Even with a victory in Game 1, the Pittsburgh Penguins need to make adjustments if they want to take Game 2
To take a quote from the movie Unforgiven, “Deserve’s got nothing to do with it.” The Pittsburgh Penguins were very fortunate to take Game 1 against Nashville in the Stanley Cup Final. If they are to win Game 2 and keep home ice advantage in the series, they must improve. Let’s take a look at a few key adjustments head coach Mike Sullivan and the team needs to make.
Pittsburgh Penguins
Better zone entrances
It was tough sledding through the neutral zone for the Pittsburgh Penguins most of the night. On several occasions, the Pens defensemen would choose to flip the puck down ice and try to break through the Nashville defense that way, but the Predators were having none of it.
That kind of play was working against the Ottawa Senators, but Nashville has too many fast players for that to work against them. The Predators were fast to recover pucks and aggressive on the forecheck. The Penguins need to work on their entries into the offensive zone for Game 2.
Be more disciplined
We stated in the last series that the officiating is going to be inconsistent for both sides and that the Pens will have to fight through it. Well they can’t be going to the box for stupid things. After not getting burned on the first penalty kill, the Predators made them pay on the second one. That was due to Ian Cole taking a dumb penalty for roughing when he took a few jabs at Calle Jarnkrok’s face for no reason.
The Predators powerplay was 2 for 3 on the game. Their strength is their defensemen and they can be lethal from the point, as evidenced in Game 1. Pittsburgh must stay out of the box and keep giving Nashville free chances.
Shoot the puck more
From Nick Bonino’s goal in the first period that made it 3-0 to Jake Guentzel’s goal in the third period to break the tie, the Penguins did not register a shot on goal. That was over 37 minutes of ice time without a shot on net.
The Penguins finished with 12 shots total all game, fewest shots ever for a Stanley Cup final game winner. Just another stat that’s amazing considering the outcome. They seemed content to sit back after they got the three goal lead and hunker down in a defensive shell. At times, that wasn’t working (see Nashville’s third goal with Trevor Daley and Olli Maatta standing around watching).
It’s stating the obvious, but the Penguins must shoot the puck more. Pekka Rinne has been the best goalie in these playoffs so maybe he was lulled to sleep during Game 1. Don’t expect a repeat performance from him so the Pens must create more opportunities.