Patric Hornqvist works this morning — where else? — in front of Marc-Andre Fleury’s crease. — DEJAN KOVACEVIC
BY DEJAN KOVACEVIC
Sights, sounds and the scene at Consol Energy Center today …
• There’s nothing wrong with any team in sports, professional or amateur or sheer fantasy, that consistency wouldn’t solve. Everyone craves it. Few achieve it.
At the same time, it’s a wholly legit topic as related to these manic Penguins, who are as capable of crushing the NHL’s elite as they are of … well, losing to terrible teams like the Oilers, the visitors tonight at 7:08 p.m. And coming off what should be a highly encouraging 2-1-1 swing through California that included back-to-back Ws over the Ducks and Kings, the topic might never be hotter.
“We’re getting there,” Mike Johnston was saying today. “I like where we are.”
I put that to Nick Spaling and Brandon Sutter in the room …
• Christian Ehrhoff has been cleared to play tonight, Johnston said, but he wouldn’t commit to that happening. For what it’s worth, Ehrhoff was the last player off the ice at the skate, usually — though not always — the domain of the players being scratched.
In that context, it’s worth noting that Kris Letang was next-to-last off just because he’s Letang and that’s what he does.
Also, Craig Adams was among the last off, and I’ll leave that right there.
Overall, I wouldn’t expect many changes in lines and/or personnel. The coaching staff — and I spoke with two members today — were very happy with the team’s performance on this trip and don’t sound inclined to alter a thing.
• There are people who say all the right stuff, and then there’s Ben Lovejoy, who spoke so effusively of returning to Pittsburgh — first time home since the trade — that one would swear his next stop was down Sixth Avenue to the Chamber of Commerce: “I’ve missed being here. This is such a special place to play hockey. I’m so excited to be back, excited to be with this team, excited to help any way I can.”
Lovejoy admitted making at least one wrong turn on his drive to the rink but, hey, it’s been a couple years, and this is Pittsburgh. Even Siri gets lost here.
• The Penguins face the stereotypical first-game-back-after-a-long-trip, combined with a terrible team as an opponent, combined with two full days off since then, which could be a deadly mix. So Johnston and staff paid particularly close attention to how the players’ legs responded in the skate, and the coach professed to like what he saw: “I thought we had good jump out there, and that’s important.”
No one had more jump than Sidney Crosby, setting the tone in the highest of spirits.
“We all wanted to keep the routine, keep that momentum going from the trip,” the captain said.
His favorite aspect of the trip?
“Our consistency.”
• Maintaining a solid net-front presence is no picnic, not in games, not even in practice.
Near the end of this skate, Patric Hornqvist parked himself in front of Marc-Andre Fleury as point shots flew his way one after the other. One of them — I’ll spare the shooter the ignominy — nailed Hornqvist … um, right where the common male might least appreciate it. And for a moment, Hornqvist and the drill shut down while he collected himself, then headed toward the bench.
But no … No. 72 no sooner swung open that door than he stepped right back onto the ice, collected a loose puck and deposited it behind Fleury.
This is a great feature DK. Gives the readers immediate updates and helps fill more mid day content driving people back to the site. Also seems like a mini Insider.
So could we possibly see Hornqvist replace Kunitz on the top PP tonight?
Also I read elsewhere Bennett got some time with the 2nd PP unit. Is that encouraging for his future and how the team sees him or shouldn't I read that much into it?
DK, how much respect/control does Tocchet have from/of his players on that unit? How much input does Johnston have?
I really have a hard time buying that a professional coaching staff believes in this current alignment, with at least 2 players playing AWAY from their strong suits, and at least one player in Kunitz who no longer belongs at all. Yet they keep trotting out the same guys playing the same spots over and over again.
How much ego massaging is going on right now? How much does "politics" come in to play? Seems to me the staff is more worried about not offending certain players rather than getting that PP right.
Hell, even Bylsma was willing to let Letang sit over Niskanen because all the guy did was blast away, and the unit was very successful.
Johnston/Tocchet was willing to split Geno and Sid up into two power plays so I don't think they are as constrained by "ego massaging" as one would think when it comes to moving personnel off the power play. Or is there another read on that decision? (besides being unwise of course:)
rmledgard
3-12-2015, 2:14 pm
Definitely something other outlets don't provide. Very interesting to get the pregame feel. ... Often you can get a sense how a team is going with these features.
Thanks, DK
Good afternoon from somewhere over the Gulf of Mexico, DK.
Consistency? Interesting verbiage to use by 87. IMO, the only thing consistent about this team has been the pitiful power play.
