Penguins Grades: This Isn’t Working, Dubas Must Follow Through
SUNRISE, Fla — This just isn’t working for the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Even when they play well, as they did in a 3-1 loss to the Florida Panthers at Amerant Bank Arena, it hasn’t been enough.
There isn’t a need for a tactical breakdown or in-depth analysis of the singular game. Not now. It’s time for Penguins president of hockey operations/GM Kyle Dubas to follow through on his comments from earlier in the week.
On his team-hosted radio show, Dubas pointedly said the Florida trip would be a litmus test for his team. On the important three-game trip, the Penguins have scored just three goals. Three. They’ve lost all three (0-2-1), too.
The test that Dubas proffered has been returned, and they earned a big red F. There doesn’t seem to be a choice any longer.
Management can no longer cling to what “should be” but must fix “what is.”
It seems the Penguins’ off-season acquisitions are struggling to fit or struggling to make an impact. The Penguins’ core is struggling to score goals. And the power play with four future Hall of Famers and an All-Star has been so bad that it would be a compliment to call it impotent.
This wasn’t the plan.
None of this is working. As they plummet to next-to-last in the Metro Division–only the hapless Columbus Blue Jackets are worse–the problems outnumber the positives.
Perhaps a frustrating part for many is that there is not one scapegoat. Fans can’t hang the malaise on Jack Johnson, Mikael Granlund, or Jeff Carter. Heck, Jeff Carter has elevated his game since being reinserted into the lineup two weeks ago.
“I think (Carter) has (played better),” Sullivan said. “He’s been better the last little while here … I think he’s played a lot better since we’ve reinserted him in the lineup.”
He really has.
Penguins goalies have been a saving grace. Three-time Norris Trophy-winning defenseman Erik Karlsson has 19 points in 25 games. Kris Letang has played some of the best defense of his career, and Marcus Pettersson certainly has done the same.
Sidney Crosby and Jake Guentzel lead the league in even strength points.
Based on the above and the advanced analytics, the Penguins should be comfortably in the playoff picture. Based on watching the games, the Penguins too often appear to be what they are–near last place.
After losing to the Philadelphia Flyers 4-3 in a shootout at PPG Paints Arena, the Penguins lost to the Flyers at the Wells Fargo Center 2-1 in OT, laid down for a 3-1 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning at Amalie Arena, and fought to no avail in a 3-1 loss to the Florida Panthers.
The team is 3-4-3 in their last 10 games, and there are now four pretty good teams between them and a playoff spot. The Carolina Hurricanes hold the second wild card spot. The Tampa Bay Lightning, New Jersey Devils, and Washington Capitals are ahead of the Penguins, whose winning percentage is just .481.
They are below .500 26 games into the season.
No one will say it’s good enough. And try as the current group of players might, they don’t seem to be able to do anything about it.
“I thought we generated some good chances, and If I put that (third-period scoring chance) in, it is probably 2-2, a different game,” said Crosby. “So we’ve just got to find a way to get a lead.”
Trailing 2-1, the power play once again had a chance to make a difference late in the third period but fecklessly wasted another two minutes before Sasha Barkov popped the empty netter.
Players have not criticized the power play scheme, but at least one indicated it lacks direction.
Karlsson is struggling to command the power play. Perhaps so are Sullivan and associate coach Todd Reirden. Karlsson’s blunt assessment from weeks ago still holds, “Someone needs to take charge.”
Evgeni Malkin’s offensive pace has slowed to a crawl. Linemate Reilly Smith scored the lone Penguins goal against Florida, but it was his first scoring two on Nov. 4.
The third line and its various iterations have struggled to contribute offense. Radim Zohorna was a healthy scratch Friday in Florida in favor of 27-year-old journeyman Marc Johnstone, who made his NHL debut.
The fourth line is in shambles with injuries to Matt Nieto and Noel Acciari, though it was not setting the world on fire before both hit the injured lists.
Defenseman Ryan Graves is fighting himself in the Penguins system, and there seem to be no signs of those struggles abating. The third pairing isn’t so bad, as Ryan Shea and John Ludvig performed well in their roles, but their names infrequently appear on the score sheets.
Some of the new players aren’t necessarily fitting in, the power play is directionless, some of the stars are struggling to score, and the depth is letting them down. The team is trying, at least on most nights, but they can’t find “it.”
Good teams find ways to win games. Bad teams lose games.
Dubas laid down the gauntlet. Now, he must follow through.
Pittsburgh Penguins Report Card
Team: B-
They played hard, and they played well enough to win. But results matter. There was a loose puck near the net in the second period. A rising shot through traffic caught goalie Tristan Jarry awkwardly, and the puck was just outside the crease. No one tied up, blocked or stopped Eetu Luostarinen, who knocked the puck into the net for the winner.
The Panthers’ first goal was a similar story. No one tied up Anton Lundell, who knocked the puck away from Jarry, and no one saw the crashing defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson.
Guentzel had a breakaway. Crosby furiously pushed throughout the game but couldn’t get one of his several high-danger chances past Sergei Bobrovsky.
