The Pittsburgh Penguins continue to bank standings points as they defeated the Florida Panthers for the second time in three games. The Penguins played better against Florida the second time around than they did the first. They put up a ton of shot volume finishing the game with 48 total shots on goal.
Possession was good too.
Sidney Crosby scored again. Evgeni Malkin had two points. Phil Kessel had two points. They are all over a point per game on the season. Olli Maatta added another assist which brings his point streak to six games as his hot start continues. Offensively, the Penguins are still a handful to deal with. The stars are putting up points and they are getting some secondary help with guys like Olli Maatta.
One of the biggest driving factors in the Penguins winning streak has been their power play. They are scoring at a 50% clip. They have scored on five of their last ten power plays. Why has it been so good? They are creating 2 on 1’s and not passing up shooting lanes. Kris Letang is doing a much better job of walking the blue line and getting pucks to the net. When this happens it creates chaos and players like Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin thrive in chaotic situations more than most players. Also, Pittsburgh’s two superstars are finding themselves near the front of the net as evidence by these two goals.
I guess we can start the #MalkinDownLow hashtag.
This is a very nice looking direct pass to Malkin, but the nice part about it is that if the pass was off there was still potential for Hornqvist to get a stick on it when it came through the slot and there was also potential for a fortuitous bounce if it didn’t get to Malkin. Pucks to the net when you have support down low is a simple concept and one that power plays get away from way too often.
#SidDownLow is still going strong
There’s a trio of Panthers in Crosby’s general area. That isnt’ good enough. If Sid’s stick is available and the guy passing the puck is of the caliber of Malkin you are asking for trouble. Sid has proven time and time again that he can tip the puck in the net from anywhere near the net front. Crosby’s goal scoring resurgence the last few years can be tied to these types of goals whether it is at even-strength or on the power play.
Sid and Geno near the net is a great recipe for Penguins success. When Sid and Geno both score?...
Sid has been beating up on the Panthers lately as well
Conor Sheary and Jake Guentzel found themselves in the dog house last night. They were demoted from playing with Sidney Crosby and the Swedish wingers took their spots. It didn’t stop Sheary from scoring the game winning goal on a nice pass from Olli Maatta.
In AHL news Daniel Sprong scored another three goals last night. His shot is electric and especially so on the power play. He is tied for the league lead in points with ten in only five games. He now has seven goals on the season with five of them coming on the power play. Here’s a look at some of his work
This rate of goal scoring is absurdly good and will probably cool a little bit, but I don’t see the AHL ever “figuring out” Sprong on the power play. Sprong’s even-strength production will give us a better gauge to use on if he is ready to take the next step to the NHL. The “problem” with Sprong’s success so far is that he won’t have that opportunity on the big club. He isn’t going to replace Phil Kessel on the team’s number one power play… this year. I think Daniel Sprong’s development (if not traded) will impact what the Penguins do with Phil Kessel long term. It may open up the potential for moving Kessel’s big contract, key word there is may.
Tampa Bay was the last team to beat the Penguins. They play one another again this evening. Lots of talent. Should be fun.
Conor Sheary led the NHL in 5v5 points per 60 last season when playing with Sidney Crosby. However, it was Steven Stamkos who was leading the league before his long term injury at 3.29 points per 60. So far this year Stamkos is leading the NHL with 14 points and has a 5v5 points per 60 of 3.65. If Stamkos can stay healthy the Lightning are going to be a handful.
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I’d like to welcome everybody at the RIT Hockey Analytics Conference to Rochester. It’s a wonderful event and one of my favorite days of the year. A big thanks to Ryan Stimson and Matt Hoffman who once again done a great job at getting everybody together for this.
Thanks for reading!
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