Pittsburgh Penguins Three Stars of the Week
Last week was far from a banner week for the Pittsburgh Penguins. After starting things out with a 7-2 victory over the Minnesota Wild, the Penguins looked towards two games against Metropolitan divisional opponents. The results of the games against the New York Islanders and New York Rangers didn’t provide many positive highlights.
The Penguins jumped ahead 2-0 over the Islanders, but ended up squandering a pair of leads in their loss on Long Island. On Sunday, the Penguins failed to execute at the start of the game and that effort against the Rangers left them with only two out of six possible points for week.
The Penguins will play a set of back-to-back games before entering into the All-Star Break. They’ll travel to Philadelphia this evening and return home to face the Chicago Blackhawks on Wednesday night.
Here are your three stars from last week.
3. The Power Play
(87) and Pittsburgh Penguins left wing
Chris Kunitz(14) during the first period at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports” width=”300″ height=”200″ /> Jan 16, 2015; Uniondale, NY, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins left wing David Perron (39) celebrates his goal against the New York Islanders with Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (87) and Pittsburgh Penguins left wing Chris Kunitz (14) during the first period at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
We all remember the Pittsburgh Penguins power-play during the first month of the season. Every time they were given an opportunity on the man-advantage it seemed as if the puck ended up into the back of the opponent’s net. It cooled off significantly once the Penguins were hit with the injury bug and it took a while to regain any consistency.
With the addition of David Perron to the roster, it seems as if the Penguins have reestablished their prowess when the opposition is forced to play a man down. The Pens not only converted on four of seven power-play opportunities last week, they are beginning to do so at key moments in games.
On Tuesday against the Wild, Chris Kunitz gave the Penguins their two goal lead back a little over a minute after Minnesota pulled within one. The Pens jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead against the Islanders on Friday after Sidney Crosby and David Perron converted on the only two opportunities of the game. Of course the Penguins would go on to lose, but it was at no fault of the power-play. Even on Sunday, after the Penguins found themselves trailing by two goals, Crosby finished off a feed from Perron to pull within one tally, but the Pens failed miserably in other areas.
Going forward the Pens are going to have to consistently convert at big moments in games and hopefully this trend continues.
2. Sidney Crosby
Jan 13, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (87). Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
His counterpart, Evgeni Malkin, is having a MVP caliber season, but Sidney Crosby has turned it on over the past week.
Crosby scored three goals while picking up seven points in three games last week. After getting the monkey off his back last Saturday against the Canadiens, we could see one of these famous Crosby stretches where he catapults in front of everyone else chasing a scoring title.
By the way, Sid finds himself only four back of Philadelphia Flyers Jakub Voracek.
1. David Perron
Jan 3, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins left wing David Perron (39). Mandatory Credit: Matthew O
Sending a first round pick to the Edmonton Oilers is looking like a brilliant move by General Manager Jim Rutherford.
Especially after last week where Perron scored four times and added two assists over three games. Not only is he finding his name on the scoresheet, Perron is providing a much different and needed look on the power play because of his right-hand shot.
Whether he lines up on the left point, or along the left half-wall, Perron will be able to accept a pass for a one-timed shot on goal like he did Friday night on Long Island. Alternatively, he will be able to find a player on the weak-side like he did on Sunday’s against the Rangers.
Dishonorable Mentions
Jan 16, 2015; Uniondale, NY, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins right wing
Steve Downie(23) wants a penalty called against the New York Islanders as he yells at linesman Derek Nansen (70) during the third period at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. The Islanders defeated the Penguins 6-3. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Steve Downie– On Friday night against the Islanders, Downie was denied a late scoring opportunity when his stick was slashed and broken. No penalty was called and he went nuts, as only Downie can do. With the Penguins trailing by only a goal, Downie slashed Brock Nelson behind the play and gave the Islanders a power play. They capitalized and sent the Penguins packing. Imagine this scenario during a game six of the playoffs.
Puck Management– It’s been awful, especially in the neutral zone. The premise of the Penguins system is to have puck support that enables the easy play. It hasn’t been working and the Pens are forcing a lot of their passes. Even more concerning is that Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby are two of the main culprits.
Metropolitan Division Woes– 6-8-3 against their own division. That’s a scary number being that the first two rounds will likely feature divisional opponents.
Play of the Week
Perron to Crosby on the power-play.