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Confluence Soapbox: Pens’ powerplay won’t get better until Yeo isn’t running it
by Tony on 11/06/09 at 04:33 PM ET
Comments (22)
I apologize in advance: I know most Penguins fans are sick and tired of hearing about the putrid powerplay. I’m not even referring to the current Malkin/Gonchar-less PP units, the Penguins were mediocre on the PP even with them.
Sorry, I can’t help it. I must get on the soapbox and vent so, forgive me.
We fans have been giving our half-assed theories for a couple years now on ways to improve the Penguins’ powerplay. After all, it’s pretty much inarguable that the Penguins possess two of top handful of hockey players in the world.
So with all that firepower at your disposal, why the hell isn’t this unit constantly near the top of the NHL in powerplay percentage ??
One schmuck’s opinion ?? ‘Cause even after a head coaching change, there’s been one constant regarding the Penguins’ powerplay since December 2005, and that is Michael Yeo has been in charge of it.
As of right now, when of course Evgeni Malkin and Sergei Gonchar, not to mention Tyler Kennedy on the second unit are injured, it’s understandable when the powerplay doesn’t click at peak efficiency. But even with Geno and Sarge in there, the Penguins’ powerplay was woefully underperforming. After a lowly 17.2% success rate in ‘08-‘09, “good” enough for 20th in the league, this season to date it’s down to 15.5%, rated tied for 23rd in the NHL.
The powerplay of the Pittsburgh Penguins should automatically make the opponent’s #1 priority to stay out of the penalty box, or it will pay a severe price. But, as it is now, the Penguins’ penalty killers are scoring nearly as much as the powerplay.
You would have thought when Michel Therrien was fired last February and Dan Bylsma was brought in, with the Penguins already having a lackluster powerplay, that a coaching change relating to the powerplay would be made. There were coaching assignment changes indeed, but the one change that was not made was that Yeo would remain in charge of the powerplay.
There are some in Penguin Nation that disagree with me, which of course is fine; They see it as more of a lack of execution issue with the players. I’m sorry, I just don’t agree with that notion at all. The players execute the system on the powerplay that the coaches set up. But I’ll expound on that in a bit.
But for a team with such world-class talent at its disposal, they (read: Yeo) couldn’t make things much easier for the opponent’s penalty killing units. For the vast majority of time in their own zone, the penalty killers can basically remain in their box or diamond, however they have it set up. They can collapse towards the goal, making any centering pass to the slot, where Bill Guerin has been mostly set up, very difficult. They can concentrate from the center point to the right, with only token resistance on Kris Letang, because he has still not gotten over being gunshy on the left point. So what that leaves is the PK units shifted towards center/right point, where it’s been either a healthy Sergei Gonchar or Alex Goligoski, or to the right slot, where Evgeni Malkin hangs out when healthy, or Sidney Crosby has there in his absence. Lately, Chris Kunitz has been there fumbling around, looking so out of place.
Having said all that though, the opponent’s PK units can do all of the slanting towards the right they want and the Penguins could still counteract it, if they (read: Yeo) would incorporate a system that emphasizes movement without the puck. Even when the Penguins are completely healthy, simply passing the puck between Crosby at the right end line, Gonchar at center point and Malkin at the right slot is barely effective if no one is moving. How can you expect to get open passing and/or shooting lanes if the PK are able to stand relatively still while the Pens merely “play catch” ?? If you watch good powerplays, like Philly, Washington and Detroit, they all emphasize movement without the puck, thereby increasing shooting/passing lanes. But for whatever reason, Yeo has hardly any movement incorporated in his system.
So, what are their options (assuming of course that the Penguins don’t listen to me and have someone else run the PP) ?? Many fans are clamoring for Kennedy to replace Guerin in the slot. On the surface, I guess I wouldn’t mind that. But the problem with that is if the PK units are already sagging, does it really matter who is in the slot ?? More are saying Jordan Staal should be up there, specifically in front of the net. If not Staal, how about Mike Rupp ?? The man has already been impressive with his hands for a rugged-type player. In my opinion, those changes are merely cosmetic. I guess what I’m saying is that I don’t think personnel changes will fix this. Strictly my .02, I firmly believe this is a systematic problem, not a personnel execution problem.
And if it’s indeed a systematic problem, there’s only two ways to remedy that: Either change the system, or change the person who implements the system.
OK, off the soapbox. Discuss.
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Tags: NHL-Hockey, Pittsburgh+Penguins,
Comments
Yeah, they had some excellent, and more importantly quick, passes on the second powerplay… If it weren’t for Jon Quick’s performance, they probably should’ve had a goal there….
But I just don’t see that any juggling of personnel is going to increase their percentages other than nominally…. Teams know what they’re going to do, and for the last couple of years it’s been relatively easy to stop them….
Posted by Tony from Virginia Beach, VA on 11/06/09 at 05:29 PM ET
Point taken, but I have to remain optimistic.
Posted by Lindas1st from New England on 11/06/09 at 05:34 PM ET
I think my objectivity suffocates my optimism…. 
Posted by Tony from Virginia Beach, VA on 11/06/09 at 05:35 PM ET
My opinions on Yeo Yeo are pretty well known !!!
Posted by Evilpens on 11/06/09 at 05:59 PM ET
He SUCKS Beavis HE SUCKS !!!!!!!!!
