In the wake of Sidney Crosby’s injury at the Olympics, things are more than a little unsettled. No one seems to know much about the nature and severity of his condition, which is believed to involve his right leg. The best we can get is a vague “day-to-day” classification.
As we have seen Justin Brazeau and, more recently, Evgeni Malkincan change the daily routine in an instant in a month’s absence.
I think we’ll know more if Sid can suit up for Canada’s semi-final today with Finland.
All this made me doubt myself. What if Sid’s injury is more serious than we know and he has to miss some time, heaven forbid? Would the penguins survive?
Before I explain, get into the WABAC machine with me. The date, March 11, 2016. Game 67. The venue, Nationwide Arena, Columbus.
Malkin had just been installed Karel Hagelin for the go-ahead in what would ultimately be a 3-2 victory over the ultra-physical Blue Jackets. Moments later, Geno was roughed into the end boards Dalton Prout. His left arm took the brunt of the blow. Geno immediately dropped his stick and left the ice with his arm limp at his side.
The prognosis after that was bleak. Geno would miss six to eight weeks.
The injury couldn’t have come at a worse time. The Pens had gone through a long period of alternating wins and losses and were in a crunch battle for a play-off spot. They could hardly afford to lose Geno, who had 27 goals and 58 points in 57 games and had recently shown great chemistry with Hagelin and Phil Kessel.
How could they ever survive without him?
Veteran Matt Cullen was a solid producer with top-six experience. However, coach Mike Sullivan bypassed “Team Dad” and slipped the current assistant Nick Bonino instead at Geno’s place. At the time, ‘Bones’ had about four goals. To be honest, I thought Sully had gone crazy.
Once again opportunities flourished, the new combo, which would soon be called the HBK line. So did the pens. They scored a torrid 13-2 to take second place in the Metro.
Geno returned for Game 2 of the series in the opening round and scored 18 points while helping propel the storybook Pens to a Cup.
Could history repeat itself? Could the team survive and even thrive without Crosby?
What struck me during my research was the stunning similarity between Geno’s grades then and Sid’s grades now. Almost identical to Sid recording one more assist in one less game.
Also, the ’15-16 Cup champions and our current pens actually have a lot in common. A special feature, enviable forward depth with the ability to roll four lines. While there is no doubt that Sid’s absence would leave a gaping hole (how do you replace arguably the greatest all-round player of all time), there are indications that we would survive.
In the six games leading up to the Olympics break, Sid was a bit of a swoon with just two assists. But thanks to our depth, the Pens went 4-1-1 that period, while scoring 26 goals, an average of better than four per game.
We also have a positive goal difference of 5 to 5 (86-75) when Sid is not on the ice.
As for who would do that replace our captain, and I use that term loosely?
If production is a basis for promotion, Avery Hayes would get the nod. He has been positively on fire as of late with ten goals in his last ten AHL games, not to mention his NHL debut with two goals. However, Avery plays on the right flank, where the Pens are relatively even.
My best guess? Rutger McGroartywho has points in 11 of his 13 AHL games, would be promoted to left wing on the top line, with Rickard Rakell shift to the center. The coach would enable this And Muse to keep his other three lines intact.
The wildcard you simply can’t take into account? The influence Sid’s absence would have on matches. If No. 87 were to miss time, the red-hot Malkin wouldTommy Novak–Egor Chinachov unity would probably face the toughest opposition.
Would they last?
Obviously there is no way to know.
Still, I get a special feeling about this group, the way they play together and their esprit d corps. I think they would be up for the challenge of playing without Sid, at least in the short term. That might be all we need to stay on track for a playoff spot… and beyond.
#penguins #survive #Sid