Pittsburgh Hockey Insider has no direct affiliation to the Pittsburgh Penguins, NHL or NHLPA
Pittsburgh Penguins March stretch could hinge on Erik Karlsson partner switch
Photo credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Dave Molinari floated a Pittsburgh Penguins blue line swap idea, and with the trade deadline looming, it feels like a real March stress test.
The Penguins are 31-15-13, and that cushion can disappear fast when the schedule turns mean.
Molinari's point hits because this decor still looks "figuring it out," even after a statement win.
They just thumped Vegas 5-0 on Sunday, which buys trust but not perfection.
The bigger issue is what happens when you do not have Sidney Crosby to paper over a messy breakout.
And if you are going to experiment, better now than when the standings tighten.
"Proposing a personnel swap on the blue line."
- Dave Molinari
- Dave Molinari
Right now, the pairs are tilted toward offense, with Erik Karlsson riding with Parker Wotherspoon and Samuel Girard playing with Kris Letang.
A "swap" is basically a bet that two elite puck movers should not be stapled to one look every night.
Erik Karlsson puts Pittsburgh Penguins pairs under a microscope
Honestly, Penguins fans are excited by the standings, but nobody feels totally calm watching that first pass under pressure.
If Karlsson gets a steadier matchup partner, his risk can turn into cleaner exits instead of odd-man rushes.
If Girard gets the heavier minutes, Letang can pick spots, not chase them.
Tuesday in Boston is a brutal lab for this, especially on tired legs.
And March is not forgiving, with deadline noise and playoff-style games stacked tight.
Bryan Rust hitting 20 goals again helps, but this month is going to be decided from the blue line out.
Also read on HockeyUnplugged :
Frank Seravalli says Hurricanes only move Jesperi Kotkaniemi for clear center upgrade
Frank Seravalli says Hurricanes only move Jesperi Kotkaniemi for clear center upgrade
| POLL | ||
MARS 3|129 ANSWERS Pittsburgh Penguins March stretch could hinge on Erik Karlsson partner switch Should the Pittsburgh Penguins actually swap Erik Karlsson's defense partner in March? | ||
| Yes | 63 | 48.8 % |
| No | 66 | 51.2 % |
| List of polls | ||