Can the Penguins expect more from Chris Kunitz?
by FrankD on May 20, 2009 10:59 AM EDT
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PrintThere's a lot of talk this week about Chris Kunitz and his current scoring slump. Please note that doesn't mean he isn't picking up points (seven assists), but he still remains without a goal after 14 postseason games.
Actually that same talk has carried over from the Philly series. And Washington series. Safe to say that if the Pens advance to the championship and he's still held without a goal we'll likely hear about it then too.
It's not necessarily an area of concern, as evidenced by Pittsburgh's ability to advance this far without his contributions, but it sure would be nice if the Pens could add a little extra firepower from a guy who picked up seven goals and 11 assists since coming on board at the trade deadline.
If anything at least his presence is known. His slump hasn't exactly regaled him to the degree of less ice time or scratches from the roster. His physical game is still evident, if not compensation for holding a scoreless run, and he's knocking pucks lose on the forecheck/backcheck as well. As much as Kunitz may be slumping during the playoffs it's hard to really blame him for not contributing.
Coach Dan Bylsma doesn't seem overly discouraged, noting Kunitz's style of play:
"Every player has a foundation to their game; they have their role. (Kunitz's) role is straight-line, aggressive hockey to the net, (and) physical. If things aren't going well for him, he should always make sure he returns to that foundation. We've talked about it. He has to focus."
Dan Bylsma
Tribune-Review
Maybe that's just it. Kunitz was brought on board as a guy to keep in front of the net. A guy who can jostle some pucks loose, create rebound opportunities and redirect some shots in. If he's not being called on for that, yet the Pens are still scoring (and winning), perhaps that's a good sign. As long as he's up to the task when the Pens start needing that from him I say there's no reason to be concerned, but if he'd like to snap that scoring streak Thursday night in Game Two I'd be more than happy to see it.
Update I:
I had a little more time to dive into Kunitz’s career playoff numbers. He’s definitely more of a set-up man in the postseason than he is a goal scorer.
In 49 career playoff games (including this season) Kunitz has registered 4G and 19A. So if we’re going at the rate of practically one goal every 10 games then he’s due in Game 2.
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Kunitz had his chances
Kunitz does what he does well. The man can steamroll through a dman on a dump in and win a puck more times or not. And most of the time he does that, he leaves more than just a passing impression on whomever he just introduced himself to. That’s the beauty of his play. He doesn’t have to put up points to be an impact player. He just needs to forcibly impact as much opposing player as possible to be a good linemate for Crosby.
That being said, I’ve noticed Kunitz playing a lot more behind the goal line and along the boards mucking and grinding in the playoffs digging out pucks. I’ve seen Kunitz less and less in front of the net. His aggressive play in the Washington series seemed to give Crosby a lot more room to operate, and we all saw how Crosby’s game changed from primary assist man to goal scoring aficionado. Part of that has to at least be ascribed to the changing dynamic of Kunitz’s role.
We will see what happens this series. Carolina plays a completely different game than the Caps. Crosby’s role might go back to assist man, and Kunitz could find himself popping in more goals this go around. Maybe he’ll find himself in front of the net more often…
doing his role well
i think given the fact that you have guerin and sid up there i dont think he is very concerned at all about scoring. i mean seriously, billy has been a great goal scorer over his career and…well….it sid. i think he is taking the “max talbot” role on the first line. and he is doing it quite well actually
" I AM CAPATIN CHAOS, and this is my trusty Sidekick cato. Say hello Cato"
Dom Deluise 1933-2009, Cannonball run
by oldtimehockey09 on May 20, 2009 1:49 PM EDT reply actions
I had a little more time to dive into Kunitz’s career playoff numbers. He’s definitely more of a set-up man in the postseason.
In 49 career playoff games (including this season) Kunitz has registered 4G and 19A. So if we’re going on the rate of practically one goal every 10 games then he’s due in Game 2.
Follow the Penguins on SBN @ Pensburgh.com and twitter.
Misplaced
Kunitz is a nice player, but there isnt another team in the league where he is on the first line. In the Philly series he played his game, he pounded the Flyers and he caused problems in front of thier net. In the Washington series he wasnt nearly as effective and in Game one vs Carolina he was invisible.
Hey, guys get tired, maybe he was pounduing himself too everytime he hit a Flyer. But he just isnt giving the same effort as he did in round one. The fact that he is still on the first line makes me wonder what kind of bad blood there is between Sykora and Bylsma. That is definitely more than Sykora being in a slump, that HAS to be about personalities.
i would also have to agree with that thought. maybe hes having trouble adapting to the pens scheme, the new baby, and maybe his physical play has just worn him out. as far as syko goes, who knows. But i think you can look at the comments he made after getting benched the first time and read a little more into it.
" I AM CAPATIN CHAOS, and this is my trusty Sidekick cato. Say hello Cato"
Dom Deluise 1933-2009, Cannonball run
by oldtimehockey09 on May 20, 2009 10:45 PM EDT up reply actions
also
when does dan say to him time to rest? given miros play you could easily bump miro up to sids line, drop kunitz to the third line and produce a veritable hit parade not seen since the shift by brooksie last year in the finals. or move miro up scratch kunitz and dress syko….
" I AM CAPATIN CHAOS, and this is my trusty Sidekick cato. Say hello Cato"
Dom Deluise 1933-2009, Cannonball run
by oldtimehockey09 on May 20, 2009 10:53 PM EDT up reply actions
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