Goligoski Off The Top Power Play Unit
Matt Bodenschatz | Pittsburgh Penguins
Dec 14, 05:04 PM | Hype this story!
According to the Penguins web site, defenseman Alex Goligoski has been removed from the top power play unit, paving way for forward Evgeni Malkin to play the point alongside veteran defenseman Sergei Gonchar.
At just 13.6 percent, the Penguins’ power play ranks 29th in the NHL, more than 10 percent behind league leading Washington’s power play (23.9 percent).
While Goligoski wasn’t the problem, he is the fresh face on power play in comparison to last year’s configuration.
“If you look back to when I came on Feb. 15 of last year, this is a set we have used before,” coach Dan Bylsma said. “Sometimes it’s personnel dictated, who’s in and out of the lineup.”
As used in practice today, the Penguins likely will utilize a unit of Sidney Crosby at center, Bill Guerin at right wing, and one of Matt Cooke or Chris Kunitz at left wing, along with Malkin and Gonchar.
Per the web site:
“...the Penguins moved Malkin from the goal line on the right-side boards to the left point in place of Alex Goligoski and next to Sergei Gonchar. Sidney Crosby kept his spot floating up and down the left side while Chris Kunitz and Matt Cooke rotated with Bill Guerin down low.”
By design, this new unit should force the opposition to pay more attention to Gonchar and Malkin along the blueline, thus creating more space for the forwards down low.
“You’ve got Gonch right in between us,” Crosby said. “It’s pretty hard for guys to cover. At least two of us may be covered, but one of us is going to be open, one of the three up top there.”
If utilized correctly, Gonchar and Malkin could find ample opportunities to set up one-timers for one another.
While a simple personnel and alignment change is far from a sure-fire solution, it does represent what fans have called for for quite some time: change.
Anything will be better than the stagnant, ineffective alignment used most of this season.
Comments
Nate
Dec 14, 05:40 PM
Really? Is this all they can come up with?
Here’s an idea, watch tape from any Washington game, they are amazing on the PP. One thing they have that Pittsburgh doesn’t, movement, even guys without the puck. Crosses, picks, anything to lose the opposition. Maybe try that for a while.
The days of Mario and Jags picking a PK apart are long gone.
Mike Adams
Dec 14, 07:19 PM
I agree, Nate. It’s not the personnel. It’s not where they line up. It’s the design. There is no movement, long passes through three guys, no zone entry plan, lack of puck retrieval, general lack of hard work. If you don’t solve these problems, you can move the puzzle pieces all you want and it won’t make a lick of difference.
Ray aka WildcatRay
Dec 14, 07:56 PM
Question. What happened to Letang not being on the first PP unit? Wasn’t he there throughout the Cup run last year?
stef
Dec 14, 08:46 PM
Letang has been awful on the pp. He is not the solution for sure.
TIM
Dec 15, 12:16 AM
The Pens players need to move their feet like Nate said. Not stand around and watch Sarge or Geno blast it from the point. The issues with the PP have nothing to do with Go-Go
DaBich
Dec 15, 07:36 AM
Well, I guess we’ll find out as early as tonight if this works…which I agree with everyone else, it’s not a fix, it’s putting tape on the broken stick.
At least management is finally acknowledging that the PP isn’t working and is doing SOMETHING to change it. It’s a start.
Pens1967
Dec 15, 08:44 AM
Agree that the design is the issue, not the personnel. The Pens simply do not move enough to make the PK box break down.
Matt Bodenschatz
Dec 15, 12:20 PM
I agree with all who say the personnel was not the issue, but rather the schematics and lack of movement.
I also agree with those who say that, regardless of the problem, it’s nice to finally see the coaching staff doing something — anything — to correct the problem. They may be looking in the wrong direction, but they at least understand changes are in order.
grant
Dec 15, 01:57 PM
Agree,,,moving Go Go off the unit is NOT the answer..with Geno on the point i will bet anything the Pens give up more short handed goals the they ever have..Leave GoGo on the PP,use him more as a decoy and have the other plyers MOVE their ass once in awhile!!
Javier
Dec 15, 02:09 PM
The problem lies in large due to Bill Guerin. He never retreats the puck, can not one time a pass, never deflects or screens the goalie. He also needs to be off the top line. He is more of a third line player at this point. Bill Guerin i’m sure is a nice guy and some argue he is a good locker room guy, but it’s no longer 2002.
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