Posted by Evilpens on 11/06/09 at 06:50 PM ET
Guerin was indeed robbed of a couple power play goals last night. Having said that, the way LA played in the 3rd, it’s hard to say they wouldn’t have rallied and won the game anyway. The Penguins looked tired, lazy, and LA was just all over the ice. Too many mental mistakes. The Kings are pretty good and have really good speed, and the Pens might have just underestimated them a little bit.
This was one of those games where maybe if they had been losing going into the 3rd period, they rally and win in the 3rd after having some words in the locker room. As it was, up 2-1, they backed off too much and didn’t match the Kings’ urgency throughout the period. The Kings didn’t blink and just like that, they turned a 1-goal deficit into a 3-goal win.
Might have been the worst period the Pens have played all season. They certainly didn’t look like champions last night, and they should have been fairly rested and ready for the Kings.
Posted by LGP8771 on 11/06/09 at 08:50 PM ET
I can say that the kings game was embarrassing. But it wasn’t like the Pens played well enough to win that game so basically…they deserved that loss. Just like last year they’re trying to set up the perfect shot on the power play which doesn’t work because the other team pretty much knows it’s going to crosby.
What they need to do is plant Rupp or Staal in front of the net and go the Holmstrom route. I’d add cooke to that mix but he always ends up taking a penalty whenever he’s near the goaltender. If they’re not scoring on a regular basis then they’re going to have to take one for the team…even if it’s to the nuts.
Posted by stoneman from vegas on 11/06/09 at 09:04 PM ET
I think that’s a good point as well stoneman…. The Pens are very reluctant to simply throw a puck on net and crash, much like the Kings did last night…..
It could very well be that easy to get them out of their funk…. I personally doubt it, but who the hell knows at this point….
Posted by Tony from Virginia Beach, VA on 11/06/09 at 09:07 PM ET
Im with Stoneman, Rupp has shown that his got descent hands.
Throw him in front with Billy G. and let the bombing begin. Sid, & Goligoski can control play at the point and along the walls, while Letang looks to sneak back door.
Posted by Lindas1st from New England on 11/06/09 at 09:39 PM ET
Good post Tony. I defintely agree with you
The blog, much like the franchise, is strarving for fans.
As always, “A” for effort 
Posted by Red Winger from Sault Ste Marie on 11/06/09 at 10:29 PM ET
Don’t fall for it, Tony. Winger adds absolutely nothing of value to the conversation. Best to let his drivel hang in the wind.
Posted by dip on 11/06/09 at 11:12 PM ET
Yeah Red Winger, go to the Pensblog and see how many comments show up there. You’re such a pathetic, sore loser. You’re obviously obsessed with the Penguins and Pens fans, looking for ANY ridiculous angle to try to get back at the Pens after you got beaten in the Stanley Cup Finals.
Posted by LGP8771 on 11/06/09 at 11:22 PM ET
I’d hope people stick to the point of this and not buy in to one person’s dumb comment. After the slew of Pens fans there in the Finals and the 30,000 Steelers fans at For Field this yr (I was one of them), it’s clear Detroit is jealous.
Tony, you’re right. It seems to have never changed through its ups and downs. I have a hard time believing there will be any change, though, as long as the team keeps winning games like they have been to start the year.
Chris | PPT
Posted by Chris on 11/07/09 at 12:15 AM ET
So, what was the cause of the meltdown in La La land the other night? I didn’t get a chance to watch the game.
Posted by Red Winger from Sault Ste Marie on 11/07/09 at 10:50 AM ET
Wow, quite the low blow Winger…
Tony, Tony, Tony…where is that famous sense of humor??
Posted by Red Winger from Sault Ste Marie on 11/07/09 at 10:51 AM ET
I thought so, but “starving for fans” ??
It’s nice to have a lot of people read my bitching sessions, credit going to being on KK, but honestly, I’m not hung up on readership like others are….
LOL, maybe I should beg everyone to follow me on Twitter !!!!
In terms of the LA game, Frankly, had a hungry bunch of kids that are pretty damn good running circles around a Pens’ defense that was on it’s heels…
Posted by Tony from Virginia Beach, VA on 11/07/09 at 10:55 AM ET
I’ve got tickets to see the Wings play L.A. in January. I fully expect that young team to give the veteran Wings fits all night long.
Posted by Red Winger from Sault Ste Marie on 11/07/09 at 01:34 PM ET
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Good post Tony. I defintely agree with you.
A couple of years ago when Sid played the half wall (like now with Geno out) and Geno played the goal it seemed to be much better. Geno would move back and forth from the right to the left side of the cage, Whitney was always driving down the backside from the left point and Sid was in command up & down the wall.That was a good power play.
Then Sid got injured Geno took his place on the boards, he stayed there even after Sid came back. It was okay for a while, but has been on a steady decline since.
I believe it’s going to get better if they keep Sid on the half wall, even when Geno comes back. I think they have the personnel. Letang’s a right shot and he’s just as mobile (more) as Whitney. Goligoski has shown he is capable of running the PP from the point.
Or maybe just fire Yeo and hire someone else?
Either way,I feel a streak coming soon, they just missed a couple against LA.
Posted by Lindas1st from New England on 11/06/09 at 05:12 PM ET