"Slumping" Players Spark Victory
Matt Bodenschatz | Pittsburgh Penguins
Jun 3, 03:38 PM | Hype this story!
So much has been written about last night’s game, and deservingly so, but one thing that seems to have flown under the radar is how much of a team effort each game has been.
One of the more popular topics discussed throughout this series has been the lackluster play of superstar center Evgeni Malkin, veteran winger Petr Sykora and offensive defenseman Ryan Whitney.
Many have gone so far as to question why they continuously are given ice time when they obviously aren’t earning it.
Last night provided the answer.
Malkin, after an unimpressive game throughout regulation, turned it on in overtime and seemingly found his legs. His efforts led to a first assist on Sykora’s game-winning goal midway through the third overtime period.
Had he been taken off of the power play unit, who knows how the game would have ended? Maybe someone else scores for the Penguins to extend the series. Or maybe a Red Wing tickles the twine, signaling a Stanley Cup ceremony.
Sykora hasn’t necessarily been bad this series, but he also hasn’t been good. Indivisible would be a good description. But then he uncharacteristically told Pierre McGuire he would score the goal to end the game in overtime.
Sure enough, he did.
But if it was up to many fans and media members, he likely wouldn’t have had that opportunity at the beginning of the four minute power play.
And how about Whitney? In just over 50 minutes of ice time (nearly one full game), the underachieving defender put the puck on net three times, botched a breakaway attempt against with some nifty stick work, and finished with a plus-two rating.
His efforts surely were overlooked, but he logged more ice time than any player on either team and he came out on top.
There’s a simple reason coach Michel Therrien has turned to his best players in key situations all season and throughout the playoffs: they are the ones with the skill to do it.
Nothing can be left on the ice, and there can be no second-guessing.
What happens if Malkin, Sykora and Whitney are given reduced icetime? I think it’s safe to say the outcome may not have been nearly the same.
As a spectator and a diehard fan, I want the best players on the ice as much as possible. The last thing I want to do is wonder, “What if…”
Last night is a perfect example of what happens when patience and confidence are utilized.
Props to Therrien and his staff for sticking with Malkin, Sykora, Whitney and the others, even when many had long lost their patience for such players.
Comments
mww
Jun 3, 04:18 PM
Well written !
I´m just curious what injuries are hidden from the media. I can´t explain Genos and Sykoras problems any other way.
But we´ll find out after game 7 on saturday, after the pens won the cup ;-) (Wishfull thinking)
Lets go Pens !
Tom
Jun 3, 04:54 PM
Matt, Clearly younger, stronger and more fit players are now beginning to prevail. The Pens on average are five years younger and ten pounds heavier. All that free candy is getting to the Wings. Orpik had another monster game. as always, the key to beating the wings are:
1. Hit the Wings constantly and with great energy and impact (Orpik, Letang (if available), Laraque, Malone, Roberts, Gill — our high impact hitters);
2. Improve our exit passing from the defensive zone (Gonchar, Goligoski, Letang, Whitney – our defensemen with good passing skills, hard accurate passes and vision to spot open forwards.
3. Shoot on goal at least twice as many times >35 shots.
4. Play from down low with Laraque, Talbot, Staal, Malone and Roberts. Keep the puck in the Wings’ end.
5. Play a high tempo, fast game.
6. Play the trap.
The Wings are old and tired. Physical opponents disagree with them and make them cough up the puck.
Go Pens!
Matt Bodenschatz
Jun 3, 05:10 PM
Tom, I see where you are coming from, but I have to disagree with a lot of this. First of all, the game went to three overtimes, and Detroit was the team sparking most of the offense — which is a result of remarkable conditioning. Both teams — young and old — were fatigued and it may very well show in Game Six that the game affected Detroit more, but last night’s win, in my opinion, wasn’t a result of age.
The keys to beating Detroit are, as you said, hard-hitting, quick-passing, shooting the puck, controlling the puck, and playing a fast, trap-oriented game. But that’s the game plan to beat every team. If you execute this against any team, it will work. The problem is, Detroit is very good at preventing this from happening.
You mention specific players for several of those keys, but I submit that the lists are off, and here’s why. Laraque and Letang have not played for either Penguins win. Goligoski hasn’t played period. They aren’t keys to the game at this point. If, and there is a big if for everyone but Letang, any of these guys get back into the lineup, THEN they become keys, but for now they are nothing but moral support.
I think Letang should be back in the lineup tomorrow after a 4-giveaway performance by Sydor last night, but will Therrien change a winning lineup? I doubt it, and I can’t really fault him for it.
Hitting needs to remain intense.
Exit passing needs to be better, but it’s not as if they are not trying. Detroit is just extremely good at clogging the neutral zone and preventing such passes.
Shooting is essential. Osgood looks increasingly pedestrain with each passing shot on goal. The more shots, the better — even if they come from bad angles and whatnot.
