Does Paul Martin Need to Sit?
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The shutdown line of Paul Martin and Zbynek Michalek was shut down Sunday after the Pens allowed two goals to Steve Downie in the span of 11 seconds. A day after allowing five goals to the Winnipeg Jets, coach Dan Bylsma mixed and matched defensive combos for much of Sunday’s 4-2 victory against Tampa Bay.
Here’s what we know. Only Deryk Engelland (15:23) saw less action that Martin (17:12). Kris Letang (23:11), Matt Niskanen (19:53), Brooks Orpik (19:38) and Zbynek Michalek (19:34) all saw more ice time than the Pens’ highest paid defender.
On one hand, how does Martin’s decrease playing time look to potential trading partners? On the other hand, it’s good that the Penguins are more interested in putting their best players on the ice most frequently, that winning supersedes everything else.
Defenseman Ben Lovejoy has played once since Jan. 17. The team is winning and coach Dan Bylsma typically runs with the hot hand. Lovejoy has showed the ability to come in cold and perform well right away. Remember his pretty Tyler Kennedy set-up from behind the net his first game back from wrist injury Dec. 20?
If the team is going to deal Martin or Lovejoy – and the thinking here is that Lovejoy is more likely to go than Martin – then shouldn’t he see action, at least one game? Martin is playing poorly right now. Maybe sitting him down would wake him up. If Orpik can play wing for a game, Martin can certainly ride the pine.
Coach Bylsma is all about winning. Playing Lovejoy for a game while resting Martin would do three things. First, it sends a message to Martin that his current play is unacceptable and needs to improve. Second, it gives opponents a chance to scout Lovejoy. Third, it can’t hurt the recent level of play on the blue line.
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Prior to the 8-5 loss against Pittsburgh on Saturday, the Winnipeg Jets had scored 26 goals in their prior 17 games. Evgeni Malkin has 17 goals in his last 17 games.
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DIRECTV is giving its customers a free Center Ice trial from Feb. 13-19.
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Sidney Crosby (neck soft tissue), Arron Asham (concussion) and Tyler Kennedy (ankle sprain) are out for the Pens.
In order, can you list which players will return to the lineup from soonest to farthest away?
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RINK LINKS
Tampa Bay coach raves about Malkin, the
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
"He's gigantic," Guy Boucher said of the 6-foot-3, 195-pound Russian. "On ice level, he's just a monster out there who can skate, sees everything, can put the puck inside out, inside your pants and out. He can shoot. He just has it all.”
Think Boucher was happy when Malkin missed last year’s playoffs?
Falling behind has an upside, the
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
"Our second period was perhaps our best of playing Pittsburgh Penguins ice hockey," coach Bylsma said. "Really tilted the ice. ... That's the pace and way we need to play."
Despres still recovering, according to the
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.
"I got the occasional 'tweak' when I was skating today," he said.
Despres hasn't played since Jan. 10, when he injured his medial collateral ligament. He resumed skating in late January but left practice Thursday in pain. He rejoined his teammates Sunday for an optional morning practice at Consol Energy Center.
"It doesn't feel the best, but I'm working on it," Despres said. "I had a little setback on Thursday, but right now I'm going back up the slope."
Late word has Despres taken off of IR and sent to the Baby Pens on Monday.
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Treasure life!
JT
Pittsburgh Penguins Blogger • 
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