Pens/Rangers Game 2 Grades
Mike Adams | Grade "A" Reviews
Apr 28, 10:28 AM | Hype this story!
Two down, two to go
Offense: B-
The Pens were shut out at even strength, save for the Hall empty-netter at the end. They did some good things, though. They had a much better forecheck in this game, keeping the puck in the Rags’ end for entire shifts at times. The effort was exemplary. They didn’t generate a whole lot of transition offense against the stingy Rangers, though. You knew the Rangers would buckle down after allowing five in the first game, and they did. They made it difficult for the Pens to get anything going. So the Pens played more of a dump and chase game. It didn’t work real well, though with their hard work they did draw a few Ranger penalties.
Defense: A
Six playoff games, two shutouts. They kept the high-powered Rangers off the board, and you can’t do any better than that. They are really limiting the second chances and traffic in front. You have to give The Genius credit for his change of defense pairings. Most of the Rangers’ high-profile forwards were pretty invisible yesterday, including Chris Drury, Scott Gomez, and Puff Nuts. They are blocking shots, blocking passes, clearing rebounds. Things got a bit hairy at times late, but they made sure nothing got through them.
Power play: A
Once again, they win the game on a power play goal. The PP looks tremendous right now. They are generating lots of chances, but just can’t get most of them past King Henrik. Imagine how good the power play would be if Sykora was out there instead of Hossa. Anyway, they do look great, and got the only “real” goal of the game from the most unlikely of sources. After Lundqvist had stoned Hossa, Malone, and Crosby in earlier power plays, somehow the formerly inept Jordan Staal managed to get one by him. Geno made a perfect pass to him, and he outwaited the Ranger goalie with a backhand-to-forehand move and put the puck up top. It turned out to be all they needed.
Penalty kill: A
The same things I said about the defense also apply to the PK. They are really protecting Fleury well right now. Early on, they were allowing some passes through the box, but the Rangers never really were able to get a great shot off. Then late in the game, they took two penalties, but managed to kill them both with a combination of great goaltending and tremendous work up front, especially from Staal. The Rangers never really came all that close to scoring. A tremendous effort by the PK.
Goaltending: A-
Flower is playing well right now, but I don’t think he’s quite on top of his game. His rebound control is not as good as it was in the Ottawa series. So, wow, he gets a shutout and not the A from me. He was tremendous yesterday, don’t get me wrong. But he looks just a tad off his best at the moment. He doesn’t look quite as calm and in control as he did against Ottawa. Imagine what will happen when he gets back to playing at his absolute best.
Overall: A-
As with Fleury, I don’t think they were at their absolute total best yesterday, but they still won with a shutout. They have to be in the Rangers’ heads right now. They won playing Penguin-style hockey in Game 1, then they out-Rangered the Rangers yesterday. It was a superb defensive effort. And they had enough chances, especially on the power play, to have won by a couple more goals. But King Henrik was once again superb. Hopefully at some point in New York, they can “break” him and end this thing quickly.
And now, the rest of the story…
Jordan Staal: A-
I’ve been hard on him this year because of his offensive foibles, but he was a beast yesterday. His PK effort is tremendous, and he is shutting down whoever he is matched against. He is playing like the perfect third-line center right now. Well, except for that 4/15 in the faceoff circle.
Kris Letang: A
This guy is a rookie? You sure he hasn’t been through the playoff wars before? He just seems to always do the right thing.
The USS Hal Gill: A
Wow, what an effort by him yesterday. First, I loved his comment to “John” Avery that he just didn’t get enough love as a child. Then, after John got into it with Fleury at the end, Gill just buried him into the boards. Turned the John into a turtle, especially when Big Georges also stepped in. Gill also kept the front of the net clear and almost caught up to the puck on the empty-netter.
Adam Hall: A
For a guy who I never expected to see again this year, he is playing very well. And he got rewarded with the lucky empty-netter at the end.
King Henrik: A
Boy, he is amazing.
Sidney Crosby: A
Well, if he could ever learn to stand up, he might actually be a decent hockey player. So says Puff Nuts. And if Puff Nuts could ever play at Sidney’s level, he might actually be decent, too.
