Monday, January 11, 2010
Orpik Update As Penguins Get Ready To Continue Road Trip In Minnesota
There was better-than-anticipated news yesterday on the length of the expected absence by Pittsburgh Penguins' defenseman Brooks Orpik, who left Saturday's 4-1 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs in the first period with an undisclosed injury.
Head Coach Dan Bylsma originally expressed some concern after that game about the potential long-term nature of Orpik's injury.
However, after an optional practice in Minnesota yesterday afternoon -- where the Penguins will take on the Minnesota Wild in a nationally televised contest on Versus tonight (8 PM EST) -- Bylsma was more optimistic, indicating that, while he didn't expect Orpik to be available for tonight's game, Orpik's condition was one regarded as day-to-day.
There was no word, however, on whether Orpik planned to rejoin the team in the middle of their extended, west-coast road trip, or stay in Pittsburgh, where he returned on his own after suffering the injury in Toronto on Saturday night.
While Pittsburgh would probably make a call-up for the trip -- Deryk Engelland being the most likely replacement -- if Orpik won't return, chances are that Martin Skoula will go into the lineup in Oprik's place in the short-term.
Meanwhile, the Penguins are going to be looking for a little revenge against the Wild tonight, after losing to them 2-1 @ Mellon Arena earlier this season on Halloween night.
Pittsburgh dominated most of that game, as evidenced by their 35-15 final advantage in shots, but were stoned a majority of the night by Minnesota star netminder Nicklas Backstrom.
Pascal Dupuis was the only Penguin to beat Backstrom that night.
Whether the Penguins have to crack Backstrom again tonight remains to be seen, however.
Backstrom started Minnesota's last game against the Chicago Blackhawks on Saturday night and was pulled before the second period was over after allowing 5 goals on 12 shots.
If I'm Minnesota -- and former Penguins' AHL affiliate -- coach Todd Richards, I go back to Backstrom tonight in the hope he bounces back much like Pittsburgh goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury did on Saturday after having been pulled in the Pens' prior game, a 7-4 defeat to the Philadelphia Flyers.
We'll see how things shake down. Recap tomorrow.
Let's Go Pens!
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Gonchar Returns To Blow Pens' Past Maple Leafs, 4-1
Most Pittsburgh Penguin fans and observers know that defenseman Sergei Gonchar will be an unrestricted free agent after this season.
The Penguins have been negotiating with Gonchar for a little while now and, by all accounts, aren't making tremendous progress thusfar.
If Pens' GM Ray Shero's goal is to try and find a way to fit a new deal for Sarge under the salary cap for next season, last night's virtuoso performance by #55 certainly didn't help Shero's bargaining position.
Gonchar returned to the lineup last night for the Penguins to start a 5-game road trip against the Toronto Maple Leafs for a Hockey Night In Canada game at the Air Canada Centre and promptly demonstrated how critical he is to Pittsburgh's success with two goals and 1 assist in a 4-1 Penguins victory.
The Pens' defenseman was front and center all game long -- particularly in the 2nd period, when a very unusual 3 minute sequence with Gonchar at the helm basically decided the game.
At the 14:44 mark, with Pittsburgh on the power play, Gonchar lashed a shot from the point that blurred past Toronto netminder Jonas Gustavsson so quickly, the officials couldn't make out the fact that it didn't just CLANG off the post like they heard, but also went under the crossbar and in before bouncing out.
The zebras let play continue and, about 15 seconds later, Maple Leafs' forward Alexei Ponikarovsky found himself behind the Penguins' defense on a breakaway.
Ponikarovsky didn't score but was fouled -- by Gonchar -- and the officials ruled the infraction worthy of a penalty shot because Ponikarovsky was in the clear.
However, before making that official, the referees consulted the instant replay in conjunction with the NHL office in Toronto. Not surprisingly, they saw Gonchar's shot cross the goal line and awared Pittsburgh the goal.
At that point, consistent with NHL rules, they had to rewind the clock back to when Gonchar's shot went in. That action did not, however, wipe out the penalty to Gonchar. BUT, because it's impossible under NHL rules to award two goals at the exact same time, they could not award the Maple Leafs the penalty shot, and instead forced Gonchar to serve the minor.
30 seconds after the Penguins killed the penalty, Gonchar finished off a 4-on-3 rush with another howitzer over Gustavsson's shoulder for a 3-1 lead that stunned the Maple Leafs.
Sidney Crosby scored in the third period and, with Gonchar's 2 tallies and Bill Guerin's first period goal, that was more than enough for Marc-Andre Fleury, who finished the game with a whopping 42 saves on 43 shots and bounced back nicely after being pulled from Thursday's home loss to the Philadelphia Flyers.
Toronto is a team that always launches a lot of shots on the net and Fleury was sharp from beginning to end last night, rejecting several good scoring chances and frustrating the Maple Leafs all night long.
About the only bad news for Pittsburgh last night was that defenseman Brooks Oprik left the game in the first period and did not return.
Head Coach Dan Blysma did not sound overly optimistic after the game, saying only that he hoped Orpik's injury -- the nature of which remained undisclosed -- wouldn't keep him out for an extended period.
Still, the Penguins did a much better job last night than they have in recent games. They had 39 shots themselves, were generally more sound in their own zone, and made better decisions with the puck all over the ice. Admittedly, they caught the Maple Leafs in their 4th game in 5 nights -- which is basically unheard of in the NHL except in an Olympic year when the schedule is so compressed -- but I don't think the Penguins are going to lose a minute's sleep about that.
They have to start getting back on the horse, so they'll definitely take last night's win and try to build on it going into the 2nd game on their trip -- a nationally televised contest on Monday against a Minnesota Wild club that will be coming off a highly emotional win over the Western Conference leading Chicago Blackhawks last night that saw them erase a 4 goal deficit and win in a shootout.
That contest will be the 2nd time the Penguins see the Wild this year, having lost to them on Halloween at Mellon Arena, 2-1.
I'll preview that one on Monday.
Enjoy the remainder of the weekend.
The Penguins have been negotiating with Gonchar for a little while now and, by all accounts, aren't making tremendous progress thusfar.
If Pens' GM Ray Shero's goal is to try and find a way to fit a new deal for Sarge under the salary cap for next season, last night's virtuoso performance by #55 certainly didn't help Shero's bargaining position.
Gonchar returned to the lineup last night for the Penguins to start a 5-game road trip against the Toronto Maple Leafs for a Hockey Night In Canada game at the Air Canada Centre and promptly demonstrated how critical he is to Pittsburgh's success with two goals and 1 assist in a 4-1 Penguins victory.
The Pens' defenseman was front and center all game long -- particularly in the 2nd period, when a very unusual 3 minute sequence with Gonchar at the helm basically decided the game.
At the 14:44 mark, with Pittsburgh on the power play, Gonchar lashed a shot from the point that blurred past Toronto netminder Jonas Gustavsson so quickly, the officials couldn't make out the fact that it didn't just CLANG off the post like they heard, but also went under the crossbar and in before bouncing out.
The zebras let play continue and, about 15 seconds later, Maple Leafs' forward Alexei Ponikarovsky found himself behind the Penguins' defense on a breakaway.
Ponikarovsky didn't score but was fouled -- by Gonchar -- and the officials ruled the infraction worthy of a penalty shot because Ponikarovsky was in the clear.
However, before making that official, the referees consulted the instant replay in conjunction with the NHL office in Toronto. Not surprisingly, they saw Gonchar's shot cross the goal line and awared Pittsburgh the goal.
