Ryan Wilson: Penguins power play is as bad as it looks Penguins power play is as bad as it looks

"[Malkin] did lead the team in CF% last night"

Not a good endorsement for that stat.

Malkin was mostly poopty (to an extreme extent granted) on the PP. Malkin still looks out of sorts at ES, but not to a disgusting degree like on special teams. But when over half the game is played on the PP like last night, Malkin's PP issues are amplified and are important. Malkin at ES is something I'm inclined to let play out and let him work through. Malkin at 5v4, however, is a benchable offense.

They need to try Zucker for net front on the pp. He's good around that net.
- 668710

Sounds like a good idea to me.

We're not the only ones with injury woes, boys....I think its all boys in here...

One of my Avs fan buddies just sent me this:

Nathan MacKinnon (LBI) week-to-week.
Pavel Francouz (LBI) week-to-week.
Erik Johnson (UBI) week-to-week.
Devon Toews (LBI) week-to-week.
P.E Bellemare (LBI) week-to-week.
Matt Calvert (UBI) week-to-week.

He also followed with RIP to our season hahaha...I talked him down off that ledge. Thats one deep team, they can stay afloat IMO, its also real early in season....they'll make playoffs

"
- Hockey66[Malkin] did lead the team in CF% last night"

Not a good endorsement for that stat.

Hahaha I rarely read the blogs anymore for many reasons but I read this one and thought that exact same thing. He was really bad and lazy last night. At least 6 giveaways were very clear. On 4 of the 6 I noticed, he made ZERO effort to get the puck back at all.

If Jarry didnt poop the bed and their PP had life they would of beaten the Flyers in at least one of those first 2 games. They looked really, really good in game 2 vs Flyers. They took the B's to OT with an absolutely decimated blue line...in that game Malkin missed two glorious opportunities just in those 5 mins for the W.

This team, if healthy, is close to being "there" IMO.
- MattStrat

I wish I shared your outlook. To me, the real measure of if the Pens could compete was going to cone down to goaltending and the older players not declining. Other holes might need to be addressed, but those were the two areas that couldn't be issues. So far, not feeling great about either.

Traveling to different arenas without fans seems silly. Why not just have 4 or so hub cities and create bubbles like they did before?
- Hockey66

Players hated the bubble and weren't going to do it for a whole season and be away from their families.

Malkin was mostly poopty (to an extreme extent granted) on the PP. Malkin still looks out of sorts at ES, but not to a disgusting degree like on special teams. But when over half the game is played on the PP like last night, Malkin's PP issues are amplified and are important. Malkin at ES is something I'm inclined to let play out and let him work through. Malkin at 5v4, however, is a benchable offense.
- Victoro311

I was commenting on this last night on the Rangers board.
Malkin looked like Jagr's older brother! It really stood out because I don't think I've EVER seen him look easy to defend before. (He still managed to make Trouba look stupid on that missed reverse hit)
It was only 2 seasons ago I was wishing the Rangers would pry him away from you guys to give us a legitimate 1C.
I think the winning culture of the Penguins franchise could prevent the need for a full rebuild for you guys, if they can make a couple shrewd deals.

Good luck against those damn Islanders, guys!!

Why is it so hard to simplify the power play?
Malkin has a booming shot and although not as big as Ovechkin, it could be almost as successful. Why Not set up a shooting power play where Malkin is fed one timer opportunities repeatedly--like they do in Washington?

You know, if we hadnt spent so many resources on the likes of Cody Ceci, maybe they could have signed Chara like the Caps did on the cheap and repeated the process with him on the point?
The power play is aimless and all it does is give a jolt of confidence to the opposing team after they kill it off. You could just tell late in period 2 NY was going to score after they killed off the Pens power play--and sure enough they did.
Sully needs to get tough and is 87 and 71 wont do what is asked by the coaches on the PP, then sit them and get someone else on the ice who will. Its not as if they are doing any worse on the PP when 87 or 71 are on the bench...

I wish I shared your outlook. To me, the real measure of if the Pens could compete was going to cone down to goaltending and the older players not declining. Other holes might need to be addressed, but those were the two areas that couldn't be issues. So far, not feeling great about either.
- Tojo.

Goaltending was (before season) and is still a question mark for me but I don't think the older players have declined as much as some think. I'll wait until season is over to pass judgment on that and still take it with grain of salt because of all the covid factors regarding this season. There's an awful lot of great players struggling early ie Zibanejad, 7 years younger than Geno, with only 2 points in 9 games. Geno is in his own head majorly, and to the point you've mentioned, probably not conditioned as well to start the season.

