Monday, November 21, 2011
11/21/11: St. Crosby's Day
So much for a tempered expectations; it's safe to say that Sidney Crosby exceeded them all. The scoresheet will read 2G, 2A, +3, 8 shots on goal, 14 for 21 on faceoffs, and 15:54 playing time over 21 shifts. Impressive stats for any player, for sure, let alone for one who has not played in the NHL for over 10 months. Still, the stats only tell part of the story.
Sidney Crosby was a dominant force every time he stepped onto the ice. Whether it be the man-advantage or full-strength, with Dupuis and Kunitz or with Malkin, it just didn't matter: Sid was flying and there was little the Islanders could do to slow him down (stopping him was unfathomable). Sid protected the puck, drove to the net, cycled, displayed game-breaking speed and acceleration, shot, deflected, took hits, gave hits, established a net-front-presence, and, oh yes, displayed what he'd clearly been working on during his time off: his absolutely lethal backhand.
The way Sid uses his body to shield the puck, it is almost impossible to defend against his backhand. Both of Sid's goals came on the backhand tonight. Just when you thought that Sid couldn't add another dimension to his game, The Kid goes off, studies, and comes back with something you haven't seen. Other players may be able to add new words to their vocabulary, but Sidney Crosby is adding entirely new languages.
In the end, Sid could have easily had much more than four points. The chances were there. Off the blade of his stick and off the vision of his passing, opportunities seemed to follow Sidney Crosby all night. Yes, this was against an Islanders team that has been struggling, but this was also an Islanders team desperate not to let the Comeback Kid use them as a step stool to climb back upon his pedestal. In the end, Sidney Crosby was not to be denied his return to the throne. He was far and away the best player on the ice. In fact, he was probably the best player on any ice this evening. Welcome back, Sidney.
One side note: I can't, in good conscience, mention tonight's game without an Honorable Mention to Marc-Andre Fleury. It was surely Sid's night, but the shut-out came by way of a tremendous individual effort by The Flower. There were stretches where the Islanders pressed and had the Penguins pinned deep in their own end chasing (especially early). Had Fleury not stood tall and kept his composure, the Penguins could have easily found themselves trailing. I dare say the Pens would have still found a way to win, but this could have been a lot closer had it not been for Fleury's heroics.
Sidney Crosby was a dominant force every time he stepped onto the ice. Whether it be the man-advantage or full-strength, with Dupuis and Kunitz or with Malkin, it just didn't matter: Sid was flying and there was little the Islanders could do to slow him down (stopping him was unfathomable). Sid protected the puck, drove to the net, cycled, displayed game-breaking speed and acceleration, shot, deflected, took hits, gave hits, established a net-front-presence, and, oh yes, displayed what he'd clearly been working on during his time off: his absolutely lethal backhand.
The way Sid uses his body to shield the puck, it is almost impossible to defend against his backhand. Both of Sid's goals came on the backhand tonight. Just when you thought that Sid couldn't add another dimension to his game, The Kid goes off, studies, and comes back with something you haven't seen. Other players may be able to add new words to their vocabulary, but Sidney Crosby is adding entirely new languages.
In the end, Sid could have easily had much more than four points. The chances were there. Off the blade of his stick and off the vision of his passing, opportunities seemed to follow Sidney Crosby all night. Yes, this was against an Islanders team that has been struggling, but this was also an Islanders team desperate not to let the Comeback Kid use them as a step stool to climb back upon his pedestal. In the end, Sidney Crosby was not to be denied his return to the throne. He was far and away the best player on the ice. In fact, he was probably the best player on any ice this evening. Welcome back, Sidney.
One side note: I can't, in good conscience, mention tonight's game without an Honorable Mention to Marc-Andre Fleury. It was surely Sid's night, but the shut-out came by way of a tremendous individual effort by The Flower. There were stretches where the Islanders pressed and had the Penguins pinned deep in their own end chasing (especially early). Had Fleury not stood tall and kept his composure, the Penguins could have easily found themselves trailing. I dare say the Pens would have still found a way to win, but this could have been a lot closer had it not been for Fleury's heroics.
