To borrow from the 1970 tearjerker, Love Story, ironically involving a hockey player, “Where do I begin?”
Indeed, how do I even begin to describe one of the most intensely entertaining hockey games I’ve had the privilege of watching in my 50+ years of following the Penguins? Except to say last night’s Game 6 reinforced why no other sport comes close to matching playoff hockey in terms of riveting intensity and pure entertainment.
Unfortunately, our Pens wound up on the short end of a 1-0 score. Moments after Arturs Šilovs made an astounding, blocker-hand save on Flyers rookie Porter Martone that bordered on the miraculous, Cam York scored on a rather routine snap shot from distance at 17:32 of overtime. Sending the final curtain crashing down on a Cinderella season loaded with thrills, chills, and…ultimately…spills.
Speaking of Šilovs, he was simply superb while turning aside 31 of 32 shots. Flashing cat-like quickness and Fleury-esque athleticism, the 25-year-old Latvian made so many huge saves it’s almost impossible to list them all. Stops on Owen Tippett, Luke Glendening and Martone in the opening period, when the Pens were at their sloppiest. A pair of stand-out saves in the second on Matvei Michkov, the second on a breakaway. Huge glove saves on Sean Couturier and Michkov in the third. And game-extending stops on Travis Konecny and Martone in OT, the latter which rivaled Frank Pietrangelo’s “The Save” in terms of sheer brilliance.
Prior to the series, there was talk in some circles of re-signing pending UFA Stuart Skinner to serve as a partner for up-and-coming phenom, Sergei Murashov, and perhaps moving on from Šilovs, an RFA-to-be. With his extraordinary play this series (1.52 GAA, .939 SV%), I’d say Arturs has re-written the script and re-inserted himself in the team’s future plans.
However, at the far end of the rink, his black-and-gold mates just couldn’t solve Philly netminder Dan Vladar. He, too, was terrific, stopping all 42 shots he faced, including many of the 10-bell variety, while posting his second shutout of the series.
As for the game itself, I thought the Pens were shaky in the first period before settling down in the second and completely taking over in the third period and OT. The numbers bear that out. According to Natural Stat Trick, we piled up a staggering 51-21 advantage in shot attempts over the final 37+ minutes and a lopsided 23-11 edge in shots on goal as well.
However, as the game progressed I got a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach that the bounces weren’t going our way. Egor Chinakhov and Tommy Novak each struck iron. So close and yet so far.
Big Elmer Söderblom was unable to jam the puck past Vladar in OT during a side-of-the-net scramble following a golden opportunity by snake-bitten Anthony Mantha.
In the end, we just couldn’t solve Vladar.
Some random thoughts.
How I wish the Pens had been more playoff-ready to begin the series. We pretty much gave away the first two games before getting up to speed. Credit Rick Tocchet and the Flyers for taking full advantage.
A special shout-out to Parker Wotherspoon, who was outstanding on the PK, and a physical force all series.
I was happy as all get-out when Noel Acciari drew a bead on the rat-like Konecny and blasted him into the sideboards during the first period. Although Kris Letang took an extremely ill-advised and potentially costly retaliatory penalty, I privately cheered when he decked the Philly shite-stirrer with a punch to the mush.
As the old saying goes, if you live by the sword you’ll surely die by it. Perhaps ‘Canes road-grader Bill Carrier will make road-kill of Konecny in the second round. We can only hope.
Speaking of Acciari and fourth-line mates Connor Dewar and Blake Lizotte, my word were they superb. All over the Flyers, all night. I truly thought they’d be the difference maker. It pains me to think Acciari and Dewar are UFAs-to-be and may not be re-upped, especially with kids like Avery Hayes and Tanner Howe waiting in the wings.
With so many players up for new contracts, Evgeni Malkin and Mantha the most prominent, it figures to be a summer of re-construction (or de-construction?) for our Pens. That makes me sad, for I truly love this team.
True confession, there was a time earlier this season when I seriously contemplated retiring from the blogging business. I’m 69-years-old, still work a full-time job, and although a labor of love, the grind of writing recaps does get to you. Plus, there are so many great Pens sites, including Pensburgh and Pittsburgh Hockey Now. But this team, with its heart-‘n’-soul character and never-say-die nature, compelled me to keep on writing.
I’ll close with a quote I referenced not too long ago. After his team had been ousted by the Blues (also in six games) following a fiercely contested Semi-Final series back in 1970, Pens coach Red Kelly paid his vanquished squad the ultimate compliment.
“You feel bad about losing,” he said, “but you never feel bad when you’ve given everything you have and that’s what this team did. This club has more heart than any club in the world.”
So it was for our present-day Pens.
Thanks, ever so much, for a truly fantastic season.
