Faceoff Factor

Pens at Panthers Grades

Mike Adams | Report Cards

Jan 9, 11:03 AM | Hype this story!

That was easy.

Offense: A-

They again scored only two even-strength goals, but it was another good performance. As in the previous tilt, they generated lots of chances against a beleaguered Tomas Vokoun. The forecheck was working better than the last game, and they kept Florida bottled up in their own end for long stretches. They pretty much dominated the first period, though they were unable to dent Vokoun. But in the second, they took charge, generating a good number of odd-man breaks. One semi-breakaway by Malone led to the penalty that led to the first goal. Then Sid went to work, just accelerating through the Panther defense for a breakaway goal. Boy, when he gets up speed like that he is tough to stop. Finally, a great forecheck goal by the fourth line, with Big Georges jamming home the rebound of a Jeff Taffe shot. They took their foot off the gas a bit in the third, seemingly content to coast home with a rare Sunshine State win.

Defense: B

The defense was solid, though they were playing against a team that simply didn’t care whether it won or lost. That makes it pretty easy, as you don’t have to worry about them charging the net too hard or getting dirty goals. They did allow some decent chances in both the first and third periods, but Conklin kept them at bay. These last two games have been a walk in the park, bu they will have to step it up the next two against Tampa Bay and Atlanta..

Power play: C

It was generally inept yet again. But at least this time, they did come up with that huge first goal on the power play. It was just a beautiful cross-crease pass from Sid to Sykora, who finally buried one of his glorious chances. Good work up high by Malkin, to get the puck down low to Sid, too. Other than that, not much was happening once again. They had two early chances where all they got on each was a backside Whitney shot where he took way too long to release it. Then they allowed Florida to score shorthanded in the third, a goal that made the Panthers care for about a millisecond. It was the old “don’t care” power play, but it didn’t care so much it cost Conklin a shutout. Again, they seem to be trying just about everything and every combination of players, but nothing is really clicking right now.

Penalty kill: A

They killed the only power play they gave the Panthers, but did allow three shots. This should probably be an incomplete once again.

Goaltending: A

How long can this keep up? Yet again, Ty Conklin played a strong game. Early on, while the Panthers were at least remotely interested in competing, he made several key saves to keep it scoreless. Then in the second period, the game turned with the Pens on the power play. They let Colin’s Boy Campbell have a shorthanded breakaway. But Conklin stoned him, and 30 seconds later, the Pens were ahead. Those are the kind of game-changing saves you need. But even that would have been meaningless had Conklin not been sharp in the first period. And in the third, he stopped everything except the screened shorthanded shot by Colin’s Boy.

Pens goaltending since Fleury went down: 11-4-0, 2.42 GAA, .921 save percentage (Conklin is 8-0, 1.59, .949 in his starts).

Overall: A-

Another solid, solid effort, this time on the road. Between Conklin and the rest of the team, they gave the disinterested Panthers no reason to become interested. They kept the pressure on Vokoun until they were finally able to get one past him, then the floodgates opened. It was a solid 60 minutes of road hockey. It was boring to watch except for about 5 minutes in the second period, but they got the job done.

And now, the rest of the story…

Jeff Taffe: A

Great game by him. Vokoun stoned him once, he fired wide on another chance, then his wrister off the post led to Laraque’s goal. While some are giving his recall credit for the winning streak (no, sorry, that is mere coincidence), he has played well on the fourth line. Ifnothing else, once Talbot comes back, I suspect they will keep a veteran like Taffe around for depth.

Penguin Discipline: A

You gotta be kidding me. The team that took so many horrible penalties earlier in the season has now taken only two in the last two games, and is averaging only 2.63 power plays allowed the last 8 games. Simply amazing. Now, of course, the last two don’t fully count, because it’s easy not to take penalties when you are playing a team that doesn’t care.

Jacques Martin: F

He is another ruiner of hockey. He sucks all the fun out of the game with his boring, passive style of play. It is quite obvious he has dragged the Panthers into the depths and that his players are trying to get him fired. Good for them. Anything that rids this great sport of coaches like this is a good thing.

Stephen Weiss: F

What on earth were you thinking, boy? Why would you kick the puck into the net when you could have used your stick? Idiotic play by him.

Evgeni Malkin: A

Was that actually Malkin inserting himself between Colin’s Boy and Ryan Malone, who Colin’s Boy had crosschecked in the face? Good on you, Geno!

The Genius: A

He has finally stumbled upon some line combinations that are totally working. He deserves full credit for that. Not sure they will work come playoff time, but until they have a losing streak, I imagine he will stick with them.

Striped Buffoon Huh? Call of the Game

None. This might have been the most unobtrusive I have ever seen Mick McGoof be. The Panthers’ indifference must have rubbed off on him.

Icehole of the game

Colin’s Boy, for his stick to the face on Malone late in the game. It was a cheap hit by a guy that knows he runs no risk of being suspended no matter what he does.

Monk Moment

How about that play Sid made! Which one, you ask? I speak of the play where he fell or was tripped, but kept handling the puck as he was sliding on the ice. How does he do that?