At that point, consistent with NHL rules, they had to rewind the clock back to when Gonchar's shot went in. That action did not, however, wipe out the penalty to Gonchar. BUT, because it's impossible under NHL rules to award two goals at the exact same time, they could not award the Maple Leafs the penalty shot, and instead forced Gonchar to serve the minor.
30 seconds after the Penguins killed the penalty, Gonchar finished off a 4-on-3 rush with another howitzer over Gustavsson's shoulder for a 3-1 lead that stunned the Maple Leafs.
Sidney Crosby scored in the third period and, with Gonchar's 2 tallies and Bill Guerin's first period goal, that was more than enough for Marc-Andre Fleury, who finished the game with a whopping 42 saves on 43 shots and bounced back nicely after being pulled from Thursday's home loss to the Philadelphia Flyers.
Toronto is a team that always launches a lot of shots on the net and Fleury was sharp from beginning to end last night, rejecting several good scoring chances and frustrating the Maple Leafs all night long.
About the only bad news for Pittsburgh last night was that defenseman Brooks Oprik left the game in the first period and did not return.
Head Coach Dan Blysma did not sound overly optimistic after the game, saying only that he hoped Orpik's injury -- the nature of which remained undisclosed -- wouldn't keep him out for an extended period.
Still, the Penguins did a much better job last night than they have in recent games. They had 39 shots themselves, were generally more sound in their own zone, and made better decisions with the puck all over the ice. Admittedly, they caught the Maple Leafs in their 4th game in 5 nights -- which is basically unheard of in the NHL except in an Olympic year when the schedule is so compressed -- but I don't think the Penguins are going to lose a minute's sleep about that.
They have to start getting back on the horse, so they'll definitely take last night's win and try to build on it going into the 2nd game on their trip -- a nationally televised contest on Monday against a Minnesota Wild club that will be coming off a highly emotional win over the Western Conference leading Chicago Blackhawks last night that saw them erase a 4 goal deficit and win in a shootout.
That contest will be the 2nd time the Penguins see the Wild this year, having lost to them on Halloween at Mellon Arena, 2-1.
I'll preview that one on Monday.
Enjoy the remainder of the weekend.
Friday, January 8, 2010
Penguins' Goaltending Meltdown Results In First Loss Of Season To Flyers, 7-4
Last night's game against their arch division rivals, the Philadelphia Flyers, presented the Pittsburgh Penguins with every opportunity to begin to build back momentum after their 5-2 win against the Atlanta Thrashers on Tuesday broke a slide that saw them lose 6 of 7.
But when they needed it most, Marc-Andre Fleury gave them some of the worst goaltending of the season to-date.
Fleury has been the reason why the Penguins have won a lot of games this year, but last night's 7-4 defeat at the hands of the Flyers left him 1-6 with a 4.48 GAA and .870 sv % in his last 7 starts.
Alarming numbers to be sure.
He wasn't the only reason why the Penguins faltered last night -- his teammates also continued to show breakdowns at key times in the game and played with a lack of focus at certain points -- but he was the biggest.
Pittsburgh again fell behind the 8-ball early in the contest, when Fleury allowed Philadelphia forward Jeff Carter to beat him to the far post from the right circle about 7 minutes into that game.
They followed that up by allowing Carter's teammate, James Van Riemsdyk to sneak behind the defense, open up Fleury's legs and easily beat him 5-hole less than a minute later.
Sidney Crosby scored on a rebound, burying a wicked slapshot past Flyers' netminder Michael Leighton -- starting for the second straight night -- to get the Penguins back into it a little over a minute later, but in a sign of the way things were going to go for Pittsburgh all night, Matt Carle was able to beat Fleury cleanly at the 17-minute mark to restore Philadelphia's 2-goal lead.
Matt Cooke beat Leighton from about 35 feet through a crowd to get the Penguins back within 1 before the first period ended, but rather than compose themselves to start the second, Pittsburgh allowed a quick goal from defenseman Chris Pronger.
Pronger's goal was another soft shot that Fleury just wasn't seeing, and while Bylsma promptly replaced Fleury with Brent Johnson at that point, #1 didn't hold the fort well when he allowed Van Riemsdyk to beat him a little more than a minute later with another breakaawy goal to allow Philadelphia to race to a 5-2 advantage.
The Pens' looked to get back in the game when Crosby scored his second goal -- and 26th of the season -- by throwing a centering pass in front of Leighton from behind the net that went off a Flyer player and in, but Pittsburgh then allowed another easy one by Carter, who finished a 3-on-2 rush after a turnover by Evgeni Malkin.
Mike Rupp kept a lot of the crowd in the Igloo by making it 6-4 with about 8 minutes left when he beat Leighton from the slot for his 11th of the year with a nice shot to the far post, but the Penguins got no closer, and Mike Richards closed the scoring with an empty net goal at the 19:28 mark of the final frame.
Pittsburgh is getting to more of its game in the offensive zone -- they threw 39 shots at Leighton last night, after tossing 37 at Ondrej Pavelec of the Thrashers on Tuesday -- but their defensive play continues to be lacking. While the Penguins haven't been focused enough in their own zone lately, they also had trouble in the neutral zone against the Flyers' counterattack last night.
Special teams also hurt them, as they allowed Philadelphia to convert at 100% on their 2 man-advantage chances, while failing to score on all 3 of their own power plays.
In a back and forth game like last night, special teams could have made the difference -- despite the sub-par goaltending the Penguins received.
So now, as the Penguins look up at the New Jersey Devils in the Atlantic Division 6 points back, they also are only 8 points back of the team sitting in the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, the Montreal Canadiens.
On top of those quickly changing circumstances, Pittsburgh faces a tough 5-game, 8-day road trip beginning Saturday that will take them to Toronto, Minnesota, Edmonton, Calgary and Vancouver, and have many pressing questions to face.
Time will tell if their players-only, closed-door meeting after the loss last night will give them answers, but unless the Penguins want to find themselves in a position where they have to make another late-season run just to qualify for post-season play, they need to start turning around their game quickly. They need more focus, better decision-making, and improved goaltending, for starters.
We'll see how they fare starting Saturday.
More over the weekend.
NOTES:
Defenseman Sergei Gonchar did NOT play last night after all, as Head Coach Dan Bylmsa opted to sit him and his bruised foot for one more game. He should return on Saturday against the Maple Leafs.
Joining him in the press-box last night was LW Ruslan Fedotenko, who took the morning skate yesterday, but whose injured ankle from Tuesday night's game remained tender enough to keep him out of the lineup.
Defenseman Martin Skoula was benched for a good part of the game after being chewed out by Assistant Coach Tony Granato following a Philadelphia goal. He only saw a little over 4 minutes of ice time in the contest.
But when they needed it most, Marc-Andre Fleury gave them some of the worst goaltending of the season to-date.
Fleury has been the reason why the Penguins have won a lot of games this year, but last night's 7-4 defeat at the hands of the Flyers left him 1-6 with a 4.48 GAA and .870 sv % in his last 7 starts.
Alarming numbers to be sure.
He wasn't the only reason why the Penguins faltered last night -- his teammates also continued to show breakdowns at key times in the game and played with a lack of focus at certain points -- but he was the biggest.
Pittsburgh again fell behind the 8-ball early in the contest, when Fleury allowed Philadelphia forward Jeff Carter to beat him to the far post from the right circle about 7 minutes into that game.
They followed that up by allowing Carter's teammate, James Van Riemsdyk to sneak behind the defense, open up Fleury's legs and easily beat him 5-hole less than a minute later.