Also, as I do not live in the professional sports world other than a fan, I must say that "excuses" such as travel, back to back games, time zone change, late arrivals, morning skates, first game back, etc., frustrates me greatly. Those of us in the real world of corporate/business life, get no "excuses". You perform every day, without fail, or your stay within the organization/company will be short-lived. When I get off of the plane later today in Los Angeles, I will have a dinner meeting and then turn around this evening on a red-eye back to Florida, appearing at my office tomorrow for a normal day of service. Me, many of the readers and mostly all other workers in this Country, perform our jobs and responsibilities with far more difficulties which could impact our careers but for some reason, professional athletes get a mulligan and excuse. Sorry to say, not buying it, never did, never will.
Writers, announcers all seemingly utilize such excuses for fodder but you typically do not hear the athlete make such claims. My opinion will likely rustle the feathers of many but I stand by my opinion of continued excuse and reasons for sub-par performance of professional athletes. Accountability in our society.......M.I.A.
Its sports, one side is winning the other is losing, success and failure occur in hand in hand.
There are successful 70 year old businessmen I don't know any successful 50 year old hockey players, maybe that speaks to the relative difficulty of the tasks.
BillyBaduka
3-12-2015, 6:05 pm
Great reply Mr. Lane.
It is not a valid comparison.
bigchinook
3-12-2015, 6:20 pm
Great point, I feel the same. It makes me cringe when I hear Stiegy, Bob and Jay all allude to the "first game back phenomena".
Marc
3-13-2015, 4:55 pm
do they let you sleep on the plane, or do they make you push the drink cart up and down the aisle the whole time you're in flight? yeah...
Carl
3-12-2015, 3:36 pm
Great, as always DK! Hoping the Craig Adams thing is an omen, but I doubt it.
Apple needs to add the phrase "You can't get there from here" solely for use when giving directions around Pittsburgh.
March 12, 2015
Coverage: Penguins ‘getting there’
by Dejan Kovacevic • Coverage • Penguins
Patric Hornqvist works this morning — where else? — in front of Marc-Andre Fleury’s crease. — DEJAN KOVACEVIC
BY DEJAN KOVACEVIC
Sights, sounds and the scene at Consol Energy Center today …
• There’s nothing wrong with any team in sports, professional or amateur or sheer fantasy, that consistency wouldn’t solve. Everyone craves it. Few achieve it.
At the same time, it’s a wholly legit topic as related to these manic Penguins, who are as capable of crushing the NHL’s elite as they are of … well, losing to terrible teams like the Oilers, the visitors tonight at 7:08 p.m. And coming off what should be a highly encouraging 2-1-1 swing through California that included back-to-back Ws over the Ducks and Kings, the topic might never be hotter.
“We’re getting there,” Mike Johnston was saying today. “I like where we are.”
I put that to Nick Spaling and Brandon Sutter in the room …
• Christian Ehrhoff has been cleared to play tonight, Johnston said, but he wouldn’t commit to that happening. For what it’s worth, Ehrhoff was the last player off the ice at the skate, usually — though not always — the domain of the players being scratched.
In that context, it’s worth noting that Kris Letang was next-to-last off just because he’s Letang and that’s what he does.
Also, Craig Adams was among the last off, and I’ll leave that right there.
Overall, I wouldn’t expect many changes in lines and/or personnel. The coaching staff — and I spoke with two members today — were very happy with the team’s performance on this trip and don’t sound inclined to alter a thing.
• There are people who say all the right stuff, and then there’s Ben Lovejoy, who spoke so effusively of returning to Pittsburgh — first time home since the trade — that one would swear his next stop was down Sixth Avenue to the Chamber of Commerce: “I’ve missed being here. This is such a special place to play hockey. I’m so excited to be back, excited to be with this team, excited to help any way I can.”
Lovejoy admitted making at least one wrong turn on his drive to the rink but, hey, it’s been a couple years, and this is Pittsburgh. Even Siri gets lost here.
• The Penguins face the stereotypical first-game-back-after-a-long-trip, combined with a terrible team as an opponent, combined with two full days off since then, which could be a deadly mix. So Johnston and staff paid particularly close attention to how the players’ legs responded in the skate, and the coach professed to like what he saw: “I thought we had good jump out there, and that’s important.”
No one had more jump than Sidney Crosby, setting the tone in the highest of spirits.
“We all wanted to keep the routine, keep that momentum going from the trip,” the captain said.
His favorite aspect of the trip?
“Our consistency.”
• Maintaining a solid net-front presence is no picnic, not in games, not even in practice.
Near the end of this skate, Patric Hornqvist parked himself in front of Marc-Andre Fleury as point shots flew his way one after the other. One of them — I’ll spare the shooter the ignominy — nailed Hornqvist … um, right where the common male might least appreciate it. And for a moment, Hornqvist and the drill shut down while he collected himself, then headed toward the bench.
But no … No. 72 no sooner swung open that door than he stepped right back onto the ice, collected a loose puck and deposited it behind Fleury.
Then he left.
Always end on a positive note.