The Penguins Have Arrived
Matt Bodenschatz | Pittsburgh Penguins
May 29, 10:08 AM | Hype this story!
I was beginning to worry that the Pittsburgh Penguins might not find “their” game after being shut out two straight times to start the Stanley Cup Finals.
As they say, the longer you go without scoring, the tighter you grip your stick.
But when Sidney Crosby poked in the first goal of the game off of a Marian Hossa pass, I couldn’t help but change my whole outlook.
Sure, it’s just one game. And, yes, the Penguins won by just one goal, despite a relatively dominant game. But you get the feeling that the Penguins just needed a few games to realize what was going on.
If there was any doubt coach Michel Therrien was capable of outcoaching Mike Babcock, last night should put those thoughts to rest.
First of all, we saw Darryl Sydor take the spot of rookie Kris Letang. Many media members and fans alike called this nothing more than a desperation move, asking, “If he wasn’t good enough to play in the first three rounds, what good is he going to do now?”
Well, Sydor played a significant role in the Penguins’ victory with crisp, smooth passes and he even joined the rush on occasion, creating some offense. And that isn’t mentioning his one hit and two blocked shots.
Maybe the most telling aspect of Sydor’s game last night was that he was invisible. For a defenseman, that rarely is a bad thing.
But Therrien’s impact goes well beyond inserting Sydor into the lineup.
He also returned to the line combinations that brought his team so much success through the first three rounds. It’s difficult to criticize him for making changes for game two, as his team generated nothing in the first game — but the plan to revert to the original lines at home was extremely smart.
While on the topic of lines, it’s important to note that the Penguins found their game late in the first period after a shift that saw Evgeni Malkin and Marian Hossa flanking Crosby’s wings. It was a tactic Therrien said he might use on occasion throughout the game, and it clearly was the spark plug the team needed.
Another essential ingredient in the win was Therrien’s dedication to matching lines, despite his pregame comments that it wasn’t a concern of his.
Crosby’s line spent the majority of its time against Detroit’s second defensive pairing of Brad Stuart and Niklas Kornvall and forwards Dallas Drake and Kris Draper.
As you can see from the below charts, that’s a drastic change from the first game, which saw Crosby, Hossa and Ryan Malone skating primarily against the top defensive unit and the top defensive line.
| Game 2 | |||
| Crosby | Lidstrom: 11.8 | Rafalski: 10.6 | Zetterberg: 10.3 |
| Hossa | Lidstrom: 10.4 | Datsuyk: 10.0 | Zetterberg: 9.4 |
| Malone | Lidstrom: 10.2 | Rafalski: 9.6 | Zetterberg: 9.1 |
| Game 3 | |||
| Crosby | Kronvall: 8.1 | Stuart: 7.7 | Lidstrom: 7.5 |
| Hossa | Kronvall: 8.2 | Stuart: 7.7 | Drake: 7.7 |
| Malone | Kronvall: 5.0 | Stuart: 4.6 | Samuelsson: 4.5 |
Sure, part of the home ice advantage is the ability to make the last line change, but Therrien did a good job throughout the game of getting the right lines on the ice at the right times.
He also had the opportunity to roll four lines, something that he strayed from in the first two games because his team was playing from behind.
But, in my opinion, possibly the most important, yet least visible, coaching decision made consistently throughout the game was the personnel on the ice for defensive zone faceoffs.
Excluding faceoffs following an icing call — which prohibits the offending team from making a line change — Therrien made it a point to have two centers on the ice for nearly every faceoff in front of Marc-Andre Fleury.
This may not seem like much, but the player most frequently utilized in these situations was Adam Hall, who happens to be right handed. When a center was kicked out of the circle, there was another ready to go.
Last night’s win had a lot to do with a lot of different things.
The Penguins outworked the Red Wings and found ways to conserve energy throughout the game, keeping them the fresher team as the minutes ticked away.
There was a strong defensive effort — led by Brooks Orpik, who was nothing short of dominant — that was implemented after gaining the lead.
And Fleury had a spectacular game that featured a save announcer Mike Emerick called “one of the best you will ever see.”
In short, the Penguins came to play and now find themselves right in the thick of it with regards to the rest of the series.
A win Saturday night will go a long way toward cooling the Red Wings as the series shifts back to Detroit for game five, but as was the case last night, the Penguins must not look past the next game.
It’s a cliche, but taking it one game at a time is the way to beat the Red Wings, and last night is proof that it is possible, though it certainly won’t be easy.
Comments
TIM
May 29, 10:30 AM
Orpik was just unreal last night. He was ruining peoples lives out there on the ice. I thought the team did a lot of little things right, and still have yet to play near the top of there potential. Both teams got away with a lot last night, and because of it we saw an amazing hockey game. I told a lot of my friends that before the series started this match up could save hockey. I think the rest of the series will be a much tighter affair.
