Sulilvan's goalie decision pays off + post game show (Penguins)

Penguins

Sulilvan's goalie decision pays off + post game show

By Ryan Wilson

Apr 23, 2021 • 7:28 am

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The Penguins have put up 12 goals in two games against the New Jersey Devils. They gave up six. The good news is it was only one last night. Mike Sullivan put his trust in Tristan Jarry to bounce back and he did. I liked the decision to go back to Jarry to let him work through is obvious blunders and it worked out.

I think the decision to go back to Jarry also tips Mike Sullivan’s hand that he is going to give Jarry the benefit of the doubt and give him every chance to be the playoff starter. I have no issue with it. I do think Sullivan needs to be mindful of the workload down the stretch and continue to give Desmith games. Not only to keep Jarry fresh, but to keep DeSmith sharp. This is a class 1A/1B goaltender setup. There is a much greater chance than zero that DeSmith will need to start a playoff game. It is OK to favor Jarry. You also need to be mindful of DeSmith as well. I think Sullivan will.

A lot was made about how the Penguins did a better job in the third period last night. The team spoke about coming together and doing a better job. Here’s the thing. They didn’t really do a horrible job the other night when they gave up all those goals in the third period. They only gave up eight shots at 5v5. Last night they gave up 11. The difference is Jarry made some saves and Andreas Johnsson hit the post. The expected goals against on Tuesday was 0.98 for the third period which wasn’t bad considering the score effects at play. To the Penguins credit they did get the xGA number down to 0.66 in the third last night. I guess my overall point is the Penguins didn’t need a come to Jesus moment about their quality of play. They just needed their goalie to stop the pucks he should and last night he did.

How about Kasperi Kapanen? He looked fast and opportunistic. He started the game in the doldrums of the fourth line, but it didn’t last. He eventually moved his way up to play with Teddy Blueger and Zach Aston-Reese. The goal was obviously nice (another Jason Spezzaesque move to open up five-hole).

The thing I was more impressed with was his skating. My educated guess is he had a foot fracture and the fact he had the jump he had last night is very encouraging moving forward. The injury seems to have not compromised his skating ability. Now he will just need the ice time to build up his legs so he can sprint all over the ice more often.

The top line was great. Sidney Crosby wasted no time giving his goaltender some goal support. He scored a minute into the contest. It must have been a relief for Jarry, who knew he had to perform, to get the goal support immediately to calm any potential nerves. The goal was the product of an aggressive Letang pinch and then an aggressive forecheck in the middle of the zone by Crosby. It was a relentless shift and one which deserved a goal for.

Bryan Rust matched Crosby with a goal and an assist while Guentzel had great primary assist on Rust’s goal.

Cody Ceci has ten points in 13 games. His season continues to be very successful. Deployment matters in this league and Ceci fell victim in Ottawa to a lot of horrible deployment. Being a former first round pick I think teams force feed minutes players can’t handle because of the draft status. Being in a bottom pairing role allows him more room for error and more room to make plays.

The Penguins will get the Devils one more time before getting a back to back against the revamped Boston Bruins and then a back to back against the Washington Capitals. Things are going to get a little tougher than they’ve been for a while. I think it is a good thing to be tested before the playoffs instead of closing things out with a bunch of games against the Devils and Sabres.

Matt Gajtka was kind enough to have me on his post game show last night and here it is.

Thanks for reading!

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