Know The Washington Capitals Enemy: Pittsburgh Penguins Season Review
Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
As the saying goes, it’s always good to know your enemy. I’m here to help Washington Capitals fans better understand arguably their biggest rival: the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Season Recap
The Penguins won the newly formed Metropolitan Division by 13 points, with a regular season record of 51-24-7 and 109 points. Sidney Crosby led the team in points with 104 points (36 goals, 68 assists). The Penguins did quite well despite injuries to Paul Martin, Kris Letang, and Evgeni Malkin. They beat the Columbus Blue Jackets in the first round of the playoffs before losing to the New York Rangers in the second round. The Washington Capitals went 0-4-0 against the Penguins.
Blogger’s Take
I asked Johnny Feulner, the editor at Pen’s Labyrinth five questions about the Penguins. I answered each of the five questions as well.
1. Who is to blame for the Penguins’ playoff failures this season?
Johnny: No one specific is to blame, per say. However, if you’re focusing on the one aspect that ultimately cost Pittsburgh an ECF berth, it’s the defense. People are quick to put the ouster on Sidney Crosby’s shoulders, but it’s not like he/they weren’t pressuring Henrik Lundqvist – the “King” just performed that good. Now, as far as quality chances, that’s debatable, but the defense was just too lackluster and inconsistent for their offense to succeed. Failing to pick up assignments and caught puck watching, the Pens’ defense left Marc-Andre Fleury hung out to dry on a number of occasions – not just in the quarterfinals.
I agree with this assessment. As a fan of the Washington Capitals, I almost feel bad for Pittsburgh Penguins fans right now. Just like the Washington Capitals back in 2010, the Penguins ran into a hot goaltender. Interesting view on Crosby, and one that I can agree with. The Penguins got quality chances and there’s honestly not much else that they could have done on offense. Now on defense, that’s an entirely different story. The Penguins defense gave up far too many scoring opportunities on defense. One could say precisely the same thing about the Rangers. The difference between the Rangers and the Penguins is that the Rangers were able to capitalize on them the most. As a defender to goalies everywhere, I couldn’t agree more about Fleury. “Hung out to dry on a number of occasions”… sounds like a certain Washington Capitals goalie, huh?
2. What do you think the Penguins need to do to win another Stanley Cup?
Johnny: Pittsburgh needs to have a better supporting cast around Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. James Neal has been a bust in the postseason, and Chris Kunitz is getting older. Not to mention, the third and fourth lines are pitiful. So, in order for them to avoid yet another playoff flame-out, the Pens need better wingers to support the two-headed monster. If that means trading Neal, so be it. If that means dealing Kris Letang – which will be difficult given his salary and recent stroke episode – so be it. They also need to improve the defense – as apparent in my first question answer. Rob Scuderi was atrocious, and there’s no telling if Matt Niskanen – who was their best defenseman last season – will be back. So, assembling a group of versatile, yet rugged, defensemen is a must.
Couldn’t agree more. Replace “Crosby and Evgeni Malkin” with “Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom”, and you’d have a pretty good assessment of the Washington Capitals right now. Definitely agree that the bottom six forwards cost the Penguins in the playoffs. In the playoffs, depth is an absolute must. Look at the Kings and Blackhawks. Both have four forward lines capable of scoring.
I think that, as Johnny said, Neal and Letang could be on the trading block. Now, whether or not anybody wants to trade for them and their respective contracts at this point is another story. Neal is movable, Letang could be very difficult to move. Having veteran defensemen is always a good thing. Sadly, that is a luxury that the 2013-2014 Washington Capitals did not have.
3. Who was the Penguins’ MVP this season?
Johnny: Pittsburgh’s MVP was Niskanen hands down. I know the obvious and popular choice is Crosby, but Niskanen was more valuable than Crosby. Transforming into a power-play giant and being extremely reliable when all of the Pens’ top-4 defensemen went down with injuries at one point in the season, Niskanen was the most durable, and productive player in my eyes. However, re-signing him will be tough, given how well he did execute. It’ll be unfortunate if Pittsburgh can’t.
I think Crosby was the Penguins MVP this season, but I can definitely understand Johnny’s argument. Niskanen has earned himself a nice pay day, as he’s arguably the best upcoming free agent defenseman.
4. What is the Penguins’ biggest need moving forward?
Johnny: This sort of relates to my 2nd question, but biggest need is wing. I know defense is a large priority, but Pittsburgh has a lot of defensive prospects ready to step in. Being able to supply Crosby with a concrete winger – besides Kunitz – and adding wingers to Brandon Sutter’s line that will stick around for the long haul is utterly dire. Everyone likes to point out the fact Fleury is mediocre, but he really wasn’t the issue this time around. Fleury only has one-year on his contract left anyway, so it’s not like he won’t be a Penguin for much longer.
I think that while the Penguins need forwards, their defense can’t be overlooked moving forward. I think Matt Niskanen is a goner at this point unless he takes a discount to stay with the Penguins. If Brooks Orpik, another upcoming free agent, leaves, I think the Penguins will greatly miss his leadership.
5. Sum up your team’s season in a limerick.
Johnny: Here was a team with great expectations,
but as usual just fell on their faces.
They’d try to score,
and try some more,
but filled Pens’ fans with anguish.
Not technically a limerick since it does not quite follow the rhyming rules, but I’ll allow it. Points for creativity!
Here’s mine:
There once was a team from Pitts,
who had guys with big cap hits.
However, in the end,
Henrik’s stick didn’t bend,
So now their fans are throwing fits.