Penguins Grades: Scoring Chances, but Big Mistakes & Sullivan’s Error
The Pittsburgh Penguins’ energy and effort were present. The details were sketchy. The resulting roller coaster ride of scoring chances, mistakes, and near misses resulted in a 7-4 New York Rangers win at PPG Paints Arena.
The Penguins were emotionally engaged, and the speed of their game was so dramatically greater that one would be forgiven if they had wondered if they were indeed watching the same club that appeared in Penguins sweaters over the last several games. Regardless of the descriptor of choice, the Penguins pushed the division-leading Rangers throughout the 60 minutes and for 200 feet.
Except that the Rangers are better and make far fewer mistakes.
“It’s a game of the mistakes. And unfortunately, we made a few more than they did,” said Penguins captain Sidney Crosby. “We had some good looks to get back into it or to get a lead when it was tied, but we didn’t (finish). They got two quick power play goals and changed the momentum a little bit. I thought we got it back in the third and just couldn’t convert.”
The Penguins have a terrible habit of shooting right through their holster into their foot. Or feet.
The Penguins pushed a little too hard, and the defensive responsibilities took a back seat in trying to score, even on the penalty kill. While the compete level was intense, the defensive coverage was not, and the Penguins’ unreliable defensemen had their lunch money taken a few times.
As the teams careened to the end of the second period, the Penguin’s energy remained. They scored a pretty power-play goal, and the fourth line, specifically Jeff Carter, again showed its offensive chops.
Yet it wasn’t enough, as a bad goal was followed by a bad penalty by Kris Letang and a penalty-killing mistake by Drew O’Connor and Lars Eller, who were behind the play but changed. The mistake allowed New York the space for a tic-tac-toe rush and power-play goal. It was the Rangers’ fifth goal and the dagger.
Those two Rangers goals were 65 seconds apart.
The Penguins didn’t yield the result, but nor could they climb from within yet another hole they dug.
“Obviously, the PK hurt us. They scored a couple of goals right in a row when we were tied. They probably got some momentum from that,” a dejected O’Connor said. “So I think maybe our details just weren’t good enough on that and a few other things throughout the game.”
Penguins Analysis
The number of odd-man rushes, especially in the first period, was abnormally high and probably made coach Mike Sullivan reach for the antacid. Yet the reason for the odd-man rushes should be noted.
The Penguins weren’t lazy or necessarily sloppy; they were trying too hard.
They pushed for headman passes and reached for offense. The resulting counterattacks put pressure on the Penguins’ defense as New York counters better than any team in the NHL. Every wayward pass or loose puck became a three-on-two, if not a two-on-one.
Putting pressure on Ryan Graves and Erik Karlsson to defend is not a good strategy. Perhaps keeping that pairing together was a worse strategy, as the results were too predictable.
The third period was more of the same. The Penguins pushed, and the Rangers scored.
Also, New York beautifully moves around the offensive zone with precision and ill intent. The Penguins were too happy to skate with New York on the rush and grind for pucks, which produced some success.
It was a bit of a shame, actually. The Penguins deserved a better result, but it was also their shortcomings that prevented it.
“I thought we worked hard, generated some good chances, but unfortunately gave up a few too many,” Crosby concluded. “But, you’ve got to turn the page and grab some points tomorrow (vs. the Detroit Red Wings). That’s got to be the mentality. You can’t get it all at once. So, each game, try to work and get points.”
What the Penguins did well:
They controlled pucks low, outmuscling New York defenders, and moved the puck between the dots for chances. The Penguins were a bounce or two away from scoring six, too.
The Penguins involved the defensemen in the play. John Ludvig suddenly looks like a new player. He and Marcus Pettersson surprised New York by activating. Ludvig scored his second goal in two games.
The Penguins played fast and with tenacity. Mistakes and poor defensive reads, especially by the pairing of Karlsson and Graves, hurt. Graves dropped to the ice far too early to defend too often and came up empty on a pair of Rangers goals.
Penguins Report Card
Team: B-
So much good undone. If the Penguins played with the same emotional engagement throughout the season, they would easily be a playoff team. They showed up for the Rangers, but their puzzle doesn’t fit together as well as New York. It was a roster construction problem on Saturday. The Penguins just have too many weak spots in vital positions.
Sullivan devised a solid game plan, and the Penguins showed that they could play with the Rangers. They also proved they can’t avoid fatal mistakes.
According to NaturalStatTrick.com, the Penguins had 15 scoring chances in the third period.
Performances to like:
Evgeni Malkin: He was visible and impactful. He was neither on the ice for a goal-for or goal-against, but it wasn’t for lack of chances.
Lars Eller: He played like it was a Game 7. Sullivan started Eller’s line, and Eller had about a half-dozen good looks at New York goalie Jonathan Quick and a power play goal. Eller had a (power play) breakaway and several one-timers from the scoring zones. Sullivan started Eller to matchup against Mika Zbinejad, and Eller won it convincingly, allowing only two shots on goal (but one was a goal).
