Column: Packing up Penguins’ pluses, minuses

Outscores 24-5 in last 5 regulation losses. 2-8 in last 10 games against team with a winning record. Lost 0-4 to WAS, 0-4 to NASH, 0-5 VAN.........elephant in the room indeed.

Matt D'Arcobello

Haven't finished reading, but you have a boo boo when you're talking about the ref announcing why the goal was waved off. They said call on ice was no goal, not that it was a goal

Also: friendly edit suggestion: sixth bullet point, change "...especially where Ottawa..." to "...especially *in* Ottawa..." Thanks, and great work as always!

I don't think anyone is going to mistake Arcobello for a top 6 wing. But is he really any worse than Adams, Sill, Spaling or Sutter?

You point out some good things to consider coming off this road trip and moving forward. I'm chalking tonight's result up to playing back to back and 3 games in 4 nights, but I hate seeing that goose egg in the final score

Also, I think you meant Crosby "met" with instead of "might"

If Greiss wasn't ever going to play, Rutherford should have saved a half-million in cap space and just gone with Zatkoff as the number 2.

Sorry DK, I'm not buying it.

This wasn't a six game road trip. The Nashville game was on a Sunday afternoon, and with Thursday off that was all of one game in four and a half days before the two games in two nights, and neither game against Edmonton or Calgary were physical. Tonight was about "depth" vs. depth and the Pens lost. Badly.

As for Lapierre? I'm shocked that anyone thinks he's the problem on a line that has Craig Adams and Zach Sill on it. Goc was a good depth player until he was saddled with two guys who shouldn't even be in the NHL.

Whatever people think about Johnston and his system, there are way, way too many players on this roster that belong far away from any puck possession/quick transition style of hockey.

CBC had a graphic that showed that Sid and Geno - two players on an 18 man roster - have figured in on on 65% of the team's goals. Yet in the end, if the Pens flounder come spring with this pretender of a roster, they'll get most of the blame.

Well put, Dejan. That was a measured and thoughtful response to the trip as a whole.
I agree with you on the situation with Bennett. I had no problem with the coaches benching him for the first two games, especially after reading your report on their reasoning and that they were working with him. But, I thought it was very wrong not to have him in the Vancouver game, after Johnston said, in public, that Bennett would play. Whatever is going on, Bennett is still a young player who needs support. And, one would hope, there is greater chance that he will have much more to do with any success the Pens may have in the Spring than someone like Arcobello (or a few other players I could mention).
No one is a bigger Malkin fan than I am, but he had a rough game in Vancouver. Of course, the non-call when he was hauled down which led directly to the third goal has to be frustrating; but he needed to keep his focus better too.
He did play a terrific game in the first game, especially. He easily could've had 4 assists with the setups he made that game.
Overall though, 4 out of 6 points isn't bad.
The Pens just need to put that Vancouver game behind them. It happens to every team.
Now, here's to a healthy Comeau returning ASAP; and to continued good health for all the Pens going forward.

Come on Comeau! Depth W, depth D. Playoffs. Great read as always Dejan. Ok zzzzz time.

This version of the Penguins has zero character. Outside of Downie, the team seems like a bunch of stiffs. No fighter, no funny guy, no big hitter, no agitator, no loose cannon. Just a bunch of cardboard standups floating around the ice looking like they'd rather be doing anything but playing hockey. It hurts to watch. The little plastic rod hockey guys i had on my tabletop game (the smiley ones that were all actually the same guy) had more character. We need a Matt Cooke and a Max Talbot and an Artie Stevens. We're missing a Trottier/Guerin type. We need an Ulfie. I dont want world beaters, but i want someone who stands out in some way... ANY way. I want someone to throw Kunitz's suit in the shower for some inane reason. I want something to get the blood pressure up. I want a reason to *like* one of them. I exclude Sid and Fleury and Malkin from this rant (mostly), but they got nothing around them. I'd take an extremely marginal player who stirred things up a bit. This ain't good hockey or good TV.

