Yesterday, just before the Penguins took on the Kraken at PPG Paints Arena, PP colleague Caleb DiNatale texted with observations as he often does. In particular, he was concerned about our terrible showing against the Wild on Friday night and that our hot start was just a mirage.
I replied, “I think we’ll play better. Whether or not we win is another matter. Our depth scoring is drying up with all the injuries. So if the big boys don’t get ‘er done, I’m not real confident we’ll win.”
While I’m not often prescient, check, check and check.
The Pens did, indeed, play better than the night before, outshooting the Kraken by a rather decisive 32-21 margin. Our big guns were the only ones to score, and for a time it appeared they’d see us through to victory.
Sidney Crosby hammered home Connor Dewar’s sharp pass from the sideboards off a turnover to knot the score at 1-1 late in the opening frame.
Following a scoreless second period, a revved-up Evgeni Malkin slammed the biscuit past Philipp Grubauer on the power play at 5:56 of the third period to stake us to a 2-1 lead.
Unfortunately, we couldn’t hold. A wide (and I mean wide) open Matty Berniers ripped the puck past Sergei Murashov from the right circle following an extended cycle to pull the Kraken into a 2-2 tie.
After Kris Letang rang one off the post early in overtime, Brandon Montour buried a perfectly placed drop pass from ex-Pen Frédérick Gaudreau for the game-winner at 4:10.
Puckpourri
Although he wasn’t the reason we lost, sure would like to have seen Murashov (18 saves on 21 shots, .857 SV%) make the big saves at crunch time.
About that depth scoring, or lack of. Danton Heinen, Joona Koppanen and Kevin Hayes have tallied two assists between them in 19 games combined. I didn’t include newcomer Sam Poulin, scoreless in two (and a minus-2 last night.)
Dewar, Anthony Mantha, Tommy Novak, even hot-shot rookie Ben Kindel and Bryan Rust, haven’t tickled the twine since the proverbial eighth-grade picnic.
The defense isn’t exactly lighting it up, either. As well as he’s played, Erik Karlsson has managed only one goal on the season. Ditto Letang.
We’ve basically morphed into a two-man team, with Sid and Geno pulling the sled. If they don’t score, we don’t score. That’s not going to cut it.
Not to be Cap’n Obvious, but we could sorely use the hale and healthy returns of early season scoring sensation Justin Brazeau and Rickard Rakell sooner than later. In addition to providing much-needed offense, they’d help guys like Dewar slot into their proper roles.
Short of that, perhaps swapping out one of our stone-cold vets for Tristan Broz (eight goals in 18 games for the Baby Pens) would provide a boost. And/or Rutger McGroarty, who has two goals in as many games in Wilkes.
Despite the defeat, the Pens (10-6-5) remain deadlocked with Philly and the CBJ for fourth place in the Metro with 25 points. Up next, the Sabres visit the ‘Burgh on Wednesday night.
Given that coach Dan Muse was most unhappy following the game, I’d expect some changes before then.
Oh…love Seattle’s uniforms. Our gold ones, too.
Hey all,
I was in a rush to post my recap and neglected to include a couple of other items worth mentioning.
In addition to the aforementioned non-producers, Ville Koivunen and Philip Tomasino have no goals in 20 games combined. Filip Hallander, who I really like, had one in 13.
Prior to Brazeau and Rakell going down, our top two lines were carrying us, along with an uber-hot power play and some excellent goaltending.
In addition, the fact that the Harrison Brunicke-Caleb Jones third defensive pairing has gone by the wayside has reduced our offensive push from the back end.
Kind of a perfect storm of things working against us.
Rick