Really hard for me to put much stock in the last 4 or 5 games because of the blueline mess...and really, I cant put a hell of a lot of stock in the first 3 or 4 games of season either, because not only is it just the first few games but also the season started with little to no training camp and zero exhibition. Despite the mess of injuries, and all the new pieces trying to figure it out, I've seen a lot I've liked through 10 games and I'll say it again, if their PP had any life they'd probably be in 1st today. Hell, If their PP and PK were in top 10 they'd probably be in 1st....and thats with Geno asleep. I still think he wakes up yet.

I was commenting on this last night on the Rangers board.
Malkin looked like Jagr's older brother! It really stood out because I don't think I've EVER seen him look easy to defend before. (He still managed to make Trouba look stupid on that missed reverse hit)
It was only 2 seasons ago I was wishing the Rangers would pry him away from you guys to give us a legitimate 1C.
I think the winning culture of the Penguins franchise could prevent the need for a full rebuild for you guys, if they can make a couple shrewd deals.

Good luck against those damn Islanders, guys!!
- Tonybere

He was playing at an MVP level last season before the season was suspended. I really think he’s just out of shape due to not having a real offseason. But the elbow story that came out on him this summer does scare me. Is it possible that his elbow is just shot now and he’s on steep decline? Yes, but I think there’s a big chance it’s just conditioning related. Tough to fix mid season, but much less dire than the alternative.

Either way, our Cup window is very likely closed. That said, I’m also a firm believer that Sid and Geno should be offered the opportunity to retire here. It may be that they don’t want to stay on Post-Cup Window teams and want to go cup chase somewhere else, and that’s ok, but I don’t shop around either to try to jump start a rebuild. Not gonna kid myself by pretending there aren’t some dark days ahead and a long rebuild, but that’s the price you pay for 3 Cups. If Sid and Geno want to play out here they’ve earned it, unless something truly stupid comes along where we’re being offered our next super star for Geno straight up like Barkov or something nuts.

It's settled than:
Geno and Will to NYR for ADA, Strome and a 1st!

I love when they pass it 50 times and then turn it over on the PP. The best players on the opponent's penalty kill are actually Penguins.

I wish I shared your outlook. To me, the real measure of if the Pens could compete was going to cone down to goaltending and the older players not declining. Other holes might need to be addressed, but those were the two areas that couldn't be issues. So far, not feeling great about either.
- Tojo.

I think a lot of it boils down to our special teams discussions we had a few weeks ago with our prediction lol they’re even worse than my prediction haha

Why is it so hard to simplify the power play?
Malkin has a booming shot and although not as big as Ovechkin, it could be almost as successful. Why Not set up a shooting power play where Malkin is fed one timer opportunities repeatedly--like they do in Washington?

You know, if we hadnt spent so many resources on the likes of Cody Ceci, maybe they could have signed Chara like the Caps did on the cheap and repeated the process with him on the point?
The power play is aimless and all it does is give a jolt of confidence to the opposing team after they kill it off. You could just tell late in period 2 NY was going to score after they killed off the Pens power play--and sure enough they did.
Sully needs to get tough and is 87 and 71 wont do what is asked by the coaches on the PP, then sit them and get someone else on the ice who will. Its not as if they are doing any worse on the PP when 87 or 71 are on the bench...
- Amanion

Because the Pens don’t have a left half wall threat. You gotta respect Backstrom/Kuzy/Oshie in the triangle on the right side which helps keep Ovi open. The Pens don’t have that on the LW side because they don’t have talent that can make those passes or even come off as a shooting threat.

I love when they pass it 50 times and then turn it over on the PP. The best players on the opponent's penalty kill are actually Penguins.
- acdc1206

I really don’t understand why they attempt so many passes over and under sticks when there’s an open guy there. They do all perimeter passing with doesn’t open up lanes and everyone is stationary.

He was playing at an MVP level last season before the season was suspended. I really think he’s just out of shape due to not having a real offseason. But the elbow story that came out on him this summer does scare me. Is it possible that his elbow is just shot now and he’s on steep decline? Yes, but I think there’s a big chance it’s just conditioning related. Tough to fix mid season, but much less dire than the alternative.

Either way, our Cup window is very likely closed. That said, I’m also a firm believer that Sid and Geno should be offered the opportunity to retire here. It may be that they don’t want to stay on Post-Cup Window teams and want to go cup chase somewhere else, and that’s ok, but I don’t shop around either to try to jump start a rebuild. Not gonna kid myself by pretending there aren’t some dark days ahead and a long rebuild, but that’s the price you pay for 3 Cups. If Sid and Geno want to play out here they’ve earned it, unless something truly stupid comes along where we’re being offered our next super star for Geno straight up like Barkov or something nuts.
- Victoro311

I hope that goes better for them than it did for Lundqvist!

https://www.nhl.com/news/...lears-waivers/c-320927558

DeAngelo has played his last game as a Ranger. I wonder how much of his salary they are willing to swallow?