Marian Hossa: D
Buh-bye Marian, been nice knowin’ ya. You honestly think you’re worth $8 million a year? How come everyone on the team got the memo to shoot high except you? Every shot was close to the ice, and every shot was stopped. Yes, you are a fine all-around player, but you can’t score in the playoffs. And because of that, you are an overrated overpaid player. Adios, amigo.
Icehole of the Game
It’s almost not even fun giving it to “John” Avery every game, but what choice do I have? You know darn well that Renney sent him out there after the empty netter to go after Fleury, and that’s what he did. He’s just a clown in a hockey uniform. Keep yapping, John. Keep trying to disrupt the goalie. And you’ll keep ending up in the heap you were at the end of the game.
Monk Moment
Let’s give it to Adam Hall for his bank shot empty netter. But should it have counted? Did he call, “bank shot?”
Striped Buffoon Huh? Call of the Game
I’ll go with the quick whistle on the non-goal by “The Miserable Human Being.” It was right to disallow the goal, as the whistle had obviously blown. The question is, should it have blown? I don’t think the puck was ever frozen, and Fleury didn’t seem to know where it was.
A Guide to the Grades can be found here
Comments
TIM
Apr 28, 12:22 PM
Letang is almost an afterthought for me during the playoffs. He is so money I totally forget he is a rookie sensation. He seem like a veteran. They need to lock him down long term as I feel with him and the likes of Goligoski, and hopefully the Boston Boys, Sneep and Strait, can anchor our D for a long long time.
I know ‘Tang was a captain of his WJC team and I can see why. As for Hossa he may not warrant a big contract from us in the off season, but for now I sure as hell like having him on my team.
Great job as always Mike.
Let’s Go Pens!
Matt Bodenschatz
Apr 28, 12:48 PM
Tim, Letang can’t be signed longterm until there is one year left on his contract — meaning not until next summer.
As for Hossa, I have to agree. For what we gave up, he’s doing a great job. I honestly wouldn’t be surprised if there is a team out there who will pull off a Flyer move and trade for him prior to July 1 to secure his rights. If that’s the case, the Pens might get a few picks back. But, as Mike said, I don’t think he’ll be back, as his money will need to go toward Orpik, Fleury, Malone, Malkin, Staal, Dupuis, Ruutu, etc. I can see the Penguins signing a Sykora-type free agent, though, as they still will need a winger for Crosby.
TIM
Apr 28, 12:50 PM
I know they can’t sign him yet just saying when the time arises I hope we have the money for him
Matt Bodenschatz
Apr 28, 01:10 PM
For a home-grown talent like he is, they’ll find money to sign him…no question about that.
Ashley Gallant
Apr 28, 01:28 PM
I was reading the paper this morning and Jagr had this to say:
“This was more our game than Game 1, but we still didn’t win it.”
It really says something about the team when they can play their style of game and win, or play the style of another team and win.
It will be a lot harder to play at MSG, but I’m hoping for a split.
TIM
Apr 28, 01:34 PM
Ashley I totally agree that it says a lot about this team. the next 2 games are going to be our biggest challenge yet especially at MSG. I hope they keep up the intensity. Taking at least 1 of the next 2 games is huge.
DaBich
Apr 28, 01:58 PM
LeTang is indeed a rookie sensation. That kid does it all, except goal tend, and he’d try to do that too, if he could!
Hossa works hard, does a lot of little stuff that helps get the job done. Don’t blast him for not scoring. I didn’t see Crosby score yesterday.
Matt Bodenschatz
Apr 28, 02:03 PM
I was watching “Against The Odds” Saturday — it’s the story of the 1991-92 Penguins — and I remember that was an overriding theme: the Penguins will beat you in any kind of game. I see a lot of that team in this one, and it gives me the chills. What could be very interesting is that the Stars are doing well right now against the Sharks — how about a Stars vs. Pens Stanley Cup finals? A little reminiscent of the first Cup, eh?
Michael
Apr 28, 03:41 PM
I think Hossa should be moved to the #2 powerplay unit, with Sykora put on the #1 unit.
Sykora is a true sniper, which the Penguins need on the #1 unit, to balance-out the playmakers .. not to mention that Sykora is simply scoring goals at a considerably greater pace than Hossa.
Plus; Sykora isn’t as effective on the #2 unit as he would be on the #1 unit.
