The Pittsburgh Penguins were defeated by the Carolina Hurricanes 4-2. It was Carolina, not Pittsburgh who dominated the puck and as a result the victory went to the better team on this night. The Penguins only had the puck 40% of the time at even-strength, not even close to being good enough.
If you are looking for some positives take solace in the fact that the Hurricanes aren't nearly as bad as some people (myself included) thought they were going to be. They are 15th overall in Score-Adjusted Fenwick at 50.6%. A far cry from the cellar dwellers like Buffalo, Colorado, Calgary, Ottawa, and Toronto. It might be getting close to that time where you can cross their name off the list in the Connor McDavid sweepstakes. Eventually Jordan Staal will come back and that will further assist their possession game.
What is keeping them in the McDavid sweepstakes is their goaltending. They rank 27th overall with an EVSV% of .907%.
The proper move for the franchise would be to start selling off some veteran players so that they can start to slide down in the standings again. There isn't anything to gain for Carolina by chasing a playoff spot that isn't coming this year. People criticize Pittsburgh, Chicago, and Edmonton for racking up top picks but that is the way the system works. And as Edmonton has proven, it isn't a guarantee for consistent success. You still need competent management to fill out the other pieces.
One of those pieces that will most likely be traded is Jiri Tlusty who we discussed
here yesterday. He finished the night with two goals and one assist. The two goals were an own goal by the Penguins and an empty-net goal but they count all the same. He did some things well and you can see how a player like him could help out a team like Pittsburgh. Two quick Tlusty stats:
His three points last night were more than the previous 12 games combined.
He is on pace for 39 goals this year.
He is shooting a career high 22.2%. Bad news is that it isn't sustainable. Very good news is that his career average is an impressive 14.2% so the regression won't be that bad.
Marcel Goc being out of the lineup with a foot injury showed just how close the Penguins are to having only three lines with NHL players on it.
Coach Johnston scrapped his original lines as the game went on and I can't really fault him. The Nick Spaling with Sidney Crosby thing isn't working at all. Spaling drew an assist last night but that isolated event doesn't change that lines overall ability to generate consistent offense. Crosby and Hornqvist generated some good pressure in the early goings of the game but it almost has a Rob Scuderi feel to it when Spaling gets the puck on his stick. You know nothing creative is going to happen and most times the puck is going to be thrown into a dead area. He battles hard, he is in position, the results just aren't there and I'm not sure they ever will be, especially in a top six role.
Blake Comeau is the kind of depth signing that makes GM's look good. A player who has good speed and good enough puck skills to make basic plays and sometimes harder plays. A guy that when you find yourself in a pinch can jump up the depth chart and not embarrass himself. His work with Evgeni Malkin recently is a much needed contribution.
Blake Comeau makes the same amount as Craig Adams
Jayson Megna has not played well during his recent promotion. That is factual. Megna is pressing, you can see it. However, he is still better than the other two players who get a jersey on a nightly basis. Watching him play reminds me of watching Despres play during the Bylsma era. They know they have to be perfect or else the more untalented players will keep their jobs. We can see how much better Despres has played this year without the burden of playing "perfection hockey". It is time to afford Megna that same opportunity. And why not? The Penguins forward depth right now is in shambles.
I have a dirty little secret about the Penguins and their lack of power play opportunities. It has nothing to do with Sidney Crosby slamming his stick against the glass on November 15th.
The Penguins Fenwick for percentage from the beginning of the year to November 15th was 54.8%, third best in the NHL.
Since that game the Penguins Fenwick for percentage is 45.18%, 25th overall in the league during that time frame.
You can't draw penalties if you don't have the puck. It is as simple as that. And of course there were calls missed during this time period, but calls are missed by the refs for all teams. That is why you need the puck more so you give the refs more opportunities to catch them. You can't be a 45% possession team and expect good things to magically happen.
Sidney Crosby has seven points in his last three games.
Geno has 11 points in his last seven games.
Right now this team has a real 2013-14 feel to it with the two big dogs carrying the less than desirable bottom six. It goes without saying that Pascal Dupuis' absence has been a huge void which has caused this imbalance.
David Perron had a goal in a losing cause last night for Edmonton.
Insurance for Goc
The only thing Sill is drawing are flies because his on-ice play stinks. 39 games and counting without a point.
I agree with Mr. Bombulie, at least Farnham skates fast.
I also agree with Mr. Bombulie here as well.
Penguins get a chance at redemption tonight in Raleigh. It can only go up from last night.
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