The Pittsburgh Penguins did not deserve to win Game 1 against the Washington Capitals, they did. In what was one of the least impressive games the team has played in the Crosby/Malkin era they were able to overcome a terrible process with the contributions of Marc-Andre Fleury and Sidney Crosby.
This was Marc-Andre Fleury’s best playoff game of the postseason. He had a quality team shelling him for an entire game. This wasn’t a case of the other team winning the possession battle, but not being able to generate legit chances. The Capitals generated and generated, then generated more. This was a flashback to Game 3 last year when Matt Murray bailed the team out. Fleury finished with 33 saves on the evening.
Guentzel received initial credit for this save, but I’m not so sure Fleury’s stick didn’t get a piece of it
Fleury got all of these
Here is what the carnage looked like at even-strength last night.
An objectively terrible performance by the Penguins. An unsustainable process for success. On this particular night it got them the result they wanted.
Last year when Pittsburgh survived Game 3 it was one of the pivotal games of the series. They were a great team who had a poor game against another great team. It was an anomaly to get shelled in the way that they did. This year the chances of last night being an anomaly aren’t great. Pittsburgh is going to have to try and scrape together another three wins while railing lines of PDO.
Last year in Game 3 Washington put up 68 shot attempts while surrendering 31. This year in Game 1 Washington put up 72 shot attempts while surrendering 32. Both were 3-2 losses powered by Penguin goaltenders.
Last year the Penguins third line was a major factor in defeating Washington. Last night Nick Bonino scored the game winning goal. That’s obviously a great thing. Bonino made the most of his opportunity. It’s a good thing he did because I can’t remember a line playing worse over the course of a game than what Wilson-Bonino-Sheary did last night
Scott Wilson, Nick Bonino, and Conor Sheary - The Penguins trio was buried in the defensive zone (1 for, 20 against, 4.8 CF%, 0-8 scoring chances) and were on the ice for one goal against, but Wilson ultimately set up Bonino for the game-winning goal in the third period.
So why was it so rough for the Penguins last night?
An issue that was exposed from the Columbus series was very evident against the Capitals. The Penguins have minimal ability to move the puck out of their zone with control. Their breakouts last night looked like a Rob Scuderi tribute video. Pittsburgh’s one potential advantage in this series are their forwards and they won’t be able to maximize that advantage with how they exited the zone last night.
When looking at the time on ice from last night here is how the defense pairings looked
I can’t find a legit reason other than injury why Ron Hainsey would lead the Penguins in ice time among defensemen and Justin Schultz would have the least. That is unacceptable. Schultz is the one guy on the active roster that can at least pretend to do some of the things that Kris Letang is capable of. He’s had a great season. Schultz’s ice time is something to track moving forward.
Ron Hainsey’s CF% during the playoffs has been 39.55%. Less is more with him. When he was acquired it only made sense if he was in a very sheltered role. Playing on the top pairing while leading all Penguins defensemen in ice time for the playoffs is setting him up for failure.
There needs to be usage changes with how the team is currently deploying their defensemen. It isn't working.
If you are looking for something positive about the Penguins it will come in the form of Carl Hagelin. He was a full participant in practice recently and should make his return to the lineup. It will give Mike Sullivan some options at forward.
Here's one look at what the team could do if they are intent on leaving Hornqvist with Crosby
Guentzel-Crosby-Hornqvist
Hagelin-Malkin-Kessel
Sheary-Bonino-Rust
Kunitz-Cullen-Wilson
Here is another option
Guentzel-Crosby-Sheary
Rust-Malkin-Hornqvist
Hagelin-Bonino-Kessel
Kunitz-Cullen-Wilson
Both are better than what they had last night.
Another bright spot was Sidney Crosby who scored twice last night in the blink of an eye
If you are going to get shelled all night you need your goalie and your stud offensive players to make the most of their chances in transition. Sidney Crosby did his part along with Fleury.
Alexander Ovechkin also found the scoresheet. His shot was a rocket
It has been 12 years since Crosby and Ovechkin entered the league. They are still trading goals in the playoffs all these years later, cool stuff.
Another positive for the Penguins is Brooks Orpik. He lost a foot race with Nick Bonino(!) on the game winning goal. Orpik played close to 20 minutes last night. The more the better for Pittsburgh.
If Karl Alzner returns to the lineup it will also help the Penguins because it is likely to cut into Nate Schmidt's ice time
Focus on the possession exit percentage. This is what has been killing the Penguins so far. Schmidt has the best numbers at this and Alzner has the worst. If Pittsburgh can disrupt Washington's exit strategy it will go a long way in not being buried in their end for an entire game.
It’s OK to be happy the Penguins won. It’s also OK to call last night what it was, a lucky win. You can do both, what a crazy concept.
Thanks for reading!
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