Your last sentence should summarize why the spring can and should be different this year

"...unwritten policy of not forcing their referees to make immediate goal or no-goal calls"
I really do not understand this. Make the darn call. Right, wrong, or not sure, call what ya see. You know Toronto is gonna look at every one from every angle and super slo-mo. If they overturn your call, who cares, you called what you could see not what 20 cameras saw. No loss of face here.
Dunno, but I think the refs have just gotten complacent about it thinking Toronto has the final word.
All the NHL has to do is instruct the refs that the must make a call... ya I know, way to simple a solution.

DK, can you kick off and give the money back to all the dweebs that find it necessary to point out every typo and minor error?

DK, can you kick off and give the money back to all the dweebs that find it necessary to point out every typo and minor error?

I mean seriously, I understand we are all sports dorks and somewhat socially awkward in our own ways, but I cringe every time one of these guys tries to play editor to some that has been doing this professionally for as long as you have.

I intended to put this forward as a Tuesday question "Do you know what the Pens saw in Arcobello?" Now I won't. My goodness - he is horrible.

Can drive him to the game, that's some strong commentary.

A "contending Calgary"? They are currently 16th in the NHL standings.

Every time I see Mark Arcobello the song Tiny Dancer by Elton John goes through my head. I'm considering professional help. You're right DK, it's a gots to go situation. For my sanity if nothing else.

Generally agree with the travel and back to back games DK but its not the fact that they lose but how they are losing. Only three wins this year when trailing after one period and ZERO wins when trailing after two.

Something is wrong with this team when the cards are stacked against them (insert favorite excuse here)and we all know that come playoff time, the obstacles are increased tenfold.

Greiss is terrible. I can't believe Zatkoff could be significantly worse.

HCMJ got the repercussion aspect right in sitting Bennett in Edmonton and Calgary.

He missed the motivation and pragmatism aspects in Vancouver.

the ;correct' call on the goal should have been that Stanton knocked the net off. If the puck was, indeed, headed for the goal, then the referee should have awarded the goal. In that case, the goal is not reviewable by Toronto.

As they left it, Toronto couldn't take into account the fact that the defending team knocked the net off on a puck that was headed for an undefensed goal (meaning behind the goalie in this case).

While the announcers didn't mention it, I'm sure that's what Sutter saw and Johnston was so mad about.....

On the no goal -- a rocket off blade of Pouliot -- replays clearly showed Sutter swiped at it but missed. He gets a piece of tape on it and it's in.

PP TOI last night:

Letang 6:13
Pouliot 1:47

Way too much Letang. Needs to change and when it does, PP will be transformed.

I'm an avid fan of the Pens and watch them whenever I can, but my impression over the past 2-3 seasons is the NHL has sadly devolved back to a version of the mid-late 90s neutral-zone trap -- even with the removal of the 2-line offsides violation. The Pens aren't built for that, and no way in hell do Crosby, Malkin and every other marquee star get the kind of protection that Gretsky enjoyed. The Pens lack the David Backus/Ryan Kesler-type of center man who can deliver hard checks and be a defensive force. I know Sutter is a superb defender but he's not the physical presence. Today's problems stem from drafting and development issues going back 3-4 years. Looking back at playoff disappointments, I think we should be grateful the team has been competitive for 8 consecutive seasons.

Greiss misplayed 2 plays behind the net in the 2 losses to Vancouver. in the NHL you can't afford bone head mistakes those . Zatkoff isn't Marty Brodeur but he did not make those type of gaffes.

All the more curious as to why Harrington and Bennett weren't in the lineup last night. Seems like fresh legs coming off back to back healthy scratches would have added some much needed energy and drive to the squad.

Arcobello should be cut from the Little Penguins Learn to Play Hockey program!

Wow! Battleship Bob hit the nail on the head. Good analysis. Now, how does it get fixed?

And don't worry about Consol's ice.

Garth said he'd take care of it on his way out of the building.

2-1 Western Canada trip - I'll take it. For baseball historical comparison. per baseball-reference.com, from 1979-2014, Bucs are 67-105 against Dodgers in LA and 77-90 against Giants in SFO. A .424 winning percentage over a period long enough to be significant. Travel is tiring .......... just ask Mike Tomlin about London. At least Johnston learned something about early travel benefits.