Rick, I would like to make a few quick points. I look forward to your reply. Also, I think I’m speaking for everyone who
post on Penguin Poop that we’re thankful you decided not to retire and continue writting. The site would not be the
same without you!!
First, while I cannot say this with certainty, I believe Mantha may have been playing through an injury. Additionally, I would not want the Penguins to move away from the size they added this season, as I believe it had a significant impact on their overall success.
Second, as I may have mentioned previously, in my opinion, the way the Penguins approached the final three games of the regular season ultimately cost them the series and a legitimate opportunity to advance to the second round.
Third, Silovs’ performance was a clear bright spot. At just 25 years old, he is a player the team should retain, as he has the potential to develop into something special. For those who watched TNT, Henrik Lundqvist spoke very highly of Silovs’ skill set, which further reinforces this view.
Fourth, and I recognize this may be an unpopular opinion, I would allow Geno to sign with another team. It may be time for the organization to move on. Similarly, Dubas needs to evaluate the situation with Letang. While both players’ accomplishments are greatly appreciated, this is ultimately a business, and decisions must be made with objectivity rather than sentiment.
Hey Mike,
Thank you, so much, for your kind words. Also for your faithful readership and comments. I always look forward to reading what you have to say.
Interesting thoughts on Mantha. Still don’t know if we’ll re-sign him, my thinking is we won’t. I wouldn’t be averse to bringing him back for another season, but someone’s likely going to offer him more.
Absolutely agree regarding size. You can’t teach it, and it sure makes us a lot more difficult to deal with. I think Soderblom played his way into a bottom-six slot and Brazeau is still under contract. The only thing we’re lacking is a touch of nasty to go with that size. Mantha supplied it in spots and Soderblom, even though he isn’t a frequent fighter, can handle himself pretty well. But I’d love for us to get a big guy who consistently plays with an edge.
Maybe down the road a bit that’s Will Horcoff.
I get what you’re saying about Malkin. I think you and Dubas are of the same mind when it comes to Geno. It wouldn’t surprise me at all if we don’t re-sign him.
I’m not saying it’s what’s best for the team, but the sentimentalist/softy in me would like to see us bring him back one more season so he can retire as a Penguin.
Again, as always, great to hear from you. Hope all is well.
Rick
Eh, I’ve soured on Dan kingerski so no more pgh hockey now for me. The dudes first comment about the loss was “silovs was throwing rebounds everywhere, and then distracted and missed the game winner” or something like that. He was their best player period. Not a single criticism can be made.
As for contracts, bye Mantha, don’t let the door hit ya.
I hope dewar comes back, and I’d be fine with a 1 year contract for acciari. Let a young guy fight for 4th minute time, and have proven backups for cheap.
Obviously bring back Malkin. Elmer starts the season on 3rd line in my eyes. I think he has the potential to grow to a 2nd liner, he seems to have real offensive chops. Muse will give him that chance.
Excited for next year! Obviously keep Silovs and have him partner with Blom/Murashev
Hello Keeger.
I’m pretty much in agreement with you right down the line. I, too, hope they re-sign Dewar…I think he more than earned a new deal…and I would also be amenable to re-upping Acciari for another season. My goodness, what a comeback he had…I truly thought he was ready scrap heap heading into the season.
However, I can see us letting Acciari walk and plugging the gap with Avery Hayes. Whether the latter’d be as effective would be a whole other matter.
Dear Lord, has Mantha’s stock fallen. A few weeks ago everyone, including me, was insisting that we re-sign him, provided the price/term was right. However, his performance against the Flyers save for Game 5 has certainly cast a shadow over what he achieved this season.
The playoffs are a different animal when it comes to speed and intensity. Given Mantha’s abysmal postseason (no goals, 7 assists in 20 games) you wonder if he lacks the extra gear to bring his game up to playoff snuff. Or maybe he just wore down.
Rick
PS–I might add that Mantha just seemed to be a really good guy and positive presence.
Rick
Hey all,
A little add-on to my blurb about Pensburgh and Pittsburgh Hockey Now being great sites, which they are. IMHO, Seth Rorabaugh of the Trib does a consistently excellent job covering the Pens.
Rick
I’m glad they showed up those last 3 games, but it was a bittersweet ending to an unexpected season.
I hear ya’ Nick.
If we’d been ready to play in Game 1 or even in Game 2, we win the series (I think). I do think we fell into an old bugaboo, especially on the power play, of overpassing the puck and/or looking for the perfect shot. So many playoff goals are scored via the ugly variety and just getting bodies and pucks to the net. Case in point, Letang’s game-winner in Game 5 where he just flung the puck in the general direction of the net and got a lucky bounce.
Still, it was such a fun, entertaining and totally unexpected season with so many great storylines. While I don’t think we would’ve beaten the ‘Canes in Round 2, it sure would’ve been nice to get there.
Rick