If you are new to the "Week in Review," here is how it works. I will first give you a recap of the weeks action. Then, you will see my three stars of the week; the 3 Pens that performed the best as I saw it this week. Next, Pros and Cons, where I examine what I liked about the Pens play this week and my concerns from the week that was. Next, I will profile the upcoming week's opponents before you guys can vote in our latest poll question. With that, let's jump right into the "Week in Review."
The Week Recapped
The Stars cleaned up their game to start the second and got an early goal from Antoine Roussel early in the period to make it a 2 to 1 game. The Pens continued to control the flow of the game until Pascal Dupuis was stretched off the ice mid-way through the period. Duper was cross-checked at the front of the net by former Pen Alex Goligoski. Duper went down and, while down on all fours, was struck point-blank in the neck by a Kris Letang snapper. Dupuis stated the following day that he lost all feeling in his extremities because of the hit and was taken to a local hospital for tests. Luckily, Dupuis would be alright, but the Pens and their fans lost all their life for the rest of the Dallas game.
The Pens managed to hold a 2 to 1 lead into the third period and through fifteen minutes of it before they relinquished what would be the game-tying and game-winning goals. Stars captain Jamie Benn would score with only two minutes remaining to tie the game at two. With just ten seconds left in regulation, Pens captain Sidney Crosby took a lazy penalty that resulted in a Stars power play. Dallas took advantage and with just 2.9 seconds on the clock, Tyler Seguin buried the game winning, power play goal. Both Dallas goals in the third were assisted by Jason Spezza and the Stars stole the game from the Pens in heartbreaking fashion 3 to 2.
The first loss of the season was heavy on the minds of fans going into Saturday's game against the Metropolitan leading and only remaining undefeated team, the New York Islanders. Pens nation was curious as to whether Pascal Dupuis would be able to play in the game, and many questions remained as to whether there would be other lineup changes as well. As it turned out, Dupuis would play and no lineup changes were made.
The Pens controlled play in the first period, putting up 16 shots to the Isles 10. Despite controlling the play, it was the Islanders who would lead after the opening stanza. Defenseman Thomas Hickey netted a goal on a 3-on-1 play where Crosby failed to back check and Olli Maatta was interfered with along the boards. Letang and Fleury did their best, but the Isles got on the board.
The second period was the "Penalty Period," as ten minors were called altogether. Each team would have an opportunity at the 5-on-3, but it would only be the Pens who took advantage. The Pens were successfully able to kill their 5-on-3 thanks to the outstanding play of Rob Scuderi, Olli Maatta and Brandon Sutter. Pittsburgh then got a 5-on-3 of their own and Evgeni Malkin officially unleashed the beast in this 105 second stretch. He snapped home a shot from the left circle to tie the game and then slapped on net a shot that was re-directed by Patric Hornqvist. The period would end with the Pens up 2 to 1, but the festivities wouldn't end after the horn. With roughly thirty seconds left, Sidney Crosby inadvertently tripped up Isles netminder Jaroslav Halak behind the net. Following the horn, defenseman Travis Harmonic gave Crosby a little shot that sparked some heated discussion and Pens forward Steve Downie naming Harmonic his project for the third period.
Downie did just that in the third. Roughly four minutes in, Downie unleashed a monster - and clean - hit on Isles center Frans Nielsen. Harmonic took offense to the hit and he and Downie - who had words after the 2nd period - decided to drop the gloves and dance. Downie would be the winner of the fight and, because he didn't tie down his fight strap, Harmonic would get tossed from the game. The Pens continued to control the pace of the game and Patric Hornqvist would slide home an empty netter to clinch the game. Elvis officially left the building, giving the Pens their third win of the year by a score of 3 to 1.
My 3 Stars of the Week
1. Patric Hornqvist: Four more points this week (2G-2A) for the Penguins. He also led them in shots (15) and was one of the leaders in ice time as well (19:24). Horny has points in all four games to start the year for the first time in his career and has two or more points in three of those four games. He has been an absolute beast in front of the net and solid on the power play as well. I love the way he plays and I love his production. He just keeps having me ask, "James who?"
2. Evgeni Malkin: I gave Malkin hell after a sloppy opening night performance but he has caught fire over the last three games. In the two games this week, Malkin had a goal and two assists, 7 shots and averaged about 19:20 per night. His game against Dallas was his best game I thought, were he created a lot of offensive chances for his line and on the power play. He dominated the second period against New York where he had a power play goal and assist and also made an outstanding defensive play to end the period. I hope to see more of the same this week from 71, especially against big opponents in Philly and Detroit.
