Faceoff Factor

Pens Vs Kings Grades

Mike Adams | Report Cards

Mar 21, 11:22 AM | Hype this story!

Workmanlike effort
As Pens dissect Kings
They did what they had to do
As Sid, Geno starred

Offense: B-

They were efficient, but not particularly dominant offensively. They lacked the sustained pressure we have seen recently. But they still generated lots of good scoring chances on Jon “Not So” Quick. The biggest issue was that they passed up lots of good chances, especially on the rush, to try to make one more highlight-reel pass. That has been creeping back into their game recently, and it needs to be addressed. There were far too many times where they passed up a great shot and ended up with nothing. That might work against a tired LA team, but will get them in trouble against, say, the Flyers.

Defense: A

They rarely allowed the Kings to test Fleury. It was a tremendous night defensively.

Yeo Play: B

One for four is a good night’s work, but my sense was they were again trying to be too fancy at times. Then again, the goal was when Sid was probably “too fancy” and passed up a great shot to find Geno at the side of the cage. Sometimes it does work. More often, it doesn’t.

Penalty Kill: A

Another great night on the PK. They again challenged the tired Kings all over the ice. As a result, LA had very few good chances while up one man. They did score their only goal while up two men on a great blast by Drew Doughty (boy, wouldn’t you like to have this guy on your team?) that Michal Handzus deflected.

Goaltending: A

Fleury did all he could do. He didn’t face too many great chances, but stopped those few he did see. He had no chance on the goal.

Overall: A

They just continue to roll right along. There was the one blip against Ottawa, but other than that, the homestand is going swimmingly. This game was more of what we need to see. They got a lead, then pretty much played shutdown defense. Once the Pens got up by three, it was over. The Kings were tired and the Pens just never gave them a hint that they could get back in the game. The transition was excellent as they keyed on turnovers to attack.

And now, the rest of the story…

Sid: A

That uncurved stick came in handy again as he zinged a backhander past a stunned Quick. He also had a great pass to Geno for a goal.

Geno: A

Sometimes, he makes passes like the one to Guerin for a goal that just make you go, “huh.” How does he see the ice like that?

Jordan Staal: F

The old sod brain had to go and take a penalty to put them down two men, leading to the only LA goal and the ruination of Fleury’s shutout. Not that I would be bitter or anything, what with Marc-Andre being my fantasy goalie and losing a shutout in the third period and costing me points as I battle for first place on the last weekend of the regular season. I would never be so petty as to put my fantasy team ahead of my duty to objectively evaluate the Penguins. Never.

Petr Sykora: F

My new whipping boy. Coach B. put him on the power play to try to jump start him. Unfortunately, I think he needs a new battery, not just a jump start. Maybe a whole new engine.

The fourth line: A

They should just go with Talbot-Dupuis-Adams as the fourth line. Well, except against the Flyers tomorrow. With Adams, they can roll four lines when they get a lead. Not so with Godard. But the other two guys (Dupuis and Talbot) are doing great and get lots of PK time. It’s nice to have a full fourth line of guys who can kill penalties.

Faceoffs: F

They are still having a problem on power play faceoffs. Sid won only two of four to start the power plays. When you get that automatic draw in the other team’s zone, it is imperative to win it. Not sure what their percentage is, but 50 percent for the season might not be far off. And they were only 40 percent overall on the night against a good faceoff team.

Discipline: F

Way, way too many penalties. This is another thing creeping back in. You can’t give up eight power plays and expect to win most nights.

Minard of the Game

In response to popular demand (okay, well, one person requested it), I am renaming the O’Donnell of the Game to the Minard, in honor of the time he drop-passed on a breakaway and got sent down the next day. Today, it goes to Bill Guerin,, who had a wide-open look, but passed to Sid at the edge of the crease. Result: no shot on goal. When you’re a sniper, snipe. Don’t try to out-Sid Sid.

Free Cookie

He nailed a couple guys, though I didn’t get any license numbers.

Free Candy

Peter Harrold, meet Brooks Orpik.

Striped Buffoon Huh? Call of the Game

How could Brad Watson not call interference when Letang just got steamrollered into Fleury by Derek Armstrong? Oh, that’s easy, he doesn’t know the rules. Yet they continue to trot him out there game after game.

Monk Moment

Sid’s backhand goal. I know Quick is still looking for that puck.

A guide to the game grades can be found here.