Sidney Crosby scored on a rebound, burying a wicked slapshot past Flyers' netminder Michael Leighton -- starting for the second straight night -- to get the Penguins back into it a little over a minute later, but in a sign of the way things were going to go for Pittsburgh all night, Matt Carle was able to beat Fleury cleanly at the 17-minute mark to restore Philadelphia's 2-goal lead.
Matt Cooke beat Leighton from about 35 feet through a crowd to get the Penguins back within 1 before the first period ended, but rather than compose themselves to start the second, Pittsburgh allowed a quick goal from defenseman Chris Pronger.
Pronger's goal was another soft shot that Fleury just wasn't seeing, and while Bylsma promptly replaced Fleury with Brent Johnson at that point, #1 didn't hold the fort well when he allowed Van Riemsdyk to beat him a little more than a minute later with another breakaawy goal to allow Philadelphia to race to a 5-2 advantage.
The Pens' looked to get back in the game when Crosby scored his second goal -- and 26th of the season -- by throwing a centering pass in front of Leighton from behind the net that went off a Flyer player and in, but Pittsburgh then allowed another easy one by Carter, who finished a 3-on-2 rush after a turnover by Evgeni Malkin.
Mike Rupp kept a lot of the crowd in the Igloo by making it 6-4 with about 8 minutes left when he beat Leighton from the slot for his 11th of the year with a nice shot to the far post, but the Penguins got no closer, and Mike Richards closed the scoring with an empty net goal at the 19:28 mark of the final frame.
Pittsburgh is getting to more of its game in the offensive zone -- they threw 39 shots at Leighton last night, after tossing 37 at Ondrej Pavelec of the Thrashers on Tuesday -- but their defensive play continues to be lacking. While the Penguins haven't been focused enough in their own zone lately, they also had trouble in the neutral zone against the Flyers' counterattack last night.
Special teams also hurt them, as they allowed Philadelphia to convert at 100% on their 2 man-advantage chances, while failing to score on all 3 of their own power plays.
In a back and forth game like last night, special teams could have made the difference -- despite the sub-par goaltending the Penguins received.
So now, as the Penguins look up at the New Jersey Devils in the Atlantic Division 6 points back, they also are only 8 points back of the team sitting in the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, the Montreal Canadiens.
On top of those quickly changing circumstances, Pittsburgh faces a tough 5-game, 8-day road trip beginning Saturday that will take them to Toronto, Minnesota, Edmonton, Calgary and Vancouver, and have many pressing questions to face.
Time will tell if their players-only, closed-door meeting after the loss last night will give them answers, but unless the Penguins want to find themselves in a position where they have to make another late-season run just to qualify for post-season play, they need to start turning around their game quickly. They need more focus, better decision-making, and improved goaltending, for starters.
We'll see how they fare starting Saturday.
More over the weekend.
NOTES:
Defenseman Sergei Gonchar did NOT play last night after all, as Head Coach Dan Bylmsa opted to sit him and his bruised foot for one more game. He should return on Saturday against the Maple Leafs.
Joining him in the press-box last night was LW Ruslan Fedotenko, who took the morning skate yesterday, but whose injured ankle from Tuesday night's game remained tender enough to keep him out of the lineup.
Defenseman Martin Skoula was benched for a good part of the game after being chewed out by Assistant Coach Tony Granato following a Philadelphia goal. He only saw a little over 4 minutes of ice time in the contest.
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Staal, Caputi and Johnson Help Snap Skid And Lead Pens' To 5-2 Victory Over Thrashers
When a team is in the middle of a 5-game losing streak, it typically looks to its star players to help get the collective group out of its funk.
In the Pittsburgh Penguins' case, that would be Captain Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin.
So how was it that the Penguins were able to snap their skid on the strength of a 5-2 win over the Atlanta Thrashers last night at Mellon Arena without any meaningful contribution from those two?
Oh yeah, they have that Staal guy, too.
Jordan Staal had 2 goals and an assist, while Luca Caputi also had a strong performance and scored in his first game of the season for the second year in a row to lead the Penguins.
Couple their play with the sound netminding of backup goaltender Brent Johnson, who stopped 31 of 33 Atlanta shots -- including 16 in the first period and 10 when Atlanta outshot Pittsburgh 10-1 from the drop of the puck -- and that's a simple recipe for success against a team now winless in 9 games.
Kris Letang actually opened up the scoring for Pittsburgh in the second period with his first goal in 20 games when he took a pass while circling at the point and had the seas part for him down the slot faster than I would have jumped at the chance to go out on a date with Carmen Electra 10 years ago when she replaced Jenny McCarthy on the MTV show "Singled out".
Okay, I still would.
ANYWAY, Letang broke right down the slot uncontested as all the Thrasher players basically just watched him wrist one past Atlanta starting goaltender Ondrej Pavelec.
Jim Slater got his first of two goals for the Thrashers before Staal flipped one by Pavelec's blocker to up the Penguins lead to 2-1.
Then, Ruslan Fedotenko scored after skating towards the goal on somewhat of a 2-on-1 with Staal, only to see his pass be broken up but come right back to him. Rusty easily tickled the empty twine for a 3-1 Penguins' advantage.
Slater scored again before the period ended to make the game 3-2 going into the third, but then the new guy struck to restore the Pens' 2 goal lead.
Caputi deposited one in a virtual empty cage after Malkin skated around two Thrasher defenders and got off a great shot that was stopped by Pavelec, but was composed enough while going down to swipe the puck back across the crease and allow Caputi to score.
Staal finished off the scoring for Pittsburgh after RW Tyler Kennedy shot one from 45 feet coming down the right wing that went right off Pavelec's pads into the slot where Staal was steaming toward the net.
Gronk picked up the puck in full stride and made no mistake, burying it past a sprawling Pavelec to finish the scoring for the night.
Caputi had a pretty strong overall game, as I mentioned. He was strong on the forecheck, behind the net and along the wall, as advertised. His tenacity was rewarded when he scored in the third period, and he certainly didn't hesitate when the loose puck came to him. He ripped it like a goal-scorer should.
Johnson, meanwhile, has played well for several straight starts now and, while he won't be taking over the #1 job from Marc-Andre Fleury anytime soon, it's good to see him give his teammates some quality netminding when he is in there. I can't quite figure out how he does it, because he's the polar opposite of Fleury when it comes to athleticism (as both of the goals against last night clearly show), but he finds a way. He's definitely a battler in there.
Letang also played his best game in a long time last night. Aside from the goal, he was physical in his own zone, and that seemed to jumpstart his play. He needs to involve himself physically like that more often.
The important thing for the Penguins will be to keep their momentum going against the Flyers on Thursday. Their win last night will mean little if they fall to Philadelphia -- a team that has played better of late, going 4-1-1 in their last 6.
More later.
NOTES:
As expected, Defenseman Sergei Gonchar did not suit up for the Penguins last night. He is expected to practice on Wednesday, however, and it's quite possible he'll return on Thursday.
Mike Yeo was finally released from a Florida hospital yesterday and is expected to be cleared to get back behind the bench for the start of Pittsburgh's 5-game road trip beginning on Saturday.
The Penguins decided to dress Eric Godard last night, and they put Max Talbot in the press box in his place. Talbot has continued to struggle the last few weeks, and isn't having a real meaningful impact on the ice. While he probably wouldn't admit it, it's possible that he's still having some residual problems with his shoudler following off-season surgery. As long as the Penguins have an extra forward, I would expect him and Godard to rotate in and out of the lineup. Craig Adams could stand to take a turn there from time-to-time, too. He's not wowing anyone right now, has one of the lowest minus figures on the team, and is struggling in the face-off circle.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Chris Kunitz To Have Abdominal Surgery; Will Miss 4-6 Weeks
After announcing that they have recalled LW Luca Caputi from the Baby Penguins, the parent club also announced today that LW Chris Kunitz would have abdominal surgery and would be sidelined six (6) weeks.