3. Brandon Sutter: You're probably asking yourself why I have a guy who didn't score a point in my top three. Well, it's a valid point. However, Brandon Sutter played the best all-around game for the Penguins this week. Sure, he had zero points, but he had seven shots on goal and created a lot of chances. He is on the list because of his defensive play however. He was 25 of 43 in the faceoff circle, blocked several shots and was one of the leaders in ice time for forwards with 19:30. His play on the penalty kill was extremely exceptional, especially against the Islanders on Saturday night. He is taking advantage of his top six minutes, which will make it incredibly interesting where he will go when Beau Bennett returns.
Pros and Cons of the Week that Was
Top Line: The Kunitz-Crosby-Hornqvist line is something special isn't it? They have been the most productive group thus far and it's great to see. Horqvist had four points this week, Sid three and Kuny two. Overall this season, twenty-two of the Pens forty-five points have been scored by this line. That is just under 50% of the Pens total scoring. Impressive and they are doing it at even strength as well as on the power play.
Special Teams: Last week I was concerned about the special teams play, especially the PK. Those doubts were soothed this week. For the power play, it was firing on all cylinders this week. The Pens were 4-of-8 (50%) on the power play this week. That's a great number. What is even more impressive was the play of the penalty kill. The Pens played two of the most talented power plays in the entire league this week in the Islanders and Stars and they successfully killed 10 of 11 penalties. The play looked more fluid and was more poised than it was in the opening two games. The biggest indication of how solid it was was v. NYI when it killed all seven penalties, including a 5-on-3.
Marc-Andre Fleury: The Flower had a solid week. He is subject to so much unwarranted criticism from the Penguin faithful and for really no reason. Everyone expects him to be a Quick or Lundqvist but the fact is he is a Marc-Andre Fleury. He is one of the best goalies in the league, period. He catches a lot of flack because he sometimes gets caught leaving the net, but you know what, it's October who cares? His playoff performance last year was superb and besides down years in 2012 and 2013, he has been a great playoff goalie. He was 1-1-0 this week, but he really played two solid games. So I am issuing a call to the Pens faithful: lay off Fleury, because if you run him out of town you won't be thrilled with what returns.
We just looked at the "PROS," now let's look at the "CONS" for the week that was:
Player Usage: This was an area that really had me fired up, especially against Dallas. Mike Johnston really was not rolling his lines in either game this week, and even more so he seemed to be sitting guys more than normal. For example, Zach Sill played a total of 15 minutes over two games this week. Simon Despres played a grand total of 24. They weren't the only ones either; Scuderi only played 13 minutes v. Dallas, Downie played only about 20 minutes total this week, Craig Adams about the same. I don't like how they are using some of these guys. In the case of Sill and Despres, it seems to be a level of trust not circumstance. If you're not crazy with their play, simply don't play them. As for the likes of Steve Downie and Nick Splaing too for that matter, they need to used more. There is no reason for two third line guys to only see 12 minutes a night. Play them, otherwise come April/May/June you will be where we were last year with only two lines in the playoffs.
Bottom Six: The first con rolls into the second con, the bottom six. The bottom six has been very good defensively, but not so much offensive. My biggest concern though is the usage. The bottom six is only averaging about 12 minutes per player. That is just ridiculous. Now, I know game circumstance dictates the usage, but in the Isles game for example, there is no reason for guys like Adams, Spaling and Goc to only have on average 10 minutes a game. These guys need to produce some goals, but they can't do that if they aren't getting the ice time.
Scott Harrington: This kid is going to be one hell of a defenseman for the Pittsburgh Penguins. He was sent down 12 days ago that way he could play games instead of sit in the press box up here. 10 days ago he was recalled and he has become the official "Press Box Hero;" scratched in all those games and not really practicing with the big guys much. Now, I have heard they have him up here to watch Rob Scuderi's game, because Harrington is the reincarnation of Scuds circa 2007-2011. I get that and that's great, but he can watch tape in WBS and still be playing. If you are not going to play him - and I feel he warrants the chance this week with how Despres has been used/played - then send him to Wilkes-Barre so he can play.
A Look Ahead
#LOLFlyers is a common phrase when it comes to the Flyers these days. They started the season winless (0-2-2) before squeaking out their first victory last night against the Stars in OT. The Flyers like to think of themselves as one of the best in the East, but they may be nothing more than the best laughing stock.
When not getting intoxicated and grabbing male policemen's asses in Ottawa, the Flyers are led by captain Claude Giroux. He has gotten off to a fast start alongside line mates Jakob Voracek and Wayne Simmonds. The trio have combined for 21 points on the season. Other than those three though, the Flyers are a joke. Their defense is not what it used to be and they dress more goons than actual hockey players these days than normal. Their goaltender is mediocre at best and for lack of a better term, the Flyers are going no where fast.
