Credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images
Last night’s game was hard to watch. The Penguins’ usual problems were on full display: turnovers galore, no structure, a lack of offensive pressure, puck-watching, blown leads…and don’t get me started on the zone coverage.
But something more concerning happened…
Before diving into that, let’s address a few things first. This game isn’t all on Coach Sullivan. As I’ve said before, I consider Sullivan one of the NHL’s best coaches. But he’s not the right coach for this team anymore.
It’s also not entirely his fault that this group seemed to give up after that third goal slipped past Nedeljkovic, who was having a rough night. Some might think it’s a hot take to say he played poorly, considering how often he was left out to dry by the Penguins’ defense. The odd-man breaks were out of control.
But Nedeljkovic didn’t make the saves he needed to, and this team desperately needs those saves right now if they have any hope of winning in their fragile state. And he didn’t make them. In two starts, he’s posted a .861 save percentage against Winnipeg and a .882 against Vancouver. Yes, those numbers are impacted by the Penguins’ defensive collapse, but he still has to be better. This team needs him to make that key save. He’s been a bit like Jarry in that regard.
Speaking of defense….
Karlsson has been a liability, and it hurts to say that because I love EK65. Every mistake you can make defensively, he’s making it. Now, we knew he’d be more of an offensive presence when he joined, but if he’s going to make these defensive lapses, he has to produce on the other end. Secondly, a player of his caliber can’t be this poor defensively—he’s actively leading to goals against. He looks lost, often chasing the play rather than taking control of it. Even on the power play, he’s sloppy and almost disinterested, as if he’s resigned to riding out his career and contract.
I’ve discussed the Penguins’ defensive issues at length: bad zone coverage, players who don’t seem to know their assignments or positioning. They look lost, like they have no structure under the current system. Sullivan insists that players like Graves and St. Ivany activate offensively, even though they struggle with that role. This approach leads to odd-man rushes, breakdowns in coverage, and an endless series of turnovers. It’s why we see things like…three goals against in 65 seconds.
But the real issue here isn’t just the tactical problems. It’s the Penguins’ mental collapse.
Last night, I saw the soul of the core that won three Stanley Cups fade away. The whole team seemed to give up after the Canucks tied the game—and even more so after the third goal that took the lead away. It felt like even Vancouver sensed it. Out of respect, it almost seemed like they slowed down, as if both teams were just waiting for the game to end by the second period. I truly believe that if Vancouver had kept up the pace, they could have blown the Penguins out 6-3 or worse.
It was painful to watch.
Even after Sullivan called a timeout, the team looked finished. Crosby himself seemed defeated—I’ve never seen this Penguins group like that. It really hurt to watch.
But honestly? They brought this on themselves. This team thinks they don’t need to adjust their game to the realities of age. They think they can keep up with younger, faster teams like Edmonton and Vancouver. Instead, they learned a valuable lesson in stubbornness.
The Penguins believe they can play a fast-paced game, but they’re paying the price on the ice and mentally. They think they can skate with the league’s speedsters like it’s still 2017, instead of embracing a defensive system where offense flows from solid defensive play. With their collective hockey IQ, this team should be playing to its strength, which is controlling the pace, not trying to match it.
They need to embrace a more structured, “boring” game—trap defense, shutdown plays, slowing down the opposition, and outsmarting opponents, not outskating them. Because they just can’t and if they continue to do so.
You will see more of this….and it will be a long season….
Yea that’s about right
What about end of regular season last year
Was that a fluke??
Maybe not good to count out Sid
Hey Caleb,
Outstanding…just outstanding. It’s really tough to get your arms (and mind) around the whole of the Penguins’ myriad issues, but you managed to do so and quite eloquently.
It’s disturbing how fragile this team is right now. With all the veteran leaders in the dressing room that just shouldn’t be. Also agree that some sort of structured system must be put in place, and pronto. There’s still enough talent on hand to beat teams with a counterpunching style, but only if we adhere to it.
I can’t for one second imagine anyone taking on Karlsson and his $10 million cap hit, but I sure wish we could move him. My word, is he catastrophically bad on ‘d.’ I’ve alluded to this before, but JFresh rates him a 0 out of 100 in even-strength defense, and that appears about right.
Anyway…great article!
Rick
Hey Caleb,
I agree this Penguins team is hard to watch.
Let me ask you some things though,
1. Who chose the roster?
2. Who choses the lineup night to night?
3. Who named Jarry the starting Goalie on opening night?
4. Who makes up the game plan?
5. Who runs the practices (including what they practice and when)?
6. Since the answer to all of the questions boils down to the same person and this team is stinking to highest mountain, then how do reconcile your statement that you think Sullivan is a good Coach?
Remember when I said it was idiotic to re sign Jarry?
Remember when I said don’t trade for Karlsson?
Maybe it is time to reconsider your stance on Sullivan.