Martin says defensive mindset needs to change when protecting leads

Post-Practice Buzz

*I caught up with defenseman Paul Martin after practice and I asked Paul if he feels the Penguins mindset has to change, when it comes to protecting leads.

Martin agreed that the Penguins mindset needs to change but gave an interesting answer as to why the team is struggling to protect leads.

"Yeah, I think so, " Martin said when asked about the Penguins "mindset" needing to change.

"Part of that is I think we haven't been in that position {protecting leads} much this year. We've been coming from behind, getting down early and coming back. But, at the same time we can't make excuses, " Martin said.

"Defense is our attitude and hard work. You have to want to do the little things and have to do them right. Some of it's sacrificing, getting hit, taking a hit to make a play, chipping it out and doing what you have to do to seal a victory."

A hot topic of discussion surrounding the Penguins is their lack of structure under head coach Dan Bylsma, most notably their defensive system which has yielded the same results as last year despite the revamping of the Penguins blueline this season.

Pittsburgh ranked 20th in goals against in 2009-2010 and are currently 19th in goals against this year.

Could the issue be the Penguins system and not the personnel?

Martin talked about whether the Penguins system is the issue....