Solution To A Sargeless Power-Play?
Jesse Marshall | Pittsburgh Penguins
Oct 22, 12:40 AM | Hype this story!
While we fans of the Pittsburgh Penguins might have fallen asleep last evening with smiles courtesy of the Penguins 5-1 drubbing of the St. Louis Blues, many of us were haunted by the nightmares of how dismal the Penguins power-play looked sans Sergei Gonchar last season.
This loss means several things for the Penguins. Gonchar’s presence on the power-play was sorely missed last year. We now get to see, in the wake of an oncoming contract year, just how valuable Sergei Gonchar can be, and just how prepared Alex Goligoski and Kristopher Letang are to take hold of the reigns and assume control of the Penguins offensive blueline.
The likelihood is that we’ll see a combination of Eaton, Letang, Goligoski, and Evgeni Malkin work the blueline on the power-play’s first and second units.
However, it’s time to try a new course.
Letang and Goligoski, although offensively gifted, are still young, and prone to making costly errors.
Evgeni Malkin is admittedly uncomfortable playing the right point.
Mark Eaton, while steady defensively, isn’t enough of an offensive threat to make enough of an impact.
It’s time to give the captain a shot.
With a new composite stick in hand, we’ve watched Sergei Gonchar set-up Sidney Crosby throughout the beginning of the regular season. Crosby’s shot has improved by leaps and bounds, and the new stick has enabled him to get chances on net and create opportunities down low like he never could before.
The threat here is dual. Crosby demands respect. His one on one skill set is second to none in the National Hockey League. If tested, he can burn the competition. However, if beat, he can play catch up. He’s sound enough defensively that he isn’t a liability.
Think of the options it gives him. With Letang on his left, he’ll have the option to get him the puck on the far boards and attempt to set up one timers, with Malkin to his right, he’ll have a threat in the circle, and with a new and improved shot, he’ll be able to utilize screens in front to get pucks on goal and generate chances.
Let’s be honest here, no one on the Penguins roster sees the ice better than Sidney Crosby. This is a move that makes sense, and one the Penguins could see great reward from.
Comments
Michael Sepulveda
Oct 22, 02:06 AM
Would you have Crosby take a faceoff, then have the team rotate around to get him to the point? Or would Malkin become the PP1 center?
Crosby on the point would be interesting to see.
Jay
Oct 22, 09:00 AM
A far better option would be to have Malkin or another D-man on the point. Malkin plays between a true “point” position and the Jaromir Jagr spot on the half boards, so he’s used to rotating up to the point anyway.
The tough thing is that Gonch is usually set up near the middle of the ice on the point, with two hybrids flanking him (Malkin, and Goligoski or Letang mirroring him) and with Crosby and Guerin or Kunitz down low. The Pens’ power play is very fluid and able to rotate in either direction to follow the puck. That’s a great asset, but it makes it really difficult to replace the hub of that attack, which is Gonchar.
Dabich
Oct 22, 10:58 AM
Does anyone have any idea what Skoula is capable of? He may fit right in, who knows?
Moq
Oct 22, 11:05 AM
I think it’s far more prudent not to make grand adjustments before we know the result of simpler solutions. The subtle replacement of Gonchar with Goligoski while sticking with the established plan seems far more logical to me.
However, you could alternate between Malkin and Crosby at the point on the second unit. I still think Corsby is more effective down low, but I’m not against experimenting. The powerplay has room for improvement with or without Gonchar.
Matt Bodenschatz
Oct 22, 11:49 AM
@Jesse, very interesting idea, and one I wouldn’t mind seeing the Pens visit — but only if, as Moq says, the simpler solution of inserting Goligoski doesn’t work.
This is a big change, and the best recipe for success is the one that cooked up an 8-1 start to the season thus far.
@Jay, valid points about the fluidity of the power play. It’s quite fun to watch — especially when it’s clicking.
@Dabich, Skoula won’t be a power play replacement for Gonchar. He’s more of a defensive defender who blocks shots and can make an outlet pass. Think a less skilled Mark Eaton. At this point, Eaton is the third defenseman in line for power play duties.
@Moq, your last point is quite valid. The power play wasn’t exactly lighting the NHL on fire with Gonchar. There is room for an adjustment or two — and that is true with or without Gonchar in the lineup.
Brixton Pen
Oct 22, 12:26 PM
Time to give Go-SKI a shot, great lateral skating, he is a good decision maker and patient with the puck, and is very good at keeping the puck in the zone along the boards… I think he will suprise a few people and Gonch won’t be as missed as last year…Though of course happier with him than without…
Ray aka WildcatRay
Oct 22, 01:12 PM
Borrowing an idea from the Steelers, avoid making more changes than are necessary. Plug in Letang or whomever for Gonchar and keep everyone else where they are. Move too many players around and you have more players than you should needing to adjust to a new position and teammates in new positions.
Brad
Oct 22, 02:15 PM
The Pens powerplay is ranked 18th in the league. So don’t think that it has nowhere to go but down. Changing things up may actually help it. One thing that puzzles me is how Bylsma preaches an “up tempo” game but the Pens consistanly get outworked while having a man advantage. Role the top two or three lines and overwhelm the other team. They can outplay most teams 5 on 5 so why wouldn’t 5 on 4 be better? Playing 5 players for 90 seconds forces them to pace themselves and stand around too much.
Slipstream
Oct 22, 02:57 PM
@Brad — I totally agree. The power play even with Gonchar is a big area of obvious improvement for the team (as much as any improvement is needed for an 8-1 team, that is).
I’m not a huge fan of a forward at the point. Even with the improved stick, I just can’t imagine Crosby’s shot scaring anyone from out there, which means other teams will position accordingly and he is easier to play against. Malkin’s shot better equips him for the point position, but he seemed really uncomfortable there and I would be hesitant to try that again.
bag o' pucks
Oct 22, 10:53 PM
Crosby scores from in tight. Moving him to the position farthest from the net is counter productive.
Zack Dawson
Oct 23, 12:25 AM
Crosby’s shot is certainly not so bad that he can’t score from beyond the circles. He is just more of a precision shooter than one who just blows them past with power. We’ve seen Gonchar throw a well-placed wrister on net from the point with plenty of success.
Crosby on the point is something to ponder, and could be an excellent look, but it won’t be the first option. They like having Sid along the far boards working with Malkin and the point men.
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