Pens Vs Thrashers Grades
Mike Adams | Grade "A" Reviews
Mar 3, 09:59 AM | Hype this story!
So this is what first place feels like.
Offense: C
The Pens struck twice before people had a chance to sit down with their nachos, then settled into a very lackluster performance. It was as if they thought things would come easy after scoring twice in the first 129 seconds. But it wasn’t to be, as the Thrashers didn’t roll over and die. Ryan Malone got the Pens started when Gonchar ripped a shot that Kari Lehtonen stopped. Everyone in the building except Dan O’Blindoran thought Lehtonen had frozen the puck. But somehow, O’Blindonran thought he could see it and didn’t blow the whistle. Malone dug it out and put it into the empty cage. Very odd goal. The next one was a real beauty, though. Don’t call me Maxime Talbot made a great move to get past Steve McCarthy at the blueline, then roofed a backhander on the short side. Just a fantastic goal, and a great way to break out of his 19-game goalless drought. But that was it. The Pens did get a decent forecheck going at times, and had a few good chances here and there against Lehtonen, but it wasn’t an offensive performance to write home about. Once again, they appeared tired, which is understandable. This depleted team was playing its fifth game in eight days.
Defense: B
The Pens played a pretty strong defensive game. They totally contained Ilya Kovalpunk. Atlanta had few odd-man rushes, and they didn’t forecheck the Pens to death like Ottawa had the previous game. The Pens moved the puck efficiently out of their own end. The only goal they gave up can’t really be blamed on the defense, as it was a bad angle shot that Fleury inexplicably let in. Other than that, the Thrashers really didn’t do much at all at even strength.
Power play: D
They moved the puck well at times, but never really forced Lehtonen to make that key save. While I’m sure that Letang will eventually be part of the power play, right now he just doesn’t look as comfortable as Whitney at the left point. He just seems unsure when to shoot and when to pass. That just comes with experience. But right now, Whitney is an important cog on the power play and they need to get him back in there.
Penalty kill: D
They just can’t seem to play a game without allowing a power play goal. So much for the acquisitions of Gill and Dupuis making the PK better. Yesterday, same old problem on the goal. Gill went fishing behind the net, the puck come out front, and Atlanta is allowed to take like a thousand whacks at it before finally nudging it past Fleury. Memo to Hal Gill. You should never ever leave the front of the net, because once you do, you are too slow to get back into position.
Goaltending: B
It was a solid return for the prodigal son. Not much has changed since he last played. His rebound control was spotty at best. He didn’t play the puck much. The former, I can understand, as rebound control is a function of being comfortable. Hopefully he will get better with this as he plays more. He made several great saves along the way, then stoned them in the shootout (okay, so he only made one actual save). But the first goal he allowed was pathetic. There is never any excuse for allowing a goal from that bad an angle. The good thing was he stood up. The bad thing was, he just missed his angle. Again, that’s probably more rust than anything. But he was also standing up a little longer than he tends to, and that’s a good thing. He has to find a way to cut down on those high shots that beat him cleanly.
Overall: C+
A win is a win is a win. This wasn’t pretty, but it was two points they desperately needed. They are in a brutal stretch of six of seven on the road, and this was the only home tilt. So they needed it, and they somehow found a way to get the two points. As Steigy said, it matters not that they gave Atlanta one point, as they are pretty much out of things.
And now, the rest of the story…
Hal Gill: F
This guy is just awful. I cannot believe Ray Shero gave away so much to get this slug. I haven’t seen anything move so slow on the ice since Ken Hitchcock waddled across the ice to his spot behind the bench. The Pens have given up 12 goals since he was acquired; he has been on the ice for 8 of them. I think I’d rather see Goligoski dress, but that won’t happen because physical defensemen like Gill are oh-so important.
Sergei Gonchar: C
He did make one very good defensive play on an odd-man rush. That’s at least something.
Tyler Kennedy: A
He played a great game yesterday. He just can’t buy a break around the net. When you get back-checked by Erik Christensen with an open net staring you in the face, you know things aren’t going your way.
