It is an off day today for the Penguins, but I decided to take some time to discuss a few issues, topics that have been surrounding the Penguins and the NHL of late. This piece has a little bit of everything, so I'm sure you will find something in here that will tickle your fancy.
Enjoy!
Pens Pull Out Another Win in the Pacific NorthWest
As Mike Lange would say, we joined the "Night Owl Club" as the Penguins played out west to their fifth straight win in their contest with Vancouver. It was quite the performance by the Penguins, though not nearly as complete as their win in Toronto.
The Penguins dominated the first period last night. Perron finally got his goal after being a league leader in shots without a goal thus far this year. His was the one of seven shots that found the back of the net for the Pens in the first. Phil Kessel and Brian Dumoulin got the assists.
The second period was a dumpster fire and could have been a lot worse had Marc-Andre Fleury not stood on his head to bail out his team, again. Man, how often have we said that this year? Anyway, Fleury stole the second for the Penguins. The Pens gave up three penalties in the period, but the PK continued its strong play and there was Fleury.
The third was better until the last five minutes. Sidney Crosby scored a goal. Yes, you read that right but wait there's more. Sidney Crosby scored a power play goal last night. Again, you read that right, but wait, there is even more. Crosby scored a power play goal from down low, in front of the net.
SHUT THE FRONT DOOR! NO HE DIDN'T?
Well slap me silly, because it is the truth. Sidney Crosby scored a power play goal down low in the third period. It was a huge goal for the team and for the Captain, but more on him later on. Eric Fehr added his second short handed goal in as many games. The Pens had a 3-0 lead with 10 minutes left. They ultimately would take the game 3-2 after Vancouver added two goals in the last six minutes. Sloppy ending, but no harm nor foul. The Penguins won their fifth straight and eight out of nine.
So what can we take away from this win and the Penguins play over the last week?
Firstly, the Penguins are scoring again. While they struggled to score goals in the first two-three weeks of the season, the last week has seen a major uptick in goal scoring. They had three last night and have scored 14 goals over their last four games. What has caused the change? Honestly, the hell if I know. But I will say this, the Penguins are going to the net more which has definitely helped.
Next, the defense has been outstanding, especially the likes of Brian Dumoulin and Ben Lovejoy. The Penguins currently are tied for the league lead in goals against average at 1.83. That's pretty impressive from a group that a month ago we were terrified to field. What is even more impressive, that outstanding play has come from the guys we didn't expect to be playing great. Let's start with Rob Scuderi. I know he is the punching bag of the entire fan base, but he has played pretty well over the last few games. He's had four points since his scratch agains Ottawa and his PK work has been great. Ben Lovejoy has been even better. His defensive play has been stellar, no denying that. I absolutely love the way he and Dumoulin play together. And speaking of Dumoulin, how good has this kid been. Everyone was furious that he was in the top six over Pouliot a month ago, and now he's been arguably the Penguins best defenseman. Funny how that works.
Then, there is the bottom six. Can we just sit back for a second and appreciate the fact we have a legitimate bottom six for the first time in years? Matt Cullen, 39-year-old Matt Cullen, has been outstanding. He added his first goal the other night and has played even better now that Eric Fehr has been added to the lineup. Fehr, who missed the first month after elbow surgery, made history last night when he became the only player in NHL history to score short-handed goals in his first two games with a club. Besides that, he has been outstanding in the first two games he's played. Chris Kunitz is finally playing in the right role. He adds a lot to the third line. Beau Bennett is playing without fear and is firing the puck whenever he gets a chance. I've been impressed with his play of late and Nick Bonino has been great as well.
Finally, there is the play of Marc-Andre Fleury. He has been a complete stud. Can't give more props than that.
Concerning Captain Crosby
Wow, where do I begin?...
First of all, the Pittsburgh media has been more than fair with Crosby and his start. With the exception of one writer, the majority of you know who I'm referring to, the media has gone out of its way to avoid really getting on Sid. I think the biggest issue comes from the fact that Sidney Crosby is never really criticized in the media. Sure, the fans get on him and Geno and everyone else, but the media, especially the Pittsburgh media, usually finds the good in the bad for him. But there is no discounting his start; it's been bad. He is averaging half a point per game, which is a full point less than his career average. He needs to be better and not worry so much what people are writing about him, even quality hacks like myself.
Now, what can Sid do to fight this? Well, if he scores more that would be great but it isn't always that simple. The biggest issue that I have, and the majority do with Sid, is where he's playing on the power play. He continues to go to that right half wall even when it's clearly not working.
That needs to stop. Period.
Sidney Crosby is the best player in the world, but he sucks on the right half-wall. He belongs on the goal line on the power play and in front of the net. That is where he has scored a ton of points in his career and it's the way to jumpstart his season. Take last night for example, the goal he scored was right in front of the net.
Coincidence? Hell no.