Tristan Jarry: A
A goalie is only as good as the team in front of him, and the Penguins left their goalie exposed on two crucial plays. Jarry was otherwise fantastic.
The New Guys: Good on Them
“I thought they competed hard,” Sullivan said. “They’re honest players. They play hard. They compete hard. I thought they gave us what they had.”
If you’re asking Marc Johnstone, Valtteri Puustinen, and Jonathan Gruden to save the ship, you’re really in trouble. The three were recalled Friday, and all were in the lineup. Puustinen made an impact and was an upgrade.
Johnstone will forever have the memory of his first NHL game.
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This is a system failure. The team is not jelling and doesnt have confidence to score. They have become puck shy. The PP coach needs to go. The coach doent have solutions. Malkin is a shadow. They need to play one game at a time and focus on basics and puck possesion.
So what’s the plan here? Trade for a couple of guys that will result in nothing or fix the real problem on the bench? Because we keep changing players, but the result is always the same. Time to change the way the players play. A complete clean of the coaching staff is a must if we want to try to salvage anything out of this season.
Mid season changes? Do you really think this team will be over .500 with a revamped coaching staff? Our top 6 is not as great as it was once. Geno looks uninterested most times. There is absolutely no physicality that separates man from puck. New voice and new direction needed. REBUILD.
M. Johnston was let go in Dec 2015 and replaced by M. Sullivan (who was initially only interim head coach) the Pens went on to win a Stanley Cup that year (15-16). In Dec 18/Jan 19 I believe the Blues were sitting in last place and went on to win the Cup that year (they also had a head coaching change but believe it was earlier in the season). Dubas should be be looking at all realistic options and I imagine there will be tough decisions/conversations to be had w/ personnel. I have no doubt if Sullivan is let go… Read more »
Couldn’t have said it any better. Owners and upper management, I mean off-the-ice people, must make a clean change on the ice managers, coaches, and assistants for this team which needs A NEW WAY TO COACH AND DIFFERENT PLAY SYSTEMS
Saying someone needs to take charge when making millions of dollars sounds like a I am only here for money. If yo Are a future hofer then take charge. Except for Sid this team and the other black and gold team are all full of crap and should be ashamed of wearing these uniforms. If you don’t want to be here the get the hell out.
To me, it sounds like someone who might like to take charge but can’t…?
I think Dubas will blow it up. Calling up the young guys is just to get a full sense of the organization’s player resources. This will help him craft the way ahead including trades AND coaching changes. It’s not about scapegoating but building an organization that WILL succeed. The one thing that everybody can agree on in the Penguins world is that change is necessary. if I’m at the top of the management team I see no cause for hope that either the players or the systems are going to produce the desired results.
It’s long past time to blow it up and I commend Dubas for his patience this far. It’s time to have the difficult conversation with some players (looking at you 71). The 3rd and 4th liners just haven’t panned out. Injuries certainly limit what GMKD can do until they start getting healthy but I see change coming. I wouldn’t be surprised if the coaching staff gets axed and Rakell and most of the bottom 6 get traded. Maybe even Rust and/or Guentzel. It’s time to stop appeasing the aging 3, thank them for what they’ve done and look to the… Read more »
Rakell is a good player! Does everyone forget how he and Crosby played together when he first came? Then Malkin took him and just let him die – would only play with Smith. Malkin Soooo needs to go! Do the coaching staff never watch him on the ice – in all situations? And Guentzel is definitely a keeper! Sid gives his whole heart every night in every area of the game. Sure, he makes the odd mistake, who doesn’t? But he is still the face of the team and there is no better !!!
Stepping back and taking a reasonable look at moveable parts, what are the options? I suppose this is also an interesting test of Dubas. If changes are necessary, can he detach himself from his summer moves and trade some of them? Does he look to move Rackell for a forward with a similar contract but more physicality? Does he move Graves who has a legit NHL resume and is a player in his prime on a reasonable contract but is struggling mightily? Guentzel going out would be a potential rental to a contender and yield better young players in return,… Read more »
you think sid will allow that to happen. guentzel isnt going anywhere.
We shall see. If the team doesn’t course correct and get back in the playoff picture, he’s probably their best trade chip.
Agreed. And 59 would be their biggest asset to move too. Heh, go figure.
Sid isn’t going to be hear forever. The fans will.
It’s time to not listen to Sid or Malkin or Letang. I hope that Sid will retire a Penguin, but if the Pens can get some great young talent near the trade deadline for any others it is the right move for all parties.
The Penguins appear to have no system of play and shape, they are structureless on the ice and so in their minds: chaos. Back to basics, triangles, short quick passes, slow down their own game and keep that pace regardless of the speed and pace of the opponent; discipline. triangles; point forward, or point back or east and west. Play within themselves. keep skates moving, no stopping and no stretch passes. You’ve got to have control of the puck to score in order to win ( really, they don’t know this? ) Anything less than structure and discipline is just… Read more »
Totally agree on back to basics. Often I notice some veteran players too far out of position, geez this isn’t minor hockey. Seeing two guys in the same spot for breakouts (example) is maddening.