Yes, Hossa is a good defensive forward .. a good all-around forward, as MCM wrote. But we needed a true sniper to play with Crosby, not a playmaker. We already have the playmakers. And, as MCM said .. a merely “good 2-way player” isn’t worth 7.5 or 8 million dollars per year.
Matt Bodenschatz
Apr 28, 04:08 PM
Micheal, for once we agree — to an extent.
If two power play units aren’t an option, Sykora definitely should be on the first unit. With that being said, I still like the idea of two balanced units. Imagine an attack of Staal-Crosby-Hossa-Gonchar-Whitney followed up by a unit of Malone-Malkin-Sykora-Gonchar-Letang. Ouch!
And, as for your last comment, I agree that a good two-way player isn’t worth $7.5 million, but Hossa isn’t just a good two-way player. He’s a 100 point scorer from a year ago and a multiple time All Star. He’s definitely worth $7.5 million — just not to this team, which already is loaded with high-end offensive talent. What the Pens need is more Sykora-types, guys who are effective at scoring, but don’t cost a lot.
Tom
Apr 29, 02:24 PM
Matt and Michael, I should like to propose a slight alteration in Matt’s fantasy PP lineup. Start Malone-Malkin-Sykora-Letang-Gonchar followed by Staal-Crosby-Hossa-Letang-Whitney. I have four reasons for having Letang take the double shift rather than Gonchar. 1) Letang is younger and will tire less. 2) Letang is a right hand shot and can one time from the left point. 3) Letang is by far the fastest and best defender and has the best chance of being able to obstruct shorthanded attempts. 4) Letang has offensive skills that neither Gonchar nor Whitney possess. He is the best skater and shooter. He is deceptive and is always a danger to go to the net and score, much as he has in shootout situations (which Penguin would you like to have a penalty shot with the game on the line?).
Matt Bodenschatz
Apr 29, 03:04 PM
Tom, suggesting that Letang is better offensively (at this point) than Gonchar is is like suggesting Conklin (at this point) is as good as Fleury is. It’s just not true. Gonchar finished the season second among defensemen in scoring, and with one of the highest point totals for all players on the power play. He is effective, to say the least. If anyone plays the full power play, it’s Gonchar — no questions asked whatsoever.
Tom
Apr 29, 05:30 PM
Matt, You disregard reasons 1, 2 and 3 in my comment. Gonchar is playing far too many minutes, and to compare him defensively and in speed to Letang is absurd. He may have a better one timer, but he can’t do it from the left point. Gonchar is a wonderful shooter from the right point, but to compare his shooting ability to Letang’s watch both in their shootout efforts. Gonchar is second in scoring in the NHL because he is good and because he is featured offensively and on the PP, Letang is not. Do you really believe that Gonchar has the speed and agility to recover and disrupt a shorthanded effort as well as Letang? Having Gonchar and Whitney, both of whom you and Mike Adams have described as poor defenders, on the ice at the same time is asking for a shorthanded goal by our opponents. Do you really believe that the Pens are better off with a left hand shooter on the left point? Do you really believe that a player of Gonchar’s age can be as fresh and quick as the 20 year old Letang? I don’t think so.
Matt Bodenschatz
Apr 29, 09:58 PM
Nope, I didn’t disregard the first three points, I just didn’t think I needed to touch on them.
1. Gonchar is not “old” by any means, so suggesting he will wear down is not a valid point. To add, the top defenders in the league — including those much older than Gonchar — log just as many minutes as, if not more than, Gonchar.
2. The Penguins have played all season without that right handed shot on the ice for the full two minutes of the power play — and they have spent the entire season with Gonchar as their quarterback, for that matter — and they finished in the top five in the league with the man advantage. The whole right handed shot argument is valid to an extent, but also quite overrated.
3. How many shorthanded attempts have we seen so far in the playoffs? The Penguins have played two speedy teams so far, and the shorthanded attempts against have been non existent. Until this becomes a problem, it’s not one.
The fact is, Letang is a very, very good hockey player who is playing well beyond his years — but there are other guys on the team who are playing even better than he is. That’s not a knock on Letang at all. On the contrary, it’s a statement to how good others are playing. I realize you like Letang a lot — as do I — but you have to be objective when looking at this, and objectivity shows that Gonchar has been the absolute best defender in the NHL with the man advantage — which means that, if anyone plays the full power play it should be him.
To add, why not have Gonchar play the full power play with Letang manning the other point for half of the time and Whitney for the other half?