And get Arcobello a John Denver recording of "Country Roads"

Are you aware of the reason behind the reluctance to play Bennett? Is it his tendency for injury? The guy seems to produce every game he plays. I'd rather a Bennett who can earn a goal or assist before getting hit and coming off than a guy picked up on waivers who has absolutely no business on the second line.

the ;correct' call on the goal should have been that Stanton knocked the net off. If the puck was, indeed, headed for the goal, then the referee should have awarded the goal. In that case, the goal is not reviewable by Toronto.

As they left it, Toronto couldn't take into account the fact that the defending team knocked the net off on a puck that was headed for an undefensed goal (meaning behind the goalie in this case).

While the announcers didn't mention it, I'm sure that's what Sutter saw and Johnston was so mad about.....

"ugh" that's how I'd describe Brandon Sutter's performance the last 3 months. By trading this bum is how GMJR gets more cap space.

Great breakdown of the road trip. I know it was their last game and understand that they may have had tired legs, but to get shutout again is concerning. Geno seemed to be trying too hard, making something out of nothing, which translated into sloppy puck management by him. Of course, he doesn't have the best options on his line. I really liked Hornqvist on Sid's line at the beginning of the season. I also remember when Kunitz played with Geno it seemed to work. For some reason, Hornqvist doesn't seem to gel with Malkin. Hopefully, Comeau will help out Geno's line.

We have seen this organization pull the ""Tiny" Arcebello crap before. Zach Boychuck comes to mind. Organizational depth, not second line material. You had two players that could have provided fresh legs last night. Both sat.

Bortuzzo could be #5 d. Yes, better than Scuderi, who will kill them in playoffs. However since suspension he has played like a #8. The way he showed he could play Jagr was Ulf-like. Where did that go? Why can't this staff get that out of him?

As for Max, my St Louis friends told me not to expect his old self, look at PIMs. He doesn't do what he used to and hasn't in a long time.

We are seeing signs of old Pens. Undisciplined penalties, no effort, power play looking Globetrooter like.

Right now, I do not see the consistency or grit needed in a 7 games series. Their record is misleading, the beat Western teams and bad teams, they lose to teams they will play in playoffs. Not a good sign.

We've been hearing the same bad-ice issues since Consol opened. Its a crying shame for a facility that new. Either the equipment is sub-standard or the staff can't do the job. shameful

*Concerned about how many times the dreaded two-headed monster (2HM) has been held in check without any goals. Not that either should be moved. Top level talent must be given time to figure it out and more often than not they do.
*Fatigue, bad bounces, unfavorable refs calls--would have been nice for the 2HM get riled up to the point where the outcome, while not victorious, was a lot closer than the 5-0 pasting it became.
*Pens not only team struggling with third and fourth line production. (Check out the Tanner Glass fan club pulling out its hair for his "contributions" to the Rangers this year. Reshaping them is not the solution.
*The team has two months to figure out a winning formula for beating the teams in the Metro before they meet them in the playoffs.
*Enjoy the passioned disucssions here and on other sites Think changes are necessary? Gain an accurate assessment of whether player X or Y is a good idea by reviewing scoring summaries and the accompanying video on nhl.com. Then determine if they might contribute something no one present is already doing.
*Part of reason for building Consol was the alleged, antiquated ice making system at the Civic Arena. At least that's what we were told. Same people, same essential technology, same dubious ice. Glad to hear a paid member of the media take notice of what goes on in cities with reputations for good ice, bearing in mind that they are not hosts to as many non-hockey events as Consol.
*Safe travels and look forward to more road coverage of the team. The home and away perspective is appreciated.

Money is always a good reason for not making a bold move, but it's hardly ever the real reason. What's the real reason JR would not try to give the top six a facelift, to go along with 1 more defensemen?

Sure, the Pens lost on the second of a back-to-back and went 2-1 on the trip. They also only played 3 games this week, just like everybody else, and none of them against competitive teams.

Let's be honest here. The Pens are really struggling. They are 8-9-4 in their 21 games since December 20th. That's a quarter of the season. Only 3 of their 8 wins in those 21 games have come against playoff teams, including their win over 8th seed Calgary. In their last 6 outings, they have been shut out 3 times, and scored 8 goals (1.33 goals per game). Against their own division, they are 2-5-1 since December 20th (with their only wins coming against NJ and CAR), and have been outscored 12-26.

