5 Ways for the Pittsburgh Penguins to Shock the New York Rangers
Mar 29, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (87) waits to take a face-off against the San Jose Sharks during the first period at the CONSOL Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
To say that the end of the 2014-2015 NHL season was humbling for the Pittsburgh Penguins would be a laughable understatement.
A trip to the postseason, once viewed as an inevitability, was only secured in the 82nd game of the season with a 2-0 victory over the last-place Buffalo Sabres. The win finally stopped the bleeding of a five game losing streak, but the score line was deceptive as the Penguins truly struggled to overpower the abysmal Sabres.
Toss in a laundry list of injuries to the defensive corps, an amazing inability to thread pucks into the net, and a power play prone to giving up shorthanded goals, and not too many people are hopeful for Pittsburgh’s chances against the Presidents Trophy-winning New York Rangers.
But, hockey has a funny way of not always following the narrative we expect, especially when the playoffs roll around. While their prospects are not great, if the Penguins are able to have these five keys fall in their favor, they can turn these series expectations on their head and upset their formidable opponent.
May 13, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Marc-Andre Fleury (29) makes a save against New York Rangers defenseman Dan Girardi (5) during the second period in game seven of the second round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the CONSOL Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
1. Find The Weak Link
Considering that the Penguins have struggled mightily recently to put the puck in the net and the Rangers enter the playoffs with one of the league’s top-ranked defenses, it will be vital for the team to pinpoint a weakness in the Rangers’ blueline for exploitation.
The man who fits the bill would be Dan Girardi. Despite holding down his role as a first pairing defenseman, Girardi is above and away the weakest link in the Rangers defensive corps. Other than third pairing defenseman Chris Summers, nobody on the Rangers has been on the ice for as many 5-on-5 Corsi chances as Girardi. Additionally, only Summers has a greater disparity than Girardi between his Corsi-For and Corsi-Against. He has been forced to play among the most minutes on the squad and its toll is beginning to show on his performance.
If the Penguins can pressure Girardi and force him to make mistakes, they should be able to generate results on the scoreboard.
Sep 25, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Brian Dumoulin (8) shoots the puck against the Minnesota Wild during the second period at the CONSOL Energy Center. The Penguins won 3-2 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
2. Chorney And Dumoulin Step Up Under Pressure
Due to injuries and salary cap restrictions, the Penguins were forced to play with a smaller roster down the stretch. The playoffs, however, eliminate the salary cap, which has enabled the team to call up defensemen Brian Dumoulin and Scott Harrington.
While Harrington will serve primarily as a failsafe, Dumoulin will likely find himself reunited with his AHL defensive partner from earlier in the season, Taylor Chorney. In Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, Chorney and Dumoulin were among the strongest defensive pairings in the entire league. According to Saturday night’s broadcast against the Sabres by Root Sports, they only allowed five even-strength goals all season. They also helped the AHL squad allow the fewest goals of any team all season.
While it is unrealistic to expect these unexperienced defenders to enter the NHL playoffs and replicate this success against the regular season champions, it is feasible that a full-fledged defense with proven chemistry will go a long ways toward improving the Penguins’ chances.
It will be a trial by fire for these young defensemen, but if they can step up against the powerful Rangers offense and help eliminate the type of scoring chances that have felled the team over the past several weeks, it will be a major improvement.
Dec 12, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins head coach Mike Johnston (top) talks with defenseman Kris Letang (58) and right wing Craig Adams (27) during a time-out against the Calgary Flames during the third period at the CONSOL Energy Center. The Penguins won 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
3. Do Not Crumble In The Face Of Adversity
Before the team’s defeat to the New York Islanders in the 81st game of the regular season, an unnamed Penguin told Josh Yohe of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review that “when one little piece of adversity hits [the Penguins], we fall apart.”
Any spectator of the Penguins dismal April can verify that this observation was dead-on. When pressure started to mount against Pittsburgh in recent games, the team folded. The defense would make sloppy mistakes, the offense would make poor decisions with the puck and the opponent would steamroll the Pens with their momentum.
Given the strength of the Rangers squad, it would seem like a safe bet to assume that the Penguins will encounter some trying moments once the games begin. They are already a heavy underdog and if the Rangers get on the board quickly or rattle their cage a bit, it will be vital for the team to show fortitude.
This has not been a strong point for Pittsburgh, as the team has earned a reputation for being a bit weak on the ice. However, if they wish to have any chance at proving their critics wrong and pulling off an upset in the first round, they must sharpen focus and show the grit needed to make a deep postseason run.
Apr 11, 2015; Buffalo, NY, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins center Brandon Sutter (16) celebrates his first period goal against the Buffalo Sabres at First Niagara Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
4. Tighten Up The Power Play
At the beginning of the season, the Penguin power play looked unstoppable. Even at the season’s close, the unit was ranked 10th best in the NHL, which is not shabby. But this ranking does not tell the story of the season’s close. The team scored one power play goal on 13 chances, while also allowing two shorthanded goals.
In order to solve the Rangers masterful goaltender Henrik Lundqvist and push themselves past their opponent, it will be key for the power play to ignite during the postseason. With the skill sets of Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Patric Hornqvist, it is not hard to envision this unit producing.
However, the Penguins struggled to score against the Rangers during the regular season, even when they were hot, and have been miserable against even the worst teams they have faced recently. If they wish to advance in the playoffs and shake off the ice that formed over the past few weeks, the power plays’ ability to put the puck in the net will become a determining factor.
Mar 19, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (87) takes the ice to face the Dallas Stars at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
5. Play Every Game Like It Is The Last
There is no question that the odds are currently stacked against the Penguins. They made it into the playoffs by the skin of their teeth and have not convinced many that they are poised for a deep or meaningful run.
Playing as underdogs for the first time in many years may help to motivate the Pens. If the team is able to have short memories regarding the woes of the past few weeks and instead focus on upsetting their heavily favored division rival, they could turn in a compelling performance.
The Penguins have the talent to make the series a real contest. The Rangers are a highly skilled opponent, but if Pittsburgh is able to negotiate the games with savvy and confidence, they could pull of an unexpected upset. It will merely be up to those in the black and gold to decide how much they want to leave on the ice.