The Penguins head into Toronto having lost 7 of their last 9 games and looking an awful lot like the team they were at this time last season. It isn't that they don't show signs of being a great team...they definitely look very dominant for periods of time, but at others they completely abandon their system and look lost in their own end. Many of the problems that I addressed early last week are still lingering and they do not appear to be getting better.
Dan Bylsma has put renewed emphasis on his system in practice and has even eliminated a couple of off days of late. He also looked very frustrated after his team's most recent loss on Thursday evening...a 7-4 beat down at the hands of the Philadelphia Flyers. The game saw the benching of Martin Skoula, a direct result of his being beaten for two goals. Bylsma simply called it a coaching decision after the game. If Sergei Gonchar is able to go tonight, I would expect him to take Skoula's place. The players also had a players only meeting following the game... by my count, the second of the season.
There are rumors circulating about a possible upper body injury that might be nagging Marc Andre Fleury. I am not saying that he might not be dealing with something, but his poor play of late has a lot more to do with the horrible defense that is being played in front of him than an injury. His team has hung him out to dry more than I have seen in a very long time. Two of the goals that he allowed in the Flyers game came directly from defensive break downs. There have been times during the latest losing in which he has deserved better...in fact, he has been the team's best player in more than one game.
The rumors that I am more concerned with are the ones regarding player commitment and priorities. It has been floated that every player in the room might not have the same commitment away from the rink as others. Maybe everyone isn't taking the season as seriously as others. Sidney Crosby was asked about that Thursday night and seemed to disagree with the assement, while Brooks Orpik has voiced his concerns about distractions etc. He was looking forward to the road trip for that reason.
"I think especially after the holidays, just get away from some of the distractions," Orpik said Thursday night. "For some reason it just kind of seems like guys' mental focus is a little sharper when you're on the road and you're on more of a regimented schedule. It's a lot of hockey in a short span. It's not going to be easy, but, hopefully, we can make the most of it."
At least the team had its full compliment of players on the ice for the skate in Toronto. Sergei Gonchar and Ruslan Fedotenko returned and could be in the line-up tonight. Both players are considered game time decisions...
This game has turning point written all over it. It kicks off a tough road trip that will take the team from Toronto and through Western Canada. It is also very symbolic that they would be heading into Toronto, trying to stop the bleeding...Sounds pretty similar to the scenario last season in which they went to Toronto in dire need of a win, built a two goal lead and ended up being blown out before the night was over. Michel Therrien was fired the next day, giving way to Dan Bylsma. I am in no way saying that Dan Bylsma's job is in jeopardy, it is not. Just saying that this game could be one of the first steps towards some kind of change. A win might make the Penguins patient GM remain that way, while another loss could start to press him into action. Could some move be on the horizon? A minor tweak here or there... maybe just a call up. Someone like Dustin Jeffrey has been making a case for NHL playing time with his performance of late in Wilkes Barre Scranton.
It has been interesting to watch the Penguins latest run of futility, as it is the longest stretch of adversity that Dan Bylsma and his staff has faced. He has largely remained positive...will that continue? We will see over the next few games.
Join the Discussion:
»