In just four periods, the Pittsburgh Penguins dismantled the progress and optimism they had been cultivating since mid-December. Allowing a depleted Vegas Golden Knights team to stage a three-goal rally in the third period was a significant setback, and a lackluster performance in Arizona further exacerbated the situation.
These games not only provided fodder for those advocating for a complete overhaul of the team but also served as a barrage of criticism and potential upheaval.
Various fingers are being pointed, with some directed at head coach Mike Sullivan. In the NHL, coaches often have short tenures, but Sullivan is now on his third stint. The question arises: has the team tuned him out, akin to an oldies station playing Alanis Morrisette?
According to the perspective presented, it seems unlikely that the team has tuned out the coach. Sullivan’s coaching style and system do not appear to be incompatible with the assembled players. While the knee-jerk reaction might be to call for the coach’s dismissal, a closer look at the Penguins’ evolving style this season reveals a shift from attempting a speed game, despite not being the fastest team. Sullivan successfully guided the team to embrace a shift from pretty to good, honest, and gritty hockey.
The assertion is made that a coach who has lost the team’s attention wouldn’t be able to instigate such a significant change. While acknowledging that it hasn’t been flawless, the analogy is drawn that recognizing one’s limitations is part of the process, much like individuals realizing they can’t do what they once could. The conclusion drawn is that Sullivan is not the root of the problem; instead, he has adeptly crafted and adapted a system for the team.
The top line of the Penguins, led by Sidney Crosby, is performing exceptionally well, and the third and fourth lines have become valuable and productive components of the team. Kris Letang and Marcus Pettersson have also shown commendable performances.
However, the challenges the Penguins are facing are not attributable to coaching but rather to roster construction, with criticism directed at the president of hockey operations/GM Kyle Dubas. The strategic move to trade Jeff Petry, Mikael Granlund, and Jan Rutta in the Karlsson deal was initially seen as a brilliant decision, freeing the team from undesirable contracts.
Nevertheless, an anticipated challenge has arisen due to the presence of multiple elite players, including Karlsson, Sidney Crosby, and Evgeni Malkin, all competing for control of the puck. The conflict stems from these players excelling when dominating possession, making it challenging to effectively accommodate all of them with only one puck available.
Another issue concerns Malkin’s performance, which has declined below elite standards. Whether this decline is temporary, a mindset issue, or a consequence of being 37 years old remains uncertain. Malkin’s struggles extend beyond reduced production, as he is making suboptimal decisions in the defensive zone.
An analysis of on-ice performance statistics when Malkin and Karlsson share the ice underscores a significant challenge beyond the coach’s control. While Karlsson exhibits a positive goal differential with the Penguins’ bottom six, and Malkin with Kris Letang, their combined presence results in an increase in high-danger chances and goals against.
A third concern revolves around the team’s overall spirit. As the oldest team in North American pro sports, the Penguins face the inherent challenge of older players, laden with accomplishments, not necessarily displaying a desperate mindset. The absence of youthful desperation raises questions about the team’s overall motivation and heart, presenting a challenge for the coaching staff.
However, the Penguins have experienced an excess of such situations.
As my colleague Dave Molinari astutely pointed out on Tuesday, the distinction between wanting to win and hating to lose is crucial. The Penguins, up to this point, have primarily demonstrated a desire to win.
It’s crucial to acknowledge that a coach cannot instill a heart transplant into a team. It was particularly poignant that former Penguins winger Jason Zucker, known for his gritty play, had an outstanding performance against the Penguins. He was highly active on the ice and, in Sullivan’s words, effectively engaged Arizona in the competition. The initial 15 minutes of the game were sluggish for both teams, with shots totaling 3-2 after 11 minutes.
Zucker indeed had a significant impact.
While the Penguins boast Crosby, and at times, Rust brings energy, when they share the same line, as seen in Arizona, the team tends to lose momentum. However, relying solely on the top-line center, even one as great as Crosby, isn’t enough for a team’s overall spirit.
Unfortunately, the Penguins lack that collective heart.
Additionally, there’s an issue with the reliability of their blue line, and the second line isn’t producing at the necessary level. These two challenges are intersecting to hamper the effectiveness of the power play.
Addressing these problems is essential, as neither Patrick Roy nor a reincarnated Badger Bob Johnson could easily resolve them.
