That Was Embarrassing
Matt Bodenschatz | Pittsburgh Penguins
Mar 17, 09:16 PM | Hype this story!
With five consecutive losses to the New Jersey Devils, a win in the sixth and final matchup seemed like a sure thing for the defending Stanley Cup Champion Pittsburgh Penguins.
And, when Chris Kunitz scored early in the first period to make it 1-0, the signs were good.
The Penguins were playing hard a the Devils weren’t dictating the style of play.
Then came the first mistake.
While on the breakout, Brooks Orpik made a premature line change and Kris Letang made a pretty poor pass.
Turnover. Breakaway. Goal.
That’s when St. Patrick declared his allegiance to the retro-green-wearing Devils squad.
And that’s when I had my first outburst of the game.
The Penguins continued their turnover parade, making mistake after mistake after mistake as if they hadn’t learned their lesson from the previous five matchups against the Devils.
Needless to say, my outbursts grew in frequency, and my remote control got a workout surfing the channels for a while.
By the time I regrouped and got the courage to re-engage myself in the game, the score was 4-2 and the teams were skating at four-on-four with an extended three-minute major power play for the Penguins on the horizon.
With the way the game had gone to that point — or at least until I had stopped watching — I should have known better than to expect a comeback.
And, aside from a few threatening shots, the Penguins barely mustered an attack, eventually surrendering an empty net goal to finalize the game at 5-2 and season series at 6-0.
Now, this is just one game in a season of 82, and even at this point, the Penguins remain in a tie with the Devils.
But it’s quite difficult to overlook a six game losing streak — a season sweep — against a division rival that happens to be the Penguins’ biggest playoff seeding opponent.
At the very least, this is an embarrassment.
It’s now time to move forward. The past is the past and can’t be changed.
What lie ahead are 12 games to make a statement, and if the Penguins want to win the Atlantic Division, a statement run will be needed.
Comments
Pens1967
Mar 17, 09:46 PM
Hmmm, looks like I made the right choice going to New Castle for the PIAA basketball playoff game. We lost, but at least it was an exciting game.
Ivan
Mar 17, 09:57 PM
Just to clarify, Orpik broke his stick on the first goal according to Grover on the hotline and that’s why he was going to the bench. I guess he thought Letang would take care of what should have been an easy pass forward.
Pens outshot the Devils in 5 of the 6 games. But the power play went 0 for 21 in the season series. Awful. But I still don’t get the feeling that they really are a better team than the Pens. Still would prefer to avoid them in the playoffs, of course. Anyone who tells you otherwise is lying.
At the same time, I’m not afraid of that team in the least. I think the Pens will be a different team come playoff time. Let’s not forget Malkin didn’t play in 2 of the games, including tonight, and that somehow Marty Brodeur managed to give up only 3 goals in the first 5 games, and only 5 in 6. That’s a fluke. Maybe he could have a couple of dominating games in the playoffs, but I just can’t see the Pens getting shut down like that in a playoff series against these guys. They are not that good. Not even close.
I don’t wanna sound bitter, but I really do believe that in at least 3 of these games against New Jersey, the Penguins were the better team, and they just couldn’t capitalize on their chances. And that’s a lot more on them than it is on Brodeur or the Devils’ defense.
Pens1967
Mar 17, 09:59 PM
On a more serious note, Bylsma has to set his lines for the playoffs. He can’t keep juggling trying to find whatever it is he thinks is missing with so few games left in the regular season. The forwards play just looks like mass confusion instead of smooth operation.
The coaches also need to put Orpik back with Gonchar. Neither is working that well with their new partner. At least with Gonchar and Orpik, the team has a shut down defense pair. Even as slow as McKee is, he can at least clear the crease. I’d sit Goligoski and pair Leopold with McKee and reunite Eaton and Letang.
Brad
Mar 17, 10:00 PM
Let’s see where we are at…
Pens standings against the top 10 teams in the league.
_________________GF_GA
Caps_______0-1-1__7__11
Sharks______0-1-0__0___5
Hawks______0-0-1__1___2
Coyotes____0-1-0__0___3
Canucks____0-1-0__2___6
Avalanche__1-0-0__4___1
Devils______0-6-0__5___22
Kings______0-1-0__2____5
Predators __0-0-1__3___4
Totals_____1-11-3_24__59
Yikes. The Devils aren’t the only team giving them trouble.
Still, I believe they have what it takes. They just aren’t quite there.
Maybe this loss will spark another level of intensity.
Let us hope.
ppirilla
Mar 17, 10:13 PM
‘67, to be fair, I think that HCDB was comfortable with the way the lines were right before Malkin’s injury. Losing a player of that calibre from the lineup basically means he has to start over with the line combos.