Kunitz will have surgery tomorrow in Philadlephia, but will rehabilitate back in Pittsburgh under the supervision of strength and conditioning coach Mike Kadar.
In revealing the injury, Pens' GM Ray Shero indicated that Kunitz has been suffering from the injury for some time and could have played through it, but stated that everyone now felt it would be best if Kunitz got the procedure done so he could be at full health down the stretch.
This news was very interesting, and has several implications to those in Penguin Nation.
The first consequence of Kunitz's injury is that it opens up a roster spot for Caputi for potentially an extended period -- depending on how he performs.
The second thing -- which is tied into the first -- is that it could impact what the Penguins do at the trade deadline this year on or before March 4.
With Kunitz on injured reserve, they save some of his salary, and if Caputi plays well, team brass might deem Kunitz expendable.
Time will tell, but there certainly has been a lot of news in Penguins' camp today.
We'll see how things play out on the ice tonight.
BTW, Brent Johnson is expected to start in goal.
Let's Go Pens!
Kunitz will have surgery tomorrow in Philadlephia, but will rehabilitate back in Pittsburgh under the supervision of strength and conditioning coach Mike Kadar.
In revealing the injury, Pens' GM Ray Shero indicated that Kunitz has been suffering from the injury for some time and could have played through it, but stated that everyone now felt it would be best if Kunitz got the procedure done so he could be at full health down the stretch.
This news was very interesting, and has several implications to those in Penguin Nation.
The first consequence of Kunitz's injury is that it opens up a roster spot for Caputi for potentially an extended period -- depending on how he performs.
The second thing -- which is tied into the first -- is that it could impact what the Penguins do at the trade deadline this year on or before March 4.
With Kunitz on injured reserve, they save some of his salary, and if Caputi plays well, team brass might deem Kunitz expendable.
Time will tell, but there certainly has been a lot of news in Penguins' camp today.
We'll see how things play out on the ice tonight.
BTW, Brent Johnson is expected to start in goal.
Let's Go Pens!
Penguins Recall Luca Caputi From Wilkes-Barre To Play Tonight Against Atlanta
The Pittsburgh Penguins have recalled one of their top prospects from their American Hockey League affiliate in Wilkes Barre to play tonight against the Atlanta Thrashers at Mellon Arena (7:30 PM EAST).
LW Luca Caputi is on his way to Pittsburgh and, while head coach Dan Blysma has yet to indicate where exactly Caputi will see time in the lineup, I'd be willing to bet the house that we're all going to see him on the flank of struggling center Evegni Malkin, in the hope the 2 of them can strike up some chemistry.
Caputi, 6' 2", 200 pounds, leads the Baby Penguins in goals thusfar this season with 13, and is third on the team in points with 26.
He's played 36 games.
This will be Caputi's second cup of coffee in the league, after a 5 game stint last season that saw him score a goal on his first shot on his first shift in the first period of his first game -- in Montreal against the storied Les Habitants, no less.
Caputi is a great player along the wall and deep in the zone. He's great with puck possession on the cycle and since one of the Penguins' shortcomings of late has been offensive zone time, Caputi should bring an element Bylsma is likely to find overwhelmingly appealing right now.
With any luck, he can capitalize around the net and -- maybe -- even jumpstart Geno.
Again, recap tomorrow.
Let's Go Pens!
LW Luca Caputi is on his way to Pittsburgh and, while head coach Dan Blysma has yet to indicate where exactly Caputi will see time in the lineup, I'd be willing to bet the house that we're all going to see him on the flank of struggling center Evegni Malkin, in the hope the 2 of them can strike up some chemistry.
Caputi, 6' 2", 200 pounds, leads the Baby Penguins in goals thusfar this season with 13, and is third on the team in points with 26.
He's played 36 games.
This will be Caputi's second cup of coffee in the league, after a 5 game stint last season that saw him score a goal on his first shot on his first shift in the first period of his first game -- in Montreal against the storied Les Habitants, no less.
Caputi is a great player along the wall and deep in the zone. He's great with puck possession on the cycle and since one of the Penguins' shortcomings of late has been offensive zone time, Caputi should bring an element Bylsma is likely to find overwhelmingly appealing right now.
With any luck, he can capitalize around the net and -- maybe -- even jumpstart Geno.
Again, recap tomorrow.
Let's Go Pens!
Bylsma Paces Team Through Longest Practice Of Year As Pens Get Ready To Face Thrashers
In an Olympic season -- like this year -- more games are compressed into less time.
Certainly, more games in less time means more days off to rest and recuperate.
And more days off to rest and recuperate leads to less practices.
Pittsburgh Penguins head coach Dan Bylsma had none of that yesterday, when he paced his team through 90 minutes on the ice, just a day after playing back-to-back games in Florida and flying up the east coast to return home.
As if that didn't convey enough urgency, Pens' owner Mario Lemieux watched the entire practice, sending a message that his players need to be on their "p's" and "q's" as they look to break a slide that has seen them drop 6 of their last 7 games.
Into Mellon Arena tonight comes an Atlanta Thrashers team that is quite dangerous with the likes of forwards Ilya Kovalchuk, Maxim Afinogenov, Niklas Antropov, Rich Peverly and defenseman Tobias Enstrom, but -- somehow -- the Thrashers are struggling more that Pittsburgh.
Atlanta is winless in 8 games and finishes a 7-game road trip against The Boys of Winter tonight.
The Pens' have played the Thrashers once already this year, in Atlanta, winning by the score of 3-2 on the strength of 2 goals from defenseman Martin Skoula. But that was back when the Penguins' defense was actually contributing goals.
Not a single member of their defense has tallied a goal since November 28.
It's doubtful that Sergei Gonchar will be able to break that streak of futility tonight.
Gonchar did not practice yesterday while still recovering from a bruised foot he sustained after blocking a shot at the end of the Pens' loss to the New Jersey Devils last Wednesday and, while HCDB hasn't ruled him out of tonight's game, it would be a surprise if he played.
Another guy likely to be missing tonight is assistant coach Mike Yeo, who as of yesterday was still in a Florida hospital after suffering some chest pains at the conclusion of Pittsburgh's 3-1 defeat to the Tampa Bay Lightning Saturday afternoon.
Yeo was treated medically immediately after the game -- a stretcher was even brought in to the coaches' room at the St. Pete Times Forum (but not used) -- and seemed to be stable, but began to experience similar symptoms Sunday morning and was taken to the hospital.
Blysma stated after the loss to the Panthers that Yeo had several tests, but that all were normal. He said he hoped Yeo would be released to fly home Monday morning.
Obviously, that has not proven to be the case.
Pens' goaltending coach Gilles Meloche stepped behind the bench in Yeo's place on Sunday and will be there again tonight if Yeo isn't available.
Let's hope the Penguins were able to develop some good habits in that long practice yesterday.
I suppose we'll see tonight.
Recap tomorrow.
Let's Go Pens!
Certainly, more games in less time means more days off to rest and recuperate.
And more days off to rest and recuperate leads to less practices.
Pittsburgh Penguins head coach Dan Bylsma had none of that yesterday, when he paced his team through 90 minutes on the ice, just a day after playing back-to-back games in Florida and flying up the east coast to return home.
