Crosby and Malkin Can't Fix This: The One Flaw Holding the Penguins Back
Photo credit: TSN
Despite having superstars like Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, and even if they have top-notch rookies, the Penguins are still lacking elite defensemen.
Parker Wotherspoon's delay of game penalty on Tuesday in the final minute of regulation between the Penguins and Ducks was so perfect, but not in a good way.
There was time, space, and no pressure, and yet the puck went straight up into the glass. It was not a rolling puck or a desperation hack, but simply an avoidable error justly punished with the penalty the rule mandates.
Anaheim scored the winner with the game's power play soon after. Why is this worth mentioning? It's silly plays like this that are going to ultimately derail the Penguins' season.
That night wasn't only justifying the rule. It highlighted a broader truth regarding this Pittsburgh Penguins roster. The star talent at the top of this lineup cannot be questioned.
There are going to be some nights when the structure appears solid, veterans hold up their end, and younger players demonstrate development. But this team is still going to lose, and much of the time they will do so in frustrating ways.
If the Penguins Want to Make the Playoffs, They Need to Fix the Left Side of Their Blue Line
The biggest issue is on the blue line, specifically the left side, where there simply aren't enough qualified players for regular NHL ice time, at least not on a team that hopes to contend.
"Even if Dan Muse implements a good structure. Even if the future Hall of Famers and remaining All-Star level players produce and perform. Even if some young players take big steps forward and show they belong in the NHL. There are just still way too many players on this roster that are not good enough. That especially applies to the defense, and more specifically the left side of the defense where there is not a single player that should really be playing regular shifts for an NHL team. At least not an NHL team with sights on contending this season."
- Adam Gretz
- Adam Gretz
Ultimately, that penalty was not a singular blunder. It was a sign of a roster heavy on too much filler, where one preventable error becomes a snowball that leads to a loss in short order. There will be more nights like that coming. Buckle up, Penguins fans.
Previously on HockeyUnplugged
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