DaBich
Apr 30, 07:58 AM
“but there are other guys on the team who are playing even better than he is.”
This is the only point I’ll argue. Who is playing “better” than LeTang? That’s a hard one to answer. As for D’men, no one. I will agree Gonchar should remain the “quarterback” until it’s not working. I’ve said many times, don’t fix something that isn’t broke. But LeTang is among the “elite” players on this team, hands down. If he keeps playing the way he is, and improves, he will be better than Sarge, and eevn better than Lidstrom! That’s saying a lot!
Tom
Apr 30, 01:35 PM
Matt, Perhaps the answer is to use only one defensive pairing (Gonchar and Letang) for the PP. The pairing of Gonchar and Whitney will lead to shorties. It has during the regular season, I watched them while cringing. You cannot leave yourself defenseless during the PP. It’s not a matter of liking a player. I do believe that Letang is the Pens’ elite defender. He took Avery out of the game in two series last night and pretty much denied the left wing boards to the experienced and star studded Rags. However, it is his speed that makes his talent so necessary while the team is concentrating on offense during the PP. Only Letang has the speed to recover and beat the break out shorthanded attack. Whitney and Gonchar are hopeless when it comes to covering the break out with great speed.
How lately I remember everyone bemoaning our lack of a right shooting blueliner on the PP. How soon we forget the tremendous advantage that capability gives the team.
Gonchar is 34 years old. Letang is 20 years old. Assuming that both are in wonderful condition and not suffering from any lingering injury, one would presume that the 20 year old would tire less easily, particularly in view of the great amount of ice time that Gonchar skates.
Matt Bodenschatz
Apr 30, 01:56 PM
Dabich, Gonchar is playing much better offensively than Letang, and that’s what the power play is all about. Letang has been great, really great, especially for a rookie, but to suggest that, at this point in time, he’s even comparable to Lidstrom, one of the all-time greats, is extremely farfetched. He’s very good, but it’ll take a lot more for me to compare him to any of the greats in the game.
Tom, Whitney and Gonchar have been doing fine on the power play with regards to preventing short handed chances. You also neglect to take into consideration that the three forwards that, of the three forwards on the ice, generally at least one or two are defensively aware — Malkin-Malone and Crosby-Hossa-Staal. Shorties against have not been an issue for a while, and until they become one, I’m not fretting about them.
Tom, when it comes down to it, we disgaree and we’ll have to agree to leave it at that. Letang is a great player and I really like him. In fact, he is probably among my top three favorites. But he is not yet elite, by any means. Someday, maybe. But not yet. And I truly believe that if you ask anyone in the business, they’ll tell you the exact same thing.
DaBich
Apr 30, 08:23 PM
Matt, I’ll have to disagree yet again. Letang doesn’t see the opportunities that Gonchar does. If he DID, he’d have the numbers. He IS capable of doing it. Also I DID NOT say that Letang is comparable to Lidstrom. I said HE WILL BE AND LIKELY WILL SURPASS Lidstrom. The kid is a natural. Give him the opportunities, it will happen. And yet again, don’t yank Gonchar. If it works, don’t fix it, leave it be. Sarge is where he should be and doing just fine. He’s one of the elite offensive defensemen players because he earned the title.
Matt Bodenschatz
Apr 30, 11:08 PM
Dabich, as I said before, I think we’ll all just have to agree to disagree. I see plenty in Letang that is spectacular, but I don’t see nearly the offensive capabilities (at this point) that Gonchar has. If the coaching staff did, believe me, he’d be on the ice. As for the comment regarding Lidstrom, I simply think it’s a bit premature to even mention his name in the same sentence as Lidstrom. He has a lot to prove, and setting such high standards only sets people up for disappointment. A perfect example is Jordan Staal from last year compared to this year. He looks like totally different players, and fans certainly aren’t happy about that because they had (maybe) unreasonable expectations.
DaBich
May 1, 09:47 AM
Actually, if the coaching saw LeTang’s capabilities, he still wouldn’t be on the ice. Gonch is the go-to guy. It’s working, so don’t change it.
Matt Bodenschatz
May 1, 09:50 AM
Bingo. The whole argument is moot, because the Penguins wont’ utilize two power play units, and as a result, the first power play features four forwards and one defender. As you said, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
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