LATEST PENGUINS BUZZ
The Penguins in Thursday’s 5-2 win over the Red Wings fell into another situation of chasing the game by falling down 2-0 in the first period and were lucky it was only 2-0 after twenty minutes.
What’s been obvious all season is the power play can hide a lot of issues for this club and where games can turn in a positive matter for this team is special teams and it wasn’t just the two second period power play goals that fueled Thursday’s win.
The key turning point in the game was the Penguins killing off two bad Kris Letang penalties early in the second period, a retaliatory slashing penalty at 2:35 of the second, minutes after the Penguins got back into the game on Patric Hornqvist’s power play goal, and then another Letang penalty at 8:28 of the period with the Penguins still trailing 2-1.
Those were two huge penalty kills by the Penguins as a fragile Detroit team that has lost seven of nine had every opportunity to swing the game by in their favor.
A 1:16 after the Penguins killed off Letang’s second penalty of the period, Letang scores a beautiful power play goal to tie the game at 2-2 and then it was the Malkin and Crosby show in the third.
Was Thursday’s win a signature one like the telecast was saying?
That’s a phrase way over-used after impressive wins in the fashion the Penguins won vs Detroit in scoring five unanswered goals, will have many react into believing it might become one.
Put together an impressive win tonight vs an Islanders team that caused Penguin fits last season, exposed Mike Johnston’s system, and split with the Blackhawks, then maybe the Penguins start truly turning this around and Thursday’s win turns into a signature one when we look back four to six weeks from now.
The Penguins have some positives to start being intrigued. The power play is playing with great confidence and it starts with Sidney Crosby, and the way the Penguins are pushing the pace on the attack continues to be a promising sign.
There obviously has to still be a pause with this group due to the constant inconsistencies. The schedule turns brutal this month and we’re going to find out if the coaching change ends up having a significant impact or not in the Penguins being able to turn the improved shot totals and possession numbers into results.
In nine games under Mike Sullivan, the Penguins have collected seven out of a possible 18 points. The local analytics crowd seem ready to crown the Penguins Stanley Cup Champions based on the improved advance stats under Sullivan.
In the past evaluating the Penguins was not always about wins and losses but whether they truly had the look of a Stanley Cup contender by playoff time.
Sullivan looks to be putting the right foundation in place on how the Penguins should play but now it’s all about results (wins and losses) from here on out. Huge month coming up starting tonight with the Islanders followed by a home and home with the Blackhawks.
MORNING SKATE BUZZ
— Marc Andre Fleury is back for the Penguins tonight and will start in goal. The Penguins went 3-4-1 without Fleury and except for the debacle vs the Bruins on Dec 18, goaltending was not the issue. Despite Matthew Murray showing he’s ready to play in the NHL, there was no consideration to keeping the 21 year old up.
— Ian Cole will play after being banged up vs the Red Wings.
— Isles top pairing defenseman Johnny Boychuk is going to be sidelined for a while that will put a halt to any chance of Travis Hamonic getting traded this season.
— Sidney Crosby has three multi-point games in eight games under Mike Sullivan. He had five multi-point games in 28 games under Johnston.
PENGUINS LINEUP
Matt Cullen – Evgeni Malkin – Phil Kessel
Chris Kunitz – Sidney Crosby – David Perron
Conor Sheary – Nick Bonino – Patric Hornqvist
Kevin Porter – Eric Fehr – Sergei Plotnikov
Olli Maatta – Kris Letang
Brian Dumoulin – Ben Lovejoy
Ian Cole – Trevor Daley
Marc Andre Fleury in goal.
Hey Stan Crosby and letang suckss trade then ASAP
Wow… so maybe Johnston was really that bad as an NHL coach. Sid has earned every little bit of criticism but he has been on fire since returning. Hopefully this is a sign of things to come. Also the PP? Where did that suddenly come from and does it have anything to do with Letang putting pucks well on net and making better decisions? They have put themselves is a real crappy spot but if they keep this kind of play up it will a very entertaining finish. More than anything I want to see them bounce all the way… Read more »
Hey, this is exciting! Which star player does Hamonic take out because of this?
Instant Buzz: one of the top college players to ever play in the area forgoes senior season and opts to enter NFL Draft.
If you want update info goto dk site
Did you see benz replied to you on the steelers article?
They should try Bonino on the top 6 wing
my anger towards the pens has eased up a bit over the past week. they’ve been playing much better. however, don’t get your hopes up, they still lack toughness and i fear they are going to get beat up against the east. (i mean punched in the head and elbowed in the head)
Agree 100% It was good to see them win and get that spark against Columbus for sticking up for themselves but the bottom line is they need 2-3 guys who have that ability. Bennett for Patrick Maroon, 3rd rounder and a prospect to Montreal for Tinordi and we at least have the Element
I’d be all for adding Maroon but Tinordi makes no sense since he isn’t taking a roster spot from anyone in the current top 6 baring injury.
Jay just doesn’t understand. We need the ELEMENT!!!!
“Local analytics crowd” does what? Do you think before you type? Could you point me in the direction of those that think its all fixed? They look better yes, Sid looks like himself yes… they still have trouble putting the puck in the net on average. Its gonna be a hard race to the end here, they have a lot of kinks in their game still and a playoff berth at this point is still not even close to a sure thing. I would love to see anyone saying otherwise, CITATION?
I think his source is people in the know.
Or those in NHL circles
Sid looks more noticeable that is for sure under Sullivan.
Welcome Back D! Make a goal this year to make a full commitment to your website.