Are you kidding me?
It took 3 shifts and about 90 seconds on the ice for Sidney Crosby to remind the hockey world what it's like when he is in the lineup...
Forget that the Pens didn't look all that great in the first, this is all about Sidney Crosby. Sid accomplished nearly everything he could in the first:
Goal? Check. A perfect display of Sid's presence, power, speed, and skill.
Assist? Check. Great sequence ending with a perfect saucer pass to Brooks Orpik at the blueline. Orpik picked the top corner with a sizzling slapshot.
Hard check? Yup. Travis Hamonic knocked Sid on his tail behind the net. Sid, looking a bit surprised and a bit relieved to get that out of the way.
Power play time? Yessir. Sid didn't look a shade out of place on the top unit, cycling the puck well, generating chances, and looking hungry as ever.
Long shift? 7:10 of ice time. Those discussions of 12 minutes of ice time? Perhaps in the first period.
Whatever the case, Sidney Crosby is back. From the player who exceeds all superlatives, a comeback that surpassed all expectations... and we've got two more periods ahead. Wow.
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Out of the tunnel and into the light: Sidney Crosby to return tomorrow night!
It's been nearly one full year since Sidney Crosby was last in the lineup. It has been nearly one full year of uncertainty over the future of one of Pittsburgh's, the NHL's, and the sport's brightest stars. It has been nearly one full year of asking the same question with no answer: when will Sidney Crosby return? Well, the question is rhetorical no more: Sidney Crosby will play tomorrow night against the New York Islanders.
What can we expect? Well, according to Coach Bylsma, Sid will center a line with Chris Kunitz and Pascal Dupuis. Although Sid is returning to what is effectively the Pens top line, his ice time will be closely monitored. Sid indicated to Bylsma he feels he can handle 12 minutes of ice time for the game. Personally, I'd be more than happy if Sid stayed below 10 minutes. Sidney Crosby has tremendous personal drive and has been practicing vigorously for some time, but a year layoff is still a year layoff. Tomorrow night should be another small step in the slow, methodical approach the Pens and Crosby have taken since his treatment began.
Returning to live action is an important milestone in the recovery process, but we would be wise to remember it's not the end of the recovery. It is going to take time for Sid to fully re-acclimate to the tempo and the physical and mental toll a regular playing schedule demands. Even with his ice time closely metered, Sid may still need to take a night off (especially on back-to-back evenings) just to make sure he can fully recover between games. The most important thing for Sid right now is making sure he's physically and mentally 100% every time he steps on the ice; Sid cannot afford to have either compromised.
In reality, it may take a few months before Sid is fully adjusted back to daily life in the NHL. It may take considerably longer for him to return to the dominant form he displayed before he was injured in January. If anything, we've learned two things since then: First, be patient. Second, never count Sid "The Kid" out. Right now, we'll just have to take it one step at a time. Right now, we're just thrilled to welcome Number 87 back to the ice where he belongs...
What can we expect? Well, according to Coach Bylsma, Sid will center a line with Chris Kunitz and Pascal Dupuis. Although Sid is returning to what is effectively the Pens top line, his ice time will be closely monitored. Sid indicated to Bylsma he feels he can handle 12 minutes of ice time for the game. Personally, I'd be more than happy if Sid stayed below 10 minutes. Sidney Crosby has tremendous personal drive and has been practicing vigorously for some time, but a year layoff is still a year layoff. Tomorrow night should be another small step in the slow, methodical approach the Pens and Crosby have taken since his treatment began.
Returning to live action is an important milestone in the recovery process, but we would be wise to remember it's not the end of the recovery. It is going to take time for Sid to fully re-acclimate to the tempo and the physical and mental toll a regular playing schedule demands. Even with his ice time closely metered, Sid may still need to take a night off (especially on back-to-back evenings) just to make sure he can fully recover between games. The most important thing for Sid right now is making sure he's physically and mentally 100% every time he steps on the ice; Sid cannot afford to have either compromised.
