• HOME
  • NHL Teams
    • North Division
      • Calgary Flames
      • Edmonton Oilers
      • Montreal Canadiens
      • Ottawa Senators
      • Toronto Maple Leafs
      • Vancouver Canucks
      • Winnipeg Jets
    • East Division
      • Boston Bruins
      • Buffalo Sabres
      • New Jersey Devils
      • New York Islanders
      • New York Rangers
      • Philadelphia Flyers
      • Pittsburgh Penguins
      • Washington Capitals
    • Central Division
      • Carolina Hurricanes
      • Chicago Blackhawks
      • Columbus Blue Jackets
      • Dallas Stars
      • Detroit Red Wings
      • Florida Panthers
      • Nashville Predators
      • Tampa Bay Lightning
    • West Division
      • Anaheim Ducks
      • Arizona Coyotes
      • Colorado Avalanche
      • Los Angeles Kings
      • Minnesota Wild
      • San Jose Sharks
      • Seattle Kraken
      • St. Louis Blues
      • Vegas Golden Knights
  • Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • NHL Prospects
  • World Juniors
  • Archives
  • Podcast Network
  • More…
    • CHL
      • Ontario Hockey League
      • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
      • Western Hockey League
    • Columns
    • Women’s Hockey
    • Other Leagues
    • NHL Entry Draft
    • Books
    • NHL History
  • Log in
The Hockey Writers
  • Site Index
  • NHL Salary Caps
  • Hockey 101: A Beginner’s Guide
  • Join Our Team
  • Free Newsletter
  • Store
  • Log in
The Hockey Writers
  • HOME
  • NHL Teams
    • North Division
      • Calgary Flames
      • Edmonton Oilers
      • Montreal Canadiens
      • Ottawa Senators
      • Toronto Maple Leafs
      • Vancouver Canucks
      • Winnipeg Jets
    • East Division
      • Boston Bruins
      • Buffalo Sabres
      • New Jersey Devils
      • New York Islanders
      • New York Rangers
      • Philadelphia Flyers
      • Pittsburgh Penguins
      • Washington Capitals
    • Central Division
      • Carolina Hurricanes
      • Chicago Blackhawks
      • Columbus Blue Jackets
      • Dallas Stars
      • Detroit Red Wings
      • Florida Panthers
      • Nashville Predators
      • Tampa Bay Lightning
    • West Division
      • Anaheim Ducks
      • Arizona Coyotes
      • Colorado Avalanche
      • Los Angeles Kings
      • Minnesota Wild
      • San Jose Sharks
      • Seattle Kraken
      • St. Louis Blues
      • Vegas Golden Knights
  • Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • NHL Prospects
  • World Juniors
  • Archives
  • Podcast Network
  • More…
    • CHL
      • Ontario Hockey League
      • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
      • Western Hockey League
    • Columns
    • Women’s Hockey
    • Other Leagues
    • NHL Entry Draft
    • Books
    • NHL History
Home
Pittsburgh Penguins

Points of Emphasis: Damage Control

By Lee C.J. Sobotka October 18th, 2015

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp

Last night, the Pens welcomed the Toronto Maple Leafs to the Consol Energy Center. Shot numbers were low during the first half of the game, yet the team still carried the lead and finished with a total of 33.  The Pens are now 8-2 in their last 10 games versus the Leafs, and have won six straight in the series.

It was the first time that Phil Kessel got to face his former team. He led all forwards in ice time at 20:47 and was 3rd overall behind Kris Letang / Ian Cole. 

Marc-Andre Fleury played in his 600th game. This ranks first for goalies, ninth overall in the franchise.  He played well on his way to making 26 saves.  “It was a close game,” Fleury said, “but we didn’t give them too much so that’s always a big help.”

Final: 2-1 Pens


Points of Emphasis:

Damage Control:

http://gty.im/492204042

Last night, Ben Lovejoy and Rob Scuderi were placed in different defensive pairings. The thinking is that in separating them, you soften the damage by pairing them with a more capable partner.  However, I believe the time for softening is over. If Lovejoy and Scuderi must be in the lineup, play them together.

Not to “spread out” the damage, but to limit it.

If Scuderi was still capable of playing a “stay at home” role at a high level, I’d support pairing him with someone like Olli Maatta or Letang. That time is passing (if it hasn’t passed already). Think of a Lovejoy / Scuderi pairing as a powder keg just begging for a spark. By playing them together, you can control the explosion by limiting their ice time.  It’s how the Pens can get the most out of someone like Maatta, who began last night chained to Scuderi on the bottom pairing. Maatta will flourish if he is freed from having to worry about whether his defensive partner can keep up.

