Anyone who’s been following our Penguins through the wayward early going of the 2023-24 campaign knows there hasn’t been a whole lot to cheer about.
Accordingly, my expectations for last night’s Metro square-off with the Capitals at Capital One Arena were pretty low. Actually, lower than low. Especially since we’d been blown away the night before by the Hurricanes.
I confess, I didn’t watch the game. Instead, I periodically checked the score online, occasionally viewing the video highlights.
I was pleasantly surprised (actually, shocked is a better way to describe it) when our Pens grabbed a 2-0 lead. On the flip side, I was hardly stunned when we surrendered the lead, or learned that Erik Karlsson had a hand in all four goals. Such is the way of things for our most mercurial of d-men.
Then a funny thing happened. Our Pens retook the lead on a net-front tally by Evgeni Malkin midway through the third period, held it in no small part thanks to the brilliance of rookie netminder Joel Blomqvist, and even added to it on an empty-netter by Noel Acciari in the closing minute. In the process, sealing a well-deserved albeit totally unexpected 4-2 victory, and over the bloodiest of rivals to boot.
I’ve been quick to criticize Mike Sullivan. Even quicker to suggest we need to make a coaching change. However, if I’m going to be critical, I also need to give credit where credit is due.
With hopes for a successful season plummeting faster than the proverbial lead balloon, Sully boldly placed Malkin on the same line with Sidney Crosby and a resurgent Rickard Rakell a while back, with impressive results.
He also sent a message to lagging Michael Bunting by making him a healthy scratch, a move I wasn’t at all in favor of. However, since returning to the lineup, the feisty winger’s skated with a burr under his saddle. He’s arguably been one of our best players of late.
When the aforementioned Two-Headed Monster was finally tamed, Sullivan didn’t hesitate to separate them during the third period last night, a decisive move that led directly to Geno’s game-winning goal.
In short, Sully’s pushing every button he can think to push, and then some. He’s battling tooth and nail, clawing for every point.
Last night, the team followed his lead.
Does that change the outlook for this group?
Probably not. We’re a bubble team at best. But it does show there’s still some fight left in the old lion.
Maybe, just maybe, this win will serve as a springboard for better things.
Puckpourri
With a goal and an assist, Malkin earned top-star honors. Blomqvist, who made 32 saves including some dandies, was the second star. Too bad he’s all-but-ticketed for a return to the Baby Pens.
Bryan Rust shook off a nagging lower-body injury and returned to the lineup. Rusty assisted on Geno’s game-winner. Cody Glass, injured during a collision with Lars Eller against the ‘Canes, sat out, as did Kevin Hayes. Jack St. Ivany rejoined the lineup after a one-game absence, replacing Ryan Shea.
Bunting and Karlsson (1+1) tallied our other goals.
PO the Avenger
During his stint in the ‘Burgh, willowy defenseman Pierre-Olivier Joseph wasn’t known for his physical play.
However, during the second period of the Blues’ 4-2 loss to Utah on Thursday night, Joseph found himself playing the unfamiliar role of avenger. Seconds after Maveric Lamoureux flattened Blues teammate Alexsey Toropchenko with a dirty hit, POJ rushed in and challenged the imposing UHC rookie to a fight.
What’s more, he actually handled himself quite well against a towering 6’7″ foe known for his fistic prowess, landing several stiff jersey jabs.
Huge props to POJ for sticking up for a teammate.
Late Update
The Pens have recalled Tristan Jarry from his conditioning stint at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. The enigmatic 29-year-old netminder performed quite well for the Baby Pens, posting a 2.16 goals against average and .926 save percentage along with a 4-1 record.
Now it’s back into the frying pan…
In other news, the Pens assigned forward Matt Nieto to the Baby Pens on a conditioning assignment. The veteran winger is on the comeback trail following multiple knee surgeries.
Hey all,
With Jarry set to return, I’m going to reference something I alluded to a couple of weeks ago.
Kevin Woodley (@KevinisInGoal), who analyzes all types of data to determine an “expected” save percentage for goalies, posted this on X back on October 24.
“Jarry’s expected SV% this season is .832, toughest environment of any goalie in NHL so far, 55 points below League average and 40 points worse than other Penguins goalies … Pitt is 32nd in high% chances against 5-on-5, 29th off rush and 32nd in-zone, all per @csahockey”
Kind of frames just how toxic our defensive play was/is for our goalies…especially Jarry.