In reality, it may take a few months before Sid is fully adjusted back to daily life in the NHL. It may take considerably longer for him to return to the dominant form he displayed before he was injured in January. If anything, we've learned two things since then: First, be patient. Second, never count Sid "The Kid" out. Right now, we'll just have to take it one step at a time. Right now, we're just thrilled to welcome Number 87 back to the ice where he belongs...
Thursday, November 17, 2011
It's like the Euro, only worth more...
Sherobucks!
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Pens 1 - Lightning 4: Post Game Quick Hits
Dwayne Roloson must have learned from Bill Belichick by studying tons of tape and perhaps had spy cameras in the Penguins practice sessions, because Roli The Goalie looked like Nostradamus out there. He played the Pens offense so well that it looked like he was reading off a script. Despite plenty of chances, including multiple power plays and extended stretches with Fleury pulled, the best the Penguins could do was a shot from Tyler Kennedy that deflected in.
Conversely, the Pens PK gave up not one, but two goals to the Lightning with the man-advantage; I don't know that the Pens have given up two PP goals all season. Again, the Lightning seemed to be right there to capitalize on every Pens miscue and bad bounce.
A goalie who has their number and a team that finds a way to get all the bounces makes for a long night, and it certainly was for the Pens. For whatever reason, the Lightning have the whammy on the Pens.
Honorable Mention goes to Matt Niskanen who not only played an exceptional game, but dropped the gloves late with Stamkos. That kind of effort doesn't go un-noticed, Matt.
Pens 0 - Lightning 2: 2nd Intermission Quick Hits
The Pens continue the strong play, but the Lightning continue to make the most of their limited opportunities. This time on the PP, Connolly drives hard to the net from the corner and Engelland fails to pick him up. Moore unloads a quick shot from the slot that Connolly manages to deflect behind Fleury. The Pens PP looked very strong this period, getting a number of excellent chances on net from all over the offensive zone.
The difference so far has clearly been Dwayne Roloson. Somehow, playing the Penguins rejuvenates the aging goaltender, who has been plagued by some poor starts of late. Not tonight. Roloson is playing every bit as dominant as he ever was when the Pens met him back in the playoffs last season. The Pens need to keep the pressure on and try to find a way to beat the Tampa defense to the rebounds and lose pucks in front.
Third period upcoming. The Pens still very much in this, but they need to solve Roloson early...
The difference so far has clearly been Dwayne Roloson. Somehow, playing the Penguins rejuvenates the aging goaltender, who has been plagued by some poor starts of late. Not tonight. Roloson is playing every bit as dominant as he ever was when the Pens met him back in the playoffs last season. The Pens need to keep the pressure on and try to find a way to beat the Tampa defense to the rebounds and lose pucks in front.
Third period upcoming. The Pens still very much in this, but they need to solve Roloson early...
Pens 0 - Lightning 1: 1st Intermission Quick Hits
Good period by the Pens. Strong forecheck, getting pucks behind the 1-3-1, and generating sustained zone pressure and chances. The Pens have been pressing hard defensively for quick turnovers and immediately starting the rush the other way, which has made it very difficult for Tampa to setup in their trap. The Pens have done a great job defensively as a team, negating most of what Tampa has been able to throw at them. Tampa had relatively few sustained chances in the Pens end, with Pittsburgh managing to diffuse the offensive charge quickly and efficiently by aggressive attack of the puck carrier. The times that Fleury has been called on, he's been strong.
The lone goal was attributed to a miscue by Jordan Staal deep in the Pens own end. Jordan looked up ice before fully controlling the puck and allowed Vinny Lecavalier to pick his pocket and skate in on Fleury uncontested. That was the only real blemish by the Pens this period. A much better start here as compared to Tuesday night against the Avalanche.
The lone goal was attributed to a miscue by Jordan Staal deep in the Pens own end. Jordan looked up ice before fully controlling the puck and allowed Vinny Lecavalier to pick his pocket and skate in on Fleury uncontested. That was the only real blemish by the Pens this period. A much better start here as compared to Tuesday night against the Avalanche.
