Faceoff Factor

Pens at Sens Grades

Mike Adams | Grade "A" Reviews

Mar 2, 11:06 AM | Hype this story!

Pens come up short in a playoff-like game

Offense: C

The Pens had a decent number of chances against Martin Gerber, mostly off the rush. They were unable to get a strong forecheck going, as Ottawa is very good at moving the puck out of their own end. But unlike last weekend’s game, the Pens were not at all dominant in this one. They just don’t have enough offensive firepower right now to cover up for all their defensive deficiencies. Too many guys hurt. They did manage three even-strength goals, which should be enough to win a road game. But not this one. The first one was a beautiful rush by the top line, with Malkin and Sykora performing a great give and go. Malkin then found Malone, who had driven the net, for the redirect. The second goal was basically at the tail end of a power play where Martin Lapointe was not even back in the play. The third one was just a tremendous individual effort by Malkin, who took it end to end and slapped one past Gerber. But they never could get the equalizer.

Defense: D+

Ottawa had many more good chances than they did last Saturday. They got their forecheck game going. As usual, the Pens had no answer for it. The first goal, Conklin put the rebound to the boards, as he’s supposed to, but nobody bothered to check Wade Redden, and Letang and Gill stood by helplessly as Antoine Vermette tipped it past Conkin. Shortly thereafter, Malone gave the puck away at his own blue line, and The Diving, Whining, Choking Dog (DWCD) blew it over Conklin’s glove. Just a terrible play by Malone. To their credit, they shut Ottawa out at even strength after that.

Power play: C

I had a tough time with this grade. The Pens were 1/5, and scored another that was basically a power play goal. But they also gave up a shorty and looked terribly disorganized during much of the power play time. They really had problems getting the puck in the zone and setting up. Ottawa was pressuring the points, and the Pens weren’t quick enough to recognize this and go to work down low. Face it, Bryan Murray has the secret to beating the Pens. The one goal they got on the PP was just a laser beam by Sykora, who has been unbelievable lately. Seems like he gets one of these every game. Then, they scored the other one when Malone put home a rebound. But they gave up the shorty when Gonchar made an absolutely terrible decision to try to take a shot through DWCD and had it blocked. Boom, it’s in the net at the other end.

Penalty kill: F

The only way this team will have a successful penalty killing game is if they take no penalties. They have proven that they are simply incapable of having a good PK unit. Tell me again why Andre Savard has a job? Two more back-breaking goals in this one. The first was the old J.S. Aubin fluky goal, as Lapointe shot it, and Sydor thought he was on offense and put the rebound past Conklin. The second one was a disgrace. How you can ignore Dany Heatley at any time while killing a penalty is beyond me. They did it last weekend and again in this one. Sydor pointed at him, but nobody was able to drop down and take him.

Goaltending: D

It really does look to me like Conklin has reached the end of his rope. He was brilliant for two months, but these last two games, he has been Ty Conklin. He wasn’t absolutely terrible, but he sure wasn’t the wall we had been seeing before. I don’t blame him for the first goal, as he put the rebound where he’s supposed to. But the second goal, while it was a great shot by DWCD, was stoppable had he stayed up a split second longer. On the shorty, I’m baffled as to why he didn’t come out and play the puck when DWCD was chasing it down. I think he was caught sleeping. Fourth goal, he kicks a rebound right back out front. Last goal was a great shot by Heatley where he didn’t have much chance. But overall, he was again very sloppy with his puck handling. I think the Pens better hope that Fleury comes back strong, because I’m not convinced that Conklin will be able to carry them.

Overall: C-

It’s got to be very frustrating for them right now. They were this close to beating Ottawa twice. Instead, they lose both games. But the fact is, they are playing with a depleted lineup. Yesterday, they were missing three guys who would be on the top power play, as well as their two best defensive defensemen. It is amazing that they have played so well with the injuries, but it really does seem like the needle is on E now. These guys have given it their all, but they need to get healthy and quick, or I suspect the losing is going to continue.

And now, the rest of the story…

16:12: F

1612 was a good. year for the Russians, as they drove the Polish-Lithuanian invaders out of Moscow. But 16:12 wasn’t kind to the Pens yesterday. The Sens scored two goals at 16:12. Can we just drop that time off the clock and skip right past it?

Evgeni Malkin: A

He really did remind me of a young Mario in this one. He tried his best to carry the team on his back, but the supporting cast wasn’t up to the task.

Petr Sykora: A

He arrived with a reputation for being a great power play guy, and I can see why. What will the Pens do with the top unit when they are healthy? How can you take Sykora off there?

Ryan Malone: A

Welcome back, Ryno. He had been invisible the last week or so, but he almost had a hat trick yesterday.

Kris Letang: F

His play has slipped noticeably the last couple weeks. He is giving the puck away, and his physical play seems to be gone, too. He might be tired and in need of a rest, so I suggest when Whitney comes back, they rest Letang for a few games and play Goligoski.

Sergei Gonchar: F

Well, hey, I said it was a playoff style game. So how could he get any other grade? He basically handed Ottawa three goals on a silver platter. He gave them the shorty with an ill-advised shot. Then he took a selfish double minor on DWCD on which Ottawa scored two goals. While I was stunned to see him stand up for himself like that, it was still stupid. One penalty wouldn’t have been so bad, but he had to go and take a second one.

Striped Buffoon Huh? Call of the Game

Gonchar took the two penalties because DWCD cross-checked him from behind into the boards, and nothing was called. The blind buffoon was standing right there staring at it, and chose to ignore it. If someone can explain to be the difference between what DWCD did and what Laraque got five and a game for doing to Steve Downie, I’m all ears.

Icehole of the Game

DWCD, just because I hate his guts. Oh, wait, he’s gutless, so how can I hate his guts? Somebody should have shot a puck at his ugly mug. After all, that’s part of his code, right?

Monk Moment

DWCD, for somehow managing to fall down and draw a penalty when Gill was actually in front of him. Like Errey said, he has a lot of nerve saying Sid dives.

A guide to the game grades can be found here.