Pittsburgh Penguins: Improving the Power Play for 2015-16
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.
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