Sidney Crosby will be fine. If he puts his ego aside on the power play and plays where he should, we won't be having this conversation about him struggling and not scoring for much longer.
The problem of Pouliot
Pouliot reportedly got in a verbal altercation with a taxi driver and the cops were called to end the dispute. Pouliot was cited for public intoxication for his troubles. It is an absolutely stupid thing to do, but at least give him credit that he had the sense to not get behind the wheel while in that state. We'd have a real big issue if he did that.
This all being said, Derrick Pouliot is not doing himself any favors.
He played the last half of the season in Pittsburgh last year and played pretty well. He needed to get better defensively, but he was solid for the banged up Pens down the stretch.
But this year has been a different story. Pouliot participated in Penguins development camp and the rookie tournament. He probably shouldn't have been there, but he didn't help himself in the matter. He could have came out in those two instances and flourished; showed just how talented he was and that he shouldn't have been made to partake in these things. But he didn't. He was lazy and played that way. Then he came to training camp, and he didn't stand out there either. While Brian Dumoulin, Adam Clendening and Tim Erixon were solid, Pouliot was atrocious. It didn't get much better in preseason play. Pouliot was sent to WBS at the end of camp because he didn't earn a spot, but also because he could be sent down without clearing waivers.
Pouliot said he needed to do better and he understood why he was sent down. But the kid still didn't stand out. He struggled in his first few games before he started to put it together. Now, he's dealing with this off the ice issue.
Look, he's a 21-year-old kid in an area where there is little to do. I know that for a fact too, because I grew up in Northeast Pennsylvania. There is nothing to do and winter is coming, so there is less to do.
That all being said, Pouliot can't possibly be this stupid. He was already in the "doghouse" if you will with the way he performed leading into camp, during camp and in the preseason. He needed to go down to Wilkes-Barre, play great hockey and earn his way back up here. He hasn't necessarily done that and then this public drunkenness thing comes out. He needs to be smarter than that and he needs to prove that he belongs not in the AHL, but here in Pittsburgh.
I don't know what to make of Pouliot. I see a plethora of talent, but I also see a lot of immaturity. It is hard to see this 21-year-old acting like an idiot when the 18-year-old like Daniel Sprong conducts himself like a twenty-year veteran. I want more out of this kid. The fan base should want more too, just as the organization does. We have put so much of the future on this kid, not including him in trades and such, but has he earned that with his actions and play? I don't think so at this moment. I'm not saying the Penguins should explore moving him, but if the opportunity arose, I'm taking a lot longer look at the deal now.
And after all this off-ice nonsense that has come out this week, I don't think we will be seeing Pouliot on Pittsburgh any time soon.
Is Bigger Better?
Frankly, the NHL is getting kind of boring to watch some nights.
The Penguins are one of those teams that are playing such a defensive system that the games are becoming boring to watch. Dear God, is this what it is like to be a Devils fan?
Many of the big names around the league has been asked about the down scoring and ways to fix it. Mike Babcock, coach of the Leafs and Team Canada stated earlier in the week that he'd like to see bigger nets in the NHL. Our Captain wants the nets to stay the same but goalie gear to get smaller. Mark Madden of 105.9 the X is constantly complaining about the way the NHL is going and it's hard not to agree with him. The league is getting too boring and the owners need to make the changes.
I think the owners need to change things. They won't, but they should. I think they need to get scoring up again and there are several ways to do it. Bigger nets is a start. Smaller goalie gear, that is a no brainer. When Henrik Lundqvist goes from pre-Captain America Steve Rogers in street clothes to the Hulk in goalie gear, there is a problem. So the NHL can do that, but I'll go a step further too, go to the Olympic sized rinks too.
The NHL and North American junior hockey are the only leagues in the entire world that play on a smaller rink. Every other league around the world plays on the Olympic ice sheet. Big ice, plenty of room, lots more scoring. Why wouldn't you want this?
Bigger rinks could help this league in a bunch of ways. More ice gives players more room to make plays, generating more scoring and more interest in the fan base. That's the no brainer, but here is another big reason, to cut down on the injuries.
The way of the game is speed, speed, speed. If you don't got it, you can't be effective these days. That being said, the increased speed has to be a cause in the uptick in injuries over the last few seasons. Imagine, if the rinks were bigger, with more room to maneuver, you could argue that the injuries would lower over the course of the season.
I think it is worth taking a look at, but let's face it, as long as Gary Bettman is the commissioner, the NHL won't change, even if it would make it a better product.
Final Statements
The Pregame will return Friday for the Edmonton matchup. Don't miss out on that. Should be up in the mid-afternoon.
The plan is to have a Pregame for Calgary too. I don't see a reason why I wouldn't get that done over the next two days. So look for that.
I doubt I will have a post game for Friday or Saturday. I will likely just tweet my post game thoughts, so check there for those. If I do a "View From Where I Sat," I will be sure to give y'all a heads up.
That's it for me. Thanks again and see you Friday! LETS GO PENS!!!