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.
Everglades National Park is worth a visit, if you have the time.
and, if you’re determined to drive, set your cruise control for the speed limit
It is interesting to drive up through central Florida…terrain looks like Vietnam. Also, you realize much of the state is actually 6-10″ under water. Makes one appreciate PA mountains…
Being 1-6 in shootouts is unacceptable. How can they boast about having skill guys like Sid, Geno, Rakell, Karlsson, etc and be the worst team in the league for shootouts? (the next worst team is San Jose at 1-4). If the results were flipped (I know it’s a massive IF), but if they were and the Pens were 6-1 in shootouts, they’d be tied with the Rangers and 1 singular point outside of a playoff spot. The Penguins performance now is key for next year. Send Graves to the moon, the experiment is long over and he needs to be… Read more »
Overtime/shootouts have been a massive achilles heel for them the last couple of years. Literally just giving points away, and they never change it up.
Don’t forget all the meltdowns in third periods, which lead to overtimes and shootouts.
Do I care? For sure! They play hard and that is great for the future.
I cringe and usually let out an “oh, no” when we get to OT. If they can’t win OT and it goes to SO, I’m already racking up a SO loss
All our shooters prolly like that as well…because we are almost always at disadvantage in net…and they know because practice
When your goalie stops 2 out of 3 and not one of the first (supposedly the best) three gets a goal you are barking up the wrong tree. Instead of p;inning that on the goalie I would look at the lack of scoring on the shootout and ask why. I think the answer is that the skills of the Pens shooters has diminished from a few years ago.
See jarry’s SO save percentage..
Jarry ranks 45th in shootout save percentage (.444) league-wide. Damn defense!
If they hadn’t blown so many leads the past two years there would have been less need for shootouts. Just saying…
IF was so stiff, he fell over the cliff.
IF. To quote Don Cherry, ” IF my aunt had nuts she be my uncle”…
LOL…yup!
Maybe SJ can become partners once again and trade either Jarry or Ned to correct the goalie Log Jammer (Yes, that is a Kennywood reference). Maybe SJ is a destination for Ryan Graves as well. I’d say for next year if Brunicke and Pickering are ready, that could be a mid pair. Timmons on the right with Shea and Kolo as the 6/7 D-men. Then figure out what to do with EK65 and Letang – maybe top pair together ? ha-ha. But in all likelihood one will get traded and find a LD to complement the remaining player.
Jarry should play every game other than back to backs moving on. Still can’t understand what happened tbh. A 2 time all star suddenly forgets how to play hockey? Honestly once he gets to a team with some defensive structure, he’ll be fine. Was never a big fan of his, but something’s gotta give. All 3 goaltenders had bad numbers this season. Do they all suck? Nah, the team in front of them is the bigger problem. The Stars -and “leaders” refuse to buy in or simply can’t anymore.
I still think the Pens have more significant questions to answer than goaltending. We have plenty of choices and the cap space to carry them. Why has our defense stunk for several years? We have had different players and defense coaches. Out of 16+ different defenders, we can’t find 2 pair that can do the job. For some reason, good defenders are bad defenders when the Pens get them. We can’t have another season with Karlsson and Letang. One of them has to go. The Pens should have tons of cap space over the next 2 years. They should retain… Read more »
All good points but nothing will change til we gat a new coach. Sully cannot and will not change.
Simple fix for the SO problem. According to Teflon Mike, he’s addressed different approaches til he’s blue in the face, but the core don’t go with a new approach. Well then Teflon Mike should go with other players and not use Sid, Geno, and LeTang in SO. The team is not run as a meritocracy based on SO performance, it’s run with deference to the core. What BS!
Geno and Letang haven’t been taking them normally in a while. Last night it was Rackell, Sid and Rusty.
Dan, check out the Tampa Bay Brewing Co. in Centro Ybor for some good eats.
I got what I had hopped for last night, geno goal, sid points and jarry above 900. I do want the pens to win 82 games a year and the cup but that isn’t realistic and it’s too late for wins to matter this year so If jarry can finish above a 900 save percentage then maybe we can trade him. He would do better on a team that actually plays defense because he isn’t elite. We have alot of young goalie talent so dump jarry and let Ned back up one of the kids. Once jarry is gone we… Read more »
Vlady reminds me of Maatta
OMG. Go with speed and shoot top corner. Its not that hard. If stars wont do it let the 4th line guys take the SO. What have you got to lose? You might go to 1-7?
Nothing will change til we FIRE SULLY!
Wennberg (5 mill) & 3rd for Jarry (5 mill, 380k retained) and a 2nd. Throw in a mid-level prospect either way and it may get done. SJ needs to clear space at center, Pens need to clear space in goal. Seems like a good match.
Jarry ranks 45th in shootout save percentage (.444) league-wide. I blame the defense.
Amen
I do care. I want to see who’s all in. I want to see how the “core” performs through the final games and then be ready to make tough decisions. I want to see how likely players for next season fair. I want to confirm or reevaluate my views on the team’s character
Love that the team keeps fighting, and I’ll keep watching…even though I’ll groan at some of the performances.
Glad you’re finding the spots in-between and exploring America. We’ve got a beautiful and fascinating country, and people need to see it more, as well as interact with their fellow citizens more. Good on ya for getting after it!
**Imagine if the Penguins had five more points this season. We’d be having a different conversation, eh?- really? Soooo many other ways that they gave away points! Shootouts is the least of their concerns. How do you coach shootouts? Pointing out goaltenders tendencies? Weakness? Strengths? It’s individual component.
You tell them to go with speed and shoot the #$&@* puck.
This slow skating into the pad is just stupid!