Ryan Malone: A
It was a good weekend for him, as he became involved again. His free agent price just keeps rising.
Colby Armstrong: A
Maybe now, all the Colby-ites can put their love for him in the past. It’s over and done with folks. He is already a –3 with the Thrash.
Mark Recchi: F
He was as noticeable yesterday as he was with the Pens. In other words, invisible. In case anyone is wondering, he has just 3 goals in his last 25 games, only 1 at even strength. He has 5 goals, 11 assists at even strength in 38 games for Atlanta. Yep, he’s the same player he was for the Pens, except he’s getting power play time down there.
Ilya Kovalpunk: F
Anybody notice him yesterday?
Striped Buffoon Huh? Call of the Game
The whole game was a huh, but what would you expect out of O’Blindoran and BlindMassenhoven. The two that stood out the most were the failure to blow the whistle on the Malone goal and the interference call on Gill. I’m sure they thought Gill intentionally slowed up to block the Atlanta guy’s path to the puck. I, on the other hand, think Gill is actually THAT slow and he should not be penalized for being a slug.
A Guide to the Grades can be found here
Comments
Tom
Mar 3, 06:06 PM
Kris Letang’s hit on Slater as well as his moving the puck solo the length of the ice join his solid shootout goal demonstrates once again what a special player he is. I’m afraid that the leash put on him by the Genius has led to a hesitancy on his part to play his game. Right now he is our best defenseman, best shot and best puck mover. He can also hit, skate strongly, quickly and fast and play his position well when paired with a defenseman who can also skate.
Matt Bodenschatz
Mar 4, 08:31 AM
Tom, I actually like the leash. The Penguins have enough offense from the blueline, and offense in general. I want to see Letang grow in to a solid all-around player, not just a pure-offense type guy. While it appears he’s well on his way to being in the mold of Scott Niedermayer (though obviously not nearly at his level), he is still very young and a stray from the way he is playing could hurt him more than it helps. Let’s keep this leash on for another year, then set him free to do as he pleases.
Nick
Mar 4, 01:59 PM
From being at the game Sunday, the puck was clearly not covered when Malone scored. Probably being at a different angle than the standard TV shot made a difference and luckily the buffoon was in that spot.
However, the buffoons were terrible at calling penalties… must have been a $1000 incentive for each interference call. Also, they did blow the whistle when the puck was clearly NOT covered at the side of the net by Fleury at one point.
Overall, glad they got the 2 points, and that the one looooonnnngggg shift by Gill and Letang(?) didn’t result in a goal.
Tom
Mar 4, 03:47 PM
Matt: Letang is already the quickest, fastest and most agile of our efensemen. He has the most powerful clearing shot on the team and is playing good positional hockey for the most part. His speed, agility and strength make up for many rookie mistakes and allows him to get back to his zone after a play in the offensive end. Additionally, he hits more effectively than any other defenseman excepting perhaps Orpik. He is only now being allowed to play on the PK, but for some reason will probably be removed from the PK in favor of Whitney, Sydor, Gill or other non-hitting, slow skating, klutz on defense. On the other side of the puck, Letang has the best scoring shot on the team. He can carry the puck to the goal and crash the net. When permitted, he can take the puck the length of the ice, and the results of his shootout skills demonstrate the quality of shots on goal. I should think that setting this talent loose can only benefit the team.
Matt Bodenschatz
Mar 4, 04:25 PM
Tom, I don’t disagree with a word you say. But you have to keep in mind his age is very young — in fact, he’s one of the youngest defensemen in the league. Putting too much responsibility on his shoulders could prove to stunt his development. While it may help the team now, it could hurt Letang in the long run, and I’d much rather see him strung along slowly and safely than too quickly.
If the team was struggling to make the playoffs, I might think otherwise, but the team is doing just fine with him in this role. For the long term, I think it is best for Letang to keep it simple and slowly grow in to a prominent role with this team.
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