Now, I get that they have been banged up during the past couple of months (as they are every year), but it would be unrealistic (to put it mildly) to think that the Pens' struggles will suddenly evaporate when Blake Comeau and his 48 points comes back. As Rob Rossi put it at the beginning of the year, coaching changes and small changes are not going to suddenly make these 35 year old players tougher.

Just great hockey reporting, period. You don't get this kind of detail and analysis in Canadian newspapers - I understand more about the Penguins game than I do about the Montreal Canadiens. That says a lot from a Canadian subscriber primarily because I am a HUGE Buccos fan.

The line-up as currently approved by the coaching staff handcuffs this team from the opening face-off.

On Consol's ice, just a suggestion, but they dim lighting over the stands between periods and the temp in the stands clearly gets much cooler.

Why not do same thing during game -- like MSG, where the lighting over the stands is virtually off during the game? Fans might not get to see their favorite beer vendor doing his faux striptease but ice would likely improve. And we're there for the hockey, right?

Just my 2¢.

This team is one and done in the playoffs. No forward depth in entire system.

I can't go as far as saying this was any kind of a step forward. The team didn't impress me vs. Edmonton sans Fleury, I think they may have lost that game to a good team. Looked great vs Calgary and terrible vs Vancouver. That's a mixed bag if I've ever seen one. This team needs Comeau AND a trade.

Why would a state of the art arena have ice surface issues mid season? What would they do in June?

I do not have NHL standings handy——anyone know who is #1 In Metro Division?

Certainly cannot tell from a majority of commenters here! Depressing!!

I am hopping in my car right now to head down to Bradenton——go Buccos!!

Great summary of the trip, DK. Found two errors above:

Goal no call: that “the call on the ice” was a goal (should say no goal)

Talking about Crosby: especially where Ottawa, where (assuming first where should be in)

DK, still down on Adams?

Thank you for including the Crosby visit to the children, and especially their quoted reaction. Great stuff

My opinion? Give Malkin #14 and move #72 back to top line. When Comeau comes back next week, insert him on 2nd line. Sutter needs #19 and #23 on line three. It would be worth getting another top 6 but there isn't much to work with the cap space they have. Hopefully Rutherford can work some magic here before the deadline. Wish #3 and #9 were healthy. Hope those guys are healing well.

take a look at this link tell me who the last five starts are against with Thomas Griess and then reevaluate your statement- where is there a weak team? All division rivals/aka tough teams and just to add a little salt in the wound in jan 18th fleury was pulled against the Rangers and Griess took the loss ...If we play Edmonton and Calgary so well why was Fleury not given the Vancouver assignment ?he was given the 2 easiest assignments , that doesn't sound like getting ready for the post season does it? Or am I off my rocker in asking these coaching decisions. MJ is a brilliant coach but you have to wonder about why he chose these assignments respectively for Fleury and Griess Is that not a question that begs to be answered? Is he being buffered or "protected" a little? http://www.nhl.com/ice/m_player.htm?id=8471306

Bear at Vancouver airport insisted he was a subscriber.

Love the Pens, but just seem to be slightly better than average team. Can't wait till they just hit that switch and transform into this playoff beast. Look great against mediocre teams, good teams? Not so much.

Didn't see the game, even though in my time zone, as I had other obligations. Just followed the score on my iPhone. Glad to see some upbeat feeling about the trip overall from you. I expected a pretty down beat feel from the group. Long way to go for the Pens, though. Saw NYI and BOS play yesterday. Great game w 2 great teams who really want it.

The 3 game trip was encouraging. The Penguins accomplished some things that I was starting to wonder about ... Specifically Sid Crosby. He showed a lot. I don't know if the Penguins are ok and about to turn the corner, I'm not convinced Johnson has changed the teams mindset, I'd be guessing about how all of,the injuries have affected the team, but I do know for certain that if the Pens want to be successful they are going to have to beat the teams in our Conference and Division to be precise. I also know that MAF is the MVP of the team to this point in the season. Enjoy the journey and save the Playoff comments for the Playoffs.

