Over forty-eight games, this team has seen the firing of its head coach and hiring of a new one. It has seen its superstars struggle and youngsters rise up. The season has seen a mixed bag of truly entertaining hockey, and other nights of dull efforts. It has been quite the half.
With that in mind, I write this piece to discuss some of the pleasant surprises for the first half for the Pittsburgh Penguins. There has been some disappointing play among the roster, but in the dark there has been some brightness. This piece will take a look at the 5 Penguins who have been surprisingly good in the first half.
So here we go, the top 5 Penguins surprises of the NHL's 1st half...
5. Matt Murray
The injury to Marc-Andre Fleury at the start of Mike Sullivan's tenure could have been a disaster. Despite losing four straight games, the Penguins did begin to work on a new brand of hockey, one that we have seen strike fiercely over the last few games.
It was during this first three weeks of Sullivan's reign where we saw just how talented Matt Murray is. The young goalie made his NHL debut against the Carolina Hurricanes in mid-December. Despite losing his debut, he went on to post a 2-1-1 record in his first four NHL games. He allowed just seven goals, had a save percentage of .938 and a goal against average of 1.72. Of the seven goals allowed, Murray only gave up two while his team was on the penalty kill, an outstanding number for a young goalie.
Murray is the future. He proved in his brief stint that he is capable of playing in the NHL right now. He guided this team to two wins when they were playing some of their worst hockey. Imagine what he could be doing with them firing on all cylinders. Murray has continued to be lights out in Wilkes-Barre and I think we will see the young goalie as the permanent back-up of Marc-Andre Fleury as early as next season.
4. Bryan Rust
The 23-year-old winger has only 2 goals in 13 games played this year, but his play over the last month has been outstanding. He has found a niche skating alongside Tom Kuhnhackl and veteran Eric Fehr on the Penguins 3rd line.
Rust is only averaging 10:03 per game, but he is making the most of his time. He only has the two goals, and no assists, but the young winger has used his lightning speed to create ample opportunities for his line. He has created several breakaway opportunities and has looked increasingly comfortable with each passing game.
It will be interesting to see what happens down the road. Right now, Rust is benefitting from injuries to Kunitz, Bonino and Bennett. When they all return, the question will be who fills the last spot? Among the names will be Sergei Plotnikov, Kevin Porter, Kuhnhackl and Rust. While Porter has been great on the PK, he brings little else to the table. Plotnikov is talented, but he has been miscast and doesn't seem to have the favor of Sullivan. Kuhnhackl is talented, but not as solid a two-way player as Rust. I think Rust has proven he can skate in the NHL, that he can be a competent bottom six winger. I'd like to see him stick for the remainder of the season.
3. Trevor Daley
Luckily, Daley has been a revelation since the trade. In 19 games in a Pittsburgh sweater, he has 4 goals, 7 points and is averaging close to 20:41 per night. This is a drastic change over what he was doing in Chicago before the deal. In Chicago, he was averaging roughly 15 minutes a night and only had 6 points in 30 games. The situation here, greatly suits the veteran defenseman.
Daley, 33, has a lot more to bring over the remainder of the season. We have seen just how solid he is defensively, but even more so how talented he is offensively. Three of Daley's seven points have come via the man-advantage. Other than that, he has proven to be very good at the breakout and picking the right moments to join the rush or pinch in the offensive zone. When he does that, his feet have gotten him back in position and prevented opposing chances.
I love what Daley brings. I love his attitude and the way he has played alongside both Olli Maatta and Brian Dumoulin. I think he can really help Dumoulin develop into a top-4 defenseman and be a huge part of the team going forward. His play has made the deadline a little less dire for GM Jim Rutherford.
2. matt Cullen
The now 39-year-old veteran has played in every Penguins game this year. He has scored four goals and 13 points on the season while averaging about 12:40 per night. I would have been happy with those number for a full season, but for half a season, I am ecstatic. The other portion of his game, one that I knew was strong, was his PK ability. I just didn't realize it was this strong. He is averaging 2:45 short handed minutes per game and has two points while a man short. He creates offense easily on the kill and manages his minutes well enough to not overextend himself.
Cullen has been great in the fourth line role, but that is where he should stay. He has gotten time up top with Sid with Kunitz out, and he is definitely not suited for that. He just doesn't have the hands to play with Sid, or Geno for that matter. If Cullen plays a fourth-line role and adds another 10-15 points this season, I would be incredibly pleased with the vet's play.
1. Brian Dumoulin
Brian Dumoulin, 24, has proven Jim Rutherford right in keeping him after a busy summer of trading young prospects away. The Maine native got an extended run for the Pens down the stretch last year and in the playoffs, and impressed enough to return in a presumed full-time role this season. To date, he has been the Penguins most steady defenseman and added a few points along the way too.
Through 48 games, Dumoulin has 10 assists, a plus-four rating and is averaging 18:38 per night. All of his points have come at even strength. In fact, Dumoulin was one of the few players to produce under Mike Johnston. He scored 7 of his 10 points for the now former Penguins coach.
That's not to say he hasn't played well under Mike Sullivan though. In fact, Dumoulin's role has greatly expanded since the coaching change. He is now averaging close to 21-22 minutes a night with Sullivan as the coach and playing more special teams minutes as well. Defensively, he has been outstanding. A plus-4 rating is very impressive, especially considering he is often facing off against the opponent's top lines. He has also added 44 hits and 43 blocked shots.
Dumoulin has exceeded expectations to this point, but that doesn't mean he can afford to let off the gas now. He needs to continue this outstanding play through the end of the season.
I don't expect him to struggle. In fact, I think he will only get better. Dumoulin paired with Trevor Daley will be a great pair. It will do well defensively, but it will also create better offensive numbers for himself and whoever is on the ice with him. I cannot praise this kid enough, heres to another successful half season for him.