If you want to know why the Penguins have the sixth worst playoff odds (3.5% Moneypuck) in the NHL look no further than last night when they lost to the team with the fourth worst odds (1.5%) in the Anaheim Ducks.
When the Penguins put together a great effort like the one against Edmonton or the game against the Kings they are unable to follow it up with a quality effort. Last night, the Penguins dropped another two points in a 5-1 loss.
Pittsburgh native John Gibson turned in one of his better performances against his hometown team saving 31 out of the 32 shots he faced. He’s currently having his best statistical season since 2018-19. I still wouldn’t touch that contract, but it is a nice year after four very meh to bad seasons.
There’s not a lot of positive things to say about the Penguins performance last night. One thing I thought was tremendous was the puck movement on their power play goal. It was the complete opposite of everything they were trying to run last year when they were a disgrace.
I can’t say enough good things about this one. They utilized the entire zone by getting the puck down low, something they absolutely refused to do last year. They actually had player movement when last year was a bunch of stagnant perimeter passing up top. The mini cycles between Rust and Rakell were enough to isolate the low killer and provide Rust a great opportunity to hit Bunting on the back door. Very simplistic and very effective which is the best kind of power play there is.
Also need to give credit where it is due to leaving both Erik Karlsson and Kris Letang off of the top unit. Matt Grzelcyk has run a good power play and is currently their best option to be there. The Penguins are a top five power play at the moment with a 27.3% success rate. It is incredibly frustrating because if it was like this last year they would have made the playoffs and now this year they are screwing up too much in other areas. Such is the life of a flawed hockey team.
While I don't think the Ducks jerseys are where I'd like them to be I do think they are a big upgrade from where they used to be. They were really bland and among the worst in the league for both color scheme and logo. The orange is bolder and they finally have a version of the crest on there. It still isn't where it needs to be. Just run the originals back. The Penguins were stubborn for a long time and finally went back to their timeless late 80's early 90's look and while an overdue choice, it was 100% the right move. Anaheim should do the same.
Up next the Penguins will have a matinee game tomorrow against the Seattle Kraken where they’ll find former Penguins like Jared McCann, Jamie Oleksiak, Brandon Tanev, and of course their general manager, Ron Francis.
Thanks for reading!
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