Pittsburgh Penguins 2013 Regular Season Recap / Playoff Primer

The Penguins have had one of their best seasons in years – setting a season high winning streak of 15 games (the entire month of March).  They never lost more than two in a row all season long and also had a 7 game winning streak as well. All of this despite injuries to key players – Martin, Malkin, Neal, Crosby, LeTang to name a few.

Without a doubt one of the best off season acquisitions was Tomas Vokoun.  Having a reliable backup to Fluery had been an Achilles heal for the Penguins the past few seasons. Vokoun posted a 13-4 record and had 3 shutouts. There were a few games that fair weather Pens fans were thoroughly bashing him but his play for the most part bordered on stellar.

Another off season acquisition was Sutter and he was impressive with 11 goals – five of which were games winners. That was tied for second with Kunitz – Neal led the Pens with 6 game winning goals. Sutter fit in well with his line mates and handled changes in lines very well due to key injuries. 

Most Pens fans except solid efforts from Kunitz and Dupis  but this season they both shown brightly thanks to the selfless play of Sidney Crosby. They had 22 and 20 goals respectively. As teams had to respect their ability this in turn opened up the door for Sid. Had he not been sidelined with a broken jaw, there is no doubt  he would have led the league in points, goals, and more than likely assists. 

Rookies Beau Bennet and Simon Despres stepped right in and blended in well with the veterans. Bennet was a plus 7 with three goals and Despres was a plus 9 with two goals. Seemed like every game Despres was in that we won – he played like a vet at times. 

It wasn’t until late in the season that the Pens found themselves defensively. Several key losses or losses to teams out of the playoff were usually due to defensive lapses. Martin, who I had been critical of last season and part of this, was showing much better judgment with the puck and was impressive with his shot until he was injured. LeTang played very well as he tied Suban for point by a defenseman but had some nagging injuries. Orpik  picked up his play the past few weeks and was delivering those class clan hard hitting checks that we know he can do. Niskanen was solid scoring 4 goals and was a plus four. Mark Eaton was signed by the Pens as a free agent on February 25^th providing solid shot blocking skills (32 for the season) and the Pens were 19-3 with him in the lineup.

Craig Patrick pulled off some great trades that brought the Pens their first Stanley Cup in 1991. But what he accomplished could pale in comparison to what Ray Shero did before the trade deadline. He acquired Morrow from the Star, Iginla from the Flames, Murray from the Sharks, and Jokinen from the Hurricanes for draft picks.  To say that they all fit in is an understatement:

• ·         Morrow with his gritty clean aggressive style – personally saw him score a goal skating one handed with puck against the Bolts.
• ·         Iginla’s selfless play setting up his lines mates time and time again and seeming to be in the right place at the right time. I am sure he helped his teammates calm down after Sid went out with a broken jaw.
• ·         Murray was a brick wall on skates – I have not seen anyone knock him off his skates. He brings to the Pens a net front clearing presence that was sorely needed plus provides a surprising shot from the blue line – he actually scored a goal ! 
• ·         Jokinen was known for his faceoff winning ability which he demonstrated in his first game. He works hard, is an exceptional passer and has a sweet shot.  Truly a great fit.

There were times this season that the ‘casual fans’ were calling for Dan Byslma to go. They said his system wasn’t working and other teams were on to it. Well all he has down was become the fastest coach to win 200 games in NHL history. His unshakeable demeanor and calming presence behind the bench is truly like no other coach in the league.

On a side note I am very displeased with the league for their lack of enforcement for ‘blows to the head’ which sidelined Malkin and Neal with concussions. I strongly believe the ‘Office Of Player Safety’ needs a complete overhaul to remove it’s biased nature so it can truly be for the safety of all the players in the NHL.

Since the Pens won the cup in 2009, they have only gone once past the first round of the playoffs and had less than stellar showings the past two playoff to the Bolts and Flyers especially. The loss to the Flyers was seared into all of the Pens not only in the locker room but the entire organization as well. During the final week of the regular season,  losses to the Sabers and Devils left a number of us wondering if the Pens were going to ‘coast’ into the playoffs. And it was looking that way in the Pens last regular season game against the Hurricanes as the Pens were up by 2 but then defensive lapses by the Pens cost them and the Hurricanes tied it. But I believe the third period defined their season last night. I am sure that a combination of Dan and the veteran leadership in the locker room lit a fire that will carry them all the way to the Stanley Cup.  Penguins scored 5 goals and James Neal on his first game back had a hat trick. Malkin look determined as did his teammates. This was the look that my wife and I witnessed when the Pens routed the Bolts in Tampa.

If the Penguins can keep up that look of determination or ‘fire’, stay out of the penalty box, and stick to what Dan calls ‘Pittsburgh Penguins Ice Hockey’ it truly will not matter who they match up against in the playoffs.   With that being said I have a few more thoughts:

• ·        In the playoffs the Pens are 0-3 against the Islanders and 2-1 against the Senators.Islanders have also had our number all season long so personally I’d like to see the Pens face the Senators.
• ·       Sidney Crosby should not play until he is 100% ready. Period.
• ·       Mrs. Malkin needs to make her famous home made Russian spaghetti for Geno and also have the team over !
• ·      Neal’s visor rocks !       
•        Matt Cooke had a great solid season - well done Cooke !

Wednesday May 1, 2013 the quest for the Penguins to win their fourth Stanley Cup begins. Lord willing if the Pens make it to the finals you can count on seeing my wife and I at a game and at the parade !

It truly is always a ‘Great Day For Hockey’ ! 

Let’s Go Pens !