Brad, those numbers are highly skewed. Since 7 of the 9 teams you list are in the west, there’s only 15 games played there, and 6 are against the Devils. 1-5-3 against 8 teams, 7 of them out of conference isn’t exactly stellar work, but it’s not cause for panic, either.
Pens1967
Mar 17, 10:28 PM
I wanted to see what Bylsma did for a full year before starting to judge him because the Pens were in desperation mode to make the playoffs, still had remnants of Therrien’s system and Sid’s desire to win the Cup after 2008 when he was hired last Feb. To be honest, I am not really a Bylsma fan at this point.
Therrien had his faults for sure, but players got better under his coaching. I don’t see that from Bylsma for anyone except Dupuis.
I think the constant line juggling once the team got healthy has been a disaster.
It looks like 3 random guys on the ice who have no idea how to work together. I dunno, I’m just not sold on him as a head coach.
Ivan
Mar 17, 10:52 PM
@Pens1967 – I don’t think you can blame Bylsma for guys like Malkin, Goligoski, Letang, Kunitz, Kennedy and Fedotenko not having good seasons. Bylsma’s done a good job with this team this year. They’re in a good spot. You have to remember all the injuries we had to our defense, and also that every team gets up to play us. We’re one of those games they circle in the calendar every time.
Really, the guy who has been the most disappointing to me is Malkin. Obviously he had the injury early and now he’s got another one, and thankfully it’s not a serious injury, but he’s a much better player than how he’s played this year. The dominant Geno just hasn’t showed up at all this year. He’s still had a good season for most players’ standards, but we’re talking about the reigning Art Ross Trophy winner here. He has just 23 goals, 46 assists for 69 points in 62 games, to go along with a -6 rating and a ton of bad penalties. He’s got 88 PIM. So many of those penalties have been because of undisciplined play and laziness, too.
You can’t blame Bylsma for that.
If the guys I mentioned were putting up the offensive numbers that they’re capable of, the division race would probably be over by now and we could be right up there with the Caps in points. Instead, we still might finish 4th or lower in the standings.
DTanna
Mar 18, 12:08 AM
I have to agree with Pens1967 on this. The remnants of Therrien’s system and then HCDB opening things up may have created the perfect storm last year. Things appear to be regressing this year, especially defensively. His system, or lack there of, has obviously gotten exposed by the more structured teams in the league. To continually turn the puck over the way they did tonight speaks to poor preparation.
I think you absolutely can, and should, blame Bylsma for Geno’s undisciplined play. He has already set his career high in PIM to go along with his point total dropping off. Why wouldn’t a head coach be held accountable for a players total lack of discipline?
And how is Mckee not cracking this line up? After watching our D and their several primary assists on Jersey goals tonight…I am praying for the quick development of Strait, Lovejoy, Bortuzzo and Despres.
FDeuce
Mar 18, 12:59 AM
they’re 5-2-1 in the last 8 games. does anyone remember last year when the capitals took 7/8 points in the regular season series? remember how that matchup ended in the playoffs? take a deep breath and settle in, they’re just working some kinks out.
Pens1967
Mar 18, 04:27 AM
I’ll admit Bylsma’s personality as it comes across in his media appearances annoys me – just strikes me as very smug. Look at how long the PP limped along before it was changed, and that took Yeo being out sick to happen.
I’m not a fan of the way Bylsma has handled Malkin this season. I don’t think either one understands what the other one wants or needs. Geno is the one who, imho, has been hurt most by the constant juggling of linemates and from center to wing.
Is it a coincidence the defense and PP are handled by the same coach? Neither have been good this season, yet the head coach stubbornly does nothing, at least nothing apparent.
We’ll see what the playoffs bring, though.
Casey
Mar 18, 05:28 AM
At 4-1 I started watching Band of Brothers with the wife. That seemed like more of a productive way to spend my evening.
DaBich
Mar 18, 05:34 AM
My two cents here. I quit watching about mid way thru the game. My blood pressure was up, I was yelling at the television and scaring my poor dog. Shelby deserves better than that.
Geno definitely has problems. Maybe HCDB isn’t helping, but Geno has to help himself first. His sloppy penalties are not acceptable…period. That’s HIS fault, no one else’s.
Dupuis has emerged, not because of HCDB, but because of Tony Granato. he’s the one that told Duper to shoot more. His speed and tenacity are going to get him to the net, so shooting only makes sense. And it’s paying off.
Let Granato work with Geno. I’m saying he can turn him around.
I surely hope tonight’s game goes better.