Here is some info on the Flyers thus far this season:
- 1-2-2 for 4pts and 6th place in the Metropolitan Division. The Flyers lost 2-1 to Boston, 6-4 to NJ, 4-3 (SO) to MTL, 4-3 (SO) to ANA before finally getting an OT win v. Dallas.
- The Flyers will play in Chicago Tuesday night before facing the Pens at Consol on Wednesday.
- The leading scorers on the team all play on the top line and each has seven points as of 10/19. Giroux and Voracek each have 2 goals and 5 assists and Wayne Simmonds has 5 goals and 2 assists.
- The Flyers are struggling in the injury department. They for sure will be without defenesemen Kimmo Timonen (blood clots), center Ryan White (chest), Vinny Lecavalier (foot), defenseman Sam Morin (jaw) and defenseman Marc-Andre Bourdon (concussion) when they play the Pens on Wednesday. They may get defenseman Braydon Coburn (lower-body) back in-time for Wednesday's contest.
- The game will be part of NBCSN's "Wednesday Night Rivalry" with an 8:00pm start from Consol Energy Center. Mike Emrick and Eddie O will call the game and we will all be tortured by the nonsense of Pierre McGuire between the benches.
Mike Babcock's team is still as consistent as ever and led by the likes of defenseman Niklas Kronwall and forwards Hank Zetterberg and Johan Franzen. Despite being one of the older teams in the league, an infusion of youth from the likes of Gustav Nyquist, Tomas Tatar and Drew Miller. Jimmy Howard and Jonas Gustavsson are the duo in net for the Wings.
Here is some info on the Wings heading into this week:
- 3-1-1 on the season and currently sit 4th in the Atlantic. They've beaten Boston, and Toronto at home while dropping home contests to Boston and Anaheim. Their lone road game so far was a 4-1 win over Toronto on Friday night.
- The Wings will play in Montreal on Tuesday night before returning home to face the Pens.
- Henrik Zetterberg leads the Wings in scoring with 6pts (1G-5A). Johan Franzen is second with 5pts (2G-3A) while youngster Gustav Nyquist is tied with him and leads the team in goals (Nyqvist 4G-1A).
- Pavel Datsyuk was hurt in a preseason game v. Pittsburgh on a Rob Scuderi hit. He has missed the season thus far with a shoulder injury but is considered day-to-day at this point. Goalie Jimmy Howard is nursing a groin injury and Johan Franzen missed Saturday's game with leg cramps. Both are considered day-to-day at this point.
- The Pens will visit Detroit on Thursday, puck drop at 7:30PM on ROOT Sports.
The Preds are a new team from the one that struggled last year. They have a new coach in Laviolette and got several solid players in Neal, Riberio and Olli Jokinen in the offseason. Their defensive corps remains relatively strong led by Shea Weber and a healthy Pekka Rinne and Carter Hutton will take the Preds to the brink of a playoff berth.
Here is some info on the Preds going into the week:
- 3-0-2 overall, 8pts and leaders in the Central Division. Their only losses have been OT and SO losses to Chicago and Calgary respectively. They've beaten the Stars, Ottawa and Winnipeg for their wins.
- They will host Arizona on Tuesday and Chicago on Thursday before the Pens arrive for their game Saturday night.
- The Preds are led in scoring by their young forward Filip Forsberg at 5pts (1G-4A). Center Paul Gaustad, winger Eric Nystrom and defenseman Shea Weber are all tied for second with 4pts.
- Center Matt Cullen is currently day-to-day with a foot injury and could play v. Pittsburgh while their best center, Mike Fisher, is out for another couple months following a tear of his achilles tendon.
- The Pens wil face the Predators on Saturday at 8:00pm on ROOT Sports.
This Week's Poll Question. Be sure to vote!
- Hornqvist - 66.5%
- Maatta - 17%
- Sutter - 16.5%
- Dupuis - 0%
- Other - 0%
This week, we have ourselves another question for you the readers to get involved with. The question I pose is below. The results will be posted in next week's edition of the "Week in Review."
Closing Statements
The Pregame show returns Wednesday for our matchup with rival Philadelphia. I am warning you now, I have no love lost for the Flyers and if you hate the Flyers like I do, you will love the Pregame that night.
The View From Where I Sat will return after each game this week as the Pregame will proceed them. Be sure to check for the links before and after games for each.
Thanks again and enjoy your weeks!
Big Dave