As if that didn't convey enough urgency, Pens' owner Mario Lemieux watched the entire practice, sending a message that his players need to be on their "p's" and "q's" as they look to break a slide that has seen them drop 6 of their last 7 games.
Into Mellon Arena tonight comes an Atlanta Thrashers team that is quite dangerous with the likes of forwards Ilya Kovalchuk, Maxim Afinogenov, Niklas Antropov, Rich Peverly and defenseman Tobias Enstrom, but -- somehow -- the Thrashers are struggling more that Pittsburgh.
Atlanta is winless in 8 games and finishes a 7-game road trip against The Boys of Winter tonight.
The Pens' have played the Thrashers once already this year, in Atlanta, winning by the score of 3-2 on the strength of 2 goals from defenseman Martin Skoula. But that was back when the Penguins' defense was actually contributing goals.
Not a single member of their defense has tallied a goal since November 28.
It's doubtful that Sergei Gonchar will be able to break that streak of futility tonight.
Gonchar did not practice yesterday while still recovering from a bruised foot he sustained after blocking a shot at the end of the Pens' loss to the New Jersey Devils last Wednesday and, while HCDB hasn't ruled him out of tonight's game, it would be a surprise if he played.
Another guy likely to be missing tonight is assistant coach Mike Yeo, who as of yesterday was still in a Florida hospital after suffering some chest pains at the conclusion of Pittsburgh's 3-1 defeat to the Tampa Bay Lightning Saturday afternoon.
Yeo was treated medically immediately after the game -- a stretcher was even brought in to the coaches' room at the St. Pete Times Forum (but not used) -- and seemed to be stable, but began to experience similar symptoms Sunday morning and was taken to the hospital.
Blysma stated after the loss to the Panthers that Yeo had several tests, but that all were normal. He said he hoped Yeo would be released to fly home Monday morning.
Obviously, that has not proven to be the case.
Pens' goaltending coach Gilles Meloche stepped behind the bench in Yeo's place on Sunday and will be there again tonight if Yeo isn't available.
Let's hope the Penguins were able to develop some good habits in that long practice yesterday.
I suppose we'll see tonight.
Recap tomorrow.
Let's Go Pens!
Monday, January 4, 2010
Sliding Penguins Burned In Sunshine State Again, Suffer Fifth Straight Defeat, 6-2, To Florida
There have been a lot of changes to the way hockey is played in the NHL the last several years.
Officials have called more obstruction fouls, for example.
Goaltenders have been prohibited from playing the puck in a trapezoid area behind the net.
What the league has not changed, however, is that games are still 3 periods and 60 minutes.
The Pittsburgh Penguins must have missed the memo on that.
If last night's 6-2 road beating at the hands of the 13th place team in the Eastern Conference, the Florida Panthers, isn't evidence of that, little else could be.
The Penguins came out of the gate strong, as they needed to after a lackluster performance the afternoon before in a 3-1 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning -- their 4th straight defeat.
Pittsburgh controlled play throughout the first period, outshot Florida 20-8, and led 2-1 on the strength of goals by Tyler Kennedy -- his first in 14 games -- and Sidney Crosby, his 24th of the season.
At that point, the Pens' needed to come out of the gate in the second frame and step on the Panthers' throats. If I was Dan Bylsma, that's what I would have stressed over and over during the intermission.
So what happened?
The Penguins were promptly outshot, outhustled and outplayed in a second period where Florida outshot them 16-9 and went to the break with two goals and a 3-2 lead.
Things didn't get better in the final period, either.
While Pittsburgh tossed 22 shots at Panthers' goaltender Tomas Vokoun, Florida was the team that scored, tallying 3 more times, including an empty netter, to mercilessly end the game 6-2.
Radek Dvorak had the hat trick for the Panthers.
Hey, at least the Penguins only blew a 2-0 lead in this one, as opposed to the 3-0 lead they blew to the Buffalo Sabres earlier in the week.
Pittsburgh did put up 48 shots on Vokoun last night, but that total is deceiving, as our Boys of Winter again didn't play with the needed urgency throughout the second and third periods.
Marc-Andre Fleury -- starting both games in the weekend's back-to-back situation -- struggled, stopping 29 of 34 shots.
Clearly, he isn't the only one for the Penguins leaving little on the ice right now.
Evgeni Malkin again struggled mightily, and finished the game scoreless with a -4 rating. He took the blame for the defeat afterwards, but Pittsburgh's problems run far deeper than a guy who, despite his current slump, remains on a point-per-game pace.
Much of the issue for the Penguins right now -- aside from their disturbing lack of intensity -- lies in their own end. They are spending too much time there, and not doing a good job with their coverages. Brooks Orpik and Kris Letang led the way last night -- both were -3 in the game -- but the entire defense corps has been average, at best, the last 3 weeks.
It didn't help that Sergei Gonchar missed his second straight game with a bruised foot, but Pittsburgh's defensive struggles began while he was in the lineup.
They need to tighten up and tighten up quickly, because if they made the Florida Panthers look like an offensive juggernaut, they are in real danger of their next opponent -- the Atlanta Thrashers -- on Tuesday at Mellon Arena.
Atlanta can make a team playing as poorly defensively as the Penguins are right now pay.
Dearly.
No matter what, it's critical that the Penguins stop the bleeding. Now. They were slumping mid-year at this point last season too, and we all know how much of a stretch it was that they even got into the post-season. The Penguins simply must do whatever is necessary to avoid going into a similar long-term funk.
Or else they might find themselves in the same boat as their defending Super Bowl Champion brethren from Pittsburgh -- the Steelers --whose season ended yesterday without any post-season play thanks largely to a mid-season swoon they were unable to recover from.
More this week.
Officials have called more obstruction fouls, for example.
Goaltenders have been prohibited from playing the puck in a trapezoid area behind the net.
What the league has not changed, however, is that games are still 3 periods and 60 minutes.
The Pittsburgh Penguins must have missed the memo on that.
If last night's 6-2 road beating at the hands of the 13th place team in the Eastern Conference, the Florida Panthers, isn't evidence of that, little else could be.
The Penguins came out of the gate strong, as they needed to after a lackluster performance the afternoon before in a 3-1 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning -- their 4th straight defeat.
Pittsburgh controlled play throughout the first period, outshot Florida 20-8, and led 2-1 on the strength of goals by Tyler Kennedy -- his first in 14 games -- and Sidney Crosby, his 24th of the season.
At that point, the Pens' needed to come out of the gate in the second frame and step on the Panthers' throats. If I was Dan Bylsma, that's what I would have stressed over and over during the intermission.
So what happened?
The Penguins were promptly outshot, outhustled and outplayed in a second period where Florida outshot them 16-9 and went to the break with two goals and a 3-2 lead.
Things didn't get better in the final period, either.
While Pittsburgh tossed 22 shots at Panthers' goaltender Tomas Vokoun, Florida was the team that scored, tallying 3 more times, including an empty netter, to mercilessly end the game 6-2.
Radek Dvorak had the hat trick for the Panthers.
Hey, at least the Penguins only blew a 2-0 lead in this one, as opposed to the 3-0 lead they blew to the Buffalo Sabres earlier in the week.
Pittsburgh did put up 48 shots on Vokoun last night, but that total is deceiving, as our Boys of Winter again didn't play with the needed urgency throughout the second and third periods.
Marc-Andre Fleury -- starting both games in the weekend's back-to-back situation -- struggled, stopping 29 of 34 shots.
