FanSiders Debate: How Do You Fix The Pittsburgh Penguins Powerplay

We’re starting up a new series of debating with a fellow FanSider about a topic pertaining to the Pittsburgh Penguins. This week I debate with City Of Champions (All Pittsburgh Sports) Editor Matt Gajtka about how the Pittsburgh Penguins can fix their abysmal powerplay. You can follow Matt on Twitter right here and be sure to check out City Of Champions for everything relating to Pittsburgh sports.

Matt Gajtka is going to start us off this week:

What did you think about the split units that Mike Johnston and Rick Tocchet went with Sunday at Chicago? I think the idea has promise, especially if it inspires the “shot mentality” that Johnston continues to preach after most games.

With another fivesome ready to jump over the boards at the first whistle, maybe this setup will make the guys on the ice show a little more urgency in getting the puck to the net, an aspect which has been lacking from their power play for month.

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MP:

Personally I don’t like splitting up the units, I know that splitting them gives them two viable options but there is a combination I’ve been dying to see all year. Evgeni Malkin – Sidney Crosby – Patric Hornqvist with Kris Letang working the left point and Derrick Pouliot at the right.

I’ve always thought this would be the best combination but we have yet to see it. I do think the shot mentality needs be reinforced because at times the Pittsburgh Penguins pass the puck too much looking for the “highlight reel” goal and that contributes to their powerplay woes.

I’m more than willing to wait and see on the split units, I actually wrote about that earlier this year and people really seemed to disagree but we’ll see how it goes.

MG:

I suppose if you’re going to experiment, the time to do so is now. At the same time, I would imagine that a few weeks of continuity would be advantageous once we get closer to mid-April.

What do you think about the placement of Crosby and Malkin on the power play? Should one be given free reign at the right circle, where both seem to gravitate? I wouldn’t mind seeing Crosby on the left side, since he is rarely a threat to shoot the one-timer, and Malkin on the right.

Either way, I’m eager to see how having two defensemen out there works out. Letang and Pouliot seem like they have the potential to make some real offensive magic at the points, and since they’re opposite in terms of handedness, they each could fire the one-timer easily.

Feb 17, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Derrick Pouliot (51) handles the puck against the Washington Capitals during the second period at the CONSOL Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

MP:

Exactly, coach MJ should try out as many combinations as needed now to ensure the powerplay is effective come playoff time. Hopefully by the end of the season the Pens can fix their powerplay and gain some momentum going into the playoffs.

The two headed attack also hasn’t seemed that effective. Mike Johnston should potentially try and revive the initial unit of Kunitz-Crosby-Hornqvist with Letang and Malkin working the point.

I mean realistically, the flow of the game dictates their placement for the most part. However, with that being said if the “two-headed monster” comes back I’d like to see Crosby down low on the left with Malkin on the right. In theory that would prevent the opposing PK to focus on one side. Do you think Kunitz still has a spot on the powerplay? People have been very critical of his play overall and think he is slowing down dramatically.

I really like that combination of Letang/Pouliot on the powerplay and during 4 on 4 play they should be the top pair then. What do you think about the second pairing on the powerplay? I haven’t been impressed with Ehrhoff but I don’t see a better option. Second pair of Despres and Ehrhoff? (Upon Ehrhoff’s return)

MG:

I’ve always been an advocate for having Crosby and Malkin on opposite sides of the ice. I seem to recall Malkin being quite good on the left side earlier in his NHL career, when he and Sergei Gonchar would play catch out by the blue line. The problem is that Malkin’s one-timer is superior to Crosby’s, and being on the left side would limit that.

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As far as Kunitz goes, I think his time as a top-six forward and a power-play performer is over. It was bound to happen at some point, especially considering how much of a beating he’s taken over the course of his pro career. The guy never used to shy away from contact, but now he is much more of a perimeter player and is less effective as a result.

I think Paul Martin has to be an option on the power play, even on the first unit if Pouliot doesn’t work out. He excels at keeping the puck in the zone and I think he has a natural “quarterback” instinct that is ideal when you have a power play that features multiple options.

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