds in paying for talent.
It happens every year but it seems to be worse this year…
What say you Phil ???
Cheers
JIM
Hey Jim,
Hope all is well up north there! Yep, I’m pretty sure the Pens are at the end of their run and they are aware of it. 16 years in a row of making the playoffs, maybe a 17th is unheard of in the salary cap era. The next closest team is the blackhawks who had 9 years. It is actually the 10th longest run in NHL history with only one other team that was not an original 6 team having longer streak. So yes, the cupboards are bare, the fridge is empty and there is only one gallon of gas left in the tank to get supplies.
I’m hoping they let this end of an era play out for the guys who have earned it, then go into hardcore rebuilding.
Think of the entire generation of Pens fans that have never experienced a losing team. The “Fire Hextal” chant at the game Edmonton game is a sign of things to come from the younger crowd.
I love trade deadline week, should be fun! It looks like Colorado just took Jack Jackson back.
Hey Phil,
3rd, 4th, and 5th round choices are not much to trade unless you have a good player development program. So, the real question is do I think Jeannot is worth a 1st and 2nd, and the 1st is conditional so that if TBL ends up with a top 10 pick in 2025, they get to keep it. Throw in the fact that I am not that thrilled with the Pens scouting Dept right now and I would think that had GMRH paid that for Jeannot, even though I would rather be a seller than a buyer right now, not only would I understand it but at 25, Jeannot could be here a while, so I would be OK with it – if we signed him to an extension, immediately. Jeannot is a free agent at the end of the year.
The only down side is, I am not so sure Sullivan would use him, or at least use him effectively, though. Our Penguins seem to take the teeth out of every player that comes in here.
Hey TOR,
I couldn’t even imagine the fans if Hextal paid that much and Jeannot didn’t come in and rock the place. He had a good season, but is not a completely proven commodity. Tampa has some really big salary jumps next year, so it will be interesting to see how they round out their lineup. Even though Jeannot is an RFA, he knows what was paid for him. He could be asking for big bucks.
I don’t know if Sullivan would use him either, if he didn’t, you find someone who will. I’m just not sure he has ever been presented with such a player.
Hey Phil
Hope your well. First I will respectfully disagree with you on Reaves “I’m a huge fan”. What he brings to
a team in invaluable and can’t be measured in stats. I’ve said this many times on here but the numbers
lie. Just look at the teams that aquired his services and it speaks for intself – Vegas, NYR, Minny, all very
good hockey teams, and I would bet if you asked Crosby off the record he would want the Pens to bring
him back asap. I still remember the statement Crosby made about Sestito, he said he played like he was
a foot taller with him on the bench. This is a major problem with the Pen’s, we allow our skilled players to
get destroyed then we wonder why everyone is on the IR.
Anyway – People who haven’t laced them up don’t understand what a player like Reaves, Wilson, Jeannot
do for team – it allows everyone to skate freely, and it allows them to play a little more physical knowing they
have one of those types of guys on their bench to back them up. What you pay for a player is usually
determined by your teams need at the time – Even though I felt like JR paid to much for Reaves, at the time
the team was in dire need of that type of player and still are. Phil, I’m not promoting goon Hockey but the
Pen’s have zero respect around the league when it comes to toughness. So, regardng Jeannot, Tampa
obviously felt a strong need for a guy that is tough, a capable hockey player and will stand up for his
teammates. Quick example – Tanev everyone complained about the length of his deal, now every thing
I read Pen’s fans are wishing he was still wearing the black & gold. Phil. for 5 years I have to listen to
fans blame our early exit from the playoffs on injuries, poor goaltending, etc…etc… you name it. How
about toughness??, size?? playoff type players?? this team is built for regular season success and
playoff failure. My apologies for rambling. Have a great week.
Hey Mike,
I am and was a huge fan of Reaves also. I would have loved if he was able to accept his 4th line role. If he could accept that he would probably still be on the team. As a 4th liner, some games you get 10 minutes, some games you get 3 minutes. Unfortunately he said in an interview he wasn’t happy with his playing time with Sullivan and will never come back and play in Pittsburgh.
Phil
Sullivan only played Reaves 6:45 per game and he still had 4 goals ad 4 assist. Everywhere
else Reaves has played he averaged between 10 and 11 min per game.
