Faceoff Factor

Pens at Lightning Grades

Mike Adams | Grade "A" Reviews

Mar 5, 10:02 AM | Hype this story!

Welcome back, Sid.

Offense: C

The Pens certainly had their chances, but Mike Smith stoned them time and again. Almost everything the Pens generated came off the rush. The top two lines both had their share of chances, but they couldn’t finish them, at least until the goal with about 3 minutes left. All in all, it was a mediocre game offensively. There was virtually no forecheck at all. But they did have all those glorious chances off the transition game. It was just one of those nights when nothing was going in. But then they got a lucky break. Sid centered it, and it went off Dupuis and a defenseman, right to Max Talbot. He was able to finally beat Smith, and that was all the Pens would need.

Defense: B

This was another strong defensive effort. While they did give up a few quality chances (most notably the Vinny Lecavalier breakaway), they generally protected Fleury very well. They kept Tampa Bay’s high-powered offense in check. In fact, that makes three games in a row that they have shut out Vinny the Dangler. While they did allow a fairly high number of shots, there weren’t that many high-quality scoring chances. A good effort against a dangerous offensive team.

Power play: F

They looked totally disorganized and lacked a solid work ethic. They were losing battles for loose pucks, which made it difficult for them to sustain any attack at all. While I’m not surprised that The Genius put Sid back on the top unit, I’m not sure it was the right move. The same things that ailed them before he got hurt returned last night. Sid and Malkin just don’t play well together down low on the right. They just get in each other’s way. I think if you want to have them out there on the power play, Malkin should be at the left point, with Sykora replacing Whitney and being the floating sniper. But last night, they took the red hot Sykora off the top unit, and generated squat in three chances.

Penalty kill: A

As I said the other day, the only way for them to not allow power play goals is to not take penalties. They took that advice to heart and took only one minor last night, and that was on a bad call. But since they only had to kill one penalty, they were able to do it and not allow a power play goal. That’s a rarity nowadays. They killed the penalty well, not really allowing any good looks to the Lightning.

Goaltending: A

While he was overshadowed by Sid’s return, Marc-Andre Fleury was the star of this game. While I wouldn’t stay he stole two points, he certainly was a major reason they got them. He looked very solid. He is staying up longer, perhaps because the injury is forcing him to be more technically sound. He is in position and letting the play come to him. He looks calm and in control. His rebound control was a tad spotty, but his defense bailed him out every time. Other than that, he is back, and is playing as well as he was right before the injury. It took only two games, but the job is now his to lose.

Overall: B-

They won a tough road game against a team that wouldn’t quit. It’s tough to hang in there when the other goalie is just pulling one save after another out of his posterior. But the Pens did hang tough, and finally got a break around the net. It wasn’t the prettiest of wins, but it was a gutsy win. It didn’t look like they were totally into the game, as evidenced by the lack of any sustained forecheck, but they had just enough to pull out a win.

And now, the rest of the story…

Vinny Lecavalier: F

I’ve watched him play three games this year, against the Pens. He has zero points. Possible Hart winner? Give me a break. He just cherry-picks at center ice, so as long as you keep a defenseman back, he won’t generate much. He had one breakaway last night, but Fleury stoned him.

Tampa Bay goalies: A

Why do the Pens make every Lightning goalie look like Patrick Roy? I just don’t get it. Two years ago, John Grahame. Last year, Johan Holmqvist. Now, Mike Smith. The last three seasons, here are Tampa Bay’s goalie stats against the Pens: .931 save percentage, 1.61 goals against average. And, folks, here are the immortals that contributed to this: Sean Burke, John Grahame, Johan Holmqvist, Kari Ramo, and Mike Smith. What is up with that?

Sidney Crosby: A

Just because he’s back. His timing was a bit off, but it’s just great to see him back out there.

Max Talbot: A

Two goals in two games with the new name. You gotta love it. And what a good play to glove the puck to Geno without it going over the blue line on the empty net goal. Very smart. This guy will easily take Colby’s place as a fan favorite. He sure has the personality. And more talent than Colby.

Pascal Dupuis: F

He was horrible. It seemed like all he wanted to do was get the puck to Sid, and most of the passes went awry. Then he had one wide open shot and missed the net. Not a good audition for a spot on Sid’s line. But he might be stuck there if Staal is out, since I imagine they’d use Talbot as the third line center.

Striped Buffoon Huh? Call of the Game

This was another one of those “let the boys play” games where they didn’t even need to have buffoons out there. Two plays in particular stood out. First, Jeff Halpern elbows Talbot right in the ear, with no call. But then, with the goalie pulled, Malone just tackled a Lightning guy in front, and the buffoons acted as if nothing had happened. Yep, it’s being called them same in the last minute as it is in the first. Whatever.

Icehole of the Game

Jeff Halpern, for the elbow on Talbot, and for running several other guys. His hate for the Pens will never die.

Monk Moment

Geno, for his little dippsy doodle past Dan Boyle. He didn’t score, but he sure undressed the all star defenseman.

A Guide to the Grades can be found here