Penguins Update: Let’s Get Physical

As I scanned the box score of last night’s Boston-Toronto playoff game I couldn’t help but notice a familiar trend. One I’ve written about on occasions too numerous to count during my time with PenguinPoop.

The list of goal scorers tells the story. Trent Frederic, Jake DeBrusk and Brad Marchand for the Bruins. Matthew Knies and Tyler Bertuzzi for the Leafs.

Not an Auston Matthews or David Pastrnák in the bunch.

Same with the Oilers-Kings contest. Barely a peep from supernovas Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. Two of the four goals in a losing cause for the Oil came from the stick of 22-year-old fourth liner Dylan Holloway, who had six goals (and 91 hits) in 38 regular-season games.

When it comes to playoff hockey, more often than not it’s the players who get down and dirty who get ‘er done. Sure, you need your stars to shine. The Pens would never have won their Stanley Cups without Sidney Crosby, Phil Kessel and Evgeni Malkin, to say nothing of Mario Lemieux, Jaromir Jagr and a host greats a generation before.

However, you simply don’t win, in the postseason or otherwise, without a significant underpinning of grit.

Hall-of-Fame general manager Craig Patrick knew this. Back in the ’90s he spent two seasons swapping out Hall-of-Fame talents like Paul Coffey and Mark Recchi for warriors like Ulf Samuelsson and Rick Tocchet, resulting in back-to-back Stanley Cups.

While our most recent Cup champions weren’t stacked with physical players, we employed battlers like Ian Cole, Patric Hornqvist and Chris Kunitz who fought tooth-and-nail for every inch of space.

That’s why I was encouraged and heartened when present GM Kyle Dubas imported Michael Bunting as part of the return for Jake Guentzel. Best described as a “greasy” player with hands, Bunting set up permanent residence in the high-traffic areas around the opposing net and tallied 19 points in 21 games. In the process opening up space for linemates Malkin and Rickard Rakell while helping to spark our 8-2-3 stretch run.

Even coach Mike Sullivan was appreciative.

“I’ve likened him to Patric Hornqvist’s game,” Sully said. “He has a similar attribute in the sense that he’s good at the blue paint, he’s willing to go there, he’s willing to take face wash or a glove in the face or a cross-check to bang in a rebound or get an opportunity for a deflection, things of that nature.

“That’s where a lot of goals are scored in this league.”

Let’s pause for a moment and let that last line sink in.

Frankly, if we’re to return to the playoffs we need more of what Bunting brings to the party. A lot more.

Unfortunately, when it comes to physical play (and players) Sullivan draws a hard line in the sand. While he appreciates and even embraces grit, he seems to reject anyone who in his eyes plays an overtly physical game.

Indeed, heavyweights Ryan Reaves, Jamie Oleksiak and Erik Gudbranson were all shown the door following brief stays in the ‘Burgh, along with pot-stirrer Mark Friedman. I’m not suggesting for one moment these guys were all-stars or invaluable. However, all provided a needed element of aggression that other clubs willingly embrace.

The Golden Knights didn’t win the Cup last spring by being small, fancy or benign. On the contrary, they’re a heavy team that grinds their foes down. Ditto the Blues in ’19.

The other recent Cup winners, Colorado, Tampa Bay and Washington, captured hockey’s Holy Grail with an optimal blend of skill and toughness.

Scanning our present roster, I do see a glimmer of hope. In addition to Bunting, rookie defenseman Jack St. Ivany displayed a willingness to hit. Fellow first-year defender John Ludvig went one better, dropping the gloves five times in 33 games…unheard of for a Penguin in the Sullivan era. While the jury’s still out on the kid, I sure like his spunk.

Forward Jonathan Gruden also plays with some bite.

There’s another player in the organization who could provide a dash of much-needed thump and nasty.

Left wing Jagger Joshua emerged as one of the Baby Pens’ best players down the stretch, tallying seven goals and 16 points in 17 games to go with a plus-11. As a pro, Jagger’s tracking very much like his big brother, Dakota Joshua. The elder Joshua scored 18 goals for the Canucks this season while providing a shot of the family’s trademark hard-nosed play.

Dubas could sign his 6’3” 210-pound kid brother for a song. And should.

Whether he will is another story. I fear the emerging heavyweight power forward will be rejected by Sully for being too aggressive.

This is one time when our POHO/GM needs to override his coach and call his own shots.

We need to get physical. And not in the Olivia Newton-John sense.