I really don’t understand why they attempt so many passes over and under sticks when there’s an open guy there. They do all perimeter passing with doesn’t open up lanes and everyone is stationary.
- j.boyd919

Exactly. It's so incredibly frustrating to watch them do that.

Malkin was mostly poopty (to an extreme extent granted) on the PP. Malkin still looks out of sorts at ES, but not to a disgusting degree like on special teams. But when over half the game is played on the PP like last night, Malkin's PP issues are amplified and are important. Malkin at ES is something I'm inclined to let play out and let him work through. Malkin at 5v4, however, is a benchable offense.
- Victoro311

I totally agree. At the very least he should be told that he is not allowed to play the point on the PP again until further notice and to always think shot first when he is playing down lower. A bad shot down low is less catastrophic than a bad pass near the point.

And I think he should be demoted to 3C until his play improves.

I remember earlier in Ovi's career when he spent an entire offseason partying in Russian nightclubs and showed up for camp out of shape. It took him more than half a season to get back into shape and look good again but by that time it was too late and the Capitals missed the playoffs. I am not sure if that is the case with Malkin but he is killing the team in his current role. That has to change.

I totally agree. At the very least he should be told that he is not allowed to play the point on the PP again until further notice and to always think shot first when he is playing down lower. A bad shot down low is less catastrophic than a bad pass near the point.

And I think he should be demoted to 3C until his play improves.

I remember earlier in Ovi's career when he spent an entire offseason partying in Russian nightclubs and showed up for camp out of shape. It took him more than half a season to get back into shape and look good again but by that time it was too late and the Capitals missed the playoffs. I am not sure if that is the case with Malkin but he is killing the team in his current role. That has to change.
- PghPens668771

It’s a real shame the Lazy Malkin narrative continues to this day. He has done nothing but prove he’s committed to working hard and trying his best to keep his body in shape for at least the past 5 or so years. The fact of the matter is that he’s 35 and this off-season was shortened and resources that are typically available to players were not due to COVID shut downs. I don’t think Malkin didn’t just say (frank) it this offseason. I think he’s just old and couldn’t get into shape.

It’s a real shame the Lazy Malkin narrative continues to this day. He has done nothing but prove he’s committed to working hard and trying his best to keep his body in shape for at least the past 5 or so years. The fact of the matter is that he’s 35 and this off-season was shortened and resources that are typically available to players were not due to COVID shut downs. I don’t think Malkin didn’t just say (frank) it this offseason. I think he’s just old and couldn’t get into shape.
- Victoro311

He admittedly didn’t train in the off season the way he should have.

He admittedly didn’t train in the off season the way he should have.
- Rinosaur

When did he say that. The Yohe article from preseason was about how good he looked and how his new focus on offseason conditioning was paying off (obviously did not end up being true).

Goaltending was (before season) and is still a question mark for me but I don't think the older players have declined as much as some think. I'll wait until season is over to pass judgment on that and still take it with grain of salt because of all the covid factors regarding this season. There's an awful lot of great players struggling early ie Zibanejad, 7 years younger than Geno, with only 2 points in 9 games. Geno is in his own head majorly, and to the point you've mentioned, probably not conditioned as well to start the season.

Really hard for me to put much stock in the last 4 or 5 games because of the blueline mess...and really, I cant put a hell of a lot of stock in the first 3 or 4 games of season either, because not only is it just the first few games but also the season started with little to no training camp and zero exhibition. Despite the mess of injuries, and all the new pieces trying to figure it out, I've seen a lot I've liked through 10 games and I'll say it again, if their PP had any life they'd probably be in 1st today. Hell, If their PP and PK were in top 10 they'd probably be in 1st....and thats with Geno asleep. I still think he wakes up yet.
- MattStrat

I will agree it is too early to make final judgements. Just I don't like how I see things trending. And that those aren't the only problems I see. There are some positives with the team too, just not enough.

I may not have confidence in Jarry, but I haven't written him off yet either. He was just an unknown heading in who had a history of being inconsistent, which isn't that different from many goalies.

The aging thing is more worrying. I think Malkin needs an off-season to train right and that isn't happening now. And Letang and Dumoulin both really bother me right now though maybe they've had gotten on track with some more game action. But they're also all at an age where a dip in play isn't unheard of.