The Penguins return home with the series tied 1-1 with the Washington Capitals. There will be some lineup changes for both teams due to the Orpik incident in Game 2.
Washington's Brooks Orpik suspended three games for interference on Pittsburgh's Olli Maatta. Video: https://t.co/2sM04ITGzZ
— NHL Player Safety (@NHLPlayerSafety) May 2, 2016
He certainly deserved suspension and three games is a sizable suspension given the previous track record, but the fact still remains that the league thinking 3 games is a stiff punishment is part of the problem not the solution.
How will this impact the next three games? It might work out better for the Capitals if they put Orlov back into the lineup
Washington went 30-6-4 without Orpik in the regular season; 1-2 w/o him in the 1st round against the Flyers. Won't have him for the next 3.
— Dan Rosen (@drosennhl) May 2, 2016
With Olli Maatta doubtful to return for Game 3 I would have expected Justin Schultz to draw back into the lineup. That was the look the Penguins gave when Maatta was out last time, but this did just happen
Derrick Pouliot is off the ice before Justin Schultz. Suggests Pouliot, not Schultz, is favorite to replace Maatta tonight.
— Dave Molinari (@MolinariPG) May 2, 2016
Usually this means that Pouliot would get the nod but we know that Mike Sullivan likes to play mind games with his roster moves during the morning skate as evidence by the Zatkoff start in Game 1 versus New York. It is no secret that I think Derrick Pouliot is very capable and I think putting him in the lineup makes Pittsburgh a better team. We'll see what happens here.
If the Washington Capitals are going to win this series they are going to need to get more out of their second line.
Those are three good players who have been neutered to this point in the series. They are living in their own end and have no points at even-strength among the three of them.
Sidney Crosby also has a bagel in the point department this series but his possession number is at a very impressive 61.9%. I like the chances of Sid getting off the snide before that other trio if possession trends stay the way they are.
Alex Ovechkin has one assist and a FF% of 47.27%. Can't take penalties because an Ovechkin goal on the power play seems like an inevitable thing.
Some positive news on the injury front from this morning
It still is early in the skate, but Zatkoff appears to have moved into Fleury's spot as the No. 3 goalie/5th wheel.
— Dave Molinari (@MolinariPG) May 2, 2016
Very good to see at least some progress being made on this front.
If Fleury were to make his way back and receive clearance to play that would be great on the human side of things. However, I wouldn't be making any changes to the lineup. This is Matt Murray's job to lose the rest of the way.
Marc-Andre Fleury's best year as a professional was way back in 2007-08. He was a huge reason the Penguins went all the way to the Stanley Cup Final. I would argue that if the Penguins won it all he would have been the Conn Smythe award winner. His save percentage was .933 during that run. Matt Murray is currently at .939 for the Penguins. Murray has done nothing but play great and his style of play is less conducive to meltdowns. Murray is efficient with his movement and angles and his 6'4" frame blocks mostly everything that comes his way. While not athletic like Fleury he moves well enough.
****
Pascal Dupuis is up for the Masterton Trophy.
Dupuis, Jagr, Zuccarello finalists for Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy https://t.co/77e4G15jqN pic.twitter.com/I4P3M6w4dj
— CBC Sports (@cbcsports) May 2, 2016
Here is the definition of the award:
Player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to ice hockey.
Each of the three candidates fit the definition. Two of the players (Dupuis, Zuccarello) made their way back from devastating health related issues while Jagr is dedicated to giving Father Time the middle finger.
Dupuis loves hockey and always will. He was skating this morning before the Penguins practice
That's Pascal Dupuis skating at Consol Energy Center now. pic.twitter.com/VREQInCG0J
— Dave Molinari (@MolinariPG) May 2, 2016
Regardless of who wins this year at least it won't be as stupid as last year where they gave the award to a goalie who was playing like crap and then started playing good again. Kris Letang's return from as stroke was the obvious selection last year.
Thanks for reading!