Could the Penguins’ Fourth Line Tip the Series?

Over the past couple of days, I’ve expressed my concerns about the Penguins’ upcoming first-round matchup with the Flyers. Specifically, our goaltending, which has taken a tumble over the past month.

Well, today I thought I’d flip the script and share why I think the Pens might prevail. A special shoutout to PP reader and commenter, Keeger, for planting the seed.

The Pens couldn’t have received better news when injured foot soldiers Connor Dewar and Blake Lizotte were full participants in Thursday’s practice. Although no announcement was forthcoming from official channels, both pronounced themselves good to go for Saturday night’s series opener against Philly.

Along with sidekick Noel Acciari, Dewar and Lizotte formed arguably the best fourth line in hockey this season. Certainly the best in these parts since the back-to-back Cup winners of a decade ago.

The scrappy trio clicked from the moment they were united. Perhaps due in no small part to their overlapping common traits (sled-dog tenacity, diligence, sand in abundance), they displayed an innate feel for each other, not to mention loads of chemistry.

Their collective effectiveness not only met the eye test in a plethora of greasy goals, puck battles won, opposing scorers frustrated and shots blocked, but it registered statistically as well.

Despite taking an anemic 13.71 percent of their 5v5 faceoffs in the offensive zone, the trio possessed the puck to the tune of a 53.48 Corsi, while registering an ultra-impressive goals for percentage of 61.54. A staggering juxtaposition of numbers when you pause to think about it.

Expected goals for (53.53), scoring chances for (56.15) and high-danger chances for (53.79) percentages were equally impressive, especially for a unit whose primary assignment was to stymie the opposition.

To borrow from a favored sports adage, sometimes the best defense is a good offense.

Individually, they were every bit as productive.

A former third-round pick of the Wild, the 26-year-old Dewar established career highs in goals (14), assists (16) and points (30). Remarkably, the speedy former Everett Silvertips captain and scoring ace was acquired from Toronto last spring in a two-fer deal along with Conor Timmins for a fifth-round pick!

Following one of the more difficult seasons of his career (only five goals, a minus-25), I personally thought the 34-year-old Acciari was ready for the scrap heap. However, the 11-year-vet rebounded to enjoy one of finest seasons, quite literally banging home 13 goals to go with career-best marks of 12 assists and a plus-14. He’s one tough “Cookie,” to boot. (Sorry…couldn’t resist.)

While Lizotte’s numbers (seven goals, 19 points in 55 games) weren’t dazzling, his relentlessly energetic style helped drive the line while keeping opponents hemmed in. Our team defense and penalty killing took a huge hit during his recent absence.

Coach Dan Muse clearly holds the spirited trio in high esteem and isn’t the least bit shy about using them in a variety of situations. Often when he feels a change of pace or shift in momentum is needed. They almost always deliver.

As for the Flyers’ fourth line? Down the homestretch, Rick Tocchet employed a trio of 30-somethings, including captain Sean Couturier, faceoff whiz Luke Glendening and veteran hammer Garnet Hathaway. Couturier, who was a 19-year-old rookie back when the Flyers upset the Pens in 2012, still has possesses a bit of a scoring touch (12 goals, 36 points). Glendening and Hathaway (three goals combined) do not.

Despite a rather pathetic Corsi of 41.83, the Flyers’ unit had surprisingly strong goals for (62.50) and expected goals for (52.18) percentages. So they’re far from a throw-away line.

Still, when you factor everything in? The edge to our Pens in the battle of fourth lines.