Every player to a man talked about what a great teammate he was. I’m not sure anyone
would accept 6 plus min per game. Sully doesn’t like anyone that fights more than once
and I think we all know the kind of influence he has with the roster.
Mike,
When you count time spent in the box he was at over 8 minutes a game. The problem was he took way more penalties than he drew, couldn’t score and was an on ice deficit -9 (second worse on the team). Many of the best fighters in the NHL got way more ice-time because they could score. Many guys brought in as goons got way less. I felt Sullivan gave Reaves the correct amount of ice time for his talents. My point is Sullivan has not been tested to see if he would play a gritty guy or guy with a mean streak that wasn’t a huge deficit to the team.
I loved having Reaves on the team, I felt he played a very important role, but his value as anything other than an enforcer has been hugely overblown here on PPoop.
Phil
Will have to agree to disagree – with a player like Reaves you can’t measure his
value to a team based on stats – Its just not possible. The things fans miss the
most when it comes to a player are the intangible things that help you win.
Reaves just being on the bench made the other 19 players better. I think to a man
they would tell you that. Also, I will stiil stand by my statement that this team /
roster has been strongly influenced by Sullivan. Think about this he wanted to bring
Simon back “seriously”??
Rick
Not looking to be a Debbie downer but I’m praying GMRH keeps these two recent wins in
prospective. We almost blue the game against St. Louis and we beat the Lightnings
back up goaltender. St. Louis Blues team has been depleated by trades and we both
know if Vasilevskiy was in nets we wouldn’t have put up 7 goals.
I do know this Hextall needs to get busy.
I just saw my post online – LOL……..Everytime I dictate while driving it does some unique
things with the wording – Lets just say “blue” the game was a pun. LOL
Hey Mike,
I liked that pun and I couldn’t agree more, I pray RH keeps this in perspective. TBL, like us played the night before and thought more of the Red Wings than us and played their No.1 Goalie against Detroit. The scary thing about this season is that we have drawn the back up many, many times and players like Blueger and Carter have had a hard time finding the back of the net. Imagine if this was even 3 or 4 years ago when the Pens never saw a back-up, how low the team Goal totals would be.
Hi Mike & Coach
One game does not make a season.Lets see what happens next week in the rematch when Tampa plays their starter and their new additions to their team show up. We might win the rematch, maybe, but we will not be scoring 7 goals.
FYI, Toronto just made another trade and Carolina are about to announce one as well my sources up here say. Kane will end up in New York because every day the wait to sign him the less the Cap hit.. Many eastern teams are loading up and there is a war coming to the east and lets see come March 4th who has the goods for a Cup run…
Cheers
JIM.
Jim & The Other Rick
I look for a blowout in our rematch with the Lightning. See my comment to Rick below.
Hextall scares me and he’s way to timid for my liking. You can’t be a GM on the Pro
levels and afraid to make the tough moves / decisions. I really think he’s uncertain
about what to do.
Hey Mike,
Just saw that Toronto acquired McCabe and Lafferty from Chicago. Just about everybody who’s anybody has already been dealt.
The pickins are going to be awfully slim by the time Hextall gets around to acting… 🙁
Rick
Rick
That’s been my fear and sometimes I believe it’s intentional – This gives him the excuse that the
cost was to high and by the time the 3rd came around he didn’t feel like there was anyone that
could help us. Call me crazy but JR at least was aggressive and you knew he was trying to improve
the team. He would of not waited until 3 or 4 days prior to the deadline to make the trade – this
would of been done weeks ago.
100% agree Rick.
There are many,many teams with high end talent in their Farm systems and we simply do not have the horse power to compete. Take a look at the Devils for example. They are loaded with talent in their system. In 2022 they drafted 2nd over all and took D man 6’1″ Simon Nemec and in 2021 they drafted 4th over all and took D man 6’2″ Luke Hughes, .. Both 19 years old.They have an additional 4 first picks from 2020 forward in their farm system. 7th,9h, 27th and 29th.
I did not bother to count the 2nd and third rounders because it would take me to long….All this to say Rick….New jersey has alot of options we simply do not enjoy. There are many other teams like the devils as well.
Cheers
JIM
Rick
Good article on Hextall & the Pen’s by Mark Penner / Pen’s Libyrinth. Headlines read
Tik Tok your on the clock.