Friday, November 11, 2011
Pens 3 - Stars 1: Post-Game Quick Hits
Well, the Pens came out strong in the third and established the tempo right from the start. The Pens PP just terrorized the Stars tonight: great puck movement, great net-front presence by Kunitz, and Malkin/Neal both shooting on net. Again in the third, the Pens had a goal disallowed on the PP, but this time Kunitz got a bit too aggressive in attempting a redirect in the crease, knocking into Lehtonen. Still, the Pens again find a PP goal a few moments later that started with a great keep-in by Sullivan at the left point, cross to Letang, down to Malkin in the RW slot, over to Neal in the LW slot, before the pass over to Kunitz all alone at the right of the crease is redirected by a defenseman behind Lehtonen. Brilliant puck movement and excellent determination paid dividends.
Kudos to Matt Cooke for a great pressure play on Sheldon Souray (who he had words with earlier in the third) at the Pens blueline to force a turnover and create a breakaway. A Dallas defender trips Cooke on his way to the net resulting in a penalty shot. Cooke, on his first penalty shot, coolly takes the puck wide left towards the net, fakes backhand, gets Lehtonen to go down, and goes back forehand to elevate the puck to the roof of the net over Lehtonen's outstretched pads. Cooke provides the only insurance the Pens needed in this one.
Neal, who had a monster game scoring two, nearly gets his third pressuring deep with Lehtonen pulled. Malkin, with some great work deep on the forecheck, tries to get Neal the puck cross-crease, but it was picked off by the Dallas defense. No matter, the message was already received. Not surprisingly, Matt Niskanen also had a solid game including a number of solid shots on net.
Great win off some great work. The Pens simply outworked the Stars and made Dallas pay for taking penalties with some excellent work with the man advantage. How nice is it that opposing teams have to think twice about taking penalties against the Pens?
Kudos to Matt Cooke for a great pressure play on Sheldon Souray (who he had words with earlier in the third) at the Pens blueline to force a turnover and create a breakaway. A Dallas defender trips Cooke on his way to the net resulting in a penalty shot. Cooke, on his first penalty shot, coolly takes the puck wide left towards the net, fakes backhand, gets Lehtonen to go down, and goes back forehand to elevate the puck to the roof of the net over Lehtonen's outstretched pads. Cooke provides the only insurance the Pens needed in this one.
Neal, who had a monster game scoring two, nearly gets his third pressuring deep with Lehtonen pulled. Malkin, with some great work deep on the forecheck, tries to get Neal the puck cross-crease, but it was picked off by the Dallas defense. No matter, the message was already received. Not surprisingly, Matt Niskanen also had a solid game including a number of solid shots on net.
Great win off some great work. The Pens simply outworked the Stars and made Dallas pay for taking penalties with some excellent work with the man advantage. How nice is it that opposing teams have to think twice about taking penalties against the Pens?
Pens 1 - Stars 1: 2nd Intermission Quick Hits
What a difference an intermission makes. The Dallas Stars coaching staff must have passed out the smelling salts in the dressing room, because the Stars immediately came out and established a physical presence in the second. After killing the Pens PP, the Stars managed to get some good chances early against Fleury. The Pens were caught on their heels a bit as they adapted to a newly assertive opponent.
The Pens eventually managed to re calibrate and match the Stars toe-to-toe. The chances were a bit harder to come by in the second for both sides, but when they did it usually involved second and third chances around the net. The Pens late PP produced the tying goal, first on a Kunitz redirect on a Malkin shot that was called off and then off a great shot by Neal from the LW slot that Lehtonen couldn't get all of.
The third period should be an interesting one. Can the Pens come out quick and catch the Stars on their heels or will the Stars jump out and try to take command? Whatever the case, this should be an exciting finish...
