Pittsburgh Penguins: Improving the Power Play for 2015-16
Oct 30, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins left wing Chris Kunitz (middle) scores a power play goal past Boston Bruins goalie Tuukka Rask (right) as Bruins defenseman Johnny Boychuk (55) arrives late on the play during the second period at the CONSOL Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
The Pittsburgh Penguins finished the season with a 19.3% success rate on their power play, which was tied for the 8th best in the NHL with Vancouver and New Jersey. This number may seem fine on the surface, but it can be deceiving.
The Pens started out the season on fire on the power play, clicking at around a 45% success rate in November. If it were not for this outrageously good start, the season power play percentage would be a lot lower and likely prompt there to be more discussion as to what went wrong.
Even though a power play operating at a 45% rate is impossible to sustain, the Penguins power play fell off a cliff as the season progressed. It got so bad that Rick Tocchet and Mike Johnson actually split up Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin on their own power play unit.
Sorry, but this is just not good coaching or strategy. Crosby, Malkin and Kris Letang all have to be on ice together, being some of the most talented and premiere offensive players in the NHL. Given that power plays per game last year were the lowest they have been in recent memory, it is critical that the Penguins make the most of their power play chances. It is the coach’s job to devise a strategy to make it work.
Here is how the Pittsburgh Penguins can improve their power play next season.
Apr 1, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Derrick Pouliot (51) celebrates with center Sidney Crosby (87) after Crosby scored his 300th career NHL goal against the Philadelphia Flyers during the first period at the CONSOL Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Power Play Personnel
Let’s start with the basics. The Pittsburgh Penguins coaching staff needs to get the right personnel together and not split up their world class talent like I alluded to on the previous page.
To me, this group has to be Crosby, Malkin, Letang, Patric Hornqvist and Derrick Pouliot.
Some may be surprised that I advocate for Pouliot on the top power play unit, but he has been a power play quarterback all his life. The Penguins have not had a true power play quarter back that can dish the puck since Sergei Gonchar, and Pouliot might be ready to step into that role. Especially if he can keep making plays like this:
Also, how many times over the years have we seen Kris Letang make poor decisions and turn the puck over? In my opinion, this responsibility needs to be taken out of his hands and given to someone who is more comfortable. Letang is a good trigger man from the left point with the man-advantage, but Pouliot has the calmness, confidence, and vision to be the main puck distributor.
Mar 29, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins center Evgeni Malkin (71) skates with the puck around San Jose Sharks right wing Ben Smith (21) during the first period at the CONSOL Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Get Malkin off the point
The Pittsburgh Penguins gave up 11 short handed goals this past season, which was the second most in the NHL. It is not a coincidence that the Penguins used 4 forwards in their power play formation, usually with Malkin on the point. Having Pouliot on the point would give them 2 defensemen without sacrificing any offensive capability.
Also, if you want the Penguins to use 4 forwards on their power play, who would you pick? Chris Kunitz? Nah. David Perron? Maybe, but it would still cause the Penguins to be susceptible to short handed goals like they were last season. There really is no other forward that is currently on the Penguins roster that could possibly make the power play better than it was last season. With Pouliot, it at least has a chance to improve.
In addition to protecting against short handed goals, it would allow Malkin to play the half wall and be the booming left-handed shot from the right circle that the Pens so desperately need. He has too much talent and too good of a shot to be on the point as a power play quarterback.
Feb 7, 2015; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks goaltender Ryan Miller (30) and defenseman Alexander Edler (23) defend against Pittsburgh Penguins forward Patric Hornqvist (72) during the third period at Rogers Arena. The Vancouver Canucks won 5-0. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports
Power Play Scheme
Having the right power play formation is probably almost as critical as having the right personnel on the ice. To me, the Penguins should be using an umbrella formation for their power play.
For those unfamiliar with the setup, this video does a great job of explaining it:
In this formation, Pouliot would be at the point (circle labeled RL in the video) where he would quarterback the power play. From that position, he could shoot, pass to the half wall or look for a tip from Hornqvist in front of the net.
Malkin and Letang would be at the half walls taking advantage of their left and right handed shots, respectively. Those are key positions on the power play and would take advantage of their ability to pass the puck as well. When you have players that are capable of shooting or dishing as well as 71 and 58 it keeps the penalty kill honest and reduces pinching in order to create shorthanded chances.
There are a lot of opinions for Malkin, Letang and Pouliot to choose from which could make for a dangerous combination given the creativity these guys have with the puck.
Around the net, Sidney Crosby and Hornqvist need to be extremely active battling for pucks and making life hard for the goaltender. We all know what Hornqvist can do around the net, but what about Crosby?
Mar 24, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; St. Louis Blues goalie Jake Allen (34) makes a save against Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (87) during the second period at the CONSOL Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Paging Sidney Crosby
It is a mystery why Crosby is not as active as he needs to be on the power play. And we can only speculate why that is. Is it because he is hesitant because of his history of concussions? We don’t know for sure.
If you think back to 2009 when the Pittsburgh Penguins won the Stanley Cup, you’ll likely remember number 87 playing below the goal line and then reeking havoc in the blue paint. Sid seems to lack that aggressiveness these days.
It’s simple, he needs to find it again. How many times have we maddeningly seen Crosby just stand in the corner after making a pass and not be involved in the play? This needs to change, because with an active and involved 87, this power play would be tough to contain.
Feb 4, 2015; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Pittsburgh Penguins Center Sidney Crosby (87) takes a shot on goal against the Edmonton Oilers in the first period at Rexall Place. Mandatory Credit: Chris LaFrance-USA TODAY Sports
SHOOT THE PUCK!!
Simply put, the Pittsburgh Penguins need to shoot the puck more and spend less time looking for the perfect play. Last season, they moved the puck on the power play really well and looked slick and fancy, but this isn’t a beauty pageant and you don’t get style points in this league.
Is it because this power play is so star studded that they defer to each other too much and want to spread the wealth around? It is tough to explain why there is almost a stubborn refusal to shoot. When you have hands like Crosby’s around the crease, as well as a net-front presence like Hornqvist, your main objective should be opening lanes and getting shots into traffic.
As the Penguins showed early last season, they can have an elite power play. Some minor changes in personnel and philosophy that should be implemented can go a long way in their overall success next season. It will also be interesting to see who they had in free agency or a trade that might reshape how the power play looks. With the NHL draft being held this weekend and free agency starting next Wednesday, we are likely to see some moves starting to be made by Jim Rutherford sooner rather than later.
Next: Trade Ramblings - Discussing Kessel, Oshie, and More