Rick
Rick and The Other Rick
On the first Caps goal other than the way EK defended the odd man break, which Letang has done
a million times he was the only Defenseman back on the play. Pettersson got in to deep on the
pinch and as Bunting broke for the slot Pettersson turned the pick over leading to the Caps 2 on 1
break and there first goal. I have zero problem with people questioning EK’s technique on the play
but lord know Letang has been doing this forever – the only difference is Letang is usually the
Defenseman caught up on the play.
I think I mentioned this in a previous post but playing alongside EK, Pettersson has no business going
in that deep in the offensive zone. This is what bothers me – Pettersson isn’t a good offensive player,
his strength is that of a stay home type “D”Man, so Sullivan should make sure that’s conveyed to his
Defenseman. It’s almost like Sullivan wants EK to fail.
The other thing that bothered me was no one on any site made reference to Letang killing us against
the Islanders where he ended the game as a ( – 2 ) while Karlsson was a ( + 2 )
Also, I can’t help but think Karlsson may still not be 100% after missing all of training camp.
Hey Rick,
Really? You give Sullivan credit for putting the Two-Headed Monster on one line than breaking it apart? The first game after Rust was injured the Malkin-Crosby-Rakell line was put together. A hair after 10 minutes of ice-time together in Rust’s first game back the line was split up. Do you disregard the obvious conclusion that Sullivan didn’t think about anything other than status quo and that randomly worked out?
The Penguins had to summon Jarry. He was sent down on a loop-hole, two week conditioning assignment. For them to keep him down there they would have to waive him. Anyone with any real hockey sense would do just that, waive Jarry and dare some other team to take on that millstone contract. Yes, he had a couple of good games playing against AHL level talent, and then last night turned into his alter ego Hyde and got rocked for 4 GA on 19 shots against the FLyers’ farm club. He can’t even play consistently well against AHL teams.
I get your calling out how pathetic Sullivan’s “System” is with its absolute moratorium on grit and physicality but I don’t miss POJ. He has 1 Assist and is -5 in 10 GP.
f you read what I wrote about Blomqvist yesterday, you know I gave and will continue to give the team the benefit of the doubt when Blomqvist is in the net. The young Finn represents the only time in recent Penguins history (post Cup era) that the team did what I wrote (trade Murray for a 2nd round pick and grab the kid).
Hey Other Rick,
What I see in Sullivan is that he’s at least trying different things, as opposed to the majority of the last two seasons when he just kept rolling with the same, often tired combinations.
Is everything he’s doing successful? No. But, again, he’s at least trying different things in an attempt to maximize what we have and get results. And, yes, I credit him for that.
Rick
I am sorry Rick but with Sullivan Going back to O’Conner – Crosby – Rakell and Bunting – Malkin – Rust almost as soon as he could with Rust’s return, all I see is status quo. Those were the first 2 lines before Rust got hurt again and they are the first two lines after Rust got hurt again. All I see Sullivan doing is rotating through his favorite failed combos over and over again trying to get different results. Fortunately last night Blomqvist stole the show and game.
The big question now is how long before Sullivan names Jarry no. 1 again? despite the rookie constantly showing he is the guy. And as I mentioned, in his last AHL outing that overpaid ersatz goalie got rocked by AHL level players for 4 Gs on 19 SOG – pretty much like he does on a regular basis in Pgh.
The Other Rick
I agree with you on the Blomqvist / Jarry situation. When will the Pen’s allow there younger
players to gain some experience. Also, Nieto is on a conditioning assignment with WBS, this
means another young player hits the press box when he’s ready to return. Same old, same
old. As for O’Connor I love the way he plays but he’s limited as a goal scorer. On a playoff
team he’s a 3rd line player, and a good one.
Amen Mike,
Nieto will displace another younger player, aging out the team’s average.
O’Connor is a decent player but he is at his limit now and you are right, at best he is 3rd liner on a playoff team, possibly pushing some team to the finals. However, come trade deadline he could be an asset to reap a draft pick or a younger player (He is 26 and will be at the edge of his prime next season – hardly a keeper when the team rebuilds).