Expect a switch on the Pittsburgh Penguins' power play

by FrankD on Nov 25, 2008 12:07 PM EST in News Comment 8 comments

It hasn't been the most productive of power plays in the NHL, and frankly at times it can get a bit scary. Take for example the game against the Philadelphia Flyers on November 13 when Simon Gagne netted two short-handed goals.

Or perhaps the November 20 game against the Atlanta Thrashers when Dany Sabourin stood on his head to save two or three short-handed breakaway chances (one particularly against Ilya Kovalchuk).

Why should a team, and fans for that matter, bite their lip for two minutes when their power-play unit is on the ice? Of course, a 1-for-12 conversion over the last three games also leaves you shaking your head. These chances are coming against good teams, providing the chance to really capitalize for the win. Yet the Pens are falling short.

Which is why there will be some new faces, perhaps even a few position switches for the Pens' power play tomorrow night against the New York Islanders.

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette has a few notes on the new power play.

On the first unit, Evgeni Malkin was back on the right point after moving up to a forward spot in recent games. Alex Goligoski remained on the opposite point. Tyler Kennedy was added and joined fellow forwards Sidney Crosby and Miroslav Satan.

Philippe Boucher and Kris Letang were on the points in the second unit, which had Matt Cooke joining Jordan Staal and Petr Sykora at forward.

I'm not crazy about Malkin being on the point, but if the team was looking for the best possible replacement for Gonchar's slapshot than he would be it. No doubt. I like the idea of Satan down low for the rebound goals and puck control, while also giving Sid a speedy winger in Tyler Kennedy.

As for the second unit, I'm indifferent. Happy to see Boucher out there because I think he can add some firepower, but really surprised to see Matt Cooke on the PP. He's not known as a goal scorer and frankly I feel may be out of place on this unit. But if Therrien is testing it and it's working, then I see no harm done at this point. After all, can it really get worse than 1-for-12? (Don't answer that please)

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This was verrrrrry needed.

by PensFan024 on Nov 25, 2008 12:44 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Agreed. We have some of the best goal scorers in the game. It’s impressive that they can put up goals in an even 5-on-5, but I really want to see them take advantage of the extra man.

Follow the Penguins on SBN @ Pensburgh.com

by FrankD on Nov 25, 2008 12:53 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I'm not scared.

Alright alright, yes I am :)

The Islanders PK has been bending-not-breaking lately. Montreal had tons of chances last night against the Isles and should have scored (they hit the post at least twice) more. The Habs got a little too pretty with it, though, and their PP has been in a funk.

Another game against a team with firepower like that (such as the Pens, perhaps?), and I’m fearing the Isles PK luck may run out.

SBN now has a NY Islanders blog at LighthouseHockey.com.

by Dominik on Nov 25, 2008 2:31 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Well you guys are on somewhat of a tear right now so we’d just as easily feel intimidated by that matter. Then again, I don’t suppose any of our guys will shoot the puck into our own empty net. Just hypothesizing there though…

The PK has been taking somewhat of a beating lately. Not that they’ve been giving up many goals, but they’ve been getting burned out pretty early in the game with stupid penalties. I don’t care how good your PK is – you have them out there for six of eight minutes and they’re going to get tired.

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by FrankD on Nov 25, 2008 3:24 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I actually think that Malkin was doing well on the point earlier this season – so maybe he’s feeling comfortable there? I don’t mind the decision, just because it does shake things up, and it’s been painfully obvious lately that we need something to change on the PP. I like the sounds of the addition of TK – hopefully we’ll get to see them in action tomorrow, and make a better assessment of whether or not the changes were for the better.

by Dayna on Nov 25, 2008 4:27 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Oh trust me, I don’t deny Malkin’s shot on the point. It’s also kind of obvious that he’s getting used to playing the puck on the backhand up there as well, but I just feel he’d be better used off to the boards; similar to how Sid sets up but only on the other side or down low. But you’re right – let’s see how this works out tomorrow before we go passing judgement.

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by FrankD on Nov 25, 2008 5:01 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

The only thing that worries me is malkins D. Is there a reason Sid can’t QB the powerplay. I know he doesn’t have the shot Malkin does, but he could set up better shots.

by PensFan024 on Nov 26, 2008 8:38 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

RIght on. He does seem to get a bit lazy on the transition game from time-to-time, like that one instance in the Philly game where Gagne broke away with the puck and both Malkin and GoGo gave a half-hearted chase. But his shot doesn’t compare to Sid’s, and I guess technically from where Sid stands he’s more of a set-up guy for the give-and-go D-man play and whichever winger decides to crash the net.

Hard to say though. Definitely a good point.

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by FrankD on Nov 26, 2008 11:14 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs