Pens Revamp Top PP Unit
by PensFan8725 on Dec 14, 2009 5:03 PM EST
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PrintPens website: "In an attempt to get more production from one of the few weak areas of their game, the Penguins moved Malkin from the goal line on the right-side boards to the left point in place of Alex Goligoski and next to Sergei Gonchar. Sidney Crosby kept his spot floating up and down the left side while Chris Kunitz and Matt Cooke rotated with Bill Guerin down low. " http://penguins.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=509853&navid=DL|PIT|home
I like this idea simply because, with 87 and 71 on two sides, our PP isn't so easy to kill. It should open up some space for the superstars to work.
I just hope they try this unit for a few games and not go back to the old system if we go 0-5 against Philly.
Although I'm up for any change right now (because, lets face it, we desperately needed to change something about the PP), if it were me....
I would keep GoGo on the left point because it seems like we've been giving up a few too many shorthanded chances the past few games and a D men on the point would, obviously, be helpful. My logic is this:
I thought about Crosby on the point because 1) he's been the shooter this season 2) seems more comfortable taking a shot from longer distances 3) he's a better back checker than Malkin. But, Malkin has the more proven shot and takes better slappers, plus Crosby's ability to battle along the boards is more valuable to the PP than his slap-shot. So I came to the conclusion that Malkin and Crosby's Pros and Cons on the point both cancel each other out, and kept GoGo there for his D and puck distribution.
I think we should put Geno on the left side (even though he's a left handed shot) and let Rupp/TK/Cooke (I vote for Rupp) cause havoc in front of the net. I seconded guessed myself on Geno's position because, from the left side, he would probably pass to Gonch or Crosby and the East-West pass would be dangerous. However, with the attention that Rupp would demand in front of the net, the attention Geno or Crosby would generate when they have the puck would basically be what they deal with, when they're boxed in by the opposition at even strength, on any given night.
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By the sound of things I’d say this will open up a lot of opportunities in the slot for someone like Guerin or Kunitz to crash the net. I guess the hope is that teams will be too concerned with Malkin and Sid along the boards that they can’t help but sacrifice some space in front of the net.
Might as well give it a shot though, right? I mean, it’s not like they have much more to lose.
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I remember in past seasons Malkin said he felt uncomfortable and didn’t enjoy playing the point on the PP.
But I think he should/could give it a try. He’s got a great shot and could be better suited out near the blueline, where he’d have more space to operate than down low.
You come at the king, you best not miss.
I remember that. He was probably uncomfortable because of the defensive responsibilities that come with playing the point position (see above).
This is sort of unrelated, but I was watching Stars-Kings game the other day and the commentator was talking about how one of the Kings players said he asked Chris Pronger, at Canada’s Olympic camp, about playing the point on the PP. Pronger apparently told him that, when shooting, you always worry about the first shot blocker and not necessarily getting the shot on net; you just shoot and let your teammates deflect it on net. This is what Malkin should do. With Cooke, Guerin, or Kunitz in front you can just hope they get a piece. Plus, you have Crosby who, in my opinion, has the best hand-eye coordination in the league.
When Gonchar was out there Malkn was used a lot on the point, and to me really got better at it (like holding the puck in the blueline, when to fall back, etc). I think he’s a pretty good option out there.
Ovechkin’s gradually slid back to the point on the Caps PP, he wasn’t always back there, but he’s made a transiton to unleash his shot. I wish Malkin would do the same, so he could get back to his numbers that year he almost scored 50.
You come at the king, you best not miss.
He definitely got better on the blue line as the season progressed but there were also one too many short-hand chances given up because of Malkin’s obvious discomfort. He didn’t do a bad job by any means, but it’s not his natural position. I’m sure he breathed a sigh of relief when Gonch came back.
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RW Half-wall: Malkin
Net: Rupp
LW Half-wall: Crosby
Left point: Letang
Right point: Gonchar
If you’re insistent on having 4 forwards out there, I’d much rather see Crosby play the point than Malkin due to Crosby’s superior defense. I’m not sure who I’d put on the LW half wall at that point, but I’d almost lean toward Dupuis to have Slapshots From Hell on both wings.
What about Staal?
I’m not trying to show anyone up or act like an expert, but what about Jordan Staal being used on the point? I hear everyone say that he is the best defensive forward they have, and I’ve heard him say that he’s a shooter.
I’m not saying Malkin will not work on the point, but if he’s not comfortable, and/or people are worried about his defensive abilities, why not just try Staal?
Also, I think they need to keep Go-Go on the point some place. If he’s going to be one of the next long term defense men for the team, they need to keep training him and getting him the experience.
I think we are all missing the point that Malkin is a right-handed shot moving to the left point. Defensively, this could be a nightmare. Malkin is used to playing Sarge’s spot on the right point, not the left point. These are completely different animals and as poor defensively as Malkin is at making guys stand up when coming at him, I am visioning him getting deked coming out of the offensive zone and Malkin feebly poking at the puck as Carter/Richards goes past him for a breakaway. The Flyers will try to exploit this tonight.
I am hoping for the best, but I think Geno should move to the left half wall so he doesnt have defensive responsibilities.
I think the real point (no pun intended) is that nothing is going to truly change if guys don’t start moving their feet. I was watching a replay of the last Pens game last night, and the differences between an even strength shift and a power play shift was astounding. For example, watch Crosby at even strength and he’s constantly moving; he’ll be behind the net, then he’s at the top of the face-off circle, then in the slot…and so on. You watch him on the power play and the farthest he moves is from the blue line to the middle of the face-off circle – all on the right side. I find it ironic that the very thing the Pens pride themselves on (out muscling the opposition for the puck, getting and keeping pressure in the offensive zone) is the thing they don’t use on the power play.
I think Coach Bylsma and Yeo should just use those few shifts Crosby and Malkin take together (which, more often then not, produces a goal), when the opposition ices the puck, as an example of how the power play should move.
Look at this goal (start at the 27 sec mark):
Everybody’s moving. Always. All it was was hard work by Guerin and Crosby who gave it to Malkin for the garbage goal.
871
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