Malkin needs to elevate his game more, but I thought he played way better last night. Adam Hall and Sydor played well. MAF made some amazing saves. Crosby played like the best player in the world last night. This team CAN WIN. This team WILL WIN.
One period at a time. Let’s Go Pens!
Dabich
May 29, 10:31 AM
I’m one of the people figuring a sweep was in the works when we were shut out two games in a row. Last night’s performance gave me new hope. What a wild game it was. I have to give Therrien credit for his coaching, and bottom line, the guys credit for playing their hearts out.
I’m looking forward to Saturday’s game after dreading the start of last night’s game. It’s a good feeling.
Adam Hall has made his mark on this team. Those who said he did notihng for the team need to rethink that notion. he was really, really good last night. And not just because he got the game winning goal. He was jsut all over the ice. He and Mad Max have some great chemistry going.
Head Coach Michel Therrien
May 29, 10:36 AM
Matt,
Dis commentary was refreshing an’ I tink you bring up many solid point.
But for sure you mus’ alway find some fault in de HCMT, no? Or de system we execute to perfeckion las’ night? Or de line I employ? Or de fack I never, ever put de player in position to succeed? Or maybe dat I am oh so stoopid an’ can not make de in game adjustment? Or maybe de HCMT would be better French Canadian rapper dan coach?
Waiting for de hater,
I smoke de Parliment Light.
What? Did de forget about Michel?
But ‘member I be press all de button
I ‘ave a friend in Matt,
Michel
Dabich
May 29, 11:19 AM
But, but, Michel! Matt did nothing but PRAISE you in this article! You were the genius last night!!!
You earned those Parliaments! Enjoy them.
French Canadian Rapper! Indeed!
Tom
May 29, 11:48 AM
Matt, Orpik deserved the first star. They credited him with seven hits, what small part of the game did they watch. I counted four knockdowns during one Wing rush? The Pens need to keep this guy.
Andrew R
May 29, 01:00 PM
Just one note, when Emrick made that call (“one of the best saves you’ll ever see”), it appeared at first that a hung-out-to-dry Fleury had made a sprawling save with the thick part of his goalie stick. The puck actually hit the post.
Matt Bodenschatz
May 29, 01:03 PM
Tom, I agree 100%.
Andrew, I hadn’t seen the replay, so I was unaware. Regardless, Fleury looked much more comfortable yesterday.
Ashley Gallant
May 29, 01:12 PM
That game last night had me smiling from ear to ear. It was like you could see that these guys finally believed in themselves.
Like Dabich, I can’t wait for Saturday’s game. It won’t be an easy game, that’s for sure, but how can we not look forward to it after last night?
Colby Armstrong predicted a 3-2 Pens win before game 3. I wonder what his thoughts are for game 4…
Tom
May 29, 01:58 PM
Matt, Clearly the play of Sydor justified his substitution for Letang.
“Well, Sydor played a significant role in the Penguins’ victory with crisp, smooth passes and he even joined the rush on occasion, creating some offense. And that isn’t mentioning his one hit and two blocked shots.”
These are accomplishments which Letang has been producing each period he plays. Not to toot Letang’s horn, but Sydor is still a slow skating, soft shooting, non-hitting, passive defending stiff and a waste of $2,500,000. Playing him will haunt the Pens.
Matt Bodenschatz
May 29, 02:07 PM
Well, Tom, it’s hard to argue against the win and the fact that Letang was exposed twice for goals in games one and two, and Sydor was relatively invisible in game three while playing nearly identical minutes to what Letang played.
The team won without Letang. I didn’t know it was possible. And I thought this was the series for Letang to show Lidstrom what it’s all about?
If you take of your Letang glasses, you’ll see that you are the only one blindly tooting his horn, even when he’s a healthy scratch. His benching was warranted — not that others didn’t deserve it as well — and the Penguins won. Obviously Sydor did something right.
Matt Bodenschatz
May 29, 02:18 PM
Tom, I really have to ask this: is your last name Letang? In all honesty, aside from Michael's former man-love for Ty Conklin, I’m not sure I’ve ever seen such obsession with a specific player. Somehow every comment about the defense turns into a response about Letang; every comment about passing, shooting, and/or speed turns into a response about Letang; every mistake by a defenseman would be a solid play by Letang; every poor play by Letang was a result of a poor play by his defensive partner; etc, etc, etc.
I understand you like the kid — as the vast majority of Penguins fans, myself included, do — but you’re not seeing things with an objective view, which is why I ask if you might share the same last name or something.
Nathan
May 29, 02:27 PM
I have one of the biggest man-crushes on Letang, but he definately deserved to be taken out of the lineup. The first two games he was finally CONSISTENTLY made to look like a rookie. He made a bad decision almost everytime he had the puck, and had none of the poise that he’s exhibited so far.
He’s going to be an amazing all-around defenseman, and I can’t wait until next year when he becomes supremely confident in his skill, and shows it.
I see a big breakout for him next year, much like Mike Greene this year, except it being a two-way breakout year.
Matt Bodenschatz
May 29, 02:42 PM
Nathan, I agree. I really see him taking a big step toward being a legitimate two-way defenseman and the Penguins’ number two defender behind Gonchar, but right now he’s just in over his head.
And, Tom, I just read your last statement suggesting playing Sydor will haunt the Penguins, and I just don’t understand how. He had a poor start to the season, was benched, then came back as a solid, solid player for the majority of the season. He’s a two-time Cup winner with plenty of experience — he’s not going to make the team regret playing him, and he certainly played better last night than Letang has so far this series.
Dabich
May 29, 02:43 PM
::covering my eyes::
I don’t WANT to see man crushes! lol
I, too, am an avid Letang fan. I was upset he was made to sit and Sydor play. But…look at the game. Let Sydor have a chance. He did well indeed last night.
Nathan, I think you’re right about him. I said before, we are seeing a “Lidstrom” player coming along here. Give him a year or two, and he will be awesome!
Ashley Gallant
May 29, 03:20 PM
Tom – Sydor was invisible last night, which was a great thing. He has been here before and has won the Stanley Cup, twice – with Tampa Bay and Dallas. He will not be phased if the going gets rough, because he has survived it in the past. The young players on the team who have not been here before can look to him for guidance on how to handle the pressure and the adversity. That is why veteran players like Sydor and Roberts are so valuable to this team.
Letang is a great defenceman, but he is not like Lidstrom or Pronger or Niedermayer. I think he will be one of the great d-men in the NHL in a few years, but we have to remember that he is still a rookie who is learning how to play in this league. Everything is on the line right now, and Letang is making mistakes. He will grow as a player and be better in the future because he played in games 1 and 2, but do you really want to keep him in the lineup and let him play, possibly costing the Pens the Cup, or would you rather insert a veteran player like Sydor? Sydor may not be as fast or as skilled as Letang, but if he can make those defensive plays to keep Detroit from scoring goals, then I want him playing.
Right now, it’s all about icing the best team possible.
Tom
May 29, 04:32 PM
Ashley, Matt, Nathan, Did you watch the same game I did? I watch defense, almost exclusively, because that is what I played years ago. Saying nothing about Letang, whom I believe you all have denigrated without cause, and merely discussing Sydor. What did you see in his play that misleads you into thinking that he is still a quality defender? No generalizations, just observations. Sydor is slow. Is that in dispute? Sydor is a passive (backing in type of defender) rather than an aggressive defender (e.g. Orpik). No forward need fear skating into his zone, anticipating being hit. Sydor’s passes are soft and often innaccurate leading to giveaways. Sydor is not strong on his skates and unsure of his stickhandling, often leading to takeaways. Sydor does not have a strong clearing shot nor a strong shot on goal from the blue line. Sydor is older and would tire easily if he ever did anything. Finally Sydor is so slow and lacks agility to the point that he cannot cover for Whitney, whose defensive inadequacies have been discussed by many. Sydor displayed all of those attributes last night in game 3. Being invisible may seem to be good or it may be because the player is doing nothing.
Matt Bodenschatz
May 29, 05:01 PM
Tom, all I saw was a defender who made no mistakes last night and joined the rush on one occasion that nearly resulted in a Penguins goal. Let’s also add in that Letang was victimized twice in the first two games — and Sydor was not in game three — which indicates Sydor, at least, has not played worse than Letang. He may not be aggressive, or a big hitter or the best in any one specific area, but he has experience and he gets the job done. The fact that the team won — and that he didn’t make any major mistakes leading to goals — suggests that the lineup should and will remain the same.
In no way am I or anyone else denigrating Letang. Everyone here has given him more than just do. He is a solid, solid player with an unbelievably bright future. But the future is not right now, and right now he is not playing his best hockey. I’m going to go out on a limb and side with the coaching staff of this team, which has led the Penguins to the Stanley Cup Finals rather than side with someone who talks about no player other than Letang — unless he is down-talking someone who did Letang wrong.
Nathan
May 29, 07:19 PM
Tom – “Sydor displayed all of those attributes last night in game 3.”
No he didn’t.
On his first shift he lost control of the puck in his own end, and it went to a Red Wing. He was checked, and the puck got out of the zone.
Later in the period he snuck in from the point, collected a pass, put it to the net, and Hossa got 2 more chances.
After that he was solid, made no mistakes, and didn’t need anyone to cover for him. The opposite of all the reasons Letang was sat, and will be sat for the rest of the series.
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