Clearly, he isn't the only one for the Penguins leaving little on the ice right now.
Evgeni Malkin again struggled mightily, and finished the game scoreless with a -4 rating. He took the blame for the defeat afterwards, but Pittsburgh's problems run far deeper than a guy who, despite his current slump, remains on a point-per-game pace.
Much of the issue for the Penguins right now -- aside from their disturbing lack of intensity -- lies in their own end. They are spending too much time there, and not doing a good job with their coverages. Brooks Orpik and Kris Letang led the way last night -- both were -3 in the game -- but the entire defense corps has been average, at best, the last 3 weeks.
It didn't help that Sergei Gonchar missed his second straight game with a bruised foot, but Pittsburgh's defensive struggles began while he was in the lineup.
They need to tighten up and tighten up quickly, because if they made the Florida Panthers look like an offensive juggernaut, they are in real danger of their next opponent -- the Atlanta Thrashers -- on Tuesday at Mellon Arena.
Atlanta can make a team playing as poorly defensively as the Penguins are right now pay.
Dearly.
No matter what, it's critical that the Penguins stop the bleeding. Now. They were slumping mid-year at this point last season too, and we all know how much of a stretch it was that they even got into the post-season. The Penguins simply must do whatever is necessary to avoid going into a similar long-term funk.
Or else they might find themselves in the same boat as their defending Super Bowl Champion brethren from Pittsburgh -- the Steelers --whose season ended yesterday without any post-season play thanks largely to a mid-season swoon they were unable to recover from.
More this week.
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Orpik Questions Teammates' Committment As Pens Lose 4th Straight, 3-1, To Lightning
Pittsburgh Penguins' defenseman Brooks Orpik has always been one of the most truthful, candid players in the locker room.
Orpik has never been afraid to speak his mind and frequently offers insights that most other players either can't offer or simply choose not to.
So, after his team's 3-1 defeat yesterday afternoon to the Tampa Bay Lightning at the St. Pete Times Forum -- Pittsburgh's 4th defeat in a row and 5th loss in their last six games -- Orpik didn't pull any punches in assessing the cause of the Penguins' failures the last several weeks.
"It's kind of like we're just showing up and assuming ... right now, we think we're good enough to show up and beat whoever we play, and we're not."
Orpik continued:
"Besides families, hockey has to be your top priority ... I think everyone has to maybe re-evaluate where their priorities are right now."
The Penguins should listen to Orpik, because they just aren't playing with enough urgency.
Urgency can be measured in many ways, but one good barometer -- in my opinion -- most of the time is shots on goal.
A Dan Bylmsa team is a team that controls play in the offensive zone and launches 35 shots on goal.
Pittsburgh only put up 26 last night against Lightning goaltender Mike Smith; meanwhile, they allowed the Lightning to throw 37 at goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury, continuing a trend in recent contests where the Penguins haven't -- for whatever reason -- "got to their game".
Fleury did everything he could to keep Pittsburgh in the game yesterday, including stopping a penalty shot by Vincent Lecavalier in the third period, but he was one of the few Penguins who showed up in a mostly uninspiring team performance.
As more evidence, look at Tampa's goal scorers yesterday. The Pens' allowed guys like Steve Downie and Zenon Konopka -- who leads the league in penalty minutes for heaven's sake -- to tally markers.
Add a goal by Martin St. Louis to open the scoring and it was more than enough to offset the 13th goal of the season by Pens' RW Bill Guerin in the first period.
St. Louis' goal, by the way, was the 13th time in the last 17 games that Pittsburgh has given up the game's first goal.
Think that's another sign that urgency at the drop of the puck isn't there?
Clearly, the Penguins aren't doing the little things out there which are necessary to win right now. Combine that with struggles of several individual players -- including Evegni Malkin who, for instance, has only one POINT in the Penguins' last 7 road games -- and it's easy to see why Pittsbugh is suddenly facing a 6-point deficit to New Jersey in the Atlantic Division standings.
I said earlier in the week after the Penguins came from ahead to blow a 3-0 lead against the Buffalo Sabres that it was good the team could get right back on the horse and play the next night against the New Jersey Devils.
Today, when the Penguins have the same opportunity, playing on the 2nd day of a back-to-back, this time against the Florida Panthers (5:00 PM EST), I'm not so sure.
While Pittsburgh is 3-0 against Florida this year, all of their victories have been by 3-2 scores and two of them were the result of comebacks from 2-0 down.
The way the Penguins are playing right now, it's hard to expect the same result.
But I guess that's why they play the games.
Recap tomorrow.
Let's Go Pens!
NOTES: Defenseman Sergei Gonchar missed the game yesterday after taking a shot off his foot in Wednesday's game against New Jersey. Gonchar didn't even make it through the Penguins' practice on Friday before the team left for Florida, so it's no surprise he didn't suit up, even if he did make the trip. Defenseman Jay McKee -- a healthy scratch on Wednesday -- was re-inserted back in the lineup in Sarge's place. Whie the team seems to have not given up hope Gonchar might play against the Panthers' today, I'd be surprised if he was in the lineup.
Orpik has never been afraid to speak his mind and frequently offers insights that most other players either can't offer or simply choose not to.
So, after his team's 3-1 defeat yesterday afternoon to the Tampa Bay Lightning at the St. Pete Times Forum -- Pittsburgh's 4th defeat in a row and 5th loss in their last six games -- Orpik didn't pull any punches in assessing the cause of the Penguins' failures the last several weeks.
"It's kind of like we're just showing up and assuming ... right now, we think we're good enough to show up and beat whoever we play, and we're not."
Orpik continued:
"Besides families, hockey has to be your top priority ... I think everyone has to maybe re-evaluate where their priorities are right now."
The Penguins should listen to Orpik, because they just aren't playing with enough urgency.
Urgency can be measured in many ways, but one good barometer -- in my opinion -- most of the time is shots on goal.
A Dan Bylmsa team is a team that controls play in the offensive zone and launches 35 shots on goal.
Pittsburgh only put up 26 last night against Lightning goaltender Mike Smith; meanwhile, they allowed the Lightning to throw 37 at goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury, continuing a trend in recent contests where the Penguins haven't -- for whatever reason -- "got to their game".
Fleury did everything he could to keep Pittsburgh in the game yesterday, including stopping a penalty shot by Vincent Lecavalier in the third period, but he was one of the few Penguins who showed up in a mostly uninspiring team performance.
As more evidence, look at Tampa's goal scorers yesterday. The Pens' allowed guys like Steve Downie and Zenon Konopka -- who leads the league in penalty minutes for heaven's sake -- to tally markers.
Add a goal by Martin St. Louis to open the scoring and it was more than enough to offset the 13th goal of the season by Pens' RW Bill Guerin in the first period.
St. Louis' goal, by the way, was the 13th time in the last 17 games that Pittsburgh has given up the game's first goal.
Think that's another sign that urgency at the drop of the puck isn't there?
Clearly, the Penguins aren't doing the little things out there which are necessary to win right now. Combine that with struggles of several individual players -- including Evegni Malkin who, for instance, has only one POINT in the Penguins' last 7 road games -- and it's easy to see why Pittsbugh is suddenly facing a 6-point deficit to New Jersey in the Atlantic Division standings.
I said earlier in the week after the Penguins came from ahead to blow a 3-0 lead against the Buffalo Sabres that it was good the team could get right back on the horse and play the next night against the New Jersey Devils.
Today, when the Penguins have the same opportunity, playing on the 2nd day of a back-to-back, this time against the Florida Panthers (5:00 PM EST), I'm not so sure.