Who would’ve thought Pens played better with Petry,Ganlund and Kapanan. Hex must be laughing his a$$ off.
That’s why I don’t like or believe analytics. I said before season there to old. Karlsson contract is an albatross. It’s the definition of insanity. Doing same things past 4-5 years expecting different results
How many playoff games or series did this soft, old team win? This worthless coaching staff. It’s time Crosby finds out maybe 4 yrs to late, he has no control over team. Go play. Bring in a real Coach! Someone that will let these arrogant players know how to play. How about Gerard Gallant ! Like Tocchet, let them know who’s the boss.
Sutter.
Also I didn’t like when the hired Dubas he relies on analytics to much, I’ve felt along like the tsn analyst said
As Steigerwald was quick to point out afterward, the latest loss boiled down to goaltending. Bob was clutch, Jarry was not. The game-winning goal was scored off a juicy rebound after Eller lost a face-off and Letang failed to box out in front of the net. This kind of thing happens a lot here.
Here, I must agree with you. As good as Jarry has been, he’s not without blame here, no matter what anyone says. We all have eyes.
I disagree. I was one to think they should have let Jarry walk in the offseason, but currently the Jarry/Ned combo (Hellburg has been good too) has won games and kept them alive when their defensive deficiencies have let untold number of breakaways, 2 on 1’s, 3 on 1’s, etc. The 3 constants of this team have been goaltending, PK & Crosby’s line. All players make errors, but you cannot lay last night’s loss on Jarry. The Penguins are built to score 4,5,6 goals a game, but that’s not happening. When they don’t play a structured game they will not… Read more »
Bobrovsky was clearly the better goaltender in a game that his team was outplayed much of the way.
If you look strictly at save % or by the simple fact that one gave up one goal, the other two goals – then yes Bob beat Jarry. The puck luck has not been on the Pens’ side this season. If the Pens get a dirty goal on a rebound that Bob gave up, which were plentiful, then it’s a different game. However, it’s not just a goaltending match. I ask, how many odd man breaks did Bob have to stop on the Panthers powerplay? If you swapped Jarry for Bob last night, the Pens lose by 4 or 5.… Read more »
Bob is a better goalie than Jarry, and it’s not that close, really. Dude helped carry his team to the SCF last season, remember? Jarry has never won a playoff series in eight seasons.
The Pens used to be built for high scoring games. Age has caught up to them, but they still want to play the style that no longer works for them. Sullivan is also uninterested in changing.
To clarify, Jarry dropped the ball, in this case the puck, on the second goal. It was a mistake, so what? Every goalie makes mistakes. There was nobody around to clear on that or the first goal. Why can’t we say he dropped it? I mean, he did. He’s not to blame for the loss, just wasn’t without blame. I don’t really understand what’s so hard to accept and why everybody feels the need to defend him as if he was the only one that made a mistake?
This team is 2-7 on one-goal games. A lot of that has to do with the ability of the goaltenders to make key saves at key moments.
Bob gave up multiple juicy rebounds. Difference is that the pens don’t go to the net and other teams actually clear people from the net/cover their assignments in the defensive zone. But yeah sure the goalies should definitely get a shut out every game so the high powered offense can score 1 goal and they can win 1-0 every game. Seems like many fans think this is how it should be…. Good luck with that in todays league that is geared towards offense…. It’s insanity for anyone to think they can win with any goalie while giving up multiple breakaways… Read more »
Don’t bother trying to reason with these people. For some reason, there are penguins fans who always think the backup goaltender is better than the starter. We had Barrasso, they wanted Wregget. We had Fleury, and they wanted Murray, or anyone else. What do Barrasso and Fleury have in common? One is in the hall of fame and the other will be there shortly after he retires. Fact is, it wouldn’t matter who was in net for the penguins right now. It’s almost as if this team is afraid to shoot and score goals. But yeah, blame the goaltender all… Read more »
Goaltending has been very very good thus far.
It’s not how many saves you make but when you make them. This team has not been good in close games, and the goaltender is a primary reason for it.
Correct, also Jarry didn’t score any goals. What a bum 🙄
Agree and agree.
the penguins players are not only old, they are ancient. average age is 31.6. next closest is 29.5. old guys don’t win hockey games. no shame it that. don’t over think this.
That’s precisely why you don’t bring back Malkin and Letang on longterm deals. This isn’t a hockey team as much as it is a dinosaur exhibit.
I agree about Malkin, but like they are saying, Letang is playing his best defensive hockey.
We do need a player or two that will be a pest down low, get in the goalies face. Garbage goals count just the same as highlight reel goals. We don’t need to make any major moves to accomplish this.
The other fix would be a coaching staff overhaul. I like Sully but his time at the helm has come to an end. Maybe sully and Tomlin can split a uhaul to clear out their offices. I’m tired of sub par Pittsburgh teams.