I say this for the current version of our Penguins. They’ll definitely be left guessing.’ Take last night’s game for example.
The Maple Leafs limped into town on a 2-6-2 bow and in complete disarray, fresh off a 4-2 upset against the Caps on Friday night to boot. Two points ripe and therefore ready to be picked from the vine.
With a golden opportunity to continue their modest two-game winning streak and end a lackluster November on a high note, our boys bought the proverbial farm. Or sold, to be more precise. In doing so, it delivers a sloppy, sloppy effort and not only allows a mediocre Leafs team to escape with a win, but also to a 7-2 defeat.
Borrowing from the film Groundhog Day, Arthur Silov yielded four goals on 10 shots for the second straight performance. Again before the match was 25 minutes old. For those doing the math, that equates to eight goals allowed on the last 20 shots he faced.
Everyone has a bad match sometimes. But two absolute stinkers in a row? Shades of Anti Niemi.
It’s starting to become a trend. That includes Silovs’ 1-3-4 record over his past eight starts.
Maybe my colleague, Other Rickwas right about this child. Maybe he’s not a top player.
Am I overreacting a bit by suggesting that we remember either? Joel Blomqvist or Sergei Murashov post in a hurry? Both shined with the Baby Pens.
That is by no means the only problem. Defensive failures are on the rise. And we definitely get a zippo in terms of depth scoring.
Of greater importance Kyle Dubas and coach And Muse seem more than happy to stick with guys who don’t produce. Danton Heinen, Kevin Hayes (with whom things went well) and most importantly Joona Koppanen while contributing almost nothing on the scoresheet Tristan Broza rookie who at least has the potential to provide some offense sits.
So much for developing younger players.
Heck, Sam Poulin He barely had time to sharpen his skates while he was here. Are you telling me he can’t produce at least as much as Koppanen (IMO, this season?). Matt Nieto/Jansen Harkins) when given a legitimate opportunity?
I fully realize that there is a balance in things. We can’t summon the Baby Pens en masse, no matter how tempted we are to do so. And I’m not saying that going with the kids is a panacea. Rookies Ben Kindelwho scored one of our goals last night (Sidney Crosby the other) and Ville Koivunen show that. Still, I’d much rather wrestle with a horde of hungry, energetic young people than with a bunch of thirty-somethings.
The pens must be called up for this purpose Rutger McGroartywho has four goals and seven points in five games with the Baby Pens.
Puckpourri
I’ll keep it short. Anyone who glanced at the fancy stats, which the Pens dominated across the board, and then at the score would be scratching their heads. The locals had a staggering 86-44 advantage in shot attempts and a 35-23 edge in shots on goal. The scoring chances went our way with a margin of 39-25; risky opportunities, 15-11.
It didn’t matter. The connectivity we showed at the start of the season is long gone.
How complicated will it be if we try to send Silovs to the Baby Pens? He would have to go off waivers and a team like the Oilers, who tried to acquire him from the Canucks, could pounce. Which in turn could block any potential deal Tristan Jarry. Not that I would mind, at least given the uninspiring returns that are being discussed.
Hidden Stat: After its hot start, Anthony Mantha has one assist in his past seven games. Never thought I would write this, but where have you gone, Justin Brazeauand how soon can you return?
Then the third at the Metro Flyers on Monday night in Philly, followed by a visit to Tampa Bay on Thursday to take on the red-hot Lightning.
Somehow we remain in the Eastern Conference’s second wild card spot, but our hold is tenuous at best. Remarkably, we still have the fourth-best regulation points percentage (.583) in the league.
#Penguins #blow #leaves