Thx for the great coverage DK on this trip.

DK, you've insulted the fair city of Wheeling and it's Nailers! We don't need some stinking Mark Arcobello down here to deal with. Please release him and get it done with. What did we ever do to you?

Testing.....seeing 0 comments on iPhone

I was hard on the no call goal last night as well but doesnt the lack of calling it a goal and pointing to the puck in the net in fact mean it was called no goal? My question is why was it ruled no goal? If a defender pushes the net off after a shot is on its way it isnt supposed to matter if the net is off if the puck would have crossed the line anyway. The officials should announce the on ice ruling to the crowd tjen call toronto. It would clear up any confusion of the exact ruling and what they are supposed to be looking for.

Anyone watch the Blackhawks vs. Blues?

Pens would be eaten alive by either one of those teams. The roster, even when healthy has so many shortcomings with a bunch of spare parts that simply don't fit the system he's trying to run. It's only made worse with his Bylsma-like line combos and TOI distribution.

I'm sorry, but openly stating that Kunitz's play hasn't been good and then allowing Crosby to plead his case for keeping that line together reeks of a staff that's afraid to take charge.

Arcobello is just the latest in a long line of players suffering from Ian Moran Syndrome. He's not a top line player, but is being played there. Because he is being played there, everyone expects him to be a player that he isn't.

Going for a long stretch with all 4 top 6 wingers plus the top 4 D all injured put a damper on what was a really great lineup. Dupuis/Maatta being lost for the season is huge, and I can see why GMJR is trying to find some help in the Arcobellos of the world while waiting for players to get healthy.

Bennett should have played Saturday night, but why the coaching staff is focusing on getting him to play his best should be obvious: their options for fixes are limited to player-for-player cap neutral trades.

People always want to say "injuries aren't an excuse", but there isn't an unlimited number of top line players and cap space.

I would love to know what GMJR and HCMJ think of Brandon Sutter's play the last few months. Fancy stats or score sheet, he's awful. Get's out muscled in every zone. Loses every board battle. Just a terrible disappointment this year. I really hope they trade him for something...anything.

Absolutely the best description of the team today. You've got some great one liners to make us feel a little better than the misery laden fans that we are after
that fiasco. Little humor goes a long way....thanks. Hope they do better on Wednesday.

Regarding Crosby in Calgary " he might" maybe should be "met"?

Would love to hear Johnston give the reason for keeping Bennet on the bench. Seems like the Pens would have benefited from some fresh legs.

So is Arcobello the Penguins' Michael Martinez??

Dejan, while I think Johnston has done a fine job so far I believe he made a very bad mistake by not playing Bennett after he said he would play him on the road trip. Why should Bennett trust him on anything he says in the future? Why should other players trust him? Coaches need to motivate, discipline and reward players over time to be effective. It seems to me Johnston has seriously compromised his ability to lead the players after only 50 some games as Head Coach. Am I taking this more seriously than the players or do you also think Johnston made a big mistake? Thanks, Bryan

Good trip for Pens.

Signing up for 3yrs on the "to do" list for this week. Why I've waited is beyond me...great stuff DK.

Bennett is still on the team, Goc isn't. Maybe Beau didn't play because he was part of a pending deal. We all know, except for the defensive corps, there has been a lot of change, not just a couple of complimentary players added. IMO thats why you don't see a team identity or consistency. Usually by the trade deadline you know what your team is and you've attempted to tweak the makeup. Changing coaches, players and keeping fans-in-the-stands has been a pretty good juggling act so far.

Did they send Arcobello to Wheeling yet ?

The Penguins are either feast or famine. What a odd and inconsistent team they are.

Any one who has watched the Pens all season could tell you the reason why we are losing games now that we were winning earlier in the season. The power play has been brutal. Their refusal to shoot the puck is mind blowing ... It's not about coaching at this point, it's about common sense ...

Seems like .596 is pretty weak evidence. Would have expected the percentage to be much higher to support your point. There is also a difference in losing 3-2 and getting smoked 3 times in 10 days. Think the team can make enough excuses on their own without media supporting the notion.

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