Ouch! Are the Pittsburgh Penguins cursed in shootouts? It certainly feels that way as goalie Arturs Silovs is unfairly taking the brunt of the blame for the team's ongoing struggles. His record now stands at a discouraging 1-6 in shootouts this season, mirroring the team's dismal 1-7 record. It's easy to point fingers, but is the problem really just between the pipes? Let's dive into a deeper analysis of what's going wrong.
Last Saturday's game against the Columbus Blue Jackets perfectly encapsulated the Penguins' current predicament. They fought back valiantly, forcing the game into overtime and, ultimately, the dreaded shootout – a scenario that's become a source of anxiety for Penguins fans. After a hard-fought battle, the Penguins secured a single point, but ultimately fell 4-3 in the shootout skills competition against Columbus at PPG Paints Arena.
While Silovs is under the microscope, it’s crucial to acknowledge the bigger picture. He actually stopped two of the initial three attempts! But here's where it gets controversial... the Penguins' shooters – Rickard Rakell, Sidney Crosby, Egor Chinakhov, and Bryan Rust – only managed to score once in four rounds. Egor Chinakhov has remarkably scored in two straight attempts, emerging as the team's sole shootout scorer.
"The first one they scored, you know, I felt I was all over it, and it somehow found a way," Silovs admitted. "I think it’s just, yeah, we’re just going to keep working on it. And I think we’re getting better, but I think there’s still another level."
While Silovs acknowledges his struggles, let's be honest: the Penguins need to start converting their own chances. Before anyone suggests a drastic and unrealistic solution – like temporarily replacing Silovs with Stuart Skinner just for the shootout – let's distribute the blame more evenly. Is it fair to lay all the blame on the goalie when the shooters aren't delivering?
A paltry 25% success rate simply won't win many shootouts, regardless of who's in net.
"Yeah, it’s gonna have to be all (video, practice, and one-on-one work). It’s costing us points, so we’re going to continue to work at it. I think each night, there’s a different story to it," explained coach Dan Muse. "I mean, I thought (Silovs) made a couple of big saves, gave us a chance in it. And you know, we also need to score goals. So it’s both sides. And so we got to put work on both sides."
And this is the part most people miss... The Penguins' struggles extend beyond the shootout. Their inability to capitalize in overtime is just as frustrating. They came out firing against Columbus in OT, dominating possession from the opening faceoff, but couldn't find the back of the net. Evgeni Malkin had two prime scoring opportunities from close range, but Columbus goalie Elvis Merzlikins stood tall. Ben Kindel even had a breakaway! What more could they have done?
Before we solely focus on the shootout performers, let's address two critical points.
First, the Penguins simply may not have players who excel in shootouts. It's a harsh reality, but a reality nonetheless. They practice, and various players have shown flashes of potential, but don't expect a hidden superstar to emerge from the shadows; not Ben Kindel, Rutger McGroarty, or even Brett Kulak. It's just not their forte.
Interestingly, one of the Penguins' most effective shootout performers is Kevin Hayes. He's mastered the art of the slow, deliberate move that throws goalies off balance. Hayes is 1-for-1 this season, but unfortunately, he doesn't currently fit into the team's lineup. Should they reconsider?
Second, here's an idea: Perhaps Silovs could incorporate the poke check into his shootout strategy. Charlie Coyle scored the shootout winner because he was afforded too much space to maneuver. Perhaps some of the Penguins could pass along Marc-Andre Fleury's number? "Flower" was the undisputed master of the shootout poke check and the winningest shootout goalie in NHL history. It's a risky move, but sometimes a calculated risk is exactly what's needed.
Currently, Silovs is stopping just over one-third of shootout attempts. Just a thought...
Penguins Analysis: A Rollercoaster Ride
The Penguins' performance against Columbus was a tale of two extremes. They fluctuated between being completely dialed in and appearing a step behind the play. They had a disastrous start to the first period, but then rallied to dominate Columbus for the remainder, stifling their offense. The second period followed a similar pattern of inconsistency.
It was a back-and-forth tactical battle heavily influenced by the Penguins' own fluctuating level of play. Their mood swings were dramatic, leaving little room for middle ground.
In their best moments, the Penguins employed an aggressive chip-and-chase strategy to create a relentless forecheck and generate more rush opportunities. This was especially evident from the top line of Crosby, Rust, and Rakell. They consistently pressured Columbus by winning puck battles deep in the offensive zone and working behind the defensemen. It was textbook hockey.
"Just try to outwork them, get pucks behind them, and force them to play a lot of defense," Rust explained. "And I don’t think they have guys who necessarily love to play defense. We just tried to outwork them."
However, Columbus had a counter-strategy in place. They effectively protected the net with multiple players, often four, prioritizing blocking shots over allowing clear passing lanes near the goal.
The Penguins were, at times, terrific. And, at other times, utterly brutal.
"I mean, it’s a tight game, we had chances. They had some chances. I mean, it was pretty even, relative to the score," Crosby said. "I think we would have liked to have our power play sharper, and maybe that’s a difference, but even over time we possessed the puck a lot, so unfortunately, we couldn’t get the next one."
The Penguins controlled the third period and overtime, but they simply couldn't convert their dominance into goals.
Penguins Report Card:
Team: C+
The barely passing grade is due to two primary factors. First, the awful starts to both the first and second periods. During those stretches, Columbus dictated the play, while the Penguins struggled with sloppy passes and defensive breakdowns. Second, the lack of finishing. The Penguins had numerous golden opportunities, but needed an extra attacker goal just to secure a point and failed to capitalize in overtime.
Arturs Silovs: B
None of the goals conceded were glaringly soft. The Penguins' defensive lapses left Columbus with open shots, but Silovs made several key saves to keep the team in contention.
Penguins Power Play: F
The team went 0-for-3 with only four shots. While the second power-play unit showed some promise, the first unit was largely ineffective, struggling to maintain possession and generate pressure.
Connor Clifton: A+
Clifton's energetic and risk-taking style was a breath of fresh air. He jumped into the play with abandon, even though he inexplicably hesitated on a potential breakaway. His goal in the first period was a testament to his offensive instincts.
Evgeni Malkin: A
For those who watched the game, it was impossible to miss Malkin's vintage form. His powerful skating stride and determination were reminiscent of his dominant years. He was visibly faster and more engaged, taking on the center's responsibilities and roaming the ice with purpose. Tommy Novak complemented Malkin well, allowing him to lead the play.
"I think the lines they’re generating chances. I think even coming out of the belly– coming out of the zone–tonight, they were able, especially early on, to generate a good amount of speed coming up ice.”
Mantha-Kindel-Brazeau: More
This trio had a quiet night. While they maintained possession and generated some shots, they struggled to create high-danger scoring chances.
So, what's the solution for the Penguins? Is it a coaching change? A roster shakeup? Or simply a matter of time and improved execution? Share your thoughts in the comments below! I'm genuinely curious to hear your perspectives on what needs to be done to turn this team around.
