After four consecutive losses the Penguins have reversed the trend and landed a victory and two much needed standings points. They did so using what hasn’t exactly been a strength this season, special teams, and more specifically the power play.
Jeff Carter, yes that Jeff Carter, led the way with both a shorthanded goal and a power play goal. He’s at the end of his career. Things haven’t been going great. This was a huge contribution to a winning effort.
Here was the shorthanded breakaway
Jeff Carter short-handed goal??? pic.twitter.com/idg1CwuvfF
— Danny Shirey (@DannyShireyPGH) December 13, 2023
Carter’s power play goal wasn’t the only one of the game. In shocking fashion the Penguins actually had multiple power play goals last night. Guentzel’s power play goal provides a template for future success. One I’ve alluded to.
Things you love to see:
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) December 13, 2023
1. Early leads
2. Power-play goals
3. Jake Guentzel smiling
Guentzel has points in 16 of his last 18 games (9G-12A) and has notched a point in 22 of 27 games this year. pic.twitter.com/LwGcqBa4oz
Sidney Crosby is down low near the goal line. I repeat Sidney Crosby is down low near the goal line. Jake Guentzel is a very smart player who understands soft spots and has an impressive career shooting percentage. Combine the two and you have the goal scored here. When teams start to overcommit to this play you have now opened up the back door or shooting lanes up top. Their refusal to try and make this play a staple of their power play approach has hamstrung them all season. I hope they take the right lesson from this moving forward.
Penguins are off to Canada for their next two games. They will be in Montreal tonight and will be on Hockey Night in Canada on Saturday night in Toronto. They need to start stacking points. Can't go back to their losing ways this evening
Thanks for reading!