The Pens eventually managed to re calibrate and match the Stars toe-to-toe. The chances were a bit harder to come by in the second for both sides, but when they did it usually involved second and third chances around the net. The Pens late PP produced the tying goal, first on a Kunitz redirect on a Malkin shot that was called off and then off a great shot by Neal from the LW slot that Lehtonen couldn't get all of.
The third period should be an interesting one. Can the Pens come out quick and catch the Stars on their heels or will the Stars jump out and try to take command? Whatever the case, this should be an exciting finish...
Pens 0 - Dallas 1: 1st Intermission Quick Hits
The Pens came out flying, pressuring Dallas right away and generating chances. James Neal came out with something to prove, getting a number of good opportunities and playing aggressively from the second his skate hit the ice on the first shift. His line, along with Malkin and Sullivan, has looked very strong through one.
Only one defensive lapse allowed Dallas to pull ahead on this one. Dvorak got behind the Pens D and into the corner. He threw a pass cross-crease from the corner and hit a streaking Nystrom for a redirect up and over Fleury. Fleury clearly wasn't expecting Nystrom, he was deep in his net and the pass surprised him. Clearly a broken play and bad communication by the Pens, but it was enough for the Stars to jump out ahead.
Despite being down on the scoreboard, the Pens looked exceptional in the first. The Pens are imposing their will physically against the Stars, beating their opponents to every loose puck, forcing turnovers, and completely controlling the tempo of the game. The Stars, on the other hand, just don't seem willing to pay the price against the Pens. Although the Stars are using a four-man defensive front, their lack of physical engagement against the Pens forwards is effectively nullifying their advantage in man-power defensively. As a result, Keri Lehtonen has had to be exceptionally sharp for the Stars, especially at controlling his rebounds.
If the Pens can continue their strong physical presence and avoid any further defensive lapses, I like their chances to come back and end the Stars' streak at four wins...
Only one defensive lapse allowed Dallas to pull ahead on this one. Dvorak got behind the Pens D and into the corner. He threw a pass cross-crease from the corner and hit a streaking Nystrom for a redirect up and over Fleury. Fleury clearly wasn't expecting Nystrom, he was deep in his net and the pass surprised him. Clearly a broken play and bad communication by the Pens, but it was enough for the Stars to jump out ahead.
Despite being down on the scoreboard, the Pens looked exceptional in the first. The Pens are imposing their will physically against the Stars, beating their opponents to every loose puck, forcing turnovers, and completely controlling the tempo of the game. The Stars, on the other hand, just don't seem willing to pay the price against the Pens. Although the Stars are using a four-man defensive front, their lack of physical engagement against the Pens forwards is effectively nullifying their advantage in man-power defensively. As a result, Keri Lehtonen has had to be exceptionally sharp for the Stars, especially at controlling his rebounds.
If the Pens can continue their strong physical presence and avoid any further defensive lapses, I like their chances to come back and end the Stars' streak at four wins...
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Pens Trade Mark Letestu to Columbus
The Pens traded C Mark Letestu to Columbus today in exchange for a fourth-round pick in next year's entry draft. The move should not come as much of a surprise to Pens fans, who have witnessed Letestu's nosedive this season from top pivot to healthy scratch in the span of scarcely over a month. With Sidney Crosby expected to return at some point and given the standout play of centers Richard Park and Joe Vitale, Letestu had precious few opportunities of late to earn a spot back in the lineup. Unfortunately for Mark, he wasn't able to impress the coaching staff enough to warrant more ice time.
The return of a fourth-round pick is honestly a good return for the Pens. It was a foregone conclusion that Mark Letestu would been eventually sent down to Wilkes-Barre Scranton at some point in the near future. Doing so would require Letestu to clear waivers, allowing other NHL clubs to claim him. My own viewpoint is that Mark probably would have cleared waivers unclaimed, but trading him outright certainly was the better option for the Pens. That they found a suitor in Columbus in dire need of someone with Mark's resume was exceptionally fortuitous.