Jeff Carter: He played as well as a fourth-line winger could play. The fourth line produced Ludvig’s goal with puck possession and traffic near the crease. Carter poked the puck behind New York defensemen on three occasions to create a breakaway and a pair of two-on-ones. He skated and pushed the play like he was 27 again.
John Ludvig: Perhaps the recall of Jack St. Ivany lit a fire, but he’s played a pair of strong games that should keep him in the lineup. He’s activating far more often and making a difference when he does.
Rickard Rakell: He skated harder than he’s skated in recent weeks. He had four shots, and they were good shots from the scoring zones rather than the mushy perimeter.
Reasons to Pound the Table
Coach Mike Sullivan: Graves and Karlsson don’t work. Haven’t worked. Probably won’t ever work. Graves is not an instinctual player or has not shown an ability to improvise and adapt to quickly changing surroundings. He is not good at defending the rush, either. Playing with Karlsson requires all of those skills. It’s more on Sullivan than Graves, who should know better by now.
Tristan Jarry: The only really soft goal he allowed was the fourth tally–the power play goal by Artemi Panarin. Jarry dropped the puck, and Chris Kreider kicked it away from him. K’Andre Miller’s goal–the Rangers’ sixth–was stoppable as it wasn’t deflected, though it floated through a maze of raised sticks. Jarry made a high number of very good saves, but to beat a better team, the goalie has to win the goalie battle. Jonathan Quick won the goalie battle on Sunday.
I’m not going to criticize Kris Letang for taking what became the deciding penalty. That was a cheap call unless Letang went nuclear with his disagreement. Even then, refs Chris Rooney and TJ Luxmore should have thicker skin. There was too much at stake for the Penguins. Let the boys play or, in this case, blow off an ounce of steam at a questionable call.
The game was crying out for a hero. Carter rose to the challenge. Crosby and Rakell peppered Quick. Malkin did his part, too. Reilly Smith wasn’t much of a factor.
Ryan Graves: He is just not fitting with this team, and even Marcus Pettersson had a rough day.
Bryan Rust put it simply regarding the Penguins job on Sunday vs Detroit.
“Just win.”
Categorized:Penguins Penguins Analysis
Graves should not even b on the ice let alone with Matador Karlsson!!!! What could Sully b possibly thinking.
And we’re probably only seeing Ludvig because Ruwhedel was traded. I can’t see St Ivany being any worse
I don’t like watching Graves either. And I dont watch as much as I used to, but for all players with over 800 5v5 minutes, Graves is 26th best in the entire league on the ice for 1.92 GA/60.
Clearly those stats are completely off. Graves is slow, tentative and timid. He’s a big guy that plays like he’s 4 feet tall. If he’s played 5 good games all year that’s a lot. He was a terrible signing and Sullivan’s stubbornness in continuing to play him in the top 4 let at all is mind boggling.
I agree, but, the stats are correct. I just found it interesting. Stats via NaturalStatTrick.com
This was another enjoyable game to watch even though the result was not what we had hoped for. I loved their tenacity. I, too, am tired of seeing Graves/Karlsson. In truth, before the game even started I thought he should’ve been eating nachos in favor of a St Ivany start. Graves has earned a healthy scratch.
Lousy officiating does not excuse the utter worthlessness of Letang arguing with them in that situation. Dumb. Dumb. Dumb.
Some of you Crack me up. No Graves shouldn’t be benched he should be let go. He is horrible. Jarry as predicted is not a great goalie let alone a good one. And Sullivan should have been let go last year. Come on people you know this is the truth, please quick excuse making. That doesn’t make you a better fan than me.
This isn’t the NFL. You can’t just let players go.
The season has now officially ended even as the games go on. Winning tomorrow does nothing to change. It’s time to move on…
Have to disagree with you Dan, 3 of the 6 Gs Jarry gave up were all on him. On the first G, Kakko’s G, Jarry lost sight of the puck – He doesn’t track pucks well and once again he was way out of position. He followed the puck at first wrapping around behind him on the dump in, going from his glove side to stick side, but mysteriously turned back to his glove side as the Rangers brought the puck up and out in front on his stick side, Vesey could have easily shot the puck in him self… Read more »
I’ll cede two goals. I think you’re going way too far saying that money would be better spent elsewhere. Would you prefer Joonas Korpisalo and his .880?
That is linear thinking, only worrying about goalie for goalie. The question you aren’t considering is how many more wins would the team have had with better scoring. Our Penguins rank 25th in the league in GF/60 – that stinks. Also, Korpisalo wasn’t the Penguins only option. Stolarz was a FA this off season as well and he has a 0.925% right now. Why have you limited your argument to Korpisalo? Stolarz signed for $1.1, that would have been a savings of $4.275 Million. That $4.275 Million could have bought better wingers to help Crosby and Malkin score goals. Furthermore… Read more »
Somebody tell Karlsson and Letang they are defenceman AND show them where to be and what to do when the other team has the puck.
Way too late for that, unfortunately. Neither has ever played real defense.
I aGree why are they not centers on the third and fourth lines.