With the Penguins - The Risk Isn't Worth the Reward

The Pens Will Be Celebrating More if They Simplify
Their Game

The Pittsburgh Penguins have been doing their best "Thunderbolt" impression (If you've never been to Kennywood you wouldn't understand the analogy) as of late with their up and down play.  Dominating 1st periods only to be dominated in the 2nd periods of recent games.  If you go back and watch even just the highlight packages of the games the Penguins have played, you know that they are a team that thrives on the risky play.  Whether its a long stretch pass to an awaiting forward, a forward taking a gamble and "cherry picking", or a defender trying to jump into the offensive zone to create more offense.  Either way, this team thrives on taking chances.  What I'm trying to say, is that they don't need to do that to win...

Simply take a look at the Penguins roster and you should realize something...they are brimming with offensive talent.  The major criticism of the Pens has NEVER been that they lack offense, instead its normally that they struggle defensively (ex.- Last year's playoff loss to the Flyers).  The Penguins are talented enough on offense that they should score at least 2 goals a game on almost a regular basis.  Between Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and now James Neal...those three players are going to contribute in some way, shape, or form on a nightly basis.  The question I always ask myself is...why take the risk?  Take a look at the highlight reel of the Penguins win over the Senators.  Take a closer look at when the Senators scored their lone goal in regulation.  Malkin mistakenly passes the puck to a "changing" Crosby and the puck gets turned over.  Malkin retreats on defense, but instead of simply dropping into the defensive zone, he takes a gamble at picking off a pass.  He misses, and the result is an odd man rush that other way that led to a goal.  The game tying goal at that.  Its the same when Crosby wins a Power Play faceoff that Kris Letang lacks the patience to calm the play down, and set up the power play.  Instead, he fires a shot on goal that 99% of the time doesn't even make it to the cage, and results in the Penguins having to retreat and re-start their power play.  Its when players like Derek Engelland and Ben Lovejoy decide to get "cute" with the puck coming out of their defensive zone and turn the puck over.  If the Penguins want to win consistently, the answer is simple.  Play simple hockey.

What is simple hockey?  Its making the smart and easy pass out of your defensive zone.  Its settling for just dumping the puck behind the defense instead of trying to make a blue line pass that ends up getting intercepted and leading to the opponents have "numbers" going the other way.  Its HUSTLING (I'm talking to you Evgeni "I pout when I don't get the puck" Malkin) whenever and wherever you are on the ice.  Its making the play that might just lead to a win, but not a highlight reel.  Its NEVER allowing yourself or anyone in that room to say after a game that another team "outworked" you.  That is simple hockey, and the Penguins have the offensive fire power to win by playing that way.  Not many teams have that luxury, but Pittsburgh is one of those teams.  Look at the wins vs the Flyers and Rangers.  It wasn't necessarily pretty and there weren't any exotic passes or breakaways, but they were tough "grind it out" victories. 

Not only will playing this style of hockey help the Penguins consistency, but in my opinion will help them be better prepared for a postseason run, unlike the past 3 seasons.  The Penguins like to run and gun, and in the playoffs when opposing defenses are sitting back and not gambling...that run and gun gets shut down pretty easily.  Its time to simplify things in the Steel City, and if they can do that...you can expect nothing but success to follow.