As for the future, I think Columbus provides Mark Letestu an important opportunity to prove he can contribute regularly at the NHL level. The bar for centers is set extremely high here in Pittsburgh. When all the Penguin forwards are healthy, there really is only one spot open for contention amongst centers: on the fourth line. This year, that competition is exceptionally fierce. That, more than anything else, sealed Mark Letestu's fate in Pittsburgh.
Thanks for all your efforts as a Penguin, Mark. Wish you all the best in Columbus!
The return of a fourth-round pick is honestly a good return for the Pens. It was a foregone conclusion that Mark Letestu would been eventually sent down to Wilkes-Barre Scranton at some point in the near future. Doing so would require Letestu to clear waivers, allowing other NHL clubs to claim him. My own viewpoint is that Mark probably would have cleared waivers unclaimed, but trading him outright certainly was the better option for the Pens. That they found a suitor in Columbus in dire need of someone with Mark's resume was exceptionally fortuitous.
As for the future, I think Columbus provides Mark Letestu an important opportunity to prove he can contribute regularly at the NHL level. The bar for centers is set extremely high here in Pittsburgh. When all the Penguin forwards are healthy, there really is only one spot open for contention amongst centers: on the fourth line. This year, that competition is exceptionally fierce. That, more than anything else, sealed Mark Letestu's fate in Pittsburgh.
Thanks for all your efforts as a Penguin, Mark. Wish you all the best in Columbus!
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Pens 2 - Sharks 0: First Period Analysis
The Pens, coming off their first extended break after a brutal start to the season, could have easily come out flat against a San Jose team that's only lost one in their last six games. Instead, the Pens immediately jumped on the aggressive forecheck, forced a turnover, and put a quick one by Niemi from Deryk Engelland pinching in from the point. Pens weren't content to sit back and let the Sharks back in this one, quickly finding the net again a short time later on a shot from Malkin that found its way past Niemi with Neal battling a Sharks defenseman in the crease. Shortly thereafter, the Sharks pulled Niemi in favor of backup goaltender Geiss. Niemi didn't look very sharp, but this was more about a coach trying to wake up his team than sending a message to his goaltender.
The Pens continued to control most of the play throughout the period, but the Sharks did manage to wake up part-way through the period. The Sharks were able to gain some momentum by getting pucks deep behind the Pens defense and establishing their own aggressive forecheck. The Sharks were disciplined in finishing every check and pressing enough to force some turnovers by the Pens and create a few chances of their own. The Sharks tried a bit too much to make plays rather than put pucks on net, to which the Pens did a good job of team defense to keep the zone coverage tight.
For the second, the Pens need to continue to establish the tempo of the game and keep pressure on the Sharks. The Sharks aggressive pressure does force the Pens into errors and low percentage passes out of the defensive zone, so the Pens would do well to try and shorten their passes and avoid the stretch plays. The Pens defense was especially active on offense, with one defender leading the rush across the opposing blueline on quite a few occasions. On a team as offensively talented and quick as SJ, this is a risky approach.
The Pens would do well to try to simplify their game a bit and be a bit more conservative on defense to avoid allowing SJ to find a way back in this one.
The Pens continued to control most of the play throughout the period, but the Sharks did manage to wake up part-way through the period. The Sharks were able to gain some momentum by getting pucks deep behind the Pens defense and establishing their own aggressive forecheck. The Sharks were disciplined in finishing every check and pressing enough to force some turnovers by the Pens and create a few chances of their own. The Sharks tried a bit too much to make plays rather than put pucks on net, to which the Pens did a good job of team defense to keep the zone coverage tight.
For the second, the Pens need to continue to establish the tempo of the game and keep pressure on the Sharks. The Sharks aggressive pressure does force the Pens into errors and low percentage passes out of the defensive zone, so the Pens would do well to try and shorten their passes and avoid the stretch plays. The Pens defense was especially active on offense, with one defender leading the rush across the opposing blueline on quite a few occasions. On a team as offensively talented and quick as SJ, this is a risky approach.
The Pens would do well to try to simplify their game a bit and be a bit more conservative on defense to avoid allowing SJ to find a way back in this one.
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