It goes beyond stick-handedness or trying to match up complementary pairings; If there must a defensive hole in the lineup, one hole is preferable to two.

Or, the problem could be solved simply by playing Adam Clendening instead.

Maatta, for his part, talked up his line mate after the game:

“We played well. We did a really good job in our own end breaking out. He’s a good player. He’s easy to play with, as he talks a lot and is really solid defensively – I really like playing with him.”


The Incredible Malk:

Evgeni Malkin scored another goal last night, his 2nd on the season.

Bingo pic.twitter.com/8KLuJQVUOP

— #1 Pear Fan Account 🍐🍐🍐🍐 (@_BooPaul) October 17, 2015

He’s playing on another level right now, and is obviously the team’s #1 center at this moment. Perhaps it’s time to give Kessel a try on Malkin’s wing?

@LCJS exactly. Like a Neal replacement. Hornqvist with Crosby. Crosby plays better with guys like 72

— Beth (@pghgirl15222) October 18, 2015


Hornqvist Hustle

Here is a great example of what hustle in hockey looks like, from Patric Hornqvist.

  • Tags
  • Ben Lovejoy
  • Evgeni Malkin
  • Olli Maatta
  • Rob Scuderi
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp

Get theScore App Now!
Recent Posts
Jan 16th 9:45 AM
Calgary Flames

Flames Struggle to Play With the Lead Again in First Loss of the Season

Jan 16th 9:35 AM
Commentary

Marleau Leads Players, Coaches Seeking NHL Milestones in 2020-21

Jan 16th 9:25 AM
Los Angeles Kings

Kings Look for Redemption After Opening Night Loss to the Wild

Jan 16th 9:15 AM
Washington Capitals

Vitek Vanecek: The Capitals’ New Backup Goalie

Jan 16th 9:05 AM
St Louis Blues

Blues Who Have Point-per-Game Potential

Jan 16th 8:55 AM
Montreal Canadiens

Canadiens Must Stick with Edmundson over Mete for Now

Jan 16th 8:45 AM
Carolina Hurricanes

3 Headlines After Hurricanes First Game

Jan 16th 8:35 AM
Chicago Blackhawks

Today in Hockey History: Jan. 16

Jan 15th 6:25 PM
Montreal Canadiens

Canadiens’ Romanov Fired Up to Face Oilers’ McDavid and Draisaitl

Jan 15th 6:00 PM
San Jose Sharks

Sharks’ Second Line Shines in Season Opener

Editor’s Picks
World Junior Championship All-Time Leading Scorers

World Junior Championship All-Time Leading Scorers

2021 Guide To the World Junior Championship

2021 Guide To the World Junior Championship

Masthead

Newsletters

RSS Feeds

Privacy Statement

Contact Us

About THW…

Founded in 2009, The Hockey Writers is a premier destination for news and information on everything hockey. Updated daily with news and features from over 130 writers worldwide. Over 2 million monthly readers now come to THW for their hockey fix.

© The Hockey Writers 2020. All rights reserved.
logo
  • HOME
  • Hockey Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • North Division
    • Calgary Flames
    • Edmonton Oilers
    • Montreal Canadiens
    • Ottawa Senators
    • Toronto Maple Leafs
    • Vancouver Canucks
    • Winnipeg Jets
  • East Division
    • Boston Bruins
    • Buffalo Sabres
    • New Jersey Devils
    • New York Islanders
    • New York Rangers
    • Philadelphia Flyers
    • Pittsburgh Penguins
    • Washington Capitals
  • Central Division
    • Carolina Hurricanes
    • Chicago Blackhawks
    • Columbus Blue Jackets
    • Dallas Stars
    • Detroit Red Wings
    • Florida Panthers
    • Nashville Predators
    • Tampa Bay Lightning
  • West Division
    • Anaheim Ducks
    • Arizona Coyotes
    • Colorado Avalanche
    • Los Angeles Kings
    • Minnesota Wild
    • San Jose Sharks
    • Seattle Kraken
    • St Louis Blues
    • Vegas Golden Knights
  • World Juniors
  • CHL
    • Ontario Hockey League
    • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
    • Western Hockey League
  • THW Podcast Network
  • Store
  • FREE Newsletter
  • Search THW
  • More…
    • Join Our Team
    • The THW Archives
    • Prospects
    • The Goalie Page
    • NHL Salary Cap Information