Back when I worked in the communications department for Consolidated Natural Gas Company, I would stop at Jenny Lee bakery in Market Square to procure a box of Danish for our Monday morning staff meetings.
Although my favorite was cherry, I truly never met a Danish I didn’t like (or wouldn’t devour).
Well, our Penguins have their own version of a Danish delight in the guise of forward Lars Eller. IMHO, he’s been one of the most pleasant surprises of the young season.
I admit, I wasn’t thrilled when GM Kyle Dubas signed the former Capitals mainstay to a two-year deal on July 1 at an annual cap hit of $2.475 million, presumably to anchor our third line. His relatively advanced age (34) bothered me, for one. We’d just endured a difficult season with a badly diminished Jeff Carter centering the third line.
The fact that Eller’s effectiveness had waned by some accounts last season was another cause for concern. Would he, too, age out before the end of his contract?
I’m happy to report that my worries, at least at this stage, seem to be for naught. Truth be told, I’m really impressed with him. Although not blazingly fast, Eller’s a strong, smooth skater. Thanks to his 6’2” 205-pound frame, he’s perfectly at home in the dirty areas.
Solid defensively and good on faceoffs (53 percent), Eller’s still got some offensive chops as his two goals and six points in a dozen games will attest.
In short…a perfect fit.
What’s more, he’s served as the glue between comparative kids Drew O’Connor and Radim Zohorna on what’s emerging as a very solid third line. The best we’ve had in recent memory.
In the eight games the trio has skated together, they’ve registered a Corsi of 62.22 and an expected goals for percentage of 63.80 according to Natural Stat Trick, despite an uber-heavy dose of defensive-zone starts. The line’s enjoyed a spectacular edge in most 5v5 metrics, including shot attempts (84-51), shots on goal (43-28), scoring chances (45-28) and high-danger chances (23-8). They’ve outscored the opposition, 4-2, as well.
Eller’s been a big part of that success.
While I’m passing out plaudits, it would be folly to ignore Zohorna’s considerable contributions. Not to cast stones, but prior to Big Z’s arrival the third line was heavily underwater (41.82 Corsi, 34.93 xGF%).
The line’s fortunes literally turned on a dime when the big guy replaced Jansen Harkins five games into the season.
On a personal note, the Czechia native has a sterling Corsi of 62.21 and a through-the-roof xGF% of 68.17. In 33 career games with the Pens, he’s got seven goals and 14 points, which projects to roughly 17 goals and 34 points over a full 82-game slate. Highly respectable numbers given his usage (10:07 ATOI).
Needless to say, good things happen when Big Z’s on the ice.
Jarry Ready
According to reports, Tristan Jarry will start in goal tonight against the Sabres. As of this post, Joel Blomqvist remains with the team. Vinnie Hinostroza, who provided a spark in his first two games while tallying a goal and an assist, is still assigned to the Baby Pens…for now.
