Pittsburgh Penguins Playing Like It’s 2009
With the Pittsburgh Penguins moving on to the Second Round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, let’s take a look at the similarities that link this team to the 2009 group that hoisted the Cup.
The Pittsburgh Penguins are moving on to the Second Round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs thanks to a victory over the New York Rangers in five games.
Now that we have some playoff stats, we can explore some shocking similarities between this team and that championship club from 2009. Just like Yogi Berra used to say, “It’s deja vu all over again”.
The Mid-Season Coaching Change
This relationship is clear. In February 2009, the Penguins were 27-25-5 and were outside of the playoff picture. They fired Michel Therrien, who led theme to the cup finals the year before, and brought in the team’s AHL Head Coach, Dan Bylsma.
Bylsma’s new playing style electrified the team, who finished 18-3-4 under his tutelage. The team charged into the playoffs and, as we all know, won the 2009 Stanley Cup.
Fast forward to December 2015. The Penguins are 15-10-3, inconsistent, and again trending out of the playoff hunt. This leads to the firing of second-year coach Mike Johnston. Again, the team hired their AHL head coach. This time it was Mike Sullivan.
Sullivan also lit a fire under the team with his fast-paced style. They were the NHL’s hottest team in the second half, finishing 33-16-5 under Sullivan and exhibiting a confidence we haven’t always seen in the Penguins.
The Wily Veteran
For the 2009 Stanley Cup team, the play and leadership of Bill Guerin was instrumental. Acquired in a trade from the New York Islanders mid-season, Guerin was the veteran leader and calming influence the team needed.
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Guerin put up good numbers during the 17 regular season games with Pittsburgh (5G-7A), but it was in the playoffs when he truly shined. The 38 year old became the team’s third highest scorer, behind only Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, with 7 goals and 8 assists.
The 2015-16 Penguins also have an ageless wonder on their roster. This time it is 39 year old Matt Cullen. The Pens inked a one-year, $800,000 contract and he has been the Pens’ greatest value.
Cullen’s speed has made him a nightmare for opponents. After a healthy 16 goals in the regular season, Cullen has been a key player in the playoffs as well. In five games, he has two goals and one assist, including a pivotal game winning goal in Game 3.
The Youth Production
The 2008-09 Penguins had a young, talented core of players. During the regular season, the team’s top scorers were Malkin, Crosby, and Jordan Staal, at 22, 21, and 20 years old, respectively.
That play continued on into the playoffs. Malkin and Crosby were the top two, with key contributions from Staal and a supporting cast of Kris Letang, Maxime Talbot, and Tyler Kennedy, all 24 years old or younger.
While the young guns in this year’s Penguins are not the core of the franchise, that does not mean they aren’t valuable contributors.
Defensemen Olli Maatta and Brian Dumoulin have been key movers and shakers during the regular season with Maatta compiling a +27 rating and Dumoulin a +11. And no on can ignore the huge contributions made by 21 year old Matt Murray, who has been phenomenal so far this postseason.
On the offensive side, Tom Kuhnhackl and Bryan Rust have added meaningful moments, including Rust’s three-point game to close out the Rangers series. Conor Sheary has been impressive as well, moving from the bottom six to his current position as Crosby’s left winger.
This season’s youth may not put up the numbers of young Malkin and Crosby, but their contribution as viable depth players makes the Penguins a more dangerous group than the top heavy teams of the past few years.
Next: Pittsburgh Penguins: Mike Sullivan vs. Dan Bylsma
This year’s Pittsburgh Penguins have a lot of potential. Their current situation also has many similarities to the team that won the 2009 Stanley Cup. An inspiring change of coach, an impressive veteran, and production from the team’s youth movement link these two clubs.
These similarities are interesting because they are all aspects of successful teams. It doesn’t mean this team will win the Stanley Cup, but it shows that the pieces are in place. It is a formula the Pens have followed to success once before. Hopefully they can do it again.