Casey
Mar 18, 05:58 AM
@ Dabich – So who told Sid to shoot more? That guy’s a genius.
I think people to lay off Bylsma a little. We’re 4th in the conference coming off back-to-back Cup runs with an Olympic year thrown in there. We were going to get tired and anyone who says differently is joking.
DaBich
Mar 18, 07:12 AM
Casey, Sid’s the genius :)
I think it’s more than just being tired when it comes to New Jersey. The Devils are in their heads. What to do about it? I have no clue.
I’m not bashing Bylsma, I’m just saying, it was Granato who counseled Dupuis.
I like Bylsma. I just hope he isn’t too easy on the guys.
Casey
Mar 18, 07:25 AM
Dabich – Sorry, the commented about bashing Bylsma was a general one. It wasn’t directed at you.
DaBich
Mar 18, 07:45 AM
Hey, it’s all good, Casey.
Mike Adams
Mar 18, 07:47 AM
@ Brad
You stole my thunder with the comment about their terrible record against good teams. I was going to do a whole column about that today.
Ace
Mar 18, 08:10 AM
The Pens seem unbalanced to me, and I blame the inclusion of Gogo in the lineup. With Gonch, Letang, and Leopold you have 3 puckmovers. Adding Gogo to that mix, given his lack of an NHL-ready body, seems to cause the whole lineup to overcompensate. would much prefer mckee in there.
Matt Bodenschatz
Mar 18, 08:15 AM
Wow, it appears you all were starving for a new story :)
@Pens, I’m still not sure I buy the line juggling or miscommunication between Geno and Bylsma arguments.
For starters, Therrien juggled the lines just as much as, if not more than Bylsma does. And, you’ll recall during the Olympics, Mike Babcock, widely considered one of the best coaches in the game today, said of his constant line juggling, that coaches look for things fans aren’t trained to look for and/or aren’t aware of. When these red flags go up, the lines change. Look where that has gotten him with the Red Wings and Team Canada. Line juggling is a popular practice in the NHL. This isn’t simply something that happens in Pittsburgh. And, as others said, what was Bylsma to do last night? Geno was out, and lines had to be adjusted to compensate. When the ship is sinking, Bylsma can’t just play his fiddle. He needs to grab a life raft and make a attempt to turn things around.
Regarding communication between Malkin and Bylsma, I look at it this way. Malkin has been in the league for four years now. With each passing year, his English has improved markedly. If there are communication issues with Bylsma, they aren’t because of a language barrier — otherwise they would have been even more prevalent under Therrien, whose second language is English. Plus, the Penguins have enough Russian speaking players, that this argument just doesn’t hold up.
@Brad. the numbers are ominous, but when you are using a one or two game sample size for many of those teams, the results easily can be skewed.
@DTanna, McKee’s scratchings might be an indication of the subpar state of the defense. If he’s not better than any of the six currently playing, that’s not a good sign.
Then again, I get a strong feeling that this defense will patch up its holes in time for the playoffs.
@FDeuce, There’s the optimism we’ve been missing. The Penguins have improved of late, no doubt. The Devils just put a nice monkey wrench in their plans.
@Casey, I agree. Bylsma may not be an elite coach. Then again, he’s just barely passed the full season mark behind the bench. Like any rookie, he’s going to have some growing pains. He’ll learn from his mistakes. Overall, though, he has the team playing the type of game it needs to play to win: a fast-tempo, aggressive game that depends on a quick transition from the defensive zone and puck possession in the offensive zone. But, when players make irresponsible passes against systematic teams like the Devils, they’re going to suffer. The defense as a hole needs to concentrate more on executing high percentage, safe passes, as opposed to simply dishing the puck nonchalantly regardless of the situation.
@Dabich, the Devils are in their heads, no matter what any of the players say. That being said, winning 6/6 in a season series isn’t the same as winning 4 in a playoff series. The games in a season are spaced apart and any number of circumstances could prove to be a benefit to one team and a downfall for another. In the playoffs, aside from injuries and home-ice advantage, the teams both find themselves traveling the same, playing back-to-back games the same, having to work out practice kinks at the same time, etc. In a condensed timeframe, I see the Penguins putting up a good fight, if not winning the series.
spider lockhart
Mar 18, 08:34 AM
@pens1967- i’m not sold on disco either. this team does not have “it”, and to think they’ll round into form in time for the playoffs is wishful thinking, at least to me. i’m thinking the pirates will pretty much have spring to themselves this year. hope i’m wrong, but this team isn’t giving me much to hope for.
