Penguins Blog: Have Heart, Lack Talent, and 10 More Pointed Thoughts

SUNRISE, Fla. — The Pittsburgh Penguins played a solid game in their 4-3 shootout loss against the Florida Panthers Sunday night at Amerant Bank Arena. Even without Matthew Tkachuk, Brad Marchand, and Aaron Ekblad, Florida is a tough team that plays well.

The Penguins canceled practice for Tampa later today, leaving this reporter without plans Monday. We had a pretty cool interview and story arranged for practice, so I hope we’ll be able to reschedule. I expected the story to go far and wide, but maybe that’s me overestimating the potential information within the conversation.

After checking out of the little resort this morning (the front desk is actually two miles away?!), I’m taking the scenic route through the middle of the state up to Tampa. I’m looking forward to it, even as the locals asked, “Are you nuts?!”

The simple answer is yes.

I’m trying to get another colleague on this trip to take an airboat adventure. It’s a good question whether they would push me into the water.

Anyone can drive on the highway and stop at a Cracker Barrel or McDonalds. I find myself to be a Robert Frost type. In addition to miles to go before I sleep, I am also a “road less traveled” sort, too. It does make all the difference.

If your education system didn’t expose you to Frost, just Google him. And read. It’s not soul-searching or mind-bending poetry or prose like Kerouac or Hunter S. Thompson, but it won’t take up your day, either. You’ll thank me.

To hockey…

**There was a lot to like about the Penguins’ resistance Sunday, but their talent level was well beneath Florida. Despite the Penguins’ moxy, they had just one high-danger scoring chance after the first period.

The unfortunate truth about this Penguins roster is that they don’t have much offense. The only consistent threat is from Sidney Crosby with Bryan Rust and Rickard Rakell.

**Even the Florida broadcasters seemed a little surprised when the Penguins had some dangerous puck possession later in the third–Play-by-play Steve Goldstein asked rhetorically, “That’s the Penguins’ best chance since … midway through the second?”

Goldstein’s voice really cuts through the noise. Some of you would love him. He keeps the excitement level high without shouting or hyperbole. Each puck is important, especially in a tie game. I like that.

**The Penguins did well to get to overtime. Florida had 30 shot attempts in the third period. 30?! The Penguins had four. Florida took the puck in the second period and didn’t give it back for the final 40 minutes, out “Corsi-ing” the Penguins, 48-16.

However, watching the Penguin’s defensemen try to clear the puck was often a painful experience, not suitable for children. Ryan Graves and Vladislav Kolyachonok had multiple failed attempts in the final 40 minutes. Graves was benched in the second period before returning to action in the third.

Read More: Jarry Saves Point in 3rd-Period Barrage, Penguins Stumble in SO

Kolyachonok otherwise had a pretty good game. He was engaged physically. To the defensemen’s credit, they kept the crease clear enough for goalie Tristan Jarry to see the shots and make the saves, even as he had to dive and scramble for a few.

But I just don’t think Ryan Graves will ever figure it out with the Penguins. Sam Reinhart undressed him in the second period.

**The larger question is–do you care?

Do you care about the Penguins’ current on-ice performance at all?

Or has the line already formed for next season, hoping Dubas takes several big swings with young players and players with bigger potential than performance?

**Our Penguins locker room feature Sunday night was one of the best of the season. Coach Mike Sullivan was as candid without anger as he’s been this season. He essentially admitted that he’s tried everything, “a million different ways” to help the team improve in the shootouts, but ultimately, the players are “either inclined or they’re not.”

He basically threw up his hands. He also referenced the Penguins’ top players being “historically over 40%,” though Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang have fallen closer to 30% now.

Read More: Penguins Room: Jarry Earns Coach’s Confidence; Pens Blunt About Shootouts

The Penguins stars are older, and they’re not as good as they once were at the individual components, but they’re still the best the Penguins have got.

Perhaps Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas should look at that stat line this summer. If there’s a close decision, the shootout should be a factor, or even if there’s a player who excels in the skills competition, perhaps the Penguins should sign him.

**Imagine if the Penguins had five more points this season. We’d be having a different conversation, eh?

Since the Columbus Blue Jackets and formerly reviled, maligned, and incorrectly castigated defenseman Jack Johnson were just in town, I’ll throw out the shootout stat that never ceased to amaze: Johnson is 13-for-41 (32%) in his career, with four game-deciding goals.

“It’s not my favorite way to end a game, let’s just say that,” said Sullivan.

**Both of Bryan Rust’s goals Sunday were sick. If Dubas trades him in July, he’d better have a darned good reason. Rust is fighting to the end for his team.

Heart goes a long way to establishing culture.

**I am also curious how a few of the Penguins’ prospects would fare in the final 10 games.

Perhaps Owen Pickering should make a return.

**The refs stopped a goalie fight last night in Los Angeles. Jeremy Swayman squared up with Darcy Kuemper, but linesmen raced over to stop it at center ice.

Have you no decency, sirs? Have you no decency? If the boys want to go, get out of their way!

**The San Jose Sharks are already scouring the market for a veteran goalie. There will be little to no netminders on the free agent market. And others like John Gibson figure to block a deal to San Jose.

Keep that in your back pocket for after the season.