Playing from down low is a solid strategy — if the Penguins can get the puck and keep possession. Remember, this was a strategy used by the Pens all season long. They didn’t just abandon it as a game plan. It has been taken away with stellar defense and backchecking by the Wings.
High tempo is crucial.
Trap is crucial — but only after a lead is established and padded.
The Wings are old, and they very well may show their fatigue tomorrow night, but I certainly didn’t see either team showing more fatigue last night.
Go Pens, is right!
Eric
Jun 3, 06:47 PM
I was going to add something, but I’ll just say to re-read what Matt said.
Right on man.
Tom
Jun 3, 08:28 PM
Matt, I noticed significant signs of fatigue on many players. Remember I particularly watch defensemen, as my experience dictates.
As to the Wings, I notice a general slowdown and fatigue having an effect upon Rafalski (34/191) (42:06), Lidstrom (38/189)(45:24). Both were out of gas on several shifts and it showed. Lidja (32/220)(24:24) played slowly and badly but I detected no real signs of fatigue. Lebda (26/195) (23:28) was as invisible as usual and showed no real fatigue. Kronwall (27/189)(42:02) did not seem fatigued, but was shaken after he shot the puck into his own goal and never returned to his hard hitting form. Stuart (28/213)(38:42) played well until the end.
I notice no extraordinary signs of fatigue on the Pens’ defensemen excepting Sydor (36/211)(20:25); however, he did not play much differently than usual, slow, poorly to good from shift to shift. Oddly Gill (33/250)(40:02) showed little fatigue, but he does not skate all that fast or far. Whitney (25/219)(50:46) and Orpik (27/219)(42:11) tired at the ends of long shifts due to playing with only five defensemen after Gonchar was injured and Orpik suffered cramps at one time due to dehydration; however, both were still trucking well at the end. Scuderi (29/218)(43:42) seemed slow at the end, but he is never fast. Gonchar (34/211) (21:22) seemed all right until he was hurt. Despite the little difference in age of defenders when Sydor plays, the Pens seemed to be in better condition just before the end of the game and at the ends of each period. These are sure signs of fatigue.
If Sydor and/or Gonchar were scratched and Letang and/or Goligoski played, the age differential would be far greater.
As for Laraque and Roberts playing down low, who is going to challenge them in the crease or corner. I am suggesting playing them together with Hall. Probably it will not happen and probably neither Letang (21/201) nor Goligoski (22/185)will be played. I merely point out possibilities. I do not forcast lineups.
Center the puck. Crash the net. Shoot the puck. Always the key to victory from pee wee to NHL. That is just how Talbot tied the score. Desperation is the key. Physicality and speed are the necessary ingredients. Playing older, gentler, slower senior citizens produces none of the above. Play your young, fast, hard hitting, puck moving players.
Dabich
Jun 3, 08:55 PM
Tom, I’m thinking Matt is right in saying Letang will likely play Wednesday. No way do we scratch Gonchar, UNLESS his back is REALLY bad, he will play.
Scuderi played well as did Gill and Whitney. Sydor had his moments.
We will have home ice advangage, and that will help a lot.
The Pens’ two biggest weak points now are the PP and pure and simple, shooting the puck on goal. They HAVE to shoot more. The PP came thru finally in 3rd overtime Monday night. But, it must be MORE consistent to win.
Even the faceoffs have improved, so i’m not saying it’s an issue at this point.
As you said, GO PENS!
Michael
Jun 3, 10:34 PM
Did you notice that on the game-winning powerplay goal, Malkin was NOT on the left point? We had two regular defensemen with Malkin’s line, as the PP unit. No “stacked” PP unit.
It took Yeo and Therrien until Game 5 of the Finals to finally realize .. (“duh”, because .. gee .. duhhhh .. it wasn’t working) .. that they’d better get Malkin off the left point on the powerplay. And then when they finally (‘duh’, again) went back to a sensible PP configuration .. using some common sense for a change .. lo and behold, Sykora scores a goal.
I wonder what might have happened if they hadn’t used the “stacked” PP unit at all, and had never put Malkin on the left point? Maybe the Penguins would have won the Finals already in 5 games.
When one of your world-class superstar forwards__publicly serves notice__that he’s uncomfortable .. you don’t turn it into an ego battle and be a stubborn ass and ignore him, you immediately take action to make him comfortable.
Yes, I do think Malkin has been playing with an injury, which has definitely hurt his performance. But this problem was only compounded by MT/Yeo ignoring his public utterance about being uncomfortable on the left point on the PP. And the results were obviously pathetic, yet Therrien/Yeo waited until Game 5 to finally relent. And Malkin never should have had to “go public” in the first place. Surely MT/Yeo should have been aware of Malkin’s position on this issue before he went public with it ..?
Regardless .. Let’s Go Pens!!!
Matt Bodenschatz
Jun 4, 04:13 PM
Yep, Therrien and Yeo are morons. I’m amazed this team got to the Finals despite them. By the way, what’s the power play percentage at? Oh yeah, it’s one of the best in the playoffs. Enough said.
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