DaBich
Mar 18, 09:02 AM
@ Mike ~ write it anyway, I’m interested =)
Matt ~ it’s about time you posted something for us to chew on :P
Casey
Mar 18, 09:10 AM
@ Matt – I don’t know if this is the point you were trying to make, but that sounds to me like Bylsma has done all he can and now it’s up to the players. He can preach about smarter passes, which I’m sure he does, but it’s up to the players to practice what he preaches.
Pens1967
Mar 18, 09:11 AM
Matt, you and I will agree to disagree about Malkin and Bylsma. Bylsma seems to be a coach who likes to understand what makes each player tick. I don’t think you can do that unless you can sit down and shoot the breeze or otherwise engage in every day conversation. That’s why I think language is part of it as it strikes me every time I hear Bylsma talk about Malkin, he sounds unsure. (Consider how happy Malkin was to get Poni and have 2 wingers he doesn’t have to think to talk to on the ice or bench.) Whenever Malkin talks about changes he always says he’s happy or it’s good. Look at how nervous he was on the PP point and how much better he is on the half wall. One would never know there was a difference if one just listened to what he said about playing either place. I think Malkin’s a player you have to watch play and kind of disregard what he says to know what’s in his mind.
When a coach says he talked to a player “more than once”, that’s a pretty good sign he’s not getting through.
The other problem is that Geno takes really long shifts. I think that is part of the PIM issue, but it would be interesting to know when in his shift the penalties are happening.
As for the line juggling, of course when a player is out, that’s going to happen.
But, I’m not a believer in a one size fits all approach either.
And, I’ll be happy to admit I’m wrong if the team makes a long playoff run and brings home another Cup. :)
Matt Bodenschatz
Mar 18, 09:42 AM
@Dabich, I agree. I’d love to see a full Mike Adams article on the woeful record against the top teams in the NHL. While I don’t buy into the record too much, it’s still nice to read about it from someone who does.
@Casey, it wasn’t necessarily my point, but it is an extension of my point. Coaches can preach, prepare, and practice all they want, but it’s up to the players to execute. I didn’t get the sense that the Penguins weren’t prepared for the Devils. I got the sense that they had a bit of a chip on their shoulder and wanted to beat the Devils their way. Maybe that’s a negative indictment of the coach. Afterall, if they aren’t buying what he’s selling, he’s not a good salesman. But he has the team in 4th place, and that says a lot, considering how bad most are making the team sound (porous defense, no wingers, lack of communication, bad power play, etc).
@Pens, that’s perfectly fine. I understand your argument fully. I just don’t necessarily buy into it. What’s nice, though, is that, unlike some, you will admit to being wrong when the Penguins win their Cup this sprring :)
Seriously, though, I’ll admit I was wrong too if need be — though if I am wrong, my admission will come with a bit of anger, as it will mean an early playoff exit for our boys.
Pens1967
Mar 18, 10:41 AM
Nah, Matt, you’ll still be on your honeymoon, no place for anger there! :)
Moq
Mar 18, 11:41 AM
The other aspect is the lack of rest between seasons and the impact it may have had on the approach of the coaching staff. I think that Bylsma had a plan of distributing playing time, both in reaction to injuries and keeping the roster as fresh as possible for the latter part of the season. That lack of urgency, accountability, and perhaps extra leeway towards the players may have solidified a bit too much. The changes at the trade deadline were to modest to change the roster fundamentally nor shake things up.
In other words, I think we’re stuck in 85% mode in terms of decision-making, execution, effort, pride, and attention to detail. It has looked a lot like “We’ll make the playoffs, and then…”. I’m just afraid that it has been harder to switch gears than they expected. Last season effort was demanded to make the playoffs, right now we can’t avoid it. That makes a difference, especially with a Stanley Cup in recent memory.
I don’t know if Bylsma is a longterm solution in Pittsburgh, that’s far to early to tell. There’s too many factors involved to put the blame squarely on him. That’s regardless of whether we win a Cup or not. Anyone watching the last season knows that a lot can change quickly and minor details be of great importance, positive or negative.
My belief and optimism has taken a minor hit, but I think our performance ceiling is still high. The problem is fitting everything together in time. There’s experience and ambition in the locker room, so I think they’ll be ready for a deep run. How far exactly depends on a lot of things from injuries to luck and many things inbetween.
Matt Bodenschatz
Mar 18, 11:54 AM
Well-worded, Moq.
Banger
Mar 19, 10:24 AM
It always seems like the sky is falling in here after a bad game. I think HCDB is doing a fine job and this team is closing in on 50 wins. What is so wrong with that? Every team has their flaws. Aside from fatigue catching up with the boys, I believe this group of men is poised for another long run in the playoffs. You can’t underestimate the level of playoffs experience in that room right now.
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