While Pittsburgh is 3-0 against Florida this year, all of their victories have been by 3-2 scores and two of them were the result of comebacks from 2-0 down.
The way the Penguins are playing right now, it's hard to expect the same result.
But I guess that's why they play the games.
Recap tomorrow.
Let's Go Pens!
NOTES: Defenseman Sergei Gonchar missed the game yesterday after taking a shot off his foot in Wednesday's game against New Jersey. Gonchar didn't even make it through the Penguins' practice on Friday before the team left for Florida, so it's no surprise he didn't suit up, even if he did make the trip. Defenseman Jay McKee -- a healthy scratch on Wednesday -- was re-inserted back in the lineup in Sarge's place. Whie the team seems to have not given up hope Gonchar might play against the Panthers' today, I'd be surprised if he was in the lineup.
Friday, January 1, 2010
ANALYSIS: Penguins At The Season Mid-Point
First, Happy 2010 to Everyone.
Now that the 2009/2010 Pittsburgh Penguins head into the New Year with 41 games in the books, its a perfect time to take a step back and analyze our Boys of Winter. What better moment than to look back at where they've been and look forward to where they're still going??
Towards the end of this analysis, I'll list the three things the Penguins have to continue doing in the second half to the season, and three things that they need to change in the final 41 regular season contests. I'll also address who's undeachieving and who's overachieving -- with 3 players in each category --much like what I did when I analyzed the team at the quarter pole.
Currently, the Penguins sit at 26-14-1. They went 12-7-1 in the second quarter, very similar to the 14-7 record they posted in the first quarter of the season. They have 53 points and are second in the Atlantic Division, 4 points behind their season nemesis and Atlantic leader, the New Jersey Devils.
Pittsburgh also sits third in the conference, with the Washington Capitals one point better than them, and sixth overall in the NHL, with the San Jose Sharks, Chicago Blackhawks and -- yes -- the Phoenix Coyotes 6, 4 and 1 point, respectively, ahead of them in the Western Conference.
The Pens' continue to be an offensively driven team, scoring the 3rd most goals in the league, behind only Washington and San Jose. They have improved defensively in the second quarter, however. Only 8 teams have given up less goals. After about 20 games, they were in the middle of the league in goals against.
Pittsburgh's penalty killing continues to be respectable, sitting 10th overall when down a man.
I certainly don't have to detail where the Penguins sit on the power play. While they have improved on the man-advantage in the last 8 or so games -- clicking at above 21% during that period -- they sit dead last of the 30 league clubs overall to-date, converting on 15.1% of their chances.
Hopefully, the Penguins can continue the little run their power play is on. The different alignment they've been using -- with defenseman Sergei Gonchar alone at the center point and both Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin on each half-wall -- seems to have been working for them.
They still need to get more shots and look to avoid the pretty play all the time while up a man, but what else is new.
One other very notable statistic for Pittsburgh at the half way point is that the Pens' lead the league in hits. I can't say I ever thought I'd see from a Pittsburgh hockey club, and it complements their skating, offensive game really well. Matt Cooke, Brooks Orpik and Mike Rupp all do a great job leading the Penguins' hit parade.
Let's take a look at what the Penguins need to continue doing in the 2nd half, and what they need to change.
THREE THINGS THE PENGUINS MUST KEEP DOING
1) Win The Close Games
Pittsburgh has had an exemplary record in close contests this year -- as they have the last several years -- and needs to continue winning those games. They have a bullseye on their back against every single opponent. Because so few of their opponents are pushovers, a lot of their games are going to be close. Good teams win those.
2) Stay Healthy
The Penguins went through a meaningful rash of injuries earlier this year and found a way through it. They need to avoid losing key players for long stretches in the second half -- something that may prove a little more challenging than normal since several of their most critical performers will be involved in a little something called the Olympics.
3) Continue Getting Unexpected Contributions From Their Role Players
The best teams in the league have great depth, and the Penguins have shown that through the first half of this season with strong performances from several under-the-radar guys up and down their lineup. The best part is that several other players still have the room to step up their games in the second half.
THREE THINGS THE PENGUINS NEED TO CHANGE
1) Production Out Of The Power Play
I shouldn't even need to say anything about this. They have turned things around a little lately, but need to remember that they can't just get by on the man-advantage with their talent. They need to outwork the other team, even though they're on the power play -- especially down low.
2) Get Geno Scoring
Evegni Malkin has only 13 goals on the season so far -- a figure well below what he's capable of. It's easy to forget that Malkin is so young and still learning how to be consistent and confident every night. Right now, he isn't as confident and therefore, isn't shooting as much. He's traditionally been a great second half performer, so we'll see if he turns up his game throughout the winter and spring.
3) Don't Forget About Defense
The Penguins have given up a lot of shots the last 3 or 4 games, and that's not a trend they want to continue. An offensively-minded team like the Pens' is always going to need to be reminded that good offense starts with good defense. Pittsburgh plays a puck possession game. When they don't have the puck, they need to be sound and efficient in their own zone to quickly get it back.
Now let's hit on three overachievers and three underachievers at the halfway mark.
THREE PLAYERS EXCEEDING EXPECTATIONS
1) F - Mike Rupp
This shouldn't be a surprise to anyone. Although he's cooled off recently, Rupp has 10 goals this season so far -- 4 more than his career high. He's shown much better hands than anyone expected and shouldn't for a moment feel like he can't get to the 20 goal mark this season. In fact, if Head Coach Dan Bylsma were to give him a legitimate shot on one of the top two lines with either Sidney Crosby or Malkin, Rupp could very well hit the 25 mark if things break right for him. He's been outstanding for the Penguins this year so far, and Pens' GM Ray Shero deserves a lot of credit for bringing him in this offseason -- and at the reasonable rate he did.
2) LW - Pascal Dupuis
Dupuis is another guy who is having a strong offensive season for a guy generally known as a role player. Again, while more quiet lately, he's lit the lamp 9 times and has done more than what's asked of him when filling in on one of the top two lines. For a guy who was the most likely Penguin trade candidate going into the season, Dupuis has served Pittsburgh quite well in the first half.
3) RW - Bill Guerin
For a guy who's 39 years old, Guerin is having an exceedingly great year. He's on a near 60 point pace this season, which is probably about 20 more than most thought he would put up on the year. We'll see if he can keep it up in the second half, but Guerin is giving the Penguins everything he has and more. Will he be rewarded with a USA Olympic Team berth? We'll see in about 90 minutes when the squad is announced but, hopefully for the Pens', he'll be kept off the team and given some much needed rest for down the stretch.
THREE PLAYERS NOT MEETING EXPECTATIONS
1) LW - Ruslan Fedotenko
Rusty is a known playoff performer and that's surely part of the reason Pittsburgh re-signed him, but with only 7 goals and 14 points in the first half of the season, he's not doing enough right now. Worse, his play in the Penguins' own zone is leaving something to be desired of late, and that's something that has Blysma unhappy. I've heard trade rumors about him, and it will be interesting to see if Shero doesn't try to move a guy that likely won't be back next year anyway.
2) D - Kris Letang
Letang's is an underrated two-way defenseman, but his game is still more premised on offense and moving the puck than anything else. With only 1 goal in 32 games this season, Letang can give Pittsburgh more. Confidence is probably a little issue with him, too, as he's even struggling to hit the net on a lot of his shots. Hopefully, the Pens' will get him back on the right path in the second half.
