I think the Penguins may have turned a corner with last night’s victory over the New York Islanders* It was a much needed win in the division against one of the teams they were chasing in the standings. The goalie stopped the puck and the players actually put the puck in the net. Huzzah.
*Tenth corner turned this season
Daniel Sprong scored twice in the first game he was given an extended look with Sidney Crosby. His first goal highlighted his ability to get up the ice after Sidney Crosby made an aggressive and successful play on the boards in the Penguins defensive zone.
It doesn’t get too much easier at this level than taking a Sidney Crosby pass while waiting on the back post.
His next goal highlighted his best asset, his shot
How many guys on the roster can do that? How great defensively do you have to be to give the team more than what Sprong does with that skill set? How many fights does it take to add one goal scored for this team? A team that can't score goals was just letting a player ride a bus in the AHL because reasons.
Guys like Daniel Sprong have to go above and beyond to prove defensive worth while the guys taking up spots in front of him don't have to show a lick of offensive ability. It's an NHL tradition like no other. I also can't wait for the broadcast to attribute every defensive play he makes in the NHL to his time in the AHL. That won't get old at all. After last night's game he's certain to find more time with Sidney Crosby. Chances are likely that nobody will be too worried about his attitude or defensive play.
Speaking of Sprong's rumored attitude what exactly do you expect to happen when you give an 18 year old a 41 game taste of the NHL at 18 years old and then send him back to ride a bus all over Quebec for two years while never being challenged appropriately. It was what it was, but let's have some context here. Additionally, how bad does an attitude have to be to have any effect on a locker room that should be dripping with leadership after winning the last two Stanley Cups, no? Regardless, he's up with the big squad and I think his bus riding days are over for good. It is nice to have that skill on an ELC.
Sprong finished the night with two goals and one assist. He was on the ice for 27 shot attempts for and only five against. Don't have to play too much defense with numbers like that.
Sid had a great night, but I want to talk about another player on an ELC doing his thing and that is Tristan Jarry. He has been really good with his backup role for the team and he should earn more minutes in net while Matt Murray is figuring things out. He should start the next game tomorrow. Jarry's 5v5 save percentage is 93.2% and his expected save percentage is 92.0%. He is outperforming the expectation for the kinds of shots he is facing right now. Matt Murray is the opposite right now (90.2/92.0) Pittsburgh needs to ice their best lineup to win games and in this moment Jarry is the right choice. I don't know if it is a nagging injury or something else with Murray, but something is off. Give him some time to work through it. That is the advantage of having a competent backup. Matt Murray's overall sample speaks for itself and there is no need to act like he will never find his game.
I will say this though, if Jarry continues to give the Penguins league average or better goaltending it really places the Penguins in a great spot with their goaltending position. When Murray is on the cusp or gets his big pay day the team can move on from him and let Jarry take over. We are a ways away from that but it's a nice short/long term situation and that is without even considering Filip Gustavsson's future contributions.
Ok, Sid had four points so he deserves some internet ink as well. Congratulations, pat yourself on the back if you thought Sidney Crosby was going to snap out of this cold streak. The great news is that nobody had to extend themselves too far and snap the limb they were on with that prediction.
It was a four point night for the captain and had a little bit of everything that makes Sid who he is. First goal he outworked somebody on the boards and single handedly transitioned the puck up the ice to feed Sprong for a back door gimme. The second goal highlighted his quick decision making and precise passing on the power play. The third goal was another bank shot from a bad angle that he seems to be perfecting with age. The fourth goal was a classic phantom secondary assist which he's been known to get. With those four points his career against the Islanders now stands at 60 games played with 33 goals and 107 points. His totals are among the best ever against the Islanders.
Last night was a good night for both the team and certain individuals. Hopefully the team doesn't turn yet another corner on Sunday and head back in the other direction again. It's getting dizzy in here with all this corner turning. How does Sid do it?
NEW PODCAST A large Penguins Q & A session about the tumultious state of the 2017-18 season https://t.co/TfBXzBAUge
— Ryan Wilson (@GunnerStaal) January 6, 2018
Thanks for reading!