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Pittsburgh Penguins finding unexpected stability with defensive pairing: 'Odd couple'
Photo credit: Edit from Pittsburgh Hockey Now
The Penguins are getting some solid minutes from their third-pairing defensive duo, Jack St. Ivany and Ryan Shea, with them being deemed as an odd couple.
Ryan Shea and Jack St. Ivany form an interesting but successful duo on the Penguins' third pairing, playing together for the last seven games.
"Ryan Shea and Jack St. Ivany are an odd couple holding down the Penguins' 3rd pairing."
- Seth Rorabaugh
- Seth Rorabaugh
To consider them an "odd couple" may be a bit of hyperbole. Both were picked in the middle of a draft and have a very conservative, by-the-book style of play. They are very different personalities in real life.
Their start in the 2023-24 campaign was in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, teaming up in the AHL as members of the Penguins. Following the trade of Ty Smith to the Hurricanes in March 2024, Shea was then paired with St. Ivany.
What this pairing helped the Penguins accomplish at the end of last season
By mid-March, both had been recalled to Pittsburgh and formed the third defensive pairing, which helped the Penguins go 8-2-2 towards the end of the season.
"It's more of a good friendship that you've built and it goes a long way when you're on the ice."
- Ryan Shea
- Ryan Shea
There was no guarantee of a reunion during the 2024-25 season. St. Ivany was sidelined for the first two and a half months due to his right foot injury, while Shea was seeing regular action on the second unit alongside Kris Letang.
This year, they reunited in December due to lineup moves and Brett Kulak's debut, reuniting Shea and St. Ivany on Dec. 21. Since then, they've been an effective third pairing.
Why the numbers prove they're an effective duo
They've had 100 Shot attempts for and 90 Shot attempts against at five-on-five in seven games and dominate in high-danger chances (20-14) and goals (7-4).
One highlight is a 7-3 victory over Chicago on Dec. 28, with Shea accumulating three assists and St. Ivany two, both season highs. Shea has 16 points with 41 games under his belt, and St. Ivany has three assists with nine games.
These aren't a pair of flawless defensemen. The first two goals on Sunday proved that. But these two have gained the confidence of the Penguins' stars. It's a strange couple, no doubt, but an effective one.
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| POLL | ||
JANVIER 5 | 100 ANSWERS Pittsburgh Penguins finding unexpected stability with defensive pairing: 'Odd couple' Should Jack St. Ivany and Ryan Shea remain a duo for the foreseeable future? | ||
| Yes | 88 | 88 % |
| No | 12 | 12 % |
| List of polls | ||