3) RW - Tyler Kennedy
TK started off really strong this year but after sustaining a lower body injury and missing about 13 games, he's had a hard time getting back in the groove. His 6 goals and 10 points in 28 games are less than what many expected of him at the outset of the season when team brass was considering playing him with Malkin. If he gets things going in games 42-82, the Penguins will benefit greatly.
Well, that's a look at the team through the first half. Let's hope they keep the gas on the pedal in 2010, beginning this weekend in Tampa Bay and Florida, and continuing on through big games in January against the Washington Capitals and Detroit Red Wings.
Lets Go Pens!
Now that the 2009/2010 Pittsburgh Penguins head into the New Year with 41 games in the books, its a perfect time to take a step back and analyze our Boys of Winter. What better moment than to look back at where they've been and look forward to where they're still going??
Towards the end of this analysis, I'll list the three things the Penguins have to continue doing in the second half to the season, and three things that they need to change in the final 41 regular season contests. I'll also address who's undeachieving and who's overachieving -- with 3 players in each category --much like what I did when I analyzed the team at the quarter pole.
Currently, the Penguins sit at 26-14-1. They went 12-7-1 in the second quarter, very similar to the 14-7 record they posted in the first quarter of the season. They have 53 points and are second in the Atlantic Division, 4 points behind their season nemesis and Atlantic leader, the New Jersey Devils.
Pittsburgh also sits third in the conference, with the Washington Capitals one point better than them, and sixth overall in the NHL, with the San Jose Sharks, Chicago Blackhawks and -- yes -- the Phoenix Coyotes 6, 4 and 1 point, respectively, ahead of them in the Western Conference.
The Pens' continue to be an offensively driven team, scoring the 3rd most goals in the league, behind only Washington and San Jose. They have improved defensively in the second quarter, however. Only 8 teams have given up less goals. After about 20 games, they were in the middle of the league in goals against.
Pittsburgh's penalty killing continues to be respectable, sitting 10th overall when down a man.
I certainly don't have to detail where the Penguins sit on the power play. While they have improved on the man-advantage in the last 8 or so games -- clicking at above 21% during that period -- they sit dead last of the 30 league clubs overall to-date, converting on 15.1% of their chances.
Hopefully, the Penguins can continue the little run their power play is on. The different alignment they've been using -- with defenseman Sergei Gonchar alone at the center point and both Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin on each half-wall -- seems to have been working for them.
They still need to get more shots and look to avoid the pretty play all the time while up a man, but what else is new.
One other very notable statistic for Pittsburgh at the half way point is that the Pens' lead the league in hits. I can't say I ever thought I'd see from a Pittsburgh hockey club, and it complements their skating, offensive game really well. Matt Cooke, Brooks Orpik and Mike Rupp all do a great job leading the Penguins' hit parade.
Let's take a look at what the Penguins need to continue doing in the 2nd half, and what they need to change.
THREE THINGS THE PENGUINS MUST KEEP DOING
1) Win The Close Games
Pittsburgh has had an exemplary record in close contests this year -- as they have the last several years -- and needs to continue winning those games. They have a bullseye on their back against every single opponent. Because so few of their opponents are pushovers, a lot of their games are going to be close. Good teams win those.
2) Stay Healthy
The Penguins went through a meaningful rash of injuries earlier this year and found a way through it. They need to avoid losing key players for long stretches in the second half -- something that may prove a little more challenging than normal since several of their most critical performers will be involved in a little something called the Olympics.
3) Continue Getting Unexpected Contributions From Their Role Players
The best teams in the league have great depth, and the Penguins have shown that through the first half of this season with strong performances from several under-the-radar guys up and down their lineup. The best part is that several other players still have the room to step up their games in the second half.
THREE THINGS THE PENGUINS NEED TO CHANGE
1) Production Out Of The Power Play
I shouldn't even need to say anything about this. They have turned things around a little lately, but need to remember that they can't just get by on the man-advantage with their talent. They need to outwork the other team, even though they're on the power play -- especially down low.
2) Get Geno Scoring
Evegni Malkin has only 13 goals on the season so far -- a figure well below what he's capable of. It's easy to forget that Malkin is so young and still learning how to be consistent and confident every night. Right now, he isn't as confident and therefore, isn't shooting as much. He's traditionally been a great second half performer, so we'll see if he turns up his game throughout the winter and spring.
3) Don't Forget About Defense
The Penguins have given up a lot of shots the last 3 or 4 games, and that's not a trend they want to continue. An offensively-minded team like the Pens' is always going to need to be reminded that good offense starts with good defense. Pittsburgh plays a puck possession game. When they don't have the puck, they need to be sound and efficient in their own zone to quickly get it back.
Now let's hit on three overachievers and three underachievers at the halfway mark.
THREE PLAYERS EXCEEDING EXPECTATIONS
1) F - Mike Rupp
This shouldn't be a surprise to anyone. Although he's cooled off recently, Rupp has 10 goals this season so far -- 4 more than his career high. He's shown much better hands than anyone expected and shouldn't for a moment feel like he can't get to the 20 goal mark this season. In fact, if Head Coach Dan Bylsma were to give him a legitimate shot on one of the top two lines with either Sidney Crosby or Malkin, Rupp could very well hit the 25 mark if things break right for him. He's been outstanding for the Penguins this year so far, and Pens' GM Ray Shero deserves a lot of credit for bringing him in this offseason -- and at the reasonable rate he did.
2) LW - Pascal Dupuis
Dupuis is another guy who is having a strong offensive season for a guy generally known as a role player. Again, while more quiet lately, he's lit the lamp 9 times and has done more than what's asked of him when filling in on one of the top two lines. For a guy who was the most likely Penguin trade candidate going into the season, Dupuis has served Pittsburgh quite well in the first half.
3) RW - Bill Guerin
For a guy who's 39 years old, Guerin is having an exceedingly great year. He's on a near 60 point pace this season, which is probably about 20 more than most thought he would put up on the year. We'll see if he can keep it up in the second half, but Guerin is giving the Penguins everything he has and more. Will he be rewarded with a USA Olympic Team berth? We'll see in about 90 minutes when the squad is announced but, hopefully for the Pens', he'll be kept off the team and given some much needed rest for down the stretch.
THREE PLAYERS NOT MEETING EXPECTATIONS
1) LW - Ruslan Fedotenko
Rusty is a known playoff performer and that's surely part of the reason Pittsburgh re-signed him, but with only 7 goals and 14 points in the first half of the season, he's not doing enough right now. Worse, his play in the Penguins' own zone is leaving something to be desired of late, and that's something that has Blysma unhappy. I've heard trade rumors about him, and it will be interesting to see if Shero doesn't try to move a guy that likely won't be back next year anyway.
2) D - Kris Letang
Letang's is an underrated two-way defenseman, but his game is still more premised on offense and moving the puck than anything else. With only 1 goal in 32 games this season, Letang can give Pittsburgh more. Confidence is probably a little issue with him, too, as he's even struggling to hit the net on a lot of his shots. Hopefully, the Pens' will get him back on the right path in the second half.
3) RW - Tyler Kennedy
TK started off really strong this year but after sustaining a lower body injury and missing about 13 games, he's had a hard time getting back in the groove. His 6 goals and 10 points in 28 games are less than what many expected of him at the outset of the season when team brass was considering playing him with Malkin. If he gets things going in games 42-82, the Penguins will benefit greatly.
Well, that's a look at the team through the first half. Let's hope they keep the gas on the pedal in 2010, beginning this weekend in Tampa Bay and Florida, and continuing on through big games in January against the Washington Capitals and Detroit Red Wings.
Lets Go Pens!
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